Pork Chop Sandwich Comeback...and "Those People"...

What's up Guys,

Finally we have some rain and it feels like this heatwave is ready to break. I honestly believe that we could've cooked Granny's Rolls this week just by putting them out in the sun! It has been fun at Kairos and we have some interesting Specials coming up this week...

Making a comeback is the Pork Chop Sandwich, which I haven't ran on Special for quite some time. This is one of my personal favorite sandwiches to eat. It starts with a boneless Pork Chop that is marinated in some "special" seasonings and then we throw it on the grill and cook it to perfection. That's just the beginning for this juicy piece of goodness. Next we throw it on a toasted bun and top it with a Grilled Green Tomato...mmm...that's not all though, because we finish it with an awesome slaw recipe that I've been playing with for about a year. The difference is it's sauteed with sweet onions, a little spinach to green up the cabbage, and a mouth-watering Honeymustard BBQ Sauce that'll knock your socks off.

I'll never forget the first time I made them and a guy called me out to the Dining Room to give me a two thumbs up and a "This is the BEST Sandwich I have ever eaten" that really made my day. And of course it wouldn't be complete without Jeremy's Made From Scratch Fries to accompany it!

The Soup is Cream of Potato, a longtime Kairos favorite that was featured today in the City Scene. We'll load it for you on request. The Fish is a pan seared Atlantic Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce and Spinach. You can't miss with that one. The Veggie is Rice Pilaf with Mixed Veggies and it is loaded with delicious goodness! I can't wait for you to try this recipe I've been perfecting for quite some time now.

For those of you who are Fans of the Chocolate Chip Pudding, that's the Dessert Special. I love this recipe because it was one of the first dessert recipes that I created from scratch. It has homemade chocolate chip cookies all crumbled up, then it is layered with a creamy vanilla custard, fresh whipped cream, and toffee bits. Be careful though because I hear that it is addictive.

This week I made Kairos Corn on the Cob with Cilantro butter on Fox 6. This is an awesome recipe that really takes corn on the cob to another level. It's also really easy to do. I first learned this method after watching my former employer, Tony from Leonardo's, make it for me. I added a few of my own touches over the years but it is still a tried and true recipe. Click on the link below to watch me make it and get the recipe.

James Hooking Up Corn on the Cob with Cilantro Butter

Tomorrow we are giving my Dad a surprise 60th Birthday Party here at Kairos. Most of my family is going to be able to make the trip and I am excited to cook for them and honor my Dad at the same time. I have been playing with some new ideas that I'm gonna test out on my family and then hopefully on to you guys.

Have you ever heard anyone use the term "those people"? A few years ago NBC 13 came out and did a story on Kairos Kafe. They wanted to focus on my background and how I almost ruined my life at a young age, but by the Grace of God turned my life around. They also interviewed my Pastor, Steve Longenecker, who worked with me while I was in Prison and over the last ten years since I've been out.

A few days later he was at his boys' baseball game and someone came up and told him they saw the story, and that it was nice that someone was working with "Those People". He was very irritated and even wrote an article titled "Those People" and said how proud he was to be a part of "Those People" from Grace & Truth.

I recently started teaching a class out at Donaldson Correctional Facility and have really been blessed in the process to share with a group of guys who have made a lot of mistakes and need to know that it is possible to live a significant life after being released.

Recently, when I was with them, I remembered the story that my Pastor told me about the "Those People" comment and it really made me sad. It was as if a lightbulb went off in my head and I realized this:

We are all "Those People". Everyone of us have or have had something that we struggle with and something that we need to overcome. There used to be an old saying "But for the Grace of God there goes me..." or something like that. But it's true, and when we refer to people who are struggling in an area that we may have success in as "Those People" then it really only shows how blind we are to ourselves...

I also am proud to be a part of a Church full of "Those People"! Our Sunday Service at Grace & Truth starts at 10:30 a.m. Come join us if you're in the area!

Thanks you guys for listening to my thoughts. God Bless You and have a wonderful week!

James K Jones