Strangers: St. Sarah's Slumgullion

Rick Grimes and his extended family have spent the last days wandering through the woods of Northeast Georgia. They have no particular plan except to place as much distance as possible between themselves and a violent band of bloodthirsty cannibals.

Only Carol's quick thinking and fearless execution of her plan has saved them from a gruesome death. Now their only concern is getting food.

After hearing screams, they come upon a priest who has become trapped on a boulder, surrounded by Walkers. Upon being rescued, the priest introduces himself as Father Gabriel. The Group learns that he has been hiding out in St. Sarah's Episcopal Church since the outbreak. The church also happens to manage a Family Services Food Bank.

Gabriel leads them to the food bank and they discover a huge supply of canned goods and packaged foods that are completely untouched. Unfortunately, the food pantry is also occupied by Walkers that must be cleared out. As always, the Group shares the risk and is able to emerge with carts and boxes of food that will last them for weeks.

They make their way back to St. Sarah's Church. It has been their first moment of relative peace since their near-death experience at Terminus. The church is secured; bottles of communion wine are opened; food is heated and prepared; and a celebration is begun by the Group of strangers brought together by the end of the world.

They allow themselves to smile and even laugh. Against all odds they have managed to survive and stay together. Abraham proposes a toast and urges the entire group to aid in the mission to take Eugene to Washington, DC. Rick finally agrees and the decision is made to take a church bus on the journey.

With such a selection of canned goods, the Group could actually decide what they wanted to make that night. Canned beans, canned chicken, macaroni and cheese, plus a generous cup of wine and seasonings combine to make the unusual and delicious St. Sarah's Slumgullion. Use whatever similar ingredients your group has and your own seasonings and don't be afraid to be creative.

And when the dead rise; don't take in wayward priests that you find on rocks.

St. Sarah's Slumgullion

2 (15 oz) cans beans (any kind-we used Bush's Sweet Heat), undrained
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 box macaroni and cheese (we used Annie's Shells and Cheddar)
1 small can chicken breast, drained
1 cup red wine
1 Tbsp. dried minced onion
3 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

In a large saucepan, combine beans, tomatoes, chicken breast, wine, and spices. Heat over medium heat or medium-hot campfire coals until simmering gently. Stir in macaroni from the macaroni and cheese mix but NOT the cheese sauce.

Cover and allow to simmer until macaroni is al dente. You may need to stir in more wine if the stew becomes too dry. Stir in cheese sauce mix and allow to simmer for 1 more minute. Serve with crackers or biscuits.