Chupacabra: Awkward Thank You Dinner

As another day at the Greene farm begins, the search for Sophia drags on. Daryl takes a horse to scout out the ridge at the highest point of Hershel's land; while Rick, Shane and the rest of the group divide the property into grids and make an organized search.


Carol Peletier, desperate for something to occupy her mind, persuades Lori to offer the Greene family dinner prepared by the Group, as a thank you.


In the woods alone with Rick, Shane begins his campaign to end the search and head to Fort Benning as originally planned. As he conducts his own search, Daryl Dixon is grievously injured and he staggers back to camp covered in mud and blood. Andrea, who has begun a Sarah-Connor-like transformation, mistakes him for a Walker and shoots him. He survives and returns with the first hard evidence that Sophia was nearby...her doll.


After Hershel tends to Daryl's injuries, the thank you meal begins. It quickly becomes "The-Most-Awkward-Dinner-Party-Ever." Not a single word is spoken. Even the diners at the kids' table aren't talking.


Daryl recovers in the next room and with his sacrifice on Sophia's behalf, solidifies his position with the group. Carol brings him a plate of food and kisses him to show her gratitude. She assures him that he's done more for Sophia in one afternoon, than her late husband did in his entire life.


Glenn and Maggie grow closer and he gives her a note to meet him in the barn after dinner. He discovers that the dilapidated structure is filled with Walkers. Maggie is horrified at his intrusion and the romantic moment turns out as awkward as the dinner.


The Greene's likely had many canned hams in their pantry, since they willingly sacrificed one to lure the Walker in the well. With an orange and mustard glaze and a little doctoring, canned hams are quite good. A potato casserole with herbs de provence and green beans round out the menu.


Save these recipes for when your Group has a special occasion to celebrate or for a final supper before making your Last Stand.


And when the dead rise; bring better books than Dale.

Orange Garlic Ham

3-16 oz. Canned Hams (we used DAK brand)
1 jar Orange Marmalade (we recommend Smucker's Simply Fruit)
5 Tablespoons DIjon Mustard
5 cloves crushed garlic (or 2 tablespoons garlic powder)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients except canned ham. Carefully open the cans containing the hams. In a large baking dish (9" x 13") place all three hams, spacing out carefully. Brush 1/2 of the glaze mixture onto the hams. Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until heated through. Remove from oven and slice carefully into 1/4 inch slices. Brush with a few more tablespoons of the glaze (reserving some for serving). Place under the broiler and broil until the edges of the ham slices char just slightly. Alternately, you can slice ham into 1/2 inch thick slices, brush with glaze and grill over medium coals until crisped at the edges.

Potato Casserole

5 pounds mixed potatoes (the WDSCB used Yellow and Red)
4 cups almond or soy milk
1 Tablespoon Sea Salt (kosher)
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Herbs de Provence
1 tsp Nutmeg
Parmesan Cheese


Mix all dry spice ingredients in a small bowl. Peel potatoes and slice VERY thinly. You can use a mandolin slicer to get them extra thin. In a 9 x 13 inch pan, layer potato slices to cover the bottom. Pour over a little milk and sprinkle with about 1 teaspoon of the spices and 1 Tablespoon of the Parmesan. Add more potatoes to create another layer. Sprinkle with more herbs, cheese and milk. Keep layering until all the ingredients are used up. Pour over enough milk to just cover the top layer and sprinkle with more herbs/cheese. Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 1/2 hour until bubbly and golden.

Green Beans

3 pounds of green beans (ends snapped off and broken in half)
Kosher Salt
Black Pepper
Extra Virgin Olive Oil


In a large saucepan, boil 2 quarts of clean water. Add beans and boil gently for 6 minutes or until lightly cooked (not mushy). Drain and toss with salt and pepper. Olive oil if you have it.