Meal ideas for a friend

[MammaG]

A close friend of mine is in need of meals. Her DH was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma last Autumn and he's in the middle of chemo treatments right now. He will soon undergo a marrow transplant.

They have two young children, ages 1 and 3. Her youngest is SEVERELY allergic to dairy. As in epi-pen allergic.

She's a busy professional and is a little overwhelmed with taking care of DH, the children, her job and coping with the worry of facing cancer. They need healthy, nutritious meals. I'm looking for more dairy-free ideas both to make her myself and to post for other volunteers on their webpage. Things that can be frozen are particularly great.

There are some fabulous recipes already on the website (Veggie Vegan Lasagne, Fire-Roasted Tomato Basil Soup, Spiced Vegan Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies), and they are adventuresome eaters. They are omnivores. Thanks in advance for helping to keep this wonderful family fed and healthy!

[Alyantavid]

Chicken strips/nuggets - just dip the chicken in egg and then breadcrumbs (panko are dairy free and super crispy)
Meatloaf
Meatballs
Roasted chicken - I usually just get drumsticks, they go over much better with my kids
Apple Sausages
Hot pockets - Just use a pizza crust recipe and leave out the cheese
Sweet & sour chicken legs - Roast the legs. Mix 1 cup brown sugar, 1 pack dry onion soup mix, 1 cup ketchup, 1 cup hot water and splash of vinegar and pour over the legs. Cook until the meat's falling off the bone
Split pea soup
Tomato soup - Soften onion and garlic in some olive oil. Add that, along with 2 cups veggie stock, a can of crushed tomatoes (I've used fresh, it doesn't really matter) 1 tbsp tomato paste and salt and pepper to a crockpot and cook on high all day. Puree in the blender.

[napless]

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These freeze well.

You can brown the meatballs if you want, but you don't have to. (I don't.)

Preheat oven to 350F/180C.

Meatballs
1 lb/500 g ground beef
1/4 cup/60 mL minced onion
1/4 cup/60 mL bread crumbs
1/4 cup/60 mL milk



Sauce
1/2 cup/125 mL honey
1/3 cup/80 mL cider vinegar
1/3 cup/80 mL water
1/3 cup/80 mL barbecue sauce

Mix together the ground beef, minced onions, bread crumbs and milk. Form meatballs. (I use my hands.)
Place the balls in a casserole dish.

In a small bowl, mix the honey, cider vinegar, water and barbecue sauce.

Pour this sauce over the meatballs.
Bake for 40 to 60 minutes.

[napless]

Lentil-Spinach Soup

This is quick!


1 Tbsp/15 mL vegetable oil

4 green onions, chopped

3 medium carrots, diced

1 medium potato, scrubbed and diced

1 Tbsp/15 mL tomato paste

1 tsp/5 mL curry powder

2 1/2 cups/375 mL vegetable stock

2 1/2 cups/375 mL water

1 cup/250 mL dried red lentils

2 cups/500 mL (packed) fresh spinach, stems removed

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the green onions, carrots and potato. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until the onions are soft.
Stir in the tomato paste and curry powder.
Add the stock, water and lentils. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, wash and chop the spinach.
Check the soup. If the lentils are tender, add the spinach. Stir to mix.
Serve.

[MammaG]

Thank-you, ladies! I was in an idea rut. Cooking for her has also made me realize just how much butter we eat in our house...it's probably a good exercise to cook with none for a while just to make a change!
Thanks!