Bringing A Meal to Someone

[swede]

My church is in the midst of a baby boom.  I have a brought a meal to someone every week for the past 6 weeks, and I am scheduled for the next 3, as well. 

I would love ideas for something easy to make, easy to transport, easy to pair with just a salad and possibly bread.  I've made chili (boring, I know),  lasagna, chicken tortilla soup, chicken enchiladas, cream of potato soup w/ham.  The thing it, I just double the recipe and we also have the same thing for dinner.  And my family is tired of the rotation, I think.  So please, spam me with your favorite thing to bring someone.  I would love one dish ideas, because I am using disposable pans.  

Thanks so much!!

[pjs]

Baked ziti, meatloaf, chicken and rice casserole, baked macaroni and cheese, pot roast with potatoes and carrots, shepard's pie, turkey pot pies, veggie fried rice,

[swede]

Originally Posted by pjs 

Baked ziti, meatloaf, chicken and rice casserole, baked macaroni and cheese, pot roast with potatoes and carrots, shepard's pie, turkey pot pies, veggie fried rice,

meatloaf!  That's a great one. I like the idea of pot pies.  but I never have good luck with crust.  I should try again.  baked ziti is too similar to lasagna, I think.  I did make mac and cheese once - my family loves that.  I need to try not to do so many pasta or rice type things, even though they lend themselves to one dish meals.  Too many carbs...

thanks for the ideas :)
 

SUBMIT

[BetsyS]

When I had my last baby, one of my neighbors brought a main dish salad.  It was really good.  Lettuce, black beans, corn, and grilled chicken, with a vinagrette.  You can pair it with muffins or bread.  It's a good one to add a dessert to, as well.  I've done chicken salad (just regular chicken/mayo/celery), too.

I often take chicken and rice casserole.  People seem to like it, and it's different than the myriad lasagna.

[cristeen]

It kind of depends... Are these people receiving meals nightly? Or how often? How big are the families? What's your budget (time & $)? Any dietary restrictions? Are they friends or just members of the community?

The last few times i've taken food, it wasnt just for 1 meal, the next meal at soonest was 2 or 3 days away. I try to bring a variety, covering all the bases. For a new mom/family, that would include breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert. High fat/calorically dense foods.

This is for friends. I wouldnt do this much for someone i didnt know, but this is what I took to the last new mom i cooked for:
A quart of homemade yogurt (made from half&half)
A quart of homemade ice cream and a plate of cookies
A quart of homemade pudding (made w heavy cream)
2 quarts of homemade hot cereal (raw w crockpot instructions)
Indian food - 1 meat dish, 1 rice dish, 2 legume dishes, 2 veggie dishes

Other times i've taken tubs of homemade granola, which is a great snack while BF. I've taken bowls of my special pasta salad, my homemade baked beans (good for PPH), a pan of enchiladas, a pan of moussaka (meat and veg casserole). A fruit salad can be really nice for a light snack, and easier to eat 1-handed.

[swede]

Originally Posted by BetsyS 

When I had my last baby, one of my neighbors brought a main dish salad.  It was really good.  Lettuce, black beans, corn, and grilled chicken, with a vinagrette.  You can pair it with muffins or bread.  It's a good one to add a dessert to, as well.  I've done chicken salad (just regular chicken/mayo/celery), too.

I often take chicken and rice casserole.  People seem to like it, and it's different than the myriad lasagna.

The main dish salad is a great idea, too - just what I'm looking for.  Thanks!

[swede]

Originally Posted by cristeen 

It kind of depends... Are these people receiving meals nightly? Or how often? How big are the families? What's your budget (time & $)? Any dietary restrictions? Are they friends or just members of the community?

The last few times i've taken food, it wasnt just for 1 meal, the next meal at soonest was 2 or 3 days away. I try to bring a variety, covering all the bases. For a new mom/family, that would include breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert. High fat/calorically dense foods.

This is for friends. I wouldnt do this much for someone i didnt know, but this is what I took to the last new mom i cooked for:
A quart of homemade yogurt (made from half&half)
A quart of homemade ice cream and a plate of cookies
A quart of homemade pudding (made w heavy cream)
2 quarts of homemade hot cereal (raw w crockpot instructions)
Indian food - 1 meat dish, 1 rice dish, 2 legume dishes, 2 veggie dishes

Other times i've taken tubs of homemade granola, which is a great snack while BF. I've taken bowls of my special pasta salad, my homemade baked beans (good for PPH), a pan of enchiladas, a pan of moussaka (meat and veg casserole). A fruit salad can be really nice for a light snack, and easier to eat 1-handed.

mostly it's dinner  - and the families usually recieve 2 - 3 dinners a week.  For close friends I bring more like what you're describing.  I was just looking for recipe ideas for main dishes that aren't your typical pasta casseroles.  I will google a moussaka recipe - I liek that.  Fruit salad is nice, but we dont' really haev any in=-season fruit here right now, so it can get expensive.  My family is mostly eating apples at this point...

Thanks!

[katelove]

This lamb stew is delicious http://www.exclusivelyfood.com.au/2008/08/lamb-stew-recipe.html  

There are plenty of other "one pot" recipes on this site as well. I haven't made them all but I have made many of the recipes from this site and haven't had a bad one yet.

[ameliabedelia]

Quiche or homemade pizza are both very good.   With new moms, I personally like to do something that is freezable/savable  That way if they have family visiting to cook for them or lots of people bringing meals they can also freeze something and use it when they really need it. 

[HollyBearsMom]

• veggie lasagna in a white sauce-comforting and full of nutrients
• chicken and rice soup.  Easy to freeze and reheat but can also be eaten one handed out of mug-good for nursing moms
• nibbler basket-crackers, cheese, nut butters, hummus, etc.  again easy to eat one handed
• if their are other kids in the house I like to find out their favorite meals to make them feel included
• coffee cake, Cinnamon rolls, hot cross buns
• chicken pot pie

[swede]

Originally Posted by katelove 

This lamb stew is delicious http://www.exclusivelyfood.com.au/2008/08/lamb-stew-recipe.html  

There are plenty of other "one pot" recipes on this site as well. I haven't made them all but I have made many of the recipes from this site and haven't had a bad one yet.

This site is awesome - lots of really great recipes there - thanks so much!
 

[swede]

Originally Posted by ameliabedelia 

Quiche or homemade pizza are both very good.   With new moms, I personally like to do something that is freezable/savable  That way if they have family visiting to cook for them or lots of people bringing meals they can also freeze something and use it when they really need it. 

I like quiche - thanks for the reminder :)  Do you just bring pizza on a cookie sheet?

[swede]

Originally Posted by HollyBearsMom 

• veggie lasagna in a white sauce-comforting and full of nutrients
• chicken and rice soup.  Easy to freeze and reheat but can also be eaten one handed out of mug-good for nursing moms
• nibbler basket-crackers, cheese, nut butters, hummus, etc.  again easy to eat one handed
• if their are other kids in the house I like to find out their favorite meals to make them feel included
• coffee cake, Cinnamon rolls, hot cross buns
• chicken pot pie

all good ideas - i especially like the idea of bringing a favorite dish of older siblings - i hadn't thought of that.