SEVEN FOR YOU â—½ TIPS
Meals to Take
Our Panel of Women
If you’re like me, you’ve been asked often to deliver a meal to a friend in need. And also, maybe you’re like me in that you stress out over this simple yet loving task. What to make that’s an easy transport, what dish to take (aluminum pans or your own and then get it back), or whether it’s just easier to order food to be delivered for this friend! And then there’s the showing up, what to say, whether to stay or not, and all the things. So we asked, and now we’re sharing our own tips/tricks/recipes for those meals to take…
I do have a go-to meal and it's so easy, versatile and yummy.
I slice the meat off of a rotisserie chicken (so the family doesn't have to deal with the mess), make rice pilaf (jasmine rice, onion, celery, sauteed in butter, add a packet of (Lipton style) dry chicken noodle
soup mix and water and cook 15-20 minutes), a bag of pre-washed salad kit with dressing and, cookies. It serves a lot of people, and can be eaten as-is as a stand-alone meal, or made into sandwiches for lunches, or made into soup with the leftovers.
We have also used this same meal for hosting receptions for the family at church following the funeral services. In this case, we have the grocery store pre-chop the chicken into traditional pieces and slice the breast, then put it on catering trays. Then we just have to cook the rice and dress the salad. I definitely send the food in disposables so the family doesn’t have to keep track of dishes. I've done porch-drop offs for the past few years .- Debbie
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I don’t do this often, but when a co-worker’s wife was bedridden I asked if I could get them a meal. He asked for a meal from a locally owned restaurant so I ordered and paid and he picked it up. That was easy! - Anita
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Sometimes we pick up BBQ because they usually also provide paper plates and napkins, bread and pickles, and all the things. There are usually sides and different choices of meats to fit all taste buds, even the littles in the bunch. I’d personally rather do this than prepare a meal. That stresses me out! I find out what time is best and drop off the food – never stepping inside – as I don’t want the friend to feel pressure to get dressed, clean the house, and all of that… And as a side note, I don’t like meals being delivered to me. But that’s just me! - Marcy
I usually take smothered pork chops. The “smother” includes onions, sliced potatoes, and gravy. So I’ll also include buttered green peas as a side. Extras often include heat and serve rolls, and a pan of brownies. I do my best not to send anything that would need to be returned, so I definitely utilize disposable Tupperware and tin pans. Even if I want to use a quality glass dish to bake the pork chops, I will transfer it all into a disposable dish before I leave the house. The trickiest part of taking meals is when the people I want to help have dietary restrictions that I am not used to. But it’s still important to try!
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Smothered pork chops:
4 thick cut bone-in pork chops, heavily salted and peppered, then coated in flour (that has also been heavily salted and peppered).
Brown each side of the pork chop in a mixture of oil and butter in a cast iron skillet. The pork chop needs to be really brown, not just tan. It takes time, so be patient to get the right color. Transfer browned pork chops into a heavy glass baking dish. Put 3 T of leftover dipping flour in the bottom of the glass pan with the chops. Discard remaining seasoned flour.
Slowly pour 3 c of chicken broth into the cast iron skillet, scraping up the browned bits from the pan. Pour this over the pork chops, making sure to whisk the extra flour in the bottom of the pan into the broth. This broth will become your gravy as it cooks.
Wash and slice (peel if desired) 4 medium potatoes and slice one onion (I like the yellow sweet onion, but white onions work, too). Layer these potatoes and onions on top of your pork chops, taking the time to salt and pepper between each layer. I also like to use onion and garlic powder in this step, but any savory herb or seasoning that you enjoy can be used.
Cover the entire dish very tightly with heavy duty foil. You don’t want steam to get out. Bake the dish for 2.5 hours at 300 degrees. This slow cooking makes the pork extremely tender.
Tip: when you think you’ve used too much salt, you most likely have not. No one enjoys bland gravy and potatoes! - Laura
When taking food to a family or person I will try and ask them for suggestions. If none are given, I normally will make lasagna with salad and bread. I feel it's similar to spaghetti and easy to put in an aluminum foil container so the family doesn't have to worry about returning a dish to me. As far as delivery, I go by what the person wants. I have had people say just leave in a container by the door or I just drop off and don't stay. However, there are times when the person wants me to come in - I just try to discern what I should do!
Sometimes I do give a gift card if it's suggested, as long as I know where to get one from. These days, with all the food delivery services, I guess it's easier for people to be able to order their food and have it delivered when it's convenient for them.
I have also taken food that is suggested to me that I don't cook. Like pizza or BBQ. Those two items are easy to transport from restaurant to someone's house.
I think people probably appreciate not having to return dishes; so unless I really know the person and see them a lot, I always use containers I don't need back. I feel that makes it better for them. Since we are taking food, they more than likely are going through something and don't need the added stress about returning dishes! - Melissa
I have a couple of recipes that have always been my go-to dishes when I needed to take something to someone, depending on the circumstance. If it’s a meal for someone who had a baby or for someone after surgery, I take my chicken spaghetti. It’s an easy dish put altogether in an oblong aluminum pan. I like the throw away pans because they don't have to be returned, making it easier on the recipient. And to make it a full meal all I need to do is add salad and bread, preferably garlic bread. Of course, all in throw away containers.
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For funerals, I like to do something totally different. This was done for me many years ago and it was so helpful I decided to do it too. When that time comes, I go to the store and buy paper plates, plastic cups, silverware, and paper towels or napkins for about 20-30 people. These are items not everyone keeps on hand, especially in the large amount they may need when family and friends come by, and they are so helpful to have. With these I get rolls for sliders like Hawaiian or potato rolls, lunch meat, maybe bread, mayonnaise and mustard, chips, water, and two-liter drinks, and a dessert like cookies.
There have been a few occasions where I took both the meal and paper goods with lunch items. It all depends on what they might have and might need. I always check with the person involved or family to see. – Carole
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When I’m asked to take a meal, I usually take pasta, a salad and bread. I love to transport it in the tins I find at the Dollar Tree with lids. Recently, a mom asked for a rotisserie chicken, which was easy! I added a couple of sides, placed it all in a bag and dropped it off. I often respond to Meal Trains set up for others, and I like it when they have specifics listed, so it’s easier to know when, where, and how. – Vicki
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My menu for providing food is usually on a case by case basis. Are there children in the home, food allergies, food preferences? If all of those things are standard, then my preference is to take in a big container of homemade soup. I then make or buy all things to go with it. When I make and take tortilla soup, I buy chips, guacamole, queso, flour tortillas, salsa, and some type of salad along with a simple dessert. If I take chicken and rice soup, I include a salad, biscuits or cornbread, Instapot green beans, and dessert. I use the inexpensive Rubbermaid containers so that they do not have to be returned.
I also ask the family if they would like me to leave it at the door or ring the bell. I seldom go inside. I do mention that if they would like to visit, I would love for them to call me. I remember people dropping off food when I had my children and staying way too long. I felt I needed to pick up the house and get dressed for them when I didn’t feel like getting dressed. I should have spoken up and set better boundaries.
Lastly, if it is food for a new baby and there are siblings in the home, I try to take in some simple gifts for the older children. - Shelley
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A few other good ideas:
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What about a loaf of freshly baked bread, homemade, or from a bakery with butter and jam?
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Or charcuterie boxes for the person or individuals with fruit, crackers, cheese, olives, nuts and dark chocolate?
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It could be that the person needs groceries, so a pickup and delivery might be awesome.
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A breakfast casserole or a tray of bagels and toppings for a dinner breakfast!