This is a request from Arlene from PA. (not Hurricane Arlene) lol.
I would like to have recipes for a full meal for a family of four that can be prepared and delivered to their home when someone is in the hospital and they need help with food. I need something reasonably priced, and easy to prepare and deliver. Thanks for all the good hints on here. I really enjoy all the input.
Casseroles are easy to transport and reasonably priced. I have one that my 3 kids love. Ingredients are 3 or 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cornmeal, 3 cans chicken broth, 1 large onion (optional). First prepare cornmeal according to whatever way it says to make cornbread on the bag. You want to make enough for about 16 servings. While that is baking pour 2 cans broth into a large pot, add water,and boil chicken whole. Dice the onion. Shred ckn when done (save broth),and crumble cornbread. Mix ckn, cornbread, onion, and can of broth. Pour into casserole dish. If it is still a bit dry add enough broth from ckn pot to make it moist. Cook in oven for 20 min. on 375. It's a meal by itself or you can add veggies on the side.
This isn't a recipe but a suggestion. I have been blessed with meals throughout the years and have found a few things that were really appreciated. Casseroles are fine. Just be sure to include a bag of prewashed salad, a baggie of chesse, croutons, etc and a bottle of salad dressing. Sliced, buttered bread ready for the oven is nice. You could include a jug of tea or a 2L soft drink. Brownies or cookies are a nice touch too.
Crockpot pizza is a good meal for teenagers that are at home, add a salad and you're set! You could also cook a roast and shred it up and put bbq sauce in, stir. Take over the shredded roast and some buns and chips. Meals done!
Crockpot pizza
1 1/2 lb. hamburger, browned and drained
16 oz (or more) shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 chopped onion
1 pkg. sliced pepperoni
2/3 box rigatoni noodles, cooked
My friend baked a ham and took ham slices, cheese slices, and a loaf of bread to an elderly neighbor when his wife passed away. She said he really appreciated it. She said she's done that since then again for him, just to know he's eating. As she knows women will come near fixing something for them to eat, than men will.
I know my Mom takes food over to someone's home who's recently passed on, for the family. She sometimes takes sliced coldcuts & cheeses, maybe a couple styles of bakery rolls, or a veggie tray or fruit tray, 2 Liter drinks, bags of chips & dip or maybe some cookies.
My husband & I had an elderly friend, who's wife had passed on. We'd take him things like sliced meatloaf, fried chicken, cups of pudding (he liked sweets). I hope this helps, for once I'm kinda blank. Sorry, I'm not more help.
A couple dishes that I have taken are lasagna (or really any kind of pasta--baked ziti, spaghetti, etc.) and shepherd's pie. Both are economical to make, easy to prepare, transport & reheat. Good luck!
The easiest thing is to double what you are fixing for your family then take them half. I have had great luck baking whole chickens, then adding mashed pootatoes and green beans.
Spaghetti is cheap, healthy, and can be made to fit into any shape of container. Homemade chili in a sealable container with made-from-scratch cornbread would also be very affordable and filling.
You could put together breakfast tacos and wrap them individually to be frozen. Eggs with cheese, bacon, sausage, or potatoes and refried beans with cheese or chili are good, affordable combinations.
Muffins made with whole grains, nuts, and fruits can be an affordable, nutritious, and delicious snack and not a bad breakfast with milk.
You can also make a batch of sandwiches from a loaf of bread and pack them back in the bread bag.
This casserole is always a hit, and it is very easy.
1 lb browned gound beef.
16 oz can tomato sauce
1 lb cooked sturdy pasta - macaroni, shells, etc.
PREHEAT oven to 350. MIX browned ground beef, cooked pasta, tomato sauce and sour cream together. LAYER mixture and shredded cheese in a 2 qt baking dish, ending with cheese. BAKE until cheese is melted and casserole is heated through, about 45 minutes. VARIATIONS: Substitute cheddar and tomato sauce with swiss and brown gravy or mozzerella and pizza sauce. Use your imagination!
Scalloped potatoes with ham
Baked Beans
Biscuits or muffins
Brownies or cupcakes
These can all be baked at the same time, except the cupcakes that will
need to cool before icing.
Then I make a gelatin salad of some kind.
Take all things in disposable dishes (pans) or ones you've picked up at
garage sales and don't want returned. That saves the receiver from
having to get your dishes back to you.
Marylin
Pot Roast with potatoes, carrots and onions cooked in an aluminum pan. Put salad in zip lock and a loaf of crusty bread. Easy and yummy. The pot roast can even be warmed when they are ready to eat it and no dishes to retrieve.
Thank you so very much everyone who sent in suggestions for Easy To Transport Meals. I truly appreciate them and will be trying them. Again thank you so very much. Arlene
