Lurkingpea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,561
Apr 24, 2022 18:37:20 GMT
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Post by Lurkingpea on Oct 18, 2023 0:18:50 GMT
A family from my school lost a child recently and a food train has been organized. I would like to contribute, but don't normally cook meals that are made ahead.
Criteria is that it needs to be gluten free and no boned chicken. There are 2 other children in the family.
Any suggestions? Thank you
A couple of clarifications.
No bone in chicken.
Gluten free is not required, just a preference.
Meals are only delivered 3x a week. I think so they aren't overwhelmed.
We are sending a gift card with food.
Sign ups also include extra disposable items.
Meals are to be delivered in all disposable items with appropriate disposable dishes and utensils.
I would love some recipes that can be frozen. That is not something I do personally. I am not sure how certain meals freeze.
Thank you for all suggestions and input.
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Post by coaliesquirrel on Oct 18, 2023 0:37:41 GMT
How about chili, a bag or two of fritos, some shredded cheese, and some hot dogs so they can eat it soup style, as frito pie, or (bunless) chili dogs - or if little kids, just dogs  . Plus, chili will freeze really well if they find they're overwhelmed with too many leftovers. Alternatively, you could do a "breakfast for dinner" with an egg/sausage &/or ham/cheese (but no bread) casserole, plus some fruit salad. DD has a friend who's gf and they do a lot of enchilada-type foods w/ corn tortillas, so that's another idea. |
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Lurkingpea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,561
Apr 24, 2022 18:37:20 GMT
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Post by Lurkingpea on Oct 18, 2023 0:42:34 GMT
How about chili, a bag or two of fritos, some shredded cheese, and some hot dogs so they can eat it soup style, as frito pie, or (bunless) chili dogs - or if little kids, just dogs . Plus, chili will freeze really well if they find they're overwhelmed with too many leftovers. Alternatively, you could do a "breakfast for dinner" with an egg/sausage &/or ham/cheese (but no bread) casserole, plus some fruit salad. DD has a friend who's gf and they do a lot of enchilada-type foods w/ corn tortillas, so that's another idea. Thank you, they have a site where you can see what other people are bringing and chili and Mexican food seem well covered. I love the breakfast idea. Going to have to search for recipes. ‘Thank you! |
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Post by mom on Oct 18, 2023 0:51:14 GMT
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ellen
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,128 
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Post by ellen on Oct 18, 2023 0:59:10 GMT
I recently brought a meal of homemade chicken noodle soup to someone who was dealing with some medical issues. You could use a gluten free noodle. They make gluten free lasagna noodles too. It would be easy to bring that.
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Post by monklady123 on Oct 18, 2023 1:04:50 GMT
If there are a lot of people signed up already maybe the family would like a gift card to one of the delivery companies -- Uber Eats or whatever the other ones are. I recently did that for someone. I asked her if she'd like something like that instead of me cooking something and she said "Omg yes! Then I could order something I don't normally get for myself!" I sent hers electronically, but if you want to deliver it you could put the card in a small basket or decorative can, along with some little things like a candle (if you know what they prefer), or stickers for the kids, etc.
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ComplicatedLady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,182
Location: Valley of the Sun
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Post by ComplicatedLady on Oct 18, 2023 1:09:32 GMT
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Post by paulao on Oct 18, 2023 1:21:17 GMT
What is boned chicken? Chicken on the bone?
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Lurkingpea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,561
Apr 24, 2022 18:37:20 GMT
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Post by Lurkingpea on Oct 18, 2023 2:41:19 GMT
What is boned chicken? Chicken on the bone? Yes. Sorry. No bone in chicken. |
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Post by ~summer~ on Oct 18, 2023 3:33:50 GMT
What about meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans?
Or chicken parmigian?
Or chicken teriyaki with broccoli over rice?
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tanya2
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1604
Posts: 4,486
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Post by tanya2 on Oct 18, 2023 4:44:34 GMT
As someone who recently (and gratefully) received a lot of meals in sympathy - please get them stuff they can throw in the freezer for later. We were overwhelmed with food. And it was lovely. But there was just no way for us to eat it all, so it was wonderful to have things to freeze for a later date. Or a gift card to a local grocery store was very much appreciated also.
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anaterra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,282
Location: Texas
Jun 29, 2014 3:04:02 GMT
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Post by anaterra on Oct 18, 2023 12:59:36 GMT
I want to 2nd the gift card option.. i know that nobody likes to give them... but when you are just dog tired wore out from dealing with trying to survive.. sometimes even throwing something is the oven is too much to handle.. because then you have to clean up after... or even just decide what something you want to heat up..
If you give a couple of gift cards to some fast food places... or a bigger dollar amount to a chain restaurant... i think that is sometimes easier for the family... just order, eat and toss the trash...
My bff gives a S.O.S. card... and she gifts 25 to Subway 50 to Olive Garden 25 to Sonic... i think its a neat idea
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Post by trixiecat on Oct 18, 2023 13:40:13 GMT
I know this isn't a meal, but I remember on this site people recommended giving toilet paper, napkins, paper plates and plastic silverware.
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Post by littlemama on Oct 18, 2023 13:41:43 GMT
If they are gluten free due to Celiac disease, I would not prepare a meal for them at all, knowing that there would be a high risk of cross-contamination in my kitchen.
If it is a meal train, id probably just have something delivered.
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Lurkingpea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,561
Apr 24, 2022 18:37:20 GMT
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Post by Lurkingpea on Oct 18, 2023 13:48:28 GMT
If they are gluten free due to Celiac disease, I would not prepare a meal for them at all, knowing that there would be a high risk of cross-contamination in my kitchen. If it is a meal train, id probably just have something delivered. It isn't an allergy, just a preference. |
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Lurkingpea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,561
Apr 24, 2022 18:37:20 GMT
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Post by Lurkingpea on Oct 18, 2023 13:50:30 GMT
As someone who recently (and gratefully) received a lot of meals in sympathy - please get them stuff they can throw in the freezer for later. We were overwhelmed with food. And it was lovely. But there was just no way for us to eat it all, so it was wonderful to have things to freeze for a later date. Or a gift card to a local grocery store was very much appreciated also. We will give a gift card too. The meal train is set up so there are 3 homemade meals a week. I think it is enough that they don't feel overwhelmed with food. I will make something that can be frozen though. Thank you for the suggestion. |
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Post by librarylady on Oct 18, 2023 20:15:41 GMT
Breakfast Casserole 1 lb. Ham (diced. I use lunch meat slices for the ham) ½ med. Onion chopped ½ cup green pepper (or use a medium size can of green chilies) Dice and saute’ the above ingredients Mix these with the following: 5 cups hash browns (frozen hash browns) 10 eggs, beaten 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1 ½ cup sour cream Mix well. Spray 9x2x13 pan with Pam and put mixture in pan. Put shredded cheese over the top. Bake at 375 for about 40-45 minutes, until eggs are firm. Serves 8- 10.
I have never frozen this recipe, but I have baked it and then cut off a square or 2 to heat for breakfast each day. It lasts about a week for the two of us.
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Post by dewryce on Oct 18, 2023 21:52:37 GMT
I know this isn't a meal, but I remember on this site people recommended giving toilet paper, napkins, paper plates and plastic silverware. I like this idea and would add paper towels, tissue, trash bags and Clorox wipes. Freezer ideas are a great idea. I also love the thought of a fresh salad that they can eat with whatever freezer meal they choose to reheat in the next few days. No croutons! |
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Oct 19, 2023 9:59:34 GMT
Thanks for all the ideas, I make Lasagnas once a month for families through a website called Lasagna Love. But I have a friend who is helping her daughter and son-in-law as he is going through stage 4 liver cancer, and I am making a meal for her once a week, trying to have it be freezer friendly! some great ideas!
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 4,209
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Post by peppermintpatty on Oct 19, 2023 12:03:48 GMT
When I had my hip replaced in 2020, I had a steady stream of meals brought in. While it was really nice and thoughtful, I had zero appetite and nothing tasted good to me so I forced myself to eat and just didn't really enjoy it. What I DID enjoy were the meal cards from DoorDash or Uber Eats. That way, we could order what we wanted and if I had a taste for something, I could easily get it. It made it a lot easier.
With kids, it will get really expensive ordering individual meals. I would think it would be better to have those family meals delivered. You could find out if there are any restaurants that they like and see if they offer the family meals and then have something delivered (if you didn't want to go the route of the gift cards).
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Post by lily on Oct 19, 2023 12:20:47 GMT
If you have a Honey Baked Ham store near you, they have great gift packages of meals. We received a few after our son passed away and the food was exceptional.
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. Plus, chili will freeze really well if they find they're overwhelmed with too many leftovers. Alternatively, you could do a "breakfast for dinner" with an egg/sausage &/or ham/cheese (but no bread) casserole, plus some fruit salad. DD has a friend who's gf and they do a lot of enchilada-type foods w/ corn tortillas, so that's another idea.
