What kind of dish would be appropriate?

Question

one of the little boys in my sons first grade class lost his mommy last week, they are asking for meals to be given to the family. I called the lady in charge and she told me to make whatever I thought was good and easy, it will just be the husband, a 6 and a 3 year old. She did say they already had three lasagnas, so I don't want to make that, and I am not a huge cook, I can follow receipes though, so if you could give me ideas, then I could look up the reciepe. Thanks.

To Christina I, this is not to sound snobby, but my children attend a private Christian school, trust me the family is not in need of money, but the husband trying to find his way through life now as a mother and a father might need some help preparing home cooked healthy meals for his children. Why would we gather money for a family who just lost their mother, that makes no sense. This man need help with the "jobs" that his wife normally preformed while trying to adjust to all of this.

Answer 1

Not to be rude or disrespectful (my condolences to this little boy and his family), but why are they collecting food for the family? What is this grieving family suppose to do with all these meals (3 lasagnas!)? Shouldn't you all be contributing cash donations or maybe grocery gift cards to help with expenses? But if you have to make something, make tacos.

Answer 2

Here is a recipe that has always been a crowd pleaser. It can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a couple days or even frozen until it is ready to be used.

Southern Chicken Casserole

4 to 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 cups cooked white rice
1 4oz can diced green chilies
2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream

Cook the chicken until done. Cut into bite size pieces. Mix together all ingredients (except cheddar cheese) in large mixing bowl. The mayonnaise and sour cream can be adjusted to the creaminess you desire. Transfer the mixture to a covered casserole dish and top with the shredded cheddar. Bake at 350 degrees until the cheese is melted and bubbly (about 30 minutes)

I have made this for family get togethers, funerals, etc. and it has always been a big hit. I usually serve it with a green salad and sliced french bread. You can easily adjust the ingredients to allow for the number of people you will be serving. The leftovers are just as good the next day too!

Answer 3

A few pointers for the occasion. Make sure you place your food in a disposable dish or one that you do not want back. It is a confusing time for the family and to try to keep up with what dish goes back to whom will be an added burden. A one dish meal is usually the preference as it is quick, less cleanup, and sometimes can be eaten from more than once.
I don't know what your budget is, or how much time you want to spend on it, but one of my favorites is to send a nice roast, with carrots, potatoes, celery, and onion. I cut the veggies into large chuncks, that way if the kids see they can pick out what they don't like, they will come closer to eating it-versus small diced items. Another dish is simply to fix a box of uncle bens wild rice, place it in bottom of casserole dish, then top with precooked chicken breasts dipped in butter and then rolled in breadcrumbs. All they have to do is pop it in the oven for 10 minutes at 350. My condolences.

Answer 4

If they have a slow-cooker then get the ingredients to make a pot roast! Buy them a rump roast, some potatoes, carrots, some beef AND chicken broth, a few onions and some Cream of Mushroom soup (maybe 2 cans). Then they can just put it all in the slow cooker, turn it on high and let it just cook all day (about 8 hours). Its a GREAT meal and doesnt take a lot of prep time! :)

Answer 5

It has nothing whatever to do with whether or not this family is well to do.
It's the show of emotional support from his neighbors by way of bringing the food, and expressing their care and concern. Plus, this father is obviously not going to be in any frame of mind to cook or clean up, in his state of grief.
After the delivery of the food, don't forget to return often to check on them and ask if there is anyway you can be of help.
This will mean everything to them, as after the funeral most people just disappear.
I know...I lived through that.very thing.

Answer 6

Send something easy to prepare once they've received it.

This is a great comforter,

I like to throw a few rashers of chopped bacon, an onion and about 1lb of cubed beef into a big pot and brown it off in butter

Add... mushrooms, potatoe and carrots to the top, mixed herbs seasoning a little gravy browning and (if you've got it) a teaspoon of mint and redcurrant jelly

Stick the lid on, boil it up and then simmer it for an hour and if you can bear to give it away...you're a better person than I am.

Answer 7

I am sorry to hear that. Thinking about the kids, I believe this recipe will be a good one:
Tator Tot Casserole

1 pound of beef (ground beef or cubed round steak)
American or cheddar cheese, shredded
1 bag frozen tator tots
1 can cream of chicken soup

Cook beef and place in a medium sized casserole dish. Spread the cream of chicken soup over beef (do not add water to the soup). Next spread enough cheese on top to cover and then spread enough tator tots on top of cheese. Bake in a 350F degree oven for 1 hour.


Serves 4.

Answer 8

A food basket of Jams, Jellies,Preserves and peanut butter with a loaf of homemade bread, maybe some pancake mix and maple syrup too... (A new coloring book and small box of crayolas would be cool too.)

That way they could use them when their ready.

Or a crab dish for the dad. Something higher quality how about 3 nice rib-eye steaks I'm sure the Dad can cook those.

Answer 9

This is easy.

Tater tot casserol:
Brown a pound of burger and drain it.
smush it into the bottom of a square cake pan.
smear a can of cream of mushroom soup over it.
sprinkle an envelope of instant onion soup mix on that.
arrange tater-tots on top of that.

Leave them with instructions to bake it untill the tots get crispy at about 450 degrees. (usually takes about 20 minutes.)

OR

BBQ bean &chix or Corn Dog Casserol:
Dump a big can of baked beans into a square cake pan.
Add a pound of cut up cooked chicken. (It can be fried, baked, or grilled. I use the George Foreman grill) Or sliced hot dogs.
stir it up good.
Top it with some corn bread batter, and bake it untill the cornbread is done according to the cornbread package..
Kids really dig the corn dog casserol!

Use those foil pans so they don't have to worry about returning the pan.

Answer 10

This is easy and Tasty.
1 pound hamburg
6 potatoes boiled and then slice
2 cream chicken or mushroom soup
2 cans of corn
salt and pepper to your taste
Layer and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
It is very thoughtful of you and your neighbors to help out.
Make the kids some rice crispy treats.
Prayer is the Best thing.

Answer 11

the best thing to do is take over sandwich stuff bread,cheese, lunchmeat , chips maybe something to drink, something the kids can fix for themselves not just for dinner also offer to help the husband with tips like if you ever need any household advice you know laundry,or how to do everyday chores he could call you for help. in all reality he will probaly never call unless its a crisis