can anyone help ? cooking for grieving family?

Question

I had a friend of mine pass away this past weekend and he left behind a wife and 2 young children. I would like to cook something for them but I can't decide what to cook for them. Any sugesstions ? Please Help !

Answer 1

That's so great of you to think of them! I thought this was a lost tradition....
I would make a casserole or something else that heats and easily. The only drawback is that it's summertime, so you might want to hold off on really heavy stuff. I'm sure you're friend doesn't want to fire up the stove to reheat everything.
If you do live in a warm climate, buy a bunch of cold cuts, cheese and bread. That way, she can make sandwiches...they are good for lunch and dinner. They also make good snacks and that would be easy to feed the kids. You might want to also make a dessert - cupcakes or a cake or something like that.

Answer 2

So sorry : ( to hear this news, I am very sorry for your loss.

I am a personal chef for families fighting cancer and this healthy comfort food has always been a requested favorite. Be sure to label it as the casserole resembles tuna casserole - but is much better (and can be refrigerated or frozen and reheated easily).


TURKEY, NOODLE with CHEESE CASSEROLE

½ pound egg noodles
Salt • Black pepper
3 cloves of garlic
3 teaspoons dried thyme (or poultry seasoning)
1 tablespoon olive oil
5 slices bacon (or turkey bacon), chopped
1 pound (or so) ground turkey breast
1 can of sliced water chestnuts
1 medium onion, chopped
½ cup dry white wine
1 ½ cups chicken stock
½ cup heavy cream (or fat free half and half)
½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
2 Tablespoons softened butter
1 cup grated Gruyere cheese
1 cup Monterey Jack or White Cheddar
1 cup bread crumbs (Japanese bread crumbs are delicious)


Boil the egg noodles according to package directions but be sure to cook al dente. The noodles will bake again in the oven so overcooking them is not a good idea.
Preheat a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Add the olive oil, 1 turn of the pan, and add the garlic and stir with a wooden spoon until it begins to brown then add the chopped bacon. Render the bacon fat 2 to 3 minutes, until bacon begins to brown at edges. Add the ground turkey meat and brown it (8-10 minutes), crumbling it with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat to medium. Move the meat over to 1 side of the pan and add water chestnuts and onions to the opposite side. Cook the mixture 3 to 5 minutes. Stir together the entire skillet contents and season the mixture liberally with salt and pepper, then add the thyme (or poultry seasonings). After combining, add the wine and deglaze the pan, lifting up the bits. Stir in the chicken stock and bring to a low bubble (you may need to increase the heat a little). Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream. Add the grated nutmeg to the mixture and stir. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Combine noodles with turkey and sauce. Grease a casserole dish with a little softened butter and transfer the turkey noodle mixture to the dish. Top the casserole with the cheese and bread crumbs. Do not cover and place the casserole in the oven for no more then 15 minutes to heat. Any longer and the casserole will become very dry.
Turn the oven to broil and place the casserole 8 to 10 inches from the broiler and brown 2 to 3 minutes until cheese is melted and the bread crumbs are brown.
**You can wait until just before serving to cook and then broil the casserole.**

Answer 3

In this instance, you need somethng that will feed a lot of people and will eat well.

I usually take a big pot of spagetti with the meat sauce stirred in. That always keeps well and heats quickly. Another idea is to bake a ham or a roast. Hams and roasts also keep well and can be eaten hot or cold. It is easy to throw a sandwich together.

Fianlly, if nothing else, take some cookies or cupcakes.

Answer 4

You cooking for them can make a large difference in a tough period. Don't try to go healthy, think comfort food. If you know them well try to make some of their favorite dishes, especially for the kids. If not think of what food comforts you when you are down.

Answer 5

Sorry to hear about your friend! I would say spaghetti or lasagna. One pan of lasagna will go along way. I'm sure you are stressed enough with just dinner but I would maybe bring a desert too. That may cheer their spirits a little, especially the kids.

Answer 6

I am sooo sorry to hear that and that is really nice of you to want to do that for them. I find that everyone likes macaroni so why not make a big tray of baked ziti and then she can have left overs also. If you waould like you could also bring her a loaf of Italian bread and a salad to go with it.

Answer 7

All the suggestions that have been made are great! I would add that you make sure whatever you take in a container/dish that can be thrown away. You don't want the family to have to worry with returning them.

Answer 8

Casseroles. After my father died, we got 8 million casseroles. And the best part is they can be frozen and reheated later. It was nice to have food when you're still down in the dumps 4 weeks later and still don't want to cook.

Bless you for thinking of them.

Answer 9

This is very thoughtful of you. It has been my experience that standard dishes--ones most people and kids are likely to enjoy--is the best bet.

Meatloaf
Fried chicken
Mashed potatotes

You get the idea.

Answer 10

Chili, White chili, Lagasne, Mac & cheese, Chicken & dumplings actually any kind of cassarole is good.