Idea's for dinner for a family. . .?

Question

I have a friend who just lost her sister. They buried her on Thanksgiving day. She is divorced. She works full time, as well as takes care full time of her 80+ year old dad & mom and her brother whom is 50...her mom has Alzheimer's disease...and her brother has Down Syndrome. It's a terrible situation and I wanted to make dinner for them-but have no clue what to make. Someone already made them chicken spaghetti. Does anyone have any idea's what I could make for dinner and idea's for what to go with it...it doesn't matter how easy or hard. I want to make something good and something that at least 6+ people can eat on. I really appreciate it.

Also,,,probably nothing spicy being that they are older. Nothing eccentric.

Answer 1

First and foremost, you are an incredibly nice person! Your friend and her family are indeed fortunate to have friends like you. The people who have been answering you so far seem like wonderful, supportive and caring human beings.

I do not have time to put a very specific recipe out to you right now, but I DO have some thoughts on what you should and/or should not include in your menu.....

While I do not wish to hurt the feelings of any other respondent, I must say that you should consider the emotional and physical health of your friend's family and, thus, avoid any food that includes bones, casings, or large pieces of meats or other foods at the presentation level. Such foods might be a choking hazard for people with compromised health. Whole poultry or other meats with bones (or even other "large" boneless cuts of meat) might also remind people of family get-togethers and stir up sad emotions.

I think that it is best to keep things toward the more simple and universal side, although you should add your own unique touches of seasonings and presentation. I very much agree with the others who are suggesting meatloaf, lasagne (which can be made on the mild side), and mac&cheese dishes. Couple any of these with tossed salads, toasted garlic bread, a bit of fruit garnish (sliced apples, oranges, etc), and some cookies and/or sliced pound cake and/or icecream, etc. and you have a very "homey" meal that is satisfying, can be prepped well in advance, and leaves you and your guests with plenty of stress-free time to enjoy one anothers' company.

You can also make simple appetizers such as deviled eggs, pigs-in-a-blanket (cut-up hot dogs baked in biscuit dough wrappers), cheese&crackers, veggies&dip, etc. to serve before and/or with a simple casserole and/or stew and/or soup.

I think that you should keep both the preparation of the meal and the meal itself very simple - serve something that you make all the time, for example! - and just allow yourself and your guests to enjoy the fellowship of the visit.

I hope that this helps in some way.
Good Luck and Bless YOU AND YOUR FRIEND'S FAMILY!!!

Answer 2

Chicken Casserole.
Cut Chicken into bite sized pieces and brown with some garlic and onion in a little oil and transfer to casserole dish.
Add diced Peppers and other vegetables.
Use soup mix as a liquid.
Cover with bread crumbs and grated cheese and bake in a 180C for about 20 minutes until bubbling hot and the cheese has started to brown.

Answer 3

I know the perfect thing.

I make these delicious swordfish steaks. Here is the recipe:
These swordfish steaks are baked with mushrooms, onions, green bell pepper, lemon, olive oil, dillweed, and tomatoes.
INGREDIENTS:
• 4 ounces sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup sliced onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried dillweed
• 4 swordfish steak portions, about 1 1/2 pounds total
• 2 small bay leaves, cut in half
• 2 tomatoes
PREPARATION:
In a bowl, combine mushrooms, sliced onions, green bell pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and dillweed.
Line a shallow baking pan with foil. Spread half of the mushroom and onion mixture over the bottom then arrange swordfish steaks on top.

Sprinkle swordfish steaks with salt and pepper, place a piece of bay leaf on each.
Cut tops and stem ends off tomatoes and slice each tomato into 4 thick slices; place 2 slices on each swordfish steak. Sprinkle remaining mushroom and onion mixture over the fish.
Cover pan with foil and bake at 400° for 45 to 55 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
Baked swordfish steaks recipe serves 4.

It says it only serves 4 but if you buy 2 more swordfish steaks it will be 6, get one more tomato put 1/2 a tablspoon more of lemon juice, and olive oil it should be good. Also the bell pepper doesn't add much spice but if you don't want to put it in the dish doesn't suffer much.
Hope this helps. Au revoir
Clarice

Answer 4

Broccoli and rice casserole. It is so good. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli
3 cups instant rice
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 1/4 cups water
1 (16 ounce) package processed American cheese, cubed
1 tablespoon butter
1 bunch celery, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
salt and pepper to taste


DIRECTIONS
Cook broccoli and rice according to package directions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium saucepan over low heat, mix cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and 1 1/4 cups water. Gradually stir in cheese until melted. Be careful that the cheese doesn't burn.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and saute celery and onion until soft.
In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, rice, soup and cheese mixture, celery and onion. Season with salt and pepper. Pour mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, until bubbly and lightly brown.

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

A good soup is always nice. It will feed a lot of people and keep for days after. Serve it with a salad and some nice bread and they will love it.
Plus this is the perfect time of year for it.

Answer 6

Hmm. I guess the best advice would be to keep it simple. Try Spaghetti with a side salad or baked chicken.

Answer 7

Make chicken breats with Brie and Mango chutney!

In a skillet/or on a grill, make the chicken, brushing it with the chutney everytime you turn. At the end, top with thin slices of brie and let it just get a little soft.

Serve couscous with peas in them & a cucumber salad with a dill yogurt dressing!

Enjoy, god bless! :)

Answer 8

I feel so bad for your friend. It's nice of you to want to do something special for her and her family.

Here's my suggestion:

SAUSAGE, MACARONI AND CHEESE

8 oz. elbow macaroni
1/2 lb. grated sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 lb. grated mild Cheddar cheese
1/4 c. butter
12 oz. pkg. sausage links
1/2 c. flour
2 c. milk
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook macaroni, drain. Pan fry sausage. Remove and drain.

In a 2 quart casserole alternate layers of cheeses, macaroni and sausage ending with sausage on top.

For sauce, melt butter, blend in flour, stir in milk and seasonings. Bring to a boil, stir continuously; boil one minute. Pour sauce over casserole mixture. Bake 15 minutes. Serves 6-8.

Answer 9

Make a big lasagna with a salad and some italian bread.
Or a baked chicken dinner with carrots, onions and potatoes all baked together.

Answer 10

How about this ones

Enchiladas with Chicken or Cheese
Lasagna
Mexican Tamales
Salmon w/ pasta
Mexican Tacos