Easy budget dinner to donate?

[Abbeys_mom]

Timely post, as I am doing this today for a family from our UU congregation. I am working six days this week and am very short on time, so this worked well for us.

I bought a rotisserie chicken earlier in the week, that was dinner for us. I left some of the meat on it, threw it in a stock pot with onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and seasonings and water. I strained that and threw the stock with chunks of chicken in the freezer that night.

Today, it is thawing. I will heat it up with noodles, fresh carrots and celery. While that is finishing and simmering, I have a loaf of bread in the machine.

Easy peasy and super cheap!

 

[Julia M]

Just as a FYI.........if the family will be receiving meals for awhie, you may wnt to avoid pastta. So many peeople choose it.

A few years ago, a mom in my dd`s 5th grade class was diagnosd with brain cancer in early December. Our class (a Catholic school, so the class basically stas the same year to year) brought meals 33 times a week for a year. I remember showing up with some kind of beef dish and tthe kids were so excited-they were tired of pasta!! Just a thought.

I have a great rice recpe I will share-it would be wonderful with a rotisserie chicken, or any other meat dish.

Julia

 

[jcemom]

What are you really GOOD at making? I'd choose one of your own best dishes, something tried-and-true, that you know everyone loves. I always worry about trying a new recipe when it's something I will share with others or give away. Of course, you might be a better cook than I, and maybe everything you make comes out right.

 

[clh2]

My DD just offered to help out with meals. (A co-worker was recently in a rock-climbing accident, and now has a broken pelvis). This person specifically trained my DD in teaching a specific level of swim instruction. This person is a mom to 2 or 3 young kids, so "dad" is doing everything now, in addition to handling the needs of the mom. (DD didn't know if the mom is even out of the hospital yet.)

So - bless my daughter's heart - she is concerned about the cost. I am happy to help out - and I am trying to "figure out" what might be good entrees for a family with younger kids.

For anyone who is ever helping out in this type of situation - there is a great cookbook - Fix, Freeze, Feast. (Kind of a "get it all prepared, then freeze it, and final cooking is a thaw - and cook process.)

I also agree - limit the Italian pasta dishes (i.e. Ziti, lasagna etc) We ate lasagna for a week straight when DH's father passed away. IN JUNE, in a house with no AC. I couldn't eat lasagna for about 10 years after that. (And - DH refused to "hurt" the giver's feelings by going out to eat...JUST ONCE, and we were in from out of town.)

 

[monarchsfan16]

We've been on the receiving end of meals too. The one we raised eyebrows at (because it looks like something straight off a cafeteria lunch tray), but ended up being most grateful for? Shepard's pie. Just ground beef, mashed potatoes and corn. I think they may have brought a loaf of bread and some cookies over too. It was different than most of what we were eating while juggling hospital visits, etc, yet still nice and simple.

 

[torinsmom]

I made this pot pie, but used chicken instead of turkey and it was really yummy. Chicken is cheap, and it calls for frozen vegetables and store bought pie crusts. It took about 30 minutes to get it ready to bake.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/dads-leftover-turkey-pot-pie/

Or you could cook the Duggars' Tater Tot Casserole. It's cheap, easy and yummy as well.

http://www.duggarfamily.com/content/duggar_recipes/30458/duggar_s_tater_tot_casserole

 

[disprincessatheart]

Mine is super easy and re heats well too.

Chicken and rice casserole

1 lb chicken (I prefer boneless but you can use either and a little less doenst show) cut in either strips or 3 bite chunks

1 can cream of chicken soup
3/4 cup of rice
1 can of water
1 packet onion soup mix

Stir everything in the pan and add the chicken last. Cover and bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

 

[Microcell]

Thanks for this! I may need to boost my food producing for a friend who may have Preclampsia. Combine that with a busy toddler and I think cooking and babysitting will be in order!

 

[lukenick1]

Thank you for the great ideas. This poor family is losing their Husband/Dad at age 39 to brain cancer. He is home with Hopsice. I can't even imagine what they are going through. I want to help in anyway i can The wife has stayed so positive and has been such a trooper taking care of her husband for years with this cancer. It's very sad and unfair. They have 3 teenage kids.

 

[scootch]

Sam's club has delicious stuffed shells. I buy them, just pour some hunts spag sauce over it(add a bit of basil/garlic salt), sprinkle with cheese. You can also just make this and give them frozen, they can put in freezer and cook whenever. If I am making to take for dinner, usually add salad and bread. Easy and always get great compliments.

 

[Julia M]

This is the side dish I mentioned that goes great with chicken........

RAISIN PILAF

Serves 6.
Preheat oven to 375°F.
1/4 cup butter
1 small onion, minced
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup golden raisins
1 cup rice
2 cups hot chicken broth

• Sauté the onion, almonds, and raisins in butter until golden.
• Put in baking dish.
• Add the rice and chicken broth.
• Bake covered 30 minutes at 375°F.

Julia

 

[usnuzuloose]

I did spaghetti, garlic bread and made a cake.

 

[MrsPooh]

I was on home health care and unable to get out of bed for nearly 3 months. Our family was so grateful for any of the meals that were brought to us but a few really stand out.

Everyone is right - pasta is good but after several days (or weeks) it sometimes feels like all you eat is pasta. One mom from my dd's class brought us a pork roast with rolls to make sandwiches, a potato dish and salad. It was great and so nice to have a "meat and potato" meal rather than a casserole.

The best, however, was from another family of my dd's classmate. The dad and daughter made us about 10 homemade pizza crusts and provided sauce, cheese and an assortment of toppings. My girls were old enough to assemble and bake these themselves or dh could make them for dinner. Rather than just a meal, these provided many meals for our family and could be different each time. I think they also brought a bagged salad.

We also appreciate the friends that just stopped by with freshly picked peaches one afternoon. Desserts were a hit and fruit salads were quickly devoured.

We so appreciated the people that sent items that didn't need to be returned, those that sent paper plates so we didn't have to do dishes, and those who gave a little extra to make sure we had all we needed (like salad dressings or drinks).

Really, if they are like we were, just knowing someone cared was awesome and we wouldn't have minded takeout, fast food or pizzas.

 

[crl]

depending if chicken or beef is cheaper get some brown it with taco seasonings then take that tortillas lettuce cheese and a side of spanish rice and canned beans.

Something different than pasta and kid friendly you can also get most of these ingrediants very inexpensivly.

I second this!

I just had a bunch of meals delivered due to my recent surgery. This was by far the favorite meal.

 

[tyniknate]

Here's my suggestion....my kids never refuse it!

Lazy mom's Lasagna

2 cans Campbells Cream of Tomato Soup
1 can Campbells Cream of Chicken Soup
1 8 oz bag of Mozzarella Cheese
1 bag of noodles
1 lb ground beef (or sausage)
Onion and garlic to taste

Prepare noodles to al dente consistency. Brown ground beef and drain. Add to it the cans of soup, onion and garlic and heat.

In 8X11 dish layer the noodles, sauce and cheese.

Bake 350 until golden and bubbly. Add a salad and loaf of crusty bread.

 

[lukenick1]

So today was my day and I made them beef and cheese burritos, spanish rice and corn muffins. Sent a jar of salsa and a container of sour cream with it. Hope they enjoy it

 

[honeydiane1953]

Sphagetti (SP) and Paul Newman meat sauce. Garlic Bread and if u can a tossed salad. Very inexpensive and filling.

 

[powellrj]

I am making Ham and Potato soup with corn muffins, chopped fruit and veggies and a couple of candy bars to someone tonight. They are an older couple and asked for different soups which made it easy for me!

 

[pjlla]

I don't have the time to read all of the replies, so I'm sorry if this has been mentioned.

I will do a turkey dinner when I bring a meal to someone. Turkey is rather cheap (especially this time of year).... sometimes as low as .49/lb. I will make a few baked potatoes, a green vegetable or salad, honey glazed carrots, and maybe some dinner rolls. Throw in a can of cranberry sauce and a half gallon of milk and you are done (you can add dessert too.... brownies are easy and fast).

When I have done this in the past for a smaller family (two adults, one toddler), I have cut the turkey neatly in half after baking.... they got half and I kept half for my family.

I've always gotten good comments on how nice it was to have leftovers for turkey sandwiches and such the next day. You could also throw in a carton of stock for them to make homemade soup the next day or so.

I'll bet you could do this entire dinner for $20 with plenty of leftovers.

Nice of you to think of others, especially this busy time of year...............P

 

[thebeesknees]

Timely thread. There is a family in DD's class where the mom just had cancer surgery and will be in chemo for at least 9 months, so we are all pitching in to send meals in for quite awhile. It was good to get some ideas of stuff the kids will like that is a little different from the usual. I really like the rotisserie chicken idea, as the school is right down the street from a Sam's Club, so I could pick that up and deliver it to them still warm right after school.