Thanksgiving recipes that freeze well needed!

[pjlla]

Try to be brief.....

I have a good friend who was recently diagnosed with RA and is having a really tough time right now. She is expected to host T.giving, as usual, for her family and some IL's (about 14 people). For multiple reasons, she doesn't feel like she can just bail out on this obligation (despite the fact that she is living in constant pain right now and can't even do normal daily activities without help) and doesn't seem to have much help coming from the extended family (although her DH seems on board to help). She is considering just ordering a full meal from the local stores, but I know, as a Mom/Wife/Daughter/SIL/DIL, etc, she is probably feeling like she is letting people down by going this route.

I would like to provide some homemade dishes to round out her storebought meal in an effort to help her out. I was thinking of making a few (2-3) side dishes and some dessert. Here are my drawbacks...

#1... I'm a lousy cook and I don't like cooking... but this would be an act of love, so I'll do it.

#2. I don't really know what their "usual" is, so I can't really try to duplicate it.

#3. I kind of want to surprise her with this dishes all prepared and ready for her freezer by the end of this week so she can order the remainder of the meal accordingly.

#4. My budget is tight this month, so I can't go crazy using lots of expensive ingredients.

I am planning on making a full pan (the larger steam table size) of apple crisp, which is one of my favorites and I'm pretty good at it. I think if they warm it thoroughly in a hot oven, the topping will be crispy enough, even if it has been frozen. But I don't know what else to make that would freeze well.... definitely not mashed potatoes!!

HELP!!..........................Thanks in advance!!............P

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Tell her to order the dinner from her local grocery store, problem solved.

 

[trip]

Tell her to order the dinner from her local grocery store, problem solved.

And if that isn't enough, she should have everyone attending bring something to share. No one should have to do ALL of the work sick or not!!

Plus she shouldn't feel the least bit guilty about it.

 

[pjlla]

Tell her to order the dinner from her local grocery store, problem solved.

And if that isn't enough, she should have everyone attending bring something to share. No one should have to do ALL of the work sick or not!!

Plus she shouldn't feel the least bit guilty about it.

Thank you both for your suggestions. As I mentioned, she IS probably going to order the majority of the meal from the local Shaw's.... but as a hostess/wife/mother/SIL/DIL, I think she is feeling like a bit of a "failure" by not preparing this special holiday meal at home. I was hoping that by being able to provide at least a few homemade dishes, she might feel a bit better about this whole thing..............P

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thank you both for your suggestions. As I mentioned, she IS probably going to order the majority of the meal from the local Shaw's.... but as a hostess/wife/mother/SIL/DIL, I think she is feeling like a bit of a "failure" by not preparing this special holiday meal at home. I was hoping that by being able to provide at least a few homemade dishes, she might feel a bit better about this whole thing..............P

Considering herself a "failure" and then attempting to do it all is not a healthy thing to do for her state of mind.

I think making things with the intent of freezing them to "help" her does the opposite of what you want.

I would encourage her that ordering stuff is the way to go and be positive in that direction.

 

[anniemae]

This pie is super decadent and sooooo easy to make. You can make it the day before. It always gets rave reviews.


1 frozen deep-dish pie crust (9 inch), thawed (I used a pre-made graham cracker crust)
6 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
10 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla 3/4 cup
cholesterol-free egg product
1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Make It
BAKE pie crust as directed on package for unfilled one-crust pie; cool completely.

MELT chocolate as directed on package; cool slightly. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 3 min. or until light and fluffy. Add melted chocolate and vanilla; mix well. Add egg product. Beat on high speed 2 min. or until light and fluffy. Spoon into pie crust.

REFRIGERATE 3 hours or until chilled. Top with the whipped topping. Store leftover pie in refrigerator.



As a side note, I was also recently diagnosed with RA so I can sympathize with your friend. How is she doing?

 

[Robinrs]

Thank you both for your suggestions. As I mentioned, she IS probably going to order the majority of the meal from the local Shaw's.... but as a hostess/wife/mother/SIL/DIL, I think she is feeling like a bit of a "failure" by not preparing this special holiday meal at home. I was hoping that by being able to provide at least a few homemade dishes, she might feel a bit better about this whole thing..............P

A failure for not feeling up to making a stupid dinner? What kind of people would consider that a fail????

I'm taking she is close to and loves the people coming to dinner. Why can't they discuss this????? I lost most of the people in my family this year and none of us left are AMAZING cooks, plus we all work full jobs and are BUSY. I am having mine catered and not feeling a drop guilty.

My Mom suffered from RA for years and no one expected her to go out of her way, we just helped her out. She should feel fine just hosting it... no woman should get her identity from feeding people personally.

 

[Jeafl]

If she does decide to host, this is super easy, freezes well and is always a hit.



Cream Cheese Mashed Potato Casserole


5 lb bag of potatoes, peeled, chunked and boiled until done. (I like red potatoes the best)

Mash with 1 1/2 sticks of butter, 1/3 to 1/2 c milk, one 8-oz. block of cream cheese cut in chunks and 1 tsp. garlic salt.

Put in 9x13 pan pyrex dish that has been sprayed with Pam. Dot with butter and cover with plastic wrap then foil. Freeze.

When ready to bake, REMOVE THE PLASTIC WRAP (trust me on this one!), replace the foil and bake about 1 hr. 15 minutes if frozen, or about 45 minutes if thawed. Enjoy! Makes about 12-15 servings.