What Meals Do You Make for Sick Friends/Neighbors/Family Members?

[Elle23]

I make a chicken and rice bake that is super easy and delicious. I have to triple the rice because my kids devour it.

For a single serving, mix 1 cup of water, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, and 3/4 cup uncooked rice and place in a greased 9x13 pan. Place chicken breasts on top. Cover with foil and bake at 425 for an hour or till the rice is done. (I would recommend at least doubling the rice as it reheats well..)

You can add a veggie or salad and it's a complete meal.

 

[aprilgail]

Usually order either a tray of chicken parm, ziti, penne ala vodka, or something along that line to be delivered to them- my friend recently had surgery and so many people had so much food delivered they have a freezer full that will last them a long time LOL- she said everytime they turned around another place was at their door with a delivery!

 

[xjillianpaige]

When my mom's best friend went on hospice, my mom would bring mac and cheese. It was her friends favorite. My mom would also stop at an Italian place called the chateau and get these massive family sized dishes. Those were a hit. Said it would feed 4. Sure. Maybe feed 4 twice over!

 

[Planogirl]

After my accident I had no appetite for a very long time. A friend kept discussing favorite foods with me and if I showed any interest he would try to get it for me. I ended up enjoying jambalaya and ice cream.

Maybe see what her favorites are? Being ill can do a number on an appetite.

 

[sk!mom]

I'm a Texan so fajitas is one of my regulars. Fajita meat (chicken or beef) roasted onions and peppers, tortillas, guac, chips and salsa.

Chicken pot pie, tossed salad, fresh fruit

Chicken enchiladas, tossed salad, fresh fruit

If it's hot - cold cut tray with croissants, chips, fresh fruit

I just did Chicken piccata, mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, and fresh fruit for friends with a new baby.

A good hot day dish- A pasta salad with chicken and lots of veggies, crusty bakery bread, and fresh fruit.

The best reaction from the recipients is usually a Chick-fil-A nugget tray, pasta salad, green salad, and of course- fresh fruit.

Fresh fruit is big with me.

 

[Arkansan]

I second the pasta salad recommendations. Also, what about a chilled tuna salad? I make mine with pasta shells, canned (drained) tuna, and a bag of frozen peas. You could also add minced onion. I mix it with low-fat mayo or Miracle Whip. You could add a bag of chips and some fruit as sides.

Breakfast for dinner? An egg casserole of some sort or a quiche, muffins, fruit, bacon or sausage (if not in the casserole).

You could grill chicken breasts. Serve with corn on the cob, rolls, and a salad. They could be eaten cold or heated up.

Meatballs and spaghetti sauce. You could either provide noodles (dry) that they prepare when ready to eat and/or bring sub buns so they could make sandwiches. Add salad.

This is a wonderful thing you are doing for them!

 

[leebee]

Party meatballs? Mix together a can of cranberry sauce (jellied) and a bottle of cocktail sauce (like you'd use for shrimp cocktail). Put a bag of meatballs in the crockpot, pour the sauce over, and cook on low for about 3 to 4 hours. We like this with rice and a veg. These reheat easily, make good sandwiches, etc. They also freeze well.

 

[crazylady]

When people were cooking for us, I have to say that I got tired of the heavier, casserole type dishes. (I hate to even say that. I sound so ungrateful and I definitely was not ungrateful)

I loved the day my vegan friend brought us a bag a veggies she had washed and prepped for us. I don't know what her intention was but I sauteed a bunch and tossed it in pasta.

Have you seen any foil packet recipes you like? Those are nice because all the work is done and no clean up, just pop it in the oven or on the grill. One of my go-to is green beans topped with a salmon filet, pesto sauce and tomatoes. (If they eat fish)

 

[MIGrandma]

I have done goulash, my homemade hamburger/vegetable soup in the slow cooker, and lasagna with garlic bread.

My daughter-in-law is having surgery August 3rd (hopefully just day surgery) so I plan to take over some hot-weather foods like potato salad, macaroni salad, cut-up fruit salad, some buns along with slivered turkey and ham, and cheese. Probably some sort of dessert too.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I make a cold couscous salad with tons of veggies as a side for that kind of thing because it keeps well. Then I'll usually do kebabs with meat or just veggies if they're vegan and a yogurt/cucumber raita kind of thing. Not the usual and not "out there." Hard to mess up too!

I'm not sure they've ever even tried raita or couscous, but it sounds like my family would love it, if you don't mind sharing the recipe.

How about a roasted chicken, a turkey breast or a spiral ham? All are easy to make and great to send to someone who can just use the leftovers to throw together and easy meal for a second or third night. Add a salad and a couple side dishes (pasta salad, cut up watermelon) and you're good for a couple days. Add some hard rolls and they can make sandwiches with the leftovers.

I think I'll fix ham, mac-n-cheese & something else on Sunday, unless something changes. I saw an ambulance pick her up this morning & won't know anything until this evening. I'm worried about her.

For everyone that cooks for sick friends..I can pm my address and you can take it however you want LOL

That would be a seriously expensive meal by the time I added food safe, overnight shipping to Canada. If I lived nearby you, I'd definitely drop something off. I hope you'll have a lot of support in the coming weeks.

 

[powellrj]

This has become my go to drop off dish. I have doubled and tripled it without any problems and I always put in a disposable pan.

http://www.highheelsandgrills.com/green-beans-chicken-and-potatoes-one-pan-wonder/

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Gift cards to local restaurants that deliver.

 

[amberpi]

I'm not sure they've ever even tried raita or couscous, but it sounds like my family would love it, if you don't mind sharing the recipe.
/QUOTE]

If you have vegan family members, my cold couscous is awesome - its vegan to start and can easily have tofu/meat proteins added.

This is all rough as I've been making it forever and other than baking, just wing (I've tried winging baking and boy, that was catastrophe) most cooking:

Cooked couscous based on how many people you're feeding
Chopped fresh parsley
Golden raisins
Chopped fresh tomatoes
Lemon juice or balsamic, or BOTH!
Olive Oil
Minced fresh garlic
Salt
Tumeric

Then I throw in other fresh veggies as desired - cucumbers make the "shelf life" a bit less. I like squash or zuccini. I throw it together and season to taste. If no vegans I might feta or fresh moz. I sometimes add kalmata olives. Its great because the couscous doesn't get mushy as fast as pasta does (I LOVE pasta salad, but I don't love it the next day like I do this).

Raita:

Yogurt - full fat greek is my preference
Lemon juice
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Tons of fresh garlic
Cucumbers
Shredded carrots (sometimes)
tiny bit of tomatoes (sometimes)
tiny pinch of sugar

Ok - so I just gave you ingredients and a rough outline of every recipe online...lol.

 

[amberpi]

This has become my go to drop off dish. I have doubled and tripled it without any problems and I always put in a disposable pan.

http://www.highheelsandgrills.com/green-beans-chicken-and-potatoes-one-pan-wonder/

Love the domain name!

 

[scrapquitler]

I make a chicken and rice bake that is super easy and delicious. I have to triple the rice because my kids devour it.

For a single serving, mix 1 cup of water, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, and 3/4 cup uncooked rice and place in a greased 9x13 pan. Place chicken breasts on top. Cover with foil and bake at 425 for an hour or till the rice is done. (I would recommend at least doubling the rice as it reheats well..)

You can add a veggie or salad and it's a complete meal.

I think my mother made this twice a week the whole time I was growing up because my Dad loved it so much. My brothers and I called it Chicken Glop.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

To clarify... what restricts her mobility? Age? A disability?

Is she "picky" about food? Does she have chewing issues where food needs to be minced? Does she have a small appetite?

Hopefully she isn't lactose intolerant.... Cheese in Pizza can be hard to digest.

Urban environments can mean lots of food choices to experiment with.

When visiting the doctor.... consider hitting a restaurant after the doctor's visit for variety.

My loved one came down with cancer and was disinterested in eating. We were very concerned as her weight dropped. However, she always wanted to try different things and I leveraged this opportunity. A couple of cruises each year brought her spirits and appetite up. With regards to mobility outside the home..... a transport chair made a huge difference for her and me the caregiver..

She has a very large tumor that's cutting off blood circulation to her legs, which is causing mobility issues. She's so embarrassed that she won't even talk to anyone in person. We talk through the window. I had a major health issue once & know how embarrassing it can be. There's no way I'd try to talk her into going out.

She's not eating much, which is why I've been mostly making comfort foods. Hopefully, she'll eat some of it. I'll ask her SO for more specific suggestions. We've asked what they will or won't eat & he says they like everything.

If this goes on for awhile, I'll definitely be resorting to takeout some. I've been trying to make enough food to last 2 or 3 days, which is the reason I've mostly avoided it to this point.

I would do something like a roast chicken (probably from Costco), salad and rolls. As much as I'd appreciate someone bringing a casserole, it wouldn't get eaten in our house. I think my family would settle for scrambled eggs instead.

Also, given that it's summer I'd even do some nice cold cuts, a pasta type salad with lots of vegetables and some nice bread or rolls.

We're southern. Casseroles are very common here. Thanks to The Dis I now know a lot of people don't like them, but I've never heard what they don't like about them. It depends on what you're used to, I suppose. Since my neighbor is originally from NC, chicken, noodle casserole should be like comfort food to her, as it is for me.

Enchiladas
Stew with rolls
Chilli
Baked potatoes with fixings

Good suggestions. What would you serve with the potato bar?

You could put together everything needed for fajitas.
Summer salads are good, too, like spring mix, berries, walnuts, chicken, and feta cheese. Deliver with some raspberry dressing and bread.

That salad is right up my alley. We've never made our own fajitas. I'll have to look into that.

 

[Poohforyou]

She has a very large tumor that's cutting off blood circulation to her legs, which is causing mobility issues. She's so embarrassed that she won't even talk to anyone in person. We talk through the window. I had a major health issue once & know how embarrassing it can be. There's no way I'd try to talk her into going out.

She's not eating much, which is why I've been mostly making comfort foods. Hopefully, she'll eat some of it. I'll ask her SO for more specific suggestions. We've asked what they will or won't eat & he says they like everything.

If this goes on for awhile, I'll definitely be resorting to takeout some. I've been trying to make enough food to last 2 or 3 days, which is the reason I've mostly avoided it to this point.



We're southern. Casseroles are very common here. Thanks to The Dis I now know a lot of people don't like them, but I've never heard what they don't like about them. It depends on what you're used to, I suppose. Since my neighbor is originally from NC, chicken, noodle casserole should be like comfort food to her, as it is for me.



Good suggestions. What would you serve with the potato bar?



That salad is right up my alley. We've never made our own fajitas. I'll have to look into that.

I don't like a bunch of food all mixed up together, except salad, and I especially don't like anything with cream of _____ soup.

I'm not even a fan of things like lasagna or baked ziti. Those are very popular dishes to bring over to people here in NJ. My family loves them though so that's good.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Pot roast

That's what a coworker made for us when DW broke her kneecap into 5 pieces. And it's what she makes for her friends in times of need.

 

[amberpi]

We're southern. Casseroles are very common here. Thanks to The Dis I now know a lot of people don't like them, but I've never heard what they don't like about them. It depends on what you're used to, I suppose. Since my neighbor is originally from NC, chicken, noodle casserole should be like comfort food to her, as it is for me.

Southern here too! Hurray! I obviously can't speak for anyone else, but I'm personally freaked out by "cream of whatever" soups. Its not something we really had as kids and *I* find them just unsettling. Not saying they're not a great product or that people should feel the same, but they're not for me. When they plop out while you're trying to use them - nope!

 

[scrapquitler]

We're southern. Casseroles are very common here. Thanks to The Dis I now know a lot of people don't like them, but I've never heard what they don't like about them. It depends on what you're used to, I suppose. Since my neighbor is originally from NC, chicken, noodle casserole should be like comfort food to her, as it is for me.

I won't eat casseroles because I feel like I ate 10 lifetimes worth of them while I was a child.

My husband and children won't eat casseroles because one type of food touches the other.