Making Meal for Someone Else.

I suggest to order them a pizza delivered to their home. I would have loved to have that when any of my kids were born, and you don't have to make a thing. The nice thing for them is that they don't have to heat something up either. It's right there hot and now. Gotta love delivery!

I have been cooking since I was 10 and got A job in food service at age 16 (im 34 now) and think the web sight cooks.com is great!!!! just type the recipe you want.

I always make homemade macaroni and cheese when I make meals for other people. It's always a huge success and easy to make.

Hi Jen,
This maybe be unconventional but what I do when I make a meal for someone (about once a month...for my moms club) is I make meatball hoagies with potato chips, a salad and chocolate chip cookies. I make the meatballs, the only thing a make well, or you can buy frozen already cooked meatballs (Mama Luigi's are good). I get Amoroso rolls, about 1/2 dozen, and if using my meatballs, I cut them in half and put three halves on a roll with sauce, or if using the frozen meatballs put three whole meatballs on and shredded mozzerella cheese. Make sure you heat up the meatballs in sauce first, for at least 30 minutes. Wrap them in foil and tell the couple to heat them in the oven at 220 degrees for 20 minutes. Make up a salad, buy a bag of chips and use the break away and bake cookies and that's it. It does seem more like lunch but I get a lot of compliments about this meal, and sometimes kids are more likely to eat it then the "mystery casseroles" some people make. Hope this is helpful, thank you for helping!!!

I make a pot roast for my family when I have to work evenings that's very easy, and you can delete the vegetables if you want. Buy a 2-2 1/2 pound chuck roast, put it in a 9 x 13 pan and put cut carrots, cut potatoes and cut onions around it (or leave them out). Then sprinkle a packet of Lipton Onion Mushroom soup mix over it and pour 1/2 cup water over it. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 3-3 1/2 hours. Serve with crusty bread to mop up the juices. Hope it works out for you.

Hi J. -

Trader Joes! Love them for good prepared meals. Also, Pizza Hut, eh, Pasta Hut, has what looks like really nice pasta too.

J.

I would make a lasagna. They are pretty easy to do and really don't have any veggies. Many people don't like ricotta cheese, so you may want to use cottage cheese if the recipe calls for ricotta. The other great thing about lasagna is you can make it in a dispoable tin pan that you can buy from the grocery store so you don't have to get your pan back. They will probably get several meals out of it as well. Include a loaf of garlic bread to complete the meal.

I usually make several containers or meatballs with a little sauce. They can have meatball sandwiches or a little pasta with sauce. I do, however, like the idea of pizza delivery. Maybe give them a gift card to pizza hut and they can have it delivered when they want to.

You can't go wrong with Italian! Baked Ziti is very easy....cook ziti noodles, brown some ground turkey, mix the cooked ground turkey with 1 container ricotta cheese and 1 jar spaghetti sauce, some oregano & basil, then mix it together with the ziti noodles. Dump it all in a pan, cover with shredded mozzarella and bake. Freezes well once cooled.

Lasagna....same way:
Bowl 1: 1 lg container ricotta cheese, 1 small container cottage cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 2 Tbsp oregano, 1/2 tsp pepper.

Bowl 2: 1lb cooked ground turkey, 1-1/2 jars spaghetti sauce.

On bottom of pan, put about 1/2 cup of plain spaghetti sauce to prevent sticking. Then layer in pan as follows: no-bake lasagna noodles, cheese mixture (spread it), sauce mixture, a sprinkling of mozz cheese, no-bake lasagna noodles, cheese mixture, sauce mixture, sprinkling of mozz cheese etc. Top layer should be no-bake lasagna noodles and sauce mixture only. Bake 375 until done!

If you want a main course that's really easy, buy some chicken and buy Soy Vey brand teriyaki sauce, full of sesame seeds. It it delicious and easy. Make a big salad. Make brownies. All done. If you need another course, you could make something really easy like chicken soup.

Good luck!

Something I thought was really impressive that my mom did for me after my first baby...

She went to walmart and got me a family sized crock pot. Then she bought us a bunch of crockpot meals and a cookbook. As a new mom she won't have a ton of time, but it will be nothing for her to open a bag and throw the meal in also she may not have a family sized pot and the cookbook will really show you care. I think you can do everything for around $35. Which is very inexpensive and you will be providing her with way more than one meal.

Don't worry about impressing them. Church is about caring for Jesus, God and others and not trying to be the best at anything. Just do what is natural for you and your family and if you guys do alot of crockpot meals or you have recipies that you used when you first had little ones to make your life easier then share them. The most important thing to come accross is that you care and that there are people there for them. Whatever you do I'm positive that it will be great.

If they are picky eaters, ask them what they like. There is nothing wrong with that. When you call to set up when to deliver the meal, ask what kinds of foods they like.
I would not worry about impressing them. Just providing a meal to a new mother is impressive enough in my opinion. I was thrilled to recieve a purchased frozen lasagna after my daughter was born. You don't have to be a great cook to be a minister to a new family.

Look up some crock pot recipes. They are pretty much no fail. You just throw everything in and let it cook.

I made a friend a really easy fettucini alfredo w chicken and broc....I cooked the noodles aldente so they would not get mushy when reheated...then I just sauteed some marinated chicken tenders(you can even buy them already marinated) tossed in some premade alfredo and tossed it all together. The broccoli looked really nice w it...I placed the broc all around the edge of the dish. Send along some good italian bread and your done....

J. I agree Italian anything with a nice side salad.

Put some fresh basil and squeeze some fresh garlic on your salad you can not believe how good this makes your salad taste.

you could take your chicken breast flaten and put in a baking dish in oven when it is almost done about 30 min. put some red sauce (tomatoe sauce) on top with a slice of mozzarella cheese and finish baking. serve with a side of angel hair pasta and that nice salad.

another side you could take a loaf of italian bread cut in half length wise spread garlic butter then with ricotta cheese, slices of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and bake until cheese melts. or if you do not want Italian.

you can make stove top stuffing mix and put it in the bottom of an alumium pan put strips of chicken breast on top cover with cream of mushroom soup or something similiar and bake that for about 30 to 45 min. in a 350 degree oven. serve with a salad or veggies.

There is also the famous green bean casserole to go along with the chicken dish.

Check out kraft.com. I get their free magazine/cookbook in the mail (I think it's called Food, Family & Fun- or something like that) and everything I've made from it for pot lucks, etc. has been really good. I get compliments on it all, and I'm not the best cook :) It's all really easy to make, too. Good luck!

Hello!
When we visited my aunt (a mother of 5) she made this very simple & tasty casserole for us- for a 9x13 pan; spray with Pam, add 2lbs cooked hamburger, this is the 1st layer, 2 cans of green beans (drain only 1 of the cans) pour over the burger & top the beans with mashed potatoes (you can use instant, too)...bake 350* for 1/2 hr or until the potatoes start to brown- Numma! Numma! Sosososo easy & delish! You could also make 2 8x8 pans, this freezes well, too. Happy cooking~ Im sure they will be thrilled with your meal!

How about going to some place like "Entre-vou" and putting together a meal there?

In the future, PLEASE don't volunteer to make meals if you aren't a good cook. Eventually you will end up being frustrated and resentful, and it will come out to the person you are "ministering" to. I was on the receiving end of that once. It wasn't good--I ended up throwing the food in the trash because it was just inedible, and ordering out. The woman who made the food for me was frustrated about delivery issues (her fault that she came over even when she called and no one answered the phone!), so she was quite grouchy when she dropped the food off on her second trip over to my house. She let me know "I don't even like to cook, but I do this because it is a needed ministry." Well, umm...no. Pick a ministry that you enjoy. Writing a thank you note to her was SO hard.

Since you claim you are not a good cook, perhaps try "My Girlfriend's Kitchen" in Turnersville, NJ. They are great for on the spot meals and you can just go on-line to see their menu selection and you can always omit the veg. Best part is, you can either prepare it for them or request to have it prepared by them and you can just pick it up. My family loves it on those nights we just don't have time to cook (even at times when we do:)

I second the take-out idea, especially if they are picky eaters!

J.,

I recently had a baby and my church brought a few dishes over, enough for about 3 meals. I received a large pan of meatballs and sauce along with a package of hoagie buns, a box of spaghetti, a bag of chips, and a bagged salad (I got a meal of spaghetti and meatballs with salad and a meal of meatball hoagies and chips). In addition, I was given a ham and peas casserole made with noodles and I'm guessing what was cream of mushroom soup and some cheese, and also a pie (which we don't normally eat but figured it was a special occasion so why not?!). After a previous child was born a friend brought over a bag full of individually frozen stuffed shells and a couple jars of Prego, which I thought was a great idea--I made them for my lunches while my husband was at work, and since they were individually frozen I could make one or two at a time.

If you are feeling the need to make them something, I might suggest baked mac and cheese and perhaps purchase a rotisserie chicken from Wal-Mart or your local grocery store. These dishes are easily reheated if need be. If you think they'll eat it, throw in a bagged salad mix.

I recently made beef stew for another couple at church who had a child, but it doesn't sound like the kind of dish your friends would like if they're picky.

Hope all goes well, and remember, any effort will be appreciated if genuine! Don't stress yourself

I'm also a very picky eater. I recommend pasta dishes, such as spaghetti or lasgana with salad or a vegetable the family will eat and a dessert. That is always seem to be a winner with a lot of picky eaters. Hope this helps.

J.
I have a simple and easy meal that you can do. Get the veggie chips, they are usually in the chip section at the store. you also need an egg or two and chicken. First smash the chips into tiny pieces, almost crumbs. give the chicken and egg wash, the coat the chicken with the crushed chips. Bake at 375 until done. Its easy. Let me know if you have any questions.

Have pizza or Chinese delivered and enjoy the day!

Lasagne is always easy, and can be frozen and a good meal for families. I usually buy the "no boil" noodles (a lot easier than boiling) and there is a recipe on the package.
J. W

DO the Tater Tot casserole. I won't repeat the recipe because it is listed below. Some moms who are nursing don't want Italian or spicy things. I've gotten rave reviews from that easy basic recipe.

If you want to try to make a meal for them, try Spaghetti Bake.

2 lbs lean ground turkey, browned with the grease drained off. You can add chopped onions to add a bit more flavor. I then add a jar of Newmans Marinara (it has chunks of tomatoes). While that simmers, boil a full box of angel hair pasta. Mix that in a large bowl along with shredded mozarella cheese (I do it with or without). Bake in a 9x13 casserole on 350 for 20 minutes. It cuts like lasagna and stores easily. My family loves it, it's easy and really hard to mess up.

If that's not for you, you can always buy a meal at a restaurant or even get them gift cards to a local restaurant that has a bit of everything (Applebees, Fridays, etc.)

Best of luck!

B.

Hi J. -

Baked Ziti or lasagna are easy...and no veggies required. After my 2nd child, a good friend of mine bought several meals from Supper Tyme USA (there is one in Trappe, PA - I know there are other locations). It was a big help and the meals were good. I didn't think anything of her not making the meals herself. I know she is busy too with her own son and full-time job.

Or - you can always call her and say - I'm bringing you a hot meal from "local restaurant." What do you want? Chicken, pasta, etc? Likely to be more expensive...but she would appreciate and it gets you out of cooking.

Best of luck!!

I would either ask them what they like. Or if you are that woried I would ask what resteraunt they like and meal that is reasonably priced and get them the meal and bring it to them. I have cooked meals for couples with a new baby in the past and found it to be very rewarding for me just to do this for someone else. I am an extremly picky eater but I can cook very well. I just follow recipes.

Honestly if it was me and you couldn't cook I wouldn't mind you buying a meal. It isn't a big deal really. Do what you are comfortable with.

I have found quick, easy recipes on the Campbell's soup website. Yummy casseroles that can be quickly reheated and many without vegetables. I did the Taco Bake for a coworker who had lost her husband and included breadsticks and a bottle of wine. Super easy. Hope this helps!

casseroles are a big one to bring to anyone for an event or couple. Chili is another. You could go to foodnetwork.com and find many recipes that are quick and easy.

Best of luck.

I think that lasagna would be a great idea. I always make lasagna rolls. You can make them ahead of time a freeze them. Just take out as many as you need, dump some sauce on them, and bake. Some lasagna rolls, a loaf of italian bread, and bag of salad mix, sounds yummy to me.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Lasagna-Roll-Ups/Detail.aspx

I would use crumbled italian sausage or ground beef instead of the tofu.

H.

J.,
On the back of a box of minute rice there is an easy recepie for chicken and rice baked in one dish. I believe all you need is 4 breasts of chicken, minute rice and campbells cream of chicken soup. Hope this helped! Good Luck!
Chris

I never know what to make either.

lasanga is a staple and pretty easy if you follow the directions on the noodle box and use enough liquid.

Shredded Barbeque chicken or beef in the crock pot would be easy if you work.

You could always buy a rotisseri chicken and then make your own desert to go with it.

I can imagine that you would love to bring a very impressive main dish, but i feel like if you include lots of other goodies, like a salad- either greens or something like macaroni salad, Buns/rolls/ or a loaf of bread, and an impressive dessert, which you can all buy pre-made, then the overall dinner looks impressive even if you haven't made lobster bisque as the main dish.

Besides the most important thing is that you are bringing them dinner and THey don't have to cook!!!

oh, just thought of one more thing. We have a place called Super Suppers where you can go and they have all the ingredients and you assemble the dish and take it home to bake or freeze, I think they also have premade meals you can purchase or gift certificates. It think it's a little pricey but the convience factor is AWESOME.

Good luck and don't worry so much about it being perfect.

A Pot Roast is usually quick easy and almost foolproof.

We add cut up potatoes, carrots and sometimes celery to ours.

Toss the roast in pan with an onion for taste (or a packet of onion soup). Add the potatoes, carrots and celery. Bake until done.

We usually throw ours into the pot frozen. It adds a little juice. Seems to baste itself that way. But it works really well for unfrozen meat as well.

Good luck. Hope this helps.

J.,
This is REALLY easy--it's Tater Tot Casserole. Sounds weird but very good!
Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Press about 1.5 lb. of lean ground meat into the bottom. Sprinkle the meat with about 1.5 TBS of onion soup mix. In a bowl, combine 1 can of cream of celery, chicken OR mushroom soup with about a half can of milk. Pour over meat. Layer the top completely with frozen tater tots. I kind of line them in rows. It will take almost a whole bag. Bake at 350 for about 50-55 minutes & the meat is cooked (Check with a knife & look!) It's good and they can add a vegetable of their own or you can make a simple tossed salad and this will be dinner and lunch at least!
Someone made this for my family and it was so good I had to get the recipe. I make it all the time now. Good luck!