Make and Take

“Food is for sure a love language.”-Socrates

I don’t believe we can actually find that quote documented anywhere, but I’m sure he said it at some point. Delivering a meal to someone is such a great gift. It takes away from them having to cook AND clean for the night. Nothing better!

But the question is…..what should I make? Well, I’m glad you asked. I’ve compiled my favorite meals to make for someone. All of these have gotten rave reviews, and unless these people are lying to me, they would be good to save for the next time you need one.

This ranch chicken casserole is delicious and simple, and it doesn’t involve any cream of anything from a can, which is an A+ in my high maintenance book. I’ve never made this and someone not ask for the recipe. It’s also something that can be prepared the morning of and baked later. It’s great by itself or served over rice. I usually send some rice with it (the bags of frozen rice from Trader Joes make this easy). The past few times I’ve made this I prepared these balsamic green beans all seasoned and ready to go, so all they have to do is roast in the oven.

These honey lime enchiladas are a different spin on a normal enchilada. They’re so good. You honestly don’t even need the heavy cream they add, and if I do use it, I don’t use as much as they do, but you do you. I also have made these with a red sauce instead of the green, and both are delicious. Send with someone homemade guacamole or salsa and chips, and it’s the perfect dinner.

A baked pasta is another great option. I use a loose interpretation of Ree’s recipe. With something like this, you really don’t need much of a recipe, but a base to work from is always good. I definitely don’t use as much protein as she does, and I usually add in some spinach-gives it some color. Add a salad and voila! You just made someone happy!

A great time of year to deliver meals is during soup season. So, if everyone could just have their babies, their surgeries, and get sick during soup season, it would make delivering meals so easy. Ok?

This Zuppa Toscana is a soup you might not typically make on the regular but is delicious and simple. You definitely don’t have to use this much heavy cream. I’ve done half cream/half milk before or just all whole milk.

-1 lb. Italian sausage
-1 small onion diced
-2-3 potatoes, sliced thin and quartered
-1 cup heavy cream
-4 cups chicken broth
-salt and pepper to taste
-1 tsp. red pepper flakes
-2-3 cups kale, stems removed

1. Brown sausage, drain, and set aside.
2. Saute the onion until translucent.
3. Add the potatoes, broth, seasoning, and sausage. Simmer on medium-low for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
4. Add kale and cream and cook for another 5 minutes until kale has wilted.

I recently made this ravioli soup that Momfessionals put on her blog to take someone. I’d never made it before, which I know is never a good thing to do-take a meal you’ve never made. However, it’s pretty simple and seemed like one of those things that couldn’t go wrong.

Soup during cold months=a perfect night especially if its delivered in large mason jars made by someone else.

My last idea is a quiche. It’s cheesy and easy-what more could someone want? You can make this as a breakfast for dinner situation or just a normal dinner. However, Paula Stewart has taught me many things, and one of those things is you only eat breakfast for dinner when it’s cold. She’s right; it just doesn’t taste as good when it’s 85 degrees. So you could do it for breakfast and send blueberry muffins with it or a green salad for a typical dinner. I have a quiche recipe post from last year. Although the spinach and feta might be my favorite, I’d recommend the bacon and cheddar combo. to take to someone.

That’s all for today! Now, who is bringing me dinner tonight?