Dinner to a Friend in Need
Friendship is such a blessing! When you hear that a friend is ill or one of their family is in the hospital there is no greater joy than to think of some way to surprise them by lightening their load and making them feel loved. Having them come home from a long day at the hospital, work or many miles on the road to a homecooked meal waiting for them at their doorstep is always a fun thing to do for someone.
I have enjoyed doing this over the years and with a little bit of organization have found that it has become quite easy. I always keep a large bag of frozen chicken in my freezer so that at any given time I am ready to cook a meal. A huge bag of fresh carrots keep well for many weeks in the refrigerator or a large bag of frozen green beans. Baking an assortment of fresh breads and keeping them in the freezer works quite nicely for just such an ocassion too. My favorite bread to take to loved ones is Oatmeal Applesauce Raisin Bread. This recipe evolved over the years with trial and error. It's become our very favorite and is quite healthy. I'll share that recipe later. Next, I always keep a large supply of wild or brown rice in the house to bed the cooked chicken on. Lastly, for dessert, I buy a dozen boxes of brownies when I find them on sale so that they can bake while I'm cooking the dinner.
When I hear that someone is in need of a home cooked meal, I thaw the bread while making the dinner. Put the various dishes into the disposable pans so that nothing has to be kept track of or returned to me. I always wait for the food to cool before placing wrap over the food. In the summer I can jazz up the dishes with all sorts of lovely spices from my garden. I have designed labels for each of the dishes so that everyone always knows exactly what they are eating when it arrives and it makes it a little cheerier and in case anyone has allergies! When I pack the styrofoam cooler I pack the bottom half with ice, then the pans.The ice keeps the food cool for hours so that if no one is home, I can leave the cooler at the doorstep until their return. A few pretty teabags, a small bag of gourmet coffee and a few pretty chocolates decorate the top. I love adding a few silk leaves and of course my signature is always a tiny sprinkle of angels. (be certain to tape the lid closed when leaving the dinner on a doorstep) I hope this article gives you an idea of who you might bless with a meal or a treat on their doorstep....a surprise for a friend to cheer their day or encourage them in some way. It just takes a tiny bit of organization, but most of all love.
