Need a "Different" Meal Idea to Bring to Someone Who Is Sick

Frankly, I am the complete opposite of Martha Stewart so trying to think of something to cook and bring over to a sick person would cause me great anxiety. Personally, I would go to a place like Dinner Done (they have a website) and pick up a pre-assembled freezer meal that can be tossed in the oven and heated.

I have done these for my family for when I have been out of town for work with great success.

Shepherd's pie?

There are bunches of recipes on the internet.... basically ground beef, mixed veggies, a cream type soup if you like that, topped with mashed potatoes.

You could do homemade potato soup with bread bowls and a salad. You could also bring over sour cream, cheese, bacon bits and chives to add for toppings on the soup. I have a good/easy soup recipe if you want it let me know!
Or you could just get one of those roasted chickens they have at the grocery stores. Then make baked potatoes (bring over toppings) a salad and rolls.
You could also do chicken fajitas. Just make the chicken with mild seasoning, or even just a ranch packet seasoning so it won't be spicy, then send over warm tortillas and toppings. For dessert you could do any easy peach or apple cobbler. I have a recipe that is made with canned pie filling and a box of yellow cake mix that is to die for!!

I just made Spaghetti squash and baked chicken parm for my very picky hubby. He loved it.

1 spaghetti squash cut in half with pulp and seeds scraped out.
2 chicken breasts
1 egg
2-3 tbs Italian bread crumbs
a little bit of parm cheese
2 cups any type of spaghetti squash

put squash in oven (on rack open side up) on 350 for 40 min.
coat chicken with egg. put in baking dish and sprinkle both sides with bread
crumbs. cook chicken on 350 as well for 30-35 min.
when done, scrape out squash with fork or spoon. put chicken on top. pour
sauce on top. sprinkle cheese and you are all done! :)

This is pretty healthy and tasty. One squash makes enough for 2 (maybe 3 depending on how much they eat).

- Chicken Chili Verde Enchiladas (use mild salsa verde... I use this recipe... But cheat with jarred sauce... Careful, most jarred sauces are medium. OR make the salsa verde with NO peppers )
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/roasted...

- Watermelon Gaspacho
(substitute the Serrano with NO peppers)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/watermelon-gazpacho-re...
Doesn't freeze

- Bourbon Chicken

- Stuffed Sweet Bell Peppers (just stuff with meatloaf and rice)

- Sausages w fresh herbs (just coarsest chop som basil, parsley, sage, and sprinkle over cooked sausages, ups 'boring' to Oh! In 10 seconds) w/ mashed potatoes. Doesn't freeze well, but a good 'fresh' meal to bring over.

- Philly Cheesesteak Sammies

- Hrilled Chicken Skewers w different sauces (I LIVE these when I'm 'broken' just snags one or four out of the freezer and zap.

BBQ!!! (ribs, chicken, whatever) just defrost and warm.

I was also going to suggest a soup of some kind. I know it's not soup weather, but it's different. ;)

Tacos is kinda different and it's fun and easy. I've done it before, just browned the meat and bought a small think of sour cream, shredded cheese and salsa. Then I chop up some lettuce and olives maybe and put it in a tupperware. You could also do a cheesy corn side dish or beans which is nice.

Baked chicken is also good and somewhat different. I use bone-in chicken and just season it with salt, paper, oregano and a little bit of butter. Put a small amount of liquid in the bottom and cook for an hour or so. Lots of sides go with that!

Stuffed tomatoes and peppers are fairly easy and in season. You can find lots of recipes on line.

You could do breakfast for dinner. You could do an egg bake and some sausage with a side of hash browns and a carton of orange juice...they probably won't get two of those! ;)

Put together a basket of lunch meats, cheeses, rolls, lettuce, tomato, so they can make sandwiches.

Chicken and dumplings. with a fruit or crispy salad.

I like to purchase salmon ( olive oil. butter salt and pepper and fresh dill) at Costco and grill it. Add some nice brown rice and a nice salad.. Yummy.. and different.

If you will be dropping/serving the meal off for them and not leaving it to be refrigerated or frozen I would take some chicken quesadillas, a salad and some refried beans with tortilla chips, with flan, bread or rice pudding for dessert..

Get a rotisserie chicken and shred the meat, place some on a flour tortilla with grated cheese on half the tortilla, fold the other half over, heat on a square of foil in your oven until cheese is melted, slice into wedges, wrap in the foil. Make a simple salad with lettuce, cherry or grape tomatoes, and some sliced red onions, take a bottle of Caesar or other creamy dressing and toss there. Heat the beans and place in a container, sprinkle with shredded cheese, cover, and serve with the chips when you arrive. Flan, bread or rice pudding can be made and put in individual covered containers, or individual cups can be purchased at the store.

It's a nice, different, easy to prepare meal that isn't spicy but is still good on the taste buds. I made this for a family who had just had twins, the parents and kids loved it, she told me they now make it at least a couple of times a month ツ

White Bean Chili - does NOT have to be spicy but it CAN be flavorful

I use Carroll Shelby's Seasoning pack (White Chili)
1 LARGE or 2 small breasts (boneless/skinless) and I like to get a good solid sear on the breast in the pan - then cut up and brown more. Cannalini or White Navy Beans are good here. Put two cans of beans (smaller cans) in a pot while browning chicken - then to the beans (drained rinsed) add the two seasoning packets (not the cayenne or flour). I also add 2 cups of water to and allow it to simmer while cooking chicken. I use olive oil and minced garlic, salt/pepper on the meat btw. I also add a can of whole tomatoes (rough cut them) and add the flour to the "juice" in the tomatoe can - whisk then add with chicken to the chili. MMMMMMMM. Top with onions (purple/red here) and cheese (white or combo) and it is sooooo yummy. My 5yrold is eating it now and he will not eat spicy foods either.

I make dinner for families at our church. Here is what has been done.
Baked Chicken with a salad and a side
Grilled pork chops with a side dish.
French Bread Pizza
Chicken and Rice soup

For the French Bread pizza get a loaf of french bread, 1 can of pizza sauce, and pepperoni and mozzarella. Slice the french bread lenghwise. Cover with the sauce and top. Cover with foil and write on the top Bake at 375 for 25 minutes. I wrap each side seperately. You can use any lunch meat or toppings you like. It is very good.

Chicken and rice soup, Boil some chicken pieces (for two people a few breasts would do) to the pan add a few stalks celery, 1/4 onion sliced and 1 clove garlic, when the chicken is done remove and cool to cut up.
To the broth add 3/4 cup uncooked rice. Return to simmer. You could any canned veggie, like peas and carrots or green beans. Add the chicken back.

Have fun!
D.

I would take them a fruit basket that you make yourself. Add some chocolates to it and call and ask or think of groceries like juice, milk and such you may need if you are laid up. are they an older couple? Cause you say sick but broken bones is not necessarily sick. Also, is it just them or do they have other family members at the house all these things play into this decision. Do something off the beaten track they will appreciate it and not miss a fully cooked meal if someone is bringing something every night!
Sometimes they may need things more than food and be overwhelmed with dishes.

A friend of mine was once in a situation so we all decided to prepare meals for them. When it came to us I was so busy with school and student teaching there was no way I was going to be able to prepare something for our day and so we called them and they said they had more than enough food. So we made a date to meet them for dinner the next night instead. They told us at the end of dinner that they were so grateful just to get out of the house (they were in mourning) and be out talking and in public with friends and not home taking visitors and meals...just a little story to let you know its ok not to stick to the norm all the time.
Good luck

Taco soup is so easy! Add some tortilla chips and cheese on the side. Maybe some sour cream also. PM me if you need a recipe. It's basically ground beef and beans, corn, tomatoes, seasonings - mostly all canned.

Stop by Costco and pick up a rotisserie chicken and make a side-salad.

Oh, how sweet of you to do this! When I was pregnant, I ended up spending my last trimester on complete bedrest. Ugh!! Just when I wanted to put a nursery together and start nesting... Anyway, our church friends put together a meal train and we typically had a bag of salad almost every single night. That said, I was sooo touched that so many people were so helpful. I was a big fan of soup and used to receive them. I also make a lovely creamy orange tomato soup that people routinely asked for the recipe. I generally added a vegetable and a salad (okay sometimes cliche) and a loaf of bread. In addition, I gave them some fresh fruit and some homemade granola bars. With the exception of the fresh fruit, I told the families that everything could go in the freezer. I also made sure to put all items in containers that they did not need to return so there was no added pressure on their part later to figure out whose dish was whose. I hope this helps. I am happy to send my recipes along if you would like them.

I wouldn't take over a rotisserie chicken -- when my brother passed, we received, no lie, almost 20 chickens. It was crazy! I guess everyone is trying to think what to deliver, aside from lasagna.

If you want to send something truly unique, send items for breakfast. You can pre-bake scones and freeze them, or make freezer biscuits that they can bake as needed. Then include a big container of plain yoghurt and a bag of granola, maybe some fresh berries, but not too many. You want to give them things that will keep in the fridge or freezer.

Banana bread (or muffins) zucchini bread, blueberry muffins, strawberry bread, raisin bran muffins, etc. all freeze well and make great afternoon snacks too.

Jars of soup, mild chili or corn chowder are always good for lunch or dinner. If you put the soup hot into canning jars, they'll create a simple "seal" while cooling, to help them stay fresh longer. Otherwise, you can put them into freezer bags and freeze before delivering. Soups with rice and beans freeze really well, like turkey wild rice, navy bean, or lentil with sausage, etc. But I'd avoid pasta, as it turns to mush. You can also freeze mini baguettes and add a hunk of cheese to serve with the soup. Both will keep forever if they get overwhelmed with fresh food they need to eat straight away.

Rotisserie chicken, potato salad and french bread
Chicken and Dumplins, mixed salad, dessert
Chicken soup, salad, bread
Large chef salad with assorted dressings to dress the salad, bread and a dessert.

Chicken pot pie, crock pot soups, I especially love split pea, chicken and rice dishes...Plus, there's a lot of boxed meals-pasta, rice, where you could add some meat...spaghetti, meatloaf, homemade mac & cheese...
I always like to bring a bag of salad and some sort of bread product, homemade or otherwise.

Have fun and best wishes to your paster and his wife,
Mary