Ina Garten recipe recs? Cooking for a sick friend.

[Anonymous]

My good friend is going through chemo and I am going to bring her and her family dinner. Any ideas on go-to recipes that would work? Ina never fails me so I’m tempted to stick with one of her recipes but thought I’d ask around for inspiration. Thank you

[Anonymous]

I’d start with what tastes good to her right now. Chemo can have so many effects on how things taste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d start with what tastes good to her right now. Chemo can have so many effects on how things taste.

This is a great point.

Beyond that, for Ina recipes that travel well, I'd suggest her Rigatoni with sausage and fennel https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/rigatoni-with-sausage-and-fennel-3753750

My absolute favourite salmon recipe is also from Ina, but that isn't as conducive to making-and-taking,

If you want to do a real deep dive, a blogger has cooked literally every Ina recipe ever, and has notes on them all. His site is here https://storeboughtisfineblog.wordpress.com/

[Anonymous]

I would do her roast chicken.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried emilys roast potatoes? Super easy and crowd pleasing side.

[Anonymous]

The rigatoni could work well. I’ve done her roast chicken but am chicken to do it for someone else!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d start with what tastes good to her right now. Chemo can have so many effects on how things taste.

This is a great point.

Beyond that, for Ina recipes that travel well, I'd suggest her Rigatoni with sausage and fennel https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/rigatoni-with-sausage-and-fennel-3753750

My absolute favourite salmon recipe is also from Ina, but that isn't as conducive to making-and-taking,

If you want to do a real deep dive, a blogger has cooked literally every Ina recipe ever, and has notes on them all. His site is here https://storeboughtisfineblog.wordpress.com/

Chemo damages the lining of the GI tract. I would stay away from sausage if it is spicy.

[Anonymous]

Her pot roast is divine and travels well. We also love her crispy mustard chicken thighs. Not sure how well they would travel.
Love her baked goods recipes, too. Honey Vanilla Poundcake, Orange Poundcake, morning muffins are all favorites.

[Anonymous]

I love her orzo and shrimp -- https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-shrimp-and-orzo-recipe-1947099

Her roasted veggie orzo with a roast chicken (grab a Wegman's rotisserie if you don't want to make one - they are really good!) and a green salad might be better for someone going through chemo.

Wishing your friend the best.

[Anonymous]

I don’t have the recipe handy but she has an amazing roasted chicken on baguette croutons that I crave. That would ideally be soft enough for a chemo stomach yet nourishing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love her orzo and shrimp -- https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-shrimp-and-orzo-recipe-1947099

Her roasted veggie orzo with a roast chicken (grab a Wegman's rotisserie if you don't want to make one - they are really good!) and a green salad might be better for someone going through chemo.

Wishing your friend the best.

+1. I love the orzo recipe too. Maybe make some chicken salad, fruit salad, and this. It can all go in the fridge and eaten as she feels up to. Maybe take some nice bread to go with it.

[Anonymous]

Love this soup with fresh bread
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/provencal-vegetable-soup-recipe-2040367

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love her orzo and shrimp -- https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-shrimp-and-orzo-recipe-1947099

Her roasted veggie orzo with a roast chicken (grab a Wegman's rotisserie if you don't want to make one - they are really good!) and a green salad might be better for someone going through chemo.

Wishing your friend the best.

+1. I love the orzo recipe too. Maybe make some chicken salad, fruit salad, and this. It can all go in the fridge and eaten as she feels up to. Maybe take some nice bread to go with it.

This is a great idea. When I was going through chemo, people so kindly brought dinners but we got backed up and often they contained ingredients that further irritated my stomach or throat (I don’t expect anyone should have know this!). I love the idea of cool lunch foods she can eat when she feels in the mood.

[Anonymous]

This is my new favorite of her recipes. It's super simple but amazingly good. https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/summer-garden-pasta

[Anonymous]

Be careful with anything remotely acidic, including tomatoes.