My friend just had a baby, help me figure out what meal should I take her?

[Anonymous]

My good friend just had baby #4, and I am planning on taking a meal to her tomorrow. What should I take? I am not a very good cook, so it can't be something that is too finicky, although it is okay if it takes some time and/or special ingredients. Obviously there are several children in the house, so it has to be kid-friendly, but also satisfying for the adults, and ideally provide enough for leftovers. I have a ton of whole wheat pasta, so I'm thinking something that has that as a base (but that doesn't taste funny due to the whole wheat texture). They eat any kind of food. Does anyone have any suggestions or recipes?

[Anonymous]

Mac and Cheese, fresh salad and another veggie. (or something simple like shake and bake chicken).

[Anonymous]

Italian was my first thought too. Yummy carbs for Momma. Something the kids are sure to enjoy. Sounds ideal.

I actually make a dish that is basically just mac & cheese with a robust red sauce (like with Italian sausage) and veg (for us, spinach). No recipe to share, but the idea is easy to follow and it makes for more of a meal.

It's very kind of you to do this, by the way.

[Anonymous]

I'm bringing food to a friend who had baby #3, and at first I was going to make lasagna, but then she told me she has 3 lasagnas that were dropped off already. So I'm making a big portion of breaded chicken cutlets (like maybe two packages, so she can freeze some for later), a salad, and some sort of pasta dish. I figure that way at least the kids will eat some of it too.

[Anonymous]

So kind of you to do this. My kids can be picky about whole wheat pasta (only will eat certain brands) so whenever we have to feed other people's kids we just cave and buy the regular pasta so we know they will actually eat it. When I had baby #3, the gift/meal that was the biggest hit with my kids was breaded and fried boneless chicken cutlets and a baguette.

[Anonymous]

Mac and cheese has been a big hit when I've brought that to friends with a new baby. I loved getting a big bowl of fruit salad when our daughter was born - there was no way we were going to be cutting up fruit for a healthy snack in the early days, and it was so nice to get a healthy treat tlike that. Now I always include fruit salad in my new baby meals to friends too.

[Anonymous]

Baked ziti. Lasagne.

[Anonymous]

If she is getting meals from a lot if people, I would skip the baked pastas. Everyone brings those and it gets old. I would do a nice meaty salad for the adults and pick up a pizza for the kids. Someone brought us a spinach salad with shrimp after #2 was born and it was so good.

I also like to make tortilla soup with lots of avocado and cheese to top it with, but it's not really soup weather yet. Chicken pot pie or enchiladas are my other go-to meals. Meatloaf is good too, and most kids will eat it.

[Anonymous]

OP here. How about this: homemade mac&cheese, breaded chicken breasts, and a nice spinach salad. Sound good? I know how to put together a nice salad, but to be honest I don't know how to make a GOOD mac&cheese or baked chicken. I have made both before, but the mac&cheese turned out gross and the chicken turned out dry. Does anyone have a great recipe for either? I know I sound stupid here, but I honestly am not a good cook.

[Anonymous]

OP here again -- I also meant to say thank you to everyone who replied!

[Anonymous]

I loved when I got muffins as part of a food drop off. So easy to eat with one hand!

[Anonymous]

when i had my babies, i was so grateful when anyone brought anything - it didn't matter if it was homemade or not. if you aren't sure of your cooking skills, why don't you just buy a rotisserie chicken and a nice loaf of bread somewhere, along with your salad and something for dessert? truly, it's the thought that counts!

[Anonymous]

I have good reviews of my mac n cheese and it's easy - make a roux, with 2 tbs of butter, 2 tbs of flour and whole milk, then melt in a mix of shredded gouda, mild cheddar and some fontina. Put it over some fancy pasta and then top it off with some chopped bacon or breadcrumbs. You may need to add a bit more milk but start with 1/2 cup and then melt the cheese ( about 2 cups total of cheese and an entire box of noodles ), if the cheese is gloppy, add a bit more milk and stir until it stirs easily, then pour over the cooked noodles, top it and then take it to your friend with instructions to reheat for 20 minutes. You're very sweet btw, your friend will be happy to have anything to eat that she doesn't have to stress out over. Agree also on something healthy, so the salad will be good in addition.