5/12/12 00:06 here -

You know what I also wish somebody did for me? Pick up a bunch of pre-made frozen stuff at Trader Joe's for me to stock in my freezer - I was way too exhausted and in pain to cook, and it sure would have been convenient to have in the freezer ready to go.

They sell boxes of frozen pre-made rice. I love to have that handy to eat with their canned Thai curry dishes and Indian dishes. They also have some great mexican frozen food and pasta dishes all ready to go.

I do like a PP idea of a vegetable platter - that would be convenient, and soem crackers and hummus too.

Anonymous wrote:I'd take:
- a big cut up veggie tray or green salad with a bottle of dressing
- cut up fruit or a big fruit salad
- a baguette or rolls
- a main course such as take out pulled pork or chicken BBQ/mac and cheese, or lasagna, or a roast with potatoes.

If you use seasonal/sale produce, you can probably do this for about $25.

New parents can buy take-out themselves. What is the point of getting them take-out?

I'd take:
- a big cut up veggie tray or green salad with a bottle of dressing
- cut up fruit or a big fruit salad
- a baguette or rolls
- a main course such as take out pulled pork or chicken BBQ/mac and cheese, or lasagna, or a roast with potatoes.

If you use seasonal/sale produce, you can probably do this for about $25.

Pot roast, with carrots, onions, and potatoes
chicken pot pie

Thanks, everyone. The non-pasta dishes look like good ideas. I'm sure they've been getting quite a bit of pasta and casseroles. Thanks again!

PP here -

Wait a minute, this Risotto dish is really good too (I just used either peas or asparagus - and technically, it's not pasta. . .)

http://www.keepitsimplefoods.com/vegetarian/summer-risotto/

Please don't bring pasta - I got so sick of pasta after my C-section - it's the easiest thing to make.

And no rotisserie either - DH can just pick one up himself or some Crisp & Juicy or Chicken Out. . .

Okay, some ideas (I'm thinking what tastes good re-heated. . .)

Lasagna is a great idea - and a salad with a creamy sort of dressing. Here is a great and easy recipe:

http://www.keepitsimplefoods.com/vegetarian/la-la-la-la-lasagna/

Salmon! They have some decent pre-seasoned Salmon at Giant in Vienna - I would guess Whole Foods sells some pre-seasoned too.

Beef Stew! - Just buy a packet of the seasoning in that packet aisle and follow the instructions.

Crock Pot Pork chops - use some Goya Sofrito and a Goya seasoning (sazon) packet (the orange one with corriander). Add water, onions, red peppers, potatoes.

Lasagna chock full of veggies, salad, brownies or cookies.

Tacos

Homemade Mac and cheese, salad and a veggie on the side.

Oh can include some rice or pasta in there too.

Pick up a rotisserie chicken, some strawberries, steam some broccoli and carrots or serve them fresh with dip, include some cookies or brownies and call it a day.

I'm bringing dinner to a friend who recently had her 4th child. Her oldest is about 5. Only restriction is no mango and she wants veggies. My babe has just started solids so I have no idea what 5 year olds (and younger) will eat. Any ideas?

Thanks everyone!