Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 13:15     Subject: Re:Meal to bring a friend
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Depends on the friend and what they prefer.



Why did you respond? How is this helpful in any way?

It’s obvious op is looking for actual food suggestions and not friendship relationship advice.

Op, people seem to really like soups with good bread as there’s really minimal heating/clean up. People have also appreciated fresh fruit salads.


NP here.

I think the "depends on the friend and what they prefer" is indeed helpful. Someone up thread posted meatloaf. Good lord, I would just give it back. I do NOT prefer meatloaf.

Does the friend have gluten allergies? Then don't give bread, no matter how delicious to you.

It really does depend on the situation.


I agree with this. It absolutely varies by friend. My mom doesn’t eat poultry so a roast chicken wouldn’t help her. Another friend doesn’t like seafood so a salmon meal wouldn’t work for her. If you don’t know, you can offer two choices and let them pick and prepare that.


+1 I like the idea of offering choices so the friend can choose what they really want.

Also, I have friends who enjoy baked pasta, but they don't want to eat the same re-heated frozen pasta several times in the same month. Or even twice. Portion size is another important thing to consider.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 12:52     Subject: Re:Meal to bring a friend
Lasagna. Meat if they eat it, veggie if they don't. I like the America's Test Kitchen recipe from their Make-Ahead cookbook because it freezes and reheats really well so they can eat it anytime they want. I make it in one of those foil deep dish trays so there are no dishes and the the tray is recyclable.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 12:49     Subject: Re:Meal to bring a friend
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Depends on the friend and what they prefer.



Why did you respond? How is this helpful in any way?

It’s obvious op is looking for actual food suggestions and not friendship relationship advice.

Op, people seem to really like soups with good bread as there’s really minimal heating/clean up. People have also appreciated fresh fruit salads.


NP here.

I think the "depends on the friend and what they prefer" is indeed helpful. Someone up thread posted meatloaf. Good lord, I would just give it back. I do NOT prefer meatloaf.

Does the friend have gluten allergies? Then don't give bread, no matter how delicious to you.

It really does depend on the situation.


I agree with this. It absolutely varies by friend. My mom doesn’t eat poultry so a roast chicken wouldn’t help her. Another friend doesn’t like seafood so a salmon meal wouldn’t work for her. If you don’t know, you can offer two choices and let them pick and prepare that.


Can literally NONE of you read? OP said "No dietary restrictions" in her post. That means the friend DOES eat poultry and seafood, and bread and so on and so on.


It's not just about dietary restrictions; it's about preference.

This thread suggests lasagne, and NOT lasagne. Does the friend prefer pasta, or sushi, like my wife? Big difference.

Preferences matter. Unless you don't care about what your friend prefers.

Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 12:46     Subject: Re:Meal to bring a friend
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Depends on the friend and what they prefer.



Why did you respond? How is this helpful in any way?

It’s obvious op is looking for actual food suggestions and not friendship relationship advice.

Op, people seem to really like soups with good bread as there’s really minimal heating/clean up. People have also appreciated fresh fruit salads.


NP here.

I think the "depends on the friend and what they prefer" is indeed helpful. Someone up thread posted meatloaf. Good lord, I would just give it back. I do NOT prefer meatloaf.

Does the friend have gluten allergies? Then don't give bread, no matter how delicious to you.

It really does depend on the situation.


I agree with this. It absolutely varies by friend. My mom doesn’t eat poultry so a roast chicken wouldn’t help her. Another friend doesn’t like seafood so a salmon meal wouldn’t work for her. If you don’t know, you can offer two choices and let them pick and prepare that.


Can literally NONE of you read? OP said "No dietary restrictions" in her post. That means the friend DOES eat poultry and seafood, and bread and so on and so on.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 12:45     Subject: Meal to bring a friend
It depends on the time of the year and the family’s preferences. Some favorites: chili, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken noodle soup, chicken enchiladas, chicken pot pie, tacos, etc. The 6 cup disposable muffin tins with lids are great for transporting toppings for things like tacos, chili, etc. I usually also include something sweet like brownies or cookies or muffins for breakfast.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 12:32     Subject: Meal to bring a friend
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Don't. No one wanta to eat food from your kitchen. Yuck.


I don't know how people like PP function in the world living like this. Seriously.

Perhaps I'm the exception, but particularly if I'm having a hard time, I feel better if I eat healthier, but don't have the energy to do that (garbage food takes less effort). So for me, you'd be a hero for showing up with fruit salad, and/or the components to make a salad or grain bowls, or a healthy homemade soup. Washing and chopping produce takes time and energy she might not have.


+1 One of the best things a friend brought me after I had a baby was a big tupperware full of washed, chopped raw veg and a couple of homemade dips. Could eat the veggies and dip as a snack or add them to a quick salad, egg scramble, etc. A nice change of pace from all the heavy baked ziti-type meals (which I of course also appreciated and enjoyed).
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 12:18     Subject: Meal to bring a friend
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Don't. No one wanta to eat food from your kitchen. Yuck.


I don't know how people like PP function in the world living like this. Seriously.

Perhaps I'm the exception, but particularly if I'm having a hard time, I feel better if I eat healthier, but don't have the energy to do that (garbage food takes less effort). So for me, you'd be a hero for showing up with fruit salad, and/or the components to make a salad or grain bowls, or a healthy homemade soup. Washing and chopping produce takes time and energy she might not have.


It really depends. I had PPD and lost 30 lbs because I could not eat and my neighbor brought me a Chipotle burrito before it was a thing and dang, i ate that.

Most people over estimate their ability to cook.

i'd like a bunch of soups in containers ready to pull out of the fridge but for dinner not really, i'd take it of course and be polite.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 12:15     Subject: Meal to bring a friend
Anonymous wrote:Don't. No one wanta to eat food from your kitchen. Yuck.


I don't know how people like PP function in the world living like this. Seriously.

Perhaps I'm the exception, but particularly if I'm having a hard time, I feel better if I eat healthier, but don't have the energy to do that (garbage food takes less effort). So for me, you'd be a hero for showing up with fruit salad, and/or the components to make a salad or grain bowls, or a healthy homemade soup. Washing and chopping produce takes time and energy she might not have.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 12:14     Subject: Meal to bring a friend
Definitely depends on the person. But my go-tos include...

a roast chicken + potatoes and salad
chicken & rice dish
Mexican lasagna (can be made vegetarian)
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 12:14     Subject: Meal to bring a friend
I usually do a roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. If they have kids, I also cut up a bunch of fruit. And throw in some muffins for breakfast.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 12:09     Subject: Re:Meal to bring a friend
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Depends on the friend and what they prefer.



Why did you respond? How is this helpful in any way?

It’s obvious op is looking for actual food suggestions and not friendship relationship advice.

Op, people seem to really like soups with good bread as there’s really minimal heating/clean up. People have also appreciated fresh fruit salads.


NP here.

I think the "depends on the friend and what they prefer" is indeed helpful. Someone up thread posted meatloaf. Good lord, I would just give it back. I do NOT prefer meatloaf.

Does the friend have gluten allergies? Then don't give bread, no matter how delicious to you.

It really does depend on the situation.


I agree with this. It absolutely varies by friend. My mom doesn’t eat poultry so a roast chicken wouldn’t help her. Another friend doesn’t like seafood so a salmon meal wouldn’t work for her. If you don’t know, you can offer two choices and let them pick and prepare that.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 12:07     Subject: Re:Meal to bring a friend
Baked ziti, salad, and garlic bread.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 12:07     Subject: Meal to bring a friend
Anonymous wrote:Don't. No one wanta to eat food from your kitchen. Yuck.


Speak for yourself. My friends are wonderful cooks and I would happily eat meals they brought us.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 12:00     Subject: Meal to bring a friend
Big pan of chicken enchiladas.

Lentil soup and fresh bread.

Quiche and salad.

Swedish meatballs and egg noodles.

Pulled bbq pork (or chicken if I don't know if they eat pork) with buns and cole slaw.

Roast chicken, mashed potatoes and green salad.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 11:16     Subject: Re:Meal to bring a friend
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Depends on the friend and what they prefer.



Why did you respond? How is this helpful in any way?

It’s obvious op is looking for actual food suggestions and not friendship relationship advice.

Op, people seem to really like soups with good bread as there’s really minimal heating/clean up. People have also appreciated fresh fruit salads.


NP here.

I think the "depends on the friend and what they prefer" is indeed helpful. Someone up thread posted meatloaf. Good lord, I would just give it back. I do NOT prefer meatloaf.

Does the friend have gluten allergies? Then don't give bread, no matter how delicious to you.

It really does depend on the situation.