Anonymous wrote:Think something that is easily eaten one-handed. I ate a lot of granola bars those first weeks, so a sandwich or flatbread with good toppings would be nice.

Yes, this!

I have a friend who always gives lasagna to new parents. His lasagna is so good I want to have another baby!

I usually contact the family before making them a meal and give them several options. The last four families have all chosen meatloaf so I make individual meatloaves, mashed potatoes, gravy and either a veggie or salad. Always been a big hit.

Gift card/certificate to a restaurant that delivers. Some of the worst meals I've ever eaten were delivered to my house by very well-intentioned friends after the births of my children. Let the new parents order exactly what they want. They will love it and you know they'll eat it.

Think something that is easily eaten one-handed. I ate a lot of granola bars those first weeks, so a sandwich or flatbread with good toppings would be nice.

I brought my friends an uncooked pizza from whole foods, a container of romaine lettuce, some Cesare dressing, and some croutons.

Any good ideas for an out-of-town gift? We are going to be in their town for a week around July 4--but of course, EVERYONE is visiting them then, so I'd like something that I can make in someone else's kitchen (not the new mom's!!) and they can pop in their freezer.

I personally love pasta but it's everyone's go-to it seems so now I try to stay away from bringing that because I'm sure 10 people have already brought a lasagna. I do a really good baked chicken and rice that people love. A friend had a baby in March and I took meatballs with a BBQ sauce, mashed potatoes and homemade Mac and cheese. Total comfort food. And yes, in throwaway Gladware so they don't have to return it!

In fall or winter I would do a big pot of chili or beef stew with some cornbread and in summer I would go lighter- maybe some grilled chicken breasts and a big salad and some fruit and cream. I think making taco meat and taking over a bag of shells and pre-chopped toppings would also be awesome.

I was grateful for whatever people were kind enough to bring, but I loved really flavorful pasta dishes with lots of stuff in it (now where's that poster who's going to tell me I'm tacky?...). Just so easy to take out a small portion or a big portion.

The only dish that I didn't like was all the ingredients from one of those dinner-assembly places. So many ingredients, and it was just the same as having to make dinner.

I was always grateful for meals post-baby. Someone once brought us a Stouffers frozen lasagna, which I'd never tried before. I was surprised at how good it was! I think at that stage, any food is good! They brought it over with a full salad, dressing, garlic bread to put in the oven and even cookies for dessert. Even if you don't have time to cook a meal, thoughtful touches like providing a full meal and disposable containers like one PP mentioned makes up for it!

We took this dish to my ILs yesterday (MIL had surgery), along with a salad, crusty bread and blueberry cobbler. It was easy to make, delicious, and contains no problematic ingredients (w/respect to allergies or BFing):

http://www.marthastewart.com/852107/braised-chicken-potatoes-olives-and-lemon