I love to cook. I don't know why I didn't discover this earlier in life, but I know it now. I absolutely love it. I love trying new recipes. We even have an unofficial rating system in our house.
Inedible (It's been years....but it happened once or twice)
Good not great
Great, I'd eat it again
Exceptional, I'd eat it tomorrow and the next day and the next
So I strive for the last one. I really try. Because as we say "If its always exceptional, it's never exceptional."
Well so this love has developed into another love as our friends became parents. The new love: Taking People Meals. I love it. Love doing it. It makes me so happy.
So our friends are having babies, and I love bringing them food. I love bringing my pregnant friends food. I love people coming over to eat food. It's become a bit of an obsession. I even have a refill deal. (Bring me the tin back and I'll refill it.)
I don't want this to sound like I have this all figured out. Because one day I may come back later (after our little girl comes) and change this, but I have a few things I think a meal needs if you bring it to a family. And a helpful video (don't worry I didn't make the video, I saw it on the Today show).
1. Main dish. It's best to bring it in something they can throw away or keep. If I bring someone flowers, I love to bring it in a vase (it can be from the dollar store) that they can keep. If someone brings me food in a pyrex (that they want back), the first thing I'm gonna think is...Holy crap, pyrexes are HARD TO CLEAN! :)
I also think it's good to bring a 8x8 dish. Especially if they are receiving a ton of food. But ask..maybe they love leftovers. Some people will eat anything leftover. (I am not one of them. But my husband is.)
I love to take Baked Ziti because it's one of my favorites and I think one of my best. I always try to abide by the "Guest Room Rule" I read somewhere: "Do for them what you would want as a guest!"
If you want the recipe, ask...it's awesome and easy!
2. Small side. I think salad is easiest, and in a container they can throw away. Vegetables...when in doubt, ask! Maybe they love peas.
3. Small (or large dessert). Someone told me once that they loved it if someone would bring them one slice of cake. They were trying to lose baby weight, and the last thing they wanted was a massive chocolate cake. Well, they wanted it, but they didn't want the calories. Again, I like to put it in a ziplock or throw-away container. But, I have had people say "Where are the rest of these brownies?"...so take it with a grain of salt. :)
4. Paper plates, knives, napkins. Makes it easier!
5. Small token. This is totally optional, but I love doing this. Something they can keep. At least send a little card of congratulations! I like to give a little onsie. They are so cheap and you can find some really cute ones at Target.
Now, again, I don't have this all figured out. Please don't think I do. But I think it's a good start. I would love ideas!
Now the promised video.
You are so cute. I would love your baked ziti recipe.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this post, Allison! Feel free to bring me food in late August...wait... you'll be poppin' then, too. Hmm... how is this going to work out for me? ;)
ReplyDeleteWe really need to hang out. April?
Mwah, L
I love this post too because I am not one of those people who loves cooking or making cutesy things, however, I do like doing nice things for people. This is SO helpful. I have made all the mistakes you mentioned: taking people a Pyrex dish I want back, handing someone a bag of salad (I couldn't have at least pretended I made it and put it in a disposable bowl?), and giving WAY too much food. Thanks for sharing your passion and helping those of us who are hospitality-impaired to make better meals for others!
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