One of the best parts about Wyoming is that we are always willing to lend a helping hand. It’s even written into the Code Of The West “Do what needs to be done.” When my son broke his arm last year in a football game (resulting in 2 plates […]
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One of the best parts about Wyoming is that we are always willing to lend a helping hand.
It's even written into the Code Of The West "Do what needs to be done."
When my son broke his arm last year in a football game (resulting in 2 plates and 11 screws) I had several friends who dropped off meals for us.
They were ones that could be eaten immediately, or easily frozen for later, and I can't tell you enough what a blessing it was for our family.
When you're already emotionally exhausted the last thing you want to do is cook.
If it's something like a long-term illness, it can definitely get old to be eating takeout or frozen pizza every night.
When I had my preventive mastectomy a friend set up a meal train for me and it was such a relief to know that every few days we could count on a delicious home-cooked meal.
I thought it would be helpful to gather up 5 of my favorite meals that I take to a friend in need. Some of them can easily be made into vegetarian dishes and ALL of them are kid-tested and approved.
They can be eaten the same day you drop them off or frozen and used later.
5 Easy Recipes That Are Perfect To Take To A Friend In Need
Here are 5 recipes that are perfect to make at home, and then take to a friend in need. They can be eaten the same day or frozen for later.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Prep time: 15min Cook Time: Crockpot 4-8 hours On Stove 1 hour
Serves: 8-10
2 cups chopped celery
2 cups chopped carrots
½ med onion finely chopped
4 ckn breasts
48oz ckn broth (vegetable broth works as well)
2 cups water
2 minced garlic cloves
1 tsp dried parsley
4 cups of dried uncooked egg noodles
1. Cut up the chicken breast into small chunks.
2. Cut up all your vegetables.
3. Place all the ingredients (except the noodles) into your crockpot. Close and set cook time.
4. One hour before serving put the egg noodles into the crockpot.
For Stove: Cook Chicken then add all the other ingredients. Bring to a boil and add noodles. Let simmer and serve when vegetables and noodles are cooked.
Summertime Pasta Salad
Prep Time 5 minutes Cooking Time 12 minutes (Pasta)
Serves 8-10
Ingredients
12-16oz of Fresh Mozerella
1/2 cup of Fresh Basil
3 cups of halved Cherry Tomatoes (any kind of tomato will work)
1. Cook Pasta according to directions on the box, drain, and place in a large bowl.
4. Add Tomatoes to the bowl.
6. Grind Bread Dipping Spices liberally over the top of the Pasta; it’s better to add a little at first, you can always add more.
7. Mix all of the ingredients together and taste. If it seems a little dry add more Olive Oil, if it needs a bit more flavor add more bread spices.
8. Place in fridge covered and serve cold to guests.
Prep Time: 5 min Cook Time: 20 min Serves: 8
1 Box Elbow Macaroni
1-2lb of ground meat (we use elk or beef but anything works)
1 large sweet Pepper chopped
1/2 onion finely chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups spaghetti sauce
1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Start heating water for pasta and add macaroni when water is boiling, drain when it’s finished and set aside.
- Begin browning meat in a deep skillet.
- While meat is browning chop up garlic, Pepper, and onion.
- Turn down the heat for meat and add vegetables, stirring occasionally until onions are translucent.
- Combine salt and Pepper, pasta, cream, and spaghetti sauce with fully cooked meat and vegetables. Stir.
- Turn heat off and sprinkle cheddar cheese on top. Do not stir!
- Serve warm once the cheese is melted.
Baked Ham, Cheese, and Pasta Casserole
Prep Time: 5 min Cook Time: 12 min Bake Time: 15-20 min
Ingredients
1 box of Bowtie Pasta (penne or ziti will work too)
1 1/2 cups of Heavy Cream (for creamer pasta add an extra 1/2 cup)
1 1/2 cups of Mozzarella Cheese
1 tbsp Olive Oil
2 cups chopped cooked Ham
1/2 med Onion diced
2 cloves Garlic diced
1 bag Steamed Broccoli
1/4 cup of bread crumbs (plus 3tbsp more to sprinkle on top)
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
- Start water boiling and cook pasta following instructions on the box.
- Preheat oven to 375
- Take Ham, Olive Oil, Onion, Galic and salt and pepper and saute in pan, set aside.
- Steam Broccoli following directions on the bag.
- Spray a glass 4 qt (15″ x 10″) casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- Combine all the ingredients EXCEPT Parmesan Cheese and 3 tbsp Bread Crumbs in the dish.
- Sprinkle the top evenly with Bread Crumbs and Parmesan Cheese.
- Bake Casserole 20 minutes or until bubbly and warm all the way through.
- Serve hot.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 20-30 minutes
Ingredients
2 lb ground elk or beef (shredded chicken works great too)
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 medium Onion Diced
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cloves minced garlic
- Preheat oven to 375
- In a large deep stovetop pan combine meat, garlic, salt, and pepper and begin to cook on medium heat.
- When meat is 1/2 way cooked add peppers and onion, cook until done.
- Cook rice in the microwave.
- Combine all the cooked ingredients (meat, rice, peppers, and onions) as well as Rotel, drained black beans, and cheddar cheese in a glass baking dish. Stir well
- Sprinkle top evenly with mozzarella cheese.
- Place in oven and bake until the cheese is melted and ingredients are bubbling (approx 20-30 minutes).
NOTE: Leave out the meat for a filling vegetarian dish.
If you're looking for some more ideas, there are dozens of meal suggestions from our listeners in the comments on the post below.
If you have a favorite recipe we'd love it if you'd send it to us. Just use the chat feature in the My Country Mobile App.
