When my husband was a little boy, there was an illness in his family; since his dad was a leader at their church, the congregation came together to help take care of his household; one of the biggest helps was from the church ladies, who would drop off meals for him and his brothers every week. It was a great comfort to his parents, and they appreciated it more than words could say...but for years after that, well into his twenties, by husband could not eat lasagna.
"Everyone brought lasagna over to our house. I ate it every meal for two months. I just don't like it anymore," he told me, his new girlfriend, who pretty much only knew how to cook a few things at that time and one of those few things was lasagna.
"Oh no," I thought. "This will never work out."
Luckily, I was wrong, and in the seven years we have been together I have changed his mind about this versatile Italian dish...but I always remember that story, especially whenever I take food over to a friend's house. .
I love food as a gift--I give meals to new parents, newlyweds and new home owners (knowing you don't have to unpack the kitchen boxes just yet? Hallelujah!) Frozen meals are appreciated not only by families in crisis but also by those who are just stressed out by new jobs or looming deadlines, and not having to worry about dinner can really be a lifesaver. I don't blame the church ladies for their over-abundance of lasagna--it is the perfect food gift. It is simple to make, delicious to eat, feeds a lot of people and freezes well. Adults and children will eat it and it's almost a universal comfort food. But everyone needs a little variety in their lives. Luckily I have a grand library of cookbooks to draw from. The Lasagna Cookbook offers many variations on the classic dish, with enough options to keep you from turning boys off lasagna like my husband's church ladies of old (there is an amazing breakfast lasagna that uses bread in place of noodles which is a must-try). Saveur: The New Comfort Food never fails to inspire me with its mouth-watering pictures, and features dishes from other cultures (like enchiladas) that freeze as well as lasagna but offer more variety.
Something new that I've started doing takes a little more work, but is worth the effort--go over to your friends house and borrow the insert for their slow cooker. Fill it with the ingredients for a great slow cooker recipe and then bring it back. I'm working my way through Women's Day Healthy Slow Cooking cookbook, which offers healthier versions of flavorful dishes, and is appreciated especially by new moms, who are trying to keep their families healthy as they adjust to a new little one. I like this option because then there's no stress to return a pan to me, or to keep a watch on the oven--they just get a warm, home cooked meal with a little help from me. And hopefully not too many lasagnas from anyone else!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
when in need
When my husband was a little boy, there was an illness in his family; since his dad was a leader at their church, the congregation came together to help take care of his household; one of the biggest helps was from the church ladies, who would drop off meals for him and his brothers every week. It was a great comfort to his parents, and they appreciated it more than words could say...but for years after that, well into his twenties, by husband could not eat lasagna.
"Everyone brought lasagna over to our house. I ate it every meal for two months. I just don't like it anymore," he told me, his new girlfriend, who pretty much only knew how to cook a few things at that time and one of those few things was lasagna.
"Oh no," I thought. "This will never work out."
Luckily, I was wrong, and in the seven years we have been together I have changed his mind about this versatile Italian dish...but I always remember that story, especially whenever I take food over to a friend's house. .
I love food as a gift--I give meals to new parents, newlyweds and new home owners (knowing you don't have to unpack the kitchen boxes just yet? Hallelujah!) Frozen meals are appreciated not only by families in crisis but also by those who are just stressed out by new jobs or looming deadlines, and not having to worry about dinner can really be a lifesaver. I don't blame the church ladies for their over-abundance of lasagna--it is the perfect food gift. It is simple to make, delicious to eat, feeds a lot of people and freezes well. Adults and children will eat it and it's almost a universal comfort food. But everyone needs a little variety in their lives. Luckily I have a grand library of cookbooks to draw from. The Lasagna Cookbook offers many variations on the classic dish, with enough options to keep you from turning boys off lasagna like my husband's church ladies of old (there is an amazing breakfast lasagna that uses bread in place of noodles which is a must-try). Saveur: The New Comfort Food never fails to inspire me with its mouth-watering pictures, and features dishes from other cultures (like enchiladas) that freeze as well as lasagna but offer more variety.
Something new that I've started doing takes a little more work, but is worth the effort--go over to your friends house and borrow the insert for their slow cooker. Fill it with the ingredients for a great slow cooker recipe and then bring it back. I'm working my way through Women's Day Healthy Slow Cooking cookbook, which offers healthier versions of flavorful dishes, and is appreciated especially by new moms, who are trying to keep their families healthy as they adjust to a new little one. I like this option because then there's no stress to return a pan to me, or to keep a watch on the oven--they just get a warm, home cooked meal with a little help from me. And hopefully not too many lasagnas from anyone else!