So far in this series, I’ve talked about what to do (and NOT to do) when sending a chesed meal (baby meal, shiva meal, meal for a family with an ill member, etc.). Part 1. Now, let’s talk about weekday food specifics: what’s for dinner?
For a non-Shabbat (weekday) meal, the most sent option seems to be pasta. Lasagna, baked ziti, or spaghetti are some common choices. If you’re doing meat, chicken and rice or chicken and potatoes are popular. But I’d like to encourage you to think outside the noodle or bird:
- Mexican: MYOBurritos with tortillas, refried beans, red, cheese, sour cream, salsa, avocado; tacos with seasoned beef (or “beef”), veggie toppings, and shells; a pan of enchiladas (here’s a recipe I’ve used)
- Falafel: Falafel balls, pita, tomato cuke salad, hummus or tehini, maybe another veggie salad like this
- Indian: Rice, dal, a favorite Indian dish or two, naan
- Chinese: Rice, a main protein like kung pao chicken or sesame beef, steamed veggies
- Homemade soup with crusty bread (especially in the winter!)
- A deli meat platter with different rolls and raw veggies with dip (especially in the summer)
- Shepherd’s pie
- Garlic breadsticks and a filling salad, like a feta, walnut, and craisin salad, or a (chicken) cesear salad (package lettuce separately until they mix it at serving time or it might be soggy)
- Quiche or veggie pie
Cut veggies are also appreciated, often more than salads, especially for those with kids: carrots, cucumbers, peppers, sugar snap peas, etc. Fruit is a nice dessert, too.
Some people will tell you to avoid certain foods while nursing, but many people don’t have problems. If in doubt, ask. Don’t make things too spicy, either, for everyone’s sake. Your hard work will certainly be appreciated!
You might also like part 3: Shabbat meals and part 4: special touches.
1 comment
This is great! thx for sharing.