A Gift From Your Heart
(and Kitchen)
By Kelly Hays
Always puzzled about the perfect gift for that new mom on your block? Looking for a way to help a family member or friend recovering from a recent hospital stay? Look no further than your own kitchen pantry. A home-cooked meal is a gift from the heart that not only serves a purpose, but also provides the type of comfort that can't be bought in any store.
Something they won't exchange
Blankets, clothes, rattles, stuffed animals -- all wonderful choices for a new baby gift. But what about a gift specifically for Mom, Dad and even the other children? With sleep at a premium and the demands of a new baby, new parents don't have much time to shower or brush their teeth, much less plan and cook meals. Delivery and take-out fare gets old fast. That's why a mom with a new baby in the house will practically tackle any one who appears at her door with a hot, home-cooked meal in their hands.
Blankets, clothes, rattles, stuffed animals -- all wonderful choices for a new baby gift. But what about a gift specifically for Mom, Dad and even the other children? With sleep at a premium and the demands of a new baby, new parents don't have much time to shower or brush their teeth, much less plan and cook meals. Delivery and take-out fare gets old fast. That's why a mom with a new baby in the house will practically tackle any one who appears at her door with a hot, home-cooked meal in their hands.
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"For several days after we brought my second son home from the hospital, my husband, toddler and I ate lots of fast food," says Melissa Kahn of Mason, Ohio. "Then two of my neighbors brought meals over for us. I was so grateful and it meant so much that they had sacrificed their time and talent to help us out. Those are the gifts I truly will always remember."
A home-cooked meal will also mean the world to someone recovering from a recent illness or operation, especially if the patient is the primary cook in the household. "After my surgery, I was in bed recovering for almost four weeks," says Lacy Hendricks, a wife and mom of two teenagers. "The meals we received helped keep my family fed and gave us all one less thing to worry about. I could focus on feeling better, not what we were going to have for supper."
I'm no Julia Childs
Your meal doesn't have to be gourmet or fancy for it to be special and appreciated. Don't be intimidated by sharing your cooking with others. Families in need are so grateful, they won't be critiquing your skill level. Meals can be as simple as a pot of chili or spaghetti. The fact that it is homemade and you put forth the effort will mean the most.
Along with the meal, it's also a nice touch to include a simple, hand-written note of congratulations, sympathy or whatever the appropriate sentiment may be. Maybe even offer to watch a new mom's toddler while she rests or spends some one-on-one time with her newborn. Add a small bouquet of gardenias or roses from the bush in your back yard, and your gift is complete.
Where do I find the time?
You're probably thinking you barely have enough time to feed your own family, much less someone else's. Wouldn't it be easier to just buy them a present? But you don't need to spend hours in the kitchen creating a meal that's fit to give away.
In fact, you can kill two birds with one stone. There are lots of tasty recipes for meals that will feed two families. You can whip up your own family's dinner while you prepare a meal to deliver to a friend or neighbor.
One to keep and one to share
Try this recipe that's delicious, easy to prepare and makes enough for sharing with another family in need. It's true comfort food that anyone would be happy to receive.
Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
2 boxes of Uncle Ben's Original Wild Rice
2 cups of chicken broth
3 ribs of celery, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
1 16-oz. container of sour cream
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp curry powder
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Directions:
Cook rice according to directions on box, using the chicken broth in place of half the amount of water indicated, and adding the celery and onion. In a large, separate bowl, combine sour cream, soups, salt and curry powder. Fold rice into soup mixture and add chicken. Pour into two 8x8 pans and bake at 350 degrees for one hour. (This recipe also freezes well.)
Links, information and more for you
About the author: Kelly Hays is a freelance writer living in suburban Atlanta with her husband and two young daughters. She enjoys preparing meals to share with others several times a month.
