Dinner for Family with Cancer

Tacos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just made a family, grilled Italian Sausages, a cheesey potato bake, bag of premade salad kit and cookies for desert.

I just did this for a local mom. I made a big tossed salad with lots of veggies, breaded parmesan chicken tenderloins and a big pan of stuffing. Oh! And sliced watermelon for dessert. They loved it!

Try to make it as healthful as possible. Salad with veggies, beans,hormone free chicken, whole grain bread, fruit salad etc.
I recently lost half my lung to cancer. I thought I was eating healthfully before, but know better now. As much as I appreciated food that was brought to us after my surgery, there is no way I would have eaten most of it.

Having dealt with this as a familt member I would first like to say thank you for doing this, and for not taking fired chicken. I know the second part sounds silly, but we had so much fried chicken that we were trying to feed the mailman!

Things that helped us the most were things that could be frozen and prepared later because we often didn't feel like eating at that moment. Meatloaf, homemade pot pies, and stuffed bell peppers are ideal for this (I figured this out feeding my father after my mother died). Also, things like chicken or tuna salad with pasta salad are good for hot days. They can eat when they want without having to do alot or reheat anything.

Also, just some snacks for the kids would be great. Things like veggie or fruit baggies, cookies, crackers and the like.

Last would be to have a good friend from church sit down and ask her what SHE wants. If just anyone asks, she may express her gratitude, say you guys really don't have to do this, and thank you so much. If you can get someone who can tell her that's malarky and what does she want, she may actually tell them. I know Mom's tastebuds got kind of wierd and things didn't taste like they used to, so certain things were offputting. Other things gave her mouth blisters and she would eat it anyway so as not to hurt feelings.

Thanks again for helping this family! What you are doing means more to them than you could ever imagine.

Below are some of my most requested/thanked recipes. I often tweak them based on the recipient. I've also had some new moms request things like KFC (because they're craving it and didn't eat it while pregnant) - when those come up, I happily oblige, but add a homemade touch (like zucchini bread, cornbread, etc).

1.) Fierro Chicken, over cooked rice: for new moms, I leave out the cayenne pepper and deliver a can of the chilis along with the meal. Without those two things, its a very mild, but flavorful meal. If they desire the kick, or if the dad would like his own version, they can still kick up the heat. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Fierro-Chicken/Detail.aspx

2.) This is great for anyone with their own crockpot. I buy a whole chicken, follow the recipe, then deliver it (uncooked) in one of those Reynolds cooking bags. They can slow cook it whenever they want. We make it at home all the time, its soooooo good! http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/crockpot-rotisser...

3.) Sometimes, especially folks with older kids, want something informal and fun, so I make one of these two homemade Sloppy Joe recipes (the first for those who like a little change, the second for those who want it to taste just like it was out of a jar, haha). Then I pack up buns, steamed veggies and tater tots (they reheat better than french fries). http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sloppy-Joes-2/Detail.aspx OR http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Grandmas-Sloppy-Joes/Detail....

4.) For those asking for lighter fare, I just add cooked/cut up chicken (and pack the dressing separately): http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Harvest-Salad/Detail.aspx

5.) This is one of those recipes I was afraid to try and we LOVE it - so far, its also been a big hit with deliveries: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pork-Chops-with-Raspberry-Sa...

6.) Another Mexican item, where I bag up things separately (chips, then topping, then cheese), so nothing gets soggy. I also pick up a container of coffee ice cream, which seems to be the perfect ending: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Restaurant-Style-Chicken-Nac.... I usually add some fresh avacodo if I can find any.

7.) Not everyone wants dinner, and if I'm dropping off breakfast, I usually make a frittata or strata, then throw these in: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Overnight-Bubble-Bread/Detai...

8.) I've also added cooked/chopped shrimp to mac & cheese, to switch things up.

9.) Pizza kits are usually a hit (crust, cheese, sauce, several toppings).

10.) This is a great treat, and you don't need an ice cream maker to make it: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Five-Ingredient-Ice-Cream/De.... This is great for summer treats, and only a food processor is needed - I've made it with just about every fruit: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Five-Minute-Ice-Cream/Detail...

11.) Something for the colder months: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Pot-Pie-IX/Detail.aspx

Finally, everything listed can be made Gluten-Free. I have Celiacs and adapt each recipe as needed. If someone has Celiacs, simply read them the ingredients and they can tell you what to change.

I hope that's been helpful! Good luck :)))

tastes vary, so i like the idea of a taco bar. They can put oppings on as they like em.

Also, I'm sure anything with a lot of leftovers would be appreciated. Grill a whole bunch of chicken breasts and some corn on the cobb. Make a tossed salad. Perfect summer dinner.
Cut up a few of the chicken breasts and put them on big tortillas with some of the salad and ranch dressing. Wrap them in saran wrap. That way you are making them dinner and lunch the next day. Perfect for summer. I can't see sitting down to a big bowl of stew right now!

I like to make baby back pork ribs, or cornish hens, or even cook a small turkey and slice some for the family. I make a green salad, and veggies and corn bread. I always make jello with fruit cocktail in disposable cups, and send a can of whipped topping. I make desserts too. like cupcakes, or pie. I stay away from spaghetti or lasagna because it is done so often.

I made enchilladas for a family in a similar situation & they loved it. I haven't done that in a while & I usually wing the recipe. You could look it up on allrecipes.com. I make it as mild as possible b/c of the kids. Enchillada sauce is a little spicy, but my toddlers eat it.
Here's my recipe (as I remember it, i may be forgetting something, so double check against another recipe):
- chop an onion & 2 cloves garlic
- brown 1 lb meat (beef or chicken) in a pan with onion & garlic (drain)
- you can add 1 taco seasoning packet if you want or not
- set beef aside
- get a 9x13 pan & spray bottom & sides with pam
- pour a little enchilada sauce on bottom of pan
- put meat & shreeded cheese (cheddar - i usually buuy a block & shred it myself) into a flour tortilla, roll up (like a log) and put in the bottom of the pan with the seam on the bottom
- fill all the tortillas and put in pan
- top tortillas with remaining meat & cheese & then cover with enchilada sauce
- bake in oven at 350 for 20-30 min (i think i put foil over it)

- also make yellow rice & send sour cream & chopped lettuce, peppers & tomatoes with the meal

Any kind of casseroles would be easy to reheat. Tuna noddle, chicken broccoli, etc. Also meatloaf or hamloaf. It is so great that your community is coming together to help this family in need. God bless.

*Pizza (homemade would be good).
*Tacos (you make the ground beef w/that Schilling package ahead of time, provide the flour tortillas, shredded lettuce bag, diced tomatoes, bag of shredded cheese.
*Hamburgers (You make up the patties, provide buns, sliced cheese, sliced tomatoes, lettuce leaves).
*Chicken Breast bake
*Taco Salad (make then deliver right away)
*Thin breakfast steaks, salad and mashed potatoes.

why doesnt some one clean her house or offer to take the kids somewhere one day to play and do some laundry. there is more to do then feed them sadley i know.
good luck

Ask the husband for some of HER recipes that the family likes. There may be some easy meals that the kids long for that their mom used to make for them. If you can, let the kids come and help (at least the older ones) you in the kitchen. It will give them a diversion + give their mom time to rest.

wow, how devastating. I've been on a list of local people who help out families in need like this...

I sell Tastefully Simple, so that helps a lot with great family friendly recipe ideas. Corn Black Bean Salsa in the crockpot with some chicken breasts is great, then I make boil-in-bag brown rice for the parents and white rice for the kids.

Tacos are really family friendly. Dice tomatoes and put into a ziploc, buy a bag of shredded lettuce, sour cream and cheddar cheese. Brown ground turkey or beef with TS's Fiesta Party dip mix, then deliver with taco shells, soft tortilla wraps and the other fixin's

Casseroles are great and easy, too. Try our dish made with ground burger, browned, mixed with our Onion Onion seasoning, canned cream-of- soups and bag of thawed hash browns, then bake with some cheddar on top

Stir fry: kid friendly veggies like broccoli and corn, then do a separate batch with pea pods, carrots, mushrooms for mom & dad... use some Dried Tomato & Garlic Pesto mix dry sprinkled in then add some Honey Teriyaki Sauce near the end. Add chicken and /or shrimp if they like or make it all veggie. We like it served over hot spaghetti.

So sad to hear such a young mom suffering and the family will lose her. Will keep them in my prayers. ____@____.com

I am in a local moms club that occasionally brings our members meals when they have an emergency. I have been referred to the 2 sites below, although I haven't personally used either. You may want to see if there are recipes or other ideas that will help you and your church community help this family:

http://www.takethemameal.com/
http://www.foodtidings.com/

How about BBQ? I cook a pork loin in a crock pot with a can of coke, some ketchup and mustard, and half a pack of onion soup mix. Cook that all day and then pull apart and pour BBQ sauce over top. I usually make a salad and a corn casserole with that. When I take food to a family with little kids sometimes I will also send a hot dog, just in case. :) Prayers for all.

Broccoli, Chicken, Cheese Casserole:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Broccoli-Rice-Cheese-and-Chi...

It's delish!

I like to make Paula Deen's chicken florentine. Here's the link:
http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/chicken_flor...

I put the chicken in a large pot and cover it with water, then put it on the stove for 20 minutes (set timer as soon as pot goes on stove, and be sure to put chicken in the water while it's cold, don't wait until water boils). I sub apple juice for the white wine (a Rachael Ray tip) and I don't put in the curry powder. Shredding the chicken takes a bit of time, but it yields a HUGE casserole that will definitely do 2 meals. My 6 and 2 year olds gobble it down.

Thanks for doing this! And I agree with the idea of asking the family what they like to eat. Especially w/small kids, that's important. Good luck!

I had breast cancer a few years ago and got meals like your describing. here are a couple of things that we got that were truely wonderful change of pace.

grilled hamburgers and a plate w/ lettuce, tomatoes and pickles and onions so everyone could make their own. on the side she also included a bag of chips and a cut up watermelon and a package of cheese

baked chicken breasts w/bottle of barbq sauce so whoever wanted it could add it. a small dish of augratin potato's

big bowl of salad w/some sliced turkey, cheese and ham along with veggies and we had chef salad

big crockpot full of soup which we then froze in smaller containers to pull out later when needed

taco meat w/fixings on the side (we ate that as taco's the first night and taco salad the next time.

we got lots of the italian stuff and appreciated all of it but having the misc stuff also broke up the tomato tomato tomato lol. your a good friend for doing this. and having been there I can tell you it is so much appreciated.

My neighbor made a great meal for me when my daughter was first born, and I have been using the recipe ever since! Both children and adults love it, and it is healthy, full of protein and can easily be frozen if needed. It is also pretty simple to make. Serve with a baguette and a salad.

Chicken Stew with Tomatoes and White Beans -

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chicken-Stew...

If this link doesn't work, go to www.epicurious.com and search for it by name. Good luck!

how about a stir fry? brown rice with eggs, chicken, lots of veggies like carrots, broccoli, onions, peas, soy sauce, sesame oil and garlic. my 2 year old eats it up and b/c u control the amt of oil and can put in a lot of veggies its healthy. plus it freezes well. that might be a welcome mix from the pasta/lasagna.

Ask if they have a big freezer and if so you can stock them up on frozen pizzas.

Those are quick. How about taco meat, pack of shredded cheese, a tomato, pack of soft tortilla to go in the mic, a jar of salsa and bag of tortilla chips for the side.

How about a couple ready made roasts by Hormel. Takes 4 minutes to mic if they're not frozen, 8 minutes if they are. Make some flavored potatoes and toss in a zip lock bag and some veggies.

Chili, mild
Chicken soup and dumplings
Sloppy joes, buns and a bag of tater tots
Tuna noodle casserole
Tater tot casserole

I've done meals too and I applaud your effort. I've done meatloaf (turkey or beef) . I've also done this chicken dinner casserole that is super easy and always a hit.
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/easy-chicken-pot-pie-...

This recipe also freezes well so I usually double up and make 2 at a time. Kids seem to like it. Good luck!

I throw in either a bag of salad with dressing or a steambag of veggies. Use disposable containers so they can just throw away with no cleanup. I write the heating instructions with a sharpie on tinfoil covering the to make it obvious if the husband is cooking. I like to throw in a pan of brownies for dessert to. (box mix)

My family lost a young mother of 3 to cancer last year in another state. Everyone cooked for them for months. They have very "American" diets and were getting all the same casseroles, stews, spaghettis, so I urged my mom to make a Pad Thai recipe (still yummy noodles for kids and easy to reheat) and double it in size. Everyone loved it SO MUCH they always begged her to bring more, Here's an easy one if you can't get tamarind:

http://vegetarian.about.com/od/thaifoodrecipes/r/veganpad...