LOVE IN A BOX AND MIKASA GIVEAWAY

SEE MIKASA GIVEAWAY DETAILS AT THE END OF THIS POST


Do you know someone that needs love in a box?

One of my favorite way to show someone that they matter... that I care... is to make them a meal. It does not have to be gourmet or fancy... just good, easy and filling! When a family is facing a crisis or illness or a sad time, a meal... love in a box can be a very welcomed gesture!

When I take a dinner to someone, I usually take it in a box... just a plain brown box.

All food containers must be  throw away or ones the recipient can keep. This makes it so much easier, no dishes to wash and return. It is not as pretty as bringing food in a basket with matching dishes and gorgeous linens, but it is so much more practical.! 

 I always ask about preference, food allergies, special needs etc when planning to bless someone with a meal. I write them down on an index card so I won't forget and make something that can't be eaten.

On that index card I also write the date and time the meal is to be delivered or picked up as well as the recepient's  address, if I am not familiar with it. All other info or requests go on that index card and it goes on my bulletin board in my study.

I have a couple of no-fail, kid friendly, easy to transport and reheat meals that I use over and over again.

Here is my favorite easy family friendly meal to let someone know that you care...

SG TIP: Put the hot main dish on the bottom of the box. Cut cardboard to just fit inside the box and place on top of your hot main dish. Put the rest of the meal on top of the cardboard "shelf".

THE MENU 

Chicken Bangladesh

Roasted Brown Sugar Carrots

Salad or Homemade Applesauce

Cookies or Brownies

Recipe: Chicken Bangladesh

4-6 large boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 16 oz sour cream

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 large container Stove Top Stuffing Mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Put the chicken in a large skillet and cover with chicken stock or water. Simmer over medium high heat until cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside to cool. When cool to the touch, dice. I often cook a big batch of chicken and freeze it to be used in recipes like this one.  

Mix sour cream and soup together in a medium bowl.

Make Stove Top Stuffing according to package directions.

Put diced chicken in the bottom of a large deep square 9x9 disposable pan. Cover with sour cream and mushroom soup mixture. Top with Stove Top Stuffing.

Bake for 30-40 minutes until bubbly and hot.

This dish can be frozen and reheated. So if the family you are making dinner for can't use it that night, it can be frozen and used when it is convenient for them.

Printable Recipe

Recipe: Roasted Brown Sugar Carrots

1 bag baby carrots

2 TBS olive oil

pinch of salt and pepper

1-2 TBS brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Put carrots on a large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Roast for 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Turn. Roast for 15 minutes more.

Add brown sugar. Toss to coat and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Carrots will be caramelized and slightly collapsed and so sweet and tender!

Printable Recipe

Here are some tips to make your LOVE IN A BOX even more special!

~send along a bouquet of garden flowers or a little plant

~collect dish towels on sale to wrap up the hot disposable pans and let the receiver keep the dish towels

~~ tuck in a personal note

~send along a homemade CD of music

~send along a recipe for the dish

~tuck in a great magazine (even if you have already read it)

~ make a hot chocolate mix, put it in a pretty jar and send it along

~ make enough for leftovers

~ send a coupon for a couple of hours of cleaning, driving or errand running and follow-up to set a time and date
~ follow up with a phone call or e-mail and ask if they would like another meal or need anything

~ DON'T WAIT TO BE ASKED! TAKE THE INITIATIVE!

Do you have a good idea or tip for taking a meal to someone... I would LOVE to hear!

I am participating in FOODIE FRIDAY at Designs By Gollumn



STONEGABLE'S MIKASA GIVEAWAY

To celebrate my 2nd Blogiversary the great folks at Mikasa are partnering with me to give away... not 1 but 2 fabulous prized!!!!


8 Place Settings Of Italian Countryside Dinnerware



This BEAUTIFUL creamy white dinnerware is the true "workhorse" of my kitchen. I have had these dishes for years and years and I use them everyday! I love them as much now as I did the day I got them! 

AND
as a bonus prize...


 Italian Countryside 5 Piece  Serving Set

This beautiful set includes: 

~an 8 1/2 inch vegetable bowl

~a covered sugar bowl

~a covered creamer

~ a 12" buffet platter

This giveaway is so exciting for me because I know the winners will be so thrilled!

Click HERE to enter to win!