I have to make dinner for a family of six tonight. Oh, and another family of six, since I also have to feed my own family. It wouldn’t be a problem except that I have no idea what to make for dinner. I haven’t been able to think up something to make for dinner in, like, two weeks. I’ve been faking it a lot. I don’t know what the big deal is. I seriously just cannot think of anything to make for dinner. Every day I think, “Dude, what do we even eat?” Why can’t I remember what we eat anymore? The task is even more onerous when you factor in the fact that you need to be able to transport it to some other location.
I said I would bring dinner to this family from church who are going through a very difficult personal crisis, and I knew when I said it that I would have difficulty doing it because I’m having so much difficulty thinking of what exactly people eat these days–including us–but I figured since I was doing God’s work, God would provide..like…an idea of something that I could make for dinner–but so far that God-thing isn’t working. I seriously have no idea what to cook. And it doesn’t help that my husband pointed out that there are teenage boys in this family and therefore whatever I make, there will have to be a LOT of it.
When did eating become so difficult? I don’t like cooking, but I also don’t mind it, so long as I have a plan. I’ve been thinking about this for days–seriously, days–and as of right now, we’re at T-minus-six hours and still there is no plan. No plan!
This is one of those moments when I think how useless it is to ask, “What Would Jesus Do?” Because if I were Jesus, I would just perform a miracle. But I think if I actually make dinner tonight and don’t involve a pizza delivery service and/or corn dogs, it will be a miracle.
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June 2, 2009 at 10:17 am
bythelbs
I always make chicken enchiladas when I take a dinner to someone. Always. They get enchiladas, Mexican rice, refried beans, a bag of tortilla chips, salsa (jar or homemade pico de gallo if I really like them) and homemade guacamole (if I really, really like them). Sometimes I skip the rice and take a salad and sometimes I skip the rice and the salad. Sometimes I throw in a half-gallon of Dreyer’s (or is it Breyer’s?) fried ice cream flavor ice cream. But it’s always enchiladas. Al. Ways. That way I don’t have to think about what I’m going to take someone when I have to take them something. They’re easy to make if you want the recipe, and you can make them a whole 9×13 pan and even double the recipe for your family without too much trouble.
June 2, 2009 at 10:27 am
bythelbs
Oh, and I also buy one of those disposable aluminum baking pans and a couple of cheap, disposable food storage containers. Everything goes in disposable containers or ziploc bags so I don’t have to worry about getting dishes back and they don’t have to worry about washing anything.
I have friends who have had multiple babies in the years I’ve known them, and they always get this same meal. They even pretend to look forward to it.
June 2, 2009 at 11:58 am
merkin4
When the kid was born, the EQ president brought over sliced pork roast, mashed potatoes, corn, and rolls. I think well of him and wish him the best every time I have pork roast.
Now, the kid and I make spinach lasagna for people we know with new babies in the house. Homemade noodles, grilled chicken, sausage, lots of cheese. We put them together a dozen at a time in big aluminum catering pans and stack them in the freezer like cordwood. But, it’s a ton of work.
As a missionary, we used to get huge elaborate dinners every night in one particular ward. It was like Thanksgiving every night. One Tuesday, one of the old guys forgot that he’d even signed up to have us over. He fixed exactly what he was having – tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. I’ve had a lot of exceptional cooking in my life, but nothing will ever match how good that combination was that night. If you’re worried about it not being fancy enough, throw in a bunch of chicken nuggets or strips. If they’ve got four kids, they’ll love it.
June 2, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Patience
Maybe, for the family in crisis, pizza would be a treat? It’s pretty easy to make a delicious homemade macaroni and cheese and you could do steamed broccoli on the side.
June 2, 2009 at 1:01 pm
shazza
I also don’t enjoy cooking and I hate it when I get in those “seriously what am I supposed to feed these people?!!?” ruts. Unfortunately, it happens a lot for me. Good luck; you’ll be blessed for helping!!
This is my go-to service meal of choice:
Elisa’s Spanish Chicken and Rice
1 lb. Chicken
Box Rice-a-Roni, Spanish Rice
16 oz. Salsa
1 can Corn
1 can Black Beans
Cheese
Tortillas
Chop chicken into bite size pieces and brown in large skillet. Cook rice by directions on box, but use salsa instead of tomatoes, and add the chicken. After cooking 15 minutes, add the corn and beans (rinse them first). Serve in tortillas with cheese and sour cream.
It is yummy and easy and I can keep the ingredients on hand. It can be easily doubled, it makes a ton and is just as good the next day as leftovers. I take the stuff in a big ziplock or disposable container and then the cheese, sour cream and tortillas separate so that they can easily eat whenever they are ready. I’ll usually take a simple salad and dessert with it.
June 2, 2009 at 1:36 pm
bythelbs
I’ve totally used Shazza’s recipe for my own family since she posted it on her blog, and they love it.