Gearhead Mom

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Meals on Wheels—and Wings—for Moms and More

Posted by Jenny M. @ 9:09 AM

I am thinking about my sister, who just had her first baby on Friday (Woohoo! New cousin!), and about her husband, who might be underfed and neglected (as most people cooking only for themselves tend to be) at the moment if it weren’t for his own mother staying at their house, cooking and helping out. I am also thinking about my neighbor, who had her second baby on Friday, and her husband and son. When I crossed the street to congratulate the father, I asked him if I could make and bring him a home-cooked meal. “When?” he asked, “You mean when my wife comes home from the hospital with the baby?”  “Well,” I replied, “I was thinking I could make something for YOU and YOUR SON for TONIGHT…” “Oh, no, we have Fast Food,” was his response. Of course you do, Dad! We all have fast food. Not The Point. 
I brought him a pan of Missy’s Mom’s Enchilada casserole* a couple of hours later. 

Speaking of which, almost more memorable than the tender moments I spent with my newborn were the Awesome Meals people brought and sent me after I gave birth to both of my girls.  Missy’s Mom, of course, delivered her famous aforementioned Casserole, which my husband called “dessert.”  A fellow book club member made us Beef Stroganoff. We were well taken care of. The truth is, the cooking, buying, delivering, and/or picking up a meal for a family with a new member is a huge favor to the New Mom. But it’s really a gift for the Dad/Husband/Partner and any Prior Children. These are the people who are Not Breastfeeding, Who are Not Always Very Helpful Despite Good Intentions, and who are suddenly, albeit temporarily, cut out of the Family Food Chain, because no matter who is in charge of what, Standard Home Operations tend to cease for a while after a newborn arrives. It’s important to keep the rest of the family in mind, which is why I particularly appreciated two mail-delivery meals we received after our second daughter was born. The great thing about ordering for a family online is that you don’t have to live near them to provide a meal.  And, let’s be real, you don’t have to actually cook, either.
My friend in Ohio sent us a selection of meals from Artikochef.com, and the meals for us were gourmet and delicious (including fancy desserts!), but the highlight was the bag of frozen french fries, shaped like letters, which my elder daughter loved.  The box of frozen appetizers, main courses and desserts was a luxurious gift, and we could eat them when we were in need of a treat, or just…food. 
Some family members went in together on gift certificates for A La Zing (which was a division of Omaha Steaks, and now it appears their sites have merged), which were sent to me via email.  My family had in mind that I might want to use these after I returned to work—and yes, that’s when having frozen meals available was a lifesaver.  I used the gift certificates in increments because your freezer can fill up fast with separate boxes of entrees and side dishes!  A La Zing meals fall in the “comfort food” category, and since I generally don’t cook beef, my husband really loved some of the meat entrees.  My favorite was the asparagus with hollandaise sauce, which tastes remarkably fresh. 
Both companies send their frozen meals in a styrofoam cooler with dry ice (good for a spooky front-porch show, I must add). 
-Jenny

Pictured: Ice Cream Pucks from Artiko Chef. Our friend Meredith and her family loved these!

*Ed. Note: Here’s my mom’s casserole. I think Jenny and I take it to every new parent we know. I tend to cut back on the spices if the new mom is having a hard time breast-feeding.

Enchilada Casserole

1 onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 lbs ground beef, turkey or chicken
1 can enchilada sauce
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 T chile powder
1 t salt, or garlic salt or seasoning salt to taste
1 can sliced olives if like
1 doz. corn tortillas, torn into 1/4’s
1 lb grated cheese - combo of yellow (cheddar or longhorn) and jack is good

Saute onion, pepper, garlic in oil.  Add meat and brown, though I usually do that separately so you can drain the fat or liquid off before you add it to the onion mixture.
Add rest of ingredients except the cheese and tortillas.

Place 6 tortillas, torn into 1/4’s, into bottom of 9X13 inch pan. (Grease lightly, using cooking spray or baking juice from chicken if you have any) 
Then layer half the sauce, and then half the cheese over the tortillas. 
Repeat second layer of tortillas, sauce and top with cheese. 
Pour 1 cup of water over casserole.

Cook 20 minutes at 350 degrees.  Cut through the casserole with a spoon and then cook 15 minutes longer.
When I bring it to a family, I usually tell them to do the last 15 minutes of cooking to get it nice and bubbly. It also freezes pretty darn well.

Share: Email   |     |