Supporting someone in their grief journey can look different for everyone. Perhaps you offer to take their kids to a movie to let them catch up on self care, or help with their household tasks, send them a set of Forget Me Not Notes, or bring them a meal for the days that cooking is the last thing on their mind. There are plenty of options, but doing what feels right for you and for them is what is most important.
If you land on bringing them meals to provide comfort and nourishment for the grief journey, you might be wondering what is best. Here is a list with a variety of options to tailor to the needs at hand. Bringing the meal in a disposable aluminum pan is the first important tip. This enables them to preheat the oven, pop in the already made dish, and not worry about having the right pan or utensils. They also don't have to remember to bring a pan back to you next time they see you or remember which pan belongs to who when they are finished. Using a disposable pan is inexpensive, and allows for very easy clean up at the end of the meal. If you find it beneficial, you might also include a small set of paper plates, napkins, or plastic utensils. Remember, the entire idea of this support is to offer them a meal that requires as little maintenance as possible. While it might feel wasteful, it is important to meet them where they are at in their journey, and a night free of dishes might be exactly what the doctor orders.
Ravioli Bake
This one is super customizable. Pick a type of frozen ravioli, pasta sauce (tomato based or alfredo work well here) , cottage cheese, mozzarella and parmesan, and get to work!
Grab your disposable and spread 1 cup of the pasta sauce to the bottom. Layer on about 1/2 of your frozen ravioli, covering the whole layer. Add another 1 cup of pasta sauce on top. Next, layer on 1 cup of cottage cheese, followed by 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers one more time (ravioli, pasta sauce, cottage cheese, mozzarella). Top with parmesan cheese.
Cover this with a lid and freeze.
Baking directions: Let thaw for one hour, heat oven to 350 degrees, and bake for 40-50 minutes.
Deliver with baking instructions written on the lid, and pair with a salad kit or frozen garlic bread.
Sheet Pan Chicken
Chicken thighs, small red potatoes, onion and garlic, olive oil, and seasonings all come together with a rough chop. Sub the chicken thighs out for salmon or chicken breast for a different combination.
Chop the onions and potatoes, mince a few cloves of garlic, and toss into your disposable pan. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, and whatever seasonings you desire - basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, or poultry seasoning can be great options here. Coat all this mixture with a quick toss or stir. Season chicken as desired, and add to pan. Cover and freeze.
Baking directions: Thaw in fridge overnight, and bake at 350 for 40 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
Deliver with baking instructions written on the lid, and pair with a bag of microwavable rice for a stress free side.
Fiesta Chicken Bake
Shredded chicken, canned corn, Rotel, canned black beans, cream of chicken soup, instant rice, taco seasoning, and cheddar cheese.
Add two cups of cooked, shredded chicken, one can of corn (drained), one can of Rotel, one can of black beans (drained and rinsed), one can of cream of chicken soup, and one cup of instant rice to the disposable pan. Add in a packet of taco seasoning and stir together. Even out into one layer, and top with a cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Cover with lid.
Baking directions: Preheat oven for 350, put frozen dish in oven (covered) and cook for 60 minutes. Uncover and cook for another 15 minutes.
Deliver with baking instructions written on lid, and pair with tortilla chips or flour tortillas.
Wild Rice Chicken Slow Cooker Mix
To a freezer bag, add two chicken breasts, minced ga
rlic, one cup of wild rice, 1/2 diced yellow onion, 1/2 cup frozen peas, 1/3 cup chopped celery, 1 cup of carrots sliced, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and oregano, thyme, and rosemary to taste. Remove air from bag and seal. Include 16 ounces of chicken broth on the side to add at the time of cooking.
Cooking directions: Dump ingredients from bag into slow cooker, cover with 16 ounces of chicken broth, cover. Cook on high for 2 and a 1/2 hours. Shred or dice chicken, and top with cheese if desired. Pair with bread or salad kit.
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