It's been three weeks after Harvey, and we are still working hard on the recovery. If you have flooded friends displaced or living without a kitchen providing a meal could be just what they need, and an excellent way to show them they are not forgotten and you love them.
I flooded in Memorial Day 2015, and the friends who came to deliver dinner got my eternal gratitude.
Please don't let the pressure of providing the perfect dinner keep you from sing up on a meal train. I promise you; you are helping your friend.
Since we are talking about post-Harvey meals (aka Houston and Texas), I included some Tex-Mex suggestions and some take-out places. I linked to some of my favorite products in case you need references and some of my recipes and some of my blogger friends.
Also if your friends are Mexican included a Salsa Valentina (trust me), if they are Jews and is Friday a challah (from Belden's or Three Brothers Bakery) is always welcome.
All the fixings for a Tostada dinner: Tostadas, refried beans, chopped lettuce, chopped Juicy Stovetop chicken breast or chopped Garlic Sirloin steak, pico de gallo, avocado, crema Mexicana or crumbled queso fresco and limes. Mango Margaritas in a mason jar are optional.
Quesadillas are easy to eat and delicious. Make your favorite or this Healthy Cheesesteak Quesadillas. Make some quesadillas without the veggies for the picky eaters.
Pork quinoa meatballs with coleslaw salad. Or buy the meatballs from Costco, re-heat on your favorite bbq sauce and add some white rice to serve and a salad.
Chicken fajita casserole, use pre-cooked frozen quinoa or any grain or omit the grains, and take it with a bag of flour tortillas.
With this basic quiche recipe, you can use any leftover of meat or veggies that you have around (this one is my favorite pre-made pie/quiche dough). Add a green salad to serve.
Pearl barley or farro risotto, a typical risotto is hard to get right and re-heat. If you use a hardy grain like farro (you can buy pre-cooked frozen farro or quinoa) you can impress and delight your friends.
We can't forget a pasta bake: Chicken and Mushroom is my suggestion.
Dessert ideas:
- Easy brownies
- Banana Muffins
- Easy yogurt bunt cake
- Fruit (watermelon cup in slices, washed berries, peeled oranges)
- Easy Dulce de Leche Flan
Frozen meal or ready-made meals to fake it (It doesn't matter, I promise):
- Potstickers: buy some bags from Costco o Trader's Joe. Cook following the directions and add a soy sauce bottle to the delivery.
- Indian food: Tikka masala, palak paneer or chana masala are always a safe bet. Make a white rice at home. Bring some pita bread or naan too.
- Flautas o Taquitos from Costco. Bring some guacamole and pico de gallo to serve.
- Tomato soup (Pacific is my favorite brand) and garlic bread
- Cooked Salmon burgers from Costco, salad and prepared couscous.
- Tamales (pre-heat at home on the griddle or comal), bring salsa to serve.
- Rotisserie chicken (bring it already cut and add a salad, bread, and rice or roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes)
For breakfast the next day you can include:
- Bagels, cream cheese, and lox
- Kolaches
- Yogurt and chopped fruit
- Cooked oatmeal and toppings
Take-out ideas:
- Deli food: matzo ball soup or a MishMosh from Kenny and Ziggy will melt my heart.
- Thai food: Pad thai or curries, I like Morningside Thai
- Fajitas from anywhere: Taco Cabana, El Tiempo, Pico's, Fajita Pete's, Ninfa's, El Real.
- Sushi: buy cooked and raw varieties, I like the sushi from Central Market.
- Tacos from the Taco Truck: Tierra Caliente en West Alabama (steak or Bistec for the kids, pastor, and barbacoa)
- Venezuelan food: Arepas and tequeños for the kids. Try Gusto Gourmet
- Empanadas: many flavors at 5411 Empanadas
- Greek or Mediterranean food: kebabs, hummus, tabouli, gyro meat. Fadi's and The Halal Guys
- Chinese food: I recommend Pepper Twins or China Stix on Holcombe.
- Burgers: Whataburger, Southwell's, Five Guys.
- Burritos: Chipotle
- For the kids: Chick-Fill-A
Please add your ideas in the comments.