Dinner for Friends in Mourning

[DaisyM]

Please help I'm feeling a little numb right now. A friend's family member died this weekend and I'm brining dinner for the family tomorrow night. I want to bring a complete dinner. TLooking for things that most people would like and would also reheat well. The one thing I'm sure of is that I'll make baked chicken with mustard and breadcrumb crust. I know that it stays moist and is just as good cold or reheated.

Please give me some side dishes that are going to reheat well and aren't "too gourmet" for this family. Comfort is the key. Also, is there a super simple dessert that a non baker like me could make?

Thank you again.

[Jacey]

While I think it's important to have "comfort food," let's not forget it's VERY important to keep the seratonium levels up, which can happen by getting a variety of green and colorful vegetables. Don't get them more sluggish with lots of butter, cream and fat. I would suggest making a variety of cut up roasted vegetables seasoned with S&P, rosemary, garlic and olive oil. This can be eaten cold or warm. Maybe bring a side of parm cheese to sprinkle over (this would go well with your chicken dish).

In terms of a comforting dessert, who doesn't love fudgie brownies? You can buy a box of "gourmet" brownie mix like double fudge Ghirardelli. You could also make a blondie counterpart from a box for variety.

[FriedClamFanatic]

I missed the timeline, but a real simple, but elegant dessert:

1.5 cups heavy cream
18 oz chocolate bits
1 graham cracker crust pie shell

Heat the cream to boiling, remove from heat, stir in chocolate ...completely. Pour into shell and cool for at least 2 hours. You can serve it along with some whipped cream and fresh raspberries, or all by itself and it keeps well for at least a week, covered

[coastie]

I think you handled this situation great. I would add that many peoples digestion shuts down when stressed. I go for strong comfort foods as you did but I also try and include a really plain soup - one with many nutrients, but plain....brothy - one that even a small amount sipped down with nothing to really chew will provide the diner with much needed and probably forgotten sustenance.
Sorry for you loss

[HaagenDazs]

Instead of cooking everything ahead of time and then worrying about re-heating, you can always simply prepare items and then instruct them to cook them at 350 for ___ minutes, kind of thing. Lasagna is a good example of this but it could work with you mustard chicken dish as well. That way it's easy to do, but you avoid any of the potential culinary downfalls of re-heated dinner. Think homemade Stouffer's-style dinners. Ok maybe not that casserole-ish, but I think you get the idea.

[DaisyM]

That's a really smart idea. I ended up cooking the mustard chicken and mac & cheese. I've never made it before but found the NY times creamy mac and cheese recipe on chowhound. I made extra and baked it in a small dish for us. It was seriously delicious and beyond easy. I took the advice about a green salad and included a bottle of dressing. Some roasted carrots and green beans with shallots and the gingerbread cake for dessert. At least cooking gives you something productive to do....when there isn't much you can do.

[cheesecake17]

I made that mac and cheese twice in the past few weeks and it's really great. Definitely comfort food.

[DaisyM]

A question about the mac and cheese....did you play around with the type of cheese? I was wondering if it would "work" with some Gruyere. Please let me know if you made any adjustments. Thank you!

[cheesecake17]

I haven't used Gruyere. The first time I made it, I stuck to the recipe. The second time, I used mostly cheddar and some monteray jack. I also used dijon mustard (instead of dry mustard) and red pepper flakes the second time I made it. I also topped the mac and cheese with panko.

Oh, I used 1% milk and 1% cottage cheese the second time I made it. My husband couldn't really tell the difference from the first time when I used 2% milk and 4% cottage cheese.

What type of pasta did you use? First time I used a box of assorted (leftovers of all small shapes in one box) and second time medium shells. They all liked the shells better.

[DaisyM]

I used macaroni. I was sort of amazed at how simple this recipe is and how well it turned out. Next time I'm going to try adding some Gruyere and try the 1% milk and cottage cheese. Thank you!

[cheesecake17]

Enjoy.. I'll be making it a lot (once a week for a month) since I lost a bet with my husband!

[DaisyM]

That's so funny. He "won" mac and cheese for the month! That's a good prize.

[cheesecake17]

He also "won" the right to mop the floor last night, after he spilled rice all over the place! I'll keep you updated on the mac and cheese variations :)

[sarah galvin]

I made a big batch of Risotto Milanese or other risotto. They enjoyed it.

[DaisyM]

How do you reheat risotto? Do you add more liquid in anticipation of it being reheated?

[sarah galvin]

They just reheated in the pan - I left it in the pan. Leave it slightly underdone and they can add more liquid.

[Procrastibaker]

As someone recently on the receiving end of such gestures, I know whatever you make will be comforting and appreciated. Some kind of fruit crisp is also an easy dessert idea. Or just your basic chocolate chip cookies. I know it doesn't seem in the "comfort food" genre, but a salad might also be nice. Fresh vegetables are the last thing you have when you are dealing with something like this since no one wants to go to the store. Even a fruit salad might be a nice dessert as they might already be overwhelmed with baked goods ( I know we were-- not that I'm complaining!).

[DaisyM]

Thank you. Very good ideas. You are right about the fresh fruit and salad. I'm going to go to Whole Foods tomorrow and get some fresh berries and things for a salad. I'm sorry for your loss. Thank you for your advice.

[cheesecake17]

A salad is a good idea, but I would leave it undressed. You can fill a cruet or two with dressings and deliever them with the salad. A platter of fresh cut veggies or fruit is also something that would be appreciated. Another thing that you can do is bring over some snacks that your friend loves. I remember when my grandfather passed away, a relative brought over bags of my favorite peanut butter pretzels. It was very thoughtful.

Sorry for your loss ;(

[Tehama]

I'd definitely recommend a lasagna.... you can make it as basic or complicated as you want. There is a simple lasagna recipe on the back of the Mueller's noodles box, which you can definitely add-to and make it taste better. And last week, I just made http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ul..., which was simply and utterly delicious. (b.t.w., I didn't follow that recipe exactly, as I didn't have all the ingredients, and it was still absolutely wonderful

)

I'm so sorry for your friends' loss.

[goodhealthgourmet]

you're right, comfort is key in this situation...which is why i like jaykayen's suggestions for the gratin or mac & cheese.

i'd also consider doing a green vegetable - braised greens, green beans, maybe even creamed spinach. or you could do a simple salad with mixed greens & veggies, toasted nuts, and cheese.

in terms of dessert, i'd do pudding or a simple fruit crisp/crumble.

[DaisyM]

Those are very good ideas. Do you have a no fail potato gratin recipe? I'll go with the green beans with shallots and lemon. I'll keep the green beans on the crisp side. My husband just reminded me about the Gramercy Tavern Gingerbread cake. The one cake that I know how to make....I'm going to do that right now. Thank you. I was really blanking.

[karykat]

The Gramercy Tavern cake sounds like a winner. Picture of comfort.

[goodhealthgourmet]

Daisy, i'm so sorry, i just saw your reply. i've used a couple of different gratin recipes in the past that seemed to be real crowd-pleasers. would you prefer one that's made just with cream, or a scalloped one with cheese?

[jaykayen]

Something like potato gratin. Or a baked pasta dish, like mac & cheese.

You can split leeks in half, brush with oil, S&P, and put them on the bottom of your pan, and bake the chicken on top.

Cakes/spice bread/banana bread type things are simplest for a non-baker, I think. Pies/tarts are difficult.