Shannon asks:
My friend just had a baby, I was going to take her something to eat. Her mom has the Shepherd’s Pie cornered (darnit, there goes my idea…). So what should I take her? Casseroles, chilis, whatever freezes well or tastes good reheated.
I was thinking my taco vegetarian chili, I used to fix it when I was living with her and she really likes it. But, if you’d just given birth, what would you want your friend to bring you to eat?
If I had just had a baby I would like you to bring me a fistful of Klonopin, a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, and a paternity test stat.
Oh, I kid. Hold off on the booze. The kid already won’t have a daddy; it doesn’t need a mother in Betty Ford as well.
As far as your friend is concerned… yes, I say bring her the taco soup. It reheats well, you know she likes it, and it is easy to grab and go. When cooking for new moms, please keep spice levels in mind. You may want to cut down on the amount of chili pepper/powder, though. Spiciness is transfered over to breast milk, so something with too much heat can result in one unhappy baby. Proceed with caution. You want your friends remembering your kindness in the days after their little rugrat arrives, not shaking their fists at the heavens and screaming your name as their baby shrieks in pain at 3 am. I made some spicy meatballs for a some dear friends when their daughter arrived this winter; I cut down on the amount of heat significantly and those bastards were still damn spicy. I could have had a disaster on my hands, but all was well. Please learn from me.
Also, when packing up the food I recommend breaking the meal into two person portions, individually wrapped. They may not want to eat taco soup four nights in a row; ladle the soup into four, freezer safe containers so even a few weeks from now they can haul the soup out of the freezer, zap it and have a quick meal. They will thank you for your thoughtfulness and you get to feel superior to those chumps who bring a whole huge vat of soup over, leaving the new parents to try to deal with repackaging everything.
So, on to the actual food. I am thinking comfort foods–meals that are simple, homey and delicious. Chicken parmesan with some pasta, lasagna, chicken casserole, black bean soup, tomato soup, and beef stew all freeze well. Jambalaya (watch the spice!), lentils of any type, and any kind of stirfry with rice works great as well. You basically just want to stay away from anything too creamy, milky or rich; it won’t hold up in the freezer.
Lastly, if you are the kind of gal or guy who cannot cook, fret not. Everyone always brings over casseroles and starches when a baby is born, but seem to forget that new moms and babies need nutrients, too. How about grabbing a whole bunch of frozen veggies along with a grocery store gift certificate? You don’t want to new family dying of scurvy as they sludge through the first few difficult weeks. Other food related ideas that don’t require cooking: a Visa/Mastercard gift certificate tied to a bunch of take out menus from the area, a few pounds of coffee (for Dad) and boxes of Herbal Tea (for Mom) for those late nights, and a gift certificate to a local restaurant along with an offer to babysit for the first date night after baby arrives.
Luckily, I will not be in need of any of this for a looong time (thank you, Orthocyclen!), but I hope this helps you out.
9:50 am on June 27th, 2008
As a relatively new mother, I would suggest asking before making anything with ANY spice, not just to cut back on it. The macaroni & cheese/vegetable soup/big salad (or pasta salad with lots of veggies) route will always work swimmingly, but there are lots of kids (mine included) that wouldn’t touch the boob if anything even mildly flavored was coming out. And I’ll leave that gross thought for you all. Let’s just go back to talking about Lemmonex’s rack, which from all accounts is very pretty.
Jane, this is super helpful. Thanks. Also, does my rack come up here that often? I feel like it hasn’t in a while…
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10:30 am on June 27th, 2008
“If I had just had a baby I would like you to bring me a fistful of Klonopin, a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, and a paternity test stat.”
Have you been eyeing my baby registry? For when I adopt my 15 year old, NBA-scouted basketball playing Wednesday’s Child?
Yes, I have been. Don’t steal my klonopin, though, woman…
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10:46 am on June 27th, 2008
Good post, oprah needs to feature you weekly, because your stuff is better than the famous hacks out there.
Orthotry eh? I like Mirena – don’t have to worry about taking a pill and I can take it out if I want to have kids and its good for 5 years yay lol
have a fantastic weekend
Princess, you flatter me. Thanks so much. I kind of think Oprah is the anti-Christ, but I would happily take her pay checks and her fame.
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10:50 am on June 27th, 2008
“Boys, I promise…tomorrow, there will be sex talk.” Although I am pretty sure there was sex involved in getting Shannon’s friend pregnant…..
OK OK. Kinda sex talk…I mean I made a joke about the unknown paternity of my unborn child. Kidna like sex…maybe? Someone mentioned my AWESOME rack, too.
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11:02 am on June 27th, 2008
I think she should eat the child.
Wow. You went there.
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11:04 am on June 27th, 2008
Do you have a recipe for that?
I have done some seriously screwed up things in my life, but I am happy to say i have never eaten a baby. Some women do save, and eat, the placenta, though.
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11:09 am on June 27th, 2008
I remember wanting a lot of steak after I had my son. Actually, I think I had been ordered by the doctor to eat a lot of meat, something about anemia after huge amounts of blood loss, but I digress.
I also remember being HUNGRY. And hella thirsty. I’d go the bland meat and veggies route, and you’d get extra thoughtfulness points if you brought overs some of those huge ass bottles of water.
Mmm…steak. I didn’t have a baby, but I want steak… Thanks for chiming in.
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11:10 am on June 27th, 2008
yeah Oprah is kind of the the anti christ along with tom cruise – ha did you see my post today about calling on ALF to save Tom Cruise ha
ALF can do anything, really.
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11:24 am on June 27th, 2008
Even though his nose is rather phallac I still have my ALF toy from Burger King somewhere in a box – he was so funny.
Steak sounds real good — yum medium rare marinated in beer and other fine sauces
I prefer it rare…yum.
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12:51 pm on June 27th, 2008
HAHAHAHA! “a fistful of Klonopin, a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, and a paternity test stat.” As someone who is hoping to have a baby sometime in the next couple years, I think I’d still choose to be handed pharmaceuticals and liquor over casserole.
I like where your head is at.
Baby shower game: whoever can guess the race of Lemmonex’s baby wins a handle of rum.
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1:15 pm on June 27th, 2008
“Baby shower game: whoever can guess the race of Lemmonex’s baby wins a handle of rum.”
Cablanasian?
OK, one vote for Cablanasian. (Caucacasian, Black, Asian I am guessing?)
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2:02 pm on June 27th, 2008
“Some women do save, and eat, the placenta, though.” Speaking of going there…. Even though both of us were in the woman’s studies department i still feel the need to say this: that’s f’ing crazy.
Anyway, thanks for the no spice tip. I have a feeling as time goes on i’m going to start cooking for the parents and sitting for the brats…i mean cutie pies.
I know; that is insane. The only insanity I harbor regarding childbirth is I hope to do it without drugs.
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2:32 pm on June 27th, 2008
For the record, black, asian, and caucasian = “caublasian”
You would know, my blasian friend.
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2:33 pm on June 27th, 2008
By the way, eating the child would only be like recapturing one’s youth. After all, you are what you eat.
Wow, mark this date: I think you just found my line.
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2:56 pm on June 27th, 2008
As a parent, I can say that food is often appreciated, but it’s worth it to ask. Diapers cost a fortune. Sometimes, a biiiiig package of diapers and a bottle of wine for mommy and daddy are choice.
I cooked Beef Bourgogne for a couple once and froze it into separate quart containers. Went over like gang busters, particularly because I used homemade veal stock as part of the braise, which just makes it sing. I’ve also roasted a chicken, which isn’t so freezable, but you can eat it several different ways over three days and it’s great for picking at out of the fridge late at night (even though I can’t eat it, I love cooking it, what kind of craziness is that).
I’m a bit dissappointed there wasn’t more sex to this post, but I suppose mention of Lemmonex’s glorious rack will do.
Diapers also a great idea, Bates. I am sorry there was not a lot of sex. It is coming soon, promise.
Also, I still cannot believe you are allergic to chicken.
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3:27 pm on June 27th, 2008
In my travels, which are admittedly limited, I’ve run across 4, maybe 5 people who share the allergy. It actually extends to all poultry, as far as I know, but I’ve never tried duck. Not eggs however, I had a farmer’s market egg omelet with herbs (from the garden) and a nice glass of french rose for lunch last Sunday.
It sucks in exteme form, especially when eating out, because restaurants put chicken stock in EVERYTHING. And why not? Salty meat broth? I’ll take a big gulp, thanks.
Having said that, I love cooking the stuff, Grilling it, frying it, roasting it, coq au vin, etc. It’s so easy. Although an ex once told me I act like a nervous lover: “Is it dry?” “Is the skin crispy” etc.
I cannot even imagine how hard it would be to avoid the stock. Cooking it does seem like you are torturing yourself, though.
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3:35 pm on June 27th, 2008
The line between pleasure and pain is so very, very blurry.
Truer words have never been spoken…
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