An Easy Meal for a Family in Need

If the thought of making and delivering a meal to a friend or family member in need is overwhelming, you’re not alone. Most days getting dinner on the table for your own family is more than enough, so adding a second dinner into the mix might instill a sense of panic.

Don’t panic. Here’s the perfect meal as well as a few tips to make it as easy as can be. ​

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

Veggie Chili

4 tsp olive oil
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and diced
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
​1 medium onion, diced
3 tbsp chili powder (or more to taste)
1 28 oz. can tomatoes
1 4 oz. can green chiles
1 cup vegetable broth
¼ tsp salt
2 15 oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed
¼  cup chopped cilantro
Sour Cream or Yogurt for topping

• In a 5-quart pot over medium-high heat, heat oil, add squash and cook until golden and soft. Add carrots and onion. Cook until tender, adding more oil if it sticks. Stir in chili powder and stir for 1 minute.
  
• Add tomatoes and chiles with their liquids, broth, and salt. Heat to boiling, reduce to low, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes.
  
• Stir in black beans, heat to boiling, reduce to low, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until thickened.
  
• Stir in cilantro, serve with sour cream or yogurt. ​

Thank you to my mother-in-law for providing this recipe. Why is this the perfect recipe? It’s vegetarian and gluten free but is still hearty. It reheats well and feeds a crowd. It’s healthy and delicious. It’s versatile. You can add in cornbread, or pasta, or rice, some avocado, and you have a full meal. And you can throw it in the crockpot in the morning and not think about it (just cook for 6-8 hours on low). 

If this just isn’t happening, it’s totally fine! There are plenty of other ways to provide a meal for a family. 

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

A few more tips...

1. Don’t forget breakfast. Families need to eat meals other than dinner, right? A nice bag of granola, some berries or cut fruit (let the grocery store cut it if you don’t have time), and a container of yogurt. Maybe some OJ. Bam, you’re done.
   
2. Double it. What’s on your menu for next week that can easily be doubled? Tomato sauce? Soup? Casserole? All of these (including the chili recipe above) can easily be doubled so you have dinner for yourself and your friend.
   
3. ​No one ever turned down a delivery pizza or take-out. This couldn’t be easier and will still be very appreciated.

A little extra effort on your part will go along way to a family going through a challenging time. A home-cooked meal graciously shared provides nourishment beyond a house of full bellies. It can provide comfort in times of stress and uncertainty. It spreads love and compassion. And it lets someone you love know you care. 
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What are your go-to recipes to share with friends and family in need? What’s your favorite meal you’ve received from others? Share away in the comments!

Author

Jannan Poppen, Giving Coordinator