What happens when the cook can’t cook?

Lately we’ve been reminded how fragile life is (courtesy of COVID 19) and how much we can take our health for granted. It made me think (I know, dangerous!). But seriously, how does a family get by on a day-to-day basis when mom or dad is sick or injured? What happens when the cook can’t cook?

Waking up at 2 am with excruciating wrist pain was only the beginning of a long week of pain and frustration for me. I was told to “rest” most of the week, unable to do the simplest tasks with my right hand…no gripping, turning, cutting, and certainly no chopping. Everything brought on the pain.

Being the cook of the household, I had to have help for us to eat, and while my husband is more than capable in that department, he is also employed full-time, self-employed part-time, AND runs the AV at our church which is still rebuilding after a flood in September. So, his willing hands were already pretty full.

Then I got a text that completely overwhelmed me. A friend had set up meals for us, and 6 people had already signed up to bring us supper…Whole30 compliant even! I almost couldn’t believe this blessing out of the blue. I often offer help but seldom am willing to ask for it; so, this outpouring of love really stopped me in my tracks.

How can other cooks and friends help?

I had already been wondering how I would write and take pics for a blog post when I couldn’t  cook and had to type with one hand. Then it hit me…to “photojournal” the delightful ways my friends took care of our food needs. And catalog some other ideas I’ve used in the past. Particularly in a time of more illness than normal, one of these ideas might just be the blessing one of your friends needs from you in the coming weeks.

No time for cooking?

A lovely friend with a houseful of kids simply said, “Choose your restaurant, give me your order and I’ll deliver!” This allowed me to pick something that fit my Whole30 needs while allowing my husband more options…and she didn’t even have to think about the compliance issue or spend time away from her homeschooling and other “mom” duties. Win-win for both of us!

Cooking fresh

Several friends cooked things fresh for us, and wow were they tasty! Even more so when I didn’t have to worry about how to get the meals cooked AND my husband could do his work and still come home to a warm meal already prepared.

In one family, the two early teen daughters actually made the meal. This is a great way to teach the young ones to care for others and give them skills they’ll eventually need for themselves and their own families.

Probably some prepared these meals along with their own, perhaps doubling a recipe to be able to share. I’ve done that on occasion. A casserole that normally fills a 9×13 baking dish can easily be split into 2 8×8’s as long as that is enough to cover everyone in both households. Or simply double a recipe. Prep might take a little longer, but you can cook everything at the same time. And believe me, it doesn’t have to be fancy. When you can’t cook for yourself, you’re just pleased to have FOOD!

Be prepared ahead of time

Have you ever done freezer meals? There are two ways to go here. And cooking ahead this way allows you either to have some to share when the need arises OR allows you to SKIP prep another time when you are really under stress and need an easy “go to.”

First, you can cook all the way to completion and then freeze. This works well with casseroles (check that all of your ingredients are freezer-friendly). Cool completely, cover with plastic wrap on the surface of the casserole itself, then wrap in foil (again putting the foil right up next to the plastic wrap) and freeze. You can even cut into servings before freezing, then break them apart and fill a freezer bag for later. (I’m personally a huge fan of vacuum sealing…more on that later.)

Or you can assemble a meal (like my favorite Mediterranean Chicken – maybe that will be NEXT week’s post!) and freeze it BEFORE cooking. When you prep a meal this way, it’s completely fresh once cooked. But, of course, it takes thaw time. Maybe you could take some fresh soup for one night and the freezer meal for the next night. The recipient (or their helper) can pop it in the oven for a fresh, fantastic supper. (Make sure they are able to handle this before taking a meal like this one.)

Other ways to be prepared

My Hawaiian Banana bread recipe makes two loaves. Find several recipes like this and once made, your family can enjoy one while you freeze the other for later. Now you’re ready to help with breakfast or snacks as well! Who wouldn’t enjoy a loaf of banana bread in addition to a lovely dinner?

Keep disposable containers at all times. Chances are if your friend can’t cook right now, it’s also a problem to clean up dishes to return. Half size catering pans are cheap at Costco or Sam’s and are great for that second casserole or even your own when you know there’s no time for cleanup.

Use large yogurt or sour cream tubs? Or jars of pasta sauce? These are great for veggies or soups. You could buy disposable ones, but if you have them on hand, here’s another way to recycle. I’m not saying stockpile stuff, just keep a few handy in case. And make sure you tell the recipient to just throw the containers away.

What else do they need?

A friend who knows my dietary needs reached out to say, “I know you need breakfast and lunch, too. I’m at home…what else can I do?” This was exactly what I needed to hear as my husband leaves the house by 5:45 and during the winter a hot breakfast is a real plus. And I couldn’t imagine scrambling eggs with my left hand. That just sounds like I’d be throwing raw eggs all around the kitchen!

Plus, I had just wrangled some chicken breasts into the oven to bake (had to as it was easier than getting into a vacuum sealed bag at that moment). I knew we could have chicken salad for lunches if only we had a couple of key ingredients.

“It may seem odd,” I told her, “but here’s the truth about what I need. I could use 2 dozen eggs scrambled, compliant mayo and 4 sweet potatoes chopped and roasted.” “Done,” she said and a couple of hours later, there she was making a delivery.

When my husband got home, he chopped the chicken, then assembled the chicken salad. We enjoyed that for lunch a couple of days, and breakfasts have been so much easier with the eggs already made! Consider asking a friend in need if there are other ways you could help with food…the simplest things can be SO helpful.

Kindness is a boomerang

In wrapping up, I offer this thought. I don’t know where I first heard this, but it really hit me yesterday (Need a pick-me-up? Check out the music video here). I’ve helped friends with meals for years, mostly because that’s my primary gift and thus the easiest way to help out. I did NOT do it to get accolades or repayment…that’s not me. BUT it has come back to me in a way that thoroughly surprised me. Share from your blessings…you’ll be blessed in return!

Have another idea of what to do when friends need help with meals? Or maybe you’ve been overwhelmed by a similar gift from friends. Please share in the comments below! I wanna hear YOUR story!