"Thank You" Meal Ideas Needed
After staying at a family friend's summer house for two months, I thought I'd make her a meal as a thank you. She arrives the night after we leave, so it would have to last in the fridge at LEAST two days, or freeze easily, although the freezable storage is fairly limited.
I was thinking soup, like a corn chowder maybe, but I also want something more substantial to round it out. Anyone have any ideas? Also, is it a good idea to leave soup in the fridge for two days, or should I freeze it?
Thanks in advance!
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12 Comments:
Soups and stews generally develop more flavor over time, and should easily last two days in the fridge. You might think about getting a baguette and making it into cheesey garlic bread and throw it into the freezer for an easy accompaniment for the soup. If you want a more substantial soup, I've made this Smoked Chicken Chowder from Epicurious.com and had many compliments. I didn't use smoked chicken, I just used boneless breasts and seasoned them with smoked paprika and chipoltle chile powder and the flavor was wonderful. It also freezes well.
Sounds like you have a really nice friend--hope you enjoyed your stay and that your thank you meal comes out well.
dhorst at 8:40AM on 06/01/09
@dhorst - love smoked paprika and the chipotle powder too..... :^)
in addition to your chowder & baguette how about a nice hunk of good cheese...? or a pan of lasagna that they can have a few meals from, nothing like not having to cook when you've arrived at your summer house.
pooch at 9:19AM on 06/01/09
Second the lasagna. Cook it, cool it properly and THEN freeze it. Leave instructions on how to best reheat along with a nice bottle of wine. You are ever so fortunate to have a friend who will lend you a house for 2 months!
finsbigfan at 10:36AM on 06/01/09
I second the lasagna...nothing says "thank you" or "welcome home" like a nice pan and three lunches worth of well made lasagna.
Though I also love love corn chowder. My mom would put in chunks of ham steak to make it a bit more hearty. To be honest, soup and a chunk of bread would be a very filling dinner. And easy prep to boot!
decemberain27 at 10:42AM on 06/01/09
I also nominate lasagna! There are so many options to add and it's so comforting and easily frozen.
meem21 at 11:24AM on 06/01/09
*nods in agreement*
lasagne, wine, salad fixin's, garlic-herb bread in the freezer....
and some specialty chocolates for dessert.
CJ McD at 11:34AM on 06/01/09
lasagne - yumm my fav! definately a good option. or bolognase sauce ready for her just to do the pasta? or a chilli con carni?
ArthurT5809 at 11:53AM on 06/01/09
I'd vote against cooked stuff that would be in the fridge, just in case they get delayed. Or, they might pick up dinner on the way home that day, and then there's another day ticking away. And there are plenty of people who refuse to eat things that have any time on them.
I'd suggest leaving some tasty and nonperishable things, like some good wine, olive oil, vinegar, maybe some fancy salts, herbs, crackers, dried pastas...things that they can use right away if they want to, or leave for a few days or weeks. Maybe some cheese that doesn't expire quickly. Olives, pickles, peppers...
dbcurrie at 2:09PM on 06/01/09
I have to agree with @dbcurrie nonperishables are probably the best way to go, along with a heartfelt note left in a promanate place. Especially if you arent familiar with any food related issues they may have, ie allergies or even just personal preferences. You could also include a gift card to a resteraunt of even a local grocery store.
huneybumper at 3:02PM on 06/01/09
Aw, c'mon, she wants to make something. @ embolini9, if the corn chowder has potatoes in it, that might not be the best thing to freeze. Potatoes get very soggy and spongy when frozen in soups or stews. You take a chance on keeping in the fridge.
Any of the frozen pasta or sauce suggestions sound great. Alternatively, bake several batches of cookies and/or muffins and freeze in portioned bags. They can take out a 6-pack of cookies or a 4-pack of muffins whenever they need. Brownies baked in two or three small tin foil pans, wrapped well, freeze great and stack flat in a small freezer. Just an option to consider.
zucchini at 5:36PM on 06/01/09
Perhaps baked goods like scones, cookies, etc., might be a better idea, since they are not as perishable, and can be kept at room temperature, to be nibbled on at leisure. Also, you can place them on the counter with a card, bow, flowers, etc., so they will make an instant impression.
I had a house guest leave bunches of freesia around in vases, and the whole place was filled with fragrant aroma when I walked in - splendid! Of course, that will only be a good thing if they like the scent, and are not allergic or anything.
Either way, it is a lovely gesture, and I am sure they will appreciate whatever you decide, as long as it doesn't spoil.
Cheers,
~ Paula
Paula Maack at 6:49PM on 06/01/09
So I've scoured the kitchen, and cannot find anything I could cook lasagne in. Here's what I have: two big pots, one frying pan, two small saucepans, and two smallish shallow clay dishes (the kind you make Indian food in, I can't remember the name!) I've mostly been cooking on the stove, because all they have is a convection oven.
I think I'll go with soup, probably the smoky chicken @dhorst recommended! And I think I'll round it out with some cookies, thanks @Paula Maack!
Yes, we are SO lucky, it was a great trip thanks to a great friend!
Thanks again, hope it goes well!
embolini9 at 5:58AM on 06/02/09