I just learned about tuna-wiggle this week myself when I was in a conversation with friends about tuna casserole. And one friend chimed in that her parents called it tuna-wiggle. I Googled it and come to find that term was prevalent in the Northeast, particularly among previous generations. That's all I know! Do you have a thought about it?
Thanks for all of these great ideas! I also try to include something for breakfast (egg soufflé , french toast bake, bagels and cream cheese). No one thinks about breakfast and friends have appreciated having one more meal covered. LOVE the frozen cookie dough...won't do a drop off without that again.
YES! I've done a french toast casserole many times and its always a hit. Same with lunch, I'll drop off a bag of sammie supplies because sometimes people just focus on dinner!
I usually marinate and grill some chicken breasts and make a big green salad. (With cut up fruit and some dessert) It’s kind of the anti-heavy-casserole meal. Plus, when I bring someone a meal I start second-guessing everything I feed my family and my own abilities and decide we eat weird stuff that no one else will like.
i relate to this so much. i get so stressed that people won't like it, when really MOST people love everything... it's only the few random friends who are picky!!
These are all really good! Similar to your fajitas, I'll do a taco night - make up some ground beef or carne asada, and some shredded chicken or carnitas, and put that in foil bread pans. Then I fill the rest of a foil turkey roasting pan with taco fixins — tortillas/shells (usually a mix, with some corn tortillas in case), a bag or two of the uncle bens microwave rice, a jar of salsa, jar of hot sauce, a bag of lettuce, individual guac cups (lasts longer than the big container or homemade), bag of cheese...its especially good if you might not know exactly what they like if they're new to the neighborhood or whatever!
I dropped off your chicken flautas just this week to a family with a new baby at home. Labeled it as baby’s first taco Tuesday/fiesta etc. Thought a handheld meal would be appreciated for this family with 2 under 2. I try to include fresh fruit already washed/cut. And a reminder NOT to send a thank you note.
Scaled the orzetto up for 4 families by cooking the meatballs in the oven and using my big stockpot. It worked perfectly, and was a TOTAL HIT all around!
2nd time we made the meatballs/orzotto, but changed it up a bit this time with half turkey & half beef for the meatballs. Added shredded zucchini to the pot when adding couscous instead of orzo pasta. It was delicious!
That recipe was written before Substack introduced the ability to attach PDFs, so there isn't one! Best thing is to copy and paste it into a word doc and print it out :)
Really love this post and all of the ideas from the comments, too!
For my meals, I typically swap between taco bowl fixings (ground meat, rice, beans, all the toppings plus tortillas & taco shells) or pulled pork sliders with baked beans & potato salad (we keep a pulled pork from Costco/Sam’s plus Hawaiian buns in our freezer at all times so we can always be ready!)
I always do dessert too - usually brownies but I’m going to do the frozen cookie idea next time! If they have kids, I try to bring fruit too for an easy side.
I'm partial to tuna-wiggle!
tell us more!!!!!
I just learned about tuna-wiggle this week myself when I was in a conversation with friends about tuna casserole. And one friend chimed in that her parents called it tuna-wiggle. I Googled it and come to find that term was prevalent in the Northeast, particularly among previous generations. That's all I know! Do you have a thought about it?
looove a tuna noodle salad. i've never heard this name and i LOVE IT
Thanks for all of these great ideas! I also try to include something for breakfast (egg soufflé , french toast bake, bagels and cream cheese). No one thinks about breakfast and friends have appreciated having one more meal covered. LOVE the frozen cookie dough...won't do a drop off without that again.
absolutely love this idea. homemade granola would be a great one too!!
YES! I've done a french toast casserole many times and its always a hit. Same with lunch, I'll drop off a bag of sammie supplies because sometimes people just focus on dinner!
YUM. and i always crave sweet things when i'm postpartum!
Exactly! Love the sandwich idea. And easy for older kids to make for themselves
I usually marinate and grill some chicken breasts and make a big green salad. (With cut up fruit and some dessert) It’s kind of the anti-heavy-casserole meal. Plus, when I bring someone a meal I start second-guessing everything I feed my family and my own abilities and decide we eat weird stuff that no one else will like.
i relate to this so much. i get so stressed that people won't like it, when really MOST people love everything... it's only the few random friends who are picky!!
These are all really good! Similar to your fajitas, I'll do a taco night - make up some ground beef or carne asada, and some shredded chicken or carnitas, and put that in foil bread pans. Then I fill the rest of a foil turkey roasting pan with taco fixins — tortillas/shells (usually a mix, with some corn tortillas in case), a bag or two of the uncle bens microwave rice, a jar of salsa, jar of hot sauce, a bag of lettuce, individual guac cups (lasts longer than the big container or homemade), bag of cheese...its especially good if you might not know exactly what they like if they're new to the neighborhood or whatever!
LOVE THIS.
I dropped off your chicken flautas just this week to a family with a new baby at home. Labeled it as baby’s first taco Tuesday/fiesta etc. Thought a handheld meal would be appreciated for this family with 2 under 2. I try to include fresh fruit already washed/cut. And a reminder NOT to send a thank you note.
Brilliant! I have made those chicken flautas an embarrassing number of times since they were posted. They would be perfect for a drop off meal!
Ooo those chicken flautas are so good! I'm totally making those next time I drop off a meal
Scaled the orzetto up for 4 families by cooking the meatballs in the oven and using my big stockpot. It worked perfectly, and was a TOTAL HIT all around!
FABBBB tip!!!!! love this so much!!
2nd time we made the meatballs/orzotto, but changed it up a bit this time with half turkey & half beef for the meatballs. Added shredded zucchini to the pot when adding couscous instead of orzo pasta. It was delicious!
omg YUMMM!!!
Have gotten rave reviews for your chicken spaghetti squash Parmesan from new mamas!! I served with an Italian salad and bread and wine.
YES such a good one because it's comfort food meets healthy food! love that! here's the recipe for anyone looking for it! https://www.instagram.com/reel/CU57EM3AN74/?utm_medium=share_sheet please ignore how i'm awkwardly crouching the entire time lol
The chicky parm burgers have become my new parent drop off meal go-to! Handheld, easily reheated, and not your usual! LOVE these new ideas!!
hand held is so huge for new parents!!! and those burgers really do reheat so well, this is genius!
what an amazing content thanks for sharing
The meatballs and orzotto were a big hit with my husband and two year olds and perfect to drop off to a friend who recently had a baby.
two year olds LOVE these meatballs! so glad yours did too!!!! you're such a great friend for bringing this to a friend <3
How do I get the printer friendly version of the broccoli pot pie recipe?
That recipe was written before Substack introduced the ability to attach PDFs, so there isn't one! Best thing is to copy and paste it into a word doc and print it out :)
This is such a great list! I’m going to use it for myself too!
Also, I know of a charity called Lasagna Love that will take donated meals like this to people in need. I should whip up a few and donate them.
Really love this post and all of the ideas from the comments, too!
For my meals, I typically swap between taco bowl fixings (ground meat, rice, beans, all the toppings plus tortillas & taco shells) or pulled pork sliders with baked beans & potato salad (we keep a pulled pork from Costco/Sam’s plus Hawaiian buns in our freezer at all times so we can always be ready!)
I always do dessert too - usually brownies but I’m going to do the frozen cookie idea next time! If they have kids, I try to bring fruit too for an easy side.
This is all I’ve ever wanted! Thank you b
Love these ideas!