Very kind of you!

I'd bring something that can easily be portioned and frozen for later, if needed. Hearty soups, meatballs, some kind of pasta - ziti or lasagne. Even a loaf of fresh bread, if you're a baker, I'm sure would be appreciated.

AM

Soup or stew with some rolls.

I would fix them soup and homemade bread, cornbread, or rolls. Either make a vegetable soup or ask if they are vegetarian.

Another idea would be a baked ziti casserole with a good marinara with some zucchini or other vegetables in it. Add some good bread.

Do you know if they have real food preferences? Are they vegetarian? Diabetic? Gluten free?

Ask what they would like before you show up at the door with something inappropriate.

Thank you for all your responses. Some really good suggestions. I'll have to ponder them. As I said I don't know anything about their culinary preferences whatsoever. I know they appreciate a good bottle of wine but she's nursing so that's out.

Love the bread idea and I enjoy making bread so I think I'll do that this weekend for sure. Soup or pasta also sound great especially with us still having snow on the ground here. This morning I could see patches of lawn though so that's encouraging!

Again thanks for the great feedback.

Kate

My thought was a pot roast or pulled pork? Meatloaf? Soup, stew or chili can be iffy depending on their preferences but the traditional comfort foods are usually winners. Go easy on seasonings, maybe put sauces on the side. Country style ribs or any ribs but country style are so easy and a good value. Lasagna, macaroni hotdish, or most any pasta is good. I'd aim for simple, not heavily seasoned and see how it goes.

You can always ask what they're doing for food. Maybe ask what they miss most and use that as an idea if you don't want to tell them you're bringing it over. Or just say, hey I'm making _____ and will bring some over so you won't have to cook today, tomorrow, this weekend or whenever.

Very thoughtful of you.

Like Sushipup first suggested - ask.

I'd also offer to baby sit a little so she can sleep? Or help out with anything else they need, like call them before you go grocery/marketing to see if you can pick up anything for them.

Can you be my neighbor?

In addition to lightly seasoned,
Consider meals that can be eaten one handed.

You know, holding the baby on one arm,
Eating with the other. . . .

Rusty

I would roast or otherwise cook, bone-in(juicier lately) chicken breasts and package them individually. Then I would cook some plain pasta, put in individually portioned, sandwich zip locks. I would freeze both the chicken and pasta. Mommy can defrost or nuke for her family. Noodles are a mother's best friend(for the 2 yr. old). I just did part of this today!

My dil has a new job, very demanding. Live around the corner. So today I made 7 bone-in chicken breasts, roasted with a touch of soy, and packed individually. I made spaghetti meat sauce, (we are quite happy with Ragu (chunky w garlic, onions & ?-blue label + cooked, well drained good ground beef=1 reg size jar+1+lb. of ground beef)--- some delicious orange cheddar, I roasted 4 beets(they are very sloppy but healthy-I haven't a clue whether they will eat them but my son is a vacuum---An artisan bread I baked today-

Brunswick stew would be nice. She can repackage any leftovers for the freezer.

Yeah, they could be vegan, or have food allergies or who knows what. I would definitely visit them and have a conversation with them before getting into any heavy food prep. Just doesn't make sense unless you know what they might need. Also, many people are weird about other people they hardly know giving them food items...even if it is in a best of intentions basis. I would be one of those people. I'm kinda weird about other people giving me food, especially homemade stuff. I know it may be given in good intentions but still.....

Duane

I just made some incredible Cream of Tomato Soup tonight that tasted like the kind of thing I wished I'd had the opportunity to eat when I was a kid. With a grilled pimento cheese sandwich, it leaned toward gourmet food because it was...Real! (Nothing like a can of Campbell's if you know what I mean.) If you'd like the recipe, I would think it would be much appreciated by everyone, and I was able to start/complete the soup in 30 minutes. It's a nice gesture and a wonderful thought, sharing your time and some food with your new neighbor. I hope she turns out to be a friend.

Kate I think that's a lovely thought. I'd be inclined toward a soup. Claires idea of Tomato sounds good as would a chicken noodle. That and some fresh bread.

Pasta is another good choice if they like wine they like pasta! I'd be inclined to make a casserole style pasta dish so they can easily heat cook it. Also god for portioning up for later. Keep it simple so it appeals to the 2 year old and easy on the spices 'cause they are going to end up in new babies tummy! Maybe a "beefaroni" style one or even ham and cheese.

Claire, I'd love the recipe. My daughter has started packing lunches for work and she loves Toamto soup.

I would roast a chicken and bring a pan of brownies. The chicken could be eaten that day, or served cold, or for sandwiches... so easy and flexible.

Btw, a sweet here and there isn't going to sabotage anything, especially if she is nursing. If nothing else, dad and the son might like them.

You're a great neighbor!
Jo

Sure Sharon! It was so good, and easy too. I'm thinking about making this regularly, now that I've tasted it, and the best part is it uses pantry staples.

Classic Tomato Soup
Cooks Country, February/March 2011

2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
3 T. unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped
1 bay leaf
1 t. brown sugar
2 T. tomato paste
2 T. all-purpose flour
1/2 t. baking soda
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream

Drain tomatoes in a colander set over a large bowl, pressing lightly to release juices. Transfer tomato juice and chicken broth to a large measuring cup. (Mixture should measure about 4 cups.) Reserve.

Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add two-thirds of drained tomatoes, bay leaf, and brown sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to brown, about 15 minutes.

Add tomato paste and flour to pot and cook, stirring frequently, until paste begins to darken, 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly stir in reserved tomato juice/broth mixture, remaining tomatoes, baking soda, and 1/2 t. salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Discard bay leaf. Puree soup in batches. Return pureed soup to pot and stir in cream. Season with salt and pepper. Serve. (Soup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 3 days.)

Thank you all very kindly. You have given me some great suggestions.

Kate

We had a family crisis a few years ago and a neighbor brought over a roasted chicken with roasted potatoes. A container of chicken gravy, fresh green beans, small salad and rolls a plate of brownies.

It came at such a helpful time when cooking was the last thing I could think of. It fed 5 people, who didn't realize they were starving. The chicken was the best I ever had. Everything was on disposable trays and there was no clean-up.

Everyone eats chicken and its easy on the stomach.

Jane

Not everyone eats chicken. People with fish/chicken allergies, vegetarians, etc.

Please don't assume when you take a wonderful gift like this. There would be nothing worse than standing at the door with your perfect chicken/stew/soup and seeing your friend react, then cover for it. Know what I mean?

I think it is always good to know what the neighbor would prefer going into this. However, I can't imagine anyone turning down a gift of a home cooked meal. They might not eat it but surely they would appreciate the gesture.

And of course you could always segway into the visit with "I was not sure of your dietary preferences."

Teresa - up north and shoveling