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Funeral Food Suggestions?

15 years ago

I'm going to a funeral tomorrow and need to take some food. I've never done this before and I'm not exactly sure what to take. I know there will be tons of Mexican food and BBQ along with potato salad, pinto beans, corn and rice, etc.

My initial inclination was to make a really rich and buttery coconut cake but is dessert usually overdone at these events? I don't usually make casserole type dishes but I'm open to anything at this point.

TIA,

Kelly

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Comments (11)

Rusty
15 years ago
Desserts are always good and a 'safe' choice. With an abundance of Mexican food and BBQ expected, you might consider a big pan of corn bread, or rolls or even tortillas. A platter of various fresh fruits always hits the spot at this type of thing, too.
Rusty
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patti43
15 years ago
How about taking paper products--plates, napkins, paper towels, plastic silverware and cups. Those are always appreciated. So is a can of coffee. A big ham and some bread might be good--should be on sale since Easter is over. I LOVE coconut cake, but most funerals do seem a bit on the heavy side as far as desserts go.

Hope Lindac sees this--she's the expert!!
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Terri_PacNW
15 years ago
I think you could take whatever you'd like. The coconut cake sounds great to me. But the other suggestions of bringing something that may complement or stretch what already is provided is good too..

I don't think you can go wrong with anything you choose.
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wizardnm
15 years ago
Maybe a nice fruit cobbler? I'd make it in a 9X13 disposable pan for easy clean up.

Nancy
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mustangs81
15 years ago
Along the same line of thinking as Nancy, think about what will make it easy on the family. No one is looking for additional complications at a time like this. When it is a neighbor or family member, I take my electric cooler (with your name on it) to provide extra cooling space. Disposables or at least serving pieces with your name on it.

I'm sure LindaC will have a guidance for you.
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dedtired
15 years ago
How about a Funeral Pie? It's what the Amish serve.

2 cups raisins
2 cups water
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 pinch salt
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 pastry for a 9 inch single crust pie

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Line a pan with half the pastry and chill. Place the raisins and 2/3 cup of the water in a saucepan and heat over medium heat for 5 minutes.

Combine the sugars, cornstarch, spices, and salt in a bowl and , mixing all the time, slowly add the remaining water. Add this mixture to the heating raisins. Cook and stir this until the mixture starts to bubble. Add the vinegar and butter and heat until the butter is melted. Cool until just warm. Pour into the prepared shell and top with the second crust. Bake 25 minutes or until golden. Cool.
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Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
15 years ago
Ham and Swiss cheese on croissants with some mayo/honey mustard. They will be gobbled up.
Beautifully arrange on some curly lettuce and a disposable silver (plastic) platter.
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lindac
15 years ago
Will this be for the family to have? or for the mourners to eat after or before the service?
I wouldn't make a coconut cake.....there amy be tons and tons of desserts and a coconut cake doesn't keep well.
If you want to take dessert ( always a good choice, especially if there will be kids involved)....a cookie or a brownie always makes things better. and can be easily frozen if there is too much.
If you are looking for food to take to a pot luck meal.....then what Bumblebeez suggessted is good, or a marinated pasta veggie salad ( can go hours without refrigeration)...or a cooler with a couple of dozen bottles of ice cold bottled water. I am amazed at how many grab on to those bottles like they are on a desert island!
Linda C
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lindac
15 years ago
ded....that pie sounds wonderful!....saving that one...maybe not for a funeral....but perhaps a special dessert....with icecream!
Linda C
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kellyeng
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you all for the great suggestions. I decided that I needed to make something I've made before and zeroed in on the corn bread idea. I have a great corn bread recipe so felt pretty comfortable about that. However, as I was looking for my recipe I came across my carrot cake recipe and decided to make that as well.

Regarding taking disposable items, I would not do that. This family is very environmentally conscious and disposable products are a big no-no. Instead, I will offer up my dish washing talents.

Thanks again!
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Marilyn Sue McClintock
15 years ago
When our church has a funeral dinner, they always ask me to bring yeast rolls. Other ladies they have bring other things. So it it a well rounded meal for those to have. They had never thought of having yeast rolls until one time I just brought them and since then that is what they want from me. They would always just serve bread, store bought.

Sue
0

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