I would make a couple of pounds of ground beef into sloppy joes (hamburger BBQ or whatever it's called where you live)and send along hot dog or hamburger rolls, a big bag of potato chips, a chunk of mild cheddar or longhorn cheese, and a jar of good pickles.

It's easy to heat in the microwave and can easily be frozen if they don't need it.

Here's an easy recipe I use:

SLOPPY JOES

1 lb. lean ground beef
2 medium or 1 large onion, finely minced
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup water
1 Tbs. sugar
1 Tbs. cider vinegar
1 Tbs. prepared mustard
1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce

Brown ground beef and onion together, breaking up beef into smaller pieces. Meanwhile, mix remaining ingredients together. When beef is no longer pink, drain off any excess fat. Add ketchup mixture and stir. Cook, uncovered, over low heat until sauce is reduced and onion is soft.

Notes: 1 Tbs. sweet pickle relish can be added at the end or some finely minced red or green pepper added along with the onion. Salt & pepper is usually not needed.

David :
Could you Prebake the Lasagna and Bring it over wrapped in Alluminum Foil.
It can be reheated in the Sun or Outdoors on a Barbecue.

You can also make a Chefs Salad with all the good things.
Not thinking too good right now.

Maybe I'll come up with something later
LOU

Perfect Ruthanna! Have the meat in the freezer and the rest on hand. I'll stop by the store and pic up buns, chips, and whatnot. Think I'll make a batch of CCC too.

Lou, duh! I should have thought of that too but I was a little off center when I asked for suggestions. Thanks!

David

David, I'm sorry for the loss.

For future, sometimes what I'll do is when I make my lasagna, I wait till it cools then cut it in half and wrap the halves in plastic wrap. They can then be heated in the microwave easily. You can wrap in the halves then in foil too to give to someone. When I do the whole halves in microwave I heat them on half power.

I love sloppy joes so that sounds good to me too. And of course CCC's can never be wrong.

David, sorry to read this. My sympathies to you and the family.

I may be too late, but what the crockpot french dip? All done and they can heat in the crock or microwave?

My sympathies to you and the family. I am very sorry that there's another loss.

Here's a recipe that might be good to take to them and is just great to have in the fridge for 'anytime'.

CORNBREAD SALAD

Serves 12

Pan size 9X13

1 (16 ounce) package corn bread mix
10 slices bacon
1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
2 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans, drained

3 tomatoes, chopped
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup chopped green onion
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
2 (11 ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained

Prepare corn bread according to package directions. Cool, crumble, and set aside.

Place bacon in a large deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble, and set aside.

Whisk together the dressing mix, sour cream, and mayonnaise.

Crumble half the corn bread in the bottom of a large serving dish. Top with half the beans. Layer the beans with half of the tomatoes, green bell pepper, and green onions. Sprinkle with half the cheese, corn, bacon, and the salad dressing mixture. Repeat the layers. Cover, and chill at least 2 hours before serving.

Nancy

How about a bowl of chicken salad and another of potato salad and a tray of cut veggies and/or perhaps fruit.
Good for snacking or a meal.
Linda C

David, I'm so sorry for the loss of your friends. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your friend's family.

As hot as it is, and we're feeling it here in Dallas as well, what about something along the lines of a cold soup like Gazpacho or avocado soup or something like that? Here's a recipe for Mexican Gazpacho that I have used as a starting point many times, although it's been a while since I've made it this way. I usually just start with canned tomatoes, a cucumber, a bell pepper, and go from there. In any case, here's the recipe I started out using years ago.

Mexican Gazpacho
from Jane Brody's Good Food Gourmet
Makes 6 servings (It could be easily doubled if necessary)

2 cups peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes (I usually used canned unless I have homegrown tomatoes on hand.)
1/2 cup 1/4-inch cubes cucumber
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped sweet green pepper
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
3 tablespoons chopped scallions
2 tablespoons minced green chilies or jalapenos
2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 large cloves)
1 cup tomato juice
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Combine the ingredients in a large bowl. Chill the gazpacho thoroughly before serving it.

The nice thing about this soup is it gets better the next day. I think it might go well with Nancy's corn bread salad.

Sally

So sorry to hear the news David.

I'm too late I know but my immediate thought was a selection of good cold meats and some nice buns along with a cole slaw. Easy to put together especially if they find themselves with people to feed.

Hugs to you Big Guy

Checking in late... just wanted to say thanks to all y'all!

I did go with the sloppy joes and cookies. A few of us chipped in for trays from a German deli for after the service today. Not cooking/homemade but it worked.

Thanks again!

David