Friend has no electric - want to give her hot food!

[inappropriateraspberry]

A friend has no electric at the moment and has a very cold flat with no heating or cooking facilities. I would like to make her a hot meal for the family, but was wondering what the best thing would be and how to keep it hot. I would give it to her on the school run this afternoon.
Was thinking something like a sausage stew that would be warming and filling.
Any ideas?

You can pickup thermos style lunch boxes op xx

I want to do it today, so unlikely to be able to get hold of something like that. I do have some soft 'cool boxes' and was wondering if they would also keep things warm.

Thats a really nice thought. Anything like soups, casseroles or one pot dishes. Could she get a gas camping stove? How long does she have to live like this?

What a lovely thing to do.
What about those large foil trays then wrap
In foil again and in a towel to keep it hot.

Jacket potatoes wrapped should keep warm well. Perhaps with a veggie chilli & some cheese to sprinkle on top! Probably best to avoid meat.
If you already have one- a thermos of hot chocolate would be nice too!

Yes cool boxes will help keep things warm. Especially foil lined ones.

She's waiting for it to be fixed! A leaky roof has let water on to the fuse box, so don't think it's a quick job!
It's been so cold the last few days I'm amazed at them sticking it out!

Sausage stew sounds like the right sort of thing - something wet not dry as water has a high specific heat capacity. Casserole rather than stew perhaps so the container is as hot as possible, and ceramic will lose heat less quickly than metal. also some foil wrapped jacket potatoes (large ones will retain heat better than small ones). Insulate as soon as done - eg wrap in a clean towel (but in a way that allows undoing without risk of spilling), maybe bubble wrap round that.

I don't know how long that will keep hot for but that's what I'd try.

@Hazelnutlatteplease

Yes cool boxes will help keep things warm. Especially foil lined ones.

Good idea! Did it think of foil - usually use it to line my tin hat 😆

That sounds like an emergency. Is it money or mishap that's put her in this position? Does she not have any relatives / close friends she and her child(ren) could stay with while it's sorted out?

It's a kind thought but I know I'd have more immediate concerns than a single meal if I were in that position.

What a lovely idea
Things you can probably do with what you already have at home:

• make it in a cast iron casserole dish
• wrap it in tin foil
• wrap it in newspaper
• wrap it in a towel
• wrap in in an isulated bag (I think that's what you mention you have)

The more layers, the better

(Ah, missed your update.) Awful timing for the fuse box!

Xpost - yes definitely use the cool box but in that case make sure the hot stuff doesn't damage the plastic.

It's council/housing association. They could relocate her but it may be miles away and she doesn't drive, so the children would miss school and she wouldn't be able to get back to meet contractors etc. The children have stayed at a friends overnight.
The problem is that the roof needs to be fixed before the electrics can be sorted. She is in the case and pushing them though. People are coming out to 'assess' etc, but it's never simple is it?

If you have spare bath towels to lend her, wrap the pot of whatever in towels packed tightly in a box. As long as she doesnt unwrap them, they can keep food warm. You can wrap bricks in tin foil and pop them in your oven for 30 minutes to pack around it too.

But even better as a pp said a camping stove would be perfect. Halfords have one at £12 - plus £10 for four bottles of gas. . .

I think they've got a camping stove - but you're a bit limited in what you can cook on them!

Or send her a takeaway via Just Eat?

If they've got a camping stove then do a one-pot casserole with pasta in it and they can reheat if necessary?

@AuntieDolly

Or send her a takeaway via Just Eat?

We're too rural unfortunately - nothing dSlivers out here!

Do you have any bubble wrap/padded envelopes? If so line the cool box with those as well if you have any. Even better if you have a hit water bottle put it under the pot of food as well. It will stay toasty for hours.

Buy her a camping stove! That would be the best present ever in these circumstances.

That way she can make a cup of tea as well as cooking simple food.

Oops cross post. In that case she’ll be able to reheat the food you make for her.

Have they got home insurance? Without electricity they would be put up in a hotel by the insurer

Well, I just checked with her to make sure she hasn't got someone else cooking and a neighbour is letting her cook in their kitchen tonight!
But thank you for the suggestions, I have told her to let me know if she wants something another night.