Meal prep for expecting friends

[HouseIsOnFire]

Hello, my friend is expecting in March and I wanted to create some easy meals they can easily heat through/cook from frozen with minimal effort for after the baby is born.

Was wondering if people could share their best cook from frozen recipes/ anything particularly sucessful in similar circumstances?

No dietary restrictions, though she plans on breast feeding and he's not a massive potato fan!

Thanks 😊

Most things in a sauce freeze well and are easily reheated.
Curries - loads of possibilities but I'd probably go with one chicken, one veg
Meat or vegetable chilli
Sausage casserole
Beef in ale casserole
Chicken in red wine
Pork tenderloin with apples and shallots cooked in cider
Chicken tagine
Mediterranean vegetable pasta bake
Macaroni cheese
Fish pie/cottage pie if a potato top would be ok or sub white potatoes for sweet.
Bolognaise
Arabiata sauce (they can just add fresh pasta)

Most of these can be eaten with just a fork too, which is handy if you have a baby you can't put down. I'd be tempted to include a few pouches of microwave rice, part baked baguette, wraps, naan depending on what you make.

Do they actually want them? It's a kind gesture but I loved cooking when I had a newborn; it was my favourite part of the day and we never ate anything we'd prepped in advance.

Otherwise, things that can be eaten one handed are best. We ate a lot of risotto and things with rice/pasta!

Yeah, I'd check. My neighbour went through a fad of cooking for us. It drove me mental. It was well meant but I absolutely couldn't stand it.

I have done this for friends and vice versa and it’s been much appreciated but check first - or use it as an excuse to visit for a couple of hours and catch up while you cook and she puts her feet up.

For recipes have a look at the series of ‘best ever x ‘ in the Guardian, I like it for slightly fancier versions of classics like bolognese, chill, curries etc.

@mynameiscalypso @coodawoodashooda they've been pretty open with hints about it so definitely would be appreciated. Also he cannot cook, he served pasta with yoghurt the other day???

Was thinking maybe 6-7 frozen meals and then asking if they wanted more after

Will check out the guardian thanks!

Wouldn't be able to chat and cook at their's due to layout, so much easier to cook and take there

Thank you, great list!

Do you think pasta bakes freeze ok? What's your secret? Mine come out slimey!

This chicken pie filling freezes beautifully. One pre-made flaky pie crust and job done!

(I mix in frozen peas and a can of drained chick peas to boost the veg content)

www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/modern-chicken-potpie-58ce9ec41406b443e2a1377e

It may be nice to get them a cook voucher they do a new parent one with discounts. Means they can choose themselves and you don't have to worry about making sure they like it

Deff things you can do with one hand .we bought few of those high sided pasta bowls,and an end of sofa tray to go in the hamper which were told saved the day too!
We also bought a spork as a joke but you might be a less mic taking friend than that!

We all find ready meals far too salty and it's so expensive for what you get, so really would prefer to sticking to proper scratch cooking

Oooh lovely, I have frozen pastry from the last lot I made, so that's perfect!

Absolutely not, am off to google glittery sporks...!

haha do.they are kind of fab. we have several in our car!!