COOKING FOR THE SICK AND NEEDY

Janice has come down with what is probably the flu. The phone conversation we had on Friday went something like this:

Janice (feeble, rasping voice): I’m a bit worried about dad.
Me: Why?
Janice: I don’t know what he’s going to eat this week.
Me: Oh. Can he make something for himself?
Janice: He’s been making sandwiches…I just can’t stand the smell of cooking.
Me: Ok. Can he get takeaway?
Janice: I’m trying to keep him on the straight and narrow.
Me: So.. you'd like me to bring round a casserole?
Janice: Yes please.


Now, I know my parents’ tastes quite well, but when you’re bringing food to sick/busy/stressed people you don’t know so intimately, there are some rules I believe are useful for avoiding food-related awkwardness, the wisdom of which I will now impart:


8 Golden Rules for Taking Food to your Sick and Needy Fellow Man

1) Do choose something that would appeal to most tastes. Ask them if they’ll eat it if you like, but don’t put the meal choice onto them. You are trying to make things easier.

2) Do save the lambs brains and ox tongue for your own family. Chicken or beef are sure bets.

3) Don’t make your ‘authentic’ Asian stir-fry for an Asian family, no matter how cute or thoughtful you think it might be.

4) Don’t make your hottest curry. This may be counterproductive.

5) Don’t talk about where and when they have to remember to give you your casserole dish back.

6) Don’t bring over a covered plate of steaks with three sides of different vegies and a crusty loaf plus a little container of steak sauce plus corn on the cob you’ve got to microwave for two-and-a-half-minutes…. A one-pot meal is ideal.

7) Don’t sit down at their table, tuck a napkin into your collar and start pounding cutlery on the table. Let the poor folks eat it in peace.

8) Do ensure that whatever you bring is a hearty size – leftovers are most helpful.


The dish I ended up taking (and yes, I did manage not to break rule #7 ) is one of my talented mother-in-law's regulars and one I recommend for situations such as this, as it makes heaps and most people like it:


Chicken Divan

4-5 chicken breasts or a whole chicken, boiled and cut up
500ml sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup, or any condensed soup really
1 tbsp mild curry powder
2 tbsp mayonnaise
croutons (easy option: butter bread on both sides, toast in toaster, cut into squares)

Arrange chicken and broccoli in a casserole dish. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over. Cover with croutons. Cook in moderate oven 20-30 mins.