I am usually one to avoid the commercial parts of Christmas and instead visit flea markets and antiques shops for special gifts. This year my budget is small and spreading cheer with the gift of a homemade casserole is the way I will celebrate my good friends and family.
Pot pie is easy to make, delicious and perfect to pack and deliver. Friends are always grateful for gifts but just imagine recieving a freshly made dinner pie right around 5:30 when the kids have a holiday concert and there are teacher gifts to ready for the last day before holiday break. You can use a rotissarie chicken, frozen vegetables mixed with a delicious sauce and homemade biscuits to top it off.
Cooked and crumbled ground turkey, pizza sauce and green beans simmered on the stove. Fill a compote or casserole and top with fluffy mashed potatoes. Brush with butter and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Edit the turkey meat and add cooked carrots for a wonderful and tasty vegetarian entree.
Holiday ham reinvents nicely in this potato ham casserole with carrots, sharp cheddar and buttered bread crumbs. It makes a delicious side dish on a buffet, great to tote as a pot luck or just a hearty dish to have around when everyone is coming and going from different festivities.
Everyone eats and everyone could use a break in cooking and preparing food. These dinners are great and memorable gifts that are always appreciated.
December 16th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
What a great post. You are so right. This is a season where everyone is incredibly busy, and such a gift would warm not only one’s belly but also their heart. I love thoughtful gifts the best, and I would be thrilled to bits if someone landed at my door with a lovely, home-cooked meal.
I remember when my youngest was a newborn, I had to take her to the doctor’s for a check-up and left my husband in charge with dinner. While he is a very good cook, on this occasion he made fish (not my favourite) and the “aroma” when I arrived nearly brought me to frustrated tears. I was famished, tired, and an emotional new mother. To my huge relief and delight, a good friend knocked on the door and bustled in with the most heavenly meat pie…my favourite! I will never forget the feeling of gratitude and relief I experienced. My husband was pretty happy she saved the day, too!!
I don’t know why I shared that, but I guess you just sparked a good memory.I am off to think of who I can give a meal/gift to…!