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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nI\u2019ve settled on some simple combinations I can make quickly and drop off by the door. I\u2019m keeping these gluten-free. By using non-dairy milk and cheese, many can easily be dairy-free as well. If you\u2019re needing some similar options, here are a few ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potato soup (not dairy-free).<\/strong> Purchase already prepared mashed potatoes (not dried potato flakes). Place them in a large pot over low to medium heat. Thin with gluten-free chicken broth<\/a> <\/a>the desired thickness. Add a dash of garlic powder and fresh ground black pepper. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Make the soup even richer by stirring in some shredded cheese \u2013 cheddar, Monterrey Jack, asiago, parmesan, or a blend. If this makes the soup too thick, add more chicken broth. For extra flair, include some canned, fire-roasted corn and garnish with chives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carnitas enchiladas.<\/strong> Purchase prepared gluten-free slow-cooked pork carnitas, canned refried beans, cheese, soft corn tortillas, and gluten-free green enchilada sauce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Place the pork in a large skillet. Add refried\nbeans (about 1\/2 can or until the balance looks right to you), cheese, and a\nfew tablespoons of enchilada sauce. Sprinkle with garlic powder and cumin. Exact\nproportions can vary and this will still be delicious. Simmer for a few minutes\nwhile you heat the corn tortillas in the oven or in a skillet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fill each tortilla with mixture from skillet.\nPlace open side down in a disposable baking pan sprayed with olive oil spray. Top\nwith enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake at 350\u2070 for 15-20 minutes or until\ncheese melts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because this starts with warm tortillas and fully cooked, warmed filling, there\u2019s no need to bake for a long time. That means, I don\u2019t worry about covering these with foil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chicken stew.<\/strong> Begin with 32 oz gluten-free chicken broth and a cup or two of water. Add a couple of shallots or half an onion and a clove or two of garlic that are peeled, but not sliced or chopped (you\u2019ll remove them later). Sprinkle in some garlic powder and a few red pepper flakes. Simmer for a few minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Add a drained can of diced potatoes, a drained can of black beans, and a drained\ncan of corn (if desired). If more liquid is needed, add either chicken stock or\nwater. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After the stew simmers for a few minutes, add some pulled rotisserie chicken.\nYou may need to break the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Continue to simmer\nfor a few minutes. Remove the shallots or onion and garlic. Taste. Add salt and\nblack pepper if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use only corn and potatoes. You can use black beans and corn, but substitute quick-cooking rice for the beans. There are many other options I haven\u2019t mentioned that can be tailored to your friend\u2019s tastes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I like to put my deliveries in disposable, reusable containers that are microwave<\/a> or oven<\/a> safe so that my sick friend can reheat right in the container. I also don\u2019t want them to have to worry about returning a dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Snack basket.<\/strong> When you\u2019re sick, you may feel well enough to focus on necessities but leave it up to your friends to provide the frivolous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you know the kind of snacks\nyour friend likes, put those in a basket or a cute bag along with a few\nmagazines, a crossword or sudoku book, an adult coloring book, or a puzzle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I include things like dried figs, cocoa dusted almonds, dried Bing cherries, candied or spiced pecans, gluten-free pretzels and hummus, corn or grain-free tortilla chips with individual size guacamole, a selection of cheese (look for samples), pepperoncini peppers, stuffed olives, summer sausage, gourmet chocolate bars, and unsweetened, flavored water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The choices are truly endless!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Breakfast basket.<\/strong> These are easy to do and fill a gap that most people don\u2019t think about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fill a basket or bag with an assortment of gluten-free bagels, donuts, banana bread, muffins, cinnamon rolls, rugelach<\/a>, and English muffins. Add some gourmet coffee or tea and jam or jelly. Perhaps put in apples, bananas, oranges, and grapes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Providing food to a sick friend is a kind gesture. Lessening the financial burden and time commitment for yourself is also a kind gesture. With easy peasy drop-off food, you can be kind to all involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n