People are Pregnant People

I know alot of people who are pregnant right now. Seriously. Alot. Like 6 or 7. The one thing a new Mama needs is food. She needs help with cooking for her family. If you are pregnant or if you know someone who will deliver soon, here are some recipes that are good for sharing or freezing.

Poppy Seed Chicken

2 or 3 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1 16oz. sour cream
2 cans of cream of chicken
2 tbl. poppy seeds
ritz crackers
1 stick of butter

Mix the first 4 ingredients and put in casserole dish. Cover with crushed crackers. Melt butter and pour over. Bake for 20-30 minutes at 350.

Meaty Cheese Manicotti

1-8oz package of manicottii shells
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 med. onion, chopped
1 c. dry white wine
2 c. whipping cream
4 tsp. italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
Sprinkle of red pepper flakes
2 14.5 oz cans of diced tomatoes w/ basil, garlic & oregano
2 c. mozzarella cheese
3/4 c. shredded parmesan cheese

Cook pasta and set aside. Cook meat in olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Add onions. Drain and set aside. Add wine to skillet, stirring to loosen brown bits, bring to boil to cook off alcohol. Add whipping cream and the next 5 ingredients. Reduce heat, cover, set aside. Combine meat w/ mozzarella cheese and tomatoes. Use a spoon or ziploc bag (w/ corner cut off) to put mixture in the shells. Arrange shells in lightly greased baking dish. Pour cream mixture over shells. Bake covered for 20 minutes at 350. Uncover and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered for 10 more minutes.

These were left-overs and they still look this good.



Chicken Casserole

1 6oz. package of Uncle Ben's Wild Rice
1/4 cup of butter
1/4 cup of flour
1 - 13oz. can evaporated milk
1/2 cup of chicken broth
2 1/2 cups of chopped cooked chicken
1 3 oz. can of mushrooms (if you like them)
1/2 cup of chopped bell pepper
1/4 cup of slivered almonds

Prepare rice and set aside. Melt butter in saucepan. Slowly add flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually add milk and chicken broth. Cook over medium heat until thickened. Combine sauce, rice, chicken, pepper and mushrooms. Pour into a greased casserole dish. Cover with almonds. Refrigerate (if you can) for at least 1 hour. Cook for 35 minutes at 350.

Beef Enchiladas

1 lb hamburger meat
1 small onion, chopped
1 can of chopped black olives
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 can of enchilada sauce
8 oz of shredded cheddar cheese
6-8 flour tortillas

Brown the meat and saute the onions in with it. Once that is done, add in the olives and let it heat and then add in 3/4 of the cheese and let it melt - mix it all together. Fill tortillas with the meat mixture and roll up. Combine the mushroom soup and enchilada sauce and pour on top. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

One last note to add. When you prepare dinner for someone, make sure you cover all your angles. Take a salad or a side dish to go along with dinner. Also, throw in some bread. But always, always take a dessert. If you want to be super sweet, you can take 1 dish to eat and 1 dish to freeze.

I generally like to take food to people on their 3rd week post delivery. That's when its needed most I feel. Everybody takes food the 1st week. You're still ok that first week. It's when that 3rd week comes barreling in that you feel overwhelmed. So just wait a bit, use one of these recipes and then you'll be the star of the "Bringing Food Over Show." After all, these ladies just gave life to someone. They are tired. They are hungry and they still want to eat like they are pregnant. I say, give them butter, give them grease, give them Paula Deen casseroles.

People are Pregnant People!