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Video: Show someone you care with food

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    >>> so have you ever wanted to welcome a neighbor, help a new mom or comfort someone grieving? of course. if you have wondered when you had the experience what you could do to comfort them, how about a delicious meal? elizabeth mayhew has great ideas on what to bring for every occasion.

    >> good morning. how are you?

    >> this isovely idea. it seems like something that happened a long time ago that's comforting to experience.

    >> absolutely.

    >> your ideas are what to do with a grieving friend, new comfo comfocom baby.

    >> food is a lifeline to people in these situations. we can start with somebody grieving. having just been through it, i absolutely know what it's like to need food. you have a lot of people around. you want it to be as easy as possible which is why we suggest bringing it in a dish. let them keep the dish whether you go to the grocery store and buy pyrex or use foil. we did a sausage and vegetable and white bean bake. it's very simple.

    >> one-dish meal.

    >> you don't need a knife. fork only food. go ahead, cook it. wrap it inle fo foil. we make it nice with a dish towel, nice serving pieces and then just put in how to reheat it. cook, cool and wrap it.

    >> that's a great idea. what you have done with this one involving sausage, vegetables and bread crumbs, you're creating a comfort food here.

    >> this is all comfort food . that can feed a large number of people coming by the house.

    >> someone recuperating after an illness you have something substantial.

    >> right. we did a roast beef with garlic and rosemary. again, a one-dish meal. you have the tomatoes and potatoes. this is a $35 roasting pan from kohl's. you can give it to them raw or cook it. this meal is full of protein and iron. it has enough flavor for someone regaining their appetite. you can wrap it up, put it with a spoon or serving piece.

    >> it's a sweet idea to put ribbon, an extra something. you would want to cook it though, right?

    >> if someone's receiving a lot of food you may not want a lot of food. this can easily feed a family of four. but there will be leftovers. don't forget there are people going through it but also caregivers around. this is enough to feed everybody.

    >> and the house would smell great.

    >> that's right.

    >> for a new parent you have chicken pot pie .

    >> again, a one-dish meal. carrots, peas and everything going on. you can speed it up by buying a store bought pie crust or puff pastry and rotisserie chicken.

    >> put the stuff inside, make it pretty.

    >> we love this. these are containers from vonni. put it in and zip it up. what new parent won't bring it again and again to bring brownies to school.

    >> you don't have to buy something. you can just wrap it in foil if you like.

    >> of course.

    >> i like the idea of giving them the pyrex or finding something not too expensive, even at the grocery store .

    >> the last thing you want is to worry about returning it. always include the reheat instructions.

    >> what are these?

    >> these are recycled containers from stationarystudio.com. if you're making cookies like these chocolate peanut butter cookies , a lot of times you do it for teachers. they are actually offering a special discount now to "today" viewers.

    >> who?

    >> stationery studio. they send you the kit.

    >> you can also use old bulk jars and things you have collected.

    >> absolutely. it's the idea of one- stop shopping . get it done in bulk to make it easier.

    >> new neighbor. what's better than a basket of blueberry muffins?

    >> i do this a lot.

    >> and you matched it with the fabric.

    >> it's also bringing a dish towel. it's about the packaging to say you spent time doing it. le you can go to googlemaps, print out your area and just annotate for them the best florist, best coffee. welcome them to the neighborhood.

    >> wow. why have i not heard of this before? somebody's given me a list before and i have given people a list.

    >> google maps.

    >> the idea to print it out and label it.

    >> the point is you're supposed to be taking care of people. what better way than through food?

    >> you're awesome. great ideas. thanks for inspiring us to do this and be kinder and more generous to people in

TODAY recipes
updated 3/2/2011 8:30:32 PM ET 2011-03-03T01:30:32

Image: Book cover for "The Good Neighbor Cookbook"
Andrews McMeel Publishing

There are times when food truly shows how much you care. When people in your life are grieving, adapting to life with a new baby, overcoming an illness or adjusting to a move to a new neighborhood, your gift of food can help them get grounded again. Here are recipes for five comforting, thoughtful dishes from "The Good Neighbor Cookbook" by Sara Quessenberry and Suzanne Schlosberg (Andrews McMeel Publishing).

Recipe: Italian sausage and white bean bake (on this page) Recipe: Rosemary beef with roasted tomatoes and potatoes (on this page) Recipe: Spring vegetable chicken potpie (on this page) Recipe: Brown butter blueberry muffins (on this page) Recipe: Peanut butter chip chocolate cookies (on this page)

Recipe: Italian sausage and white bean bake

Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 1/2 pounds Italian sausage, cut crosswise into 2-inch pieces
  • 3 leeks (white and light green parts), halved lengthwise and sliced into half-moons
  • 2 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans white beans, such as cannellini or Great Northern, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups fresh coarse bread crumbs
Preparation

This baked casserole is especially satisfying, with its combination of beans, sausage, and crispy bread crumb topping. It’s also great for leftovers the next day.

To prepare:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and cook until browned, 6 to 8 minutes; transfer to a plate and wipe out the pot.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in the same pot over medium-high heat. Add the leeks, carrots, and garlic, and cook, stirring often, until beginning to soften, 5 to 6 minutes.

Add the wine and cook for 1 minute, then add the tomatoes and bring to a boil. Stir in the beans, parsley, salt, pepper, and the cooked sausage. Transfer to a 3-quart casserole dish.

In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle over the bean mixture and bake until the top is golden brown and crispy and the bean mixture is bubbling, about 30 minutes.

Cook’s tip: To make fresh bread crumbs, place torn pieces of day-old bread into the bowl of a food processor, and pulse a few times until coarse crumbs form. These are great on mac ’n’ cheese and other baked casseroles too.

Serving Size

Serves 8. Prep time: 25 minutes. Total time: 1 hour.

Recipe: Rosemary beef with roasted tomatoes and potatoes

Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 pounds baby red potatoes, quartered
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 pounds beef roast, such as rib, rump or sirloin tip
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
Preparation

When you are regaining your appetite, sometimes there is just no substitute for beef. This simply seasoned, one-pan meal is plenty for a family of four, with enough leftovers for an amazing roast beef and tomato sandwich. Either roast this dish at home or deliver it ready to roast, along with the simple cooking instructions.

To prepare:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

On a rimmed baking sheet, combine the potatoes, tomatoes, 3 tablespoons of the oil, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper.

Season the meat with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and place in the middle of the pan, pushing the vegetables aside as necessary.

In a small bowl, combine the garlic, rosemary, and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Rub evenly over the meat. Roast the meat to the desired doneness, stirring the vegetables once, about 1 hour 15 minutes for medium-rare (130 degrees F internal temperature). Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Serving Size

Serves 4 to 6. Prep time: 15 minutes. Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Recipe: Spring vegetable chicken potpie

Ingredients
  • 4 bone-in chicken breast halves (about 3 pounds)
  • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 leeks (white and light green parts), halved lengthwise and sliced into half-moons
  • 4 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
  • 1 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (from a 17.25-ounce package), thawed
Preparation

Nothing is more satisfying than a chicken potpie, with its flaky top and succulent filling. This updated version has a puff pastry top and an all-breast-meat filling spiked with vegetables and fresh herbs. It’s not the quickest recipe in the book, to be sure, but it’s well worth the effort. If you’re in a hurry, using a rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver.

To prepare:
Place the chicken and enough chicken broth to cover (adding water, if necessary) in a large pot and bring to a boil. Decrease the heat and gently simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a bowl and, when cool enough to handle, shred into pieces. Reserve 2 1/2 cups of the broth, and refrigerate or freeze the rest of the broth for another use.

Meanwhile, heat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the leeks, carrots, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and cook, stirring often, until beginning to soften, 8 to 10 minutes (decrease the heat, as necessary, to prevent scorching). Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually stir in the wine and 2 1/2 cups of the reserved chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the peas, parsley, tarragon, pepper, chicken and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Transfer to an 8-inch square (1 1/2-quart) baking dish. Place the puff pastry over the top of the chicken and vegetables, letting it hang over the sides of the dish, and cut vents in the top. Place the dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the top is golden brown and crisp, 35 to 40 minutes.

Cook’s tip: You can make the filling up to a day in advance, transfer it to the baking dish, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, top with the puff pastry, and then bake according to recipe instructions, adding 5 to 10 minutes to the cooking time.

Serving Size

Serves 4 to 6. Prep time: 45 minutes. Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes.

Recipe: Brown butter blueberry muffins

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 6 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) fresh blueberries
Preparation

The brown butter in this recipe adds a delectable nuttiness and richness to everyone’s favorite muffin. These are great to have on hand for breakfast or an odd-hour pick-me-up.

To prepare:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a regular 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/2 cup of the sugar, the baking powder and salt and make a well in the center.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once it is melted, swirl the pan until the butter begins to brown and smells beautifully nutty, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Pour the butter, milk, and egg into the well of the flour and gently stir to combine (a few lumps in the batter are okay — do not overmix). Fold in the blueberries. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups and sprinkle the tops with the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 16 to 20 minutes. Let cool on wire racks before unmolding.

Cook’s tip: Muffins freeze well. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Serving Size

Makes 12 muffins. Prep time: 15 minutes. Total time: 35 minutes.

Recipe: Peanut butter chip chocolate cookies

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 1/3 cups (two 10-ounce packages) peanut butter chips
Preparation

Peanut butter and chocolate is, of course, the ultimate indulgence. These cakelike cookies are best when ever-so-slightly underbaked.

To prepare:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.

Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer with a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. With the mixer on low speed, mix in the flour mixture until just combined (the batter will be very stiff). Stir in the peanut butter chips.

Drop heaping tablespoon–size mounds of the batter 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until firm around the edges but still soft in the middle, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets before transferring the cookies to wire racks.

Cook’s tip: Store in an airtight container for up to two days. Or freeze in portioned mounds for up to one month. Bake directly from the freezer for 12 to 15 minutes.

Serving Size

Makes 48 cookies. Prep time: 20 minutes. Total time: 40 minutes.

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