Food for Love
I want to thank Milo for the inspriation for this blog. Our discussion got me thinking about what I was aught when I was young about cooking and feeding others. Growing up, one of the things my mother and my Bubby taught me is that feeding others was a way of saying I love you. They taught me that serving others food was a way of saying I love you. I may not have much in my life, but the one thing I have is the ability to feed others. I love helping others and lightening their load by taking one thing off their plates, like cooking for them. Feeding others is a way to say I care, I want to help and sometimes thank you .
My neighbors, for example, kind of adopted Zoe and I about 11 years ago when she was battling cancer. They would snowblow the driveway, mow the yard or perform other random acts of kindness and always did things out of the goodness of their hearts. I decided to thank them with one thing Zoe says I do best – cook. My neighbor Phil loves my lasagna, Larry used to crave my homemade bread and my cookies. Phil’s wife wanted to go out with the girls one night and was behind schedule so I made her a tray of lasagna. Other times I have made them pepperoni cheese bread, soups, and other dishes they would let me know they loved.
I always cook Zoe’s favorites, even when I don’t like them. Like her cabbage casserole, which I have veganized so she can still eat it. It fills my heart to watch her really enjoy each bite on her plate. She likes simple things like lemon butter angel hair pasta, mac and cheese, lasagna, baked ziti, and anything crispy, crunchy, and comforting.
Some of my fondest memories the last year have been in helping others. There was the time my friend Bek and their wife were going through a really rough time. So a friend driving out that way bought them hot meals in the midst of a snow storm. I don’t remember what I sent them while they were in quarantine, but I remember how much it meant to them and how it made them feel loved. (I think it was some leftover chili mac and some other little goodies)That made it so worthwhile.
Then there was the containers I left for my chair and his family when they were coming home after having given birth to their 2nd child. I remember making a huge container of my vegan chili, one of baked orzo, one of my favorite dishes, and one of vegan brownies and one of vegan chocolate chip cookies. They sent me a video of their 4 year old negotiating for more cookies and showing me how 5 really looked more like 10.
The thing about feeding others is about lightening their loads. My friends could have taken care of themselves, but I know I could do something to make what they were going through a bit easier and so I did.
Cooking for others, whether is a tin of cookies, a loaf of bread or food left on their front porches, makes me feel like I am making a difference in the world. Sometimes, Zoe and I invite others over, although not as often since Covid. There is nothing like thinking about the people I love and the foods they enjoy, preparing them and watching them enjoy each bite. Below are some of my friends favorite recipes which are so easy to make and always make them feel loved.
Healthy Slow Cooker Chipotle Bean Chili – if you can open a can, you can make this.
Meat Lasagna, which I make vegan for us and our friends, but with meat for my neighbors I use Violife Mozzarella and Parmesan vegan cheese. I Make my own ricotta cheese from Tofu, Tofutti or Violife Cream Cheese and salt, pepper, basil, spinach and nutmeg. Use your favorite vegan meat substitute or combination if making vegan.
Brownies for non bakers (also can be made vegan)
Chocolate Chip Cookies for non bakers (also can be made vegan)
Need some recipe ideas or help with products, just ask or visit pamperedchef.biz/sharonjacobson
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