Meal Train Ideas That Aren't Soggy Casseroles: The Breakfast Edition
When someone dies we need more than stew.
Waking up in the morning can be one of the hardest things to do in those early days of grief, especially if you’re feeding yourself and your fam. And the only thing worse than opening your fridge to empty shelves, is opening your fridge to a pile of things that have gone bad because you couldn’t make yourself eat enchiladas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day for three weeks.
Below are a few recipes for early morning meals, whether your grieving person is on the run or trying to have a nice meal at home.
But first… coffee!
If your friend or family member is a coffee-holic, consider helping them start their day with what they love most: a good cup of joe.
If that means swinging by with a latte every morning when they’re struggling to leave the house, jump in the car.
If that means buying them fresh beans so that they’re not digging through their cabinets for old stale grounds, grind some up.
And if that means quietly dropping a capp - made JUST the way they like it - on their desk in the mornings during their first week back at work, that little move can go a long way.
1. Frozen waffles (and toppings)
Whether you go the route of Eggos or homemade freezer waffles, this dish is something that act as both a great quick breakfast as well as a nice way to spend a weekend morning with low-lift cooking responsibility. What’s great about frozen waffles is that they can be thrown into the oven or toaster, but topped with fruit, jam, or syrup that’s lying around. Or if your person loves brunch but just can’t stand to leave the house, it doesn’t mean that they have to figure out how to make the perfect poached eggs and hollandaise.
When you provide them with a batch of frozen waffles, consider offering some frozen fruit, or non-perishables that they can open when they’re ready like jam, syrup, or honey.
Recipe: Fluffy Buttermilk Waffles from myrecipes (with some great instructions here re:freezing them)
2. Oatmeal or porridge
Sometimes the hearty stuff is actually great to have, and one of the most adaptable breakfasts is fresh oatmeal or porridge, which your friend or family member and top and mix as they like. I’d suggest bringing over dry oats (which won’t spoil and don’t need to be kept in the fridge - a huge plus!), dried fruits, and even toppings like honey or syrup. You could also include toppings and ingredients that’ll give them a great boost of energy in the morning, like citrus fruits, chia seeds, or nuts.
Recipe: All the Ways to Make Oatmeal Taste Actually Amazing from Bon Appetit
3. Breakfast Burritos
I am an OG California girl and truly appreciate a good breakfast burrito. There are a few things that make them a great meal train gift:
They’re easily customizable when you’re cooking for various dietary restrictions
They’re easy to store in both the freezer and defrost in the fridge
They’re easy to throw into a bag or backpack if your person is running around a lot making plans or heading back to work
Recipe: Freezer Breakfast Burritos from Damn Delicious (going all out with the hashbrowns, so automatically my #1)
Recipe: How to Make Freezer-Friendly Breakfast Burritos from Kitchn (with awesome tips and tricks for the freezer)