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Cooking For A New Family

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Ben’s sister gave birth to a lovely little Spanish-American monkey of a boy two days ago, at least as far as we could tell from the blissed-out sound of her voice and the blurry images of an adorable wee baby face on the webcam. We’re counting the days (hours! minutes!) until we get to snuggle little Francisco (nickname: Kiko! Are you dying from the cuteness? I think I might be already dead.) and in the meantime I’m trying to come up with ways to be useful.

What I mean is, what shall we bring them to eat?

So far, I’ve decided on a pot of jam, a jar of homemade zucchini pickles, and a batch of meat ragu for their freezer. But then I started to get sidetracked (I’ve never made a tuna fish casserole! It scares me. And how well does bean soup freeze? And while we’re asking questions, do chocolate chip cookies aide breastfeeding?) so I thought I’d put the question to you all.

Tell me, dear readers who were once the wide-eyed and sleepy  parents of a newborn: what shall we bring this new family to keep them (mostly) out of the kitchen and fed while they spend these first weeks doing nothing else but changing diapers and contemplating the beauty of their little boy?

This proud almost-aunt thanks you.

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Oh right, I knew there was something I was forgetting, the redesign! Yes, I finally got around to cleaning things up around here. I hope you like it. I’m still settling in, feeling my way around. But I think it’s a good change and I hope you agree.

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61 responses to “Cooking For A New Family”

  1. Tammy Avatar
    Tammy

    As a new mom, 25 years ago, we belonged to a church where there were about 8-10 couples expecting their 1st,2nd or 3rd child. When each new child arrived all of the other couples would bring a cooked meal every night for a week. It was the most amazing gift. Your sister/brother-in-law are very lucky to have you. You are on the right track with the Ragu. Congratulations to all.

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  2. jenny Avatar
    jenny

    two years ago, when my best friend had a baby, I flew out to l.a. to cook for her (and the baby and the hubby, of course) for a week. granted, that was winter (yes, even in l.a.) so what I left with them may not be the right ticket for you and your sister-in-law’s brood. I can tell you, however, that the white bean soup with sage that I made for them froze (and defrosted) exceedingly well. as did the lentil soup with tomatoes and swiss chard. my suggestions for this time of year? homemade hummus (my personal fave is a white bean version with rosemary, garlic, and lemon from “the modern vegetarian kitchen”), non-scary pasta salad (I like one with salmon, red onion, and peas) with the dressing (dill-ish) on the side (mine kept for a week this way), and/or any version of gazpacho (perhaps a more mild iteration than usual given the breast-feeding, although my friend was chowing on mexican food right after the baby arrived, so to each their own). also muffins. muffins were a big hit and froze well … congrats!!

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  3. jenevieve Avatar
    jenevieve

    Well, you all are the food experts, but as a breastfeeding mom I can say with clarity and assurance that chocolate chip cookies aid everything. Also, doing their dishes and cleaning their toilet are things that I would have loved someone to do but was always to afraid to ask for.

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  4. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    Food is THE best baby present! Seriously. I’ve had two boys in the last three years and I really loved food presents. One, we received delicious meals. Two, it was fun to taste other people’s cooking of familiar dishes and also new dishes. One friend even brought salad and homemade cookies along with her chili — this three-course meal seemed so civilized for us sleepless parents. Nowadays, for my friends that have new babies, I make lasagna (the traditional tomato sauce with sausage, ricotta and mozarella) because it can feed an army and it can be frozen for later. And if you use the no-boil noodles, lasagna is relatively easy to make.

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  5. deb Avatar
    deb

    I am totally useless on the cooking for a new family front–well, except for thinking that already-scooped and frozen cookies in a bag, ready to bake by the ones or twos, are like the best thing ever. I just wanted to say that I love love love the new banner. I think it’s perfect.

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  6. Lindy Avatar
    Lindy

    Iron-rich foods for the recently appointed Mum will make her feel strong to the tips of her fingers.
    Having babies is serious body work. Greens, baby, the dark ones.Black kale, spinach, chard. All those extras from your farmbox! And if she is not a liver hater, and you aren’t,either- chicken livers in a red wine sauce with noodles really does the trick.
    Chili is another goodie- but just having someone fix you a real meal when you are all discombobulated is so delightful.

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  7. Lindy Avatar
    Lindy

    Iron-rich foods for the recently appointed Mum will make her feel strong to the tips of her fingers.
    Having babies is serious body work. Greens, baby, the dark ones.Black kale, spinach, chard. All those extras from your farmbox! And if she is not a liver hater, and you aren’t,either- chicken livers in a red wine sauce with noodles really does the trick.
    Chili is another goodie- but just having someone fix you a real meal when you are all discombobulated is so delightful.

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  8. Cory Avatar
    Cory

    Anything Mama can eat with one hand while she walks with the baby is a real gift. Yes, cookies help with everything post-baby.

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  9. Susan at Sticky,Gooey,Creamy,Chewy Avatar
    Susan at Sticky,Gooey,Creamy,Chewy

    Congratulations! What wonderful news! Anything that can be frozen is perfect, especially hearty soups, stews and casseroles that don’t require much other than thawing and heating. Nothing spicy or gassy if she is breastfeeding. That passes right on through to the baby!

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  10. jennifer Avatar
    jennifer

    Someone brought a huge pot of chicken and dumplings, the old-fashioned kind, only chicken and from-scratch dumplings in a lovely broth, when I had my daughter last year, and we ate it for days — it was healing and warm. I also loved fresh salads of all kinds — my body craved green, growing things, and lots of fruit. But really, most anything that someone else made was great. Especially cookies.

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  11. myrnie_twin Avatar
    myrnie_twin

    Ooh, cookies help everything. Sugar is what I ALWAYS wanted right after my baby was born (and my friends concur.) Small ones are great, because you can pop them in your mouth and not get crumbs on the baby!
    Beans freeze marvelously well. They also cook great in a slow cooker. You can leave her a bag of beans to soak overnight, and then a bag of spices to dump in the next morning!
    Pesto also freezes well in an ice cube tray- she can boil a bag of pasta and throw in 3 or 4 cubes (melted in the microwave.)

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  12. dr Avatar
    dr

    I don’t know if this is an option, but one friend simply promised a series of meals — and she then delivered things once or twice a week for several weeks that we could pull out of the fridge and eat. We could heat them up, but they also tasted good cold. We both love to cook, so we could pull ourselves together to make real dinners, but lunches were harder. So one she brought all sorts of fancy taco makings, all chopped and prepped, so that we could pull them out and eat them as needed.

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  13. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    Chocolate for sure. 100%. When I had my son we received a gift of a chocolate cake and some cherry jam and it was most welcome. As was a well timed glass of white wine. 🙂
    Oatmeal and Guinness are often recommended for aiding breastfeeding, btw.
    Other than that I didn’t care what I ate as long as I didn’t have to cook it.

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  14. jutta Avatar
    jutta

    My baby is 10 weeks old so I can tell you some things I would have liked- I second the comment about cleaning help- buy them a few sessions with a cleaning service! As far as food- think of things you don’t need to cut-breastfeeding with one arm, eating with the other.

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  15. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    Hearty stews are good for freezing, and things like chili. And they can make multiple meals, which is key. Nice new layout, by the way!

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  16. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    I definitely agree with the greens and fresh fruit. It’s just so exhausting! Anything that’ll give good, lasting energy.

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  17. Arundathi Avatar
    Arundathi

    I always wanted to have something to snack on that was healthy and craved granola! Strange, but true. Granola bars with choc chips would’ve been heaven.
    And btw garlic is supposed to help in nursing the baby. it “speeds” things along! 🙂

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  18. Pam Avatar
    Pam

    Honestly, after I delivered, all I wanted was protein. I remember my Romanian mother-in-law bringing over an enormous, slowly and lovingly braised, pot roast, complete with all kinds of root vegetables. Maybe not exactly what I would have requested, but it turned out to be wonderful. My husband was very happy with it too and it fed us for several days. She also brought chocolate chip cookies! This was almost thirty years ago and she’s gone now but I remember it all quite clearly.

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  19. Sarah H Avatar
    Sarah H

    After I had my twins, I just wanted fresh food and lots of it. Nursing those kids make you HUNGRY!!! My personal fave was a pasta salad with wilted spinach and chicken. My least favorite was a casserole made with tater tots, hot dogs, cheese, and cream of mushroom soup. Yuck!

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  20. Honeybee Avatar
    Honeybee

    What wonderful news! My sister gave birth to little Samuel three weeks ago (I’m in love). Luckily we live nearby so I can go and cook for them or shop for washing powder and baby wipes. I think ragù will be perfect, anything that requires a minimal effort but will taste great. My sister has lost an alarming amount of weight in the three weeks after the birth so I bring cakes and cookies, too (and try to contain myself thinking of my wedding dress). Maybe check with the new mother whether there are foods she shouldn’t eat right now, my sister avoids berries and stone fruit. They’ll love your personal catering, I’m sure! And you’ll love cuddling with the baby!

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  21. Honeybee Avatar
    Honeybee

    Oh, and yes, I love the new look! Good job on the redesign.

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  22. David Avatar
    David

    looks great! feels good, doesn’t it?

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  23. Victoria Avatar
    Victoria

    Congratulations on a new almost-nephew. In September 2002 Cook’s Illustrated wrote an article called Faster Lasagna. The recipe was called Simple Lasagna with Hearty Tomato-Meat Sauce. Sounds awful and improbable, but the recipe really worked exactly as written and was delicious. Once I was having vegetarian house guests, so I made it substituting three large supermarket cartons of plain white cultivated mushrooms cut into large chunks and sauteed until brown, and it worked like a charm.
    How about your Sara Jenkins’ Penne with Sheep’s-Milk Ricotta and Mustard Greens? I bet that would be good – and soothing, plus it would satisfy the apparent craving for greens mentioned a number of times above.
    I LOVE the new look. It’s as beautiful and elegant as you are.

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  24. sarah Avatar
    sarah

    Oatmeal aids in breastfeeding, so how about oatmeal chocolate chip cookies . . . and a few mini (loaf pan sized) lasagnas for freezing?

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  25. jean Avatar
    jean

    Lentil and bean soups freeze very well. Spanakopitta also freezes well – reheat in oven rather than microwave for crispy filo – and could help satisfy the craving for greens. Moussaka also freezes well. Pasta sauces – ragu, sausage ragu, tomato sauce – were very popular with my sister when she had her baby earlier this year.

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  26. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    Hi Luisa,
    Congratualtions “Almost-Aunt”!
    After my son was born no one brought me any food because everyone thinks of me as the cook…oh dear!!! I could have really used it having given birth at 40!
    In any event what I relied on from my own freezer was chicken stock and beef broth. I would drink the beef broth in the morning and it just felt so warm and healing. In the evening I would use the chicken stock to make soup – adding this and that from my fridge or freezer. Along with some nice (albeit store-bought) bread, my husband I felt nourished. I usually make my chicken stock with the carcass of a roasted chicken…and if you can get your hands on some chicken feet…all the better. My recipe for chicken stock is at:
    http://marysnest.typepad.com/marys_nest/2008/07/homemade-chicke.html
    Oh – and for increasing breast milk, chewing on fennel seeds works great!
    Hope this helps.
    All the best,
    Mary
    PS – My grandmother was also a Luisa – from Cernobbio (and I’m Mary Louise).

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  27. emily Avatar
    emily

    Some of the things that are often overlooked for new parents are breakfast and lunch. Maybe some delicious muffins that can be frozen and are easy to grab in a hurry. For lunch having a nice selection of lunchmeats, cheeses, and a lovely bread can make this easy for new busy parents who are often already hungry before they have time to think about what to make.
    I’m sure they’ll appreciate everything that you’re going to do, no matter what. 🙂
    ps – the chocolate chip cookies will be fine, but stay away from too much chocolate as some babies are very sensitive to caffeine in breast milk.

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  28. AA Avatar
    AA

    When you are there, buy and cut up lots of fruit. I had a summer baby and craved fruit.
    Some soups that can be served hot or cold.
    Good bread, cheese, jam.
    Granola to put on yogurt.
    Any and all food is appreciated!

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  29. Shosh Avatar
    Shosh

    Hi,
    I’m expecting in 3 weeks and here’s the list of things that I’m planning on stockpiling and freezing:
    -meatballs
    -chicken breasts (roasted)
    -lasagna
    -stuffed shells
    -mushroom barley soup
    -vegetable soup
    -banana bread
    -muffins
    -cookies
    I’m going to make big batches of the meatballs, chicken, and soup, and then freeze it in 3-4 smaller containers.
    Other sites I’ve looked at recommend shepherd’s pie, but to me that’s gross 🙂
    Congratulations!

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  30. Shauna Avatar
    Shauna

    Beans can be a problem for some nursing moms (can cause a lot of gas for the baby). I loved lasagna and lots of protein – I made meatballs for a friend, which she loved having in the freezer.

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  31. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    Congratulations on little Kiko! How exciting!
    Soups are good and what about your beet ginger soup? I bet it would freeze well, and all those nutritious beets –how healthy for the nursing mother!
    Eggplant lasagna would freeze well, as would an eggplant parmesan. (You made one using a Jamie Oliver recipe last January or the January before (I think) which looked good.)

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  32. Familia Avatar
    Familia

    chocolate chip cookies definitely help with breastfeeding. so does jamon serrano, and i’m sure francisco will love the taste of it, if it’s in his blood! sometimes just a bag of groceries is a big help – milk, bread, cereal, fruit, salad makings, diaper wipes, etc…

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  33. Maeg Avatar
    Maeg

    Beef, greens, & chocolate will indeed do the trick:). The new Mom is blessed to have you.

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  34. geri Avatar
    geri

    love the redesign. it’s so clean and your banner is fabulous!
    congratulations on the birth of your almost-nephew! and i echo the sentiments of everyone who’s commented so far, that the new mom and dad will appreciate anything and everything you make for them. what you listed sounds so yummy already, and you’re going to make more? they’re lucky to know you! have fun with the new parents and little kiko [cute nickname].

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  35. radish Avatar
    radish

    Oh wow, i love the redesign – really lovely and a stunning picture of you… congratulations on the birth of your almost-nephew. I think the items you’re bringing sound lovely. And as a big fan of soup, I think anything of soup-like consistency is always great. Very thoughtful of you to create such a lovely feast.

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  36. Bonnie Avatar
    Bonnie

    Congratulations Luisa!
    I have a serious addiction to brand new babies (I should probably look for a 12 step program.)
    There have been so many wonderful suggestions so far. Nursing mothers need to eat more calories than they did while pregnant (manufacturing milk burns tons o’calories!) For lunches I made a big batch of BBQ chicken calzones with provalone and wrapped them individually. Easy to re-heat in the microwave and you can eat half now and half later.
    When my children were born, my -then 85 year old – grandmother always arrived with our family favorites (custard, baked noodles, orange pineapple jello salad (yikes), etc.)
    She isn’t up to it anymore (at 98) so when each of my nieces and nephews were born, I travelled to spend a week with my siblings and their precious ones. I always brought my grandmother’s recipes (in her handwriting) with me and cooked these treasures on her behalf. It was special for my brother and sister (and their spouses) and continued a lovely welcoming tradition.
    – Bonnie
    PS – the blog looks super!

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  37. Ann Avatar
    Ann

    How about a gift that keeps on giving….I gave my daughter a cookbook entitled 1,2,3 Cook for Me by Karin Knight. My daughter says the book has been invaluable and has provided copies of the book for her friends. The book has great ideas for baby meals and great ideas for meals for the whole family.

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  38. Helena Hoas Avatar
    Helena Hoas

    The lovely and very helpful cookbook, 1-2-3 Cook for Me, mentioned by Ann, has now become a sort of Bible for my son and daughter-in-law who are trying to introduce solid foods to their 8 month old son. It provides invaluable advice and ideas for how to do this in a way that will make sure the baby develops good and healthy eating habits. The book is now shared and given to friends both in Sweden and in the US.

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  39. bittermelon Avatar
    bittermelon

    After I had my son, I ate a ton of Greek yogurt (usually with honey) for breakfast and fried egg sandwiches with piquillo peppers and arugula drizzled with some good olive oil for a simple lunch. I also think food that you can pick on like roast chicken or roast beef is good, in addition to the ragus, stews, chilis, and lasagna ideas that people have already listed. Canned sardines and triscuits (gee, where did I get this idea from?)! Seasonally, roasted corn and barley salad would be great right now, lightly marinated roasted beets, lentil salad, chopped seedless watermelon and pineapple. Ice pops made from Looza pear nectar (perfect sweetness, no need to add sugar). Homemade salad dressings that can be thrown on some greens…just remember no raw egg. Homemade waffles freeze well.

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  40. bittermelon Avatar
    bittermelon

    I wonder if there’s anything cultural the Spanish eat after a birth. I was given pickled pigs feet and lots of seaweed soup (from Chinese and Korean cultures, respectively).
    And I definitely agree with the others who suggested just going in to help with cleaning the house, doing laundry, etc. Or offering to go and watch the baby while the mom showers or takes a nice long bath. Just getting time to oneself is great for the mom. Hell, it was just nice to be able to use to toilet in peace.

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  41. Christine Avatar
    Christine

    My three standbys for providing food for new parents are lasagne, pastisio, and quiche, but I think I’ll have to start adding some baked goods after reading the comments! Congratulations on the new design and your almost-nephew.

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  42. Lynn Holstein Avatar
    Lynn Holstein

    Hello Aunt Luisa,
    Here’s a tip from my Jerusalem friend Ruby Binnun that involves food for the new mother but not for consumption. It’s a remedy for those occasional nursing problems. Put a head of cabbage in the freezer and then apply its leaves to the breast when it gets overly engourged. It relieves the pain and reduces the swelling.

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  43. Alexa Avatar
    Alexa

    Kiko, that’s so cute… Congratulations on being an aunt! I think food is the best gift for new parents. Years ago when my friend had her first, I made her a multitude of quiches (different types: salmon, pesto, vegetables) for her to put in the freezer for quick lunches. Soups, even with beans, ratatouille and anything stewy should work well. And in my humble opinion chocolate chip cookies and any other type of sweets definitely aid with breastfeeding.:-)

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  44. Molly Avatar
    Molly

    Bean soup freezes wonderfully. As does minestrone. The best foods for new mothers are those that can be eaten with one hand. Babies seem to get fussiest just when you sit down to eat.

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  45. Tricia Avatar
    Tricia

    One of the rice salads from today’s New York Times might be nice.

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  46. pam Avatar
    pam

    when our boys came home from the hospital, we got a lot of lasagne and meatloaf. i do love lasagne, so it was very welcome. but not fancy enough for you, i’m sure!

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  47. Monica Avatar
    Monica

    Corn muffins freeze well and go nicely with soup and chili. I always like baked goods that are healthy but hit the dessert button.

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  48. Catherine Avatar
    Catherine

    I’ve had good success freezing this basic tomato sauce recipe in Zip Loc bags to deliver to families: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/SPICY-TOMATO-SAUCE-100989
    Easy to add fresh basil, sauteed mushrooms, shaved Parmesan etc. for serving.

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  49. Marilyn Avatar
    Marilyn

    Congratulations, Auntie! What a lovely and touching feeling you struck here. Your nephew will be a snuggled and spoiled little guy!
    I second much of the previous advice here – but when I was a frantic new mom, one of the best things we received from friends was a slew of “favorite restaurants” gift certificates. In those first months, when I was nursing-crazed and reluctant to leave my daughter, it really pushed us out the door on wonderful little dates.
    Congratulations again. You’ll be one terrific aunt.

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  50. Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) Avatar
    Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)

    The gift we always give is a gift certificate for babysitting services (ours, of course!) — whenever the new parents need a break, they’ll be glad to have a babysitter they trust.

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