Food to bring the ill

[evearael]

I need suggestions for what to bring someone who is sick. What is good to bring someone in the hospital? (Yes, I know they have hospital food, but it's really hit or miss.) What's good to bring someone once they are home?

So far, I'm making a quick homemade chicken, rice and vegetable soup. I am so grateful for any and all suggestions!

[Hema]

Light foods are best because they can digest easier and the body can use most of it's energy to heal itself rather than trying to digest a big heavy meal.

Soups are an excellent idea. Also salads and fruit. Fruit has natural sugars which the body quickly absorbs and can be a good source of energy. Steamed veggies can be good too.

[jewscout]

chicken soups always good

really any kind of soup i think is good

[Ðanisty]

I like soup, especially my grandma's recipe for vegetable beef soup. If you want it, just let me know.

[evearael]

Yes, please share!

[Buttercup]

I'm looking forward to that soup recipe, Danisty! :)

Some sort of noodle casserole might be an option.
.
Pudding for dessert is always a safe bet

[Ðanisty]

You'll need a big pot. :D

1 lb. of stew meat or chuck roast (obviously in bite size pieces)
1 medium potato
1 medium rutabaga
1 large turnip
1 medium to large onion
4 carrots
3 or 4 parsnips (sometimes they're really big)
3 stalks of celery
2 large cans of Hunts whole tomatoes
1/3 cup uncooked barley
1/3 cup uncooked rice
salt to taste (preferably kosher or sea salt)

Clean and prepare the fresh vegetables. Chop up the celery and onions. The rest of the vegetables aren't going to be chopped. Use a potato peeler on them so you have thin shreds of vegetable. This makes it cook faster and gives the soup a whole different texture.

Brown the meat in your preferred way (I hope that's not margarine :D). Add the celery so it can get a head start cooking down. I usually take this time to clean up the mess I've made so far. When the celery is about half cooked, cut up the tomatoes and add them and the juice from the cans to the pot and add a lot of water. I know I was really specific about the tomatoes. I just think Hunts whole tomatoes are redder and juicier than the others. If you want, you can also add a can of beef broth for more flavor at this point, but it isn't really necessary. Add the rest of the vegetables and add more water if you need it. Use as much salt as you like. Obviously you'll want to taste it because there's salt from the tomatoes in there. Simmer until the vegetables are tender and add the rice and barley and continue cooking until they're done.

You can make a lot of adjustments with this soup. I left out the potato once and I've tried making it without celery and it still tastes great. This last time I doubled the barley because I was out of rice. The amounts of the vegetables aren't exact. I try to just eyeball it to get an even amount of everything.

[evearael]

That's a great recipe! :D I will have to try it.

[Buttercup]

Thanks, Danisty.....sounds delicious. Except I have no idea what a rutabaga looks like. :D

[Dub C]

It looks good. I think we might try it this Sunday!

[Zayl]

light soups... jello with different types of fruits in it for desert and more protein, smoothies are also very good, dry toast, sprite or 7 up or sierra mist (preferably water) to drink, since they are all very light drinks. essentially anything high protein, light on the stomach, and high energy content will be perfect.

[Ðanisty]

Thanks, Danisty.....sounds delicious. Except I have no idea what a rutabaga looks like. :DIt doesn't look much different for a turnip except it's bigger:

http://www.jeffsmeats.com/v-rutabaga.jpg

[lilithu]

What is the person ill with?

[Buttercup]

Thanks, Danisty.....sounds delicious. Except I have no idea what a rutabaga looks like. :DIt doesn't look much different for a turnip except it's bigger:

http://www.jeffsmeats.com/v-rutabaga.jpgThanks, Leslie! I didn't mention that because I expected you to go find me a picture. It was just a random comment. :)

[evearael]

She's back home and resting! She should be fine. :) Please keep the recipes and ideas coming!
What is the person ill with?It was diet related and easily corrected.

[lilithu]

What is the person ill with?It was diet related and easily corrected.Well the reason why I asked was because I thought that should be taken into account. In Chinese culture, we believe that some illnesses can be cured simply by what you eat.