Meal Idea for New Parents (or anyone else you want to take food to)

Friday, May 7, 2010

Meal Idea for New Parents (or anyone else you want to take food to)

On April 29, my brother and his wife welcomed their first son, B. He’s the first grandchild in our family and my first nephew!! Hubby and I were able to go to the hospital and meet baby B when he was about 12 hours old. He’s such a cutie and we instantly fell in love with him.

Last weekend was their first weekend home with the baby, so I went over there to help out. I watched baby B (who was napping) while C and J took a nap. I also cooked them dinner while I was there. I wanted to bring a meal that I could leave with them as well. Most people bring over casseroles or other freezer meals that new parents can heat up very easily. I wanted to do something a bit different. I decided to bring my crockpot French dip sandwiches.

I packaged it all up so they could prepare this any day they wanted to. I seasoned the meat with salt and pepper and wrapped it twice with saran wrap then once with foil. I then mixed all the liquid ingredients in a large jar. I cut a little circle out of decorative paper to put on the top and hand-wrote the instructions for them. I also brought a bag of rolls and some provolone cheese (forgot to include it in the pic).

The nice thing about this option is that they can freeze the meat if they want and have this after the rush of people bringing food passes. I also gave them a bag of frozen chocolate chip cookies. I just mixed up a batch of my favorite chocolate chip cookie dough and portioned them out using my cookie scoop and froze them on a cookie sheet. Once they were frozen, I threw them in to a ziplock bag and wrote baking instructions on the bag (I did this before with some M&M cookies too. That way they could pop a couple in the oven to have freshly baked cookies any time they want them!

One Year Ago: Samoas Bars

Gift Ideas, Main Meal

4 comments »

22 Responses to “Brasato al Barolo (Beef Braised in Wine)”

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Fun and Fearless in Beantown — January 18, 2011 at 5:16 pm

You are one lucky girl because that is an AWESOME anniversary gift! I only got a Le Creuset Dutch oven this past fall and I’ve mostly roasted with it with the cover off but I am totally going to get a replacement knob. Thanks for the tip!
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Evan Thomas — January 18, 2011 at 5:22 pm

My family would love this. When meat is cooked for that long in juice and seasoning the flavor is always incredible. Thanks for the recipe!
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Bridget — January 18, 2011 at 6:08 pm

What a perfect virgin use for your new Dutch oven! I love the addition of more vegetables too – what a great way to make this isn’t a one-dish balanced meal.
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Megan — January 18, 2011 at 6:49 pm

That looks perfect for this weather! I always use my cover with the black knob, and nothing bad has ever happened to it. I do wonder though if I’ve ever come across a recipe that requires me to cook something covered at a higher temp that 375 (I’m thinking it’s not likely). Such a great gift!
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Caroline — January 18, 2011 at 6:56 pm

I want to get a dutch oven just for something like this! What a wonderful anniversary gift! The beef looks melt-in-your mouth, and with a sauce made out of cabernet? To die for! Looks wonderful!
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Jen — January 18, 2011 at 7:13 pm

Megan – I’ve seen a recipe for a nearly-no-knead bread that bakes at 450. But other than that, most things are cooked low and slow.
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naomi — January 18, 2011 at 7:28 pm

First off congrats on the anniversary milestone! This looks delicious. I’m bookmarking it now, since this definitely a recipe my family will love.
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Shannon — January 18, 2011 at 7:41 pm

what an awesome gift!! happy anniversary 🙂 i got a stainless steel knob, but haven’t yet exchanged it… what a great recipe, and i can just imagine how succulent that meat was!
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EliFla — January 18, 2011 at 9:36 pm

Very good!!! Very very good!!! Hugs, ciao Flavia
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Kimmy Bingham — January 18, 2011 at 11:40 pm

I’m definitely ordering the replacement knob for mine as well. Great idea. This dish looks perfect for the cold weekend we’re about to have!
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The Small Boston Kitchen — January 19, 2011 at 4:07 am

Your pictures are absolutely amazing. Seriously amazing. I want to lick my computer screen.
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Stef at TooMuchToDoSoLittleTime.com — January 19, 2011 at 4:52 am

Happy Anniversary! Congrats on a fantastic gift!! I only acquired my first Le Creuset oven last May. I’m addicted! I have several pieces (which you can see on my blog). I LOVE the way they cook. I have a friend who was trying so hard to convince me to buy one. I got a great sale at the Outlet! I rarely use my stainless pots and pans any more. I now have two different kinds of skillets, too. I absolutely love them!

I have several recipes on my blog which I have cooked in my ovens. I cook my chili for four hours. The first time I made it my husband said it was the best chili I had ever made (we’ve been married 23 years! I also cooked Pioneer Woman’s pot roast with rosemary in it (also listed on my blog)… it was AWESOME!

If you ever get anything on your enameled pot that you can get off… try Bar Keeper’s Friend. I wrote Le Creuset and they told me that its OK to use it. 😉

I love all your recipes and can’t wait to see what you create in your new oven!

Stef at TooMuchToDoSoLittleTime.com
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Nutmeg Nanny — January 19, 2011 at 7:01 pm

This looks great! I love my Le Creuset….it’s the best! You made a great dish to break it in…yum!
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kitchenmisfit — January 20, 2011 at 2:38 am

Oh man that looks TASTY! And such a great anniversary gift!
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Julie (thelittlekitchen.net) — January 20, 2011 at 10:21 pm

Awesome, wonderful gift. I just won my first Le Creuset french oven and like you pondered what to make with it! Thanks for the idea of the stainless steel knob.
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Paul — January 21, 2011 at 4:54 pm

A tip on that replacement knob: just go to a hardware store and buy a stainless steel kitchen cabinet knob along with a washer and bolt to fit. Bring the lid with you to the store to check the fit. This is MUCH less expensive than a “Le Creuset” knob and works great.
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wgfoodie — January 22, 2011 at 2:37 pm

This sounds absolutely perfect for a cold winter night. And with temps in the teens this week, I am definitely adding this to the list!
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Peggy — January 26, 2011 at 9:20 pm

Your mom is way thoughtful for getting you guys that for your anniversary! I absolutely adore my dutch oven and bring it out every chance I get! I may have to bring it out fairly soon to try this beef because it sounds absolutely delicious!
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Ashley — January 27, 2011 at 2:45 am

What a wonderful gift! And so great that you’ll put it to good use. Happy anniversary 🙂
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a frog in the cottage — January 27, 2011 at 11:27 am

absolutely delicious !!!! i wish i could grab some !!
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Robyn — January 11, 2014 at 8:40 pm
I keep coming back to this recipe! I just made it tonight for the in-laws and I think they might let me stay in the family. ALWAYS delicious 🙂
- beantownbaker — January 12th, 2014 @ 2:54 pm
  
  Isn’t it delicious? Especially in this cold weather. Glad you guy enjoy it.