Here in the south, we are raised to help friends in need on any number occasions: births, deaths, house moving, surgeries, feeling under the weather, new neighbors, nips and tucks …..any reason is reason enough.

Recently, a sweet friend of ours had a little elbow surgery and delivering dinner was just what the doctor (and these belles) prescribed.

We prefer to fix a meal that can also be eaten over the next day or two. The menu that we picked is deliciousness on the night prepared but is also scrumptious the next day for lunch or reheated for a second nights’ dinner.

We picked The Silver Palate’s lemon chicken. A delicious and beautiful lemony chicken that is good hot, cold, or room temperature. Find the recipe here at Serious Eats. The only adjustment we made was to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. An oldie but a goodie!

As a delicious side, we made our quinoa salad…a recipe that we posted a few weeks ago. Fresh, zesty, crunchy and healthy, it is the perfect side dish. See the recipe here.

Another favorite, and a recipe that we go back to again and again, is our broccoli salad. There are a slew of recipes out there, but we keep ours simple and divine. See below for a photo and the recipe. You’re gonna want to keep this one handy!

Last, but not least, was dessert…and by request we made Grandmother’s Chocolate Mousse. It truly is addictive, and let us just tell you…a spoonful in the morning to get you going is not a bad idea. Just sayin’.

Here is our take on the belle-worthy broccoli salad:

Broccoli salad:
24 oz. or about 8 cups broccoli cut into very small florets.
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (we prefer Hellman’s/ Best Foods)
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tsp. Splenda sugar blend (you can use regular sugar)
3 Tbsp. Red wine vinegar
2 generous dashes Tabasco
1 bunch of green onions chopped (we use 1/2 a sweet onion sometimes)
1 generous cup sharp shredded cheese
12oz. Bacon, cooked and crumbled

In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, vinegar, and Tabasco. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Cover and chill.

This only gets better the longer the flavors have a chance to “marry”.

Serves 6-8

This is just one menu example that is perfect for carrying to a friend in need. What are your favorites to take to friends?

a&a