A Meal To Take To Others: Spanish Style Pork Bowls

I love the idea of “intentional kitchening” – where you use food from your kitchen to love and serve others who need a little extra love and care. We think of this most often when someone has a new baby or when the person who does the cooking is off their feet due to surgery or sickness.

Here are a few other situations where a meal from your kitchen might love and serve your friends:

• On moving day – breakfast for the first morning in their new home, when everything is still boxed up
• When someone starts a new job/school routine and is trying to get in the swing of a busy schedule
• When someone is going through a difficult trial (even if it’s not a sickness). Having one less thing to do that day would be a huge blessing.
• A friend who cares for a terminally ill family member or elderly parents might appreciate a meal on any given day.
• A coworker who has been a blessing to you during a busy season at work – return the favor by bringing them a meal they can take home and enjoy.
• A family who has just received a new foster placement or who has welcomed their adopted child into their home.

I like to share things that don’t have to be eaten right away, but can be heated as needed. This is a meal I took to some friends just last week.

Tip: I learned from my mom to make enough for your own supper as well – it just makes life easier.

Menu: Spanish Style Pork Bowls

• Pork Roast Carnitas Style: I buy the carnitas pork roast from Aldi and add it to the slow cooker with all the marinade and at least 2 cups of chicken broth. After 3 hours on low, it is tender and ready to shred. I serve or package it with plenty of pan juices. You could also use Paula Deen’s recipe for BBQ Pork.

• Yellow Rice: I like the Pueblo Lindo Spanish Style Rice from Aldi and use 2 boxes for a family of 4.

• Toppings: Pico or Salsa, Guacamole, Sour Cream, Pickled Red Onions

• Fruit

• Brownies: I always keep a Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate brownie mix on hand

• Strawberry Lemonade

You could also add a side of black beans – I wish I had thought of that when I did this meal!

They can just snip the bottom corner off these condiments and use it like a piping bag – no utensils needed.

I always try to add in some pretty paper products (so they don’t have to do dishes) and I always use disposable containers (so they don’t have to get anything back to me). All of these things can be purchased at Dollar Tree. I just keep a stash on hand and use it as I need it!

Adding a note to let them know what they’re eating is always helpful and I like to send a little card with a few encouraging words. The Prayers To Share notes from Dayspring are perfect to tuck inside a card.

I feel like it’s always hard to think of things that reheat well or that would be good to take to someone else, so I hope this inspires you!

Do you know someone who could benefit from a meal? 

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