MaryAnderson60 wrote:
>
> Hi. I'm Mary and have a cooking question.
>
> My parents are elderly and unwell. I live a few hundred miles away. They eat
> well when I am right there and cooking meals fresh for them, but otherwise they
> tend not to eat much of the time and both have become quite thin.

I really feel for what you're going through. It's not easy.

> They like lasagne, casseroles, stews, etc.

I think they all freeze beautifully, except for the potatoes in
stew. I would label each and every container as to how to reheat it.

> In the case of casseroles, would
> they be tastier prepared and frozen but not cooked until ready to eat as
> opposed to cooking them through so portions just need to be reheated?

Personally, I would cook them through. My experience has been that
even reheating a dinner becomes a major challenge as people get older.
I would also cut the ingredients small, and don't send them in huge
portions. Elderly people just do not eat much.

> Can anyone tell me if homemade mashed potatos are still good
> after freezing?

I freeze leftover mashed potatoes. They're okay for me.

> I would appreciate anyone sharing recipes that freeze well. Any hints about
> preparing complete frozen meals, as opposed to just entrees, would also be most
> welcome.

All I can picture is that Tilia infomercial where they put complete
dinners on divided microwavable plates and seal them. You should
really also think about getting them cases of Boost or Ensure, those
supplemental nutrition drinks. Something like that.

Also, do you think they would eat fruit? The *occasional* fruit gift
box be a good idea if you think they will eat it. I mean, some fresh
food, you know?

> Meals on Wheels would be ideal for my parents but they won't consider it. I
> even looked at "personal chefs" to cook for them every week but price is
> prohibitive.

You really might want to check to find someone who will (for a fee,
obviously) stop in a couple of times a week to check up on them and
maybe take them food shopping/whatever. Like a caregiver. They
could ease your mind (or alert you) by letting you know how your
parents doing. My experience is that parents are very good at
pretending everything is just hunky dory.

Good luck.

nancy