Loaves but no fishes

There are life events that prompt an outpouring of food. Births, deaths, surgery, a new house. Ladies (and some some men) fill a need for the grieved and overwhelmed by cooking them meals. When my oldest children were 3 and 1 my husband was in the hospital for 6 weeks. During the stress apex, the week he was in surgery the hospitality ladies in our church supplied us with meals. I will never forget what the first lady said, "I put it in a disposable foil pan so you don't have to do dishes or worry about returning one." What struck me was that if I were to be a food lady for our church, I wouldn't have thought of that. ( I am now on the "to call" list- the hotline of emergency culinary caring)

This is brought to mind by an imminent death in the family. Not unexpected, still there is that mixture of sorrow and resignation, a guilt you can't do more and especially for those who were closer and feel the loss keener. So if you find yourself in a situation where you can support someone who is grieved or overwhelmed by a life event, here is a recipe to use. Make them in a disposable foil pan, really the last thing on someone's mind will be returning a glass pan. Food does not ease the grief, but a little practical caring will be remembered after the crisis is past.

Meatloaf

1 1/2 lbs ground meat (I generally use half beef half turkey)
1 med yellow onion minced
1 Tbsp minced garlic
3 slices of bread toasted, crumbed
1 large egg
1/4 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
splash of red wine vinegar
salt
pepper
1 tsp rosemary

squish everything together until cohesive in a ball then pat into a loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes.

Banana Bread

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
3-5 ripe mashed bananas
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 cup chopped walnuts (opt)

Cream butter and sugar then mix in bananas and eggs. Add remainder of ingredients, flour last. Mix well, then pour into pan(s). Bake at 325 for an hour or until an inserted knife remains clean. Cool completely.