Housewarming Dinner Basket

A very sweet friend of mine just bought a beautiful new home with her finance' and her two adorable girls.  Anyone who has moved knows how hard it is!  You spend weeks packing and preparing...then there is the actual move and unloading.  Trying to figure out where everything is going to go and finding the perfect spot for things can take some major time.  Believe me I just moved a few months ago...it can be brutal!  Living out of boxes becomes a way of life and not a good one. 

Moving can also be expensive, even if you are just moving a few blocks away.  The kitchen is still packed, you are exhausted and yet everyone is hungry...running to a local fast food restaurant works for a few days but that can get old quick and really add up!

So tonight I delivered dinner to my friend as a housewarming gift and much need break from trying to figure out meal time.  It will be quick and yet homemade.  A meal that they can prepare buffet style or they can take a moment and sit in their new dining room as a family.

I decided on Italian because it is always wonderful and tasty.  Luckily I had some homemade marinara sauce (I will share recipe soon) in the freezer (but you could use a jar of your favorite sauce)...so that made it easy for me.  I let it thaw out and then transferred it to a mason jar decorated with burlap and fabric...

One needs pasta for spaghetti, so I added a box of them.  Spaghetti just isn't the same without a yummy piece (or 3) of garlic bread.  I included everything she would need to make a delicious bread.  1 loaf of store bought french bread (but you could make your own) and 1 stick of butter and mixed with 2 Tablespoons of homemade Garlic Bread Seasoning...
To make the seasoning all you will need is:

2/3 cup powdered Parmesan Cheese
2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
2 teaspoons oregano
2 teaspoons basil
2 teaspoons parsley

Combine the ingredients in a jar and shake.  Combine 2 Tablespoons of seasoning with 1 stick of softened butter/margarine and spread onto a loaf of French bread.  Wrap in foil and heat in a 400° oven until bread is toasted and butter/garlic mixture is melted (about 8 minutes).  So yummy.

I packaged everything sweetly with a set of fall dish towels and a colander...

Dinner is served!  Congratulations to by friend on the new home, family and many wonderful things that you have in your future!! 

This would also be a great idea for someone who just had a baby or maybe a family who lost a loved one.  The possibilities are endless!  Sweet friendship-J