1.26.2012

2012 March For Life Dinner Boxes


Each January, IPC participates in March for Life in Washington, D.C. Up to 50 attendees must endure a grueling bus trip to D.C. and back, to speak on behalf of the unborn. So, I try to make their dinner boxes fresh and colorful.

Menu for MFL Dinner Boxes:
Fried Chicken Breast Sandwich with Herb Aioli
Garden Salad with Savannah Mustard Dressing
Fresh Fruit Salad
Chocolate-Oatmeal Cookies
Chocolate Dipped Strawberry and Mint Patties
Potato Chips


Fried chicken breast seem to be the best meat option for picnic style dinner. It holds up well and still tastes great even when served room temperature.

We had some left over chocolate from a previous event, so we dressed up the berries a bit!


Over the years, packing dinner boxes for the marchers has been my favorite event to do in the church kitchen.


Here are some make ahead tips for boxed dinners:

(Organization and prepping ahead is the key!)

Up to a week or more ahead:
Chicken breast is pounded, layered with plastic, & frozen Click here for how to prep
Make Cookie Dough and freeze

Up to fours Days Prior:
Make Salad dressing & Aioli, put in 2 oz containers; store in fridge

Up to two days Prior:
Prep fruit click here for tips;
Bake cookies, cool completely, store in zip lock baggies & refrigerate

One day prior:
Thaw chicken breast in fridge, all containers, utensils, buns if using are out

5 Hours prior:
Lay out containers in an assembly line fashion, put any non-perishable items
(utensils, Handi-wipes, napkins, mint patties, etc)
Cut fruit smaller and store fruit individually and temporarily store in fridge
Wash and prep veggies for salad, I used mixed green and cherry tomatoes
Prepare to fry
Melt chocolate and dip strawberries, cool on parchment lined sheet pans

2.5 Hours prior:
Fry chicken breast and cool completely on wire racks

1.5 Hours prior: You will need 3 sets of quick hands to do this in 1 to 1.5 hours
Begin assembling the boxes, layer fruit, place salad, sandwiches, cookies, utensils, etc.

8 comments:

  1. I'd join your Church just to taste your cooking! :0)

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  2. I'm with Susie. I'd volunteer for that trip to DC if it meant I'd get one of those boxes! Beautiful work, Kay!

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  3. what beautiful and tasty picnic boxes! and i love how as you enjoy your talents you bring joy to God and others!

    on another note, i can't believe how excited i'm getting just reading the details on your strategy for putting the boxes together--hmm, i may need to think about a different profession ;)

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  4. Love the boxes, and your time-tested strategies are awesome. If I ever need to cook for large, large groups, I know where to go for a lesson on how to handle it! I'm sure the marchers will be fueled and encouraged by the love you guys put into each box.

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  5. you did it again, Kay!

    a chosen chef cheering the church! ;)

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  6. Everytime you post these large volume meals I am impressed. With each post, I am learning quite a bit about how you accomplish it - a virtual training if you will. Perhaps next year Alex and I can meet you in DC or when you make it to New York again. The sandwich looks delicious!

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  7. I love you how make it all pretty, too.

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  8. Wow, what a deluxe meal! Most gourmet meal on-the-go, ever!

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