I love to cook from scratch. I enjoy making pastry, cakes, pizza and watching my children devour it, safe in the knowledge that the meals are virtually additive free and I know exactly what's in them. However, we all have those midweek nights (and let's be honest, sometimes weekends too) when we don't have the time/can't be bothered/don't have the ingredients to whip up a, from scratch, Jamie Oliver worthy meal for our family. Confession- before you ask, yes, sometimes it is just a trip to McDonald's or the chip shop if I really cannot face making anything :)
Other times, I like to have a few quick and easy meals to hand.
Our kids favourite one is 'pasta, cheese and beans' literally what it sounds. Pasta, with baked beans mixed in and sprinkled with grated cheese. Less than ten minutes to prepare, and please, correct me if I'm wrong, more nutritious, and certainly more filling than McDonald's. To make myself feel better, I ocassionally think about using organic whole wheat pasta, organic beans and organic cheddar (I may've actually done this once). I also serve it with carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices, with a yoghurt or fruit for pudding.
Our kids favourite one is 'pasta, cheese and beans' literally what it sounds. Pasta, with baked beans mixed in and sprinkled with grated cheese. Less than ten minutes to prepare, and please, correct me if I'm wrong, more nutritious, and certainly more filling than McDonald's. To make myself feel better, I ocassionally think about using organic whole wheat pasta, organic beans and organic cheddar (I may've actually done this once). I also serve it with carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices, with a yoghurt or fruit for pudding.
Another easy one is an omelette.
Whisk up some eggs (I use about a dozen for our family) and a splash of milk in a jug, I add onion salt (the kids complain if I add actual onion to an omelette) and pour into a frying pan, once it's cooked on the bottom, I sprinkle cheese on top and place it under the grill to cook on the top, when I'm in a 'can't-be-bothered-to-cook mood, the last think I want to do is mess about trying to flip or fold an omelette. Voila, another ten minute meal. I serve with oven chips, salad, garlic bread, oven baked baguettes, baked beans...whatever I've got to hand really.
Whisk up some eggs (I use about a dozen for our family) and a splash of milk in a jug, I add onion salt (the kids complain if I add actual onion to an omelette) and pour into a frying pan, once it's cooked on the bottom, I sprinkle cheese on top and place it under the grill to cook on the top, when I'm in a 'can't-be-bothered-to-cook mood, the last think I want to do is mess about trying to flip or fold an omelette. Voila, another ten minute meal. I serve with oven chips, salad, garlic bread, oven baked baguettes, baked beans...whatever I've got to hand really.
Pasta with a tomato sauce.
My favourite quick and easy meal. Slice up and sauté some onions and peppers, whatever colour and amount I have left in the fridge. Add tinned tomatoes and or passata. Crumble in a stock cube (unless you're vegetarian, it doesn't matter what flavour it is!) add mixed herbs, oregano, salt, pepper and whatever other Mediterranean herbs you fancy. Simmer for a few minutes and serve over the pasta with grated cheese. For my fussy eaters, I whizz in the blender for a few seconds.
My favourite quick and easy meal. Slice up and sauté some onions and peppers, whatever colour and amount I have left in the fridge. Add tinned tomatoes and or passata. Crumble in a stock cube (unless you're vegetarian, it doesn't matter what flavour it is!) add mixed herbs, oregano, salt, pepper and whatever other Mediterranean herbs you fancy. Simmer for a few minutes and serve over the pasta with grated cheese. For my fussy eaters, I whizz in the blender for a few seconds.
Jacket potatoes.
If you decide early enough in the day that you can't be bothered to cook, then throw some potatoes in the oven for an hour or so. Add beans and cheese, if you really want to go all out, open some tuna or any leftover chicken or ham. Serve with part baked baguette and salad. Easy :)
If you decide early enough in the day that you can't be bothered to cook, then throw some potatoes in the oven for an hour or so. Add beans and cheese, if you really want to go all out, open some tuna or any leftover chicken or ham. Serve with part baked baguette and salad. Easy :)
Mediterranean tart.
Sounds a little fancy, but it's super easy. Use ready rolled puff pastry (can be bought for £1 when on offer) spread with tomato purée or passata, and top with chopped red onion, peppers, ham or any other cooked meat, sprinkle with grated cheese and cook for 15-20 minutes at 160. My 12 year old made this in his food tech class at school, and it reheated really well for dinner too. Serve with whatever side dish you want, corn on the cob, potato salad, regular salad, wedges.
Sounds a little fancy, but it's super easy. Use ready rolled puff pastry (can be bought for £1 when on offer) spread with tomato purée or passata, and top with chopped red onion, peppers, ham or any other cooked meat, sprinkle with grated cheese and cook for 15-20 minutes at 160. My 12 year old made this in his food tech class at school, and it reheated really well for dinner too. Serve with whatever side dish you want, corn on the cob, potato salad, regular salad, wedges.
Easy homemade wedges.
Wash and slice potatoes into wedge shapes. Place on baking tray, drizzle with oil and salt and pepper. Cook for 30-45 minutes at 180-200 depending on how hot your oven is. Turn half way through cooking if necessary. I don't always turn them- I think it makes a difference which kind if potatoes I buy, although I don't remember which ones didn't need turning!
Wash and slice potatoes into wedge shapes. Place on baking tray, drizzle with oil and salt and pepper. Cook for 30-45 minutes at 180-200 depending on how hot your oven is. Turn half way through cooking if necessary. I don't always turn them- I think it makes a difference which kind if potatoes I buy, although I don't remember which ones didn't need turning!
If all else fails, cereal and toast is better than starving, and my guess is it's probably better than McDonald's too, although I'm no nutrional expert...
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