I'm in a food rut
Discussion
Just that really.
We have a newborn plus a toddler and priorities are different for the time being. We still want nutritious food but without the hassle and mess of cooking from scratch every night.
Any suggestions for healthy balanced meals that don't cause carnage and that pack a punch?
What do you guys eat midweek?
We have a newborn plus a toddler and priorities are different for the time being. We still want nutritious food but without the hassle and mess of cooking from scratch every night.
Any suggestions for healthy balanced meals that don't cause carnage and that pack a punch?
What do you guys eat midweek?
Join the gang 
I am home early most days but am either around food at work, teaching about it or discussing it so quite frankly when I get home I'm not always in the mood.
Last night I did a quick pork escalope with some frozen chips, tonight making a pizza from dough I did the other day. Night before was just pasta with some shredded chicken, ham and mushrooms and a jar of sauce. Night before that was a veggie stir fry and before that was braised ox cheeks that I had done a few days before.
We plan our meals out for the week before shopping so normally organised which helps. I found arguing between 4 people what they wanted for dinner took the most time and normally resulted in at least two different meals. At least if we have a plan you can just get on with it as soon as I get in and its done and finished in the minimum of time.
I am home early most days but am either around food at work, teaching about it or discussing it so quite frankly when I get home I'm not always in the mood.
Last night I did a quick pork escalope with some frozen chips, tonight making a pizza from dough I did the other day. Night before was just pasta with some shredded chicken, ham and mushrooms and a jar of sauce. Night before that was a veggie stir fry and before that was braised ox cheeks that I had done a few days before.
We plan our meals out for the week before shopping so normally organised which helps. I found arguing between 4 people what they wanted for dinner took the most time and normally resulted in at least two different meals. At least if we have a plan you can just get on with it as soon as I get in and its done and finished in the minimum of time.
b
ks to giving people a choice. My kitchen is a dictatorship.
Anyway, yes - big portions of freezable stuff is your friend here. This week we have had beef shin chilli (and froze a further 4 portions), left over pasta bake that had been frozen from the preceding week (still have 2 portions left), and last night was smoked mackerel, salad, roasted pepper and tomato salad and few mini baked potatoes.
In total since Tuesday I've probably spent about 45 minutes actually cooking but we've eaten good, nutritious stuff every night.
You know the score Pferd.
ks to giving people a choice. My kitchen is a dictatorship.Anyway, yes - big portions of freezable stuff is your friend here. This week we have had beef shin chilli (and froze a further 4 portions), left over pasta bake that had been frozen from the preceding week (still have 2 portions left), and last night was smoked mackerel, salad, roasted pepper and tomato salad and few mini baked potatoes.
In total since Tuesday I've probably spent about 45 minutes actually cooking but we've eaten good, nutritious stuff every night.
You know the score Pferd.
I tend to make a massive pot of Chilli - maybe 8 or 10 double portions - then freeze it. The weekend after - a massive pot of tomato based pasta sauce - 10 - 12 double portions - freeze that. Then a massive pot of chicken and lentil curry - portion that and freeze it. A whole chicken and a pack of chicken thighs will easily make 10 double portions. That's 3 nights of the week sorted for 2 - 3 months. Monday then tends to be something made from Sunday leftovers, and Friday tends to be a take-away.
Chilli can be had with rice, just tortilla chips or a jacket potato.
Tomato pasta sauce can be had on its own, with Tuna, with Sausage or however.
You do need a big freezer, and a massive quantity (30 or 40) of conveniently sized sealable pots. Then you just need to sort the portions / timing so you're only cooking a massive batch about once a month, but you always have a stock of 3 different meals in the freezer.
A rice cooker helps too.
Chilli can be had with rice, just tortilla chips or a jacket potato.
Tomato pasta sauce can be had on its own, with Tuna, with Sausage or however.
You do need a big freezer, and a massive quantity (30 or 40) of conveniently sized sealable pots. Then you just need to sort the portions / timing so you're only cooking a massive batch about once a month, but you always have a stock of 3 different meals in the freezer.
A rice cooker helps too.
Pferdestarke said:
Just that really.
We have a newborn plus a toddler and priorities are different for the time being. We still want nutritious food but without the hassle and mess of cooking from scratch every night.
Any suggestions for healthy balanced meals that don't cause carnage and that pack a punch?
What do you guys eat midweek?
Stir Fry? They are about 5 mins to cook. You can get one pre done or do your own from scratch or the best bet get a pre done one and then just chuck your own things in and be creative.We have a newborn plus a toddler and priorities are different for the time being. We still want nutritious food but without the hassle and mess of cooking from scratch every night.
Any suggestions for healthy balanced meals that don't cause carnage and that pack a punch?
What do you guys eat midweek?
Or soups? They are about 5 mins to cook. You can get one pre done or do your own from scratch or the best bet get a pre done one and then just chuck your own things in and be creative.
Or rice dishes? They are about 5 mins to cook. You can get one pre done or do your own from scratch or the best bet get a pre done one and then just chuck your own things in and be creative.
Do you want me to continue?
You are just being mentally lazy food wise.
And I know you are a proper food nut as well, so double judge hammer !!! Bad boy bad boy
Guilty as charged.
Thanks guys. And yes, I just don't seem to have the energy to think about planning meals right now. We've even taken to online shopping which I'm really quite pleased with.
I'll get my ass in to gear over the next few weeks but for now a little batch cooking is required this Sunday.
Thanks guys. And yes, I just don't seem to have the energy to think about planning meals right now. We've even taken to online shopping which I'm really quite pleased with.
I'll get my ass in to gear over the next few weeks but for now a little batch cooking is required this Sunday.
Omelette made with with peppers/onions pre-chopped and out of the freezer and on the side some cherry tomatoes and a handful of leaves out of a bag + buttered bread or crusty roll.
Two or three nights a week I have a light meal of Greek yoghurt with nuts, seeds and a little fruit. Probably not for everyone....
Two or three nights a week I have a light meal of Greek yoghurt with nuts, seeds and a little fruit. Probably not for everyone....
Make a meal plan for the week before shopping, plan based on what you already have in ready to go, see later, or what you already have in but need an odd thing or two to complete. Maybe two days plan something which will take a bit more time but based on the planned week is on a day where time is more likely to be available.
In the menu plan include the issue of dealing with leftovers into a new dish.
Go shopping, don't get sucked into buying something on impulse unless you know it will fit into the scheme.
Follow the plan, but be prepared to switch says around if desired.
As others have stated, if you have something you like which will freeze, make extra, freeze, then it will be ready to go when you do the plan next week or week after.
Don't forget to consult menu daily and look forward to determine if anything needs defrosting.
In the menu plan include the issue of dealing with leftovers into a new dish.
Go shopping, don't get sucked into buying something on impulse unless you know it will fit into the scheme.
Follow the plan, but be prepared to switch says around if desired.
As others have stated, if you have something you like which will freeze, make extra, freeze, then it will be ready to go when you do the plan next week or week after.
Don't forget to consult menu daily and look forward to determine if anything needs defrosting.
Iceland do slimming world ready meals, for the people on the diet, but they are all really nice, no colours or preservatives etc.
you can get, chilli, currys, sag, pasta and meatballs etc all for £3 and will serve 2.
You could have one every night if you really needed too. they are very tasty, avoid the burgers though they are cardboard
http://groceries.iceland.co.uk/slimming-world?q=:r...
you can get, chilli, currys, sag, pasta and meatballs etc all for £3 and will serve 2.
You could have one every night if you really needed too. they are very tasty, avoid the burgers though they are cardboard
http://groceries.iceland.co.uk/slimming-world?q=:r...
Hi Pferdestarke,
Our kids are 4 months and 3 years respectively.
Alongside all the obvious stuff like fish pie, ragu, shepherds pie and all the other guaranteed meals a toddler will eat, we've found that doing a piece of oven baked fish (cod or haddock loin), some roasted veg and new potatoes to be a healthy hit.
Do loads more veg than required (red onions, courgettes, peppers, butternut squash etc) and blend what remains with a can of tomatoes and you have a healthy pasta sauce for toddler and a smooth veg sauce for weening the baby.
Everything we eat is home cooked from scratch and then frozen in kid size portions, needn't be a complete arse ache if you cook in quantity...
Our kids are 4 months and 3 years respectively.
Alongside all the obvious stuff like fish pie, ragu, shepherds pie and all the other guaranteed meals a toddler will eat, we've found that doing a piece of oven baked fish (cod or haddock loin), some roasted veg and new potatoes to be a healthy hit.
Do loads more veg than required (red onions, courgettes, peppers, butternut squash etc) and blend what remains with a can of tomatoes and you have a healthy pasta sauce for toddler and a smooth veg sauce for weening the baby.
Everything we eat is home cooked from scratch and then frozen in kid size portions, needn't be a complete arse ache if you cook in quantity...
Edited by DoubleSix on Sunday 8th May 21:48
Edited by DoubleSix on Sunday 8th May 21:56
Pferdestarke said:
Just that really.
We have a newborn plus a toddler and priorities are different for the time being. We still want nutritious food but without the hassle and mess of cooking from scratch every night.
Any suggestions for healthy balanced meals that don't cause carnage and that pack a punch?
What do you guys eat midweek?
Well, you're right - make it easier in the week so you still enjoy making something more elaborate at weekends; otherwise you'll tire of all of it. We particularly enjoy hairy dieters for mid-week meals. Generally easier than standard cook-book fare, but majoring on taste and health-awareness without being 'diet food' - double or triple up quantity, freeze by portion in boxes. I've seen your stuff in the photo thread though so maybe it's not quite up to your grade!! We have a newborn plus a toddler and priorities are different for the time being. We still want nutritious food but without the hassle and mess of cooking from scratch every night.
Any suggestions for healthy balanced meals that don't cause carnage and that pack a punch?
What do you guys eat midweek?
Gassing Station | Food, Drink & Restaurants | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff