I will need to get "carb" side dishes for my mums main courses.

MrsE_2

I've ordered these meals for my eldery mother (she doesn't like meals on wheels) & Waitrose only do a small ready meal section in mini size.

http://www.cookfood.net/menu/mealpacks/microwave-meals-for-one

I will have to get "carb" side dishes, you know mashed potatos, rice, pasta & nan breads.

The carb side dishs will need to be microwavable, as she has the meals heated by a carer who is only there for 30 minutes.

Pasta I guess they could prep dried pasta in that time & a nan bread too.

Rice I'm not so sure & potatos def not.

Those micro bags of rice are far to big for one, you can (I believe) buy frozen rice? I guess a small portion could be cooked in the microwave?

As for Mash I'm thinking those Aunt Bessie mashed potato pellets?

I have put in block capitals what I think goes with each main, be glad of any opinions - tried to go for the traditional option as shes not adventerous.

1 x Beef Bourguignon MASH
1 x Chicken Alexander MASH
1 x Pork Dijon MASH
1 x Chicken Dijon MASH
1 x Sausage and Red Onion Casserole MASH
1 x Lamb Bordeaux MASH
1 x Braised Beef in Brandy and Mushroom Sauce MASH
1 x Liver, Bacon and Onions MASH
1 x Beef Casserole MASH
1 x Coq au Vin MASH
1 x Spaghetti Bolognaise PASTA
1 x Marinated Chicken in Tomato Sauce PASTA
1 x Spicy Italian-Style Meatballs in Tomato Sauce PASTA
1 x Chilli con Carne RICE
1 x Pork Stroganoff RICE
1 x Red Thai Chicken RICE
1 x Moroccan Harissa Chicken RICE
1 x Malayan Chicken Curry RICE
1 x Green Thai Chicken RICE
1 x Moroccan Spiced Lamb Tagine RICE
1 x Beef Goulash RICE
1 x Chicken Tikka Masala NAN
1 x Chicken Korma NAN

Wonder_Girl

Looks like a traditional match up, my picky gran would eat all those combos!

As for carbs you can buy bags of frozen rice pretty cheaply, I would steer clear of the micro mash tho, it isn’t always that great, you could make a big batch of mash and freeze it in small portions, it can then be microwaved from frozen, just needs a stir half way through.

I’m sure your Mum will be really grateful :-)

MrsE_2

Wonder_Girl wrote: »

Looks like a traditional match up, my picky gran would eat all those combos!

As for carbs you can buy bags of frozen rice pretty cheaply, I would steer clear of the micro mash tho, it isn’t always that great, you could make a big batch of mash and freeze it in small portions, it can then be microwaved from frozen, just needs a stir half way through.

I’m sure your Mum will be really grateful :-)

I did think about that, but her freezer isn't big & with all those meals & a bag of rice, containers of mash is pushing it a bit, those aunt bessie pellets take up no room at all.

Buddingblonde

You can freeze yours in pellets too you know!

MrsE_2

Buddingblonde wrote: »

You can freeze yours in pellets too you know!

Probably could, but I have enough do do working full time, cooking from scratch every night & the other jobs I do for her.
I don't have the freezer space to start preping stuff either (I fill it with meat/poultry/fish so I can shop once for the following week & defrost daily).

I'm looking for practical long term solutions rather than ways in which I can take on yet another job:(

morag1202

Perhaps you would be better ordering complete meals? This site might suit your mother better.

http://www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com/

nopot2pin

Hi Mrs E...
I am in a very similar situation, with my parents.
I tend to set a day aside every so often to make them OS ready meals.. they alternate these with other ready type meals. It keeps the cost down for them, and they are not eating all processed food..

Does your mum like jacket potato ?
Or even oven chips ? Maybe with a bit of fish ?

Sometimes, if I make a chilli up, and freeze portions for my parents, they choose between, rice, jacket potato or garlic bread

It is very difficult to try and have a variation that they like.
I hope you can find a solution for her
xx

sarahsarah

I think Aunt Bessie's frozen mashed potato is really nice! I use it quite often!

Even Delia uses it in her cheat book!

stressedoutmumof1

morag1202 wrote: »

Perhaps you would be better ordering complete meals? This site might suit your mother better.

http://www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com/

I'll second that, my father in law uses them and is very impressed. You can order over the phone or by post and pay by cash or cheque.

MrsE_2

morag1202 wrote: »

Perhaps you would be better ordering complete meals? This site might suit your mother better.

http://www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com/

She won't eat those, she has a very tiny apetite & is very fussy. It has to be REALLY tempting.

MrsE_2

nopot2pin wrote: »

Hi Mrs E...
I am in a very similar situation, with my parents.
I tend to set a day aside every so often to make them OS ready meals.. they alternate these with other ready type meals. It keeps the cost down for them, and they are not eating all processed food..

Does your mum like jacket potato ?
Or even oven chips ? Maybe with a bit of fish ?

Sometimes, if I make a chilli up, and freeze portions for my parents, they choose between, rice, jacket potato or garlic bread

It is very difficult to try and have a variation that they like.
I hope you can find a solution for her
xx

Those Cook meals are not processed (have you seen the price!) they are gourmet type meals frozen. They are used for dinner parties & entertaining mostly.

Infact I think one whole meal & side dish would make two dinners for her easily, but I can't think of a way of her doing that without eating the same thing twice in a row???? They arrive frozen in the little containers.
Any ideas???

Oven chips & things are not really possible, as the carer has to be out the door within the 30 mins & that includes writing up her report.
She doesn't eat much & its only for one so cost is not an issue, I wouldn't want to waste money but a long term solution that works is more important here.

I'm not going to start making & freezing dinners for her, I don't have the freezer space to do that (nor do I want to spare the time).

This company deliver it too:D