Here is a puzzle for you!

diddly74

I like to cook from scratch and do so most nights. But since March our situation has changed. I am now working 2-3 night shifts a week (nurse in nursing home) and hubby has had his hours cut and changed in his retail job. He now only has 20 hours but has to work 3-7pm every day - its really carp and money has suddenly become v tight. But thats not why I want your help.

Because I have to start work at 7pm, and OH finishes then and kids are hungry way before that - mealtimes have become so hard to organise.

Has anyone got any tips or meal ideas that I can cook that means I can feed my children at tea time, keep warm for himself and possibly take to work (to warm in a microwave) for me to eat at Midnight (if I eat with the kids I feel too stuffed and bloated rushing around in my uniform).

HELP!!!

VfM4meplse

I would suggest one-pot meals (there are bound to be loads of recipes forthcoming from OS-ers) that everyone can help themselves to and heat in the microwave. Also on the days you work, try have your main meal at l/t rather than midnight!

rosie383

I would go for things like lasagna and jacket potatoes. Also shepherd's pie, any of the pie type things on the baked bean thread that someone started. All of those will be satisfying for the kids, and for you and your OH to heat up later.
Mind you, you may find if you have something so filling at midnight, that you will be finding it soooo hard to keep your eyes open by 3am!! I did many, many nights in nursing homes, and I know what it is like. Thank God those days are behind me now.

kittycat204

if i'm correct are you together at lunch time. could you not cook a dinner at lunch, leave some to be re-heated for the kids at night, then you and partner have a lunch type meal for dinner, salad, sandwich, crisps apple etc for dinner.
just a thought

Toxic_Lemon

I would recommend a slow cooker. Chuck in veg, meat or chicken and then either a packet mix or stock and walk away. 4-8 hours later, you have a hot meal to which you can add potatoes, chips, rice or even bulgur wheat which only takes 10 mins sat in some boiling water.

Almost impossible to over-cook in a slow-cooker. Take it to work the next day, if there's any left.

the_cat

Every week on one(or two!) of the nights you are not working, do a double portion of something that can both freeze and reheat easily. Portion and put in the freezer and use the following week on your night shifts. Then you can all eat individually at your preferred time

By doing it a week in advance like this, you don't have to eat the same thing several times in a week. Of course if you are happy to do so, then just eat it the same week you cook it!

Butterfly_Brain

We eat at lunch time because of DH's shifts and I have just been diagnosed with a hiatus hernia, so I am on a bland diet.
I batch cook lots of things that we love such as stews, shepherds pie, curry, pies, pasties,a spagbol, sauce that can be used for lasagnes, spag bol, etc (The last four items I can't have but DH and kids can) I cook a joint of meat and slice it up into meal sized portions that you just add gravy to and reheat for a quick roast dinner ( I part roast roast potatoes until they are just colouring so all they need is 20- 25mins in the oven and HM yorkshire puddings as well)
Macaroni cheese is quick and easy and you can add pieces of fried bacon, peppers, onions to it as well.
Soup is another quick and tasty meal serve with HM bread for a filling meal.
Every other Saturday (due to freezer restrictions) I batch bake lots of cakes and cookies - especially twinks which every one loves, I cook some and open freeze the dough that I have shaped into cookies that I don't use, then bag up; so that all they need is 8 mins in the oven and voila you have a quick treat. I make fairy cakes, swiss rolls, bread, and bread rolls too.
Hope this helps x

VfM4meplse

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

We eat at lunch time because of DH's shifts and I have just been diagnosed with a hiatus hernia, so I am on a bland diet.

I initially felt bad for you - no curry! - but can see that you are making up for it in the cakes and biscuits department. Maybe a bland diet isn't so bad after all .

The force is definitely with you!