Flexible food

Jagraf

Our family of three never eat together in the week. DD 15 is starving when she gets home from school at 5 so eats then before she goes out / tackles piles of homework.

I get back at 5 ish but don't want dinner that early, so eat at about 7.

DH works late very often and eats at about half 8.

We try to eat together at weekends

This can be very expensive and time consuming.

Any idea what kind of meals will service us all? I warm up jacket potatoes on a Monday.

WantToBeSE

When we have nights like this I always use my slow cooker.


I make a big chilli/spag bol or lasagne in there and then turn it to the 'keep warm' function when its done.
then everyone can just help themselves when they are ready and it always stays warm

Jagraf

WantToBeSE wrote: »

When we have nights like this I always use my slow cooker.


I make a big chilli/spag bol or lasagne in there and then turn it to the 'keep warm' function when its done.
then everyone can just help themselves when they are ready and it always stays warm

Didn't realise you could make lasagne in a slow cooker. Sounds lovely.

WantToBeSE

Yes its really easy The cheese doesn't always brown as much as it would do in the oven, but it always tastes the same.

PlymouthMaid

The key is to make big pans/dishes/slow cookers of things as above. so... chili, bolognaise, pasta bakes, potato bakes, curries, risottos (but dont keep it warm). Pizza ready made to microwave if you dont mind it floppy

jackyann

Totally agree with the above.
Also suggest cooking a gammon joint for Sunday roast - it is excellent cold with jacket potatoes / ratatouille / salads etc. (slice very thinly to be MSE!)

Here is a favourite from the times when our family ate like this, adjust quantities to numbers & taste: Gently fry chopped onion, then add chopped pepper (any colour). When soft, add tinned tomatoes and bubble until most of the juice has gone. This will keep warm for ages, or will quickly heat up in a pan from cold. When ready, beat up eggs with seasoning, and pour in, scrambling them in with the veges (it is a creamier, more liquid version of spanish omelette). We ate it with plenty of bread and sometimes with cold meat, sometimes with bacon or sausage cooked whilst heating the veges up. Lovely.

I also think that if cooking stews etc. that keep hot or are easily microwaved, it is often nice to eat with bread. we always keep some "half-baked" by us.