Healthy-ish meals made with a kettle?

meg72

savingqueen wrote: »

just had another thought - not sure if it would work. I often cook potatoes/rice/pasta by boiling water (in the pan or using a kettle) first then turning off the heat and leaving the lid on and they all cook fine. What I do though is make sure the water is boiling in the pan but I guess if you pour boiling water from a kettle immediately into a pan and bung the lid on immediately - in theory it should still work. You could pre-warm the pan first with some boiling water, put the lid on and then boil enough to cook with.

You would just need something to go with the hot food - that might need to be cold but maybe make up a packet sauce that just needs boiling water mixed in and that would make the meal hotter.

Or could you carry a small sandwich maker if you have one or a toaster with those toast pocket things - might be a faff on public transport but toasted sandwiches would warm you up.

good luck to you and your daughter
sq:)

I would check with the hospital before taking toaster etc When my Son was in hospital for sometime no electrical appliances were allowed to be taken in as they have to tested.

Forgot to say I would take instant hot chocolate, poundland do a cadbury one which is delish. Couple of biscuits and a mug of hot chocolate, lovely.

lushlifesaver

If you have a flask or could borrow one you can use them to cook pasta/rice in - boil the kettle, put some rice/pasta in the flask, add the hot water and put the lid on for a while

Hot chocolate is more filling than tea or coffee

Instant mash - decant in to smaller tubs to make up whilst there - add cheese/tinned veg, tinned fish, fresh veggies. cheaper than mash snack pots

Instant noodles will book just in a bowl of hot water or flask, add a stock cube for flavour and some veggies or cooked meats

Sandwiches - sound boring but quick and easy

JimmyTheWig

savingqueen wrote: »

or how about something like a (chilled) tub of cooked pasta with whatever veg/meat etc in and take a packet of cheese sauce(or other packet sauce) and make it up in a mug and pour over the pasta? It wouldn't be boiling hot but would be warm at least.

I think this is the best suggestion yet, OP.

Nicki

I've had lots of time in hospitals over the years with sick kids and it is a nightmare. My child can't be left unaccompanied, so I have to be there 24 hours a day and although the nurses will come over and be with her for a minute or two if I need to use the loo, they won't do it for 5 or 10 minutes to let me run to the hospital shop to get a sandwich, so I am stuck with whatever food I can keep stored in our emergency bag, supplemented with a sandwich if OH is able to come in and visit (not always possible as we have 2 other kids and sometimes kids aren't allowed in at visiting time).

My diet is hopeless in these situations - oatcakes, a bottle of peanut butter, dried fruit, crisps, nuts and chocolate bars. It is amazingly tough when there is no access to microwave or fridge to come up with things which will last especially if you are likely to be there for 2-3 days.

The instant oats do sound like an idea though provided the hospital facilities will stretch to a bowl to make them up in. Our local hospital has a kettle and some polysterene cups and (admittedly free) tea, coffee and sugar for parents but nothing else.

vikki_louise

I would be seriously tempted to buy a cheap toaster (I think mine was £6 from asda), take it with you and leave it behind in that small room when you leave for other parents but then knowing me I would be tempted to try and smuggle in a microwave too! I would take croissants as a treat, make a big mug of tea/coffee and while it cools place the cling film wrapped croissant to sit on top and warm a bit by the steam

lushlifesaver

Nicki wrote: »

The instant oats do sound like an idea though provided the hospital facilities will stretch to a bowl to make them up in. Our local hospital has a kettle and some polysterene cups and (admittedly free) tea, coffee and sugar for parents but nothing else.

The ones we have (Oats so simple and Oatburst ones) you make up in the little pot so you only need a kettle and a spoon Oats so simple do some with 'toppers' like muesli with chocolate/dried strawberries etc

vikki_louise

Also I would forget trying to make a dinner with a kettle and order a take away, I knew a mum who had barely eaten anything (was feeling really ill) as she couldn't leave her daughters bedside so my charity ordered dominos pizza and chocolate pudding for her, I just put the name and ward on and it got to her no problem, cold pizza is quite nice for lunch the next day too. Research local take aways before you go

coolcats

Nicki wrote: »

I've had lots of time in hospitals over the years with sick kids and it is a nightmare. My child can't be left unaccompanied, so I have to be there 24 hours a day and although the nurses will come over and be with her for a minute or two if I need to use the loo, they won't do it for 5 or 10 minutes to let me run to the hospital shop to get a sandwich, so I am stuck with whatever food I can keep stored in our emergency bag, supplemented with a sandwich if OH is able to come in and visit (not always possible as we have 2 other kids and sometimes kids aren't allowed in at visiting time).

My diet is hopeless in these situations - oatcakes, a bottle of peanut butter, dried fruit, crisps, nuts and chocolate bars. It is amazingly tough when there is no access to microwave or fridge to come up with things which will last especially if you are likely to be there for 2-3 days.

The instant oats do sound like an idea though provided the hospital facilities will stretch to a bowl to make them up in. Our local hospital has a kettle and some polysterene cups and (admittedly free) tea, coffee and sugar for parents but nothing else.

Thanks for the input, hope all works for you. So hard at times with them. I'm hoping I can leave her for a short time, although it won't be easy. There will be no visitors as too far for any to come. So needs to be taken with me, its possible she may be allowed off the ward with me, but that will be in between tests.

rosalie-lavender

One thing I have in my going away bag is a pack of instant semolina. It just takes boiling water to make up.

RAS

Hi

Small amounts of flavouring are really useful - dried herbs, chilli, pepper and a garlic bulb.

Cuppa soups - you need to take a mug.
Readybrek plus milk powder and sugar mixed together may be cheaper than oatsosimple - do take a deep bowl and a spoon.
Instant noodles. Camping I make them until nearly cooked (soft but not ready to eat), then add half a cuppasoup and more boiling water. leave to soak up the soup.
Instant noodles cooked and dressed with pesto or tapenade or cream cheese and herbs.
Instant whip + milk powder plus cold water for dessert. Chocolate flavour is my favourite.
Instant custard over cake (I have been known to balance the container with the cake on the radiator to warm it up)

What I call mainframe salads

Tin of beans or chickpeas, drained.
Add chopped onion, tuna (preferably in some oil) + acid - the cheap squeezy lemons from Lidl are great.
Add any of the folowing - chopped tomato, olives, gherkins or replace the tuna with ham or chicken and add a bit of mayo.

Take a thermos flask as well; you can fill it up and make drinks without going back to the kitchen.