Need some inspiration

[Anna07]

Since when hubby was in hospital and then Izzy was sick I have been so knackered and just can't be bothered to cook in the evening as too tired (also for a week it was just me and can never be bothered with meals for one).

Been just chucking jacket potatoes in the oven to have with cheese or been ducking into M&S too often which is not good for the old finances..

Luckily had quite a bit frozen for Iz so she hasn't suffered but need to find the energy to make some tastey meals that are quick and easy.

I know there are loads of posts on here like meal planners and dinner ideas but can anyone give me a couple of ideas that will get me out of this rut and doing stuff again.

When I said to hubby that it would be jacket spuds again with salad, he said in a little voice "I would quite like some meat with it if that is ok"

[Claire76]

So why not do something like lamb chops with salad and jackets or potato salad for a change? Very quick and easy, just halve new pots, boil and whack in a few dollops of mayo and add some fresh chives, done, grill the chops, done!! easy xx

[vickiepower]

you could grill some chicken breasts, or a bolognaise, thats nice and quick xxxx

[matilda s mum]

Bit involved but worth it...

when I have time I make a REALLY MASSIVE pot of ratatouille/ hidden veg sauce - so, onion, garlic, plus any veg you like - i use grated courgette, fine chopped red peppers, grated carrots... plus veg stock and tinned toms. you could add aubergine but my OH does not like them, so I don't!

Once cooked, freeze half of it in portions as it is a great veggie option to have with pasta or on jackets. also goes really nicely on top of white fish baked in oven with cheese - yummy!

the other half of the sauce you can keep as is or blend it into a hidden veg sauce, and add to browned beef mince or quorn mince - or half and half, and make a bolognese sauce. Same as above, freeze in portions to serve with pasta or on jackets... add chili powder and kidney beans and you have a chili con carne... put mash on the top and you have a sort of shepherds pie... or you could attempt to make your first lasagne

It might sound like a lot of work, but is worth it as can stretch across several meals.

xx

[Sebs]

What about a nice beef stew, just bung it all in the slow cooker - just as easy as shoving something in the oven and you only need one pot!!

Or I have recently tried pork chops with a sprinkle of paprika on them baked in the oven along with some diced sweet potato and roasted peppers - yummy!

xx

[mrsharvey]

how about a shepherds pie, or lasagne??? xxx

[vickiepower]

ive just made a yummy toad in the hole, took bout 10 mins to do xxxx

[noababy]

Tonight I took 1 onion and blended in my hand blender. Put it with a drop of olive oil in a big saute pan. Sauteed it a bit. Added 500 grams minced dark turkey (but any mince fine). SOme garlic powder, curry (you chuck in whatever spices you want). Tonight I added some ready made meat flavored spaghetti sauce but many times I do without. Keep mixing it till not much liquid left in pan.

In meantime I boiled water and put up some pasta-but you can also make couscous, mashed potatoes. That is dinner in about 20 minutes (and you can even walk away from the stove in the middle.

I know hubby is still recuperating, but maybe he can make something.

[isabellasmum]

Chilli is nice with jackets and freezes well too.

Breaded chicken or kievs are lovely with hm potato wedges (leave skin on so no need to peel) and salad.

If you have a slow cooked we love chicken chasseur in that with rice and green beans.