Would like to do meal planning but have no idea where to begin

[Radley]

I've started work, and though I only work 8.30 - 1.30, I do all the cooking, so, when I get home, I sometimes don't want to/can't be bothered to cook.

I would like to try food planning if possible, and would be happy to bulk cook etc and freeze, but tbh don't know where to start, AND I have quite fussy kids. DH is terrible so I'm mainly doing it for the children and I.

Here are the problems stopping me menu plan.,

DD1 won't eat meat (only in lasagne)
DD2 will eat meat
DD1 & DD2 won't eat fish
Neither like rice
Not keen on pasta
LOVE vegetables and fruit
DD2 doesn't like potatoes
Neither will attempt couscous

I'm betting that someone is going to tell me I'm onto a no hoper here


Oh and the only thing I won't eat is shellfish (mussels, oysters etc) and celery

[Othersideofthechannel]

There's a challenge. Have just been meal planning myself and finding it hard, but I think your job is even tougher.
Only thing I can think of straight away is vegetable stew. You can sometimes stir in a can of chickpeas or other pulses so DD1 gets some protein and vary what you serve it with (meat or fish) to satisfy DD2. This is what I do, DS usually refuses the meat or fish but sometimes tries it.

Also, vegetable gratins served with crusty bread and ham (for DD2).

[Othersideofthechannel]

I've never tried to freeze the gratin. The stew I usually serve over a couple of days then liquidise the rest into veg soup.

[Cappuccino]

I did it slowly - to start with I wrote down seven meals and shopped for those

whenever I got a new idea/ recipe I kept it in a file

will your dds eat fish if it's hidden? you can make homemade salmon fishfingers and it's not too much hassle

anyway already you have two meals for your first seven days

lasagne
vegetable stew

get another five and you've started

[Mellowma]

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[Othersideofthechannel]

You sometimes don't want to cook when you get home but some nights you could plan a quick and easy cooked from scratch meal.
Also, you could make a home made pizza with your DDs and they could put what they want on their quarter (or third if your DH doesn't eat pizza)

[Radley]

that would be great mellowma.

rae - 1973 at hotmail dot com

[tegan]

I'd like a copy too if one is going.
[email protected]

[Sheraz]

Mellowma - can you send it to me too please?
[email protected]
Thanks!

[JackieNo]

Could I ask too, pretty please, if it's OK?

JackieNo at hotmail dot co dot uk

[Sheraz]

Why do you wite your email address like tha? Have I done mine wrong?

[Stiller]

Could I have a copy of the meal planner as well please

[email protected]

[JackieNo]

Sheraz, so that it's less likely to get picked up as an email address and spammed.

[OrlandoTheMarmaladeCat]

Hi Mellowma - could you add me to the list please?

amandaperry2 at hotmail dot com

Thanks!

[auntymandy]

I used to do planning. It worked quite well. We just all made a list of our favourite dishes and put them in a dish and pulled one out for each day and I made my list from that!!

[Mellowma]

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[nailpolish]

there is a Mumsnet Mealplanner?

why didnt i know about this?

can i have it too Mellowma

Radley, i think you should attempt to sort out these food issues first.

my dds were getting a little fussy so i decided to nip it in the bud

i made one dish every night and thats what everyone got
if they didnt like it, tough

[Bozza]

What sort of things do you normally cook, given that complicated list of dislikes.

What about cauliflower cheese and garlic bread. I sometimes add bacon and brocolli to the cauli cheese. Or lisalisa's lasagne rolls stuffed with feta and spinach and topped with tinned toms? The proper recipe is posted on here and I made it last week.

[Mellowma]

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[alfielooloo]

Hi mellowma,
Can I please have a copy of the meal planner too
thanx
petegriff at tesco dot net

[Flumpybumpy]

mellowma - you've started something here

Please may I have a copy too craig AT parsonage12 DOT fsnet DOT co DOT uk

Many thanks

FB x

[Mellowma]

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[nailpolish]

mellowma, do you regret starting this?

ill Cat yu later xx

[HeartMarsLady]

Oh Mellowma... lol.... you know how this will end! lol lol lol

Don't forget.... £1 donation to The British Heart Foundation (The plan originally being YorkieGirl's and someone suggesting that a donation would be good).

[Mellowma]

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[tegan]

Thanks for that it is real help.