Dinner ideas that don't need any cooking!

[NordicNobody]

We've just moved back to the UK from a rather cold country, I'm 7 months pregnant and hotter than hell. Our flat is tiny and full of boxes (thankfully we're only staying here for a month then moving somewhere bigger). Basically I'm a zillion degrees, trapped in a tiny flat, with a toddler who is into EVERYTHING, and I really don't want to cook! Please share your recipes for (preferably healthy) meals that don't require me to use the oven or hob. Can cope with the microwave. All I have so far is quiche and salad...

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Bugger, my suggestion was going to be quiche and salad...

[foodiemama26]

microwave rice or lentil pouches with a cooked chicken from the supermarket. Warburtons toasty pockets to use in toaster with carious fillings. ‘Picnic tea’ is a favourite of my toddler...carrot and cucumber sticks, cheese, crackers, sweetcorn and sliced meat.

[MsHippo]

Rotisserie chicken, baguettes and salad? Cous cous with various mixed in (Jarred roast peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, herbs, chickpeas/feta? Mezze/anti-pasta type selection? Ploughman's supper?

[stargirl1701]

Hot smoked salmon salad with green beans and new potatoes (a tiny bit of cooking)

Nigella's Golden Jubilee Chicken Salad (no cooking if you buy the precooked chicken)

Nigella's crab linguine (just cook the linguine)

[Magicpaintbrush]

Excellent thread!

My suggestion is cold smoked mackerel salad; pack of smoked mackerel, lettuce, cucumber, beetroot, potato salad, crusty roll etc - if you can bear to boil a couple of eggs to eat cold with it they go really well.

[Ricekrispie22]

Couscous (just boil the kettle and leave couscous to soak in boiling water for 15 mins) with feta cheese www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/11690/10minute-couscous-salad
You can get tins of tuna with different sources/dressings. Tesco does a good selection. Or just get plain tuna and add a tin of sweetcorn and some mayo. I get the tin of tuna in a Mexican dressing and have it with Mexican microwave rice and sweetcorn.
Microwave rice is a God send. Stir in a spoon of cream cheese, some peas, chopped ham and a twist of pepper.

[NordicNobody]

You're all geniuses, these sound delicious, please keep them coming!

[VanillaSugar]

Tray bakes, if you don't mind a little bit off prep. Potatoes, onions, garlic, lemons, olives, chicken, herbs. Smother with olive oil, roast at 180c for 35 mins, take out and stir through packet spinach & rocket.

[MuggledOff]

Baked potatoes done in the microwave? If you're feeling too hot for the usual beans etc you could have cold fillings - cheese, coleslaw, egg mayo (a contraversial but delicious filling) tuna/sweet corn mayo etc.

If you have a toaster you can get toastie bags which make cheese toasties (or any filling) in a normal toaster so you don't need to buy a toastie maker. Not healthy exactly but very satisfying!

M and S do a cold half roast chicken for £3.50 that is delicious and a good size for two adults and a toddler. Often available in their '3 for £7' deal.

[MuggledOff]

Oh also I've just bought pre-made pulled pork from the deli bit at Morrisons today. Planning to have it on brioche buns with apple sauce tomorrow for lunch.

[Ricekrispie22]

Microwave Heinz Mexican Beanz www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Heinz-Creationz-Mexican-Beanz/244705011 and have with taco shells (or a tortilla wrap), red peppers and lettuce.
Make a prawn noodle salad with a packet of little cooked prawns, the noodles that you just have to soak in water and sweet chilli sauce.

[sashh]

Microwave ready meals.

My local council does meals on wheels to anyone who wants them, check your local council.

Kippers - put the bag in a jug and add boiling water.

Toaster bags, as previously mentioned, and you can also toast potato waffles.

Beans on toast - toast in the toaster beans in a glass jug in the microwave - easier to pour from a jug. You can also add cheese.

Do you have a slow cooker? Prep in the morning before it is too hot or in the evening and keep in the fridge - don't put the actual pot in the fridge, it needs to warm up.

You can cook a joint in one, no prep just put the joint in and put the lid on - serve with bread and butter or make into wraps adding salad.

Or chicken pieces and potatoes. Pork ribs in passatta with tinned bertolli or broad beans.

Breakfast muffins - can be eaten anytime, basically beat some eggs and put in a muffin tray with any 'filing' you like, cooked bacon and sliced spring onion is my favorite - bake for 20 mins and either eat hot or leave to cool as a sort of quiche without pastry.

Pasta can be cooked by pouring boiling water over and leaving with a lid on for 20 mins. Put a tablespoon of cream cheese in a bowl, add a dessertspoon of the cooking liquid and stir - drain the pasta and put it in with the cream cheese.

[serbska]

Vietnamese prawn salad. There is a lot of chopping but it is so fresh and summery tasting.

Soak rice noodles in hot water.
Chop up cucumber, lettuce, onion, grate a carrot. Add beansprouts and pre-cooked prawns and some dry roasted peanuts (or plain non-salted peanuts).
Add torn up mint, coriander and thai basil (optional but good).
Make the dressing, chuck it over.

Dressing:
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 to 3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/2 cup (125ml) water
1 Thai bird’s eye chile minced, or 1 teaspoon minced red chiles (or to taste)
optional: 1 small clove of garlic, peeled and minced