I need inspiration!

[mumto3boys]

For new meals.

Me, DH, DS1 (12) DS2 & 3 (almost 5)

DH & DS 3 are meat and 2 veg type eaters. DS2 a bit better, and DS1 a lot better and would prefer not to have the meat, just to make life complicated.

Usual meals are home made pizza, curry, chilli, jacket potatoes, sausage pasta, sausage & mash, roast.

Not so often we have lasagne, spag bol, cottage pie, which may or may not go down well according to mood.

We don't eat much fish, which is something I would like to change. We do eat a lovely prawn pasta, with the exception of DS 3 who has a sausage substitute. Occasionally Kedgeree, or fish and chips. Fajitas are an occasional too.

DS 3 is a bit fussy - will eat broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, runner beans but will not touch tomatoes, peppers, onions, mushrooms. Also not great with any tomato type sauces, but loves tomato soup.

Am really needing some inspiration now. I would prefer to cut down on meat, without DH commenting he is gettin the side dish and not the main.

WE also need to tighten the budget. I am interested in using lentils as i've never really cooked with them, despite being vegan in a former life! DH is not good with beans of any sort.

We can't use nuts or peanuts due to allergies.

Go on, inspire me! (in short uncomplicated words, with instructions )

[nicnacinoonoo]

fish pie if you want to try fish. fish and broccoli in hollandaise sauce with mash on top.
i do a lovely chicken and veg pie where you can use minimal chicken and lots of veg like broccoli, sweetcorn, carrots etc in white sauce with a veg stock cube mixed in and then a layer of pastry on top. i got the recipe for that off the bbcgoodfood website if you want to look it up.
i also do a chicken stew where you can cut back on the chicken and use extra potatoes and veg instead. the sauce is just a couple of tins of nice veg soup and a chicken stock cube.
toad in the hole sounds like it might go down well with them.
hope these help a bit ill try and think of some more.

[mumto3boys]

Thanks! I do quite a good toad in the hole but I have a very odd child who doesn't like yorkshire pud!!!

[CharlotteVV]

Have you got a slow cooker? That might help with cooking up stews with lentils and nice thick soups with lots of veg and cheaper cuts of meat, or less meat altogether.....you don't need to add tomatoes just stock cubes and throw in any fresh herbs you have. Great thing is its different every time and you can be flexible on your ingredients and just use what you have in the fridge at the time.

Also try this recipe for a quick fish pie:

www.britishpotatoes.co.uk/quick-fish-pie/

[silverwoodhelpdesk]

A sort of veggie dish: Cauliflower, carrots and celery boiled, drenched in a blue cheese sauce. A vegetarian meal which is made so much better with the addition of BACON!

[mumto3boys]

Great thanks. WE do have a slwo cooker but I have only ever cooked stew in it, either chicken or beef and it's always the same.

I'm really not sure how to cook with lentils TBH. I'm assuming they would go mushy if I put them in as I would meat