Family dinners you can prep during nap time - inspiration required for a crap cook

[NoEuropeWho]

Currently I am catering for DC1 (4yo), DC2 (9mo) and me (30yo) to sit down about 5-6pm. DC2 is sometimes happy to amuse himself in his playpen but typically 4-5pm is very much not that time. So even ‘quick’ suppers which require 20 mins of sustained attention are a struggle at the moment.

He does however tend to have a decent pm nap so I’ve had some success prepping things like pasta bake or (not too salty) macaroni cheese while he has a kip which I can then bung in the oven later. Also cottage/shepherds pie although tbh I always find that slightly more faff than anticipated and end up frantically mashing while he yells from his cot.

Any other ideas? I have a slow cooker which has only been used for stews but I have the feeling may be an untapped resource.

DC1 is no fussier than average but, you know, he’s 4. DC2 will shovel anything in as long as it’s vaguely pick-up-able and gummable.

Help.

Chicken wraps

Yes your slow cooker is your friend! I only use mine for stews but it's so handy for them. I buy frozen veg, onions and garlic and ready cubed meat to make it even quicker.

I’m interested in the replies as well.

Chicken and cheese quesadillas with guacamole.
Soup and sausages and a good hunk of bread always goes down well here with a nice fruit salad to finish.
Chicken breasts or thighs with various veggies shoved into the oven. You can use a pre prepared mashed potato with this.
A quick curry with rice. Doesn’t have to be spicy. I have several that take under 15 mins to prepare.
Risotto. Tonight we have are having a cheese risotto for the kids. I have just sautéed some beans on the side. And there is a nice baguette. There is also tomato soup (from M&S) for the kids.
I also do a one pot chicken and rice for the kids that is a big hit.

Also I batch cook. Curries. Pasta sauces from scratch, even the sauce for a fajita can all be made in advance.

I have a similar issue to you. Things I have made recently that have helped when on my own:

• homemade fish fingers
• potatoe skins
• fish pie
• wedges and chicken breast or fish with veg
• egg muffins (I make in the evening when they are asleep and microwave when needed).

Most of the above I will then just reheat as and when needed.

Nadiya Hussain did a program on fast food recently and she made egg rolls. She had all kinds of fillings. Mine like the egg roll with fish fingers inside. The fish fingers go in the oven and the egg roll takes less than 10 mins to cook.

Tray bake - with sausages, chicken etc - loads of veg and olive oil

Pies - pre rolled pastry - filled with whatever. Baked beans, feta / veg, leftover chilli etc...

Sausage and bean stew - veg or real

They’re my super quick go to’s.

Frozen mash is a godsend.

Also risotto 👌🏻 - I have an 8 month old (almost) and a 3.5 year old.

Frozen mash is a massive time saver. I add a layer of it to cottage pie base before it goes in the oven. Big batch of bolognese sauce or cottage pie base and freeze.

How do you do risotto? I seem to remember that involving a lot of tending and stirring for the last 30 mins which is the bit I’m struggling with. Ditto the whole 20 minute curry thing. It’s the 20 mins at 4-5pm that’s a nightmare. I can happily spend 30 mins at 1-2pm though!

If I do a traybake could I get it all chopped and ready to go and then shove the whole thing in the fridge for later?

If you make a huge batch of mince you can make Bolognese, turn that into lasagne, cottage pie, chilli, mince beef and onion pie etc.
I always prepped during nap and then popped it in the oven on low before the school run for an early meal.
Roast in a bag chicken and hm chips or mash.
Bubble and squeak- great for leftovers.
Any casserole.

I actually did quesadillas this week but as I stood at the cooker with my spatula while DC2 cried to be picked up/attempted to eat a phone charger and DC1 fired off some pressing questions about Octonauts I did regret my life choices

We've used prechopped veg, sometimes breaded chicken fillets as they can just go in the oven with veg, pasta meals, fajitas, jackt potatoes.

Does swapping the main meal to lunchtime help?
I found once we started eating by 4.15/30 the witching hours in the evening vanished.

Whereas banging in my macaroni cheese and then popping some broccoli in the microwave to steam felt like victory. I’m looking for more of that if I can.

Yes, you can get the tray bake ready in advance and chill for later.

Our family likes pasta with pesto (Aldi do one that has no weird ingredients) and cooked, chopped chicken. We sometimes add crumbled feta and cherry tomatoes.

I also love Jamie Oliver's 15 or 30 minute meals books. They're easy to make and it only takes a couple of goes to get the time down!

Roast chicken is great in the slow cooker. For ease.. add in baby potatoes and serve with frozen veg or add veg for the last half hour of cooking.

Gammon is also great in the slow cooker and would leave you with enough meat for another meal or two.

Jacket potatoes could be cooked earlier and reheated.

I can’t have my tea at 4.30 - I need to pretend I’m still a grownup. DC1 has school dinners but still really needs a proper tea. They would probably be quite happy with a bit of Toddler Tapas but then I can’t be arsed to cook just for me and end up grazing on crap or getting a Deliveroo, which is fine for an occasional treat but... So mass catering seems to be the best option, even if it’s a pain in the bum

Chicken and broccoli bake.

At lunchtime:
Brown cubed chicken
Microwave pre chopped broccoli
Put in casserole dish
Add a selection of sweet corn, ready sliced mushrooms, frozen garlic, frozen onions, tinned beans, anything else you fancy.
Pour over two cans of condensed chicken or mushroom soup
Spread a packet of breadcrumbs or stuffing over the top and maybe some ready grated cheese or Parmesan

In the evening:
Put in oven for 20 mins

Does roast chicken go brown in the slow cooker?

We use our slow cooker for curries, spaghetti bolognaise, chilli, stews, soups

I also do risotto in the oven. Throw the rice in with enough stock to cover it garlic onions and a knob if butter and bake for 30 minutes keeping it covered with foil. Then add peas, pre cooked chicken or whatever you fancy. I always stir in cream cheese at the end though.

Dh has started prepping “dump dinners” for the oven/slow cooker. He’s chopped a load of veggies and some chicken. Veggies have been portioned out and frozen in one bag - courgette red pepper onion butternut- chicken has been marinated in a few ways and in different bags. We pull one out of freezer. Dump onto a tray and bake.

Homemade pizza with salad - use a premade dough sheet from the supermarket, top with passata/tomato paste and whatever cheese or toppings you want. Prep time is about 10 mins and cook time about 15 at 180 degrees (preheated).

Fried rice - wash your rice and put it on the hob. Brown some lardons (diced bacon); add chicken once the lardons are done, and some soy sauce. Allow the chicken to cook and then add frozen mixed veg and cook for about 2 mins. The rice should be done (all of this should have taken 12 mins or so); now add the rice to the pot and mix everything up. Crack two or three eggs into the side of the pan and allow to cook for a minute or so. Now mix everything up together and it's ready! Cook time is about 15 mins.

Oh I feel your pain. I have a 4 year old and an 18 month old and have exactly the same problem with making meals.

These 2 traybakes have been popular in our house (prepared beforehand and then left in the fridge until needed)

Chicken which I've also done with chorizo / peppers

Salmon I cook this in the oven, rather than grilling it as the recipe suggests.

Chicken and chorizo pasta - fry onion, red pepper, chicken and chorizo. Cook pasta then add cream cheese and the chicken etc