Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

What do you eat when you’re not cooking for anyone else?

116 replies

AdamandMadam · 08/10/2021 19:15

DH and DS are away for half-term and whilst I’ll miss them, I’m looking forward to not cooking on the evenings and will probably have toast or cereal or crisp sandwiches most evenings.

Not only that, I will have them by 6 and have the whole evening to myself.

What would you have in the same situation?

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 08/10/2021 19:39

Beans on toast
Paninis

ChikiTIKI · 08/10/2021 19:39

Fried eggs on toast every time. With sriracha.

AlexaShutUp · 08/10/2021 19:39

Why do I not know about Dr Oetker pizza?Confused

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General food
FizzyPink · 08/10/2021 19:39

Spaghetti with tomatoes, garlic, prawns, rocket and lemon

Findlaters chicken liver pate spread onto those little Parmesan cracker things Waitrose sell

DP is a very fussy eater so I take the opportunity whenever he’s out to have my favourites although I do usually reserve the crackers and pate for Christmas as I can very quickly go through a whole packet Blush

onlyhereforthefood · 08/10/2021 19:40

usually a fish pie ready meal at least one night as my husband hates fish and gags at the smell of it cooking!

AlexaShutUp · 08/10/2021 19:41

Pasta with boursin stirred through it is very nice. You can add smoked salmon and a bit of rocket for a "proper" meal.

HeronLanyon · 08/10/2021 19:43

A real luxury to cook and eat for yourself at home if it’s not your usual.
I can go from toast to cheese crackers and grapes to tomatoes and mozzarella to cooking full on dinner depending on how I feel. That’s the real joy just doing exactly as you feel no matter how odd someone else might think it.

Sparklehead · 08/10/2021 19:43

Since having children, I don’t think I’ve ever had the house (and kitchen) to myself - I would love this! I’d definitely treat myself to a steak one night (3 out of 5 of my family are vegetarian, so don’t eat much meat). I’d also get a takeaway in one night. Then, would mainly do big tasty salads with lots of interesting bits mixed in and protein - smoked salmon or hard boiled eggs and bacon, olives on the side, warn flatbreads to mop the dressing up with. Or I might get mussels from the fishmonger and have Moule frites. I would most definitely not be having jacket potatoes/pasta/anything with homemade tomato sauce (all things we eat as nauseum). Enjoy!

headinthecloudsnow · 08/10/2021 19:44

@emmathedilemma

Unless I have visitors I always cook for just myself and I definitely don’t live on sandwiches and toast!
OP has stated she ALWAYS cooks for her DC. Her situation (and by the looks of it 99% of the replies) is completely opposite to yours. It's a novelty to eat by themselves, not the norm.
PurpleDaisies · 08/10/2021 19:44

A lot of pasta! I love pasta. This sausage pasta is a current favourite that reheats very well so I’d probably eat it twice. It’s good with mushrooms replacing sausages too.

pinchofyum.com/date-night-rigatoni

TamponSupport · 08/10/2021 19:45

The same as you! Maybe run to a cup-a-soup and toast if I felt the need for a warm meal.

Sootybear · 08/10/2021 19:46

I've just cooked for myself tonight. I hate not having a proper dinner. If I was you I'd buy something really nice to eat, something that you wouldn't normally have when everyone is around. Watch a film, bottle of wine, some nice chocolate, cheese board, ring a mate, basically do all the things that you normally have to compromise on. I very rarely get days like that.

SolitaryTree · 08/10/2021 19:58

I would cook a bit extra at meal times from now until then and freeze six portions of different meals (one of each of six meals) so that I can eat what I would normally eat without having to cook it just for one person and then I would order takeaway one night and stay up all night binge watching an interesting series.
And I would have a really nice dessert that night too. Maybe some fancy cheesecake.

ThePotatoCroquette · 08/10/2021 20:02

Jacket beans and cheese with salad, mayo and pickled onions on the side

Pasta baked beans and cheese or pasta marmite and cheese or macaroni cheese.

Marmite cheese on toast or Welsh rarebit.

Sweet and sour chicken with chips and peas or chips, peas and curry sauce

Original poster
AdamandMadam · 08/10/2021 20:02

@Sparklehead

Since having children, I don’t think I’ve ever had the house (and kitchen) to myself - I would love this! I’d definitely treat myself to a steak one night (3 out of 5 of my family are vegetarian, so don’t eat much meat). I’d also get a takeaway in one night. Then, would mainly do big tasty salads with lots of interesting bits mixed in and protein - smoked salmon or hard boiled eggs and bacon, olives on the side, warn flatbreads to mop the dressing up with. Or I might get mussels from the fishmonger and have Moule frites. I would most definitely not be having jacket potatoes/pasta/anything with homemade tomato sauce (all things we eat as nauseum). Enjoy!
I know what you mean but I want something that takes max 10 minutes to prepare and clear away!
OP posts:
HarrisMcCoo · 08/10/2021 20:05

DH off to a wedding next month. Two nights he won't be around so I am already fantasising about my trip to the local food hall😂 going to stock up on goodies for when wee ones are asleep those two nights. I will eat meals DH hates - sweet and sour chicken being one of them!

Original poster
AdamandMadam · 08/10/2021 20:05

@SolitaryTree

I would cook a bit extra at meal times from now until then and freeze six portions of different meals (one of each of six meals) so that I can eat what I would normally eat without having to cook it just for one person and then I would order takeaway one night and stay up all night binge watching an interesting series. And I would have a really nice dessert that night too. Maybe some fancy cheesecake.
Sounds like a good plan as long as it can heated easily in the oven (don’t have a microwave).

I will also make sure DH leaves me with a fresh loaf of his sour dough to have with cheese. That should see me through the first couple of nights 😆

OP posts:
Original poster
AdamandMadam · 08/10/2021 20:06

@SandraOhh

This thread just shows how tiring it is having to cook for and consider others all the time
Yes, I saw a thread on this and it made me realise how much I am looking forward to think about cooking for others for a full week.
OP posts:
Original poster
AdamandMadam · 08/10/2021 20:07

@headinthecloudsnow thank you, you understand!

OP posts:
Roussette · 08/10/2021 20:08

Why do I not know about Dr Oetker pizza?

I. Do. Not. Know.

Thin, crispy, a real pizza hit if you are trying to lose weight.

PurpleDaisies · 08/10/2021 20:08

What are your favourite things to eat?

dancemom · 08/10/2021 20:09

TikTok wraps

Or a takeaway

Bouledeneige · 08/10/2021 20:12

I live on my own, divorced and both kids at uni. I often eat salads when I can't be bothered - chicken caesar, prawn and chorizo, that sort of thing. But I also cook nice things like spag bol, marinated butterflied chicken in panko crumbs, ricotta and spinach stuffed pasta in tom sauce. I just make enough for two days.

SolitaryTree · 08/10/2021 20:12

Most things should be fine for oven reheating I think so long as you take out to defrost the night before in the fridge and stir halfway through cooking.

MotherofPearl · 08/10/2021 20:15

I'd go to the local cheesemonger and buy a lot of delicious and interesting cheeses, crackers, pâtés, and accompaniments like quince paste, pickles, and chutney. I see you already have some sourdough lined up.

Then stock up on wine.

Then aim to not leave the house for the whole week, and focus on watching great films and eating the cheese mountain and drinking red wine.

I can actually hardly imagine anything nicer!