Feeling grumpy so what shall I cook tonight taking the following into account

[listsandbudgets]

I feel tired and disinclined to do anything
I'm short on time
DP is not eating carbs so no pasta, potatoes, etc.
DD is vegetarian
DS wont eat anything too spicy and hates eggs
I do not want to cook 2 meals
We had takeaway recently so can't do that again
The gousto box I'd planned to use hasn't turned up and may not until 8pm - we eat at 6.30ish

Something quick and easy please.. help I'm drawing a blank

I am so pissed off with cooking and feel like going out to dinner by myself and leaving them all to it. It's not the cooking... it's the deciding the endless deciding within all the flipping contraints. We had mild red Thai veg curry last night which was nice

DD in middle of exams so can hardly ask her to help. DP working late - DS - well he's just DS - he's 9 and has co-ordination difficulties I'm feeling grumpy

Did I mention I'm feeling grumpy? Someone decide for me.. please.

Burgers / veggie burgers and salad. DP without the bun, add avocardo/chilli/cheese for DP?

I second that. Coop gro veggie burgers are great without the bun. Make wedges for everyone else.

Aubergine parmigiana. Black bean tacos – people who like spice can add hot sauce, people who don’t carb can just have the fillings. Pad Thai and just take a portion out for DP before stirring the noodles in or make him pick them out if you’re annoyed at this irritating constraint.

Or whatever you feel like eating and the fussy ones can pick out the bits they don’t want. Tbh if someone is no-carbing I’d put them in charge of dinner because they’re ruling out easy meals like pizza, pasta, baked potatoes and fillings, and making your life harder. Veggie is easy, non-spicy is easy, no carb is just a window into meal-planning hell.

Or just don't cook two meal cook for you and the kids and tell DP if he is on a restricted diet he has to sort himself out.

What about a bean stew? Butter beans, some onion, peppers, a stick of celery and some courgette or small aubergine plus tinned of chopped tomatoes. I like ot with herbs and some ground cumin. Can be eaten with bread or rice, DP could skip the carbs.

Greek meze is also good for the “pick and mix what your dietary restrictions allow” vibe if you cba to schlep to the shop in this infernal heat: hummus, stuffed vine leaves, Greek salad, tzatziki, halloumi, flatbreads – lots of this you can also make from scratch but again, infernal heat and grumpiness. Flour and yoghurt flatbreads are quick and easy.

Cheesy pasta bake and salad. Whilst the pasta bake is cooking Chuck in some protein like chicken or pork to bake at the same time and DP can have more of the salad as he main plus proteins of choice.

so two meals but not extra faff! Minimal prep if you buy a pre made cheese sauce and also cheese will cheer you up because it’s the food of the gods 😬

Pasta for you and DC. Your DH sorts himself out.

You have my family, right down to the Gousto box and annoying DP!

Thanks everyone - decided to go with burgers then found a tub of frozen vegeterian bolognaise so we're having that with salad, pasta, garlic bread and cheese - they can all choose the bits they like and I'm having the lot.

Gousto box just turned up so glad I didn't wait as have no desire to start on anything complex.

Appreciate all the ideas and will book mark this for my next grumpy moment ]

I tend to do the same meal and change a bit - so salmon and jacket potatoes - DS has fishfingers

chicken stir fry - DD has the stir fry without the chicken added

Pasta bake - made without spice - add it after and stir it in for non spicy child

Fish fingers and salad - I’ll have chicken

picnic tea cheeses ham bread salad sausage roll (or cheese rolls) let them pick - everyone’s favourite

Jacket potatoes - tuna /cheese beans - all different combinations

Roast dinner - goes well - lots of veg and veggie has something from the freezer

Been working round this a long time!