I'm a terrible cook and need meal ideas for self catering holiday please

[kate1277]

Help!

I am just not a great cook at all, and struggle for ideas and time.

I'm taking 4 children away on my own to Tenerife next month... I've never done a self catering holiday before but booked this as it was cheap and the only way I will afford a holiday this year.

So will have a small fridge, 2 burner hob and a microwave in the kitchen. No oven.

Will probably eat out a few nights, but trying to keep costs down.

Breakfast and lunches are fine. It's dinner ideas I will struggle for.

Youngest child is 2 (eats anything). Eldest 14 (eats most things).

Middle 2 are a bit more picky and would like to just eat chips and pasta the whole time. Can't even do chips without an oven though

Been to Spain many times but not Tenerife... there will be a supermarket very close by.

Thanks for any help x

if you can get tinned potatoes, drain & give them a good rinse , cut then into even size chunks and fry them on the hob in a bit of oil and butter. While they're cooking make a up pack of marshall cheesy mac n cheese , it's really simple, surprisingly very tasty & can make this all in one pan. You can always add some chopped up hot dogs or chunks of fried spam things like that too if you want

as @Zanzara mentioned; Mercadona

Have a wee browse to give you an idea of what's available @kate1277

Our go to easy pasta meal was bacon pieces / lardons fried off, tin of sweetcorn added to the pan for 5 mins, then ads a tub of crème fraiche mixed in . Finally mix in some cooked pasta. Dead easy and the kids loved it

God keep it simple

Grilled cheese sandwiches
Spaghetti and jarred sauce, or cream, cheese and ham
Hotdogs one night
Burgers another night

'Picky teas' are the way to go, crusty bread, salad, pate, cooked meats, crisps, olives.

Maybe your 14 year old would like to cook something. Challenge them to get something at the supermarket.

Before you go buy a couple of jars / packets of passata. Saying this because you said you were a crap cook, it is basically sieved tomatoes that makes a thick sauce.

Pour in to a pan and season, I tend to use salt, pepper and smoked paprika - you will get those on Tenerife easily.

Now cube up / slice up ONE of the following

Chicken, pork steak or fish (a pie mix works well)

Then add one or more of: olives (drained if from a jar) cannellini or kidney beans (tinned is fine) green beans, mushrooms or sweetcorn (tinned or baby corn)

Simmer for 20 - 30 mins while that is cooking make boiled / mashed potatoes, pasta or rice.

If the children will eat this then it is something that can be done a couple of times with different ingredients.

I’d embrace the keep it simple approach with things you’re used to doing, pastas, potato dishes, picnic style food etc, I wouldn’t put stress on yourself on holiday to do things you wouldn’t normally do at home.

You're sure to find ready made Spanish omelettes in any supermarket, some with just potatoes or with peppers or spinach. They are ready to eat, so can be eaten cold, or you can heat them up by frying for a couple of minutes on each side.
Serve a wedge of omelette with some salad and bread and there's a quick economical and tasty meal.

Another ready meal to look out for is gazpacho in cartons or bottles. No cooking needed as it is served cold. It's a rich fresh tasting Spanish tomato soup, serve it with croutons of fried bread or with garlic bread, or prepare chopped cucumber, peppers, celery for everyone to add to their soup bowl.

Have a fab holiday!

Also, Mercadona have bags of frozen rice in the freezer, which you just pop in the microwave. I believe they are predominantly white with red writing on.

I've only ever popped into the supermarkets in Spain for snacks and drinks so wasn't too sure what is available

This comment did make me smile - it's a supermarket. Where do you think Mrs Cannybody of Spain picks up her groceries? Of course it's going to sell food to cook too.

I meant more I wasn't sure if my beloved turkey dinosaurs type food would be available

Thanks everyone, been so helpful lots of great ideas x

On holiday as kids we lived off nice crusty bread, ham and cheese and a bit of fruit and bought chips at lunchtime. Loved it.

Do cheese, olives, salad, hummus or whatever you can get in the supermarket that means you open the lid/box or slice and serve.

You could always do a few tins of soup and crusty bread as well

🧟‍♂️ 🧟 🧟‍♂️ 🧟 🧟‍♂️ 🧟
They will have been back from their holiday for some time by now!