Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be fed up of cooking and no ideas what to cook!

78 replies

Redruby2020 · 09/02/2021 17:39

Now lol, I know there was a thread recently that had me in stitches recently about what kind of food Mumsnetters recommend or would be horrified about 😆

But I need simple easy meal ideas, more so for my DS. I have a small kitchen and very short on time and patience at the moment as moved in a few months ago, and first time being on my own, so it is all catching up with me, no one was lying when they said single parenting is hard work. And I am fed up of hearing people say oh but you only have a flat, oh but you only have one DS, so what! It's still hard work, but we still need to eat as healthily as we can but not to be the be all and end all of the day.
I have one or two people close to me who mention having cooked all day, and making things from scratch, that's not for me, certainly not at the moment!

Thanking in advance ☺️

OP posts:
MaryIsA · 10/02/2021 07:29

What’s wrong with suggesting a shop bought steak pie, our local butchers do a really nice one, nicer than mine, and I can cook.

Omelette is easy cheap and quick, all things eggs are easy and cheap.

BarbaraofSeville · 10/02/2021 07:30

@Egghead68

Put a piece of feta in an oven dish. Add loads of cherry tomatoes, some olive oil and crushed garlic. Bake till done then stir in some pasta. No effort at all.
You can also do this with fish - salmon or a piece of white fish works well.

Or griddle a piece of frozen tuna and have with cous cous, noodles, stir fry veg, rice, anything really.

BarbaraofSeville · 10/02/2021 07:30

Low effort side salad - bag of leaves, cherry tomatoes and cucumber.

FamilyOfAliens · 10/02/2021 07:34

@Egghead68

Put a piece of feta in an oven dish. Add loads of cherry tomatoes, some olive oil and crushed garlic. Bake till done then stir in some pasta. No effort at all.
This is the recipe that’s been doing the rounds on Tik Tok isn’t it?

You’ve missed out some key ingredients, as well as the oven temperatures and timings - it doesn’t work unless you whack the heat up really high towards the end of the cooking and of course you need an ovenproof dish that can withstand those temperatures.

And it’s only any good if you’re happy to eat an entire pack of feta cheese in one sitting.

FamilyOfAliens · 10/02/2021 07:38

@MaryIsA

What’s wrong with suggesting a shop bought steak pie, our local butchers do a really nice one, nicer than mine, and I can cook.

Omelette is easy cheap and quick, all things eggs are easy and cheap.

I didn’t say there’s anything wrong with shop-bought meat pies or omelettes, if that’s what you like.

They’re just strange suggestions from a chef, whose job is to cook delicious food from scratch.

FamilyOfAliens · 10/02/2021 07:40

@BarbaraofSeville

I can’t believe a chef would suggest shop bought meat pies and omelettes to someone who is fed up of cooking

That's exactly the sort of food that many chefs eat at home, ie when they're not being fed at work.

They spend all day thinking about food and cooking, plus usually work long hours, so easy and plain as possible is their usual go to outside work.

Yes but those were suggestions from a chef to a non-chef.
Lotsachocolateplease · 10/02/2021 07:40

Buy larger quantities of things, portion up and freeze so even if you don’t want to batch cook you still have stuff in the freezer. Chicken breasts, mince etc
How old is your ds? If old enough you could theme dinners to make them a bit more exciting - Mexican fajitas, Indian or Thai curry.
And get them involved in the cooking too, again if old enough.
And there’s nothing wrong with having just a jacket potato with cheese and beans or an omelette or pizza.

PurpleDaisies · 10/02/2021 07:42

They’re just strange suggestions from a chef, whose job is to cook delicious food from scratch.

Who probably understands more than most the “I can’t be arsed” feeling and has some easy things ready to go.

I think some people feel under pressure to cook from scratch every day which just isn’t real life. Knowing even chefs don’t is helpful!

Doyoumind · 10/02/2021 07:42

I'm a single mum and fed up of meal planning and cooking too. I've been doing it for a long time but adding in every single lunch with DC off school has pushed me over the edge.

I don't have a big budget. I do batch cooking and freezing for some things. Then I have some quick meals like a stir fry or a simple pasta dish. I don't use a lot of convenience foods but you can do a curry really quickly from a jar. Once a week I will allow myself to do something with minimal prep and minimal nutrition from the freezer like fish fingers or pizza.

utterfailureasamum · 10/02/2021 07:43

Its really tough. I don't think some people realise the feeling a SP gets when noone ever makes them a hot drink, or a sandwich, let alone an evening meal. I remember that phase and how much i appreciated the odd treat or invitation or a pie someone might drop off. Noone ever washes up when you have cooked either. How old is your DC? Make sure they are helping in whatever way they can. Setting table/clearing table etc. You wash they dry.

I make sure i fill us all a waterbottle in the morning. To cut down on the amount of drinks i am fetching and cups i am tidying and then washing up

The best tip someone gave me was they gave me a jug and i thought they were mad! But it mean when i got food on the table i wasn't jumping up and down to get drinks or replenish finished drinks etc. I could just finish my meal. Its such a small thing but if you are a SP those small things make a big difference.

Shepherds pie. Can be worth the effort if you enjoy it. As you can freeze it. And it reheats well. One day with green veg and gravy and another day with beans.

Tinned soup and those part baked warm crusty rollls. Beans, fried eggs, hash browns from freezer. I am also a big slow cooking fan. Putting it on in the morning when you have more energy-then its ready when you are tired later on.

It feel monumental when you are bored stiff with shopping and cooking (think a lot of us are in lockdown) but doing a plan and a shop for the week does relieve the stress and pain later on in the week.

PurpleDaisies · 10/02/2021 07:45

Where are your positive suggestions @FamilyOfAliens? How about stop pissing all over everyone else when you’ve said nothing constructive to the op at all yourself?

FamilyOfAliens · 10/02/2021 08:05

@PurpleDaisies

Where are your positive suggestions *@FamilyOfAliens*? How about stop pissing all over everyone else when you’ve said nothing constructive to the op at all yourself?
But of an over-reaction there, @PurpleDaisies Grin

I was actually hoping for some suggestions for myself and there have been quite a few useful ones. Just not the shop-bought meat pie / omelette one.

FamilyOfAliens · 10/02/2021 08:07

And in respect of the Tik Tok feta cheese recipe, it’s of no use to the OP without cooking times and temperatures, and not as tasty without the red pepper flakes and fresh basil.

BarbaraofSeville · 10/02/2021 08:10

What's wrong with an omelette?

Healthy, quick, easy, cheap, doesn't need specialist equipment, can be made with ingredients that last for ages and are available in just about any shop that sells food, the ultimate convenience food.

Shop bought pies are fine too. Many have good ingredients in but won't be cheap, but pies can be time consuming and faffy to make if you don't feel like cooking. Good served with easy veg - eg steamfresh bags or something like broccoli that takes minimal prep. I use Bisto Best instant gravy too.

BarbaraofSeville · 10/02/2021 08:13

@FamilyOfAliens

And in respect of the Tik Tok feta cheese recipe, it’s of no use to the OP without cooking times and temperatures, and not as tasty without the red pepper flakes and fresh basil.
I have no idea about the Tik Tok feta recipe, but baked feta, or anything such as fish, with veg as a concept is hardly revolutionary.

Just wrap the stuff in paper (protein, veg, flavourings) or put on a tray and bake until cooked. The exact temperature and timings are less important and vary by oven and how big the pieces of food are.

Karwomannghia · 10/02/2021 08:15

I’ve had gousto boxes for a few months now and they’ve taken away the pain of recipe and meal planning, shopping and the food tastes really good. Really recommend. And you can use an offer where you can get the first box half price and then a month with 30% off but you can cancel any time. Loads to choose from. The offer makes it about £3-4 a meal. Happy to give you my link if you pm me.

Chosennone · 10/02/2021 08:17

How about the stuffed fresh pasta? The 5 minute one. Drain and serve with a few teaspoons of pesto served in and my DC love chopped up hot dogs in it 👍
Also wraps. Anything in wraps goes down well. Griddle chicken with salsa and cheese or breaded chicken with lettuce and mayo or tuna and cheese melt.

FamilyOfAliens · 10/02/2021 08:19

The link to the Tik Tok recipe was posted on another thread a couple of days ago.

You need a Le Creuset dish or one that will withstand being heated to GM8, so although it looks tasty you can’t make it if you haven’t got one. The feta isn’t wrapped in paper, it’s just placed on top of the cherry tomatoes.

You’re right about omelettes - with cheaper eggs they are a good low budget option for lunch. But we don’t know how old the DS is or whether either of them has any food preferences so it’s hard to make suggestions apart from websites like BBC Good Food.

Jasperjosephjulian · 10/02/2021 08:27

Savoury pancakes! The batter is super easy to whip up (flour, milk, eggs) and then you can fill with whatever you like but ham, cheese and peppers are great. Takes less than 10minutes and totally variable so you don't get bored. I eat mine with a side of branston pickle and a salad.
BBC good foods has a good recipe, just search "ham and cheese pancake".

MaryIsA · 10/02/2021 08:36

I’ve been making grilled feta for years, herbs on top, put on bit of foil, grill some tomatoes too. Makes a lovely warm salad, bag of leaves, vacuum packed beetroot, bread.

Egghead68 · 10/02/2021 08:44

*This is the recipe that’s been doing the rounds on Tik Tok isn’t it?

You’ve missed out some key ingredients, as well as the oven temperatures and timings - it doesn’t work unless you whack the heat up really high towards the end of the cooking and of course you need an ovenproof dish that can withstand those temperatures*

I’ve no idea @FamilyOfAliens. I don’t really know what TikTok is (old). Feel free to add more details if you think what I’ve written is insufficient.

FamilyOfAliens · 10/02/2021 08:48

@Egghead68

*This is the recipe that’s been doing the rounds on Tik Tok isn’t it?

You’ve missed out some key ingredients, as well as the oven temperatures and timings - it doesn’t work unless you whack the heat up really high towards the end of the cooking and of course you need an ovenproof dish that can withstand those temperatures*

I’ve no idea @FamilyOfAliens. I don’t really know what TikTok is (old). Feel free to add more details if you think what I’ve written is insufficient.

I’m sure the OP could find it if she likes the sound of the recipe. It’s everywhere at the moment - was even on my news feed yesterday Grin
BarbaraofSeville · 10/02/2021 08:55

of course you need an ovenproof dish that can withstand those temperatures

Do we really think putting a basic selection of food on a tray to cook in the oven needs 'a recipe'?

FamilyOfAliens · 10/02/2021 09:02

@BarbaraofSeville

of course you need an ovenproof dish that can withstand those temperatures

Do we really think putting a basic selection of food on a tray to cook in the oven needs 'a recipe'?

I think an ovenproof dish is essential too, barbara, but GM8 is a high temperature and not all dishes you could put in the oven are suitable.

And for some people less confident with winging it, I think a recipe is helpful, yes.

BiddyPop · 10/02/2021 10:19

Do you have time to cook a decent sauce/dinner once a week? I used to be in the kitchen on Sundays doing a roast, so would make a curry, spag bol, chilli, lasagna, shepherd's pie, chicken and mushroom pie....type dinner for Monday as well while I was there. But a dinner for Mon that could easily be doubled and frozen - so only a small amount of extra chopping, but Monday's dinner just needed reheating then, and I would freeze the 2nd (or additional) portions to use another night. I tried to do different things each week, so I would have spag bol on Mon of week 1, but freeze the 2nd portion for thawing maybe the Wed of week 2, while Mon of week 2 might be a chicken and mushroom dish that I'd eat the 2nd batch in week 3....

So if you can find a night where you have time to cook those kinds of meals, even once a week, but do enough for 4 or 6 people in that dinner, freezing leftovers, that makes a big difference. They can be fairly basic, but if you have time, can add extra veg to them too - if I have time to do a big batch, I will get out the food processor to dice the onions (stops me crying) and as I already have that out and dirty, I will blitz a couple of carrots, pepper, courgette, etc and add those to the sauce - they are so small they are hidden from any fussy eaters but both add great nutrition and bulk it out at the same time.

I use recycled plastic takeaway tubs for freezing as they work very well and stack well too. I write the contents on the lids using a sharpie marker.

I have lots of decent jars of sauce in my cupboards to just toss into a diced and fried chicken breast or some frozen (uncooked) prawns and serve with rice/pasta. By "decent", I mean not the budget versions filled with preservatives and sugar, I tend to go for more smaller producers that have good ingredients. And I try to add some veg into those - often it might only be tinned corn or frozen peas, but if I have a couple of minutes, I can slice and fry some mushrooms to add before the sauce, or some peppers to add with the sauce etc.

I also have plenty of things like chicken goujons (I get the ones that are fresh and you can see are made from real chicken, not frozen chicken bits smushed together), oven chips, veg, pizza, etc in the freezer. Lots can go straight into the oven for easy cooking.

I tend to get good pizza, but often relatively plain ones to add our own toppings to (and now you can get relatively long life plain bases, add tomato sauce from a jar, grated mozzarella from a bag, and your own toppings on top). HM potato or sweet potato wedges are relatively straightforward to make and just need 5 minutes to organise at the start (chop spuds without peeling, toss in oil, I microwave for 5 minutes to reduce cooking time by 20 mins, toss on seasoning and into the hot oven, turn once halfway through) and time in the oven.

If you make mash, make enough for 2 nights and reheat it (in the oven, in a pan, microwave) the 2nd night, or use as the basis for fish cakes or similar, or a topping for a shepherd's pie type dish.

If you are peeling carrots for 1 dinner, peel a few extra to have carrot sticks to nibble on for snacks, or to cook the next night.

Some nights, fried egg and beans on toast are fine for dinner. Or hearty soups (HM or shop bought).

There's a deli local to us that does a great deal on a rotisserie chicken, large crusty loaf, bowl of salad and tub of coleslaw - which is usually busiest at dinnertimes midweek. We have been known to buy that as dinner, and use leftovers for lunch the next day (or leftover chicken going into dinner the next day).

I also like meals from the oven. So chicken joints (part boned breasts, thighs, legs), plain or with some feta under the skin, or lemon and garlic over them. Baby potatoes with olive oil (and maybe dried rosemary and dried garlic granules if I'm feeling faffy). Large chunks of peppers and red onions, whole cherry tomatoes (or diced larger ones), maybe chunks of courgette if DD is not eating it (it's not worth the moaning if she is! even though its easy to pick them out)...tossed with some olive oil and seasoning. They could all be in separate trays or all in the same tray, whichever you prefer - but they cook in about 40 minutes, and once you've taken the 10 minutes or so to prep it, can be ignored for the cooking time (maybe toss spuds once halfway through - but not essential). And leftover veg is nice in a plain tomato sauce with pasta, can add chicken or prawns or bacon if you want meat (either cook raw meat before adding veg and sauce to heat through, or just throw already cooked meat in at the same time as sauce and veg).

And for above, cooked meat could be leftovers, or could be bought ready cooked.

Fresh pasta cooks in half the time of dried.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread