Fed up of cooking twice a day!

[Scienceisnotopinion]

Need some tips/ideas. All of us, Dh and kids, are home for lunch and dinner. Will often make soups that last for dinner too, but they eat a LOT and often there will not be enough left and will still have to cook some side dish or something.
Anyone more organised then me that can help? I try to have a balanced week, meat fish veggy dishes. Thanks!

Things we make and have leftovers the next day;

Sloppy joes (with turkey mince for a healthier option)
Chilli (either con carne or 5 bean)
Bolognese
Macaroni cheese
Chicken curry

@DroopyClematis you've just done exactly what most posters did and ended up on the receiving end angry responses from the OP. She has made it clear she doesn't want food suggestions - not clear what she wants though. Oh, and her family doesn't like eggs.

The best way reheat pasta (if it’s not a lasagne in the oven) is to steam it. If you have a proper steamer use that, otherwise a sive over boiling water with a lid on works fine. That way it retains moisture.

[quote moynomore]@DroopyClematis you've just done exactly what most posters did and ended up on the receiving end angry responses from the OP. She has made it clear she doesn't want food suggestions - not clear what she wants though. Oh, and her family doesn't like eggs. [/quote]
Exactly. Nor has she clarified whether they're all working/studying or not, and the ages of the boys (emphasis on them being boys), nor her general location.

All these things make a massive difference, and it's very unfair to give vague information and then give annoyed/disgusted/patronising responses to other people's suggestions.

Wondering if it’s a dubious thread.

@Scienceisnotopinion

Thanks to those that helped, for the rest, my mistake in thinking people could answer accepting some people eat differently. Forgot im on mumsnet.

You asked for help from people who eat differently to you.

My responses might have sound rude as they were after posters making fun of the fact that i am to "fancy" for spaghetti hoops. I just said it is not something that is part of our diet.
For those saying what did I expect from posting on AIBU, i have posted on chat.
A lot of useful responses actually, sorry cant quote everyone, but will keep those in mind, about using bigger oans/trays for example and others.
What my kids are doing, or where we live is not really relevant, i was looking for organisational and batch or double cooking tips and got some amid the pisstaking, so thanks to those.

There are so many delicious salads you can make now it's not just iceberg and a cucumber. You could make lots of cous cous, tabbouleh style salads or have mezze type stuff like falafel, tzatiziki, houmous with pitta or nice bread. Then people can just help themselves.

Or make more soup! 🤣

@WombatChocolate

Wondering if it’s a dubious thread.

Feel free to report

where we live is not really relevant

Of course it is. Food available is very different depending on the country.

I’m not sure it’s the spaghetti hoops that caused the issue OP, (I loathe them too) your answers are fairly shirty in general.

If I’m honest I find it odd that you’ve got to 5 kids and you haven’t got the batch cooking, freezer space thing sorted out.

I don't think you need to have something different for lunch every day. If you were in work or dc bringing lunch to school it would not always be different. Brown bread/ cheese/ fruit/ yoghurt..exactly like a packed lunch with no effort. Then a different dinner each evening. My dc would rather a simple healthy lunch and most effort put into dinner.

@moynomore @OverTheRubicon
I was trying to help someone who's not conversant with British food, however, I'm minded , now, to feel that OP is being too particular.
Thank you for alerting me.

I dont have a microwave as not much counter space,

Seriously if you are batch cooking and reheating, a microwave is a god send. It is also good for quick defrosting before oven cooking.

You need to look at re-jigging your kitchen to have one installed on shelving to keep your counter top clear and finding a place for a freezer.

These things will make your life IMMEASURABLY easier in relation to what you asked in your opening post. It will be life changing for you.

Pasta reheating brilliantly is just the start of it.

Rice is something else that also reheats really well in the microwave - again for day after reheating, add a couple of tablespoons of water to the rice and stir through, and cover with cling film.

I hate microwaved food. I don’t think no microwave is any loss at all.

I'm so confused

IM NOT MAKING ENOUGH SOUP TO LAST FOR 2 MEALS WHAT DO I DO?

Make more soup.

I DONT WANT TO MAKE MORE SOUP

The solution to cooking eight portions and finding that more than four portions are eaten at the first meal is very much not to plate up portions.

It's really important for children to learn to not help themselves to more than their fair share from serving dishes. This is a really important part of eating together as a family. I have come across people who have no concept of this idea.

If you cook double portions, just do not put it all out in the serving dishes.

@findmeaholiday

I'm so confused

IM NOT MAKING ENOUGH SOUP TO LAST FOR 2 MEALS WHAT DO I DO?

Make more soup.

I DONT WANT TO MAKE MORE SOUP

And excellently, followed by:

MN: USE BIGGER PANS

OP: ...oh ok that's a good idea actually.

I have to respect the OP for being honest about the fact she apparently hadn't thought to use bigger pans as an 'organisational hack' 😂

You say you want organisational tips. First thing I’d suggest is organise your bad attitude and rudeness. People have tried to help you here but all they have got in return is you being rude and dismissive. I couldn’t give a flying fuck what you eat/don’t eat for your lunch but don’t belittle others who are trying to help. Manners is what you are short of. Try making a big pot of those as you badly need them.

@Scienceisnotopinion For those saying what did I expect from posting on AIBU, i have posted on chat this isn’t chat.

I have to respect the OP for being honest about the fact she apparently hadn't thought to use bigger pans as an 'organisational hack'😂

Or batch cooking or freezers, or meals that don’t need cooking…

I'm not sure what advise you're after OP. If it's how to cook more of the food you like so you can have it again, then make bigger portions. It's not hard to swap around side dishes to change a meal (curry and rice for dinner and as you think rice doesnt reheat well then make enough for the dinner time and cook jacket potatoes in time for lunch) as you dont mind cooking. Or if your families values allow, have packet rice as a side with some salad.

For dishes you mix Bag/plate them up before you serve the main meal, so a tomatoey sauce can be used for lasagne/pizza/pasta bake. Oh, and have a fucking sandwich, might cheer you up.

@SheABitSpicyToday

How old are your kids?

Just cook double the amount for dinner and have the rest the next day for lunch. You’re making this so complicated.

This is what I would do! I love leftovers for lunch the next day 😍

But sandwiches aren't a bad idea, they do get boring everyday, but you don't need to have them everyday, but just a few days per week to take the pressure off

@RipleyBelieves

Wraps for lunch. 😱

What's wrong with a wrap?🤷