To only buy bread and ham?

[IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads]

DH and the dc eat meat. I don't. Family cooking has always been a bit fractious. I am bored to tears of cooking the same 3 or 4 meals that we either agree on, or are adaptable. I hate this situation, and I can't even remember how we got into it. The DC were weaned veggie. I work 4 long days and don't have time to be flapping about meals during the week. I like planning and shopping, but it is really beginning to stress me out.

A good 50% of new meals I try are met with suspicion.

The dc are 11 and 14. I ask them frequently for new ideas for meals they'd like to eat, and wave at the pile of recipe books for ideas.

I also ask them to throw away empty packets and put things we've run out of on the shopping list.

They do neither.

I'm fed up of this, and the associated food waste.

I've just done a Tesco order and bought mostly bread, salad veg and cereal. As far as I am concerned they can live off ham sandwiches until they engage a bit more with food.

That's grand, they'll survive. Why does no one else cook though?

I don't blame you!

Because they are lazy fekers, and dh doesn't get in until 6.30pm or later. I'm happy to use my non-working Monday to prep meals for the week, but I'm so bored of the same meals and lack of input.

What are the meals you currently eat in rotation?

Don't your DH or teenage son cook meals for the family?

Ham isn’t the best. Cheese would be better.

I’m no cook but spag Bol, chicken roast dinner, pasta bake etc

If you really can’t be arsed, then toasties, beans on toast with grated cheese- easy but quite nutritious

Taming twins website has some great recipes and you can adapt a lot to veggie. My DC are similar ages and love most of the stuff on there.

YANBU.

If they're not gonna eat what I put on the table, they can't sort themselves out.

I share your pain. 2 fussy eaters (DH is main one) and I'm sick of making three different meals per night. Bread and ham is perfect, I might try it.

I've just done a Tesco order and bought mostly bread, salad veg and cereal. As far as I am concerned they can live off ham sandwiches until they engage a bit more with food.

You're still assuming it's your responsibility to get everyone fed.
What's wrong with DH that he can;t menu plan, shop & cook?
Or your 2 teens, who can take an evening each a week to cook for everyone?

Largely -

Pasta and veg sauce (the dc still want it blended), with meatballs for meat eaters
Bean/chicken fajitas
Beef/veg chilli
Spanish omelette
Sausage and mash (I'm not overkeen on processed meat substitutes, but some veggie sausages are ok)
Traybake roast veg and chicken breast/halloumi
Ready made quiche

If it's a quick turn around, fresh tortellini
Jacket spuds
If I'm feeling flush, then beef stew /chestnut &mushroom stew

Macaroni cheese, but dd doesn't like it
Risotto, but ds doesn't like it

Pizzas if we make them, or for a treat for the adults - the dc can have them at school most days! The dc will help make pizzas.

A bit unreasonable. Yes.
Veggie spag bol. They won't know the difference.
Sausage mash veg and gravy. You can have veggie sausages (that's what I'm doing tonight)
Egg and toast,
beans and, cheese on toast.
Pizza for treats. Margarita.
Veggie nuggets and wedges.
Tofu korma. OK mine won't eat thia but may have one of the above instead.
Butternut squash soup.
Mushroom risotto (mine won't eat thiz either).

NEWSFLASH
Millions of people who get in after 6.30pm manage to feed themselves.
And their families.

Haha I realise I've mentioned most of the same as you!

Add in some Indian and Chinese. Curry, stir fry etc.

Yeah, go with cheese and beans instead of ham (from a veggie 🤣).

What's wrong with having a few staple meals and rotating them? I don't really get the OP?

Why do you feel the need to be constantly on the lookout for new recipes?

Maybe your family like basic meals like spag bol, chilli, pasta etc. my family are the same - makes it easier for me, not harder!

So it seems your problem is that you are veggie and they're not? Not sure what you can do except make a veggie and non-veggie or version of whatever you cook? Have simple stuff like veggie sausages and quorn for yourself and meat for them? I don't think it's fair to try and force vegetarianism on anyone if that's what you mean?

Get your dh and the older one to cook a couple of nights a week if you're feeling it's too much.

It's not actually the meals themselves, it's the lack of engagement.

Im not complaining about DH's input to the household, he's fine. He doesn't get in until 6.30 pm or later, so him cooking the evening meal isn't that practical. I do food, he does clothes - and he does "do" clothes well - all laundry, ironing, trek to the shop in august to buy school uniform that fits, school shoes, clean pe/football/sports kit on the right days. He also does a lot of cleaning on Saturday mornings when I'm out with the dc at various activities and will rummage up toasties and scrambled eggs/bacon sandwiches on a weekend.

For the people asking what happens if I don't cook - this is what we are about to find out.

DS is just lazy. I'm trying to give him a kick up the bum. I've tried asking nicely.

Cooking veggie dinners is hardly "forcing them into vegetarianism." They're at high school. They'll be exposed to meat allllllll the time.

Seems harsh to me, if DH and DC they are happy eating the same set of meals all the time what’s the problem, other than it’s a bit boring for you? (Although surely it’s one less thing to think)

You seem to be the only person that wants to try new recipes. DCs are happy with current meals so why would they look in recipe books? Doesn’t make sense.
The list you’ve given looks standard foods for a busy household.

I don’t know many teenagers that care much about cooking or being creative in the kitchen.

YABVU.

^ NEWSFLASH
Millions of people who get in after 6.30pm manage to feed themselves.
And their families.^

Most nights, somebody needs to be elsewhere for 6 or 7pm. Scouts, football etc.

I guess because more or less every meal is a compromise to me. And I'm cooking.

If I was cooking for myself, the food would be a lot spicier, and feature a lot more pulses.

A slow cooker is your friend op.

With a slow cooker. Chuck in some bolognase ingredients or stww ingredients in the morning and it will be ready of an evening. Especially good in winter.

I'd cook exclusively vegetarian meals. If they wanted to add meat then they would need to specifically add it to the list and cook it themselves.