Would like to expand my repertoire of family favourites/comfort food. Any suggestions?

[FreudianSlipIntoMyLaptop]

Usually end up doing stews (just got a slow cooker), pasta bakes, chilli, shepherds pie, stir fries, soups... Getting a bit bored tbh.

Really want to add a few more meals in - I was thinking about sampling a few from other parts of the world as we tend to stick to such a narrow range.

Would really love some suggestions. I'm not really used to using recipes so when I browse websites/books I get quite overwhelmed, especially when there are loads of bizarre ingredients (low budget, small kitchen!) - and a lot of the time they are dishes I've never eaten so I've no clue what they should be like! I'd like to start simple.

A few I've heard of but have little clue where to start -
Jambalaya
Moussaka
Goulash
Babotie
...that sort of thing?

Oh and just to complicate matters, DH is a coeliac so it needs to be gluten free (or have alternatives like GF pasta etc)

can you get some gf flour and make some pastry for pies/pasties etc
also this flour could be used to make flatbreads/soft tortillas for making your own enchilladas,fajitas etc or to go with curry

That sounds good. Have had a few attempts but GF pastry always ends up horrible :( (unlike pancakes, crumbles and Yorkshire puddings which are fab)

We are still waiting for dr to sort out his prescription for food, so unfortunately we don't get all the free pasta, bread etc. We tend to stick to rice and spuds, and GF pasta as that's easy to buy.

have you tried making your own pastry with dove flour?
i haven't baked with it myself but have read alot of pos comments on MN about it

Yes, that's what we tried :( it is great for crumble/yorkies/pancakes but the pastry just ends up horrible. I've heard it's due to a lack of elasticity which comes from the gluten, or something like that

Having said that, I do use ready-roll for when DH is at work, and I've seen GF version (pricey!) so I am grateful for any suggestions involving pastry too... It'd just be nice to diversify a little from pasta, spuds and rice!

C'mon foodies, inspire me!

Go for Japanese/Chinese cuisine. Just need gluten-free soya sauce and you are away. Got this recently and it's good.

Also Chinese stews such as red-cooked pork easy and very comforting. Again just need gf soya sauce which you can find in supermarkets.

My DC (all under 5) love a mild chicken biryani made with chicken thighs.

Chicken jambalaya is great and all in one pot so even better ...

9oz diced chicken thigh
4oz diced chorizo
1 diced onion
1 diced yellow pepper
3 large tomatoes
chicken stock
4oz rice
dash tabasco sauce
bay leaf

Brown the chorizo then remove from pan; add chicken to pan and brown then remove; add in some more oil if needed then soften onion.

Put chicken and chorizo back in. Add in yellow pepper. Stir around for a bit.

Stir in rice and get all coated. Add in stock (into which you've stirred the tabasco) then add in the diced tomatoes and the bay leaf.

Simmer for 20 minutes or so. Eat!

Sorry it's all a bit approximate - not at my books atm.

Ooh good stuff so far thanks!

My other favourites:

Lion head soup

Five spice beef Really easy.

cold vietnamese spring rolls

Sushi (try youtube for temaki rolls - easy and everyone can make their own and it's fun) and onigiri - great for lunch boxes as well.

And grill/bake any meat with a honey and soya sauce marinade - that goes down will with most kids.

Have fun!