Straightforward meal ideas please

[AngelDog]

I'm looking for things which are straightforward, don't take too long to prepare and don't need attention in the last 5 or 10 minutes of cooking. Ideally I'm looking for things which can be frozen or at least saved till the next day.

Lots of the quick-ish things I make need some attention at the last minute which is difficult as 2 y.o. DS is usually kicking off at that point.

He doesn't like potatoes, mashed stuff, very spicy things, or most veg.

We like to eat a mixture of meat, vegetarian and fish.

Thanks.

The pancetta risotto in faye ripleys book is amazing, so easy quick and yummy. Need to go out but if you like the sound of that ill type up the recipe when i get home

I do loads of risottos at the moment ( that one sounds nice buttons!)

Cottage pie? It's mash tho...
Spaghetti Bol/lasagne
Fish parcels
Meatballs and spaghetti... My lot love this, and also toad in the hole.

Does he like couscous? Tin of tomatoes, tin of tuna and tin of chickpeas in a pan (plus little bit of chilli if you like), and then eat with couscous. Stew bit is not time sensitive, couscous can sit for 5-10 mins and only needs hot water puring over before that, so whole thing can be made in 5 mins or so, and timing not a problem.

Lasagne? Takes 20 min in the oven but can be prepared ealier.

Glazed or crusted fish of some sort? Can prepare early and then bung in oven for 15 - 20 mins. Eat with veg, couscous, mashed chickpeas and spinach, or rice?

Vegetarian burgers? Or homemade meat ones - could both be frozen and eaten with bread.

Sardines on toast?

Hmm, several things here I wouldn't normally cook - thanks, and keep the ideas coming.

Yes please to the recipe, Slutty.

He doesn't normally like fish (except shop-bought fish fingers) but I reckon he might be persuaded to try a similar type of home-made thing.

I do a sticky rice thing in the oven, rice, cod (frozen) or chicken, hardy veg like carrots, add stock cover with foil. Cook for an hour add more stock and more delicate veg, I use anything really. Be ready in twenty minutes.

DS wolfs this down and he doesn't really like cod :)

Last night I did a pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon. Fry to seal then bake for 45 minutes in oven. I served it with pasta, veg and made a sauce from the scrapings in the pan, a little chicken stock and a splash of cream.

Everyone licked their plates.

ok what you need is

1 onion finely chopped
50g pancetta chopped (i normally put in more and buy it ready chopped)
25g butter
slpash of olive oil
250g risotto rice
850ml chicken stock
250ml passata
2 tablespoons parmesan grated

To make

1. In a saucepan, soften the onion and cook the pancetta in the butter and oil. Add the rice and stir for a min or so
2. Turn up the heat and add the stock and passata. Bring to the boil. Stir once, then turn down the heat to a simmer and leave with a lid on for 15-20 mins Let it sit for 5 mins before serving

Grate over some parmesan and season on plate. You can also add some peas neat the end too which my dd loves.

Oh and the no stiring thing i dont tend to listen to and stir occasionally so it doesnt stick to the bottom of the pot. This is enough for me dd1 and the twins, who easily eat enough for another adult portion. There is also normally some left and it does reheat nicely either for supper or lunch the next day

Thanks. :)

My kids love...

Risotto - salmon or prawn with peas
Pasta with tomato/pepper sauce (you can hide the veg in the sauce)
Chicken curry with rice (i make a nice mild one and freeze portions on it)
Chilli with rice (again you could make a mild one and use this sauce with either rice or spaghetti)

I'm lucky because my kids eat just about anything though my DS is not overly keen on potato. Have you tried adding parsnip to make the mash sweeter? I sometimes add 1 parsnip to each 3 large potatoes that i'm boilig for mash (and lots of milk too).