the ultimate recipe??

[PoppadumPreach]

for me there are 4 criteria you think about when cooking (for family during the week). In no particular order they are:

1. Taste
2. Nutrition
3. How easy to cook
4. Cost

for me the one which ticks all these boxes is Daal - a recipe i have by Madhur Jaffrey. Other than the spices (turmeric, cumin and chilli) the only other ingredients are yellow split peas, red lentils and garlic.

The only "downside" is you have to boil the pulses for 40 mins but after that it takes minutes. It is delicious, very good for you and very cheap. It is also a store-cupboard meal which is all the better!

Can anyone do better than this? It's not really a competition - I'd just to know the other winners!

anyone??

Easy veg biriyani ... uncooked rice, frozen veg mix, mild curry paste & stock, into a microwave bowl covered with clingfilm, into the micro for 12 minutes, let it stand for 5 mins to absorb all the water, serve!

Our family favourite meal is a chicken and chorizo stew done in slow cooker.
I use chicken thighs but I cook a big batch in advance then remove skin/bones, shred the meat and stick it in the fridge. You can use diced pork instead of the chicken.

For the stew I use 3-4 chicken thighs, 75g chorizo.
I fry the chorizo then tip it out and use the oil to fry off 1 1/2 - 2 onions, the add fennel seeds, a pinch of sugar, oregano and some paprika/chilli powder and a splash of shery vinegar. I mix in diced peppers, sometimes grated courgettes or carrots. Then either a carton of passta or tin of tomatoes. Add in chorizo and chicken, mix and tip into slow cooker for a few hours or cook on hob for a hour or 2. Just before serving fry up some breadcrumbs with chopped parsley and some lemon zest and sprinkle on top.

I serve either with rice or with bubble and squeak made with kale - which I spread quite thinly on a baking sheet and stick in oven till crispy.

Does 4 adults or 2 adults/2 small kids with a couple of portions for lunches. If I use a really spicy chorizo then I don't bother with the paprika/chilli powder.

Kids always wolf it down - its the one meal that I tend to do every week.

Thank you both very much - both sound great and I'll try them next week! )have already done food plan for this week)

I will watch this for new ideas. I make macaroni cheese but make the cheese sauce with veg in. Just softly fry onions, garlic grated carrot peppers etc and bacon if you want and make a cheese sauce around that then throw in macaroni and any thing else you like-sometimes chicken or tuna or brocoli Top with cheese and bake.
My kids are not good with veg so i have to squeeze it in where i can
Also love risotto with chicken, lemon and peas or spinach