Quick family supper recipes for working parents

[Mendi]

In the past couple of weeks our family life has changed so that I now get home from work at about 6.45pm and we all have an evening meal together (me, the 2DCs aged 9 and 11, and the au pair). Previously the DCs ate before I got back so it's really great that we're able to sit down together now.

I like cooking and we don't do ready meals as they're too expensive and I think not very nutritious. BUT, I need more 30 minute meals! Not like in Jamie's book, but more real one-pot quick specials. Getting tired of stir fry and pasta...

So, what are your top tips for getting a tasty fresh meal on the table quickly at the end of the day?

For quick meals we like risotto, fry-ups (it's not just for breakfast!) and hearty soups with thick bread.
Is the au pair able to stick some baking potatoes in the oven an hour before you get home? Then you can add baked beans, chilli, coleslaw, tuna, cheese, all sorts of tasty things.

I honestly think that I would die without my slow-cooker

Au pair can help a bit, yes, but is weird about food herself (whole separate threat topic) - I need to speak to her about it.

I knew meal planning would be key but am already doing that and now think prep for the planned meals is also needed.

what food do you like? Then its finding a way of getting that food.

Can you set time aside to bulk cook and then reheat?

How sensible is 11yr old? Could they put defrosted food in oven?

Can you not stick stuff in the slow cooker the night before and put on the fridge and get the Au pair to put it on at lunch?

Omelette with lots of nice bits in served with crusty bread or toast. Fajitas are pretty quick if you don't mind a bit of chopping. Buy ready made pizza bases and make your own pizza.

If you are organised, you can do a double batch of bolognaise sauce at the weekend. Have half reheated with spaghetti for spag bol, use the other half to make a lasagne. (Lasagne far too much trouble imo unless you have the bol sauce already made.) I do it with no-cook lasagne sheets and make a large amount of cheese sauce. Takes about 20 mins to put together and 35 mins to cook, during which time you can fit in your shower and tidy up etc.

Quiche is another good one--use ready made puff pastry, roll it out, line a tin, prick all over and score round the inside edge. Bake 220 deg for 12 mins, take it out, press down the middle bit with the back of a form, then add fried pancetta cubes, grated cheese and liquid from eggs and single cream (ratio 1 egg: 100 ml cream...I usually use 3 eggs and 300 ml cream but it will depend on size of your tin). Nice with salad and potato salad.

One of my faves is sliced chicken breasts, sliced red onions and red/yellow peppers. Stir fry and add jar of sauce (eg Uncle Bens, sharwoods etc). Serve with rice.

The au pair food story sounds interesting.....

Yes to slowcooker as we move into Autumn:-

Beef stew and baked spuds (easy for au pair to throw in oven)
Pork and cider stew (then stir in dijon mustard and creme fraiche if you like) with part baked baguettes
Pulled pork with rolls, coleslaw and corn on the cob
Roast chicken (6 hours in slowcooker- I add put on bed of celery, carrot, onion, lemon and sprinkle on stock cube, black pepper, garlic powder) 1st night with veg, next use meat in fajitas. We sometimes do this and get chips on way home from chippy and have with tomato and red onion salad.

You could do French bread pizzas ... Just half the stick.. add Toppings.

Ðef recommend the slow cooker... You could put it on a timer.. Roast a chicken. Gammon. Make soup in it and add potatoes.

Gnocchi is great... Very quick as is couscous

I would make big batches at the weekend and freeze.

Prepare a pasta bake the night before and get au pair to stick in in the oven.