Very limited kitchen

[YoniBottsBumgina]

Please inspire me! We have just moved into a tiny attic flat which only has a kitchenette. We have a double hot plate, so up to 2 saucepans/frying pans, a kettle, toaster and combination microwave/grill thing (that does come with a "steam" option and "crusty cook" which works best for things like pizza, chips, chicken nuggets etc)

We're stuck with pasta constantly at the moment which is getting a bit boring. We have to cater for me, DP and DS who is nearly 5 and fairly fussy (although getting better at trying stuff now!)

Any suggestions? I'm probably guilty of being a bit unadventurous but would like some ideas!

Get a wok and do stir fries, omelettes etc?

If you have access to a Lakeland, and a bit of money to spare, you could get one of these and expand your repertoire a bit more to include roast chicken, toad in the hole.

Also, chilli and rice, spag bol - one pan for carbs, one pan for a sauce to go with it.

Soup and baked potatoes
Curry (balti style, all in one pan) and rice
Risotto
Cottage/shepherd's/fish pie with mash crisped under grill
Hob casserole, or how about getting a slow cooker?

I forgot actually we do have a slow cooker but it's still in a box and we are abroad so I am a bit iffy about using it on a plug converter. We don't have enough space on the counters for another permanent appliance, although DP is looking at replacing the microwave/grill with an actual oven. I think I'd rather wait until we move because rented places here don't tend to come with kitchens so it makes no sense to buy everything twice!

Casseroles, shepherd's pie, stir fries all good suggestions (I like curry and chilli too but DS won't :()

I love warm salads. Cook bacon and grill some cheese and then chuck it in with leaves so they wilt and warm. Or do it with steak. And I usually add some warm cous cous or lentils too. Mmmm.

this I like pearl barley in warm salads too, boil it tojyst tender and you'll get a couple of outings at least

Get the Little Paris Kitchen cookbook - she cooked with a very similar set up!

Are you in Paris by any chance? Most flats here don't have ovens.

No Riverboat but very close to the French border in Germany :)

I love the salad and soup ideas but not sure DP and DS would go for it or consider it an adequate dinner! (DP does cook too, lest you think I am being too good a wife to refuse her darling husband anything less than a man-feast )

Your slow cooker will be fine on a plug adapter. We bought ours from UK amazon because it was cheaper than in France and I haven't got around to changing the plug yet so its been on an adapter for at least 6 months.