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Original poster

Quality convenience food / ready meals for dh whilst I am away

71 replies

handlemecarefully · 08/03/2007 13:13

Away with the children for 4 days next week leaving dh solo.

He did, only half jestingly, suggest I cook 4 dinners for him and leave them in the freezer, but I errrm declined robustly....

He hasn't cooked from scratch for a long time, and bless him with the best will in the world after he rolls on home at 21.00 he won't feel inclined to...

So are they any slightly less cardboady inedible convenience meals / ready meals on the market that you can recommend?

I am about to do an online Ocado order...

OP posts:
Kelly1978 · 08/03/2007 13:14

sains have a new range with no additives or anything in them. I forgot to get food out of the freezer so bought a couple yesterday, and they are really nice.
Waitrose indian ready meals are quite good.

taylormama · 08/03/2007 13:15

fresh egg pasta to keep in fridge with nice sauces
Covent garden soups to have with bread (they also have just started doing risottos)

AitchTwoOh · 08/03/2007 13:15

don't know about ocado but m&s do some steam fresh things that are good and keep in the fridge.

wheelybug · 08/03/2007 13:16

bighams - although most are for 2 I think. They are pies but also meals which are prepared and you just chuck them in a pan to cook them so not pre-cooked if that makes sense.

The waitrose ranges aren't too bad either.

You don't live near a Cook do you... will find website - think they deliver...

PandaG · 08/03/2007 13:16

I personally would do the precooked and put in the freezer, but I always cook double what we need that day and putthe extra in the freezer, so I only ever cook one day in 2. Can you cook a bit extra the next few days and put a portion in the freezer? Sorry if not got time ot do this - I certainly would not cook 4 individual meals just for him!

wheelybug · 08/03/2007 13:17

here cook

ledodgyDave · 08/03/2007 13:18

I got dh the chicken tikka masala one from Wairose this week and it was really nice and doesn't have any crap in it at all. It was a chilled one not frozen but you cna freeze on day of purchase I think.

Blu · 08/03/2007 13:19

Could his Mum come and cook for him, do you think?

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 08/03/2007 13:19

PandaG - My cooking tends to be meals that don't freeze well (eg lemon chicken risotto from Dinner Lady cookbook)

Covent garden soup is a good idea - perhaps something a bit more solid like minestrone. Also will get waitrose curries (he loves a curry)

OP posts:
TeeCee · 08/03/2007 13:19

Doesn't he know how to shop as well as cook?

You're taking all 4 kids away, sure he'll cope with looking after himself! It's your husband you're leaving behind not one of your children, right???????

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 08/03/2007 13:20

Blu

However, in his defence - he does do a 14 hour day so doesn't really have the energy to faff around in kitchen

OP posts:
Original poster
handlemecarefully · 08/03/2007 13:20

I haven't got 4 kids TeeCee - only the 2. (Plus dh of course)

OP posts:
AitchTwoOh · 08/03/2007 13:22

hang on... you're taking the children? leave him some bread and cheese...

stressteddy · 08/03/2007 13:22

Buy a slow cooker if you haven't already got one and lots of chicken and veges! He can cook overnight or whilst at work. I am totally in love with my slow cooker...what did I do before and all that

TeeCee · 08/03/2007 13:22

What will he do about clean clothes??? I mean washing up he can just leave till you get home with all 4 of your children, and he could even wait for your return to flush the loo, but clean, ironed, pressed shirts. I hope you leave them out with a different tie draped overthe shoulder for each day your away. And don't forget to line up his pants and socks as well aye. What else might he struggle with????

Oh actually I don't think you should leave him, poor defenceless man!

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 08/03/2007 13:22

Thanks for the 'cook' link wheelybug - that would be a treat for him

OP posts:
TeeCee · 08/03/2007 13:22

Sorry read 4 nights as 4 kids! Sozza.

PandaG · 08/03/2007 13:22

see what you mean! I do cook some things thaht don't freeze like a stir fry, but if I am going to faff with lasagne for eg I always make as much as I can!

Agree with a good pasta sauce and pasta, or soup then - minimal cooking required.

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 08/03/2007 13:24

Teecee - thanks for your solidarity but we are lazy bugrs here - have a cleaner who comes in 4 mornings per week . She will do his laundry (don't think her cooking is up to much though). She will still be coming whilst I am away because the dogs need walking.

OP posts:
Original poster
handlemecarefully · 08/03/2007 13:25

sorry meant to type lazy 'bu$g!rs'

OP posts:
TeeCee · 08/03/2007 13:25

FFS, these are grown up men we are talking about.
Oh my GOD, why would you all worry about what they'll eat while you are away?
You're their partners, their wives, not their mothers.
I'm actually quite shocked!
These are big grown up men, They should be able to look after themselves for a few dayts surely?
I'd understand leaving food for the kids int he house if they get left behind.

motherinferior · 08/03/2007 13:26

I cannot help feeling I personally would regard this as quite an interesting scientific experiment to see what would happen if you don't do anything

WaynettaSlob · 08/03/2007 13:26

If he's anything like my husband you'll go to all that trouble and then every evening he'll pick up the phone and order a take away!
Personally I think you're mad, but hey, each to their own.

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 08/03/2007 13:27

lol Motherinferior!

OP posts:
TeeCee · 08/03/2007 13:27

You're away 4 nights and the cleaner will do his laundry! Nooooooooooooooooooo!
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I was joking but..........

Each to their own aye.
Don't mean any offence, just a bit ed as you can tell!

xx