Multiple mealtimes for family of four. What do you cook?

[ChocolateOrangery]

Tonight is a typical example. Daughter wants to eat before she goes out. Son is out until 9pm. Husband is out exercising for an hour (I am normally but a different hour so we cross over). This is happening more and more and I'm at my wits end trying to create flexible meals that can be heated up/prepared in advance/left for people to help themselves. We don't have a large fridge so it's not easy to find space for lots of dishes of ready prepared food/salads etc.

Me and DD don't eat meat (we eat fish), DS and DH are meat and fish eaters. Any bright ideas to save me pulling all my hair out?

Instant Pot

i would cook dishes that suit you and your dd (so mainly fish/veggie)
eg:

quorn lasagna.
fish tacos, prep the filling and then pop it into taco shells when needed
courgette and tomato frittata
mac n' veg slices
turkey burgers (or quorn burgers for you), make them then put in buns when needed
savory rice
stovies- not sure but you could try this with quorn

Could you do a stew or chilli type thing in the slow cooker and then people can just help themselves when they're ready? Could also do mash which can be heated up or buy frozen rice to be microwaved?

Also could try roasting a chicken (can be eaten cold) and add sweet potato wedges and salad which can be sorted individually without too much faff?

I’d go for slow cooker meals where possible, then each person takes a portion when they want.

On the meat veggie front I'd do veggie chilli/stews etc and have ready cooked chicken, salmon etc in the fridge to be added to it by the meat eaters.

I have the triple slow cooker from
Aldi. I do one veggie one meat curry for example.

Batch cook some dishes people like and freeze in portions. People can heat up what they want, when they want.

Chickpea tagine. Quick to heat up in a saucepan or microwave and best served with couscous which takes no longer than 10 minutes to prepare. It keeps for a while in the fridge (flavours actually improve over time) and leftovers can be frozen. It can be made meaty with lamb meatballs. www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/healthy/moroccan-veg-and-chickpea-tagine/

Savoury pancakes - make up a large jug of batter and do the pancakes as and when they’re needed. Cheese and chive for you and your dd, add ham for the men!

Tacos www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spicy-black-bean-tacos The meat eaters won’t miss the meat in this one. The filling can be reheated again and again without compromising taste or texture and the taco shells or tortillas can be done when needed.

Lentil bolognese makes a good base that’s easily repeatable and can have pancetta added for the meat.

Lots of genius tips here. We don't have a slow cooker but may have to invest in one. Love the idea of creating veggie meals that can have meat added as an afterthought - simple but brilliant!

I agree with adding meat later. I do a lot of grilled chicken breasts on the side.

So if I'm making curry I'll do a tikka chicken breast or if it's a stir fry I'll do a Chinese marinade.