Suggestions for a quick dinner for PILs tomorrow night

[popsycal]

They are popping in for dinner tomorrow on their way back from somewhere else. They don't need anything fancy but I don't want to be running around like a lunatic at tea time trying to make something.

What can I prepare/almost prepare tomorrow afternoon (no DS with me) which I can just stick in the oven when they arrive without any fuss.

No dietary requirements to think of......

My brain has ceased to work tonight....

What about a roast? Just bung chicken or such-like in oven and then make new/mashed potatoes and carrots and ta-da.... easy

i am STARVING
pregnant and starving

am so tempted to go and make mashed potato now!!

medigirl - ready!
even if i dont cook it tomorrow, i really would love it soon!

Ingredients.....

Approx 3lb of braising steak
5 large carrots
4 large potatoes
2 courgettes
1 onion
1 tablespoon pearl barley
2 tablespoons seasoned plain flour
1 vegetable stock cube
herbs - sprinkling of rosemary, mint and thyme

For dumplings

6 oz self raising flour
3 tablespoons fresh parsley
3 oz shredded suet
salt & pepper

To make..........

Peel potatoes and carrots and chop. Put into a large pan and add the chopped onion and courgette.
Cut the braising steak into cubes and dip them into the seasoned flour (cut away any fat)then put into the pan along with the veg.
Put the pearl barley into the pan.
Mix the stock cube with 2 pints of water and add this to all the ingredients.
Bring all this up to simmering point and simmer over the lowest heat for 2 hours.

About 15 mins before end of cooking pre heat oven to 200 degrees and make the dumplings.
Mix the flour and parsley with seasoning then mix in the suet. Add enough cold water to make a stiff dough which leaves the bowl easily without sticking - if it sticks add more flour.
Knead it lightly and make into 12 dumpling shapes.
Put the dumplings into the stew and transfer the whole casserole into the oven for about 30 mins until the dumplings are golden brown!

This tastes fab especially with a good white wine and lots of crusty bread!!

Enjoy

How pregnant are you Popsycal? This is really nourishing for the baby too!

THANK YOU!!!!
YUM YUM!

27 weeks!
and counting!

Is this your first babe?

2nd - ds is 2y 4 m!

Ohrrrr lovely.....I have a DB 2 yr 5 months and have just had a DD who is 12 weeks! All the best of luck

thank you!
will be sure to report back!

I cooked shepherds pie in the end....lots of nice veggies for ds to 'help' me with.....kept him busy.

I have had the ingredients of lots of these lovely recipes to my list for my next shop though!
Thanks