Meals to cook when you are sick.

[DaisyWaldron]

I have a nasty cold and just want to lie under a duvet and watch old films. But I have a family to feed and need to plan the meals for the week. What are your suggestions for meals that are soothing, nutritious and really easy to cook when you don't feel like cooking? Chicken soup and salad are already on the list. Maybe a sausage traybake. What are you sick day easy comfort food go-tos for family meals?

If I was sick, I'd likely order a home delivery and have the left over the next day!

Jacket potatoes and then various toppings people can choose- bacon, spring onions, pineapple and cheese, or tune/sweetcorn or coleslaw

I too was going to say slow cooker. Throw it all in and its done.
Ham hock or knuckle. Remove the skin. Add any combo of veg you have- carrots, onions, potatoes, swede, celery, parsley etc.
2 packets of quick soak green split peas. Soak as per packet (1-2hrs I think) rinse and add to the slow cooker. I don't add any seasoning other than pepper. Generally, the ham knuckle has enough salt and flavour in it already.

Oxtail stew in the slow cooker. I used to use beef cheeks in the slow cooker, but last time I checked, they were £9/kg- so cheaper to use stewing beef!

ready made lasagna
egg, chips and beans
sausage and mash
pizza from the coop
tomato soup
fish and chops

a week of stuff like that won't do any harm.

And a chinese take out with hot and sour soup.

Yep this is my go-to. I bung everything in the slow cooker and go back to bed!

Pea, pesto, and broccoli pasta is a good easy one - cook the pasta and veg in one pan, drain, add the pesto, then crumble in some feta if you like it. Serve with a shop bought garlic baguette.

Bit fiddlier. I made this last week when DP was unwell, not me, and also pasta, but delicious. Chop up some chicken and cook off with garlic purée and (optional) black olive tapenade. Cook pasta and broccoli in another pan. Once your chicken’s done, add in a couple of big spoons of Philadelphia and a big slosh of double cream until it’s quite wet. Mix and add Parmesan. Stir the pasta And broccoli through, put it in a baking dish, and top with grated mozzarella. Bake at 6 for about half an hour.

Also a bit fiddly at the outset but then does its own thing. Brown two sausages per person in a big pot. Chop veg - I use celery, carrots, and leeks - and chuck in. Garlic if you want it. Good pinch of fennel seeds and cumin seeds. When it’s soft add a tin of chopped tomatoes and half the tin of water. Leave to simmer for about 40 minutes, serve with pre-prepared mash for ease. (Can use stock instead of tomatoes - I get awful reflux so often do this)

Feel better soon!

Dahl with turmeric, ginger and coconut milk.