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Meal planning for DD houseshare - multiple allergies

30 replies

stinkingbishop · 16/10/2023 21:48

DD(28) is in a houseshare with friends, and has asked me to help her with meal planning, to help save time, money, and stress. However, I'm as stumped as she is, so thought I could secretly ask advice here, and then pass it off as my own brilliance Wink

The issue is, most of my go to's are no go's because a) one is vegetarian and gluten intolerant and b) the other has allergies (serious, epipen level) to chicken, salmon, tuna, lentils, shop-bought baked beans (something in the sauce), cashews and kiwis. DD eats anything and everything.

Ideas that would work for them all beyond soup, omelette, and various things on gluten-free toast?!

Thank you 😊

OP posts:
SaryMhelley · 16/10/2023 22:59

Veggie stir fry with rice noodles, they are gluten free. the meat eaters could add beef strips maybe.
Jacket potatoes topped with veggie bolognaise.
Big pan of curry they could then split and that the meat eaters can add lamb/beef/pork or prawns to their bit.
Chilli and rice.

Its all got to be veggie if they are meal sharing and the meat eaters will just have to add meat to dishes they can split into separate pans, or on the side of their plates or something.

The happy pear have lots of delicious looking recipes, as does Bosh. They will then just have to tweak for GF.

Some ideas here for veggie.
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/budget-vegetarian-recipes

Budget vegetarian recipes | BBC Good Food

Make a budget-friendly vegetarian supper with simple, storecupboard ingredients. Try a nourishing soup, a hearty pie or a curry to feed a crowd.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/budget-vegetarian-recipes

stinkingbishop · 16/10/2023 23:26

Oh this is brilliant, thank you!!!

OP posts:
Sunflowerpumpkin · 16/10/2023 23:29

Egg curry? Sounds weird but is actually really nice.

ironingboardantifreeze · 16/10/2023 23:45

Just to say I think it’s really sweet that your DD has asked you this and you sound likely a lovely mum!

Big pans of soup/stew - can add whatever to it. I like minestrone for lots of veg for and they can add GF pasta or make 2 separate pots. Can add beans for extra protein.

Thai green/red/yellow curry with tofu if all are OK with soy. Or Quorn pieces but check they are GF.

Paella/risotto/one pan rice things. Old El Paso do an amazing one pan rice kit for about £3 (but you could recreate if budget is needed.)

Curry with squash/pumpkin or sweet potato instead of lentils or meat, as PP mentioned meat could be added separately. Just double check any ready made curry sauces are cashew-free as they are in a lot of kormas etc.

Pad Thai! Rice noodles are GF as said above. Can get meal kits in Aldi as long as everyone is ok with fish sauce and peanuts (you could remove the fish sauce and replace with more soy if making from scratch).

Stuffed peppers with couscous! Family favourite here and so cheap.

Sounds counterintuitive sausages and mash, cottage pie, shepherds pie made with veggie meat alternatives like Quorn or soy protein or veggie sausages ofc. I’ve even had a veggie ‘Irish stew’ with sweet potato chunks and it was amazing! Add plenty of minced mushrooms, carrots, onions to bulk out.

Picky meals where they can all choose - kind of a mezze - stuffed vine leaves, olives, cheese, hummus and veg sticks, fruit etc. Meat for those that want it and bread in its many forms.

Spanish-style omelette/tortilla could work well to jazz up omelette nights a bit!

GF frozen pizzas are fairly easy to find now for an easy meal with salad.

Can housemate 2 eat beans that aren’t baked beans? That opens up a lot of doors.

As expensive as they are, M&S and Coop both have great Free From sections. Waitrose is OK, much better for vegan/veggie ready meals than GF stuff imo. Aldi’s frozen veggie stuff is amazing but a lot of wheat protein sadly!

Also recommend Bosh and the Mob Veggie cookbook - maybe an early Christmas present? 😉

Ponderingwindow · 16/10/2023 23:49

Before you do any serious planning I would find out which ingredient in the baked beans is the problem because it likely shows up in other foods.

PandaG · 16/10/2023 23:57

Aubergine and spinach lasagne with gf lasagne sheets (available in most supermarkets.

Sweet potato curry

BBC good food Somerset stew - includes beans but could swap for pulses allergic person can eat? I often make this into a veggie shepherd's pie with cheesy mash. Really tasty!

Veggie and gf sausages - ordinary for meat eaters mash and peas.

Scrambled eggs with peppers, spinach and mushrooms and smoked paprika on gf/normal toast depending could make in several batches and add chorizo to non veggie persons. Quick and delicious.

EmpressaurusOfCats · 17/10/2023 06:51

Ponderingwindow · 16/10/2023 23:49

Before you do any serious planning I would find out which ingredient in the baked beans is the problem because it likely shows up in other foods.

This is a really good point.

Also check veggie sausages etc for hidden lentils.

Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 17/10/2023 06:58

Also check veggie sausages/Quorn for gluten. It is getting better but wheat is often used to bulk out vegetarian ready meals.

RosesAreRedRight · 17/10/2023 07:03

This is one of our fav go to vegetarian recipes which I think is also all gluten free. It’s quick and healthy and occasionally if someone wants meat with it, it’s served on the side.

Meal planning for DD houseshare - multiple allergies
Meal planning for DD houseshare - multiple allergies
Meal planning for DD houseshare - multiple allergies
ShellySarah · 17/10/2023 07:06

Look for a new house share? That's super restrictive and not something I think I could live with and I did house shares at that age.

User56785 · 17/10/2023 07:10

ShellySarah · 17/10/2023 07:06

Look for a new house share? That's super restrictive and not something I think I could live with and I did house shares at that age.

The OPs dd isn't as concerned as you. Or at all.

The fact that it isn't something you could live with isn't important to the OPs dd. Confused

Quitelikeacatslife · 17/10/2023 07:14

The green roasting tin is fantastic cookbook, if she just go vegetarian recipes for everything it will be easy, the gf person gets separate pasta bread wraps etc. they don't have to all eat the gf ones. Just boil a bit of pasta separately. your dd can have meat at your home or when out or when eating separately

BOOooOOooOObsOnTheMoon · 17/10/2023 07:17

Cous cous isn't GF so you'd need to substitute something for that in some of the above suggestions.

ShellySarah · 17/10/2023 07:20

User56785 · 17/10/2023 07:10

The OPs dd isn't as concerned as you. Or at all.

The fact that it isn't something you could live with isn't important to the OPs dd. Confused

Well it's a factor is her home enjoyment.

Her DD already doesn't know how to cook or meal plan for herself at 28 and that's not factoring in the restrictions in what she can cook.

If she can't eat what she wants in her own home then it would concern me.

Loopytiles · 17/10/2023 07:23

I think that in the circumstances their plan sounds hard work with low odds of success. Given they’re young adults I wouldn’t be engaging with it or assisting, would assume they’d either crack it or (more likely) not!

Loopytiles · 17/10/2023 07:23

Oh, DD is 28! Jeez.

UniversalTruth · 17/10/2023 10:49

I came to recommend the green roasting tin book but I see @Quitelikeacatslife beat me to it. You could gift her a second hand copy for under £10.

The baked tomato pasta dish from that book works fine with broken up gluten free spaghetti instead of orzo. The miso aubergine is great too, I can't remember the ingredients to be sure it would be ok.

UniversalTruth · 17/10/2023 10:50

Some gluten free pasta is made with lentils btw, but supermarket gf spaghetti is usually fine.

Rainbowshit · 17/10/2023 11:35

Risottos would work.

stinkingbishop · 17/10/2023 11:51

ShellySarah · 17/10/2023 07:20

Well it's a factor is her home enjoyment.

Her DD already doesn't know how to cook or meal plan for herself at 28 and that's not factoring in the restrictions in what she can cook.

If she can't eat what she wants in her own home then it would concern me.

She does know how to meal plan for herself! Just not with all these restrictions - with which I'd struggle too!

OP posts:
stinkingbishop · 17/10/2023 11:53

Thanks everyone for all these ideas, really really helpful. Have ordered the Green Roasting Tin and will share lots of these suggestions with her (just maybe not the 'move out' one!)

OP posts:
GingerIsBest · 17/10/2023 15:57

I think the trick is to consider what ingredients CAN be used and work around that. eg rice noodles, rice, potatoes vs pasta, bread etc. For meat eaters, definitely choose things that can easily have meat added when they want it.

Fajita-style mix served with halloumi on wedges (vs wraps). Meat eaters, when they feel like it, can swap out the halloumi for chicken/steak.

Roasted vegetables, with hummus. Include potatoes (new potatoes roast well in a mix of vegetables) to add some carbs.

Jacket potatoes with preferred toppings according to preference/allergy!

Curries (check for allergens if using any jars/pastes) work brilliantly as vegetarian meals, served with rice. We have done aubergine and pea recently. Cauliflower and butternut in a Thai style red curry is also good. If peanuts are okay, a satay-style sauce goes over pretty much whatever steamed/roasted vegetable you like, with rice.

Stir fries with rice noodles. Again, meat added for meat eaters if preferred.

IntheSnowySnowyMountains · 17/10/2023 17:31

Soy sauce isn't gluten free btw. You can use tamari instead though.

I agrée veggie curries are a good choice. I do a chick pea and sweet potato one with a tomato based sauce and chick pea, cauliflower and green beans with a coconut milk sauce.