Suggestions please for Family Meals - looking for some new ideas.

[Concepta]

I would like some new ideas for Family Meals - I cook all the usual things - Lasagne, Pasta Bake, Sausage Casserole etc but would like something new to add to the list for 2009. Any suggestions? Thanks in anticipation.

One of our 'weekend' (ie posher) family staples is chicken with mozzerella

1 chicken breast per person (or split after cooking if kids are small)
Cut horizontal slit in chicken to make a pocket. Add thick slice of mozzerella and a couple of basil leaves.

Wrap in a slice of Parma Ham and place in ovenproof dish. Cover with foil and bake for 30-40 mins at around 200C depending on your oven obviously, mine cremates things so I have to be careful.

Meanwhile make a sauce out of equal quantities of red pesto and creme fraiche warmed through in a pan.

Don't panic when the chicken is surrounded by watery liquid when you take it out of the oven, just lift it out with a draining spoon and discard liquid.

We tend to have it with potato croquettes & peas for a yummy meal that tastes far better than the time taken to prepare it suggests it should iyswim.

That sounds nice Twink. A Posher version of our slice of Mozarella on top of a Chicken Thigh wrapped in Basic Economy Bacon & roasted for 40m (Mini Roasts we call them)

Our family like Fajitas and Enchiladas, but would live on curry if allowed!

Dd1 makes a nice veggie hotpot thing, with lentils and smoked cheese and with sliced potatoes on top.

Another of our favourites at the moment is Thai vegetable soup, with loads of vege, coriander and cashew nuts.

am also on the look out for some new "after work" recipes.

Here are a couple of our family faves:

chicken and leek in a white sauce topped with mashed potato

chicken thighs brushed with melted butter and topped with breadcrumbs, grated parmesan and herbs & baked in the oven (a healthier version of Kentucky).

Salmon on a bed of couscous and vegetables with a cheese sauce.

Nigella express ragu - with toast fingers - is a good warming family meal (we make ours with minced lamb but could do with beef - soften onion, add lamb to brown, add lentils, chopped tomatoes, splash of marsala and bubble away for 30 minutes or so, so that it thickens up nicely, then grate cheese on top when serving) - takes 40 mins tops to make and our 2 year old loves it.

Sorry what is marsala - dinkystinkyclaus - haven't heard of this before.

It's a type of sweet, fortified wine, very similar to Madeira. Very handy for quick sauces, you can reduce it down until it's thick & syrupy then add a bit of creme fraiche. Serve with pan-fried chicken.