What's a nice treat to replace a takeaway?

[BendyBob]

Got to kick the Friday night takeaway (farewell old friend).

But what would be a good replacement that isn't a pain to make (can't beat a takeaway for minimal effort which is part of the attraction), doesn't leave us feeling deprived of a much needed Friday treat and is still healthy(ish)?

Homemade curry?

Blockbuster movie and a bucket of popcorn from the microwave?

Scrabble competition?

I made my own curry a couple of days ago and a stir fry last night.

I guess I'm thinking maybe prawns or salmon something or other? Gah! I hate feeling deprived

Nigella Express is full of very quick ideas for this sort of thing. Would probably still work out cheaper than a takeaway in the long run, even if you factor in the cost of the book.

If you are near an M &S, how about their Dine in for a Tenner option? Main, side, dessert and bottle of wine (or nice soft drinks).

Otherwise, a nice rump steak and a jacket spud with real butter with a glass of wine? Can start with a good ol Prawn Cock if you atre having a crustacean craving!

We don't have take aways but i always have curry in the freezer. I cook few huge ones and freeze portions for our 'take away nights'.

Or, 'mexican night', we just fill tortillas with whatever ready/available.

Or pizza with ready base and just do the topping.

Slow cooker curry - all you have to do is boil up a pot of easy cook rice and it will be gorgeous when you come home.

Home made pizza - half the fun for the kids is picking out the toppings, plus you get rid of 2 mushrooms, half an onion type things mouldering in fridge.

Bendy, I order just a chicken tikka starter and a popodom, then prepare a salad and my own oven wedges. Feels like a takeaway (im on weight watchers) but its considerably better for you.

scallops flash fried in a little butter and crushed garlic. with posh bread and salad. yum. decadent, rich and quick - perfect treat.

and agree re that M and S deal.it is amazing some weeks

Oh forgot about M&S meal deal. Good idea!

Thanks all so much for your great suggestions (like the ww tip there. Actually maybe I should rejoin WW's. It def helped).

I'll check out Nigella's book. Hooray an excuse to get another cookery book! Dh will faint if I buy another cookery book - I have a bit of an addiction to them.

Omg I love making Mexican food Laquitar! Now I want that too. Oh dear, I am such a piggy .

Its helped me loads, lost 8lbs in 3 weeks

Ooh well done you! That's fantastic

I used to go and I lost quite a lot, but then it fizzled out with me. I sort or ran out of steam with it and thought I'd have a little break but I didn't return. I guess I fell into a classic scenario there - they must see that happen with some.

I must say though they certainly do give you the will power to stick at it and I liked all the little tips they give to get you through tricky times.

Jambalaya

Fair bit of chopping, but only takes 10 mins and then you can leave it stewing for a while.

steak

I would make fajitas. Quick, easy and cheap. You can supplement it with nachos as well if you like.

Curry - I love making curry however it is not a relaxing option and is not something quick and easy on a Friday night. Only if you make it on the Thursday night.

Also WW here. Our takeaway night now is a WW (or other low fat option from any of the main supermarkets) curry or other ready meal. I've never eaten so many ready meals before but it's a great way to get the convenience and flavour of a takeaway without excessive fat content. We like the WW or Sainsbury chicken tikka masalas in particular and they're only 6.5 points. I'm planning to try the lamb hot pot next.

Could make a thai green curry with King prawns,lots of veg (mange tout, sugar snap peas and baby corn with fresh corriander) If you use the reduced fat coconut milk, and go easy on the rice it should be much lower in points than a real takeaway!

For me it would be fajitas or enchiladas

Mussels always work for us, a huge bowl in the middle of the table with garlic toasted ciabatta, and a nice chilled wine.
Mussels always makes the evening for us, and very quick and easy to do.

How about cod in breadcrumbs with a few oven chips and peas mmmm

I make feck-off dish of nachos to gobble scoop in front of a friday night movie. A pack or two tesco value tortilla chips spread in my lasgna dish, plop left over chilli beans on top (and left over chicken if we have it); bake with lodsa grated cheese. My version turns out like a crunchy lasagna, almost. If I'm organised
, I remember guacamole/avocado and sour cream/craime fraiche. If I;m less organised I get the sauce out of a jar! If I'm really with it, I'll drink ready made margarita cocktail with it..... Verrrry nice.

We do the home-made pizza thing including making a fresh dough base. Once challenged a visiting friend that I could make a pizza from scratch in less time than it took for one to arrive from Pizza Hut. Won the bet!!! (And it tasted better too)

Pizza dough
8oz plain bread flour
1 egg, beaten
1 sachet easy-blend dried yeast
salt & pepper
pinch of oregano
a little water if needed

Switch on the oven to its hottest setting. While it's heating up, mix up the dough ingredients and roll them out to fit your greased tray or pizza plate. By the time you've added your toppings (chopped tomato, salami, mozarella etc) the oven should have got to temperature.... then cook your pizza for about 15 - 20 mins. Easy.

Having a jar of cooking sauce makes something that feels like a treat but you know what's in it, how many calories etc without the hassle of having to cook from scratch. TBH I love cooking so don't often hanker after a quick fix but I do find that when time is tight, there's nothing nicer than finding a jar of sweet and sour sauce in the cupboard to chuck in with some chicken and rice