Spec me: extremely fast family meals

cheesyboy said:
Not sure youngest would eat enough of it to keep her full, though - she'd probably just eat the chicken and ignore everything else
Click to expand...

Haha, yeah my 3 year old is the same :p

cheesyboy said:
Tend to find Pasta cooks in about 12-14 minutes, plus I'd need to get the water up to heat, and serve up.
Click to expand...

Inch of water in the bottom of the pan and on to boil, fill up the kettle and boil that then add it to the pan - The kettle will (should) boil much quicker than the pan - I tend to find that the inch or so of water has just started to bubble by the time the kettle is ready :)
 
Pasta with various things is very fast. When I was growing up my parents would make big portions of food, enough for 2 or 3 days and we would eat the same stuff for as long as it lasted and everyone ate when they got home from work/school/wherever but this doesnt seem to be very british thing to do I have noticed. It is great though for days like that and all you need to do is heat it up.
Also you could cook something proper but give them a snack to take to nursery/school. I dont know if that is possible though?
 
There is also obvious reheating: any curry, stew, chili, bolognese sauce can be reheated in minutes in the microwave.
In a hurry i sip the carbs and just have vegetables but pasta you can cook in just about 10 mins following haggisman's instructions http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=27791190&postcount=21


As above=, noodles are super quick. Rice can be pre-cooked and reheated (just cool the rice properly after cooking).

You can also do things like potatoes or pasta said in advance.

Having things prepared before hand will save a lot of time. E.g. a stir-fry with all the veg pre-chopped and chicken marinated in Tupperware.
 
1Ya1Q2h.jpg
 
Last edited:
Mrs Seabiscuit said:
Cheesyboy, why is prep time only 10 mins? I am curious surely kids can do their homework or watch tv whilst you cook? :)
+1 for slow cooker.
Click to expand...

They're 5 and 1.5 years old. Youngest is knackered and starving at that point (eldest isn't far off either), and she really struggles with the wait for food.

On top of that, they need to be in bed not long after 7pm, and need to fit in a reading book for eldest ("homework"), a story for both, and bath - partly for the routine, and partly because youngest will nearly always be covered in food after dinner.

It's pretty hectic, to be honest. Glad Mrs Cheesyboy only works two days!
 
cheesyboy said:
They're 5 and 1.5 years old. Youngest is knackered and starving at that point (eldest isn't far off either), and she really struggles with the wait for food.

On top of that, they need to be in bed not long after 7pm, and need to fit in a reading book for eldest ("homework"), a story for both, and bath - partly for the routine, and partly because youngest will nearly always be covered in food after dinner.

It's pretty hectic, to be honest. Glad Mrs Cheesyboy only works two days!
Click to expand...

Ahh I see. Yes that does sound hectic, please don't take it as me being cheeky. I think preparing a stew for slow cooker it will be hot and tasty when you guys get in then still hot for when your wife comes home to have her tea.
:)
 
Mrs Seabiscuit said:
Ahh I see. Yes that does sound hectic, please don't take it as me being cheeky. I think preparing a stew for slow cooker it will be hot and tasty when you guys get in then still hot for when your wife comes home to have her tea.
:)
Click to expand...

Wife finishes at 8, and will have already eaten at work - no need to worry about her :)

Something in the slow cooker does sound suitable. As mentioned, I would have to sort it the night before, as I leave for work at 7.30am on the two days in question, so I might try batch cooking some stews and freezing them - just a few minutes in the microwave then.

Anyone got any recommended stew recipes? I can do a basic something by just chucking veg and meat in, but would be good to mix it up with more interesting stuff...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom