Help! Meals that can be made within one baby sleep cycle?

[~Trish~]

Hi everyone! My bub is not the best day sleeper and usually only sleeps one cycle during the day which for us is 40 minutes (especially around dinner time ). I am really struggling to get dinner cooked while he is asleep. When he is awake he is very demanding and I can't continue to cook! So I was wondering if anyone has any recipes and meal ideas that can be cooked and ready to eat within 40 minutes.

It doesn't have to be an actual recipe, even just a quick idea of things you can throw together (like frozen chicken kiev and vegies, mmm...).

I have a great chicken and corn soup recipe that is so quick to make if anyone is in the same predicament as me:

Chicken & Corn Soup

500gm chicken mince
2 x 440g cans of creamed corn
6 cups (1500ml) of chicken stock
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons cornflour
1/2 cup (120ml) extra water

* Brown chicken mince in frypan (I break it up with a fork as it tends to go lumpy)
* While mince is browning, combine corn, chicken stock, soy sauce and sesame oil in a saucepan. Stir over heat until boiling, then simmer for 3 minutes.
* Blend cornflour with the extra water and add to the soup mixture. Cook, stirring, until soup boils and thickens a little (it usually thickens more on standing).
* Add browned chicken mince to soup.
* Serve with bread rolls.

So if anyone has any quick ideas they can pass on, that would be wonderful

TIA

[aussienic]

Spag bol is a fav of mine when the kids are being feral

A roast is always a good idea as you only have to prepare the veges close to dinner time.. The roast just gets whacked in the oven

Anything in a slow cooker especially with winter coming up there are some great recipes out there

[~Flossie~]

i have just discovered the Aldi stir fry sauces.. they are around $1.79 and they are so easy! Just brown your chosen meat, add sauce and then i am using frozen stir fry veges, easy dinner.. when i have lots of time on my hands i am cutting up the veges etc..

[Lisa]

I always have pre made pie shells for times that I reeeeally don't want to cook or have take away... Then I just throw together a quiche, cook it and serve it with salad... it is a family favourite here and takes no time to prepare and cook.

[mrsmac]

I make salmon mornay with corn and other vegies in it so its complete meal.

[~Trish~]

Ooh, thanks everyone, some great ideas! Keep them coming if you can!!

[Olive]

tuna morney
frittatas/zuchinni slice can always be cooked in the morning and eaten cold with salad
stuffed capsicum or stuffed zuchinni's

anything in the slow cooker!!

[MrsFabuloso]

I make things that can be cooked slowly like casseroles.

My favourite is one I made up, so I have no quantities (use enough to feed your family, or extra to freeze):

Chicken caserole
Chicken thigh fillets
Tin of chopped tomatoes
little tomato paste
onion
garlic
mushrooms
zucchini
carrots
beans
corn
(any veggies your family likes)
a little chicken stock to keep it moist in the oven

Cook it all together on a low heat (about 130-150 degrees celcius) for a few hours. I usually leave it for at least three hours. Keep checking it to make sure it doesn't dry out. Add water or stock to moisten it.

Serve with pasta or rice, or on its own with crusty bread. Great for cold nights!!

[Naomi]

My slow cooker has been getting a real workout lately, i've made 3 different soups (potato & leek, curried lentil & vegetable and pumpkin)
Also if i need something quick and easy i make a frittata
1cup pastry mix
1cup milk
1cup grated cheese
2 eggs
meat (optional) i use chicken/ham/bacon
Vegies, i use corn,asparagus,capsicum
Herbs (parsley, chives, coriander)
salt and pepper
Thow allingrediants into a bowl and mix well, transfer to a quiche dish and cook in oven on 180c for 25minutes

[mrsmac]

Yum Kelliem that sounds great.