Quick Dinner Ideas

[Mother Goose]

I've just gone back to shift work and need some quick, easy, yummy ideas for dinner... and it has to be fool proof so DH can cook too. Preferably stuff that re-heats well so I can take it when I'm on a late for dinner (I know, I'm demanding!). Please don't suggest I buy a S/C!!!! I'll get to that eventually but need some ideas for now...

TIA!!!

MG

[Michelle71]

We have been having LOTS of couscous. The Ainsley Harriot variety is already seasoned and all you do is add water. It can be cold with salad stuff (cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese) with a meat of your choice or it can be hot (baked pumpkin and feta or roasted veges on the BBQ like zucchini, capsicum, eggplant etc) It reheats fine and dinner can be done in minutes. We have had morroccan lamb, thai chicken etc thrown into the couscous.

My DH has been taking it to work for lunch or dinner and I intend to do the same when I go back to work next week.

Also pasta - a stir through sauce with grilled meat and a side salad; bacon, shallot and mushroom pan fried with lite tinned cream (in the same section as the condensed milk - the name has slipped my mind) and parmesan then chuck in the cooked pasta etc

There are lots of options - let me know if you want more or what your preferences are. I have become the queen of the 20 minute meal due to the little person being high needs in the afternoon

But .......... the SC is a great idea too Pre-made casserole with rice is pretty easy too.

[Beach Mama]

We love mexican here - tacos, burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, easy, quick and tasty!
We also eat lots of stir fries, heaps of veg, meat if you want it, and then add either indian or thai sauce, rice and done. I also just do a simple one with onion, garlic, ginger, chilli and soy sauce- cant go wrong.
Also I love pasta bakes, I do one with a pack of snags, - cook them and the pasta first - so about 15 mins, then add a jar of pasta bake, cut up the snags and mix all together, top with cheese and put in the oven for about 10 mins. Serve with a salad! Mmmmmm.
Will keep thinking!

[Kazbah]

Cook brown rice in microwave for 10 mins, stir. Check water, cook another 10 mins. Chop up veggies in this time - squash, carrots, peas/beans, tomato, sundried tomato, celery. After the 2nd 10mins add carrot & celery, cook 3 mins. Add squash / peas/beans / tomatoes, cook 2 mins.

Meanwhile in frypan cook pre-marinated lamb backstrap with finely chopped onion & sundried tomatoes until medium rare. Remove lamb, slice and return to pan to seal all around. Mix through rice mixture.

Dinner cooked in 25 mins! And only 2 dishes to clean

[Tobily]

We have been having LOTS of couscous. The Ainsley Harriot variety is already seasoned and all you do is add water. It can be cold with salad stuff (cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese) with a meat of your choice or it can be hot (baked pumpkin and feta or roasted veges on the BBQ like zucchini, capsicum, eggplant etc) It reheats fine and dinner can be done in minutes. We have had morroccan lamb, thai chicken etc thrown into the couscous.

This stuff rocks! It's become a staple in our house, it tastes great and it's really easy and filling and as Michelle said you can do alot with it, definitely goes great with lamb. We often have it with pan fried lamb or chicken that we season with masterfoods morroccan seasoning and a bit of lemon. Throw some of those steamfresh veges in the microwave and dinner in 15 minutes

[Mother Goose]

Thanks girls!!! Muchly appreciated. Please keep the ideas coming! I should have bought the S/C the other week! DOH! Will hae to try and get DH to let me get one...