Our son is 6 and out daughter is 2. Our son was the unfussiest eater in the world and we were the Smug Parents. Then one day he decided he didn't like pretty much everything, so any tasty, nutritious meal that we manage to get into him is a huge victory! As such, they are committed to memory until such time that he deems them as unedible *sigh*.
Our daughter is still in the frame of mind that all food is good but we're not falling into the smug trap a second time round!! I shall enjoy it whilst it lasts. As a part-time working Mum and full-time housekeeper, child minder, chauffeur, PA etc etc (you get the idea) the key words for meal times are Quick, Tasty and Easy with emphasis on meeting most of the food groups, carbohydrates, protein and five-a-day if at all possible (ok, not ALL the time!!).
I think that there are probably two categories that our cooking falls into: Grown Up and Family Friendly and you'll find recipes listed in the blog section. Our approach to cooking is simple: whatever's in the house, generally, and get some inspiration from 2 or 3 recipes maybe. We have an idea of what works and what doesn't and so usually our versions work. Unfortunately because of this ad hoc approach, we don't genereally have the same ingredients in every time which is why you'll find a liberal approach to our recipes!
FF homemade meals are any roast dinners, roast chicken pieces on mediteranean roast veg or salad, chilli con carne, curries (known as brown curries in this house), meatballs with pasta, rice or cous cous, baked potatoes, sausage or chops and mash with vegetables, egg fried rice with stir-fried chicken and vegetables, lasagne, minced beef with mashed potato (but not shepherds pie!!), steak and chips, griddled chicken with flatbread, salad and cous cous (kebabs), homemade burgers, hungarian ghoulash, slow-cooked stews and homemade soup - fantastic for squeezing five-a-days in! It doesn't sound that restrictive when you list it all!
Roast dinners are simple enough: Chicken or a joint of meat seasoned (that's the secret every time - something that compliments the meat; lemon, herbs or garlic and black pepper for beef for instance) and roasted accordingly with plenty of boiled or roasted vegetables, roast potatoes, yorkshire puddings and gravy. Mmmm.
Similarly with roast chicken pieces and veg - this is so simple and nutritious, it's ridiculous! Chuck any chunky veg that you have to hand (carrots, courgette, cherry toms, red onion, sweet potato, celery, beetroot and so on) into a roasting pan with garlic cloves, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper, place the chicken on top and roast in a medium to high oven for about an hour. Serve with baked potatoes, cous cous or bread to mop up all the lovely juices.
 |
| Sunday lunch at Mum's |
The chilli con carne is a firm favourite (especially when there are tortilla chips to go with it!). Brown the mince off with onions, add a stock cube, garlic, tomato paste and chilli con carne powder, (I make a mix - recipe to follow). Fry for a minute, add tinned tomatoes and kidney beans, maybe a little water and simmer for 45 mins to an hour. Serve with rice, tortilla chips and soured cream. You can add mushrooms, celery and bell peppers if you wish.
Our slow cooker is a firm family friend. So easy (if you're organised!) and you have enough ingredients in the house... Usually it's a case of tossing meat in a mixture of flour, spices and / or herbs, browning and putting into the pot. Add stock, chopped veg / beans, seasoning, maybe tinned tomatoes, turn on and off to work you go! Hungarian ghoulash always goes down well, or maybe a sausage and bean casserole. Brisket is a firm favourite for slow-cooked meat. Maybe it is under-rated but to us the melt in the mouth, flavoursome meat is wonderful. We enjoyed a curry made from leftover slow-cooked brisket which put a smile on everyone's lips...
I generally leave the meatballs and burgers to my husband. They're straight forward to make and Chris enjoys experimenting with different ingredients. They always go down well. Lasagne too is always popular. Which is funny considering Fussy Son doesn't like cheese or pasta...
Smoked mackerel is a surprise Family Favourite. Grill and serve with stir fried, finely diced veg (onion, courgette, mushroom maybe as well as peas and / or sweetcorn), season, maybe add a boiled egg and serve. It's also nice with salad, green beans, potatoes boiled or baked and maybe some bread. Again a boiled egg is always tasty.
Hmm. Grown Up favourites. It's been a while!! We love gnocchi with a blue cheese and walnut sauce. Anything with couscous - grilled chicken, salad. I have a lovely recipe for goats cheese and beetroot tart which must be posted. Risotto is a firm comfort food for us adults. I shall post some recipes.
Why not post some of your Family Favourites and pass the inspiration around!
Recipes can be found in my blog
Baked treacle sponge
Banana muffins
Beetroot, walnut, black pudding and goats cheese salad
Bread and butter pudding
Brisket curry
Brown bread ice cream
Cabbage and lentil soup
Carrot and coriander salad
Chicken baked with pesto and risotto
Chickpea and tomato soup
Chocolate torte
Chorizo al pimento
Creamy pea and bacon pasta
Feta and spinach cannelloni
Gnocchi with gorgonzola and walnuts
Honey and walnut dressing
Jam tarts
Mince pies
Mushroom risotto
Raspberry and chocolate chunk muffins
Spotted dick
Summer salads and salad dressings
Tapas: atun et salade
Tomato and garlic salad
Tuna pasta bake
Recipes can be found in my blog
No comments:
Post a Comment