One of the things that I don’t plan in advance most of the time are dinners. I keep telling myself I should write down a family menu for the week to help organise domestic life and all that. But, I never do. I just find it difficult to plan meals. I’m more of the “What do I feel like eating right now?” kind of person.
So, you can imagine that everyday is a bit of a challenge when it comes to preparing dinners. Especially when I’m too tired/busy/preoccupied to even think about dinner. Let alone, cook it.
Some days are better than others. When I know exactly what I want to eat and all that, it’s easy.
On days when we have no clue, we have a list of back-up plans. There are the usual take-away suspects: Domino’s Pizza, KFC, or local shops where we get Fish & Chips + Calamari Rings, Indian food, or Chinese meals. Sometimes, we head off to nearby Maccas or Hungry Jack’s.
But, when we don’t feel like eating fast food or take-away, we also have simple meal back-ups. On this list are:
1) Tacos – We just buy a taco kit, cook the mince with the taco sauce from the kit, heat the taco shells in the oven, slice some fresh veggies (iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, onions), put them all in a multi-area serving dish, serve with the additional sauce from the kit, grated cheddar cheese and sour cream. Easy peasy.
2) Macaroni & Cheese – Buy a Mac and Cheese packet. Cook it according to instructions. Sometimes, we add peas and ham or cooked bacon, to give it a bit more oomph. Toast some bread and put butter – or garlic butter mix. Or maybe, cook some garlic bread.
3) Pre-cooked meals from Coles or Woolworths – Not our favourite option, but yeah, we occasionally get pre-cooked lasagna, stews, etc from the grocery. Then, finish the cooking at home.
4) Toasted or Grilled Bacon Sandwiches – Or bacon and egg. Or ham & cheese. Yep… you get the picture.
We also have a “do your own dinner” policy between us. Well, my husband and I anyway. He can prepare some of his favourite quick meals like baked beans on toast, tomato soup and toast, tinned spaghetti on toast, etc.
I’m not a big fan of those meals, so I have my own list of quick and easy meals like tuna and rice, instant noodles, and corned beef and rice, among others.
What about you? Do you plan your dinners? Do you have a list of simple meals that you prepare whenever you don’t feel like cooking much? Any favourite takeaway or fast food meals?
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Kari 03.08.08 at 2:16 am
I’m not a big meal planner as it’s just me and the dog here. When I have people to cook for however it is a different story. I actually enjoy the planning portion if it involves someone other than myself
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Shai Coggins reply on March 9th, 2008:
Kari: Good on ‘ya for actually enjoying party planning. Those things stress me out.
You must be a fabulous party hostess!
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Leigh 03.08.08 at 8:05 pm
I really envy all those who menu plan. I wish I could do it too, it must make life so much easier. I am such a terrible cook, that doesn’t help either.
I am very much like you, just decide late in the day what to have depending on what I feel like eating. Quick and easy list is very similar, for the tacos we have become hooked on are the crispy chicken ones.
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Shai Coggins reply on March 9th, 2008:
Leigh: LOL. Yeah… it’ll be interesting to know about the lives with home menus.
And, now you’ve made me curious about crispy chicken tacos. I’ve only really had beef tacos.
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Heather 03.08.08 at 11:06 pm
Hi Shai,
I used to menu plan and it worked fine, but I’ve found since the teens are now older and sometimes it’s just hubby, me and the little guy, I’ve had to get a bit more flexible. In the hotter weather we do a lot of some kind of meat (chicken, fish, kebabs, etc), either, grilled, bbq or pan fried, tossed salad & microwaved potatos. Not too special, but I can cope with it on a really hot arvo.
Hubby has also changed a lot in the things he can eat, due to his medications, etc. So, I’ve had to find other things he can eat. I’m kind of looking forward to the cooler weather because I’ll be able to cook different things for a change.
Those mia goreng noodles are a real hit around our place, too. Everyone can get those themselves.
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Shai Coggins reply on March 9th, 2008:
Heather: Wow. I’m impressed that you managed to do menus! Sounds like you’ve got plenty of great ‘back up quick meals’. Yum. Never tried microwaving potatoes before. Wonder how that works? And yeah – the instant noodles are definitely good for a really quick easy one.
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Heather 03.09.08 at 3:19 pm
Lol, to microwave a potato, just stab it lightly, with a fork or knife, all over, and zap. I have a setting on my microwave for potatoes. All I do is press it for the number of potatoes I have in there. I can’t recall how long you’d do just one on it’s own, but I’m sure you could find out online if you don’t have that setting on yours. They’re just as good as baked ones, just no oil used. We add a bit of butter or sour cream when we eat them. Yum.
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