Three quick and easy family suppers
Homework to help with, washing to put on, school permission forms to sign… weeknights can be pretty hectic when you’re a mum!
Which is why you want a stash of failsafe recipes that take very little time and even less effort, but are also nutritious and tasty. Recipes just like these…
Pasta Pronto
Dried pasta is a great store-cupboard standby, but fresh pasta makes a tasty change and cooks in just a few minutes.
At a glance: Follow the packet instructions to cook the fresh pasta. In the meantime, make an oh-so-speedy microwave pasta sauce by simply putting some chopped cherry tomatoes in a bowl with a generous dollop of fresh pesto, a glug of olive oil and a splash of red wine vinegar. Microwave for a minute or so before stirring through the cooked pasta. Depending on what you have in the fridge – and what you fancy – you can make various additions to the sauce: fresh herbs, flaked salmon or tuna, finely chopped red pepper…
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Ham Bake
Cooking a whole ham may seem like overkill but it’s a really useful thing to have in the fridge as it can quickly added to pasta and salads as well as making those all-important sarnies. This Ham Bake makes a delicious supper in no time.
At a glance: Add some diced ham to an ovenproof dish with some frozen peas and sweetcorn (no need to defrost). Whip up a cheat’s white sauce warming through a tub of crème fraiche with a good handful of cheese and a heaped teaspoon of mustard. Pour the sauce over the ham and vegetables before topping with fresh breadcrumbs and grated parmesan and placing in a hot oven until cooked through and golden and bubbling (about 20 minutes).
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Homemade oven chips
We all resort to frozen oven chips now and again, but homemade ones make a healthier and cheaper alternative.
At a glance: Cut your potatoes into chips, leaving the skin on if you want to score on the health-ometer (and your kids won’t moan!). Par-boil for about eight minutes before draining, placing on a baking sheet and drizzling with olive oil. Cook in a hot oven for 15-20 minutes. Strips of chicken breast that have been rubbed with a little oil and a crumbled stock cube are a tasty addition (make sure the chicken is cooked through).
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What are your go-to family supper recipes? Let us know in the comments section below.