Food: Family meal plan 1st February


Howdy ho everybody, it's Monday so off we go. Time to put down some yummy food ideas to get us through the cold, frosty days and slightly lightening evenings.


Still no sign of when we'll be out of lockdown at the moment so we best get familiar with broadening our eating at home experience. The Carnivore is still making good on his promise to eat less meat for January and so other than a bit of fish, most of these recipes are vegetarian and for Baby Inspiration, vegan to account for his food intolerances.


I don't want to get too excited yet but I can definitely see signs of lighter nights and spring, so with that in mind, here are some delicous food ideas....


Fajitas 


A real easy favourite in this house and easily changed to be veggie. vegan or Carnivore friendly. I'm especially loving the take on a fajita buddha bowl where you forgo the tortillas for a hearty bowl of goodness. I throw combination of turmeric, paprika, cumin, and cayenne in, along with some smoky spices to make it  a family fave.


Super veggie fried rice

Who else loves Chinese food and special fried rice? It's usually a takwaway treat but this recipe is a yummy heathly fakeaway alternartive. Cooking with sesame oil adds a lovely flavour to asian food so always worth having it in. Add red onions and spring onions to a hot wok, add tofu for protein and add seasoning with turmeric, garlic, salt and pepper . I like to add a bit of vegetable stock to any rice dish whilst cooking to add moisture and flavour. The chuck in peas, spinach or any other veg you have lurking around the fridge.


Lemon potato and courgetti

Add new potatos quartered into a pan of boiling water and its always worth having a tin of new potatos in for those days when you don't have any. Spiralise the courgettes or thinly slice them before frying off in a mixture of lemon juice, balsamic, salt, pepper, olive oil and vinegar.


Crispy gnocchi with butternut squash

I love this recipe for a quick one pan tea. Gnocchi doesn't need much cooking for standing in boiling water is enough to give it moisture. Then tip it into roasting tin with tomatoes, butternut squash, bay leaves, garlic left whole,chilli flakes, peppers and seasoning, Bake for 30 minutes until golden and then add dollops of ricotta, feta or halloumi for a lovely rich saltiness.


Cheese, carrot and parsnip tart


Using ready roll puff pastry, add either creme fraiche, natural yoghurt or even hummous as a sauce, then scatter over any cheese but a creamy wesleydale or cheddar works quite well. Peel the carrots and parnsips into long strips then coat in a dressing of olive oil,salt and black pepper, then put it on the tart and then into the oven it goes for 40 minutes.


Sausage and lentil casserole


I like to give this dish a little spanish flavour with smoky paprika but it doesn't matter if you havent got it/ Fry your sausages (veggie, vegan or meat) in a frying pan. Then add in peppers, courgettes, tomatoes and herbs such as thyme, oregano, basil etc to add flavour. Then add stock, lentils and canned tomatoes, along with a dash of tomato puree. Serve with a grain for a more mediterranean take, or mash potato to make it more British.


I'd really love to get your ideas for good meal and batch cooking ideas so do drop your comments below. Or let me know how you get on with these recipes.




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