Super Quick Suppers

Nobody can be perfect all the time. Modern life is busy and often stressful. There will be days when even someone who absolutely loves cooking will get home and think “I really can’t be bothered to make supper for everyone.” The great Nigella Lawson herself readily admits to ordering in the odd pizza when she’s too tired to chop! With children taking part in so many after-school activities, it can also sometimes be tricky to physically find the time to cook a meal and get little ones to eat up before everyone has to go out again!
If your child has school dinners this needn’t be such a problem. If they’ve had a proper hot lunch, you can get away with what I’d call a party tea (little bits like sandwiches, popcorn, yogurt, fruit) or something warm but quick on toast, such as scrambled eggs or baked beans. Houmous, pitta bread and some cut up veggies usually go down pretty well and only takes a few minutes to get together.
But if your little one has just had a packed lunch, they’ll probably need something more substantial for their tea. Quick cook pasta can be a lifesaver here, as can baked spuds done in the microwave. I usually try to cook extra if I’m making something like lasagne or fish pie and pop leftovers in the freezer to be defrosted and heated up another day.
No harm will come to any child who has the occasional tea consisting of fish fingers, waffles and baked beans or even a sausage and chips from the local chippy. They’ll love it and there is nothing to feel guilty about. It might not be a great idea to serve this every evening, but once in a while it’s fine. Add some ready prepared fruit salad and count the ketchup as a veg if it makes you happier! Use the time you save to have a cuddle and read your little ones an extra long bedtime story, or watch a film together and everyone will be fed and happy!