Well, I am pretty ashamed of the way I throw food together for me and mine, but since others want quick and easy, here it is.
C and I have strange tastes, though, so not everyone will like this stuff. She won't eat fish at all, and not many kinds of meat, so it is pretty plain . And it is all gluten free.
Very quick and easy; lentils and onion. I tried this first on a retreat at a convent, and it was a fast day, and the nuns apologised for serving it, but I thought it was delish.
Some red lentils (2 cups)
1 chopped onion
water - first to wash the lentils at least three times, then enough to cover in the pan, plus one inch of water on top.
Put lentils in a pan. Bring to boiling point. Skim off any scurfy bits/bubbles from the lentils. Add the onion. Turn heat very low for a few minutes until all the water is absorbed. Turn the heat off, and leave the pan to stand, so the lentils fluff up nicely.
Serve either on its own, or with a bit of stirred in Marmite for flavour. Lovely with crusty bread.
An alternative is half rice, half red lentils, either with or without onion. But only Basmati rice; everyone is a snob about something, and with me it is rice.
There is no comparison, Basmati is the best.
Which reminds me: How to cook perfect Basmati rice, according to my friend Raj, who taught me how to do this many years ago. It will be familiar, because I adapted it for the lentils too.
2 cups Basmati, washed three times.
Put the rice into a large pan. Add enough cold water to cover the rice and one inch on top. Bring to the boil, skim off any bubbles and then turn the heat low. Only cook for a short time; five minutes may be plenty, until the water is absorbed. Turn off the heat, and leave the pan to stand for a couple of minutes. Do not rinse the rice with boiling water, as this will wash out the vitamins. The grains should all be fluffy, and not stick together (until it goes cold.) Serve hot or cold.
Next shamefully easy meal in moments. Tin of new potatoes. Tin of chopped tomatoes. A handful of frozen spinach, or any other frozen veg.
Drain the potatoes. Put them into a pan with the rest. Bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and only just cook long enough to soften the veg.
Serve however you like. C loves this one in tacos, and it is soooo quick and easy.
Next. Toasted sandwiches. You don't need a sandwich maker, and you don't need to butter the bread. Put a slice of bread into a frying pan, top with cheese/chocolate spread/whatever you fancy, put another slice on top. Cook on moderate heat, turning over once. Serve with side salad.
Which reminds me of my last recipe, which is really a cheat. One lettuce, lots of sweet baby tomatoes, spring onions etc; whatever you like and can get the kids to eat. Prepare and put into a large bowl in the fridge for instant meals, and as a snacking alternative to crisps etc. It lasts three or four days, and then you make another bowl. Put a bowl of lentils and onion beside it and you have a really easy life. Assuming the kids are old enough to open the fridge for themselves, you can stay in bed for a week.
