Suggestions for easy cook recipes for weekenders

[Yliander]

When I eat well I can can dance longer. If I can plan I can also host and be sociable. However, It's great when others do the clearing up

So do I - I just go for things that don't require prep - pita bread and humous, salsa and the like, bananas, ready cut fruit, nuts, rice crackers etc - don't like to dance or sleep on a big meal - so little snacks work most of the time - and when I need a bigger meal - have faitijias while watching the dancing

[Twirly]

Just remembered another staple - stir-fry. Again the big wok comes in handy, and with my staples of celery, carrots, peppers etc. just need a few bean sprouts, jar of stir fry sauce and some prawns. Noodles are quicker to cook than rice.

Always try to make sure I have some protein and lots of fresh veg and slow release carbs as it'll also keep me dancing longer. Also needs to be easy to digest.

Whatever I cook, I try to keep the washing up to a minimum (for me!) Max of two pans (wok and saucepan), chopping board, sharp knife, sieve plus whatever we eat off. And the wine glasses

As for the prep and clearing up time... if I have a chalet mate, usually works that I cook whilst they get ready, then they clear up whilst I get ready. Then finish off the vino and hit that dancefloor

[Caz]

Usually live on pasta on a weekender or the suggestions made by Gav...

This weekend me and Drathzel went to the shop to buy bread, milk, jam and weetabix! along with essentials of biscuits and crisps of course!

Luckily we got invited out for tea on Saturday night and I managed to get food from the BBQ on Sunday night.. and I wonder why I come back from weekenders thinner than ever....

[Chesca]

Good idea for a thread.

I agree this is great thread and read with some interest the fore thought people put into their menu choices for a weekender -or not !!

Why stop at the book - my series would have to be
'Can't Dance, Won't Cook' !

Things that travel light are a must for far off weekends so being a highlander I bring porridge oats for breakfast & this tends to fill me for the whole day.
Our macaroni masterchef has gone off to Portugal so now ready meals look very attractive. Bacon sarni's always good. Filled pasta. Nana & of course lots of chocolate & jelly sweets.
My usual chalet mate Shea survives on pizza & lots of wine... wish I had her capacity for that...& maybe a couple of her dance moves too.
Don't have this dilema for S'port in June as still have dodgy ankle so I hope you all share your new tried & tested ideas for fine cuisine on your return...if u don't just thrive on the cakes.

[Double Trouble]

or the suggestions made by Gav...

I'd just like to point out that Gav does not live on crisps, chocolate and toast when he goes away on weekends. I cook for him all the time apart from Saturday night when we go out for dinner in Southport while the rest of you are sweating your cods off in uncomfortable fancy dress costumes.

Gav likes to talk a good chav, but he is a sensible foody really,

[Gav]

I'd just like to point out that Gav does not live on crisps, chocolate and toast when he goes away on weekends. I cook for him all the time apart from Saturday night when we go out for dinner in Southport while the rest of you are sweating your cods off in uncomfortable fancy dress costumes.

Gav likes to talk a good chav, but he is a sensible foody really,

Bugger, you got me. The creamy pork risotto was lovely, so I'll get back to the peach zabaglioni making then.

[Double Trouble]

Bugger, you got me. The creamy pork risotto was lovely, so I'll get back to the peach zabaglioni making then.

Yes please do.


I dunno. I go out to work all day and my dinner is 5 minutes late arriving at the table and the peach zabaglioni is only half finished. It's just not on.

[ChrisU]

I agree this is great thread and read with some interest the fore thought people put into their menu choices for a weekender -or not !!

Why stop at the book - my series would have to be
'Can't Dance, Won't Cook' !

I am writing the ebook. Sadly Jamie, Delia and Gordon have declined to write the forward.

Chrisu

[drathzel]

you can add sweetcorn if you like it aswell

or not

[Gav]

I am writing the ebook. Sadly Jamie, Delia and Gordon have declined to write the forward.

How about the backward?

[Trouble]

Perfect and definate rep tomorrow.


:

have you lost the ability for that then Steve.... still waiting . xxx

[Spiky Steve]

have you lost the ability for that then Steve.... still waiting . xxx

I had caught up before I got to this

Rep fest over now

[Kel_Warminster]

Just remembered another staple - stir-fry.

I second that Twirly - Fri nights are usually veggie stirfry nights for Cherry/Jo and I, we bring a huge wok and use those straight to wok noodles, whatever veggies we fancy, some jars of spice (coriander, rice vinegar, salt and pepper, paprika, etc) and a bit of chili powder for a kick. Serve up with white wine to get the weekend off to a spicy start, follow with some sorbet if its too spicy!

[Little Monkey]

I very often bring one ready cooked meal (like a bolognese sauce or a chilli with no garlic) that I can quickly heat up, and then just boil some pasta. Also often buy fresh pasta, pasta sauce and salad, which is quick, filling and healthy.

One pasta dish I like is: Cook fresh pasta according to instructions on packet. Add some peas or sweetcorn (or both). Poach a salmon fillet, flake it into the boiled pasta. Stir in a dash of soy sauce, a few spoonfuls of creme fraiche, some salt and pepper. Serve with fresh salad and some grated parmesan. YUM!

Another quick and healthy meal is to buy a ready roast chicken (or chicken portions), and have that with salad and some nice bread.

I also stock up on plenty of fresh fruit (and dried fruit for energy boosts), yogurts etc for quick snacks.

Oh, and occasionally I bring a cake...

[Minnie M]

Stop off at Tescos and buy a hot ready cook chicken and a big bag of salad - use the left overs for sarnies or a pasta meal

My very quick weekender meal is quick boil (3mins) pasta (pref spagetti) with a knob of butter and cheese - carbs, protein and very quick and IMO yummy !

[FirstMove]

I'm only need a short chapter at the back of the cookbook...

Food for train travellers.

As I fill my backpack with clothes, I can't carry any food with me. (I do carry Tea, a scourer, a dish cloth and super-concentrated washing-up-liquid though)

So, after walking from Ainsdale BR to my chalet, I empty my backpack and march back into Ainsdale to buy some food.

Experience tells me that if it fits into one shopping basket, I can carry it.

Staples:-

Milk and Friut juice - as much as I can carry
Croissants/Pain aux Chocolade
Butter

Pasta slop (make a weekend's supply, it only takes about 20 min!):-

(Ingredients for 1 person for 1 meal - multiply as required)

Pasta - 250g
Small Onion
1/2 Tin Tomatoes
Veg - e.g. leeks, celery, courgette
Meat - sausages / pork / chicken

Cook pasta as directed on packet.

Add a small knob of butter to frying pan and heat it up on a fairly hot setting (which on Southport cookers is the max setting).
Chop onion. This will take as long as required to heat the butter, so add straight to pan.
Chop meat. Add straight to pan.
Chop veg into small pieces. Add straight to pan. You've done too much veg if it won't fit!

Fry for about 5 mins

Add tomatoes (chop if necessary)

Turn down heat and bubble for 5 mins

Strain pasta and serve topped with slop

Eat

I know that to be authentic Italian you'd need some herbs, garlic and seasoning, but for the amount of those required it's hardly worth carrying or buying the extra ingredients.

The plan may be a bit rushed if your budget chalet isn't actually ready 'til 1830 again, as Ainsdale's Somerfield closes at 2000 on Fridays.

[Tangled Feet]

Take a can of condensed chicken soup pasta, bacon onion and mushrooms. Stirfy bacon onion and mushroom, mix chicken soup with milk, add to the bacon mushrooms and warm through add the pasta and enjoy!!

[Martin]

Normally, find a cafe nearby that does all day (big boy) breakfast, find a pub nearby that does a good dinner. (which worked for Camber)

Go to local supermarket on the way and get...
Rolls+
ham, chicken, letuce and tomatoes
bacon and eggs
and lots of bananas