HOW do you make seven dishes for the whole week out of just one base meal?
Imagine cutting down kitchen time to one cooking day, so you can relax the rest of the week.
You’d have more time for family and more time for yourself. And you’d use less and waste less! Winning all round.
The secret to an efficient kitchen and a well-fed family is planning. Put some time aside to cook one big base meal that you can freeze, and then adjust it for a different, delicious dinner every day!
A basic tomato stew is a great foundation for a range of meals. You can add ingredients as you need, and use it in a variety of filling and nutritious meals.
How to do it
Fry some onion and garlic until tender, then add three or four tins – depending on how many people you’re feeding – of peeled, chopped tomatoes. Cover with vegetable or chicken stock, add a sprinkling of mixed herbs, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 20 minutes or so, until you have a glossy, thick tomato stew.
Once cooled, pour the tomato mix into a number of different smaller containers or Ziploc bags. Place them carefully in the freezer so you can use them when you need them.
Here are a few ideas on how to use the tomato stew in your meals for a week:
Monday: soup
Reheat the tomato mixture with a tin of sweetcorn until hot, for an affordable and mouth-watering soup. Serve with freshly toasted bread.
Tuesday: pasta
Boil macaroni or spaghetti until cooked but firm, drain, then add a knob of butter and the defrosted tomato mixture. Toss in some fresh basil leaves and top with grated Parmesan cheese for a tasty pasta dinner.
Wednesday: potato
Boil potatoes or sweet potatoes until completely cooked. Place on a baking tray, cut the potatoes open and pour a little of the tomato mix over each potato. Top with some grated cheese and mixed herbs, then grill until golden and bubbling.
Thursday: brilliant beans
Heat the tomato mix with a tin or two of mixed beans and a tablespoon of sugar for home-made baked beans. Serve hot, over toast.
Friday: succulent chicken
Fry chicken pieces until crispy and seared on the outside. Place on a baking tray with some cooked, chopped spinach. Pour over the tomato mix and bake until the chicken is cooked through.
Saturday: mince magic
Fry some mince until brown, then add the tomato mix with some mixed herbs and a teaspoon of curry powder – depending on the heat you prefer. Serve with pasta or mash.
Sunday: breakfast for dinner
Toast a few slices of your favourite bread, then top with fried or scrambled eggs and a generous spoonful of the tomato mixture – everyone loves breakfast for dinner!
Reprinted with permission of Blue Ribbon. – FOOD24.COM