Some people shake this off and simply order takeaways, go out to eat or become a sudden devotee of fasting. Others turn to their fridges, brush the cares of the day aside and get busy with whatever they can find.
Making a meal out of 'nothing' (a relative term, I know) is one of my greatest strengths. It should be on my CV. Instead, here's an example to inspire you the next time you're in the dreaded position of Not Knowing What To Have For Dinner.
Easy Frypan Frittata
This can be customised to suit your requirements and ingredients. It fits my criteria for an 'emergency' style dinner - we always have eggs, cheese and potatoes hanging around - AND it involves very little attention or washing up afterwards. It's also a good way to rehome leftovers.
6 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 peppers, cored and sliced
2 cups diced cooked potato (leftover roast potatoes are good here)
3/4 cup diced feta
two handfuls grated cheddar or Parmesan cheese
8 eggs
salt and pepper
fresh herbs, if available
Turn the oven to 200C. Heat three tablespoons of the oil in a heavy cast iron frying pan (that can go in the oven later). Add the onion and peppers and cook for five minutes, until beginning to soften. Add the potato and cook for another five minutes. Add any suitable fresh herbs if you have them.
Crack the eggs into a bowl and add the feta, stir lightly to mix. Add the remaining three tablespoons of oil to the pan, then tip in the egg and cheese mixture. Sprinkle the grated cheese on top and season well with salt and pepper. Put in the waiting oven and cook for 20 minutes, until golden, puffy and set. Let sit for five minutes before slicing. Hey presto - dinner for four - with leftovers for lunch the next day if you're lucky. Bon appetit!
What's your current favourite emergency dinner?
Absolutely gorgeous. Problem is that we eat eggs for breakfast so I cant turn to eggs for an emergency meal in fear of over egging. My emergency meal is risotto. I know that sounds bonkers but I always keep risotto rice in the larder. You can make a glorious, filling meal in 20 mins and I don't mind the stirring. Xx
ReplyDeleteI understand completely - you never want to over-egg! At this stage of my life I am too much of a dinner-hour multi-tasker to enjoy making risotto. I'm hoping that will change one day, but all that chained-to-the-stove-stirring usually does my head in, unless the only other thing I am doing at the time is drinking a glass of wine and listening to something (or someone) thought-provoking x
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