Dinner ideas.

[Pat91]

Hi all, just wondering if anyone can recommend any dinner ideas. I find myself eating the same dinner every night give or take the meat.thanks.

 

[rebrascora]

Probably the best advice is to visit the "What did you eat yesterday" in the "Food/Carbs queries and recipes" section. Look out particularly for @adrian1der 's posts as he cooks some fabulously creative evening meals.

I don't have a lot of time to be creative so just basic cooking but tonight I had crispy streaky bacon and eggs on a bed of spring cabbage sweated in butter, followed by a low carb trifle made with a few frozen berries, sugar free raspberry jelly, a bit of low carb chocolate mug cake (takes a couple of mins in the microwave) and as good dollop of Mascapone cheese on the top because I didn't have any cream and it needed using up.

 

[Pat91]

Ok thank you, I will have a look.

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

Probably the best advice is to visit the "What did you eat yesterday" in the "Food/Carbs queries and recipes" section. Look out particularly for @adrian1der 's posts as he cooks some fabulously creative evening meals.

I don't have a lot of time to be creative so just basic cooking but tonight I had crispy streaky bacon and eggs on a bed of spring cabbage sweated in butter, followed by a low carb trifle made with a few frozen berries, sugar free raspberry jelly, a bit of low carb chocolate mug cake (takes a couple of mins in the microwave) and as good dollop of Mascapone cheese on the top because I didn't have any cream and it needed using up.

Sounds delicious! Can you direct me to the mug cake recipe please!
I've basically eaten cheese, ham, salad, coleslaw and the odd slice of brown bread in various combinations today, so hardly inspiring!

 

[rebrascora]

Couldn't find the recipe I originally used and I tend to just make it up as I go along now, but I did a you tube search and this was the first one I came upon....

Low Carb Mug Cakes - Search Videos

www.bing.com

I add some cocoa instead of chocolate chips when I am making it for a trifle with raspberries as I like chocolate and raspberries. I let the sponge cool and cut it into slices or cubes and sit it on top of my frozen berries and then pour the liquid jelly over it all and leave in the fridge to set and then spoon some cream on the top.

I use Stevia as sweetener but less than he suggests because with a trifle, the jelly is pretty sweet so the sponge/cake doesn't need to be for that and it is fine to use ground almonds instead of "almond flour", which is just slightly finer but not as widely available as ground almonds to buy. You can use the same recipe to make Lemon drizzle or coffee walnut or chocolate and peanut butter.... make the batter and drop a spoon of peanut butter into it before you put it in the microwave. With it taking almost no time to make, it is easy to experiment with different flavours and adjust the recipe to suit your tastes or what you have in the cupboard.

 

[Inka]

Hi all, just wondering if anyone can recommend any dinner ideas. I find myself eating the same dinner every night give or take the meat.thanks.

It depends what you like and if you’re looking for anything in particular eg quick meals, batch cooking meals, meals with lots of veg, etc etc.

One thing you could try is a meal planner. I use one on and off. I find planning the week’s meals and writing them down means I think a bit more about what I’m eating and have more variety. You don’t have to think of anything massively elaborate necessarily. Just having a few guidelines can help eg you might want fish once a week, two vegetarian meals, something quick on Mondays or whatever.

When I get stuck for inspiration, I borrow some recipe books from the library and browse through. I particularly like recipes from all over the World, and I make a few then add my favourites to my repertoire.

Another good way to add variety is change things you usually make eg change your beef chilli to a veggie one, change your chicken fajitas to fish fajitas, etc.

What’s the ‘same thing’ you’re eating every night?

 

[Pat91]

It depends what you like and if you’re looking for anything in particular eg quick meals, batch cooking meals, meals with lots of veg, etc etc.

One thing you could try is a meal planner. I use one on and off. I find planning the week’s meals and writing them down means I think a bit more about what I’m eating and have more variety. You don’t have to think of anything massively elaborate necessarily. Just having a few guidelines can help eg you might want fish once a week, two vegetarian meals, something quick on Mondays or whatever.

When I get stuck for inspiration, I borrow some recipe books from the library and browse through. I particularly like recipes from all over the World, and I make a few then add my favourites to my repertoire.

Another good way to add variety is change things you usually make eg change your beef chilli to a veggie one, change your chicken fajitas to fish fajitas, etc.

What’s the ‘same thing’ you’re eating every night?

I have been reading the recipes thread mentioned above and there are some great ideas on there , I have every night spuds, a load of vegetables and either chicken,fish or steak. Nice and healthy but very samey.

 

[Inka]

Well, that makes it easier to branch out a bit 🙂 The world of pasta, risottos, stir fries, chillies, moussakas, fajitas, quesadillas, curries, quinoa salads, buckwheat pancakes, and so on, is there waiting for you.

There’s nothing wrong at all with what you’re eating now and it’s a good, simple option, so, if it was me,I’d start off by choosing two or three days a week to make something new. Not so much effort that way, and soon you’ll have a load of recipes to draw on. I always write the carbs down for a portion so I don’t have to think next time I have the meal.

 

[Pat91]

Well, that makes it easier to branch out a bit 🙂 The world of pasta, risottos, stir fries, chillies, moussakas, fajitas, quesadillas, curries, quinoa salads, buckwheat pancakes, and so on, is there waiting for you.

There’s nothing wrong at all with what you’re eating now and it’s a good, simple option, so, if it was me,I’d start off by choosing two or three days a week to make something new. Not so much effort that way, and soon you’ll have a load of recipes to draw on. I always write the carbs down for a portion so I don’t have to think next time I have the meal.

I was having the odd curry but found the portion I was having wasnt enough for the high amount of carbs in the meal. May have to try cauliflower rice.

 

[rebrascora]

I always found rice pretty boring so that doesn't bother me although a couple of dessert spoons of it to help soak up the curry sauce is helpful and makes it more of a treat but I enjoy the vegetable side dishes (particularly if I am having takeaway) so I treat myself to a couple of those rather than the carb rich rice and naan. It helps to be sharing the takeaway with a friend or partner though, so that a whole portion of rice isn't wasted.

I go through spells with cooking where I really can't be bothered and then odd occasions when I feel a bit adventurous. I really must make an effort to master Indian cuisine next time I have that desire (and the time) to play in the kitchen. I think it really works well with veggies particularly.

 

[Ditto]

Hello and welcome to the forum @Type1Pat 🙂

 

[Inka]

I was having the odd curry but found the portion I was having wasnt enough for the high amount of carbs in the meal. May have to try cauliflower rice.

I usually go for a moderate portion of rice and plenty of the curry itself plus veg and sides like Lime Pickle. I think what we’ve got used to as a normal portion of rice - ie the whole plate circled with a thick ring of rice or all covered with a thick layer of rice, and then some curry dolloped on top is the issue. The actual ‘normal portion size’ for rice is smaller than we think.

I also tend to go for poppadoms rather than naan if I’m having a full portion of rice as they’re low in carbs (something like 3g or so each).

I also sometimes make a side salad with a spicy creamy dressing. I want a curry now!

 

[adrian1der]

I really must make an effort to master Indian cuisine next time I have that desire (and the time) to play in the kitchen. I think it really works well with veggies particularly.

This one is good

The Curry Club Vegetarian Cook Book: Amazon.co.uk: Chapman, Pat: 9780861889655: Books

Buy The Curry Club Vegetarian Cook Book First Edition by Chapman, Pat (ISBN: 9780861889655) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[helli]

I get a veg box delivered every week. I am able to replace super nasty veg like brussel sprouts and swede but most of it is fixed. This gives me a starting point of variation which I build upon to make a weekly menu. I wouldn't call it a meal planner because I don't know which day I am going to eat what but it is enough to form a shopping list.
I don't eat meat but I do eat fish so the veg is a good inspiration. As I put my menu together, I check that I vary the carbs - I include noodles, rice, pasta, couscous, potatoes and bread-stuff like chapatis, pizza and tortillas. I also vary the culinary base - Italian, Indian, Thai, British, Vietnamese, Mexican, ... and make sure I have a variety of cooking times so some dishes can be put together in 30 minutes after a busy working day and others take more than an hour at the weekend.
I have a reasonable sized recipe repetoire of things like sauces and bases but I try to introduce something new at least once a month.

This may seem like lots of "rules" to consider but I enjoy the challenge of the menu creation most of the time, definitely enjoy the outcome, the planning is only 30 minutes a week and it limits my supermarket trips to once per week.

 

[rebrascora]

Well I just threw together an Indian inspired dish since the discussion this morning took me in that direction and set me up for a challenge.....
Fried some onions and garlic and aubergine cubes in butter and a little bacon fat that was left over from my meal yesterday. Chucked in some Garam Masala, Coriander and Cumin and cooked it off then added 2 heads of Pak Choi roughly chopped, stir fried the whole lot for about 5 mins longer then just at the end I cracked 4 banty eggs on the top and covered to cook through. Worked out pretty good for a light lunch and I have half left for later. I toyed with throwing some diced Halloumi in but then I had the brainwave of using eggs.... I have stacks of eggs at the moment as chickens are in peak production!

I find following recipes quite difficult, just because I am not organised enough to plan and shop for set meals so I usually don't have all the ingredients for a recipe I fancy trying out but on a good day, when I can be bothered, I am happy to just get inspiration from a recipe and then use what I have to create something similar.... or I just simply throw together what I have and add a bit of this and some of that and see how it turns out.... Sometimes it's good like today, sometimes less good, but I always still eat it. I couldn't justify throwing food in the bin..... or the chickens will get it. They are pretty good at preventing waste

 

[helli]

2 heads of Pak Choi

A slight tangent (sorry) but my Dad mentioned the other day he planted the left over heads of pak choi (the bit that remains after you've chopped off the usable leaves). Actually, not exactly planted; more like left it in a hollow in the soil.
It grew roots within a week and within two weeks has new leaves.
He is planning to become self sufficient in Pak Choi ... apparently.

 

[rebrascora]

@helli You can do the same with celery and onions and lettuce and quite a few other veg although they do gradually run out of steam and become less productive.

That is the first time I have bought and cooked Pak Choi. I was expecting it to be slightly aniseed in flavour but it wasn't and without the Indian spices onion and garlic, it would have been decidedly bland and a bit disappointing. No where near as tasty as my spring cabbage with butter yesterday which was really "meaty" and I could have just eaten on it's own but it did go very well with the bacon.

 

[helli]

That is the first time I have bought and cooked Pak Choi. I was expecting it to be slightly aniseed in flavour but it wasn't and without the Indian spices onion and garlic, it would have been decidedly bland and a bit disappointing.

I have never used Pak Choi in Indian cookery. I always use it in Far Eastern cookery where it works well in stir fries. The leaves add to the flavour and colour and the stalks add a lovely fresh crunch. It is a favourite of ours with Teryaki salmon.

 

[nonethewiser]

I have been reading the recipes thread mentioned above and there are some great ideas on there , I have every night spuds, a load of vegetables and either chicken,fish or steak. Nice and healthy but very samey.

Nowt wrong with that, have tatties veg meat 4 nights out of 7 in different combinations.

Reading this thread my diet sounds boring as not adventurous when it comes to exotic foods, like some Chinese & Indian cuisine & sometimes indulge, still firm believer that you eat what you like not whatever everyone else likes.

 

[Pat91]

Nowt wrong with that, have tatties veg meat 4 nights out of 7 in different combinations.

Reading this thread my diet sounds boring as not adventurous when it comes to exotic foods, like some Chinese & Indian cuisine & sometimes indulge, still firm believer that you eat what you like not whatever everyone else likes.

I'm a massive curry fan, haven't had a takeaway since my diagnosis as not sure on how to work out amount of carbs in takeaway curry.