Meal ideas for down days or any day

[Rheumagal]

Hi everyone. Just thought it would be nice to talk about food! It’s a big topic on here but thinking specifically of meal ideas that are nutritious and easy to prepare. Especially for days when we are just not up to cooking and in too much pain to lift a pot.

I’d like to collect some recipes to either make ahead or whip up in a few minutes.

Here’s one I like to make that is quick and easy. I just made it yesterday and it is really tasty and comforting.

Some say lentils are inflammatory but I’ve read info to the contrary. You could also try another legume like black beans.

Crockpot Lentil Soup

1 litre of chicken or veg broth

1 cup red lentils or black beans

1cup chopped carrots (prepare ahead or purchased)

2 cups of fresh spinach

1 tsp curry powder

½ tsp onion powder

½ tsp garlic powder

Dash of pepper

Add all ingredients into crock and simmer.

Make ahead or start in the morning

Really high in iron and protein and lots of anti inflammatory spices!

I like to blend mine to make it nice and smooth

Please share your easy and nutritious recipe. If we all share we might have the makings of a pretty fine RA cookbook!!! ☺️❤️

[allanah]

Fab ta xx

[rab1874]

Sounds nice x

[Bootoo]

what;s wrong with a crisp butty....

[Hidden in reply to Bootoo]

😂😂

[Rheumagal in reply to Bootoo]

Yum 😋 I haven’t had one of those since I was a kid. So much for healthy ideas.

[Bootoo in reply to Rheumagal]

me neither.. but just in case anyone wants to try one its white bread only, real butter and cheese and onion crisps squashed in the bag.. life is too short for cooking..

[benjijen]

I make up a batch of basic sauce with tomatoes, garlic, onions, herbs, spices and mince or lentils when I have more energy and freeze in portions. You can then easily make into a bolognese for wholewheat spaghetti or pasta bake or chilli etc. Just wish I had a bigger freezer!

[AgedCrone in reply to benjijen]

A lovely mix to throw over pasta or rice is prawns,(frozen are ok) mushrooms,brocolli & a chopped garlic clove...just heat up those 4 with a little water,olive oil & soya sauce.

Takes ten minutes & just two pans + pasta dish to wash up!

[Rheumagal in reply to benjijen]

Good idea! Make ahead sauces are great. You can serve them with lots of things. Thnx

[helixhelix]

One of my go-to meals is a simplified version of koshari. If you can chop an onion & some garlic then that's all the technical bits you need.

Takes a while, but is simple.

1. Sweat onions & garlic and add can of tomatoes and simmer slowly to make tomato sauce. Add what you like to add flavour - chilli, worcestershire sauce, wine etc. Traditionally you add baharat which is a mix of spices, but chuck in what appeals.

2. For 2 people 75g of rice, of lentils and of small dried pasta. Soak the rice.

3. Fry pasta in a pan (yes, fry!) until just starting to colour, add lentils and water (plus stock cube, a tsp cumin and a bay leaf) cook for 10-15 minutes. Add rice and cook another 15 minutes until everything done. Season. Eat with the tomato sauce.

Traditionally you cook everything separately and mix it together at the end, but I've found it works just fine to do it together. If the pasta is very small I fry, take it out and pop back in later so doesn't overcook.

This sounds weird to have rice & pasta & pulses together but it is remarkably nice!

[Rheumagal in reply to helixhelix]

Sounds really good!

[Joy_1]

I'm a great fan of stir fries. None of that jar stuff though.

They are quick, simple, tasty and very healthy if you chuck in the veggies and keep them a bit al dente.

[Rheumagal in reply to Joy_1]

Me too. Fast and healthy

[anastasia43 in reply to Joy_1]

Yes, those are fantastic! So quick and easy and nutritious at that. And the best part is that they're so customizable in terms of veggie selection and whether you want to do noodles/rice/veggies only/protein.

[Nanna71]

I am finding that making soup, is great for having nothing to cook for about a week. Usually I start with a turkey or chicken carcass or juice from a beef or pork roast and go with lots of vegetables, barley, beans, and enough meat in the soup to make it good for me so I can have it for lunch or supper. The beauty of it is that there is enough to freeze for many days. Sooo nice when you're too sore to do anything.

Also, make my own bread but I need to feel really good to do it. Once done, though, I have enough to last about 8 weeks. I think a recipe bank is a good idea! 🍗🍠👍👍

[Rheumagal in reply to Nanna71]

Yes! I’ve been making a lot of soup lately.

[Joy_1 in reply to Nanna71]

I'm a big fan of soup too, especially in the winter.

[Rheumagal]

Awesome ideas so far!

Another one I thought of is a good shepherds pie.

Can prepare it all in one pan.

And instead of potatoes try sweet potatoes (yams) if you’re concerned about extra inflammation.

I make mine with organic grass fed lamb instead of beef.

Sauté onion, garlic

Mix in lamb

Add salt, pepper, rosemary

When cooked add a little water or broth with 1-2 tbsp of cornstarch to make the gravy. (Or a gravy mix)

Add peas, carrots

Top with potatoes/sweet potatoes (yams)

To make it extra savoury you can top with cheese and broil until melted.

Serve it up with a side of greens with Acv and olive oil.

Thanks for sharing your ideas. Hope they keep coming.

[daisychains58]

Not exactly instant, so long as you have the ingredients it’s quick and you can eat it for a couple of days. I’ve added chicken to it as well.

Recipe

anti-inflammatory stew

Ingredients:

– 2 tbsp. coconut oil

– 1 tsp. cumin seeds

– 1 medium onion, finely chopped

– 3 cups tomatoes, finely chopped

– 1 medium head of cauliflower, de-stemmed and cut into bite-site pieces

– 1 tsp. finely chopped fresh jalapeño pepper

– 2 cups finely chopped kale

– 2 tsp. minced ginger

– 1 tbsp. cumin powder

– 1 tbsp. coriander powder

– 1 tsp. turmeric powder

– 1 can full-fat unsweetened coconut milk

– 1 tsp. sea salt or Himalayan salt

– 2 tbsp. chopped cilantro

Method:

1. Wash, chop and prepare all ingredients.

2. In a large saucepan, heat the coconut oil for 30 seconds on medium heat.

3. Add the cumin seeds and stir until they start jumping.

4. Next, add the onions and cook until they become translucent.

5. Add tomatoes and cook until they soften.

6. Add in all the other ingredients, and cover the pan. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent burning.

7. Taste and serve!

[Rheumagal in reply to daisychains58]

Great recipe to prepare ahead

[Mmrr]

Quick soup that I make in a soup maker :

1 bag of prepared butternut squash ( I can't chop myself, so buy from the supermarket)

1 small white potatoe peeled and chopped.

1 small carrot peeled and chopped.

1 vegetable or chicken stock cube

Fill soup maker to waterline mark with cold water.

Select blend option.

19 minutes later you have 1 litre of beautuful creamy soup. I serve with chopped fresh parsley.

Delicious

[wishbone]

Steak&Kidney pie and chips with some HP brown sauce if I'm so inclined. Followed by a bowl of jam roly poly and custard just like my old school dinner ladies used to make!....yum yum.

It works for me, short term anyway!

[Mmrr in reply to wishbone]

minus the kidneys - yumm

[wishbone in reply to Mmrr]

Steak pie it is for you then!