For many parents, not only are they having to work from home and self-isolate, but they’re having to homeschool their kids, keep them entertained, and manage to feed them too – all while protecting them from the coronavirus pandemic. A task that few would relish.
With the restrictions on travel, and panic buying at the supermarkets too, it might seem an impossible task to keep everyone fed and happy, but it is possible to feed your family for a fortnight easily and cheaply by making clever use of your store cupboard essentials.
It can be a good idea to stock up on dried food, like beans, lentils, and peas. They can be bought in large bags from Asian supermarkets, and just require soaking and boiling, and can then be made into hummus, burgers, sausages, and curries.
A 1kg bag of dried beans could last a family of four around three to four days. Also buy big bags of rice, so that you can have veggie rice, fried rice and also add it into different meals you’re making.
Buy plenty of fresh fruit and veg, but there’s likely to be a surplus. Don’t let it go to waste. If you have bananas that are turning black, peel them and put them in the freezer. You can then use them to make banana bread, smoothies and ice-cream.
Don’t throw anything away. Blend your fresh fruit and veg into smoothies. These can be frozen and enjoyed later, or you could freeze the smoothie mix into ice-lollies and ice cubes. Buy dried apricots and dates to add to cooking and for snacks too.
Store cupboard essential meal ideas:
1. Chickpea and butter bean curry
2. Potato curry with rice mixed with kale salad on homemade flatbread
3. Steamed veg and water crackers with brown rice and peas (using red kidney beans) with plantain and avocado (avocado keeps well in the fridge)
4. Chickpea and sweet potato fritters
5. Porridge oats topped with chia seeds, fresh/ dried fruit and frozen berries
6. Brown lentils and basmati rice with frozen peas and carrots
7. Baked beans on toast with added onions, ketchup and black eye peas to make the tin stretch further
8. Brown lentils, brown basmati rice and saga
9. Toastie leftovers – leftovers make great snacks. You only need a spoonful of curry or lentils to make a toastie
10. Sweet peppers, mushrooms, red onion, cherry tomatoes, coriander, finely sliced courgettes and red cabbage on homemade bread (can be made ahead and frozen)
11. Vegetable samosas
12. Rice cakes topped with peanut butter and banana or any available fruit
13. Kale, spinach, carrot, onion and sweetcorn salad topped with olive oil, balsamic or apple cider vinegar and smoked paprika dressing. Salad can be stored and used throughout the day for snacks and dinner
14. Sweet, Chia seed popcorn for movie time. Serve with dried fruit too. Add chia seeds to icing sugar paste and stir into popcorn. Popcorn seeds can be bought in large bags too like the peas and beans from most supermarkets
And to drink: Fruit smoothies – a great way to use up the leftover fruit and freeze it
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