Dinner Ideas for Tired Days

You need

• whatever's around: cheese, crackers, fruit, nuts
• hummus or peanut butter
• something crunchy

Method

1. Pick one creamy, one crunchy, one sweet thing.
2. Arrange on a plate so it feels intentional.
3. Add a dip.
4. No cooking required.

You need

• good bread
• options: avocado + chilli + lemon / ricotta + honey / beans + cheese

Method

1. Toast the bread well.
2. Pick one topping set and pile it on.
3. Finish with salt, a squeeze of acid, or a drizzle of honey.
4. Eat warm.

You need

• 1 tortilla
• grated cheese
• optional: beans, leftover veg, salsa

Method

1. Fill half the tortilla with cheese and any extras, fold over.
2. Dry-fry on medium until golden and melting, ~2 min a side.
3. Cut into wedges.
4. Dip in salsa or yogurt.

You need

• 1/2 cup macaroni
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup milk
• handful grated cheese
• salt, pepper

Method

1. Microwave pasta and water in a big mug 3–4 min, stirring once (watch it doesn't boil over).
2. Drain off excess water; stir in milk and cheese.
3. Microwave 30–60 sec more until creamy.
4. Season and eat from the mug.

You need

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• thumb ginger
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 can tomatoes or coconut milk
• rice to serve

Method

1. Soften onion, garlic and ginger; add spices for 30 sec.
2. Add lentils, tomatoes and ~2 cups water.
3. Simmer ~25 min until soft and thick, stirring now and then.
4. Season and serve over rice.

You need

• 150g pasta
• 1 garlic clove
• splash cream or cream cheese
• handful peas or spinach
• parmesan
• salt, pepper

Method

1. Cook pasta in just enough salted water that it mostly absorbs.
2. Stir in garlic, cream and greens in the last 2 minutes.
3. Add parmesan and a splash of pasta water to loosen.
4. Season and serve.