Rainy Day Dinner Ideas for Stressed Days

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

• 2 slices bread
• butter
• 2 slices cheese
• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• 1 garlic clove
• pinch sugar
• salt, pepper

Method

1. Simmer tomatoes with crushed garlic, a pinch of sugar and salt for ~10 min; blend if you like it smooth.
2. Butter the bread on the outside, fill with cheese.
3. Fry on medium until golden both sides and melting.
4. Cut diagonally and dunk.

You need

• 1/2 cup rice
• 4 cups stock or water
• thumb of ginger, sliced
• soy sauce
• spring onion
• optional: egg

Method

1. Simmer rice, stock and ginger ~25–30 min until soft and soupy, stirring now and then.
2. Swirl in a beaten egg at the end if you like.
3. Season with soy.
4. Top with spring onion.

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 large baking potato
• butter
• filling: beans, cheese, tuna-mayo or coleslaw
• salt

Method

1. Prick the potato, microwave 8–10 min, then crisp in a hot oven 10 min (or all-oven for an hour).
2. Split, fluff and butter.
3. Add your filling.
4. Season well.

You need

• 1 cup milk (any)
• 2 tsp cocoa
• 1–2 tsp sugar
• small piece dark chocolate
• pinch salt

Method

1. Warm the milk gently.
2. Whisk in cocoa, sugar and a pinch of salt.
3. Melt in a little chopped chocolate for body.
4. Pour and hold the warm mug.