Rainy Day Dinner Ideas for Tired Days

You need

• 1 block instant noodles (discard seasoning)
• 1 tbsp miso paste
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 egg
• 1 handful spinach or frozen greens
• 1 spring onion, sliced
• optional: chilli oil, sesame

Method

1. Boil the noodles in ~2 cups water until just soft.
2. Lower the heat, stir in the miso and soy until dissolved (don't hard-boil miso).
3. Slide in the egg and greens; cook 1–2 minutes.
4. Tip into a bowl, scatter spring onion and chilli oil.

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

• 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 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 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

• 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.