YOU KNOW THOSE evenings. They can be lunchtimes too. Those days where you don’t really have it in you to cook but you need to eat. You are tired, maybe you are cranky, you are likely hangry (that fateful simmering rage induced by hunger, when you just don’t know what is wrong, you just know nothing is right).
You need something fast, preferably tasty too. What to eat? Well, I have my regular dishes for such evenings, and I asked some of my favourite food writers for some inspiration too.
I always reach for eggs. Eggs are fast, nutritious and very satisfying. An omelette makes a terrific supper. Go for a classic like ham and cheese, or for something different feta, tomato and basil or oregano. I can never resist chilli, it gives everything a lift, and these days really need it.
When I fry an egg for supper, I often have it with noodles, and don’t judge, sometimes they are instant. I usually have a stash and I always have some quick cooking rice noodles and bean thread noodles.
I prepare the noodles which will take no more than a few minutes, and while they are soaking or cooking, I fry an egg. Fried egg on noodles is the thing, especially when dressed with some fresh herbs like coriander, some spring onion and some chilli oil. I will add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds if I have them or some chopped roasted nuts.
Another approach is to make a quick satay sauce to coat the noodles or to drizzle over the egg. It sounds complicated but it couldn’t be easier. A simple combination of peanut butter and soy sauce makes an instant version. If you have time – and more importantly energy – add some garlic and ginger too, and some coconut milk if you are a fan of that (I am!). Let your blender do the work and you can focus on the eating.
William Murray is one half of food writing and cooking duo, Currabinny, along with his partner James Kavanagh. He suggests “a simple curry with white fish, coconut milk, and a good green or red Thai curry paste – served with rice or as a kind of soup on its own.”
Food writer Lilly Higgins reaches for the kimchi. “Kimchi is my great shortcut food that freshens up stir fries and adds flavour & depth to everything.” If you haven’t had it, kimchi is Korean fermented chilli cabbage, it is so good and an instant flavour bomb.
Lilly loves to make an omelette with this taking inspiration from fellow food writer Alison Roman. “I place kimchi and string cheddar on half the omelette while it’s in the pan, then fold it over and leaving it to melt a cook for another few minutes.”
Chef and food writer Clíodhna Prendergast says “Truly, at the moment it’s fried rice with an egg and possibly some leftovers. I love leaving it for a few moments without stirring to scorch the rice, a little like socarrat (the crusty bottom of a Spanish paella, done by accident originally) with a little bit of shredded lamb or broccoli for a lighter dinner.
“Then whatever I have to top it off. Easy, simple and no need to think. Plus the kids eat it without a whimper which helps a LOT!”
Food writer Catríona Redmond of Wholesome Ireland can often be found in the kitchen cooking up a storm for her family. Her go to on evenings like this is homemade potato wedges with eggs and beans!
Catríona says it is a “huge crowd pleaser and ticks all the boxes with protein, fibre, and carbs.”
Seafood makes for a super fast and fresh, vibrant and healthy dinner. Get some spaghetti on and while it is cooking fry a chopped cloves of garlic with some chilli flakes, add some crab meat and heat through, finish with a squeeze of lemon and some parsley and stir through the pasta. This works equally well with prawns (add a splash of white wine if you have it).
Imen McDonnell of Farmette and Lens & Larder has this wisdom: “My go-to easy dinner has to be new potatoes, scrubbed and boiled, with lashings of butter and whatever fresh herbs you have to hand… chives, dill or parsley.”
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