Mood food and no faffing …

… in other words you have to be in the mood for good food and not all the junk you've inhaled over the holidays - which is why we have to be smart and prep and cook ingredients ahead so that you're more likely to fancy your evening meal - “mood food” and less likely to hit the speed dial button for your favourite takeaway!

There are no rules here, just a menu for the working week – 5 evenings. You can swap and change to suit yourself or change it altogether for that matter. These are suggestions to motivate you to do one thing – get organised, two if you include plan! There'll be options along the way.

Your Menu

Chicken, pear and chestnut salad with chorizo

Kedgeree – the fastest ever - with or without rendang sauce

Miso roasted mushroom orzotto with optional bacon bits

Carrot, coriander and chickpea soup – optional chicken

with vegetarian dumplings

Home-made burgers with wedges and a tomato, onion

and sweet pepper salad with a Balsamic glaze

What you're cooking for your Sunday lunch is up to you. I would just like to ask you to complete four small tasks whilst you're at it!

Wrap six large baking potatoes in foil and bake. (180fan/200c/Gas 6).

I would bake for an hour and a half and then test – you want your paring

knife to move firmly through the potatoes. Remove them and

set aside to cool – bear in mind they will continue cooking

because they are insulated by the foil

Line a baking sheet with foil and cover with bacon of

your choice – I prefer smoked. Bake for 15 minutes (180fan/200c/Gas 6)

turn and repeat - it will be crisp! Let the bacon cool and break into

small pieces, box and fridge

Grate a large box/bag of mature cheddar cheese

and fridge

Slow cook a whole chicken – it takes 5 minutes -

check out the Chicken label on the blog “Slow, strip,

strain and stock” for the recipe

all you need to do is leave a trail of post-it-notes or

perhaps a more modern technique is to set your phone

alarm for 8 hours time!

Are you with me so far?