Dinner for two

Over the week, the only meal the husband and I have together is dinner. So on the days I am cooking at home, I try to make something simple yet interesting. Simple because the husband has a habit of getting into the kitchen the moment he comes home and sometimes, that's not a great idea.

When he's home late and hungry, it's been a simple dish of hot beans in soy sauce and paprika with pearl rice.

 Beans in soy sauce with pearl rice, our latest favourite

On that rare day when there was time for starters and a couple of beers, there was tzatziki with Doritos and mustard sauce; followed by salt and pepper baby corn and broccoli accompanied by brown rice in tomato sauce and zucchini. All made in under an hour (I sure am getting fast at this!).  

And then there are days when the leftovers just come together to make an interesting meal. Like beans in soy sauce with zucchini rice!

The only challenge to cooking with speed is that I think as I cook and that takes time. This is a typical exchange in the kitchen while I'm cooking -

Husband: "What are you making?"
Me: "I don't know yet."
Husband: "Then why are you cutting so many vegetables?"
Me: "Just to see where this takes us!"
Husband: Grins, "sounds good to me!"

So, when I need to just cook fast and not innovate, Indian is the way to cook. Just follow mummy's recipes!

What can you cook with speed? My least favourite chore is cutting vegetables. What is yours?

Collaborative cooking

Over the weekend, a friend and I decided to make a fusion dinner at home while the husband was at work. My friend, a great cook, decided to tackle the baba ghanoush with sun dried tomatoes bread while I went with the tomato bruschetta, spaghetti aglio olio and stir fry vegetables. And all this was ready in under 90 minutes!

It is suffice to say that the husband was pleasantly surprised and the dinner a great success! :)

What do you 'rustle up' when time is short? What is your favourite go-to recipe? I would love to know!