Both me and Sam run this page, and sometimes we can seem like expressionless bots on the other side of a computer screen.

In the spirit of getting to know us a little bit better, I’ve decided to do a monthly blog post about various aspects of my life. Today, I’m starting with… my meal plan!

Not the most glamorous element of my life, but one of those life admin tasks that rears its head far too soon. I love cooking. Most of the time. When I don’t, it still falls firmly into the ‘don’t mind’ category. I also like trying new meals and dishes, although I am not as adventurous as some! No foie gras, steak tartare, or escargot for me, thank you! I try and mix things up, and that is why I rely on meal planning – it allows me to shuffle the menu and not lean on well-honed family favourites every night, whilst also minimising food waste.

Meal planning makes life so much easier, doesn’t it? There’s nothing worse than staring into the fridge at 5:30 pm wondering what to cook. Having a meal plan means I can get ahead of myself and prep meals I’m excited to cook. I’m more likely to try something new when I already have a menu in place. Plus, it helps cut back on food waste. If you’ve ever found a wilting bag of spinach in the back of your fridge, you’ll know how easy it is to forget about those fresh ingredients. Meal planning helps me avoid that and makes sure we use everything we buy.

I’ve shared my actual meal plan below. Tuesday dinners are often very simple as my husband isn’t the most proficient cook and those are the days I work late. My son often has a 50/50 mix of packed lunches and school dinners. Dinner leftovers often double up as part of the next day’s lunch!

Most of the meals are interchangeable and not cemented to the day. This week was one where I was very busy, and you can see two dinners were cooked in larger quantities for lunch the next day!

I have to admit, I don’t always stick to the breakfast menu. One of the reasons for the meal plan was to cut back on our reliance on cereals. I’m pleased to say that we’ve narrowed it down to a bowl here and there, usually on the weekends.

Highlights:

• Saag Gosht. The word gosht means meat, and the dish is a childhood favourite. A Pakistani curry consisting of lamb slow-cooked with onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, and lots of various spices. The meat is cooked in a broth until the water evaporates and then fried in the remaining sauce. Once the meat is tender, a combination of pureed mustard leaves and spinach leaves is added. This is cooked long and slow until the leaves have wilted and are incorporated into the sauce. I use tinned leaves for this. Not only are they faster to cook and already wilted, but it saves so much space in the fridge – I would need six large spinach bags to give me the same volume as one large tin. Butter is chucked in just before serving. Tasty, hearty, and very nostalgic for me. I serve mine with flatbreads – not homemade, I’m afraid, as I no longer have a gas hob.

Saag Gosht really takes me back. It’s a dish full of warmth and history. I remember watching my family cook it when I was younger, and now, it’s one of the first meals I make when I want to feel comforted. The slow cooking gives the meat such a rich, tender texture, and the combination of mustard leaves and spinach adds a deliciously earthy depth to the curry. If you haven’t tried cooking with tinned spinach, I highly recommend it. It’s much more convenient, and the taste is surprisingly good.

• Peach Melba Smoothie. Nowhere near as healthy as ‘smoothie’ implies. Custard is a key component. Creamy, thick, and with a nice kick from the raspberries. Delicious!

This smoothie is a guilty pleasure. I call it a smoothie, but we both know that it’s far from a health food! The main ingredient is custard, which gives it a thick, creamy texture, and the addition of raspberries adds a tart contrast. It’s so indulgent, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love it. It’s not something I make every day, but when I do, it feels like a treat. It’s also really quick to whip up, which is a bonus.

• Cajun Chicken. This recipe comes from the brilliant Cardiff Mum on Instagram. I have her book and avidly follow her on social media for her monthly ‘5 dinners for £25’ that she does at Aldi’s. Chicken breast, onions, and peppers are cooked on a griddle pan with Cajun seasoning and lime. Served on fluffy rice with a sauce that consists of lime, coconut milk, ginger, peanut butter, and seasonings and then topped with lime segments, sesame seeds, chili flakes, spring onion, and fresh coriander leaves. Delicious!

The Cajun chicken is a revelation. It’s from one of my favourite recipe creators, Cardiff Mum, who shares budget-friendly yet delicious meals. I love the freshness of the lime, the creaminess of the coconut milk, and the nuttiness from the peanut butter in the sauce. It all comes together so perfectly on a bed of fluffy rice, and the toppings – sesame seeds, fresh coriander, and chili flakes – really add a burst of flavour. It’s a simple meal that feels like a treat, and it’s definitely become a regular in my rotation.

• Heinz Tomato Soup and Cheese Toasties. Doesn’t sound the most exciting but a firm favourite with me. I love Heinz tomato soup. As a teen and university student, it was a solid weekly lunch. Only a few years ago (OK, a decade) and the tins would cost 50p. Could make a cheese toastie for another 25p and another few pence on an apple. 19-year-old me was always pleased – cheap, cheerful, and fairly balanced. Plus, who doesn’t like hot soup on a cold winter’s day? I am a bit more hands-on now and like to make my own soups from scratch, but the nostalgia and convenience from a tin of the good ol’ ‘cream of tomato’ can’t be overlooked. (Only Heinz will do, none of the Campbell’s nonsense!)

Heinz tomato soup and cheese toasties will always hold a special place in my heart. When I was at university, it was my go-to lunch – inexpensive, quick, and filling. I loved that I could make a simple, satisfying meal with minimal effort. These days, I make my own soups from scratch, but every now and then, I’ll indulge in the nostalgic comfort of Heinz. It’s just one of those meals that feels like home, no matter how old I get.

What is on your menu this week?

So, that’s a look at my meal plan! I hope it gives you a little insight into how I juggle meals, family life, and a busy schedule. I’d love to hear about what’s on your menu this week. Do you meal plan, or do you prefer to keep things spontaneous? What’s your go-to meal when you’re short on time but still want something delicious?

Meal planning is a real lifesaver, but at the end of the day, it’s all about finding what works for you. Whether it’s cooking up a comforting curry, throwing together a quick smoothie, or indulging in a childhood favourite, the most important thing is that you enjoy your food and make it work for your life.

Let me know in the comments – I’m always looking for new meal ideas to add to the rotation!