SURVIVING CHRISTMAS 2017: PRE-FESTIVITIES FAMILY MEALS: take the pressure off mum

Fast, easy & make-ahead family meals before Christmas 

A partner/parent/older kid who helps pick up the slack during the festive season will feel the glow of giving.  These recipes help take some stress out of normal mealtimes --  and the dishes (note those with historical prices and calculate accordingly)  are delicious and appealling.  

updated 2025; first posted 2017

Imaginative touches like these might be few and far between in the weeks before Christmas but tasty, attractive and fun meals will compensate

Updated: Take the Pressure off Mum during the Festive System Nov/25

ALMOST INSTANT

Chicken & Sweetcorn Soup, classic & irresistible, vegan option

Peachy Fruit Sponge, ever-so-quick & tasty

Almost Instant Tomato Soup

Spinach & White Bean Soup, half an hour from start to delicious finish, vegan

Almost Instant Intense Tomato Soup, stunningly delicious & so easy, vegan

7-minute Pork/Chicken & Pineapple Noodles, if the body's demanding carbs, this is the way to go

Spanish Roast Chicken, takes the edge off Arctic temperatures, make ahead

Cheat's Tortilla Espagnol, eggs, a trip to the chippie and Bob's your uncle


PEPARE AHEAD

Spinach, Tomato & Peppers Tortilla

Creamy Tuna Casserole, kidults love the potato crisp topping; no one notices the wholemeal pasta


Chicken in Lime & Ginger, fabulous flavour through & through

'Chicken' Gougons, vegan delight; they won't miss the meat

Luxury Spinach, Tomato & Pepper Tortilla; eggs, Jim, but not as we know it

Bunless burgers with mushroom gravy, North American classic

Chunky Lentil Soup 

EASY HEALTHY SOUPS

Puchero'. a high-nutrition wallet-friendly peasant Spanish Stew

Big Beef or Chicken Soup, not quite a stew but equally filing

Chunky Lentil Soup with Meatballs, kids love the meatballs

Egg-Flower Pea Soup, kids adore this

German Potato and French Bean Soup, the frankfurters make it a whole meal, vegan option