Dins with Abs - Quick, easy and tasty dinner ideas!

As much as I love going out for dinner, I do love making a nice home-cooked meal. As a former student, I often made food that is quick, comforting and delicious. Here are some of my favourite things to make and eat!

Chilli con carne

A Mexican favourite of mine, either served with rice or a jacket potato, chilli con carne is an easy but hearty meal that is fairly simple to make. Just add mince, chopped onions, kidney beans, chopped tomatoes and chilli seasoning to a pan and you’re in for a treat!

Curry

Whether it’s a korma or a tikka masala, veggie or chicken, you can’t go wrong with a homemade curry. I like to pack loads of vegetables in mine. You can literally add anything – aubergine, corn, courgette, green beans, peppers, anything in the vegetable aisle. Although home-made curry sauce is delicious, Patak's or Lloyd Grossman's jar sauces are brilliant time savers.

Fajitas

Fajitas are one of my favourite things to cook (and eat). They are quick to make and delicious to taste! Chicken or prawn fajitas with homemade guacamole always goes down a treat with me. If a week goes by and I haven’t made fajitas, something isn’t right…

Fish cake

Haddock or cod, salmon or prawn, I love fish cakes. With baked sweet potatoes and some broccoli, it’s the perfect hearty, healthy dinner.

Lasagne

Quite a time consuming dish to make, but definitely worth it in the end. Lasagne is one of my all-time favourite home-cooked meals and although I can’t make it as good as my Dad, I always give it a good go. With plenty of cheese on the top, it is the perfect comfort meal for Wintery nights.

Pasta

I love pasta. Who doesn’t? There are so many different ingredients that you can have with pasta, whether it’s chicken and chorizo, chicken fajita (don’t judge before you try it) or chicken and vegetables, as long as it’s covered with a generous helping of cheese I’ll eat it. When I make pasta, I tend to make a big portion and add loads of vegetables. I always have it for lunch the next day.

Risotto

A creamy, classic Italian one-pan Autumnal favourite comfort food that although can require a lot of attention to make, it is worth it. My favourite risotto contains chicken, red onion and mushrooms, with gratings of parmesan to go down a treat.

Salmon

A favourite Summery dinner of mine is salmon, couscous and roasted veg. You can cook your salmon any way but I personally like to roast mine in the oven (wrapped in foil) with sweet chilli sauce. Roasted peppers, onions, courgettes and honey-roasted carrots go really well with it for a fresh-tasting, healthy meal. P.S. Cheese on my couscous is good.

Sausage and mash

Who doesn’t love the classic bangers and mash? I like mine with cheesy mash, onions, mushrooms and tonnes of gravy. Thick gravy all the way. It's perfect for Winter nights.

Stir fry

I absolutely love stir fry. For times when you’re hungry and want something quick and easy, grab some protein, stir fry vegetable mix, noodles and sauce and whack it all in a wok. Depending on your protein, it can be done within 10 minutes!

Tortelloni

Tortelloni is a classic staple dinner of mine. When you’re in a rush but want something hearty, the Tesco sausage and ham, chicken and chorizo or four cheese tortelloni are classics. Has to be served with tomato and mascarpone sauce (my favourite), heaps of cheese and a generous side of garlic bread…