SURPRISINGLY EASY DINNERS FOR LAZY WEEKNIGHTS

I have one picky eater and I have resolved to the fact that he will always be! It can be so frustrating sometimes, especially when I'm excited to let him try new dishes and have 'slaved' in the kitchen, it's always met with a lukewarm reaction.

But after many, many years, I have these few dishes that I whip out for my picky teen especially during weeknights when time and energy are just not on my side!

The recipes for these dishes only use a few ingredients which you most likely have at home anyway and it's so easy you would have it on the table ready for dinner easily and quickly!

Here I'm sharing with you my EASY DINNERS FOR LAZY WEEKNIGHTS, picky teen approved!

01 - CHICKEN & CHEESE QUESADILLA

Your basic essentials are shredded chicken breast, a whole load of cheddar cheese and tortilla wraps. Then you have your choices of whatever is in your fridge to include with it. It can be tomatoes, shredded lettuce, olives or peppers. My son loves when I put in some caramelised onion, so I add that. Have some sour cream on the side or any sauce you desire!

02 - BEEF FAJITA BURRITOS

Almost the same as the chicken and cheese quesadillas, but using strips of beef that have been sauteed in a pan with your seasoning of choice. I stir my beef around for only a couple of minutes. Once that's done, you can assemble the beef, cheese, and choice of greens on a tortilla. Wrap it up into a burrito and toast it on a hot pan so you'll get a slight crunch on the outside and soft juicy beef on the inside. I serve it with a side of sour cream and sriracha.

03 - FRIED RICE

This is a perfect meal you can make in under 15 minutes, provided that you have some cooked rice sitting deep in your fridge waiting to be used. I normally have leftover rice in my fridge anyway so it's super simple. In a wok or a pan, fry diced shallots and garlic. Add in and scramble one egg. Stir in your choice of protein and vegetables until protein is cooked and vegetables are soft, add the rice, soya sauce, salt and pepper, and you're done!

04 - CREAMY CHICKEN & MUSHROOM PASTA

Start by boiling any pasta of your choice. Fry garlic, then add your chicken pieces (I cube mine small) and add mushrooms until all cooked well. Pour in some heavy cream and add a little pasta water to loosen up the sauce in the pan. Pour in your pasta. Mix it thoroughly and allow the sauce to thicken slightly. Season with salt and pepper. How easy was that? You can customise it to your liking by adding spinach, or even change your protein if you want to.

05 - BUFFALO WINGS

I make this easier and faster by frying the wings. The wings that have been halved are mixed with seasonings like garlic powder, sweet paprika, salt and pepper then covered in a mixture of cornflour and all-purpose flour. The sauce is made by heating butter in a pan, then adding hot sauce and honey or brown sugar. Stir until sauce thickens. Once the chicken is fried, just mix it with the mixture in the pan until fully coated with the sauce. We always have a side of blue cheese dressing with this. You can prepare the customary accompanying celery and carrot sticks but we like it with some steamed broccoli.

These are not rocket-science dishes, but these are dishes that I am happy I know how to make when I don't have time neither do I have the energy or brainpower to be Gordon Ramsay in the kitchen after a long day at work. The better thing is that my picky teen appreciates them and it'll never go wrong in his books, which makes me feel like I invented the dish, every single time!

What are your quick and easy go-to dinners for lazy weeknights?