Even those who love to cook have nights they don't feel like it. Alice Taylor shares tips to get you into a kitchen kind of mood.
I love to cook (surprise!). It's one of my favourite ways to unwind after a busy day, and most evenings you'll find me happily chopping vegetables or stirring a pot of something delicious.
But the reality is, even people who love cooking don't always feel like making dinner.
Sometimes you're tired. Sometimes work has been overwhelming. Sometimes life throws challenges your way and making a meal feels like just another task on an already too-long list.
If you're stuck in a cooking rut, feeling uninspired in the kitchen, or simply don't have the energy to make an elaborate meal, you're certainly not alone. Over the years, I've found a handful of simple tricks that help me get dinner on the table with minimal effort.
1. Let the oven do the work
When I really can't be bothered cooking, the oven becomes my best friend.
My go-to meal is a simple tray bake. It requires very little preparation, creates minimal dishes and is almost impossible to get wrong.
I start by chopping potatoes into chunks and adding whatever vegetables I have on hand. Carrots, kūmara, pumpkin, broccoli and cauliflower all work beautifully. Everything goes onto a baking tray with a generous drizzle of olive oil, plenty of salt and pepper, and sometimes a sprinkle of dried herbs.
In the middle of the tray, I'll place a couple of bone-in chicken thighs or some good-quality sausages.
The whole thing goes into a hot oven for around 30 to 40 minutes until the vegetables are golden and caramelised and the meat is cooked through.
That's it.
About five minutes of preparation, one tray to wash, and dinner cooks itself while you put your feet up, catch up on your favourite show, or enjoy a well-earned glass of wine.
If you want to make it feel a little more special, serve it with a dollop of Greek yoghurt, some gravy, or a simple green salad.
2. Use a slow cooker
A slow cooker is a great way to solve the dinner question, long before anyone can ask 'what's for dinner?'. Because you can throw everything in, walk away, and come back hours later to a ready-made meal.
One of my favourite combinations is incredibly simple. Into the slow cooker goes:
- 2 chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 leeks, sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, crushed
- A few sprigs of thyme
- 1 cup chicken stock
- Salt and pepper
Cook on low for six to eight hours, then shred the chicken into the cooking liquid.
The result is a comforting, garlic-infused chicken that's perfect served with crusty bread, mashed potatoes or even spooned over rice.
The best part? It tastes like you've put in far more effort than you actually have.
3. Curry paste is the ultimate shortcut
If there's one thing I always keep stocked in my freezer, it's portions of curry paste.
On nights when my motivation is at rock bottom, I'll grab a container of curry paste and add it to a saucepan with a can of coconut milk.
From there, I simply add whatever protein I have available. Chicken, tofu, prawns or even leftover roast meat all work well.
Then come the vegetables. Fresh vegetables are great, but don't underestimate the power of frozen produce. Frozen peas, beans, broccoli and mixed vegetables are usually washed, chopped and ready to go.
Let everything simmer together while a pot of rice cooks and within 20 minutes you've got a comforting meal that feels far more impressive than the amount of work required.
4. Cook once, eat twice
When cooking isn't a priority, one of the smartest things you can do is make enough food to stretch beyond a single meal.
Future you will be incredibly grateful. Whenever I'm making something like bolognese, ragu, soup, curry or chilli, I automatically double the recipe.
A freezer stocked with homemade meals can be a lifesaver on those nights when you're too tired to cook but the budget doesn't stretch to a takeaway.
I also like to keep a few staples on hand that make throwing meals together easier:
- Frozen rice
- Pre-sliced bread
- Frozen vegetables
- Homemade ragu or bolognese sauce
Having a few reliable ingredients available means dinner is never too far away.
5. Cook something you love
Sometimes the best way to break out of a cooking slump is to stop focusing on what you should cook and start thinking about what you're excited to eat.
For me, that's Japanese curry. There's something incredibly comforting about a rich curry sauce poured over fluffy rice, especially when paired with crispy fried chicken. Even when my enthusiasm for cooking is low, the thought of eating that meal is usually enough motivation to get me into the kitchen.
The same goes for baking. If I'm feeling uninspired, I'll often make a batch of cookies. Not because I need cookies, but because the process feels enjoyable, the reward is immediate. Then, while I'm in the kitchen, a creative idea for how to turn what I have in the fridge into dinner will often strike.
Food should bring us joy, and sometimes reconnecting with a favourite recipe is exactly what's needed to rediscover that spark.
Whatever your comfort meal is, whether it's lasagne, nachos, dumplings or a simple bowl of pasta, give yourself permission to make the thing you're most excited about eating.
And just sometimes.... takeaway is the answer
As much as I love cooking and saving money where possible, sometimes the best thing you can do is order your favourite takeaway, enjoy it without guilt and give yourself a night off.
Don't worry, the question of what to cook for dinner will arise again tomorrow.
Chef Alice Taylor posts cooking videos as @alicetayloreats on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.
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