When you don't wanna cook, here's what you can do alternately...

It happens to even the most avid, passionate cook. Sometimes, you simply cannot be bothered to think of menus, go shopping, prep, cook and serve. Blame it on the current energy-sapping weather, or plain and simple laziness that overcomes everyone at some point.

Still, if you aren’t too fond of takeaway meals not that MSG flavoured fried rice again! - or ordering in, there is no option but to cook up something when those hunger pangs strike. And you can indeed come up with food that tastes good without an undue amount of effort.
There are some basics you need to have in place, if you want to toss up no-sweat meals in a hurry.

A reasonably well-stocked fridge and kitchen shelves are vital. You will also need to prep some ingredients ahead, when you have the time and the inclination for it. Here are some tips to get you started on the road to fuss-free cooking and last-minute meals:

- There’s no underestimating the place of eggs in easy cooking. And an omelette is just right for almost all times. Keep it simple and classic, with the barest seasoning of salt and pepper and cook in butter. Or, load it up with chopped cold meat such as ham, capsicum, onions, tomatoes and cheese. You can beat everything together with the eggs and pour into the omelette pan. If you keep a small stock of chopped ham, grated cheese and diced peppers etc in clingfilm-covered containers in the fridge, whipping up a satisfying omelette becomes a breeze.

- Keeping a small amount of leftover pasta in whatever sauce in the fridge is good for making up a sort of quick frittata. Heat the pasta in a little olive oil in a frying pan, pour over beaten eggs, turn over carefully when done on one side for a crispy, crunchy, satisfying meal.

- Another dish that can be made in a hurry, provided you’ve done some work ahead, is a vegetable pulao. Heat some oil, put in whole spices, sliced onions, ginger, your choice of vegetables, tomatoes, saute, then add the rice, soaked and drained. Stir about, add some garam masala if you wish. Now put this away in the fridge. When you need to whip up a meal, simply put the rice and veggie mixture in a pressure cooker, pour over hot water, salt to taste and cook till done. Serve with raita or just plain seasoned curd.

- And if you have no desire to go near a hot stove at all, consider a cold meal. All you need to do is shop smartly for ingredients that please you, such as cold cuts, good cheese and some salad veggies plus some good crusty bread. Gherkins, olives, capers, artichoke hearts in oil, can all add some pizzazz to a platter such as this. Set it out attractively, pour yourself a glass of crisp, white wine and enjoy.

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