Cooking is either a chore or a passion, there never really seems to be any in-between. Recently we have all had to adapt to the fact that our favourite restaurants, take-outs and cafes have been forced to close during this pandemic. With the UK lockdown meaning we should only leave the house to purchase essentials it can be difficult to plan out what to eat.

We have put together a list of a few easy, healthy meals to make without having to purchase fresh food daily. Whether you are taking a packed lunch on the road or looking for something healthy to eat in isolation, we have some ideas for you!

Simple Pasta Sauce

Making a pasta sauce saves money and has less saturated fat, salt and sugar than buying a ready-made jar.

• Tinned Chopped Tomatoes
• Vegetable stock cube(1tbsp)
• Tomato Puree (1-2 tbsp)
• Mixed herbs
• Olive oil (1tbsp) 
• Crushed/chopped garlic (you can buy this in the spices section at a supermarket)

1. Lightly heat the oil in a pan add the garlic and fry for one minute.
2. Add the tinned tomatoes, vegetable stock powder, tomato puree, mixed herbs and bring to the boil.
3. Lower the temperature to simmer, stirring regularly.
4. Add salt to taste.

Black Beans and Rice

This vegan option is healthy, tasty and simple to make.

• Rice
• 2 tins of Black Beans (drained)
• One clove of garlic (chopped)
• One onion (chopped- you could use frozen onions)
• Vegetable stock (350 ml)
• 1 teaspoon sunflower oil

1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add in the onions, garlic and fry until soft.
2. Add the rice and continue to fry for another two minutes.
3. Put the vegetable stock into the same pan and bring to the boil. Then lower the temperature and cook for twenty minutes.
4. Add the black beans and seasoning to taste.

Chickpea Salad

This easy-to-make recipe uses all the staples sitting at the back of your cupboard. 

• 4 teaspoons sunflower oil
• 1 diced onion (could be frozen)
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon coriander
• 2 tins chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Lemon juice, to taste
• Salt and pepper, to taste

1. Add oil to a pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and fry for approx. 7 minutes, stirring regularly.
2. Add the spices and continue to fry for 3 minutes.
3. Add the chickpeas, lemon juice, salt and pepper and cook for approx 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and cool.

Tuna Pasta On the Go

If you’re travelling this may be the perfect recipe to have in your lunchbox whilst the truck stops and service stations are closed.

• Pasta
• Tinned sweetcorn
• Tinned tuna
• Mayonnaise
• Spring onions (chopped)

1. Mix the tuna, mayonnaise, sweetcorn and spring onions into a bowl.
2. Cook the pasta until al dente then drain.
3. Stir the pasta and the tuna mix together.
4. Add seasoning to taste.

What other easy meals do you take on your journeys at the moment? Let us know