Free lunch

When a member of the management team approaches you in school and opens with the words "Did you know that just outside your classroom we've got some raised beds?" And then follows that with "Some of the children in your class last year planted seeds as part of their Grow, Cook, Eat project." You know that you're going to end up being responsible for the upkeep of the school's raised beds!! :-)
 

So this morning we went outside to harvest the vegetables they'd planted before the summer holiday.  Sadly the beds hadn't been touched for months and were completely overgrown.  A lot of stuff had gone to seed but we managed to pick peas, runner beans, lettuce, carrots and radishes.  The peas were a bit big and hard but most of the kids tried them and some loved them! We had a fab discussion about seed saving, pollination and eating stuff straight from the garden :-)

No one wanted to try eating the nasturtiums but everyone agreed they looked pretty

Even after the kids (and me!) had munched loads of peas there were loads of pods left so I brought them home. Waste not, want not!  I had a generous full bowl so turned them into a simple Pea and Mint soup (peas, potato, onion simmered in veg stock then blitzed with a handful of fresh mint).  I got 3 mugs of soup so that'll do 3 (free) lunches for work :-)

Every night this week before I've gone to bed I took a 'ready' meal and a mug of soup out of the freezer.  No thought required and saves so much time.

I just need to crack the make ahead breakfasts and snacks.  I found a fab gluten and dairy free pancake recipe (original recipe here)  that I love.

My version:

1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 large eggs
1 large ripe banana
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups oats

Put everything in a blender and mix well.  I used my Nutribullet.  Then make pancakes in the usual way.  They're lovely drizzled with maple syrup.  And they freeze well!  So I'll be making a big batch of these for my work day breakfasts.

Edited to add: let batter mix sit for a wee while to thicken or add less milk