There is something freeing about supper that does not try too hard. A few bits on a plate, nothing fancy, and somehow it still hits the spot. That is what I have learned to love about Mediterranean-ish cooking, you do not need a long list of ingredients or a mountain of washing up for it to feel satisfying.
Sometimes it is as basic as cheese, olives, and tomatoes pulled together into a little platter. Other times it is a jacket potato with homemade beans, which sounds like a faff until you realise it is can be quick, cheap, and taste better than the tinned stuff. Sometimes, it is using leftovers. And yes, sometimes it is a toasted cheese sandwich because that is what the day calls for. The common thread is that even when the meal is simple, I still try to find a way to sneak in a bit more plant variety.
That might mean stirring spinach through the beans, tossing a handful of seeds over the salad, or throwing some herbs into whatever is on the plate. Little tweaks that do not take extra thought but add up over the week. It is the same spirit as sneaking more plants into your meals. You do not need to overhaul everything, you just need to keep nudging it in the right direction.
A simple supper is not second best. It is the reminder that good food does not need to be complicated. It is about working with what you have, enjoying the small things, and giving yourself a break from the idea that every meal has to impress. Sometimes the best plate is the one that feels easy, fills you up, and leaves you with the energy to do something other than the washing up.
Halfcut Beans
This is beans on toast’s grown-up cousin. Nothing fancy, nothing fussy.
What you need:
- 1 can haricot or cannellini beans, drained
- 250g passata
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 level tbsp Greek yogurt
- Pinch of salt
What to do:
Tip everything (except the yogurt) into a pan just as you would with normal baked beans. Heat through until the sauce thickens and the beans are how you like them — soft and unctuous if you are me, or with a bit more bite if that is your thing. Take off the heat and stir through the Greek yogurt at the end.
Play with it: once you are confident, try adding a splash of vinegar for sharpness, your favourite herbs, chopped greens that need using up, or even a spoon of jam or syrup for sweetness.
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