This is an occasional series where we flag up ingredients or recipes that could save your life - ok, let's rephrase that, save your sanity. They are superfast and if you always have them in your cupboard they could make screaming children/no food syndrome a thing of the past.
Crumbs! How stale leftover bread can transform just about anything
Tinned artichokes - just whizz them up with cream cheese, lemon zest, herbs and you have a delicious tea in minutes.
Sardines on toast - obvious, but with a few tweaks, absolutely delicious
Eggy Crumpets - keep them in the freezer, toast them when you need them, and then soak in egg and fry. Serve with cheese, salmon or even fruit. A brilliant emergency tea which they love.
Eazy onions - onions which have been slow cooked in olive oil, in a tin!
Buitoni macaroni, ready in 3 minutes
A stir fry in 90 seconds
Slack mummy soup
Mackerel pate - in a minute
Pimped up cottage cheese
