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Petit Porcini

Dinner without cooking? Here’s how we do it

Published 2 months ago • 1 min read

If you need a sign to slow down, this is it.

When you sit down to plan your family’s meals for the week, don’t just think about recipes and ingredients. Think about your own energy. Include at least one day of mental rest for yourself. That means planning a night where you don’t cook.

I wrote a whole article about menu planning that dives deeper into how I do it, but today I want to share why this “no-cook night” has become non-negotiable in our home.

Tip of the Week: Schedule a No-Cook Day

Here are a few ways we make it work in my house:

  • Leftover Night (usually Thursday/Friday):​
    All the containers come out of the fridge, lined up on the counter, and everyone makes their own plate. Calling it a buffet makes it feel more fun than “cleaning out the fridge.”

✨ This is perfect to avoid waste, food is expensive enough.

  • Apéro dînatoire (Friday vibe):​
    Crackers, bread, cheese, some veggies (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers) with a dip, maybe a bit of charcuterie. It’s quick, unfussy, and feels like a treat. Anything goes on a board and it pairs great with a drink to unwind.

✨ Don't buy anything, use what you have!

  • To Each Their Own (Sunday nights):​
    After a big Sunday lunch, we’re rarely hungry enough for a full dinner. Everyone builds their own simple plate, and that’s enough.

✨ Teaches kids to be responsible and make good choices with food.

  • Order In (no guilt!):​
    Sometimes the best no-cook night is letting someone else handle it. Pizza, sushi, greek food, it still counts as family dinner if you enjoy it together.

✨ Often great to have leftovers for school lunch the next day!

The point? You’re still feeding your family, but giving yourself a much-needed break. That balance is what keeps meals joyful instead of draining.

Are you on Instagram?

I share more of these small but powerful family food rituals over there (follow me), all inspired by French family food culture.

What about you?

Do you already have a no-cook night built into your week or would this feel like a total game-changer?

Hit reply and tell me what your “I’m not cooking tonight” strategy looks like.

Mél

Petit Porcini

Mél

Come hang out in my French kitchen abroad!

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