Convenience meals

I have never been a particular devotee of ready meals, but over the past few days my view has changed.
Through calling at the supermarket on my way home this last week I have developed a fresh appreciation for ready prepared meals that you need just pop in the oven for 30 minutes or so. Little preparation, if any, apart from peeling off the plastic sleeve and setting the time on the oven and bingo, a fully cooked meal is ready for the table.
My intention on calling at the supermarket on the first occasion was to buy Italian pasta, my favourite is tortellini, or some pasta sauce to go with spaghetti which I already had at home.
But then a ready prepared fish pie caught my eye — pieces of cod topped with a potato mash and cheese. And it fully lived up to my expectations, with a glass of chilled white wine along with it.
So much so that today going back to the supermarket it was a chicken breast in a mushroom, bacon and cheese sauce which tempted me.
Not saying that I would want to rely on ready meals every day of the week — and which would destroy my principles of gaining a special delight out of cooking.  Not everyone’s favourite pastime, I know. And sometimes it can be a chore.
Yet, when time is limited and you really want a wholesome meal at home, without having to eat out, then I shall look at the chilled cabinet in the supermarket again.

Buon appétito