We’ve teamed up with Ren Behan, a food writer and blogger based in Hertfordshire for a new series called Dinner Renovations. Having just been through 12 months of home renovations herself, Ren Behan has put together some of her quickest and simplest recipes for anyone in need of inspiration.

For a stress-free, simple, seasonal treat, why not try Ren’s Warm Potato, Asparagus and Halloumi Salad, followed by her Roasted Rhubarb and Vanilla Posset? Ren’s recipes are guaranteed to help you beat the building blues. Read on, too, for more tips on how to survive your building or remodelling project without resorting to uninspiring ready-meals or expensive take-away food.
 
 

Print Recipes: Warm New Potato, Asparagus and Halloumi Salad and Rhubarb Posset

Equipment you’ll need for Ren’s ‘Dinner Renovations’ Recipes

•  Small chopping board
• 1 decent, sharp knife, a wooden spoon, a spatula
• 1 baking tray or sheet pan suitable for the oven
• A grater (for lemon zesting etc.)
• Sieve or colander, for washing and draining salad and veg
• Dishcloths and oven gloves
• A small selection of plates and a few small bowls
• 1 larger serving platter
• Ramekins, cups or glasses for desserts
• An oven (or a combi-microwave with an oven function)

Cooking throughout home renovations can throw up plenty of challenges – perhaps you’re having to make-do with limited equipment, or perhaps your kitchen space is limited or non-existent. Many people have to set up temporary kitchen spaces or cook only using an oven or a hob or a microwave, depending on the progress of the build or renovation.
 
If you’re about to embark on home renovations, or are already part way through, then cooking a healthy and tasty supper at the end of a long and dust-filled day will probably be low on your agenda. However, cooking needn’t be stressful, particularly if you focus on quick and simple recipes, which require minimal preparation and equipment. One-pan or one-tray meals are a great way to tackle dinnertime, whether you are cooking for one or two, or for a larger family.
 
Renovating your home or your kitchen also presents you with a great opportunity to de-clutter and simplify your kitchen kit!
 
Here are some additional tips to get you through:

Prepare a list (or set up a Pinterest board) for one-pan meals. If you have a microwave with an oven-setting, tray-baked meals can be a God-send.

• Invest in an all-in-one cooker, a slow cooker or a pressure cooker (the Instant Pot regularly receives rave-reviews) to cut down on the equipment or space needed to cook and prep.
• Keep your essential kitchen equipment in large, clear plastic storage boxes so that you can easily see where things are. Pack away and store things that you don't use on a day-to-day basis, such as larger crockery sets, mixers, blenders, cake stands and excess pot and pans.
• If you have to set up a temporary kitchen, try and find a separate space for the builders, so that they can become self-sufficient with cups of tea and biscuits and so that you can easily keep track of supplies without getting in each other’s way.  
• During particularly busy periods, ask your family and friends whether you can batch-cook (ideally using their kitchen space) and perhaps use one drawer in their freezer, or keep a smaller freezer of your own in the garage.     

 Stay tuned for more stress-free supper ideas from Ren in her Dinner Renovations series!