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Favourite Meal - Can Do & Wanna Do?
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Leodis1970_2
Posts: 6 Forumite
As we all know, one of the best ways of saving money is by cooking at home instead of going out to restaurants or ordering takeaways. Sometimes the temptation is too much though and we end up having an expensive, but nice treat!
I find the way to overcome this is by using the well known method of making the most of that "treat" and then trying to replicate it at home, changing things bit by bit until it matches (or beats!) the restaurant version.
Time consuming - years sometimes, but soooo rewarding when it works
Just wondering two things ...
1) What is the meal that you cook regularly that you are most proud of and that you are confident will impress guests every-time without fail?
2) What is the meal that you've not quite cracked yet? You've eaten it somewhere, loved it, tried to make it yourself, but there's just "something" missing or "not quite right"?
Be interesting to find out!
My speciality is an Indian restaurant style meal. Spent years perfecting it and still learning more every day as I try new ingredients, but it's so cheap, so easy and I'm normally disappointed if I do go out somewhere.
Still struggling with Chinese. Some stuff's OK and it's getting there slowly, but the biggest problem is lack of heat on a home hob compared to a restaurant burner.
Can't wait to hear your specialities!
Leo. :beer:
If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply!
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I find the way to overcome this is by using the well known method of making the most of that "treat" and then trying to replicate it at home, changing things bit by bit until it matches (or beats!) the restaurant version.
Time consuming - years sometimes, but soooo rewarding when it works
Just wondering two things ...
1) What is the meal that you cook regularly that you are most proud of and that you are confident will impress guests every-time without fail?
2) What is the meal that you've not quite cracked yet? You've eaten it somewhere, loved it, tried to make it yourself, but there's just "something" missing or "not quite right"?
Be interesting to find out!
My speciality is an Indian restaurant style meal. Spent years perfecting it and still learning more every day as I try new ingredients, but it's so cheap, so easy and I'm normally disappointed if I do go out somewhere.
Still struggling with Chinese. Some stuff's OK and it's getting there slowly, but the biggest problem is lack of heat on a home hob compared to a restaurant burner.
Can't wait to hear your specialities!
Leo. :beer:
If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply!
[threadbanner]box[/threadbanner]
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Comments
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Not quite cracked: Both times I went to New York I ate at Fatty Crab's - their Singaporean Chilli Crab is AMAZING and there are hoardes of people all over the internet trying to find out the secret recipe! We've made something similar (and guests rave) but not quite there.
And Wagamamas green curry prawns. Made something similar, which is gorgeous, but still not there! We really enjoy the HM one. Not too fussed about this one as Wagas is a fairly cheap restaurant, as far as they go, so it's kind of nice we can go there and have something I can't reproduce!
Also, still trying to make the perfect dhal. I was in Goa, Mumbai, Sri Lanka and Cochin earlier this year and had the most gorgeous veggie food. The last place we went, in Mumbai, was a "posh" Thali place which still only came to about £15 for a huge meal including beer and dessert (and the taxi back to the hotel was 20p
) I bought a cook book there and will try some of the meals soon as I have loads of pulses and spices at home.
Cracked: Duck legs - I live in an area with loads of gorgeous gastro pubs. I used to order duck a lot, and now I make a gorgeous duck leg in my casserole pot with either plums or redcurrant gravy and a creamy mash. Not so good for the waistline though.0 -
My current speciality and go to 'dinner party' dish is Hairy Bikers Moussaka - it is tasty, looks impressive and after all the prep work is done it isn't that hard.
The one thing I wish I could cook well at home but always fail on is a perfectly cooked medium/rare steak. Mine always end up more medium to well and never taste as good as you get in a restaurant.
I would love to master the chicken saag curry that our local indian restaurant does but mine always seems a little bland in comparison.Expecting Baby No 1 - 20/06/14 - Team Yellow!0 -
My signature dish has to be lasagne, a family favorite.
A meat lasagne or a veggie one with spinach. Served with jacket potato or chips.The secret to success is making very small, yet constant changes.:)0 -
Well, I have cracked Lasagne, carbonara and stroganoff, very pleased with myself..................I also love making smothered chicke, delish!:pSam B0
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My favourite dish to make is blue cheese macaroni. So easy to make but seems much more impressive than a bog standard one. I sometimes change it up a bit adding broccoli, onions, leeks or bacon (or a combination) and add a crispy breadcrumb topping.
Haven't been able to crack chinese yet which is a pain as its OH's favourite but I always cook my own rice so at least we save a little bit when we treat ourselves to a takeaway!0 -
My perfect dishes are Stuffed Portobello mushrooms and Meatballs (that's two dishes, btw
)
I'd like to be able to do a proper beef casserole, one that tastes as well as my Gran did it.0 -
Toad in the Hole from boring old me.Mortgage and Debt free but need to increase savings pot. :think:0
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I remember a couple of years back everyone used to rave about The Takeaway Secret. To be honest, I've never been a big fan of takeaways (would rather go out somewhere nice or know what I'm putting in my food) but worth a try for those who want to replicate Chinese?0
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Lasagne from me too xThe opposite of what you know...is also true0
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This is the dish that I cook if I want to impress, as usual, it's better the day after.
http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/beef-stew-with-anchovies-and-thyme-3321
Absolutely blumming gorgeous, but do use dried thyme, it's far easier. I also make the best chilli that the OH has ever tasted according to him, and everyone who's tasted it has asked for the recipe. I'll post it tomorrow, if anyone wants it?
If anyone has the recipe for Domino's meatball melt, I'd appreciate it Good enough is good enough, and I am more than good enough!:j
If all else fails, remember, keep calm and hug a spaniel!0
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