not working at all for me !

doddsy

Many people on here have been os for always, or have had to learn over time. You are not going to go from where you were to os Diva overnight so don't be hard on yourself. Show me the woman who never made a mistake and I show you the woman who never made anything!!!

I think it might be a good idea for you to practise at doing one thing, really follow the receipe and when you have that under your belt go on to the next thing, build up slow and your confidence will grow.

Good Luck

ppolly

I totally sympathise. Maybe start with the things that are easier for you - like menu planning,or trying out value products or cake baking (I've given up on homemade biscuits - no matter what I do one tray of them always comes out burnt on the bottom - the fault of the baking tray, I think).
Instead of trying to bulk things out why not just cook double and freeze half of it for another day? Or maybe try using ingrediants that are in season. Perhaps start with the bits you feel you might enjoy or have fun with and work your way up from there. Take it very, very slowly and regard it as an experiment. I don't like cooking main meals at all - so I tend to focus on quick, easy and fairly cheap - like eggs, fish, risotto, pasta and jacket spuds. But I do like the comfort of menu planning and I love cake baking and herb growing. There is nothing wrong with value beans on toast with scrambled eggs for tea!

gunsandbanjos

doddsy wrote: »

Many people on here have been os for always, or have had to learn over time. You are not going to go from where you were to os Diva overnight so don't be hard on yourself. Show me the woman who never made a mistake and I show you the woman who never made anything!!!

Well said, i'm usually a very good cook and fortunately i have a very understanding OH with a cast iron stomach. However i have made some truly awful meals!
You cant expect to be perfect over night, change one thing at a time and you will get there. It may just take a little longer, but it will be worth it.

r.mac_2

Don't worry! Not everything works for everyone!!!!

For example, I can't get the oatmeal and mince thing to work for me at all, but i think that's persoanal taste. I also can't make coke clean my toilets - it just stains it!!!

The real trick about OS is to experiement and find things that work for you - remember that every little thing helps. so grated carrot works for you great - keep that forget about the oatmeal for now and try something else instead

Good luck xxx

Austin_Allegro

To the person who was having trouble baking cakes, have you tried a bread machine? I wouldn't have a clue how to make a cake but with the machine it's child's play.

juliapenguin

I think the key to bulking stuff out with oatmeal/oats/barley/TVP/lentils/
grated carrots etc is to start small. Add a little bit the first time, then if noone notices add just a little bit extra the second time and so on. I've done a TVP (vegetarian soya 'mince' - super-cheap) overload into bolognaise sauce and it's been foul, but a little bit mixed in with the mince is completely undetectable. I think I've got it just about right now.

dancingfairy

What sort of cooking do you normally do? I startd off from ready meals - gradually cooking spaghetti bolognese, sausages and beans, then chilli, stir fry, soups etc, I can 'cook' a shop bought pizza base and put veg on it (lol). I think you have to go really slowly at it. I'm only just on buying stuff in season and trying to batch cook. Perhaps I will progress on to bulking stuff out as well but it's got to be fun and cook stuff you think you will like. If you hate stew there is no point trying to cook it just 'cos it is cheap for example.

MrsTinks

Personally I think I have twigged the oats in mince... I put it in just as the mince start to brown with the onions - that way it absorbs the flavours and you won't notice it as much - just don't add too much
Quorn... mince quorn is ok - it's GREAT in chilli's which is the only thing I ever use it for - OH still hasn't twigged
I still make the occassional mess that ain't edible but I learn every time
Keep trying!

Pitlanepiglet

Keep going Mardatha, you've got to start somewhere, take it easy and perhaps start by just using recipes from here and don't try to bulk them out or anything similar.

Good luck

pigpen

I often chuck a handful of lentils in bolognaise sauce to bulk it out.. it takes 10 minutes to cook.. looks fine but you do need to add a little more water.. I add grated carrot too.. sneaky veg!

Quorn mince is vile.. like bits of grey cardboard in your food.. really dry and leaves a sticky residue in your mouth.. and the cheaper versions are worse!! Quorn sausages are delish though!.. and the pieces are good in chicken supreme sauce.. with some proper chicken in too!!

start simple.. one thing at a time.. perfect it and then try something new!!