What 3 things do you LOVE to cook/bake and why?

2cats1kid

1. Pot roast in the slow cooker. Especially roast chicken as I can make it do 3 dinners for the 3 of us, plus stock for soup, so I can be really smug about how far I'm stretching my rubber chicken! And also it's really good to get back from work and walk in the door and smell that dinner is nearly ready.

2. Bread in the BM. Fairly recent development this one, but all the family is loving the homemade bread and I'm sure we're eating fewer preservatives and gak as a result.

3. Jam. The main reason is because making jams and jellies and chutneys and stuff just makes me feel like I am really making nice stuff for my family. I mean, providing the meals is ok but it's everyday stuff and essential, and it's this lovely but unnecessary stuff like my mum used to make (and probably her mum, and her mum's mum) makes me feel like it's giving them love in a jar somehow. What Flylady calls "blessing your family". Crikey, this one has been hard to explain and probably sounds dead soft LOL.

MrsTinks

Another vote for Risotto... I too love the soothing effects of stirring and not being able to rush it. Sipping my white wine (although I HAVE made it with red once when I had no white wine - still tasted FAB!) and using up loads of stuff as it's so forgiving when it comes to what you put in it

Chilli Con Carne - either veggie or meat - the neighbours now fight to get invited in for Chilli so I make extra and drop a portion of to all when I make it to stop them fighting :rotfl:

Bangers & Mash - Bangers from my local butchers are unrivalled and I love them! I cook them in a little butter in the pan and when cooked I slosh over a generous glass of red wine. Oh and I chop up at least one onion and throw in the pan when sausages are about halfway done. Mash gets milk and butter - sometimes a little mustard. Total comfort food!

Sweet...

Banana Loaf - it's quick, easy and scrummy!
Nan's Rice Pudding - Ris A La Mande - Love this! VERY bad for you but dang it's lovely.
Waffles - I have a danish waffle iron and I just love waffles on a sunday morning... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Anzac_Biscuit

tiff wrote: »

Any kind of soup because its cheap, easy and nutritious

banana bread - I dont do much baking but love using up brown bananas this way

any slow cooker meal - makes me feel organised and homely!

SNAP!! I too love making soup, esp chicken soup - smells very homely and I love..er.. getting creative with ingredients:rotfl:

I like making casseroles for much the same reason, in slow cooker or on the stove (but SC is better cos you can clear everything up and go do something else while it's cooking)

Stir fries - quick and easy and lots of veg so you feel really virtuous:rotfl:

Risotto - great for standing around with friends and chatting while you stir, smells great, tastes great... mmmmmmmmmmm..... (and very versatile)

Anzac biscuits- soooooooooooo easy, good old storecupboard ingredients, they make me think of home (Australia), and everyone always loves them:) Plus you can make them whatever size you like and they're less stodgy than cake.

Barm brack - like a fruit loaf, apparently Irish in origin. I love this cos it's easy, ultra cheap, good for you (all that fruit) and stores really well. In fact, I'm planning to get some dried fruit tomorrow to make this.

I'm also trying to start cooking more, so I'll be reading this thread to get some ideas!


EDIT: oops, sorry that was a few more than 3!!

Olliebeak

In the Slow Cooker - Scouse/Chilli/Chicken (or Turkey) casserole

Baking - Victoria Sandwich with Jam (or Lemon Curd)/Twinks/All Bran Cake

Teria

Banana bread - though really I just bung in any fruit thats lying around.
Chocolate torte or cheese cake - because it's the most delicious thing I've ever tasted, and a great advert for vegan cookery!!
"sausage" rolls - mmmm!

melt71

Thanks for all of your replies. Some of the things mentioned I've never tried - any chance of any of you posting your recipes for these or a link to them? Thanks.

LameWolf

1. Pasta in cheese sauce, because I can do this on "autopilot" when I'm too tired to think what I'm doing properly.

2. Shepherdess pie (that is, shepherd's pie made with veggie mince) because Mr LW absolutely loves this, and helps me prepare it, so we have a good laugh while we're making it.

3. Nut loaf with boiled rice and sweet'n'sour sauce with pineapple chunks because this is a practical one for when I'm not certain what time Mr LW's going to get home. I have the nut loaf frozen in helping sized pieces, the rice is dead easy, and the sauce you just bung everything in the saucepan cold, and it only takes a few mins to boil up, and it's ready!

zarazara

1. Scones easy to make, quick to cook, cheap, endless variety,cheese,herb,sultana,cherry etc
2.Pasta ditto abouve, cheap and quick and a multitude of dressings or sauces
3.Veg soup