What's the essence of old style?

Penelope_Penguin

cooking-mama wrote: »

Im just wondering why we call it old style? rather than home cooking

Because it's not just cooking - it's cleaning and handcrafts too

cooking-mama

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

Because it's not just cooking - it's cleaning and handcrafts too

Oh yes,I totaly get that bit(unfortunately im not quite as good at that side of things,especialy the handicraft part:oBut do try with some of the cleaning methods....dont like too many chemicals in the house)
I understand where everyone is coming from with the sewing/mending etc too,that is definately "old style"(again,im rubbish...can sew on a button,and just about hem trousers..after that im stumped)
But the cooking part..is that realy Old style...or is it just home cooking,that certain generations/regions/nationalities take for granted and dont view as being old style at all?

valk_scot

I think the main difference between OS cooking and home cooking is that OS is meant to be a bit more frugal...using cheaper ingredients to make equally tasty meals, or stretching pricier ingredients further.

maman

valk_scot wrote: »

I think the main difference between OS cooking and home cooking is that OS is meant to be a bit more frugal...using cheaper ingredients to make equally tasty meals, or stretching pricier ingredients further.

Totally agree, it has a MSE element. For me it's adapting recipes (or avoiding:eek:) that call for heaps of butter, cream and other hugely expensive (and often calorie laden) ingredients.

EstherH

Yes, I see it as stretching the meals as well as cooking from scratch. For me, I used to use more frozen stuff - never many ready meals, but breaded chicken, bought pies, more oven chips than I do now. I still sometimes have some of these things but not as often. Also, I would make bolognaise but would use pasta sauce etc. I do a lot more cooking from scratch but the main thing is the oats and extra veg and the challenge to get more meals out of a pack of mince or stew meat.
I use stardrops but also some cleaning products from time to time. I don't sew and do the handicrafts though.

parsonswife8

I view o/s as using cheaper things like pulses and oats, to stretch meat and veg further, without losing nutrition...using as many cheaper varieties of fruit and veg, preferably homegrown, without compromising vitamins.....canning and picking surpluses, making jams and chutneys.....as well as trying to recycle old clothes etc.
Sadly, life is a lot too hectic for many people to do this with a great measure success at a high level, nowadays.:(Even if they want to, long working hours and commttments with young families, means that they just don't have time.

Pink.

Hi cooking-mama,

According to Martin when he first named and set up the board, the Old Style concept "is all about being clever, and using older methods to cut costs. In many ways its about doing things yourself without relying so much on modern consumerism."

This earlier thread also discusses the meaning of Old Style:

What's the essence of old style?

I'll merge your thread with that one once you've had some more replies to keep the discussion together.

Pink

Spendless

When I first joined MSE, there was more to old-style than cookery threads, eg one about jumble sales. Eventually there became new boards and some of those went there, so the jumble sales would become part of e-bay and other auctions board for example.

maman

parsonswife8 wrote: »

Sadly, life is a lot too hectic for many people to do this with a great measure success at a high level, nowadays.:(Even if they want to, long working hours and commttments with young families, means that they just don't have time.

I don't necessarily agree with this. I've always used a shopping list and a rough meal plan as a way of saving time (and money). It saves time wandering round the supermarket just putting things in the trolley, it saves time wondering what to have for dinner and whether you need to stop off at the shop and buy extra bits for a meal etc etc

cooking-mama

Thanks for the explanations guys..now i understand the difference,regarding,cheaper cuts of meat,bulking out with pulses etc,not using too much gadgetry(another area i fall down on,I love my kitchen gadgets:o..but hey,if they keep me cooking then they cant be all bad.;)
Il try and be a bit more more OS,with my home cooking(been trying with "meat free Mondays" etc..today it was macaroni cheese and veg bakes,I did try lentils in mince once but i put in too much and we ended up with stodge,my slow cooker is in regular use..(lentil soup using ham hough today),and i recently invested in a pressure cooker(or 2)to save on gas,so i suppose im heading in the right direction-But im afraid im a lost cause when it comes to sewing and crafts.Haunless,as we say up here:o