Ready made sauces?

northwest1965

doelani wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

I did try a few months ago to "make" lasagne instead of the dolmio, did not tell anyone and hubby asked was it different as was not as tasty as normal lol

I will try harder, I will try harder..............

What did you put in it? Lots of garlic, onions, tomatoes, & herbs? Oh and tom puree?

Mini_Bear

We cook completely from scratch - EXCEPT - i use a bombay potato spice mix to add oomph to our curries. figured its only about 80p and as we bulk it up with chopped toms and concentrated coconut it does 4 big meals!

Swan_2

for anyone who likes fajitas but baulks at paying for those little sachets of powder, here's a home made recipe that tastes just as good & I reckon costs less than 5p

the recipe makes the equivalent of one of those little packets of dry mix you buy & it's used in the same way ... but I make up a larger quantity, keep it in a sealed tub & use roughly 3 Tablespoons for up to 1lb chicken/beef/pork/veg

1 Tablespoon cornflour or cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon chilli powder, or to taste, maybe try 1/4 teaspoon first if you don't like things too spicy
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon paprika
3/4 teaspoon stock powder or crumbled stock cube
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cummin
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

cook as per packet instructions

I like to add a squeeze of lime too

Stompa

RachelW1987 wrote: »

The only sauce I but is a certain Carbonara cause I love it for either plain pasta or a potato bake.

That sounds interesting. I've occasionally bought jars of Homepride Potato Bake, but it had never occurred to be that a jar of Carbonara Sauce would do much the same job.

MrsE_2

doelani wrote: »

Do others take the " easy " way with jars or packets or make from scratch ?

I used to.

Until I discovered Jamie :smileyhea

Now I cook from scratch all the time.

The difference is worth it.

ETA even when I did use jars, I never used carbonara - I tried it once & thought it horrible & a roux is so easy.

*Maya*

MrsE wrote: »

ETA even when I did use jars, I never used carbonara - I tried it once & thought it horrible & a roux is so easy.

How do you make carbonara? The normal method of making it involves pancetta, egg yolks, cream, and pecorino - not a roux.

Stephen_Leak

doelani wrote: »

Some nights I am making dinner for 6 or 7 and it can be very expensive if making lasagne or cottage pie.

Seems fair enough to me. At least you've done the sums.

MrsE_2

*Maya* wrote: »

How do you make carbonara? The normal method of making it involves pancetta, egg yolks, cream, and pecorino - not a roux.

Sorry I was talking about lasagna & writing carbonara:o

But I make both from scratch.

wee_plumb

Hi All,

I've lurked on this site for ages and taken some great ideas from it!

I'm hoping that you can help me with a dilemma......

Many ready made sauces for foods are reasonably cheap for example Uncle Bens Sweet and Sour, Aldi Curry Sauces etc...bung in your meat and any additionals and you've got a meal for a couple of quid.

Is making these homemade any cheaper? My cooking ability is limited but my boyf is really good but he thinks shop bought is better value every time.

If i've posted in the wong place. Apologies.

I'd appreciate your thoughts.

SailorSam

What you should do is read the label on the shop bought sauce to see what's in there then have a go at making your own.
Most of them start as a base of Tomatoes and Onions, so if you wait until the Tomatoes are on offer, i've just got a load from Asda at 6 for £1, few pence for onions, then start to add various herbs to taste. If you make your own at least you know what is in There must be a tread somewhere for sauces