Store cupboard challenge

forumfan_2

For anyone who is really nervous about cooking ham in a slow cooker there are basic step by step instructions here

http://www.morphyrichards.co.uk/Downloads/InstructionBooklets/IB48726.pdf

Don't worry about timing too much if using this, I forgot mine and it was cooking for over an hour longer but it was tasted great

forumfan_2

NualaBuala wrote: »

.... I'll be boiling spuds, carrots and peas for tomorrow's dinner - could I do them all in the one pan so they all finish cooking at the same time? Then I could drain, pick out the spuds and mash them. I'm never sure of cooking times so I don't know how long they'd take - I tend to microwave peas and have never boiled carrots before, tend to roast or do them in soup. Although I could roast them since the oven will be on... hmmm, decisions decisions!

Have you ever thought about getting a steamer?

They are great if you want to cook all your dinner in one go as the flavours don't transfer, you don't have to stand over it and it is very economical. I have a Tefal Vitamin Plus and can cook my dinner in 25-30 minutes howevet members of my family have the Tefal Compact and that takes about 35 minutes.

I also cook chicken breasts, salmon and trout in there. I pop them in the rice bowl that came with mine as they tend to keep more moist in there.

Argos have some offers on at the mo

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Browse/ID72/14418590/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CKitchen+and+laundry%7C14418476/c_2/2%7C14418476%7CSmall+kitchen+appliances%7C14418587/c_3/3%7Ccat_14418587%7CSteamers%7C14418590.htm

NualaBuala

hex2 wrote: »

NualaBuala - If it was me I would do the potatoes on their own - they need 20 minutes or so and they make the water starchy. Then the carrots in their own pan for a few minutes till they are nearly cooked then add the peas and bring it back up to simmering for a few more minutes. Otherwise cut the carrots into dice and put them in at the same time.

Thanks a million Hex,:T I'll take your advice - have you guessed I'm not the world's best cook?!:o:D

I'm quite full for now so I think it will be a late dinner. I've just used up the last of the fish fingers in a sandwich with tartare sauce and it was yum and very filling.

forumfan wrote: »

Have you ever thought about getting a steamer?

That's a great idea, thanks for the suggestion - it's occurred to me now and again but I didn't want to buy something that I'd never use. But I think I probably would use it. I'll check out Argos and keep my eyes open for bargains.

mardatha

Right. Just been for a guddle in the freezer and this is what I have-

fish fingers
chicken
mince

About half a ton of each - and I want to live on it until xmas
How do I do it without going mad with monotony ?
( Got all the usual store cupboard stuff as well. )

lil_me

So we're talking 25 ish meals?

Chicken - italian (whatever sauce you would use with bolognese) carbonara with ham/bacon if you have a little, curry (many styles), risotto, fajitas, enchilladas, pies, casseroles, sweet and sour/another chinese style

Fish fingers - well I could live on FF sandwiches/chips and beans but an alternative is to definger them, take the crumbs off after defrosting & use the fish for pies/bakes/in sauce. Reusing the crumb for topping on top of mash in a fish/mash pie.

Mince - bolognese, tacos, dumplings, biryani, burgers, kebabs, chilli, cobbler, mince and tatties

That's about 20 suggestions, surely you can have something twice? :rotfl: white fish, mince and chicken are something we use a lot of too, can you tell?

mardatha

It sounds ok as long as I keep rotating them eh :rotfl:
And yes we have plenty bacon too.

lil_me

Oh bacon, well there you go bacon risotto, chicken and ham (chunks of bacon) pie, chicken and bacon lattice, bacon wrapped cod http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Bacon-Wrapped-Cod-104533 nice..., oh these are yummy and easy to make http://www.waitrose.com/recipe/Cod_and_Bacon_Wraps.aspx fishcakes, cod fritters (slice of spud, then fish then spud)

Oh you'll be going to new year without getting bored if you have enough in of each I could survive very content on that but DS2 would miss his sausages.

CCP

mardatha wrote: »

Right. Just been for a guddle in the freezer and this is what I have-

fish fingers
chicken
mince

About half a ton of each - and I want to live on it until xmas
How do I do it without going mad with monotony ?
( Got all the usual store cupboard stuff as well. )

There was a long thread on mince recipes that I bookmarked a month or so ago for future reading which might be of interest to you. I haven't got round to reading it yet so please let me know if it's any good - particularly as I've got a freezer full of mince myself at the moment.

***********************

I've been quite good at using stuff from my stores over the past few days - I've used up a tin of chickpeas (with chorizo and passata for last night's dinner), two very bruised cooking apples (stewed with mixed spice and sugar to go with porridge / ice cream), a piece of haddock (currently defrosting for dinner tonight) and some pork ribs, which are being turned into lentil soup as I type.

That almost makes up for having takeaway pizza on Friday, I feel.

prettypaula

well good afternoon thrifty bunch!

SO far today i have used up a box of batter mix which was in the SC, dated oct 09, oh well im sure its fine! and im using up bits of veg as we speak in a soup, also got a banana cake in the oven.

feeling very smug today!

lainz

NualaBuala wrote: »

That's a great idea, thanks for the suggestion - it's occurred to me now and again but I didn't want to buy something that I'd never use. But I think I probably would use it. I'll check out Argos and keep my eyes open for bargains.

Try a microwave steamer if its just for 1 or 2 of you - it does potatoes in 10 mins and most veg in 5 mins or less (if you put hot water in the bottom) - something like this http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Microwise+Microwave+small+steamer/108646796,default,pd.html?cm_mmc=affiliates-_-google-_-feed-_-clearance

I can't live without mine -it so easy

A few bits out the freezer - had chicken on Friday night when friend was over, so 5 pots of chicken soup have gone back in! I had cold chicken with potatoes for saturday lunch and today was at my mums for lunch (and had chicken - cluck :rolleyes2)

tomorrow night is chickpea and chorizo stew to use up some of the mountain of chickpeas in the freezer - no doubt there'll be loads left for lunch :rolleyes::D