Help I can't shop or cook

3nicky1

Hi,

I'm quite ashamed to admit this but at 24 having lived away from home for 7 years I really havent got the hang of shopping or cooking. I rely on convenience foods that aren't good for my finances at all not to mention my health. Every so often I give it a go and give up because I fall at the first hurdle but I'm committed to actually saving some cash and I think this is one area I can really cut it down.

I know there is loads of information on these boards but I don't know where to start. I work more or less 9-5 (depending on need) and want to take packed lunch but something quick and easy (and easy to carry about, I'm community nurse but I don't drive) cos I am also busymost evenings. I also need to be able to feed myself in the evenings, at the moment I buy lunch most days and have something quick like pasta or cereal or takeaways . Any ideas about what my first steps into the world of behaving like an actual adult should be?

Magpye

Suggest you pop into the Old Style board as there's tons of help and advice about budgeting, meal planning, cooking from scratch, batch cooking etc and most people are very friendly and helpful.

Secondly, don't be afraid of cooking and of making mistakes - even the best of us do it at times (she says, while ruefully surveying the blackened remnants of a pot of sushi rice she forgot about! :rolleyes:)

mrcow

First step - learn how to boil things eg. vegetables, rice, eggs etc
Second step - learn how to fry something - like an egg, or sausages
Third step - learn how to heat things in your oven (like jacket potatoes or roasted vegetables etc)
Fourth step - learn how to cut things up - like salads or cheeses

Then have a think about what types of things you like eating. Come up with a menu plan.

Shopping wise, try making sure you've got things in that you actually like (rather than what you think you should buy).

Things like pastry, cakes, bread etc are really easy to make - you just need to get yourself a book, ingredients and the correct tools (baking tins, mixng bowls etc).

The best thing to do with cooking s to not fret too much. Som many people take cooking so seriously and it really doens't have to be. Quick and easy is fun.

maman

I'd start by buying in things for your packed lunches as this will save you lots. At it's most basic this could be simply stuff for sandwiches, crisps, choc, fruit and a drink all of which are hugely cheaper bought from supermarkets. If you haven't got one it's worth buying a small flask and taking coffee with you (or soup) as again buying out is very expensive. From there you could move on to making pasta salads for your lunch (cooked pasta, some mayo and whatever else you fancy like tuna/sweetcorn) just put it in a plastic box and take a fork with you. Always carry a bottle of tap water with you and refill through the day.

Stir fry is a quick, easy and healthy meal. Try taking some recipe books out of library or look on the net for dishes you enjoy.

Hope that gets you started. It's not difficult but you have to start from somewhere.

star222

I'm 21 and recently just had to learn.

Start with basic easy recipes that you would eat during week eg spaghetti bolognese and leave the weekend to try different recipes when you have time.

Planning your meals for the week makes things easier (and cheaper too!) I use mysupermarket.com to work out what I need and what offers are on etc.

helen_jelly

Hi

You could also try popping over to the December Grocery Challenge and asking for help there or check out some of the recipes on the first page
HTH
Helen

Sublime_2

I'd invest in a slow cooker. There is very little effort involved. My kind of cooking (no burned pans).

Just put everything in before you go to work, and come home to a hot meal.

brighthair

ask! I'm forever ringing my Mum and going "Mum I've bought this and now what on earth do I do with it!"
What do you like, what do you want to cook?

jennihen

There was a brilliant Jamie Oliver book last year 'Ministry of food' ?? - teaches you the basics. Should be hitting the charity shops about now!!!

baby_fuzz

My biggest tip is to not be afraid! cook using recipes found for free online, or from books borrowed from the library - it will take you longer than it says, to start off with, but as you get the hang of it, hopefully you'll catch the cooking bug, and actually get enjoyment from it too!

Easy stuff:
cous cous - goes with loads of stuff, and abzolute doddle to cook.
pasta - bolognaise, carbonara, pesto - versatile, and great for a novice cook
onion, garlic, chopped tomatoes - you can always pull something together if you have a few basics.

and dont worry if it all goes pear shaped. heaven knows that I've made a few rubbish dishes before, but it's all part of the fun in experimenting and trying new recipes/ideas...

RHemmings

In my opinion, it's simple recipes that are a good place to start. As mentioned, pasta, cous cous, etc. Get some good stock cubes, and you can make a whole lot of basic recipes with them.

Here's one. Take 1 measure (I use an approximately 250ml glass) basmati rice. Put a bit of olive oil in a pot, add the rice, and cook very gently until the rice has gone a bit translucent. Add one and a half times as much water as rice, crumble in a stock cube, add herbs, some minced garlic, pepper (enough salt in the cube already, probably), chop up all sorts of vegetables and what have you and add, cover, and bring to the boil. Once it comes to the boil, reduce to a really low heat. If you have an electric hob you can probably just turn it off, but with gas you'll need a very low flame. I use a heat spreader. Then leave it for 20 minutes or so to slow cook. Then, it's ready.

Buying puff pastry blocks from Aldi will help too. You can put all sorts of things inside pastry and make a good meal.

With the couscous, I make a very plain stew, cook it up, serve up my partner's food (she doesn't like spicy stuff), then add a good dollop of Reggae Reggae Sauce. Flavoursome!