I need to learn to cook !!!

CRANKY40

Quick and impressive cheating veggie dinner is :-

Find a largish square or rectangular oven proof dish. Measure as much dried tagliatelle as will fit in the dish (put it in dry so no guesswork involved). Tip the dry tagliatelle into a pan of boiling water and cook until soft.

While the pasta is cooking, slice a pack of quorn sausages into circles, and fry with a chopped up onion, and some sliced mushrooms in a little bit of oil. Add some chopped up peppers or some sweetcorn. If you have any left over cooked veg such as broccoli, you can throw this in too.

Place cooked pasta back in dish. Spoon the quorn sausage mixture over the top. Now, over the top of all of it, tip a jar of passata or ready made bolognese sauce mix (we like Dol Mio).

Place the whole dish in the oven and cook for half an hour (20 minutes if you have a psychotic fan oven like mine).

For a cheating recipe, this goes down very well. My vegetarian friend thinks I can cook because I can make this between finishing work and picking ds up from nursery. Also, if you only want one portion, the rest of it can be portioned up when cold and is freezer friendly.

Bitsy_Beans

want2bmortgage3 wrote: »

This is an example of a recipe with a lot of ingredients.. QUOTE]

But I wouldn't necessarily put all those ingredients in. Don't like celeriac, swede is out of season now so I'd just substitute for things I did have like carrots etc. I probably wouldn't put all those split peas, lentils etc. I've found that just because it lists 20 ingredients I don't necessarily have to put them all in.
Don't be put off by a massive list of ingredients. Once you start cooking you can build up your stock of storecupboard ingredients so next time you need them they will already be there.
If I have to buy too many specialised ingredients then I don't bother with the receipe. But if it uses similar things that I already hold then I'd be tempted to have a go and substitute what I did have for the things I didn't. Pretty much pans out each time for me.
Cooking really is all about confidence and you'll only get that the more you try.

lynzpower

The best advice that made me really start to ENJOY cooking, was think of what you would eat in a resturaunt/ pub meal out at the nicest pub/bistro etc in your area and aim to make food like that for yourself- every day!

I know the full raft of store cupboard can be expensive, but buyiong a new herb or spice a week/month etc. It helps to have a few bits in, but dont go to town!

Theres nothing wrong with a pizza if youve learned how to make the base yourself, some lovely HM roasted tomato sauce base, with garlic oil, some home grown rocket and roasted peppers Its heaven! (and of course can be as cheap as can be!)

Have you thought about cookery classes- there may be some in your local council buildings. My ex- local council used to do Indian & Carribbean cooking, it was only £30 for 12 weeks....

want2bmortgage3

Thanks for that recipe cranky, looks really nice.
BB, this is my problem with regular recipes books, and the delia recipe as an example. As an unconfident cook I would not know whether removing an ingredient will be detrimental to the result. Ideally I'd like a book that gives you the framework for various recipes but then suggests what ingredients you can use, based on things such as whats in season. It could also tell you whats in season at different times of the year. I find following these strict recipes with no alternative suggestions often means I'm hunting around for out of season ingredients which I dont feel good about buying!

lynzpower

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vegetable-Heaven-Sensational-Seasonal-Vegetarian/dp/1904943535

scuzz

Of course you can learn, just have faith

My auntie told me this one the other day - I've not tried it but it sounds lovely


Par cook a potato or three, slice and put a layer in the bottom of an oven proof dish. Top that with a layer of sliced mushrooms and a layer of sliced carrot and top with cheese. Repeat, before topping the whole thing off with a final layer of potato and cheese. Pop in a moderate oven for 45-50mins and enjoy.

lynzpower

HAve you ever seen vido jug- thats gort loads of videos online of loads of reciepes!

Bitsy_Beans

want2bmortgage3 wrote: »

Thanks for that recipe cranky, looks really nice.
BB, this is my problem with regular recipes books, and the delia recipe as an example. As an unconfident cook I would not know whether removing an ingredient will be detrimental to the result. Ideally I'd like a book that gives you the framework for various recipes but then suggests what ingredients you can use, based on things such as whats in season. It could also tell you whats in season at different times of the year. I find following these strict recipes with no alternative suggestions often means I'm hunting around for out of season ingredients which I dont feel good about buying!

This website will tell you what fruit and veg is in season (in case you don't guess from the extortionate vs cheap prices
http://www.eattheseasons.co.uk/

As for a cook book that's a little more fluid. Sorry can't help you there.
My suggestion is start with something simple and try experimenting. Then as you build your confidence you can broaden your receipe horizon.

want2bmortgage3

I've just tried the first suggestion http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=22039285&postcount=10
It was quite nice, with the garlic and pepper, and good for a quick snack. I think it could do with a protein source and more veg in it to make it a complete meal.
I will try the next recipe suggestion in the next few days.

lynzpower

want2bmortgage3 wrote: »

I've just tried the first suggestion http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=22039285&postcount=10
It was quite nice, with the garlic and pepper, and good for a quick snack. I think it could do with a protein source and more veg in it to make it a complete meal.
I will try the next recipe suggestion in the next few days.

This might be good with a grilled Quorn fillet ( eg the garlic & herb one) or even a large baked stuffed mushroom ( large portobello mushroom, with some philly/ grated cheddar , mixed herb)

Simply take the big stalk out of the middle ( hack it out wit a knife/ scissors if it doesnt come away) Wipe round with any oil on kitchen paper, wrap in tin foil and put in a 200c oven for about 15 mins, then take the foil off and fill the filling ( just jam it in with a spoon, turn the oven down to 150 and wathc the cheese melt YUM!