We in the UK would not fight for a loaf of bread

Going4TheDream

Cleaver wrote: »

Put simply, if you have £50 a week to spend on food then you can eat much nicer and better quality stuff if you make it yourself. The cost may not be much different, but the quality would be.

I agree totally, A guy I work with once told me that he, his girlfriend and child live on ready meals and never cook from scratch as it was too expensive. I could only imagine what sh!te they were eating.

nearlynew

Does anyone use tin foil when baking bread?

Cleaver

nearlynew wrote: »

Does anyone use tin foil when baking bread?

No, but I did roast a ham in one last night. I've since cleaned the foil up and am now wearing it with a slightly nervous and untrusting look on my face. A block of silver is tightly grasped in my sweaty palms.

Generali

Cleaver wrote: »

Agree with all of this. I also think a factor is how much you enjoy this type of thing. Maybe I'm sad, but the thought of spending a whole day making things like stock, bread, cooking a joint of ham or beef for use through the week, maybe a lasagne to freeze, a tomato sauce to use up basil, muffins for breakfast through the week and loads of stuff like that fills me with joy. Music or Radio 4 on, cup of tea on the go and a real satisfaction of making all the stuff yourself. At the same time I fully understand that cooking and baking isn't everyone's cup of tea and that might be a dreadful day for other people.

Put simply, if you have £50 a week to spend on food then you can eat much nicer and better quality stuff if you make it yourself. The cost may not be much different, but the quality would be.

Not sad in the least as far as I am concerned. I'm very happy to spend an hour or two (or more) of the weekend prepping food for the week ahead,. The older Genalissimo (6y/o) is very insistent that he's going to help me clarify the stock tomorrow.

The next plan is to give curing bacon a shot. I did it before but in salt only rather than using a proper cure. Can't do that in Sydney. It's a pity as the result looked great.

Blacklight

Cleaver wrote: »

Agree with all of this. I also think a factor is how much you enjoy this type of thing. Maybe I'm sad, but the thought of spending a whole day making things like stock, bread, cooking a joint of ham or beef for use through the week, maybe a lasagne to freeze, a tomato sauce to use up basil, muffins for breakfast through the week and loads of stuff like that fills me with joy. Music or Radio 4 on, cup of tea on the go and a real satisfaction of making all the stuff yourself. At the same time I fully understand that cooking and baking isn't everyone's cup of tea and that might be a dreadful day for other people.

Put simply, if you have £50 a week to spend on food then you can eat much nicer and better quality stuff if you make it yourself. The cost may not be much different, but the quality would be.

A glass of wine or twelve on a Sunday afternoon whilst trying out some of the really tasty old cuts that nobody does these days (breast of lamb, pork belly, brisket) is my idea of relaxing these days.

More food than you can shake a stick at for about three quid? Lets open another bottle of wine! Roll on winter Sunday roasts.

ILW

Whenever I have attempted to make something myself, it comes out tasting much worse than the supermarket ready made stuff. I am a rubbish cook though and really find it a chore.

Blacklight

ILW wrote: »

Whenever I have attempted to make something myself, it comes out tasting much worse than the supermarket ready made stuff. I am a rubbish cook though and really find it a chore.

Learning how to feed yourself/your family is one of the most rewarding things. My food used to put The Young Ones to shame, but you soon pick it up.

Start with something simple that you like.

Prudent

Cleaver wrote: »

Agree with all of this. I also think a factor is how much you enjoy this type of thing. Maybe I'm sad, but the thought of spending a whole day making things like stock, bread, cooking a joint of ham or beef for use through the week, maybe a lasagne to freeze, a tomato sauce to use up basil, muffins for breakfast through the week and loads of stuff like that fills me with joy. Music or Radio 4 on, cup of tea on the go and a real satisfaction of making all the stuff yourself. At the same time I fully understand that cooking and baking isn't everyone's cup of tea and that might be a dreadful day for other people.QUOTE]

This is how I spend my Saturday mornings. Blissfully de - stressing after a week at work. I love it when the autumn days draw in and I can make a huge pot of soup. I then go for a long walk through woodland on a country estate and meet OH who finishes his postal run there. We go back for warm soup and a cuppa. The simple things are definately the best.

Going4TheDream

ILW wrote: »

Whenever I have attempted to make something myself, it comes out tasting much worse than the supermarket ready made stuff. I am a rubbish cook though and really find it a chore.[/QUOTE

Now I understand why you love Tesco so much as they do it all for you :rotfl:

Seriously pick a recipe that you think you will like and follow the instructions. Cooking is rewarding, and you will be amazed how your confidence grows once you have a few basics under your belt.
There is nothing like eating good home cooked food

Owain_Moneysaver

Going4TheDream wrote: »

There is nothing like eating good home cooked food

And my cooking is nothing like good home cooked food