TV Cookery Programmes.. are they out of touch with the real world?

rinabean

DominicJ wrote: »

Nigel Slaters Simple suppers is my favourite.
I nearly wet myself when he urged his viewers to save the parmesan rind, like everyone who watches doesnt buy is in a plastic tub....

Aldi's parmesan (well, can't remember if it's actually Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano) is reasonably priced, or at least it was a year and a half ago when I last bought it. If you use it infrequently you can freeze it after you've grated it.

No, the funniest parmesan-related thing I've ever heard (not that there's many...) is this being a tip on all the US cooking blogs and people talking about where to buy parmesan rinds, and ooh this shop has a good price. It was barely cheaper than buying the pieces of cheese, you know, that come with a free rind!! I've also heard of people buying the portioned-up bits of chicken and then buying the bones and the rest separately for stock. I can't understand the thought process of these people. I guess that's what happens when there are fads in food, as opposed to longer-term fashions.

billywhizz

beccad wrote: »

There's something about Nigel Slater that makes me want to slap him

It's not just me then!

Jonny_Red

I enjoyed Economy Gastronomy when it was on (Allegra McEvedy and Paul Merrett). There were some really good recipes in there (particularly the Paul Merrett ones in my opinion) but the best part of it for me was the introduction to the theory of what things go together well and can be made into more meals for the rest of the week.

Also, Paul Merrett has done quite a lot of instructional video's for the BBC which can be linked to from the website... they're well worth watching (things like how to joint a chicken, how to cook noodles and whatnot). What I like most about PM is the explanation he gives for why things need to be done in a certain way... always helped me understand the science bit behind cookin

spike7451

I think a lot of them are,the only good ones are Floyd when he did India,Steins Seafood lovers Guide & River Cottage Meat (was that a programme) for instance Heston showd you how to make 'the perfect chip'...How many of us have the time to first boil the chips,then put them in the freezer for an hour ect.While all of his recipies the other night looked good,in reality,how many of us would have the time & patience to do them?

trifles

I enjoy watching cooking programmes-in particular Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall-but I do agree with posters who feel these types of programme are mainly entertainment.I would LOVE to see a series on teaching and encouraging people on basic,cheap cooking.I speak with a lot of people of all ages who genuinely don't have those skills taught to them either at home or at school.
If a series could be brought out that wasn't linked to a celeb chef but had recipes aimed at easily obtainable,simply prepared ingredients,within the range of people on a restricted income,I'm sure there would be a large audience,particularly if 'ordinary' people were giving the demonstrations and tips.Sort of a 'Superscrimper' approach-maybe slotted in between programmes

brightonman123

its become more entertainment, than hardcore cooking nowadays..

[Deleted User]

Although the programme is often laughed at for some of its 'state the bl&&ding obvious tips' Superscrimpers has a dear little lady who shows some young lasses how to cook basic food at a reasonable price. Not much good for the likes of the shops who often sell out of something thats been used in a cookery programme, but darned useful for a person who perhaps wasn't lucky enough to have a Mum who cooked .

I can't think of her name offhand but she seemed very sensible and I would like to see perhaps a regular slot on t.v. where she shows how easy it is to prepare ordinary food at a reasonable price so young Mums don't have to rush off to 'Ice**d to buy prepacked chemically filled junk to inflict on their kids.
I am always suprised at how often folk say 'Oh I can't cook' or is it I CBA to cook when I can buy a box of instant food. Instant food has its place I suppose, but not in my house. The excuse is 'Oh I haven't got the time' ,well my youngest DD has five children and works full time but her tribe eat home- cooked food every night, and a take-away is a 'birthday treat' for them.
Wednesday night she had a chicken that she prepped before going to work at 8.00 (she doesn't get home until 6.15)and put in the oven on a timer and the left overs went into a pie last night for dinner.Pre-prepped food and veg is the norm in her house as its done the night before if possible for cooking the next night.
T.V. programmes are entertaining and one can pick bits up now and again but like t.v. they are not 'real life' as most of us know it.

Eenymeeny

Thanks for all of your views. I'm pleased to hear that some of agree with me about a sensible budget conscious cookery programme. Trifles thanks for putting it better than I ever could!
I haven't watched Superscrimpers after the first few programmes when we had to watch that silly woman in purple and orange wobbling along her bike. Maybe I should give it another try. I must admit to thinking 'well surely everyone knows/does that?' I suppose that's the whole point, a lot of people don't. That's where we are so lucky to have discovered MSE.
I liked the Top Gear analogy too, I suppose that there'll always be a fascination in how the other half live!
Thanks also for the link to Shirley Goode. I've still got a typewritten 'factsheet' from Pebble Mill giving her recipe for thrifty marmalade and how to prepare for a thrifty Christmas, complete with costings. I'm looking forward to catching up with her
Haven't heard of Economy Gastronomy will look that up thanks and I must have missed the Jamie 'meals under a fiver' programmes. Will see what I can find on t'internet. I must admit though that he's too messy for me, don't like the 'chuck it all in approach' I had a very strict Domestic Science teacher... there, that ages me eh?
Thanks again everyone, maybe some tv producer will pick up on it eh?;):T

[Deleted User]

I've still got and still use the three Shirley Goode cookery books they published with the TV series they are a constant source of inspiration and all her recipes give you ideas for variations on a theme. I would be lost without them. I also have a really useful book by Gail Duff called 'Cooking on a Shoestring' published around the same time which is oh so useful - would reccommend getting this one if found in a charity shop. It is such a pity that most schools aren't able to offer domestic science on the curriculum any more, youngest did Food Technology at GCSE but that was more about developing a product and shelf life etc. than cooking. If you come from a home where Mum doesn't have the time or skills to cook it must be very difficult to learn these days.

Eenymeeny

Gail Duff I'd forgotten about her too, thanks for the reminder MrsLurcherwalker. I always check the big book section first in the charity shops, haven't found a Hairy Bikers one yet though, people must hang on to those! (They are so expensive to buy new)
Some of the books are dated though aren't they? I was browsing through my Dairy Book of British Food recipes last night (Circa 1988) A lot of recipes had a 'how to microwave' option, like starting off vegetables for soup etc in the microwave. I wouldn't have thought of that!