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

PasturesNew

I like the Hairy Bikers - when they are cooking things outdoors. I figure if two blokes, on motorbikes, in the rain, can cook that thing at the roadside, then it's almost achievable as it doesn't require fancy equipment.

davidspd

I've just been catching up on a load of cookery programs I'd recorded over the last few weeks and the one thing that struck me was that all of the recipes would end up being quite expensive.

Are the big broadcasters missing a trick here? Surely in these austere times they'd be better of with cookery programs that show you how to make the most of your store cupboard ingredients ... ie what should I make when all I've got in is a can of mushy peas and some pasta.

Does anyone else think we need some cooking shows that don't involve going out and getting a lot of expensive ingredients, but just show us what to do with the cheap basics?

PS was horrified at the Tonight show on food waste ... whole fields of lettuce rotting in the ground !!!

evie451

Yeah I agree...Economy Gastronomy was pretty good but they only made one series channel 4 I think.......
It does teach you quite a lot trying to work out what you can substitute for all those cheffy ingredients though!

WantToBeSE

What kind of ingrediants do you mean? Maybe people could suggest cheaper ways of buying them?
For example, i buy Dorot frozen ginger and chilli, as if i bought it fresh, it'd go bad by the time i got round to using it all.
Also when recipes call for fresh lemon or lime juice, i just use bottled stuff.
When recipes call for expensive things like (for example) a certain type of vegetable (e.g. Shitake Mushrooms) i just use the regular one instead, which can make things much cheaper.

Lilyplonk

WantToBeSE wrote: »

........... when recipes call for fresh lemon or lime juice, i just use bottled stuff.

I've always got a bottle of Lemon Juice (or a squeezy Lemon) and it gets used whenever a recipe doesn't require Lemon Zest along with the juice.

I also use it to make a 'hot lemon drink', sweetened with a spoonful of honey, to take with 2 generic paracetamol instead of those expensive 'cold meds'.

SailorSam

I know when i've watched the Nigel Slater programmes when he says before going shopping on a Saturday morning he uses what's ever left in the fridge, he never seems to go Lidl to do his shopping or buy whoopsies in Tesco. And every week he ends up in the shopkeepers kitchen having his dinner. How many times has the girl on the Asda checkout cooked for you,

eleanor73

I agree with you in regards to expensive ingredients. Whenever I make a fancy meal I tend to try to pick things up on yellow labels in the weeks leading up and freeze. Then I thoroughly plan the meals in the following days to make sure I use up all the leftover bits. By doing this I find things are a little bit cheaper.
I tend to have these meals as treats though and see them as part of my socialising budget rather than my groceries.

rosie383

I have to agree about Nigel Slater. It always makes me laugh too, when he goes to the fridge to see what needs using up. It's always something from the deli wrapped in paper!
I think the OP's idea is great. I'd certainly watch it.

TravellingAbuela

I agree with the OP too. In fact I have said to my DH numerous times that I'm surprised no-one has come up with the idea in these austere times. I remember watching an afternoon programme years ago called Farmhouse Kitchen and that was full of sensible and economical family recipes. In fact I still have the recipe wallet that accompanied the series!! Today's cookery programmes are out of touch with reality, although I do enjoy watching them and copy some of the recipes for special occasions.

Butterfly_Brain

I agree in the 70's and 80's you had and Shirley Goode ( Pebble mill ) and Grace Mulligan on the Farmhouse kitchen Yorkshire television.

Channel four had did Make do and Mend, but that was only for one series see here:
http://www.channel4.com/search/page-3?q=make%20do%20and%20mend
Economy Gastronomy was good, but pricey, I believe the menus were aimed at about £50 - £60 a week and not everyone has that sort of budget.
River Cottage has gone all cheffy weffy too