Is there a how-to-cook-what-you've-meal-planned thread?

skipsmum

I'm still trying to lose some weight, save on takeaways, and deal with some difficult food issues. Dinner time is still my most stressful time of day, and I get panicky around 4 oclock knowing I have to provide dinner - it affects DS having friends for tea as well.
I have no cooking skills, which makes me ashamed, and its a bit of a vicious circle really. I spent my childhood in care, where meals were made by caterers and thrown in front of us, and as an adult I buy ready meals. We all suffer from poor nutrition and I don't want to pass my habits on to DS.
Is there a site or thread somewhere that gives a simple meal plan and shopping and basic cooking instructions? I have loads of cookery books (from kind friends who think they are helping) but I just don't know where to start. I'm too embarrassed to ask people in real life

MandM90

Don't be embarrassed. Many of my friends giggle at how awful they are at cooking; it doesn't have to be a big deal

Have you got any student cookbooks? Why not decide one family meal you'd like to try to learn, and ask here. I'm sure one of us can give you some simple step by step instructions and answer any questions (no matter how silly you may think they are). We all have to start somewhere

In fact, why not tell us some meals you'd like to try - I'd be more than happy to help you out with a shopping list, instructions etc.

maz1964

hello skipsmum

its a good question actually and im sure others have good advice, im upto knowing too, although i do cook but im keen to learn more myself,
i wanted to say hi for the moment and have subbed to ur thread,

i will certainly have a look around the thread a bit later and what ive saved from the internet sites ive visited in the past and see what i can come up with, but have a fun day in the meantime and dont worry if nothing else i will post up a few tips of my own

by the way do you own a slow cooker i love mine and do lots of easy stuff and just bung it on for the few hours and all ready in a pot and good food and less washing up lol

im sure everyone here will chip in and you shall be the new nigella lawson - keep the faith it CAN be done okay

ciao for now MAZ x

MandM90

I've found some good youtube videos. Just search "how to cook .....":

for example...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUT2nUwTZl0

Also, there is a section of "easy" recipes on BBCGoodFood

FairyPrincessk

I don't know of any specific threads, but I do know people are great at answering questions as they come up. One suggestion is to start simple--6 days of easy meals and then 1 day a week try something new. Gradually you'll start to feel more confident in the kitchen and it won't be such a stressful exercise. What things can you make now? Give us an idea of where you're at and I think people might have some suggestions! The key to making a meal plan work, in my view, is to make sure that it isn't too complicated or ambitious. It might help to get a stock of recipes that can be made in under 30 minutes.

honeythewitch

skipsmum wrote: »

I'm still trying to lose some weight, save on takeaways, and deal with some difficult food issues. Dinner time is still my most stressful time of day, and I get panicky around 4 oclock knowing I have to provide dinner - it affects DS having friends for tea as well.
I have no cooking skills, which makes me ashamed, and its a bit of a vicious circle really. I spent my childhood in care, where meals were made by caterers and thrown in front of us, and as an adult I buy ready meals. We all suffer from poor nutrition and I don't want to pass my habits on to DS.
Is there a site or thread somewhere that gives a simple meal plan and shopping and basic cooking instructions? I have loads of cookery books (from kind friends who think they are helping) but I just don't know where to start. I'm too embarrassed to ask people in real life

There are lots of people here who will be happy to help and some are brilliant at doing menus for very little money.
Perhaps you could let us know your budget, what cooking facilities you have and if you have a freezer?

This blog by Jack Monroe might help.....http://agirlcalledjack.com/

Allegra

Try this website:

http://www.cheap-family-recipes.org.uk/

skipsmum

Oh wow, what a lovely welcome!

MandM90, I have got student cookbooks but the amounts aren't big enough for the 3 of us. I can upsize the quantities, but don't understand the cooking times.
I'd like to cook spaghetti bolognese. I buy it in a jar at the moment and Im sure I could do it but it would take me ages.
I can't watch youtube on my doddery old laptop! but the BBC site looks good, thanks.

Maz1964, thankyou! I do have a slow cooker but I made a casserole in it and noone would eat it...its been in the cupboard under the stairs ever since. I'll dig it out

Fairyprincess, at the moment I can cook jacket potatos and oven ready food. I can't even make a pasta bake. DS is a fussy eater but I'm trying to just put food in front of him and if he doesn't eat it he can have toast an hour later. He likes rice, and I would like to make paella but to be honest, Ive never eaten it, let alone cooked it.
A lot of my issue is that if I spend all that time cooking, and he doesn't like it, I a) have to throw food away which I find really hard, and b) hes still hungry which makes me feel like a failure.

honeythewitch, thankyou. I have a freezer, cooker, hob etc, slow cooker, a breadmaker I've never used (wedding pressie), and a blendy stick thing. I don't really budget too hard, we usually spend about £60 a week food shopping but have at least 2 takeaways on top. If I can stop those (always a last minute panic, usually becsue DS has a friend over) I could probably save £50 a week. :eek: We could probably have a haven holiday with that sort of saving!

skipsmum

honeythewitch wrote: »

There are lots of people here who will be happy to help and some are brilliant at doing menus for very little money.
Perhaps you could let us know your budget, what cooking facilities you have and if you have a freezer?

This blog by Jack Monroe might help.....http://agirlcalledjack.com/

Allegra wrote: »

Try this website:

http://www.cheap-family-recipes.org.uk/

thanks - just found out you can freeze cheese!

FairyPrincessk

Oh, Lots of resources, Skipsmum!

My first suggestion would be to automatically schedule jacket potatoes once a week. You can cook them, they're economical--go for it.

Next, I think I would suggest a soup and sandwich night. Since you have a stick blender, that is a good place to start. Soups are easy and economical--and once you have a few down you'll be able to improvise. This one is very good, healthy, filling and cheap:
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/333614/red-lentil-chickpea-and-chilli-soup

If you're child doesn't like spicy things, then I'd perhaps put those in at the end after dishing his out.

A few other soups to try might be carrot, leak and potato, and tomato.

Paella is easy, really. There are many recipes on BBC good food--find one that looks tasty with an easy rating and give it a go!

It might also be worth cutting back on your ready meals while you practice making side dishes. For example, if you get a pre-pack meal of chicken to bake, try making your own mash that night. The next week, do the same thing, but also try making your own salad and mash. A week later, try for all three.

Next, I'd suggest perhaps a few mince based dishes such as shepherd's pie, spaghetti bolognaise, and chilli. They all have similar steps and seasonings.

Start small--really. There is no need to make a week of complicated meals that you find discouraging. Just try to learn one new meal a week and you'll get there.

cjez_2

You'll get loads of answers from here and no one will make you feel bad. Everyone is amazing.

I think it's awesome how much you're thinking and caring about your and your family's diet! Makes me excited about it too!

I love this website http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/ because the recipes I've tried have been really tasty.

Rice is great and you can freeze it (many advise against it) but so long as you're careful about reheating it well and only doing so once I don't think it's a big deal to freeze- up to you though.

You could try a special fried rice type meal (with/without) fish if you'd like. This way you can get lots of tasty veg in with the rice and chicken or fish or no meat at all. Frozen peas in this as well so less waste!