Storecupboard Essentials

joannasmum

Hiya

I always have in
Tinned Toms
Tom Purree
Garlic
Onion
Pasta
Rice
Swartz Italian Seasoning
Chilli Powder plus various assorted other herbs and spices
Porridge oats
Flour
Eggs
Cheese
Red Lentils
Stock Cubes
Sugar
Butter

Most of this has been built up over time and 2 years ago before DD was born I hardly cooked at all. I bought my sis Jamie Olivers new book recently and she says its very good for the basics.

joannasmum

I use stock cubes in soups, and stews plus if I want to make turkey mince taste like beef in anything I put them in. I use Kello ones as they dont have any nasties in them like MSG or Hydrogenated Fats

newlywed

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

What would you use stock cubes for then? Have never used them but heard bits about them... I always just use gravy in cottage pies etc?

You can use them to cook plain boring rice - just crumble one into the pot with the water and rice - makes the rice taste more interesting.

You use them for risotto.

You can add them into sauce you make to add extra flavour, add them to stews and casseroles etc. Just like adding extra herbs/flavours in.

immoral_angeluk

newlywed wrote: »

You can use them to cook plain boring rice - just crumble one into the pot with the water and rice - makes the rice taste more interesting.

You use them for risotto.

You can add them into sauce you make to add extra flavour, add them to stews and casseroles etc. Just like adding extra herbs/flavours in.

Is a risotto something to do with chicken? Fancied doing one a while back but realised I had no idea what one was! :wall:

newlywed

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

Sorry just realised how completely rubbish I sound... I'm 21 for gods sake and should be able to cook by now! Argh!

I was over 30 before I cooked toad in the hole and roast chicken (within the last year)

Don't worry about what you think you should know.... concentrate on what you want to learn and how much you can now learn!!!

organic_wanabe

There is a whole slowcooker thread. For example, you just bung in some meat/chicken and throw in some veg and a tin of tomatoes and some seasoning and 6 hours later you have a delicious casserole. You can even do a whole chicken in it, then boil up the carcass for some stock. I wouldn't have mentioned it except for the fact that it is 60% off until Saturday and you also get triple clubcard points. After a month or so on this Board you'll want one, believe me!

newlywed

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

Is a risotto something to do with chicken? Fancied doing one a while back but realised I had no idea what one was! :wall:

Yeah chicken risotto is nice, so is gammon risotto, prawn risotto.

Basically - buy risotto rice (sometimes called arboria rice or something).

Chop an onion, gently fry in a little oil, add chopped chicken till the chicken changes colour on the outside (so it's not all pink anymore). Stir in some risotto rice (75g per person or a bit more depending how hungry you are). Stir it and cook it for a minute or two (while the kettle boils for the next bit).

Pour about a pint boiling water into a jug add a stock cube (chicken is good if you're using chicken, vegetable will work too) stir with a fork to break up the cube a bit. Pour over the rice. Stir. (some say you should add stock gradually but I'm far too impatient and its still nice)

Add veg (peas, sweetcorn, baby tomatoes) some herbs (thyme or oregano or mixed herbs) whatever you fancy. Put the lid on and simmer gently for about 20 minutes, stirring every now and again and checking on the water level.

It is done when the rice is all soft fat and creamy but sometimes you will need to add a bit more boiling water and cook a bit longer if its running dry and the rice isn't done yet.

It's another one of the easy meals I like making and easy to vary - we like using cooked gammon leftovers instead of chicken, or cooked chicken, or a mixture.

Tustastic

As well as the tinned tomatoes, I like to keep a can or two of ratatouille (costs only 45p in Morrisons) because it's just a tasty vegetable stew with a French name. Great on pasta or rice for hungry people in a hurry. HTH:)

meerkatgirl

Can you roast the wombles?!

atypicalblonde

Hey I_A!!

My basics are as follows:

1.Tinned tomatoes (surprise surprise!!)
2.Tins of chick peas/cannelini beans/butter beans
3.Tins of baked beans
4.Tins of corned beef
5.Tomato puree
6.Bags of pasta, spaghetti and noodles
7.soy sauce
8.brown sauce
9.potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, onions, broccoli
10.tins of rice pudding (for yummy warming desserts - I have no idea how to make it but the Aldi stuff is really lovely so I just buy that!)

HTH

Edit to add: Courgettes & stock cubes!!