Cooking for one (Mark Two)

poppystar

…banana pancakes??

…fish fingers and chips?

Can't decide!

PasturesNew

I had two small scones with marmalade about lunchtime-ish. That nudged the fish finger butty to being a bit later. I made that as I realised it was getting dark. The kitchen is never a place to be after dark....

FFB - yet another "why don't I eat that EVERY day?" thought.....

wort

Money- mine was a kitten from cats protection last October, I was lucky in that he's such a softy very much a lap cat, he will let anyone stroke him , even his tummy and tail. My dds partner always says he's not a real cat!!!!:rotfl:
So if you go for an older rescue you can choose one that enjoys being handled.

Another bright and cold day so I've just chopped some pots up very small and roasted them , defrosted some cooked chicken , chopped up with some fajita seasoning, chilli flakes then poured over a half jar of chilli and tomato pasta sauce, topped with cheese --of course.

Yesterday had hm gf pizza ,onion mushroom,peppers, chilli garlic and piri piri chicken. Yummy.

Got a meal deal from M and s. For tomorrow when dgson is here, sirloin steaks, peppercornsauce and with hm pot wedges. The veg peas,carrots sweetcorn and broccoli layer. The dessert I opted for the cheese board . So I can use the blue cheese in the broccoli soup I plan to make next week.

I picked up some gf mince pies ,from tesco so I'm looking forward to those maybe have one later with cream!
First I'm opening the wine and having a glass :T

karcher

Thanks re the chicken.

I think I'll just defrost the lot then poach?....

...caron please help this idiot and explain how I do this.

Thanks

PasturesNew

karcher wrote: »

I think I'll just defrost the lot then poach?....

...caron please help this idiot and explain how I do this.

Well, you can poach from frozen. It's "boiled chicken" in reality....

Assuming you're "normal" and not strange like me ..... you'll be doing it in a biggish saucepan.

In short, with defrosted chicken and a good sized saucepan with a lid (good sized so it's not all cramped up) ... chicken into the saucepan, cover with water so it's got about 1"/2.5cm above the chicken level. Bring to the boil, turn down the heat, pop the lid on ... pace about for 15-20 minutes, then poke it about to see if it "looks about right". With 1-2 it'd be 15-16 minutes, but as you've more it'll be closer to 20.

Job done.

There are easier ways though .... if you use the magic box.

Magic box is the same idea, just fewer minutes: Dish, chicken, covered in liquid, lid on .... nuke full power for 8-10 minutes (depending on the dish size/amount of chicken).

karcher

PasturesNew wrote: »

Well, you can poach from frozen. It's "boiled chicken" in reality....

Assuming you're "normal" and not strange like me ..... you'll be doing it in a biggish saucepan.

In short, with defrosted chicken and a good sized saucepan with a lid (good sized so it's not all cramped up) ... chicken into the saucepan, cover with water so it's got about 1"/2.5cm above the chicken level. Bring to the boil, turn down the heat, pop the lid on ... pace about for 15-20 minutes, then poke it about to see if it "looks about right". With 1-2 it'd be 15-16 minutes, but as you've more it'll be closer to 20.

Job done.

There are easier ways though .... if you use the magic box.

Magic box is the same idea, just fewer minutes: Dish, chicken, covered in liquid, lid on .... nuke full power for 8-10 minutes (depending on the dish size/amount of chicken).

The most important thing is that you've told me I need to defrost it first.

I've never understood why some things are ok to cook from frozen but others aren't?



(I expect I'll bin the lot for fear of making myself ill.
I can't afford to be ill or take time off work.
I hate waste but I just don't trust myself to defrost/cook it properly!)

Glad

karcher wrote: »

The most important thing is that you've told me I need to defrost it first.

I've never understood why some things are ok to cook from frozen but others aren't?



(I expect I'll bin the lot for fear of making myself ill.
I can't afford to be ill or take time off work.
I hate waste but I just don't trust myself to defrost/cook it properly!)

how would you defrost/cook just one chicken breast?

Just get them out and put them covered in the fridge to defrost overnight. Tomorrow either poach as PN has said, or roast them, then cool and refreeze seperately

karcher

Glad wrote: »

how would you defrost/cook just one chicken breast?

I don't know because it's not something I've done often!

I think over many decades I've only cooked chicken 2 or 3 times and certainly not from frozen.

Thanks for your help though x

I'll defrost and roast, then eat or feed the bin.:o

caronc

Good morning everyone,

Karcher - as PN has said you can poach from frozen. However, I think you get a better result from defrosting first as I find when you cook from frozen the outside cooks before the inside is done. I suggested poaching as opposed to nuking /roasting as it is a gentler cook. I was thinking if they were just cooked to the minimum needed it keeps them moist and therefore more adaptable for future dishes. To poach I bring a pan of water to a gentle simmer add a little salt & pepper and add the breasts. Depending on the size /thickness they take 15-20 mins to cook.

iammumtoone

karcher wrote: »

I don't know because it's not something I've done often!

I think over many decades I've only cooked chicken 2 or 3 times and certainly not from frozen.

Thanks for your help though x

I'll defrost and roast, then eat or feed the bin.:o

If you are not confident then do the traditional way and defrost first.

To check its cooked, cut through the thickest part and if you dont see any pink then its done.