Learn to Cook Frugal Style

HelenaPinky

Hoping to learn to cook frugal style! 

I’m not confident with cooking or shopping for food to cook. Hoping to develop confidence with cooking in an ‘old-style’ cooking way - planning frugal meals - and I’m hoping people may be able to join in or support if you’re a pro (a pro being someone who cooks!)

Where to start - I can:
- steam vegetables
- boil/roast/mash potatoes
- put anything in a slow cooker but it often comes out a bit watery (I’m not great at reducing recipes in books from 6 to 4 people and I think I get the quantities wrong). I’m presuming I may be like other people - I know how to do cooking skills but putting it all together (deciding, buying ingredients, planning, timings), the confidence isn’t there! 

If anyone is similar or used to be similar and can help it’d be really nice to have some company!

-taff

To be honest, one of the main bits about frugal cooking is don't waste anything. Learn how to use up leftovers and you're already in frugal cooking land.

Brambling

You need less water if you are using a slow cooker.  If something looks to water I will put a clean (old) tea towel under the lid which will absorb the steam and stop liquid gathered on the lid dropping back in 

How to use a slow cooker- 10 top tips | BBC Good Food

If you are cooking more than you need, either freeze a couple of portions or use up as lunches? 

annieb64

You could borrow a few frugal cookbooks from the library which might give you some ideas. Jack Monroe has written several and she has a website called cooking on a bootstrap.

I learn to cook frugally from the Paupers Cookbook but that was back in the 1970s so it may not be in print now. 

thriftmonster

The recipes at the beginning of the Grocery Challenge threads are also a great resource - and tried and tested by Old Stylers

maryb

Delia Smith’s original cookery course is available on iPlayer. That was how I learned to cook back in the 1970s. I didn’t have much money at the time but she taught basic cookery and that is always the most frugal

CatieE

I have found lots of ideas and help on Youtube

goldfinches

maryb said:

Delia Smith’s original cookery course is available on iPlayer. That was how I learned to cook back in the 1970s. I didn’t have much money at the time but she taught basic cookery and that is always the most frugal

And if you don't have iPlayer you can see it on her website here Learn to cook (deliaonline.com) There are also a lot of good videos of recipes on BBC Good Food and Good Housekeeping UK websites and your local library is often a good source of how to books.

maman

It's a good tip about the tea towel but I'd add a little less liquid to your SC recipes and then you can always add extra if it's too thick. 

Don’t worry about changing the quantities. Cook a meal for 6 and freeze leftovers. Use them as homemade ready meals for when you're busy. 

Katiehound

in the SC if the liquid is too thin you can always add slaked cornflour or flour near the end of the cooking to thicken it up. I think one of the problems may be that you really need to cover the food in the SC   at the start with liquid &the boney bits won't push down!

MrsCatz

I too echo the others with cooking from scratch. I do that to reduce the amount of sugar in sweet items.

Also learn what a good portion is. What will keep you full without snacking. I know there is a recommended size from the NHS but learn what suits you.