Simple recipes for someone who can't really cook!

Stephen_Leak

tweetyshells wrote: »

Thankyou loads, this sounds like something i could do, only i have a really really stupid question, do you add it all to the frying pan/wok? or transfer at some point to a saucepan?



told you i don't have a clue :rotfl: oh dear...

As Martin says over on the right, there is no such thing as a stupid question.

If you have any problems with any of my recipes, just send me a Private Message. I will do my best to sort the problem and, if necessary, re-write the original recipe to make it clearer in future. Now, you don't get that level of back-up from Delia or Jamie.

The amounts in the recipe (for 2) will fit in a frying pan. I doubled it up once and it all - just - fitted in a very big saucepan. I was beginning to get worried, though.

A further tip: Minced pork works fine, is only 10% fat, and is a lot cheaper than minced beef. Minced turkey is the same, if you can find it.

I even have a recipe for boiling the spaghetti, if you really are that bad!

Once you've done this, we can move up to Chilli con Carne (Basically, you lose the garlic and herbs, add chilli powder and red kidney beans).

CHILLI CON CARNE

Serves 3

INGREDIENTS

2 onions
1 tablespoon of sunflower oil
500g of minced beef
2 teaspoons of chilli powder
2 teaspoons of ground cumin
400g tin of plum tomatoes*
1 beef stock cube
400g tin of red kidney beans

METHOD

Peel the onions and chop them into tiny pieces.

Put the oil into a frying pan on a medium heat. Add the onion. Fry the onion for about 2 minutes. Stir frequently to stop it sticking.

Put the meat into the pan and fry for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring all the time. By this time, it should have broken up and be an even colour, with no pink bits. Add the chilli and cumin, and stir.

Open the tin of tomatoes. Pour the juice into the pan. Chop the tomatoes while they are still in the can (it’s easier than chasing them around the pan).

Pour the chopped tomatoes into the pan. Crumble the stock cube into the pan. Open the tin of beans and drain off the liquid. Add the beans to the pan. Mix thoroughly. Continue to cook, stirring as the mixture boils, until the sauce has reduced.

ADDITIONS & ALTERNATIVES

Use minced lamb, pork or turkey instead of minced beef.

TIPS

Let it cool and reheat it: the flavour improves with reheating.

* Plum tomatoes can be used either whole or chopped. It is difficult to stick chopped tomatoes back together again if you need to use them whole.

tweetyshells

Thanks tons, lol i can cook spagetti, i'm not THAT bad . I was gonna replace this with pasta shapes instead, assume that would work.

Does chili con carni work without the beans as i can't stand kidney beans.

Skint_Catt

You can always substitue baked beans nstead of kidney?

Stephen_Leak

tweetyshells wrote: »

Thanks tons, lol i can cook spagetti, i'm not THAT bad . I was gonna replace this with pasta shapes instead, assume that would work.

Does chili con carni work without the beans as i can't stand kidney beans.

Yes, pasta shapes are still pasta. Conchigle, the shell shaped pasta, is fun as you can stuff bits of mince into the shells.

If you don't like red kidney beans, leave them out. It probably will only make 2 servings, though. Why not try other tinned beans? Pinto beans are actually more authentic, but might be expensive though. Borlotti beans should be cheaper and might work.

If you can cook spaghetti, you can cook the classic Italian dish, Aglio e Olio, or Garlic and Oil Pasta. Just put 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 finely chopped garlic clove per person into a frying pan. Fry the garlic for about 5 minutes, until the garlic is golden brown. Then just toss the boiled, drained pasta in the oil and garlic. Serve with ground pepper, not Parmesan cheese. I have seen this dish on an Italian restaurant menu - and not in London either - for £8.50!

tweetyshells

thanks, am hungry now lol

maman

If you've just lost weight and need to maintain I'm not 100% sure that a breadmaker is a good idea. I'm told the bread is fantastic which could be a huge temptation. I limit us just one loaf a week for some sandwiches and toast and keep some crispbreads for emergencies.

tweetyshells

Thanks, i am aware that it will have tempting issues but i won't be eating any more than normal. Just looking for cook cheaper nice bread to replace what we already have.

Lalaladybird

I have been a housewife/SAHM for 2 years and I feel like I spent half of my waking hours in the kitchen:rolleyes: I am determined my family will eat healthy homemade meals that don't cost a fortune but nearly everything I create is average at best, sometimes whole meals are inedible:o

Can anyone offer me some idiot proof recipes that are really tasty please?

Happy-Rags

Have you looked at the 'Easy Cook' magazine? The Winter 2009 issue is currently on sale, and it's packed with easy to cook recipes, mostly on a budget. I prefer this magazine to the others which tend to demand a greater range of ingredients and cooking skill.

*~*Pinky*~*

Another thumbs up for the Easy Cook magazine.

I love cooking but my talents (!) are wasted on the children, they love basic straightforward meals, one of our favourite recipes is,

2 x chopped onions cooked in a little oil, add chopped chicken breasts (enough to feed the number of people you are cooking for), when the chicken is lightly browned, add one or two tins of chopped tomatoes, garlic, herbs, tomato puree. Simmer until cooked and the sauce has thickened. Add cooked pasta (enough for the number of people you are cooking for), stir until coated with the sauce. Serve with grated cheese. Yum!