Oldstylers: Could I be your greatest ever challenge?

southernscouser

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

but was "put right" in no uncertain terms by an unimpeachable and Italian source.

Shouldn't that be sauce!

You oldstylers better get used to my dodgy humour! :rotfl:

Stephen_Leak

thriftlady wrote: »

You need a good pudding in your repertoire- women love them

SS, if you need any encouragement, just remember that it is a fact that blokes who can cook are very attractive to the ladies.

I also recommend IKEA, not only because their stuff is good VFM, but also that (because of the above) their kitchen accessory department is, IMHO, the best place for retail totty hunting.

Stephen_Leak

southernscouser wrote: »

I take it your a chef Stephen? :think:


If so, you know how you were saying to take the pasta to the sauce and stirring it all in, well what about if I want to freeze portions? Would it not be better to cook the pasta fresh? Or do you transfer how much you want to freeze into containers then put the pasta in the remainder you are going to eat?

I think I've just answered my own question! :rotfl:

I'm only the chef in my kitchen. I'm a computer technician by trade, but I do like eating and I've noticed that this cooking lark does tend to come before this.

Yes, you're getting the hang of this. I batch cook the sauces (basic tomato, bolognese or carbonara, etc.) and divide them up into individual servings. Sometimes I eat one and save the other(s), sometimes I save them all.

I do the pasta (and rice) "fresh".

"Taking the pasta to the sauce" is an Italian saying to remind them never to serve up the pasta onto the plate first and then plonk a dollop of sauce on top, like we "foreigners" do!

If I'm using a pre-cooked portion of sauce, I zap it in the microwave, pour it over the boiled, drained pasta (drain it through a colander and then put it back into the pan) and then toss it all together.

PS. They are (or should be) used to my dodgy humour!

RAS

southernscouser wrote: »

Yeah I can stick a jacket in the microwave. But I'm fed up with ham and cheese! :undecided

Do one extra, then next day cut it up smallish, fry up with an onion, if you like it, or peas or peppers etc, perhaps a bit of bacon or ham, then add a couple of whisked eggs and some herbs, leave it to cook for a while and you have Spanish Omelette.

southernscouser wrote: »

Another thing that might not be relevant to this board, but what about buying cuttlery, crockery etc. Anyone got any tips or is it just a case of going to Tesco/Ikea as and when I need something?

Not if you are an MSE SS.

Head round the charity shops, seconds stalls on the markets, car boot and the jumble sales. Apart from a clean wooden spoon, a good knife or two and a good can opener, you can get most stuff you want for very little. Have you thought of joining www.freecycle.org? Told any of your relatives you are moving out-watch out for the deluge of second hand stuff coming your way.

It does not have to match exactly. I have loads of creamware that has been bought over the years, some really fancy and some absolutely plain and it all matches unless you look closely.

Another cheap version is blue willow pattern - loads around and it goes together well and is so busy no-one notices the mismatching.

if you are likely to move frequently then go for some plastic bowls and jugs etc as they are lighter and less likely to break. otherwise, pick up old pyrex dishes for preparing food.

claireabelle_2

heya...
ikea health warning... I popped in for an energy saving lightbulb the other day and came out 66 quid lighter (well, my OH did because I forgot my wallet ), because it's awesome and so cheap, but not cheap if you're buying 25 things. Maybe do a shop through catalogue first and try not to get distracted by the different food storage containers (though 17 containers for 3 pounds is such a bargain! now I can see where the 66 quid went )

Their 18 piece crockery set has lasted me 6 years and their knife block is good too.

best of luck
Claire

JimmyTheWig

RAS wrote: »

Do one extra, then next day cut it up smallish, fry up with an onion, if you like it, or peas or peppers etc, perhaps a bit of bacon or ham, then add a couple of whisked eggs and some herbs, leave it to cook for a while and you have Spanish Omelette.

He doesn't like onion, iirc.

ladymarmalade

Ok I have a few more for you...its a shame u dont like spicy food, my OH loves it so i lots and lots of those

This one's good to use up left overs
Heat some oil in a frying pan and thin pour in a whisked egg. Leave in for 40 secs to a min and twirl it round every now and then. Tke it out and slice it. Then add a rasher or two of bacon chopped, and some sliced mushrooms and cook for a few mins. Then add some frozen peas (about 120 grams) a bit of chopped or grated ginger and a crushed clove of garlic. Add about 150 grams of cooked basmati rice and add 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1tsp sugar. Stir through the egg from earlier.

Lemon spaghetti chicken.
Heat 1tbsp olove oil in a pan and add the rind of one lemon chopped, cook on a low heat for about 5 mins and stir constantly. Then add about 1tsp chopped ginger and 1 tsp sugar. Add some salt. After 2 mins add 225 ml chicken stock. Leave to boil for 5 mins.

Melt a little butter in a frying pan and and one chopped chicken breast and cook. Set some spaghetti cooking. After 5 mins of the chicken cooking add the stock mixture from earlier and stir in some chopped parsely. Cook unitl the chicken is cooked and serve with the spaghetti.

Hope they help some more x

falady

hi ss,

how are you getting on with your planning? Have you got a date for the big move yet?

Ali x

mrbadexample

:wave: Sorry I'm late....I've been on 'oliday.

Right, I know nowt about cleaning or tidying, apart from I wish someone else would do it for me.

As for cooking, my advice would be pick something you like and have a go. Ask LOTS of questions. If you start a thread then all the info will be there for next time.

In the beginning, I found it pretty expensive. I had nothing, so had to buy lots of utensils, herbs, spices etc. On the plus side, once you've got them, you've got them. Don't buy anything too expensive unless you're sure you'll use it a lot.

Don't be scared. It's not actually that difficult to make edible stuff.

liney

I didnt have time to read all of this, but i highly recommend 'The Good Granny Cookbook'.

I put it on my christmas list as it's a bit of a read as well as recipies, but all of the meals in there are divided into breakfast/lunch/dinner/supper, and are things you will recognise. No fancy ingrediants. No fancy 'methods', just straight forward instructions which is what you need.