Oldstylers: Could I be your greatest ever challenge?

Merlot

southernscouser wrote: »

Fly lady. I've heard of that! It's not anything to do with tenna or mooncups is it? :undecided

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

You know how to make jacket pots, if I remember correctly.

Merlot.x.

southernscouser

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

The best way to learn is by doing it.

You need to start by being able to cook a few dishes. Chile-con-carne / spag-bol is quite easy.

Make enough for 3 or 4 portions. Keep some for later in the week and freeze the rest.

If you can do lasagne then you should be alright. (I'd never attempt that.)

Get a microwave. One that has a convection oven facility is a good bet, as it is much quicker to heat up than a big oven when cooking for one.
Standing time on microwave instructions is part of the cooking time, not just to ensure it's not too hot when you eat it.

Don't be afraid to take short cuts. E.g. cut up some turkey breast (much cheaper than chicken) and pour in a tin of condensed soup and you've got a casserole (many variations available from different flavour soups!).

Most things taste good if you add a bit of alcohol. (Stout or ale is good with beef; soak sausages in whiskey overnight for added flavour; try adding archers to creamy potatoes.)

Get advice from someone about food safety. E.g. how do you know if something's cooked, how long can you keep different things in the fridge. Ensure food is piping hot through to the middle and if you're cooking chicken make sure the juice (if any) from the fattest part of the meat runs clear when you stab it.

Pay someone to do your ironing. A local individual is better (price-wise) than a company (check newsagents windows, and ask local cleaners if they do it). When I first lived on my own, a woman up the road charged me 20p per item. Meant I could get my 5 work shirts ironed each week for a pound. Good value, if you ask me.

Buy lots of clothes (charity shops) so you don't have to do washing so often. Choose things that are easy to wash and iron.

Cleaning is over-rated!

Lasagne is easy. I'll have to give you my recipe some day! :rotfl:

Micorwaves confuse me. Are you talking about the ones that are 'dual' or something. Some are ovens and grills or something? :think:

As for food safety, I've got an iron stomach. The chicken is always pink at the canteen at work. :rotfl:

I'd rather not pay someone to do my ironing. I've become tight fisted now and don't like paying out for things I don't need to!

southernscouser

ifonlyitwaseasier wrote: »

currys? stirfries? soups, stews, casseroles, OMG you NEED a slow cooker then you'll never go hungry

Stirfries sound wicked. But I wouldn't have a scooby! :undecided

Oooh I know what I like. Chicken in Spanish sauce. Can that be slow cooked? :think:

spendaholic

southernscouser wrote: »

I think I can do spag bol. Just boil it for longer. Not sure how to make spaghetti but it says on the tin so should be alright.

Har, har - very good. :rotfl: Bring a pan of water to the boil then break a handful of dried spaghetti into it - the water should just cover it. Simmer for 6 - 10 minutes depending on how you like it. You'll find out with trial and error how big a handful is and how long to cook it for. It's also up to you if you add salt and/or crushed garlic to the water, and if you add oil or butter to the spaghetti.

southernscouser wrote: »

I don't know any recipes though. Does anyone know of a good cookbook for single men or something similar? :think:

See if you can pick up a pocket sized cooking-for-students book from Tesco or similar. They're great for budgeting too.

southernscouser

Merlot wrote: »

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

You know how to make jacket pots, if I remember correctly.

Merlot.x.

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



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? :think:

Merlot

southernscouser wrote: »

Stirfries sound wicked. But I wouldn't have a scooby! :undecided

Oooh I know what I like. Chicken in Spanish sauce. Can that be slow cooked? :think:

Ooh I don't know if that can be slow cooked, its dead simple though.

Chicken Breast
Passatta sauce
herbs
Garlic
Shallots
Green pepper

Fry the chicken breast first, then bung all the ingredients into a casserole dish without the peppers, put into oven for 1/2 hour, take out stir it and then add peppers, shove it back in for another 1/2 hour, in the meantime cook your rice. Fab.

Ikea is cheap and is pretty good for everything you may need for the kitchen.

whatatwit

Here we go SS, a whole thread dedicated to MrBE and his cooking adventures.

There's also a couple of I'm setting up home what do I need threads and I'm sure I've seen a thread on cooking for one. (not that I'm saying you have no friends)

spendaholic

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? :think:

Morrisons has quite a good home start range that's quite cheap and comes in 4s rather than 6s. Or there's the Savers range at Tesco.

spendaholic

whatatwit wrote: »

I'm sure I've seen a thread on cooking for one. (not that I'm saying you have no friends)

I cook for one, I don't have any friends.

southernscouser

I think of more things everytime I post.

Obviously money is gonna be tighter than a gnats @rse so I'd like to be able to make my own Dolmio's and stuff like that. Are there threads/recipes for that sort of thing.

Or failing that, would someone like to come round and cook for me each week?