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Post by Nev Afear on Jun 25, 2009 17:53:01 GMT
I'm now lookin' to move to a place of my own. This means having very little in the way of pennies to spend. I'm not exactly a hexperienced hand in the kitchen either ( I have a couple of dishes I can pull off adequately enough... even quite well some days). So do any of you wonderful culinary types have any links to recipes (or just recipes that you came up with that ain't on the net) that are fairly cheap and easy for me to start practicin for when I do finally have to be all growed up? Ta peoples!
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Post by tigerlily on Jun 25, 2009 18:45:14 GMT
There are some really good books out there - look out for student cook books. Faery has one - she'll be able to tell you what it is! I would recommend that you invest in a small chest freezer - you can pick them up in second-hand shops, quite often, or you might find one on Freecycle, which is a great source of things you might need when setting up home. That way, you can buy larger packs of meat and either divide them up and freeze them in one-person portions, or make four servings of something like bolognaise sauce and freeze three of them to eat later on. Baked potatoes are easy and cheap, and you can fill them with all sorts of different things. You can also buy frozen veggies, which are a good way of making sure you get some of your five a day. Far more convenient than peeling, chopping and slicing your own. There are loads of websites out there, too: www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/articles/living/livingalonerecipeswww.healthyalberta.com/HealthyEating/761.htmhomecooking.about.com/library/archive/blmisc73.htm
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Post by Peek on Jun 25, 2009 19:08:27 GMT
Nev, one thing I will say is always make sure you have a store cupboard filled with stuff like pasta/rice/tinned veggie ( peas/sweet corn/tomatoes etc.) for when you've forgotten to get fresh stuff in, and maybe chuck in some Dolmio type sauces , you can do a quick dinner with any combination of those and not necessarily need meat with it.
I will cobble together a basic risotto type recipe for you when my brain is in gear , because if you do something like that you can make enough in one session to last a couple of days ( or more if you have a freezer ).
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Post by Nev Afear on Jun 25, 2009 20:58:35 GMT
Excellent tips, cheers! Its that kinda thinking that will stop me from wasting away... or dying of boredom, which I could see me doing without a few new ideas. Tbh I'd forgotten about my student cookbook.
Now where was it... *starts rooting around*
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Post by ivy noidea on Jun 25, 2009 22:27:06 GMT
Excellent tips, cheers! Its that kinda thinking that will stop me from wasting away... or dying of boredom, which I could see me doing without a few new ideas. Tbh I'd forgotten about my student cookbook. Now where was it... *starts rooting around* Nev sweetie, no offence, but , having met you, I think it will take a long time for you to waste away ;D
*runs*
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Post by lily on Jun 25, 2009 23:30:32 GMT
I'm now lookin' to move to a place of my own. This means having very little in the way of pennies to spend. I'm not exactly a hexperienced hand in the kitchen either ( I have a couple of dishes I can pull off adequately enough... even quite well some days). So do any of you wonderful culinary types have any links to recipes (or just recipes that you came up with that ain't on the net) that are fairly cheap and easy for me to start practicin for when I do finally have to be all growed up? Ta peoples! One thing I thought of Nev - have a look here as they do cooking pots/pans/cookers etc for smaller portions that are useful.
I'll dig you out some easy recipes, that would suit your situation but would recommend looking at websites. Stuff like:
www.bbc.co.uk/food/
uktv.co.uk/food/homepage/sid/566
xxx
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Post by clarevoyant on Jun 26, 2009 16:55:49 GMT
Nev, If you shop at the market or in 'real' shops as opposed to the big green place up the road from where you work, you can buy smaller portions so things won't get wasted. Pickerings on the market will let you buy a couple of rashers of bacon and a couple of sausages. I'll sort some recipes out, I did Mustafah a student cook book when he left home, I'll see if I can find it. xx
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Post by Nev Afear on Jun 26, 2009 19:16:38 GMT
Thanks people!
Except you Ivy, YOU are a rotter.
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Post by idathortso on Jun 27, 2009 19:58:28 GMT
Hi Nev! Try this one - even I can cook it and trust me, it does work and it's delicious, easy and cheap. You'll need: A couple of skinless chicken breasts 1 tablespoon of black peppercorns 2 spring onions 3 stems of parsley salt 8 or so waxy new potatoes green or fine beans - enough for a portion each. Dressing for potatoes: 2 tablespoons of lemon juice 3 tablespoons olive oil some chopped chives salt and pepper OK. Put the tablespoon of black peppercorns, a bit of salt, the spring onions and stems of parsley in a pan of water and bring it to the boil. When it's boiling, put the chicken breasts in, bring it back to a good boil, put the lid on and TURN THE HEAT OFF! Honest! Leave it to poach for 2 hours. It really will cook, right through. When the 2 hours is nearly up, put the new potatoes into some boiling water and cook for 15 or so minutes until they're tender. Drain them and when they've cooled a bit, slice them. Mix up the lemon juice, chives, oil, salt and pepper for the dressing and put about 2/3rds of it onto the sliced tatties. Bung the fine/green beans into some boiling water and cook for about 3 or 4 minutes, then strain them. Cut up the chicken breasts into good, chunky slices and serve them on a layer of sliced tatties, with the beans and put the rest of the dressing over the lot. The chicken will be moist, tender, flavoured by the parsley and onions and scrumptious. Good luck with it all!
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Post by Eema Braazkumov on Jun 28, 2009 19:10:10 GMT
Gosh! This all puts me to shame! Now I'm living on me tod and on the breadline too, I've been reduced to basic things like beans on toast and spaghetti with olive oil and herbs for dinner to try and keep down costs! Might have to invest in one of them thar student cookbooks meself!
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Post by sarah on Jun 28, 2009 22:03:17 GMT
Just a suggestion, but I've spent *hours* reading some threads about this on the *money saving expert* forum! While my tygs might put up with some of the sugggestions, the mog wouldn't!- grrr. Many years ago when I lived in a hostel I used to do a one pot wonder - get a pot and bung in all sorts of veggies (and yes in those days you could but a spud and a carrot etc from the grocer) boil em for about 20 minutes, drain, bung on a plate and add loads of butter/marge/whatever and black pepper! Believe it or not I really liked it and it was filling too. When really skint it was the old huge jacket spud with butter and worcester sauce!!
best wishes xx
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Post by Nev Afear on Jun 30, 2009 18:47:43 GMT
Ida that was delicious! Ta muchly!
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Post by Murphy Slaw on Jun 30, 2009 19:06:44 GMT
Having been single and skint up until recently I have all sorts of tasty and cheap meal ideas. I also have where and how to shop tips.
If you'd like a rundown on the delights of "Brown" drop me a PM
PS as previously said. A small freezer is essential. AND join freecycle.
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Post by clarevoyant on Jun 30, 2009 20:14:35 GMT
I can vouch for the delights of both "Brown' and Freecycle!
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Post by Mahatt Micoat on Jun 30, 2009 20:30:37 GMT
I often cook "scouse" cuz I can make enough in one go to last all week, it's a cost-effective recipe, as one pan of scouse will go a long way. The dish can be refrigerated, re-heated and even added to, providing more than just one meal.
Ingredients Tesco value breast of lamb, diced (preferably into large chunks, as with the vegetables used in the recipe) 2lb potatoes, diced Half a large swede, diced 3 large carrots, diced 2 onions, diced a dollop of marmite mixed in 1 pint boiling water (or stock cube if you prefer) Handful of chopped parsley, rosemary and thyme salt + pepper to taste (the marmite, if used negates the need for salt)
Method 1.Heat a little oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions and soften. Then add the lamb and fry over a moderate heat until browned. 2.Drain off the excess fat then pour in the marmite water. Add the herbs, salt and pepper. 3.Throw in the potatoes, swede and carrots. Make sure they are covered by the stock. If not, add more marmite and water (or stock cube) if necessary. 4.Bring to the boil, then simmer over a very low heat for at least an hour, stirring occasionally (timing will depend on personal preference. Some people like their scouse to resemble a thin soup, while others prefer a stodgy mush produced by several hours of simmering). Serving Suggestion The dish can be served immediately. However, it usually has more flavour after it has been stored in the fridge overnight and reheated.
Variations The vegetarian option is known as "blind scouse". This is achieved by merely omitting the meat from the recipe.
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Post by ivy noidea on Jul 1, 2009 6:06:49 GMT
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Post by Wanda Roff on Jul 1, 2009 10:16:15 GMT
Easy Peasy, Gammon Casserole with Cauliflower Cheese.
Put some thick gammon slices in the bottom of a casserole dish. Cover with finely chopped onions. Blanch the cauliflower for 2 minutes and place on top of the onions. Prepare a packet of cheese sauce and pour over. Bung in a medium hot oven for 1 hour. (Pour glass of wine to enjoy while casserole is cooking). Serve with mashed potatoes.
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Post by sarah on Jul 1, 2009 21:58:28 GMT
ooooooooooooooooooooooo Wanda that sounds scrummy xx
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Post by sarah on Jul 1, 2009 22:02:04 GMT
Thankyou ivy, your link is now on my favourite thingy, so I don;t forget to have a good look at it! xx
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Post by Suzy R Sopham on Jul 2, 2009 16:05:54 GMT
Spaghetti con Formaggio is easy and made from stuff you (might) usually have in.
For one serving
2 or 3 rashers of bacon (cut off fat and cut into about 1-1 1/2" strips) One small onion (chopped) A few mushrooms (chopped) Mixed herbs Cheese Spaghetti
Fry the bacon and onion in a little oil or butter Add mixed herbs Add chopped mushrooms
Cook spaghetti
Drain spaghetti and plonk on a plate Put fried mixture on top Grate cheese on top Place under grill for a few mins
Voila!
It's been one of our favourite stand by menus for years!
I'd agree with the others, you need some kind of freezer.
That way if you make a stew or something, you can put some portions in the freezer for easy dinners at some future date.
Dolmio type sauce is a must too you can put it on almost anything to make a dinner out of!
I make 'chicken thingy' which is chopped up chicken, whatever veg are to hand, onions, a jar of sauce and some tabasco cooked in the oven for a few hours (grill the chicken before you put it in but undercook it and it will finish off in the sauce). You can make sausage hotpot with more or less the same ingredients too. Again, grill the sausages first.
Sausages were 20 for £1 recently in Lidl too!
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