How many of you cook on a regular basis? I enjoy cooking, helps me relax after working tbh. So how many of you do the same?

Its all about timing in this game mate. Cant be waiting 2 hours for a curry im afraid :D

 

 

I aint catering for the masses though, I'm catering for the discerning :D The time is all in the prep of the base sauce, once that's done the curry is on the plate within 15 mins :D

out of interest of interest of interest of interest of interest of interest of interest of interest when you are on your own, what do you cook for yourself Si?

 

As i can not be bothered cooking for one, its just too much effort for very little reward!!

 

Normally when im hungry i prefere something that doesnt take to long like some rice or a SANDWICH just cant be bothered to cook sometimes as il end up getting too involved etc.

Do you knock her out often Si? :rofl:

 

Never and never will, although the thought crosses my mind sometimes! :rofl:

Depends. I usually cook from scratch, rarely bother with sauces unless they're either Lloyd Grossman Green thai curries that I add things to anyway or the Fajita ones. I'll cook casseroles, chilli, pasta dishes, curries etc, I'll steam fish and veg, all sorts of things. I'll sometimes make things in large batches and put them in the fridge.

 

Thats the best way IMO, make something that keeps a few days and you're sorted :) Next few nights meals take a few minutes then :D

I love making rissoto yum yum.

Depends. I usually cook from scratch, rarely bother with sauces unless they're either Lloyd Grossman Green thai curries that I add things to anyway or the Fajita ones. I'll cook casseroles, chilli, pasta dishes, curries etc, I'll steam fish and veg, all sorts of things. I'll sometimes make things in large batches and put them in the fridge.

 

i will hang my head in shame.... my idea of cooking, is the take away section in DisAsda.

 

I need rid of the deep fat fryer and the microwave, then i really would be stumped!!

I think I've used the microwave about 4 times this year and that's to re-heat things I've already made. Can't even remember the last time I had a take-out. Probably last year. I've never owned a deep fat fryer and never will! LOL

Oh and I ****ing HATE ready meals with a passion :rant:

wish i never had owned a deep fat fryer!!

 

every time i turn it on i bang on a good fe pounds lol

well i've just had a chicken parmesan and i travelled 20 miles for it, and MY GOD IT WAS WORTH THE JOURNEY, it was a takeout but still worth it, mmmmmm parmo's drooool.

Thats the best way IMO, make something that keeps a few days and you're sorted :) Next few nights meals take a few minutes then :D

 

Exactly and, especially with beef, it always tastes better after it's had time to marinade in its own sauce. Always happens with chilli. I know you've ridiculed me for shopping at Waitrose, but they do amazing quality meat. I'm quite happy to pay out of the nose for top quality super lean beef mince Aberdeen Angus. I'll lightly fry it in olive oil along with a finely diced onion, add 2 tins of chopped tomatoes, beef oxo, table spoon of mixed spice, 4 cloves of garlic, table spoon of chili powder, tomato puree, salt, pepper, 2 chopped green peppers, teaspoon of crushed dried chillis, green jalapeno peppers and red kidney beans.

 

Served with rice, sour cream and tortillas! Usually lasts me a few days. Always tastes better the following day too!

Add a bit of red wine to that recipe mate it will do wonders ;)

Oh and I ****ing HATE ready meals with a passion :rant:

 

Ditto!! I think the ONLY ready meal I've ever sat down and enjoyed was a huge Tescos extra value beef cannelloni. They are absolutely amazing! Everything else in the world of 'electric food' sucks BIG TIME.

Add a bit of red wine to that recipe mate it will do wonders ;)

 

I do have little sample bottles of red wine yes and if there's one to hand, I'll pour in a glug. Always do it with my bolognaise sauce.

Never mind Waitrose, you cant beat a independant high class butchers, shame there arent more about these days... cheers Tesco!! we dont mind paying over the odds for second class shite!!

Microwaves are shit but good for heating water and thats it haha

 

Although when i cooked on the road on a tour bus with only a microwave and a steamer peeps were amazed at what i made.... you can cook rice to perfect in a microwave believe it or not,,, just need a pot that fits inside another bigger pot with holes at the bottom and a lid then you can steam the rice with a bit of water at the bottom the rice comes out perfectly separated and all you have to do is flavour the water with stock herbs etc etc and add your veg after. its good for beginners who struggle to get their rice right. But you obviously cant make rissoto that way.

i've never tried chilli, cheers for that si i think i'll give that a go, and soon, lol.

Never mind Waitrose, you cant beat a independant high class butchers, shame there arent more about these days... cheers Tesco!! we dont mind paying over the odds for second class shite!!

 

I usually agree, but I've found that Waitrose offers butcher quality beef. It's not cheap, but bloody amazing.

We NEED a cooking forum :D

i've never tried chilli, cheers for that si i think i'll give that a go, and soon, lol.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/chilliconcarne_67875.shtml

 

Try that Chris ;) Good to get you started :)

You shouldnt lightly fry,,, you need to fry it HOT VERY HOT to brown it which gives the meat flavour but quickly so it doesnt over cook and go like rubber.

and brown your garlic and onions slighty if its a brownish sauce. make it into a paste then add your liquids and herbs etc :D and always reduce wine to rid of the alchol

We NEED a cooking forum :D

 

what are we gonna call it http://www.300zxduffersandsicookoff.co.uk :rofl:

thats the thing Si, the butchers meat IS excellent value for money both quality and price!! and because they now have competition with the major supermarket players, they can not compete and are going under.

 

If they did raise their prices no one would use them as its all under one roof with a supermarket, its a sorry state of affairs. I would always support the local specialists, its just a shame that the little guys have been pushed out

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/chilliconcarne_67875.shtml

 

Try that Chris ;) Good to get you started :)

 

cheers Andy, saved to desk top, mmmm sounds gooood :):dance:

You shouldnt lightly fry,,, you need to fry it HOT VERY HOT to brown it which gives the meat flavour but quickly so it doesnt over cook and go like rubber.

and brown your garlic and onions slighty if its a brownish sauce. make it into a paste then add your liquids and herbs etc :D and always reduce wine to rid of the alchol

 

You brown the meat in order not to overdo it and lock in the juices which you don't do if you continuously fry the meat. Once you've browned off the meat you then cook it to lock in the flavours. Never brown the garlic. Crush it and stir it into the sauce and cook it so it brakes down nicely.