Help I need to cook but I can’t cook

[FeckArseDrinkGirls]

I’ve got my fairly newish partner coming round to mine at the weekend for dinner. I went to his for similar a couple of weeks ago and, despite having told me he’s not really into cooking but is a bit of a foodie, cooked me one of the best meals I’d ever had. A really decent restaurant level meal.

I also told him that I couldn’t cook despite loving good food but I was actually telling the truth. I used to cook a bit but since having ridiculously fussy kids I have just done a variety of chicken nuggets, pasta and pesto, salmon and rice etc. very, very bland meals.

I’m also ridiculously busy on the day before he comes over for the evening so I’m going to have very little time do spend cooking.

Any good go to recipes that anyone would like to share? Ideally aimed at someone incredibly inept. Happy to spend a fair bit on ingredients but just want to make a balls up of it. I could order takeaway I guess but that seems a bit of a cop out when he went to such an effort to cook for me.

I’m a single parent with two ridiculously fussy kids and a limited budget. I know it’s not really an excuse but it just seems daft to go to the effort of cooking myself a fancy meal just for the sake of learning to cook.

You don't need to justify yourself OP

Lots of people can't/never learn to cook for any number of reasons.

I was very lucky that my DM and GM were great cooks (DM still is but sadly GM is no longer with us).

I learned by watching and then helping them.

My GM always had a pot of stock simmering away and her kitchen always smelt amazing.

I think it's hard to know where to start if you're new to it and I appreciate it's tough to motivate yourself if your cooking for one.

Hopefully though this experience will be enriching in two ways - igniting a love of cooking and realising you can do it plus a new relationship

There's a pie in the M&S Dine In for £12 range. Gastropub Chicken, Leek & Ham. It was restaurant level and you could serve it with a fresh green veg and celeriac mash. Look up a celeriac mash recipe or buy ready made.

theoatmeal.com/comics/cook_home

I have none of those excuses, I just don’t like cooking. 4hrs later I’m hungry again.