What’s something you buy which is cheap/basic that is really good?

[Earbogeys]

Mine is bars of unscented soap from (predictably) Aldi, and also Waitrose own salt and vinegar crisps.

What gems are in your life?

Also have a microwave rice cooker, bought 30ish years ago and still in use. I never learned how to cook rice....didn't need to

Decided to get an air fryer. Lots of super pricey ones out there, up to 100s of Euros. DH went to Aldi and bought one which cost, I think €49.99. Its absolutely fantastic. Big enough for a whole chicken etc, and fully glass so you can see everything cooking. Love it! Haven't used the normal oven since Xmas.

My neighbour works in the labs that formulate Elemis products and Apparently Aldi's products have the same formulas

@TatianaBis

Rice cooking = rice + water, when cooked rinse thoroughly in hot water, (boiling if you have a boiling tap) or put in oven to regain temperature.

Don't need a special pan for it!

I make mine in the microwave in one of those brown earthenware pots with a lid.

Camomila
I've heard the same about chanel and maybelline being made the same as is loreal and ysl!!!

@JackieWeaversZoomAc

Soda crystals - put a spoonful in with every load of washing in hard water areas.

What do they do?

Why the hell do some of you rinse cooked rice..?!? You’re supposed to rinse the rice before you cook it, or even let it soak for a few hours to remove debris and starch.

@CannelloniMacaroni

Why the hell do some of you rinse cooked rice..?!? You’re supposed to rinse the rice before you cook it, or even let it soak for a few hours to remove debris and starch.

Why the hell does it matter to you? It’s not exactly a hanging offence.

@PurpleDaisies Just an honest question? 😂 I’ve never heard of anyone doing it before. And as far as I know anyone can care about anything on a chat forum, just like you do yourself.

And also @PurpleDaisies it’s absolutely not a hanging offence, but it’s also not very good for you not to rinse the rice before cooking.

I didn’t realise our peeler was oxo until I googled and yes, I totally agree! We went through so many shit peelers until I bought that one, it’s lasted about 4 years now and it’s great.

I think Aldi’s version of just about everything is great tbh. Few things they don’t get right but the majority is amazing. Things like baked beans, sauces, crisps, biscuits, fizzy drinks etc all taste like the real deal. Their version of McDonald’s nuggets are amazing!

Their shower gel isn’t the best though so we still buy branded.

A couple of drops of lavender, rosemary, or tree tree oil on a cotton wool pad in the vacuum cleaner bag, the house smells wonderful

@SartresSoul We sometimes buy the chicken nuggets from Lidl, the ones in a small carton box and they come with two sauces..they taste just like McD.

Aldi chocolate and crisps. I prefer the crisps to walkers

Rimmel black kohl pencil

Aldi washing gel

I went back to soap a few years ago I like the pink dove soap. I no longer have the lingering bo smell definitely cleans better

I was in The Range today theyhad loads of Pink Stuff including new laundry detergents .(didn't buy any but thought this would be a good Public Information Announcement)

Fabulosa (bought some in Aldi but they had it in The Range too) laundry detergent additive (I think) nice subtle tropical smell for sheets /bedding

I cannot cook rice to save my life (usually the weigh, soak , drain, 2x boiling water and some salt , boil then simmer till absorbed ) it's okay if I catch it at the optimum moment , couple of minutes too late and it's overdone .
So I'm going to give the pre-cook in some oil method , I could cook some onion/garlic frst , remove them till the end then add the rice .

I talked myself out of a SoupMaker Too big./not enough room/need one that will saute/ reviews on one that it trips your electrics
So I have soup cooking in a pan, pre-sauted the veg in some oil to colour and soften. Job Done

pink stuff

just use pink washing up liquid and washing powder - does a better job and is cheaper

@CannelloniMacaroni
I usually use Tilda assorted rice packs and microwave but have seen home cooks in YouTube in Tokyo using a rice cooker and it turns out fluffy but able to be clumped together when eating with chopsticks.
I bought some loose basmati rice today
What is the best way to prepare and cook it. I don't have a rice cooker.

@Cleanbedlinen12

I went out with a bloke from China who hooted with laughter at how I cooked and then rinsed and drained rice! This is what he said.. 1 measure rice in pan. Add water and swirl it round, pour cloudy water out. ( do a couple of times to wash rice) then add 2 measures of water. Put on high till starts to boil, ( 8 on our induction hob) turn to very low ( 3) stir once, leave till fluffy. Easy! To make it tasty theses add a bit of oomph.. add a stock cube and a blob of butter or goose fat at the beginning. Or add a stock cube and orange juice Or tin tomatoes and orange juice and stock Or tin coconut milk and lime leaf Or tin coconut milk, chopped onion, thyme.

All yummy! And definitely scoop into a wee cup and serve like rice sandcastles’ very posh!

I'm British/Irish and I cook rice like that. I'm always amazed at how cloudy the water is.

@LoisLane66 with basmati I bring a pan of water to the boil, too I’m rinsed rice and cooked for 8 mins. Strain, put back in pan with tea towel under lid for a few mins to absorb steam then fluff up.

*Tip rinsed rice

Or I do the absorption method. Half a cup of rice per person and double that in water. When water absorbed it’s done. I still put a tea towel under lid after to absorb steam.

@stayathomer wasn't Bourgeois the Chanel sister brand? Before they broke my heart and went bump!

I’ve just bought some astral. Not used on my face yet but my hands and feet are loving it!

@LoisLane66 We have a 20 year old rice cooker, my dh does most of the cooking.

Ikea kitchen dishwashing brush.
Bar soap.
Aldi fizzy water.
White vinegar for cleaning.