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If you’re a cook from scratcher….

171 replies

CurlewKate · 13/01/2026 21:45

…What one convenience thing do you buy and love? Mine is microwave pouches of puy lentils. So quick and delicious.

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selfcentred · 13/01/2026 22:18

Frozen mashed potato!

Renamed · 13/01/2026 22:18

When I buy ginger now I chop it into the size pieces I normally use and freeze them in an old takeaway rice container. It defrosts really fast and is easier to peel still frozen.

TroysMammy · 13/01/2026 22:19

KrimboBell · 13/01/2026 21:56

Frozen Solfeggio - ie chopped up carrot, onion and celery. Great for soup bases and bolognaise.

I think it's called soffritto.

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annonymousse · 13/01/2026 22:20

Lazy garlic, lazy chilli and ginger paste.

Fiftyandme · 13/01/2026 22:21

Stock, yorkies, tinned lentils, gravel granules

ResusciAnnie · 13/01/2026 22:21

KrimboBell · 13/01/2026 21:56

Frozen Solfeggio - ie chopped up carrot, onion and celery. Great for soup bases and bolognaise.

Solfeggio 😆 do re mi fa so la ti do!

I buy frozen soffritto too for sure.

Yorkshire puddings
tuna napolitana sauce mix
cream cheese stuffed chillies

petitpasta · 13/01/2026 22:22

Stock cubes
Minced garlic and ginger
Pesto
Microwave rice occasionally
Puff pastry
Usually keep some sort if cook from frozen fish and oven chips in the freezer so I have no excuse to go and buy a takeaway when I am feeling lazy, tired, short of time etc.

Shortcrust pastry, however, I do make from scratch. I use my granny's recipe and my pastry is the absolute best.

canuckup · 13/01/2026 22:22

Pastry

Snowball9825 · 13/01/2026 22:24

Lazy garlic and ginger!

WhereYouLeftIt · 13/01/2026 22:24

Bouillon powder - I've tried making stock from scratch and it's just too much work.

Scottishskifun · 13/01/2026 22:25

Stock, Yorkshire puddings and wraps.

steppemum · 13/01/2026 22:28

pastry
lazy garlic
lazy ginger (fresh chopped)
lazy chillies

I am surprised by people's lists actually.
I buy pesto and harissa paste. I don't consider those things most people make at home.
But other curry stuff I tend to use spices for, not jars or paste
And stock, I don't make my own stock, but then we rarely have a roast chicken, so I don't have the bones either.
On the other hand I would never buy yorkshires, they taste horrible compared to home made. I feel the same way about mince pies!

I do cook from scratch about 5-6 times per week. But we eat frozen pizzas one night. And sometimes we'll do freezer fish and chips.
(we don't buy take aways - too expensive)

LupinLou · 13/01/2026 22:28

Just stock and curry paste really. Being coeliac limits a lot of shortcuts. I'd love a scotch egg I didn't have to make myself!

Sgtmajormummy · 13/01/2026 22:30

I have a good relationship with my frozen food delivery guy but that’s not necessarily UPF.
I get frozen veg, chips, buttery mash, ice cream, berries and pizzas. I also buy frozen salmon fillets and paella mix. Croissants to cook in the air fryer. Ain’t nobody got time to make croissants from scratch!
I occasionally make cakes and soda bread or flatbread, but usually buy them and biscuits.

DD has a thing for cheap sausages and frankfurters with BBQ sauce. All UPF.
There are two packets of Knorr soup for emergencies or first night self catering!

hohahagogo · 13/01/2026 22:31

Stock cubes, canned tomatoes, canned chickpeas but I don’t think any of those really count. I do buy ready made custard occasionally but I prefer cream and I buy ice cream . 95% of what we eat here is from scratch, buying bread is something I want to stop this year

MsSmartShoes · 13/01/2026 22:31

minipie · 13/01/2026 22:00

I’m a 90% from scratcher but I have loads of shortcuts that I love

frozen chopped onions & sofrito
microwave rice (used if short on time or for stir fry)
concentrated chicken stock- I do make my own but I use way more than I can make
stuffed pasta
thai curry paste
massaman curry paste
harissa paste
pizza

Lasagne. I’ve never made a lasagna, life’s too short.

So right about lasagna! I dan do bolognaise and a bake but my oassgbe always ends up gummy.

hohahagogo · 13/01/2026 22:33

Oh and gravy granules, ideal for quick thickening particularly. And puff pastry, make my owns shortcrust.

Denim4ever · 13/01/2026 22:33

Tinned chopped tomatoes and kidney beans that have chilli in them

peacefulpeach · 13/01/2026 22:34

Gousto! Everything from scratch but already portioned out and step by step provided.. perfect.

Legomum789 · 13/01/2026 22:34

Fishcakes….especially the kind with a cheese sauce in the middle. I did once get all the ingredients and made my own but it took ages, cost a small fortune and made a terrible mess! I love cooking from scratch but fishcakes aren’t worth the hassle.
Ditto for samosas. There are so many authentic ones available locally that I’d be a fool to make my own.

MyAgileHedgehog · 13/01/2026 22:36

Puff and filo pastry
Tom Yum and red curry paste.
Spring rolls

Mounjarogirl25 · 13/01/2026 22:36

Where are people getting their frozen soffritto from please? I've been looking but haven't found it

EskarinaS · 13/01/2026 22:40

2026ontheway · 13/01/2026 21:59

Def yorkies and custard. Have just bought a monsieur cuisine (cheap version of thermomix from… Lidl!) so may try custard soon. Am coeliac which makes a lot of sauces more practical yet a pain in the arse to make from scratch.

Same here re coeliac! I do buy custard, pesto and stock (after reading every label!) but there are definitely things that it's easier just to make

Shitmonger · 13/01/2026 22:41

Jars of minced garlic in olive oil. Saves me from having to do it myself and the step of tossing oil in the pan. 😌

minipie · 13/01/2026 22:41

Mounjarogirl25 · 13/01/2026 22:36

Where are people getting their frozen soffritto from please? I've been looking but haven't found it

Waitrose and M&S both do it