If you’re a cook from scratcher….

[CurlewKate]

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

Frozen mashed potato!

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.

I think it's called soffritto.

Lazy garlic, lazy chilli and ginger paste.

Stock, yorkies, tinned lentils, gravel granules

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

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.

Pastry

Lazy garlic and ginger!

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

Stock, Yorkshire puddings and wraps.

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)

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!

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!

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

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

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

Tinned chopped tomatoes and kidney beans that have chilli in them

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Waitrose and M&S both do it