MN Cooking Club for the not-very-confident? Anyone?

[fuzzpig]

Would anyone like to join me? I'd like to try making one new meal per week as I'm getting bored and usually just resort to my usual fairly narrow repertoire. There are so many dishes I would love to be able to make, but in the evenings we are just too knackered to try something adventurous. But I really want to try, and as I only work PT it should be achievable.

I thought we could each try (different?) new ones and share recipes/tips/successes?

Examples of what I'd like to try:
Frittatas
Bobotie
Jambalaya
Moussaka
Anything in the slow cooker which so far is unused
More meat-free meals
More fish!

It has to be quite simple and cheap without weird ingredients, or in our house it just won't happen...

Who's in? :)

Ooo, I'm in! I am a good cook, but fairly unimaginative.

Ooo, I'm in! I am a good cook, but fairly unimaginative.

Me too, I need ideas for everyday meals!

Count me in. I want to start cooking from scratch to help with weight loss.

Me too (trying my best to be a domestic goddess, and failing miserably )

Yay :)

Do any of you use recipe books? I generally don't, as I stick to what I already know. I look through some occasionally (and I have no excuse not to try some now as I work in a library!) but they are a bit overwhelming. Too much choice and distractingly appetising photos

I'm in! I'm a really crap cook!
I want to try and get my weight down so want to start cooking more. Wer'e all quite fussy in this house so simple things are a must!

I like rachel allens home cooking books. No recipes that call for powdered unicorn horn, or virgins molars in them. And can be easily bastardized. There is a smoked salmon pie which I use salmon trimmings for or bacon mishapes and bung a bit of cheese in. Tah dah! Tis one of our favourites.

I like rachel allens home cooking books. No recipes that call for powdered unicorn horn, or virgins molars in them. And can be easily bastardized. There is a smoked salmon pie which I use salmon trimmings for or bacon mishapes and bung a bit of cheese in. Tah dah! Tis one of our favourites.

Oh and there are recipes for basics like pastry too in idiot-proof instructions.

Oh and there are recipes for basics like pastry too in idiot-proof instructions.

I've got recipe books, but apart from when I tried lots of Mediterranean dishes (pre dc, when I had time to play at being creative in the kitchen ) I don't tend to use them. I I've discovered googling now, if I want to look for particular recipes or ideas.

I really am pants at cooking. But I am trying to get better.

I've loads of vegetables in at the moment so tonight I'm going to make a version of this www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2636/roasted-ratatouille-chicken. I'll let you all know how I get on.

I might join you as I would like to improve in the kitchen.

I won't be joining in but wanted to say that if you want to make Bobotie, say, then I think the best bet is to find an online recipe that looks do-able (or ask someone for a recommendation) print it out and then follow it to the letter. If you think it needs tweaking after tasting it, make some notes on the print-out and try it again with tweaks a little later.

That's what I was thinking of Cogito, thank you :) some of these dishes - including bobotie - I've never even eaten, so I have no idea what they should even look like when they're cooking let alone how they taste! I've looked at lots of recipes and there is a massive range, I'm going to try the simplest ones.

Right, I'm back, sorry for the delay - depression is a harsh bitch mistress.

Have chosen this moussaka recipe - seems simple, I've ordered the ingredients in my shopping for tomorrow so will most likely make it on Sunday.

I've never used allspice or bayleaves before

Sorry to hear you haven't been feeling too good fuzzpig, glad to see you back now. That Moussaka recipe looks lovely.

I made the roasted ratatouille chicken recipe I posted about before and it was lovely. I've also made this www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/9021/chicken-and-white-bean-stew and it was so good I'm going to make it again today, it's more like a veg soup than anything but really delicious. I added some other veg that I had in, you could really add whatever you want to it.

Hope you all have a good day, happy cooking.

Moussaka was good! Managed to help DH despite being full of cold (Fucksake) and it turned out really well. Left out the cinnamon as we don't like it. Served with rice.

Will be checking out that bean stew!

Well done! fuzzpig

I am just starting to try proper cooking as I have relied on freezer food for too long.
This weekend I have tried Portobello mushrooms with cheese on, got the idea from good to know magazine (an old one).
have made a Chocolate biscuit type of tart from Jamie's ministry of food book and also tried his potato and leek soup from same book.

I have another thread about this all too.

Hi fuzzpig how are you today?

I didn't mean my post above ^ to sound like a brag at all. I just thought it might be of help for you to look at the thread as lots of people have come up with suggestions and recipes.

No worries blackcat :o

Still very coldy unfortunately so an early night here hopefully! Not sure what we will do next as we agreed to take it in turns to choose. No idea what DH will want to make!