A not very good cook needs your help

[BlackCatLookingForwardToSpring]

Hello, I can do basic stuff with potatoes: chips, mash, boil.
I know how to boil pasta.
As for other foods I tend to buy a lot of freezer stuff and tinned.

I would like to get better at cooking and so in an effort I have just been out and bought fresh:

Leeks
Portobello mushrooms (Thought I could maybe top with cheese)
peppers (orange, red and yellow)
real potatoes
tomatoes
cucumber
onions
ham
and I also have some cocktail sausages

In the cupboard I have tinned tomatoes.

I don't want to use them all at once, in one day as that would be silly! but Looking for ideas on recipes/ideas what to do with them all.

Please can you help!
Thanks in advance.

What did you cook for tea tonight BlackCat and how did it go?

BigBlueBear that sounds so fine! (my local dialect for lovely)

Hi Carrots ,

For tea DH and I had the Portabello mushrooms with Cheddar cheese on top.
I thought it was quite nice, DH said that next time we should try it with the proper ingredients.
It might not sound like much to have for tea but we had been to the chip shop at lunch time so done our meals the other way round today (normally have more food in the evening around 5/6.00pm and just sandwiches or similar at lunch time.)

The DC had fish fingers, pizza fingers and peas and carrots for their tea.

I haven't had chance to read through all the posts yet but will have a look in a minute.

BlackCat - I notice lots of suggestions of recipes with eggs in. Adding eggs to your ingredient list certainly will bring lots of possibilities.

Things like an omlette with ham and cheese in a fresh salad (no cooking there) with a little oil and vinegar dressing and chips is a quick and tasty meal.

More adventurous is a Spanish omlette with potato and peppers in.

Using a combination of the veg, you could make savoury pancakes. How about frying some chopped leek and mushroom in butter, and when done spread over a pancake, sprinkle with cheese and roll. Or peppers and onion. Once you have tasted your own cooking and enjoy experimenting, you will fly! If you get a few herbs (again experiment) you will never look back. Have fun.

Take a look for some tapas ones. It's suprising how easy it is to do a few of tgese and it looks like you've done loads.

Potato bravas is dead easy, plus the fritata from above, you could also do the mushrooms as suggested, sausages pan fried with garlic, onions and paprika, my face ATM if you have any frozen broad beans is fry chopped bacon in olive oil added sliced onions and garlic once softened add cooked broadbeans very yummy.

BlackCat is anything on this site any use to you?

Blackcat I really like this thread, I am in a similar position as regards cooking skills. I sometimes get all keen and go out and buy so many fresh ingredients that they go off before I get around to cooking them. Also, if I cook properly one night I sort of can't face doing it all over again the following night. I tend to rely on pasta/pesto, baked potatoes, sausages, soups etc. Some useful ideas here so thanks for starting the conversation!

With the leeks, you could try an old Cranks favourite called Leek Croustade. It's basically a breadcrumb base with a cheesy, tomatoey, leek topping. Very yummy served with jacket pots.

I've copied the recipe from another thread (but I don't use wholemeal flour or nuts for the sauce personally).

Base:
Fresh wholemeal breadcrumbs 6oz (175g)
Butter or marg 2oz (50g)
Cheddar cheese, grated 4oz (100g)
mixed nuts, chopped 4oz (100g)
mixed herbs 1/2 tsp
garlic clove, crushed 1

sauce:
3 medium sized leeks
4 tomatoes
2oz (50g) butter or marg
100% wholemeal flour 1oz (25g)
1/2 pint Milk
salt & pepper to taste
4bsp fresh wholemeal breadcumbs

Pur breadcrumbs in basin, rub in the butter then add the remaining ingredients. Press mixture into a 11 x 7 tin. Bake at 220c (425f / gas mark 7) for 15-20 mins until golden brown.

Meanwhile, slice the leeks and chop the tomatoes. Melt the butter in the saucepan. Saute the leeks for 5 mins then stir in the flour. Add the milk, stirring constantly, then bring to the boil, reduce heat to a simmer. Add the remaining ingredients, except bread crumbs, and simmer for a few mins to soften the tomatoes. Check seasoning. Spoon the vegetable mixture over the base, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and heat through in the oven at 180c (350f / gas mark 4) for 20 mins.

These mini toad in the holes go down well with my DSs.

If you like blue cheese then this was delicious. (assuming you've got some mushrooms left)

Just popped back to check this thread.

I cooked 2 of the Portobello mushrooms (still have 2 left) on Friday in the oven, drizzled with olive oil (not sure if I used too much oil) then grilled them under the grill with cheese on top. They were o.k but I think in future I might try and get the proper ingredients.

Just wanted to say thanks again for all the lovely ideas on here!

Thanks Carrots for the link.

Peggy I am also worried that things won't stay fresh for long so want to try and use them A.S.A.P. I was too tired yesterday through lack of sleep to do any "Proper" cooking.
Also glad I'm not the only one!

I think in future I might go along with picking a recipe then going to buy ingredients instead of the wrong way round.

Does anyone know how long certain things on my list would keep for?

I am just wondering what would need to get used up first?

Veg will keep longer in the cool and dark

Sorry interrupted by RL
The potatoes will keep for a good couple of weeks as will the onions
Peppers and leeks have at least a week in the fridge
I used to buy fresh peppers all the time but as I only ever use them chopped in recipes I found it easier and cheaper to buy them frozen and chopped

I use the book Economy Gastronomy which has some great basic recipes
In and shows you how to make core recipes that you can make lots from eg mince for bolognaise and chilli and shepherds pie
I'd really recommend it for a beginner as it has some lovely recipes in and even shows you how to do a home version of things like kebabs and crispy duck

The only thing I would be in a hurry to use is the ham BlackCat. All the others have a reasonable shelf life stored as suggested above.

Ah that's good then as I was planning on using the ham with our Sunday dinner.

what about a sausage casserole?a sauce using tomatoes,onion,carrot,garlic and possibly peppers then add little stock.cook til thivkens a little.then pop into a ovenproof dish,cocktail sausages on top and bake til sausages are cooked

Can I suggest that you invest in Delia's How to Cook series of books. She explains everything in a non patronising way. Also TV cookery programmes by Nigel Slater, Lorraine Pascal and Jamie Oliver might appeal to the inexperienced cook.

Bunbaker You won't believe this but I have all of Delia's books 1,2 and 3.
I also have Jamie Oliver's 30 min meals, Jamie's ministry of food and Loraine Pascale's book and various other cook books.

I think my problem has been life has got in the way and I have been a bit scared of trying.
I have also been a bit ill so not had the energy to be bothered doing much.
I have a Three year old and an older son so I have also been juggling my time around looking after them.

I know other mums have managed to learn so I can't just blame the DC.

Maybe I am getting better now as I am starting to try and since Friday I have tried 3 new recipes.

Good for you. Once you have had some successes it will build up your confidence. The BBC food website often has "how to" videos that may be helpful.

Just go for it BlackCat - nothing ventured and all that!

black 3 new recipes since friday? That's VERY impressive!

Nigel Slater's Real Fast Food is a great book. Nothing uses many ingredients or takes longer than 30 minutes, and it is dividied into chapters like "meat", "fish" etc.

blackim with bessie.3 new recipes is very impressive..i noticed as well you mentioned use a lot of tins.that isnt always a bad thing.tins tomatoes,beans,tuna/salmon etc,sweetcorn,fruit in juice will happily sit there waiting to be added to other things

fish cakes was another thought that i had
mashed potato mixed with tin tuna or salmon,chopped spring onion(or lightly fried onion).shape into burgers and pat on breadcrumbs or dry polenta.spray a tray with oil and pop on.spray tops and bake 30 mins or until golden.serve with salad/oven chips and ketchup

How's it going black?

Hi Bessie

Yesterday I had a case of CBA so we went to the chipshop .

Here's an update of "Fresh" food I have in:
(some of it was bought last Friday others I have bought since.)

3 Leeks
3 Peppers (red, orange, yellow)
potatoes
celery
3 carrots
cheddar cheese
bacon
2 onions
cucumber
tomato puree
garlic

I also have various tins of stuff (tomatoes, sweetcorn, beans etc.)

I might be going shopping later for some basics we are running out of (Bread, milk) so any ideas for recipes would be appreciated early on. Thanks.