Right - I'm in desperate need of some healthy, easy beginners recipes

[Thurlow]

I'm a pretty rubbish cook and don't enjoy it, and luckily DP cooks 90% of the time. So far when it's just been me and the toddler to feed I've done something like pasta, veg and sauce (jar sauce, let's be honest). So not exactly takeaway but still, not exactly exciting either.

I've struggled to learn to cook decently because you sort of need to focus on learning to cook, and that's been hard with a toddler. But now she's old enough to either play herself for a bit or try to help cook or pay attention to a DVD for half an hour I feel like I can try and put a bit more effort in.

Has anyone got any basic but tasty recipes I can start with to get my confidence up? (And by basic I mean when you don't have much experience, a casual "saute the onions" still means you're doing to be standing staring, worried, at the pan for the 5 minutes )

One more - I only recently figured out how easy it can be to cook fish. Even I can do it.

Buy fillets of fish. Grease a bit of tin foil big enough to wrap a fillet (I use spray-on olive oil cos I'm so lazy it's really really easy). Put the fish on it, sprinkle some lemon juice on it and/or herbs, then close the foil over the top so the juice can't escape.

If the fillets came in a packet then it will say how long to cook them like this, it'll be something like 12 minutes at gas mark 4.

Serve with salad and mashed potato like me, or the root veg mash above, plus some kind of green veg like broccoli or asparagus or green beans.

Woah, SilentBob thank you! I think I'll have cheese sauce tonight then

I'm with SilentBob - make a roux first, melted butter, add the flour and mix to a paste (off the heat), then return to the heat and gradually add the milk and bring very gently to the boil. You do still have to whisk/stir, but it's not vigorously, more languid, as you watch something on the telly! Add your seasonings (incl cheese if you want a cheese sauce, grated melts well). Otherwise, it can be used as a base for other sauces.

Again, not dismissing any other way of making a sauce, it's whatever works for you. This one works for me.

I have a couple of books written by a teenager for teenagers (Sam Stern). So not quite children's books, but great beginner's books. I bought them for my teenagers, but have used several of the recipes from them myself, and the meals have been very well received. A bit more grown-up than some of the simple children's books, but still palatable for younger tummies (and acceptable for adults also).

Sam Stern's "Cooking up a Storm" and "Real Food".
Easy to follow instructions, and tasty recipes.

Roasted veg is very easy, chop any veg eg peppers, onion, courgette, mushrooms, aubergine to similar sizes, put in a roasting tin/tray, put in some garlic (no need to peel) sprinkle with any dried herbs but oregano is lovely and slop a bit of oil over them. put in a hotish oven for 40-45mins, just gently mix/toss half way through so cooks evenly. I sometimes add large diced new potatoes and (shop bought) meatballs so all cooked in one tray - easy.

Ah man I'm feeling mega hungry reading this thread!

Those cards you get at the supermarket - you know the type, 'cheating paella' or similar, are often good. They tend to assume a degree of incompetence, and also a limited budget.

I make Nigella's orzo risotto at least once a week, it's quick and easy.

You'll need a big pan, I use a large chef's pan.

Boil the kettle to make 1 litre of chicken stock.

In the pan heat a little oil and then cook some chopped garlic and a pack of pancetta or cut up smoked bacon rashers. Add in some frozen peas, the same amount you'd give as a veg portion. Heat through until defrosted.

Add in the orzo pasta (I've only ever found it in Waitrose, you could just use risotto rice) and stir everything to mix. The pack will tell you how much you'll need per person. Add the chicken stock and put the heat so that it's between simmering and just boiling.

Leave it for about 15 mins until the stock has been absorbed by the orzo or rice. It should be like a thick rice pudding consistency. Take off the heat, and then stir in a blob of butter and some grated Parmesan. Add in some fresh chopped parsley if you want.

I find Jamie Oliver's ministry of food simple and very easy to follow

Get a half-decent wok, heat oil in it, cut random things into chunks and fry hot and fast while stirring.

Endless variations, good way to eat loads of veg and whatever you can find on offer.

Very easy version is to use pre-cooked chicken chunks, pre-packed stir fry veg and pre-bottled sauce stuff from supermarkets, but you can go on to get as adventurous as you like with it and combine all sorts of interesting things.

SilentBob - shepherd's pie is lamb - makes total sense. Thank you.

Pesto pasta:

Start spaghetti boiling
Meanwhile gently fry roughly chopped red peppers
When the spaghetti has cooked, drain and put back in the pot with pesto from a jar, the peppers and olives cut in half. Heat for approx. two mins. Add a lot of fresh torn up basil leaves just before serving. Parmesan and black pepper on the top is nice.

This is the recipe I do that most often gets praised!
It's only got two steps in the method and makes yummy creamy pesto y chicken. You can chuck in random veg too. Goes well with new potatoes and salad.
summer in winter chicken