Does anyone have some REALLY SIMPLE RECIPES for stuff that can be frozen?

[Mossie]

I am only just learning to cook, have started my maternity leave (today! yippee!) and want to make loads of stuff that I can put in containers and freeze for when my lo is born so I don't rely on dh or the takeaway!

But they need to be FOOL PROOF! I have had many, many cooking disasters over the years. I mean really, really fool proof. No "pinch" of this, no "approximately" that, no "put in the oven until the juices run clear". Oh no, that way lies ruin!

I also need ingredients that I can buy from the Asda / local grocer / butcher.

And if at ALL possible in metric! But now I'm just being ultra fussy!

Thank you kind people in advance!

[drosophila]

so is mine . What I love abut it is you shove it in the oven and forget about it.

[HappyasLarry]

Mossie, soups I regularly make...

• mushrooom
• leek and potato
• brocolli with soft goats cheese or cream melted in
• split pea and bacon
• tomato and basil
• cauliflower

To cook for 4-6, most soups involve an onion and a quantity of veg (eg. 1 cauliflower, 4 leeks, head of brocoli). You brown the onion, brown the veg, then add a GOOD stockcube with enough water to cover all. Don´t buy the cheap crappy stock cubes. Cook until the veg is soft and ready to be blitzed in the food processor. Add cream if you have it if you think it makes senses (who hasn´t heard of cream of tomato/mushroom/etc.

Delia Smith does good reliable soup recipes. She´s a good starter cookbook generally I think!

Soups are also great if you´re watching your weight (if you leave the cream out ; )

Start small and you´ll soon get better. Also try bbc.co.uk/food for great recipes, also FAST recipes!

[Coolmama]

sorry - I normally sort of poach or boil the chicken breasts in a deep pan in about 3 cms of water - or alternatively just nuke them in the microwave.

[Mossie]

Thanks everyone for the recipes, Twiglett I have ordered that book & will let you know how I get on when it arrives!

HappyasLarry I will no doubt be watching my weight after lo is born, I've been pigging out on the nutella butties and quality street since about week sixteen so it'll have to go soon after!

I'm sure I'll be back in a week or so with a question about shopping and what ingredients you should have in your cupboard but for now I just want to practise the actual cooking side!

[chirpygirl]

Sorry Mossie, went for a wander last few days!
I just use ready diced beef, good old oxo is fine, and the stilton melts into the sauce so just bung it in whole if you really want!

[Shivs1974]

Sorry I also went awol for a few days...anyway beef casserole.
Main ingredients
2 x 500g diced beef suitable for stewing
1 onion
3 carrots
1 leek

Roll beef in flour and fry a few pieces in oil at a time until nutty brown in colour.
Put into casserole dish when all fried.

Chop & fry onion - to minimise onion smells I put chopped onion in a bowl with some oil, cover with clingfilm and microwave for 40 secs. Add to casserole dish

Peel & chop carrots & leek. Add to casserole dish

Dissolve 1 beef oxo cube in a mug of boiling water. Add 2 more mugs of boiling water.
Add 1 bay leaf, a generous sprinking of thyme & some black pepper.
Add 2 tablespoons of flour & stir, stir & stir.

Depending on how tender you want the meat, put in preheated oven for 180 for 1.5-2.5 hrs.
Serve with mashed potato.

[Mossie]

Thanks ladies!

Also Twiglett I bought that book, it arrived the other day, and I have already made the spag bol from it, it was very tasty! Dh had the shock of his life that I had made it without using a sauce! (He still tried to dig his oar in though, before I'd even served it he said, "I don't think that's enough spaghetti"! Er, like, wait until it's served, eh?)

You were right it is quite easy to follow!