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Original poster

What seemingly easy meal do you always get wrong?

100 replies

IcouldbutIdontwantto · 05/08/2023 13:49

Just for fun.... for me it's an omelette. I'm a pretty decent cook, enjoy spending time in the kitchen and can cook eggs in pretty much any other form. But can never get an omelette right... just ends up as eggy mess with other stuff added 😂

Help me feel better mumsnet!

OP posts:
oranga · 05/08/2023 17:26

Like a PP I was useless at pancakes until I got myself a decent non stick pan and so far so good! Poached eggs were elusive until I started timing them. The silky omelette is the only one I can make however- any other kind I'm terrible at!

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 05/08/2023 17:53

I am a competent cook. Some friends and family have told me to apply for masterchef.
I cannot cook aubergine to save my life

rempy · 05/08/2023 17:56

I fixed my crumble problem by putting it on a baking tray... and the fruit to stew on its own. (Bad cook!)

Crikeyalmighty · 05/08/2023 17:59

I am rubbish at rice- so gave up yonks ago for trays and sachets - 100% perfect every time

Appalonia · 05/08/2023 18:02

stiltonbriecheddar · 05/08/2023 15:16

Took me years to master Rice until I read this method and now I can do perfect rice every time.

1 cup of Rice
2 cups of water
Bring to the boil then switch heat off and don't take the lid off
Check after 20 mins = perfect rice every time

Show quote history

Agree with this, leaving it to steam at the end seems to do the trick!

Screamingabdabz · 05/08/2023 18:03

Lasagne - either a huge massive slop or crunchy pasta. Made worse by every single sodding person who tells me of all the dishes, lasagne is the easiest!

Jitterybugs · 05/08/2023 18:16

Appalonia · 05/08/2023 18:02

Agree with this, leaving it to steam at the end seems to do the trick!

Show quote history

Thanks, I must try that method. I can cook 2 portions no problem but any more than that I seem to overcook. I started buying Tesco pouches of basmati rice if I had all the family round for a curry. But they’ve crept up in price from 39p to 69p and I’m determined not to buy them again.

dogsweetdog · 05/08/2023 20:57

toastofthetown · 05/08/2023 14:07

I can't make a tomato soup that is any better than fine. I'm generally a good cook, and I've tried so many recipes and methods over years for them all to turn out bland. I've just accepted that homemade tomato soup is not for me.

Rice is well worth the investment for a rice cooker if you eat it regularly. effort free, perfect rice every time.

Have you tried roasting the tomatoes with red peppers and a chilli then blending with stock?

ShinyBandana · 05/08/2023 21:02

I can’t cook oven chips. Without fail they are either burnt or raw.

Legacy · 05/08/2023 21:02

Filled pasta with sauce (quick standby meal!). Although it says 4-5 mins cooking time, mine always ends up too soft and slimy and the sauce isn't hot enough.
If I want it 'al dente' then I think I only need to cook for about 2 minutes, but then I worry the inside won't be hot enough/ cooked through!

Cookerhood · 05/08/2023 21:10

I'm great at omelettes, toad, rice etc etc. But steak defeats me so I don't cook it as it's a waste. Ditto roast beef.

purplecorkheart · 05/08/2023 21:23

Carbonara. Always ends up slightly scrambled. Sausages can be hit or miss as to whether they burst or not.

smileannie · 06/08/2023 06:56

I came on to say buy a rice cooker too. Honestly you’ll never look back.

smileannie · 06/08/2023 07:05

Another great one - boiled egg maker and most of them poach too. Well worth the £20 or so.

febbabies2023 · 06/08/2023 08:06

Sausages!

I'm a pretty decent cook, but I always get sausages wrong. End up cooking the outside too quickly with a raw middle so the outside ends up burnt 🙃 and usually set off the smoke alarm in the process

An omelette though I've got pretty good at

Fluffypiki · 06/08/2023 08:43

Twopintsprick81 · 05/08/2023 14:22

Soft boiled eggs. They're always either snotty or rock hard. I follow the 3 minute rule and I still haven't mastered how to cook the damn things.

Try "recipe eat tin" recipe, Nagi is amazing, I used to be utter crap at it and DH was complaining now? Always perfect!

LifeIsBusy · 06/08/2023 08:46

@C1N1C yes 3 billion people are probably eating it 3 times a day but they also have a rice cooker as they are also experiencing the same issues you face.

SpeckledlyHen · 06/08/2023 08:47

Squirrelsnut · 05/08/2023 14:15

Crumble. The fruit bit is fine but the crumble never cooks through properly and there's undercooked bits no matter what I do.

I part bake the crumble separately first. Spread out on baking tray, bake (you might have to google times/temps) then when ready put on crumble and rebake. Always works, I think it was James Martin who suggested this in a recipe for crumble.

tallsmallmum · 06/08/2023 08:51

with crumble you are adding water/sugar and cooking the fruit a bit first don't you? especially apples coz if not it won't work out.

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 06/08/2023 08:52

Flapjacks. They're always wrong. Always.

Diplidocus4 · 06/08/2023 08:55

@Ghostjail
Have you tried an air fryer ? For steak ?
So much better than grilled or fried !

AbsoluteYawns · 06/08/2023 08:55

Squirrelsnut · 05/08/2023 14:15

Crumble. The fruit bit is fine but the crumble never cooks through properly and there's undercooked bits no matter what I do.

Try the BBC goodfood recipe it's failproof.
Also use very cold or frozen butter and grate it before you rub it in with the sugar and flour.
Also if you have warm hands it will clump.
Basically the trick is everything has to be VERY COLD.
(You could also use a food processor)

AbsoluteYawns · 06/08/2023 09:01

Rice -
1 cup (any size) rice
1.5 cup (same cup) boiling water

Wash and drain rice.
Put olive oil into a deep high saucepan
Add drained rice and cook for a few minutes stirring it around so its coated in the oil.
Add boiling water and some salt.
Cover with a lid and if safe and possible a layer of kitchen roll or a small tea towel under the lid (at the top of the pan) so it's on very tight.
Cook on lowest heat for 15mins
Switch off heat and leave to stand for 15mins DO NOT OPEN THE LID DURING THIS TIME
PERFECT RICE every time.

Green777 · 06/08/2023 09:02

Wash rice thoroughly and put it to boil medium heat, two cups of water to one of rice.

When you can no longer see the water covering the rice but just rice with bubbles of water on top, turn the gas very low. Then put baking paper or tin foil over the rice, tucking the paper in at the sides and put the lid on, leave to steam for another 10 mins and you’ll get good rice.