Ok then, following devastating revelations regarding purchase of ready made pesto,what other heinous crimes and guilty pleasures will you foodies admit to?

[moondog]

Let she who is without blame cast the first stone (or something) so here goes.

Bottled mint sauce is essential. Who on God's earth would make it themselves??????

er, economy tinned toms are only about 30p a tin and perfectly fine for sauces - which freeze really well and double up as pizza topping, base for spag bols, chillis etc. Really, why would anyone buy a jar?

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oh sorry, thought most people would have an onion, garlic and dried herbs in cupboard.

(five mins to make, tops! Honest!)

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I ain't judging - I use Colman's packet cheese sauce as it costs me around £3's worth of cheese to make it from scratch vs 39p for a packet and half a pint of milk

Onebatmother, any supermarket! Dried onions are usually on the same aisle as all the other pre-prepared veg in packets, on the shelves with dried mushrooms etc (which is often near the herbs section), but almost invariably at floor level. Well, they're so cheap the supermarket doesn't really want you to buy them! A smallish, red and green cardboard box, IIRC, with a picture of onions.

Are we not all just geting by, the best we can, with what we've got? And one day will be entirely different to another. So, if you have the time etc., you're making a from the bottom up home made meal. But the less time you have the more you need help. Even then you are still putting some sort of a stamp on it if you have the time (frying onions, garlic, veggies etc).

I do think that what might be seen as slattern-ness in cooking is either a lack of time, a lack of money, or a lack of knowledge. And i am time deprived and heartily farked off with women with more time on their hands than me talking about how to do it right.

I read of a couple in Port Glasgow who were pureeing fish suppers, chicken suppers, sausage suppers for their baby. And their baby was taken into care. They said, the HV told them to puree whatever they were having for dinner and give it to the baby. And I think, absolutely don't sneer - they were trying their best with what they were told. Yes they got it wrong. But there was no veggie box mentality in their area.

Califrau says- Food shouldn't have a middle initial!!!

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!

"I do think that what might be seen as slattern-ness in cooking is either a lack of time, a lack of money, or a lack of knowledge. And i am time deprived and heartily farked off with women with more time on their hands than me talking about how to do it right."

Not sure if this is aimed at me - but I can assure you that I probably have less time than most women to cook as not only do I work full time during the day but I frequently work in the evening as well. But I still cook from scratch every evening. (Apart from Friday which is takeaway night!)

"Are we not all just geting by, the best we can, with what we've got? And one day will be entirely different to another. So, if you have the time etc., you're making a from the bottom up home made meal. But the less time you have the more you need help. Even then you are still putting some sort of a stamp on it if you have the time (frying onions, garlic, veggies etc)."

I feel vaguely insulted by this as it's obviously a reference to my post. Perhaps I have misconstrued your post - I was trying to point out how easy (and cheap) it is to make your own pasta sauce - as well as how much better it tastes.

There was no criticism intended, btw.

Pillow - such a sad story. I remember Holby City or Casualty did a similar story. One of the nurses had a right go at the mother who fled in shame with sick baby in tow. Sister then had a go (quite rightly) at the nurse saying that the girl needed support not criticism.
I know I'm lucky to be able to cook and that I have parental support and MN support for stuff that so many of us take for granted to be 'common sense'.
Anyway back to subject. Does Helmanns Mayonnaise count? I get through gallons of the stuff and I can't see me ever making my own.

packet mix for chili
What is the point of that
It takes 3 seconds to DIY!

anything mixish in a jar makes me vom That white slimey chicken casserole mix for eg. Casseroles are SO easy why would you need it?

I confess to frozen pastry, organic stock cubes, OXO cubes are the only beef ones i like the kallo ones are SO salty and pale.

Also I adore dairylea dunkers and scotch eggs

i also confess to trying ready chopped onions the other week (at Nigella's behest)

They are great

Chopped frozen onions from asda are great - I usually use a fresh onion, but they're great for when yoyu're in a rush

chopped frozen onions

I didn't know you could freeze an onion successfully!

oh yes, they're fine chucked in pasta/curry etc?

BIWI - sorry just had a run of having to work late nights and weekends and totally stressed out that baby doing ok, with my mum and other people telling me that a pot of plum is the devil's work. No personal criticism of you intended at all and a very over sensitive pillow apologies profusely.

No worries!

Yum and hic

Delia just made a thai curry with frozen chopped onions.Actually thought tonights programme was pretty good.

Moondag - You are a goddess/saint/angel/genius. Did your 'recipe' for rice last night - Absolutely bloody perfect
To go with my Thai Red Curry made from a jar of paste, a tin of coconut milk, bottled fish sauce (and various herby bits) I know I should have ground my own chillis, climed the coconut tree in my back garden and bashed some fish up!!!......

from prufrock "Enid - I started doing the ritz crumbs for the kids chicken nuggets, but have switched to Nairns Organic herby oatcakes instead - lots less salt and they taste gorgeous. "

they do!! thanks for that!

i just boil rice like pasta

never have any problems with it here

Enid - short explanation. I can cook really quite well but rice was always, burnt/hard/soggy/too much - just wrong. I don't know why. I tried all methods and it was my nemesis.
Moondog sorted me out!!

I am crap gravy maker