Help! I can't cook!

[IvyChime]

I'm really worried I'll be a bad mum because I can't cook much

My partner of course cooks too, but its a job we will share.

I make some lovely meals but they all take a long time to make and I can't imagine that will be practical when I'm a mother. A lot of the time I tend to live happily on lots of fresh vegetables and salads... and some cake hahaha.but I dont want my kids to be limited to cake and vegetables most days.

But I've been trying to teach myself the basics I don't know already and utterly failing. What I can cook I learnt from my family growing up, and I'm struggling to learn from books.

Any tips for a first time mum on how to cook for a family?

Make yourself an Instagram account, and follow folks like Jack Monroe, Miguel Barclay, and other cooks. Ignore Jamie Oliver, he's an arse.

Lots of inspiration around the place.

There is a series of apps called Baby Led Weaning Cookbook. They also have an active facebook page where people post tips and also questions when they're stuck with something. The recipes are simple and perfect for families with babies/toddlers. Good luck!

Jamie Oliver had a basics cookbook too that’s really easy. If you want quick, look at the 15 minute meals book (although they don’t all take 15 mins!)

Pick a few basic dishes you want to learn (spaghetti bolognese, chilli, cottage pie? Maybe some things that don't involve mince as well...). Find simple recipes and just give them a go!

I mean, we don't all have the talent to become Michelin starred chefs, but I think everyone can cook basic dishes. Generally people just seem reluctant to try because they've convinced themselves they can't cook.

I like the Hairy Bikers cookbooks. There are lots of interesting and easy to follow recipes in their books. I also like Jamie Oliver books.

The baby led weaning cookbook is excellent, you don't have to do baby led weaning to.use it, it has lots of simple family friendly recipes.

Jamie Oliver is a twat but his Ministry Of Food cookbook is an excellent beginners book.

Why don't you have a think about what you would like to cook then practise a few set meals? So Sunday could be a roast chicken, new potatoes boiled and veg. Monday, curry with the leftover meat, Tuesday fajitas, Wednesday scrambled eggs/omelette etc.

Slow cooker is a big help too, we make stews, lasagne and roasts with it, usually all you have to do is chop and chuck things in. Most of the recipes are pretty straightforward, so it doesn't matter if you're not confident with experimenting with spices and stuff.

There are so many recipes on YouTube if you struggle to learn from cook books.

My recommendation to speed things up are:

Invest in decent knives as it makes chopping so much faster. You can watch YouTube videos on how to chop certain things more quickly.

Get a slow cooker, or if you can afford it an instant pot. This will allow you to do prep for dinner during nap times, then throw everything in the pot and it's ready for dinner. There are loads of slow cooker or instant pot recipes online.

Bulk cook things like bolognese, stew, chicken for fajitas, chilli etc and freeze them then you can warm them up in the slow cooker and you just need to put some rice or pasta or a jacket potato with it and a salad. If you pack them with veggies it can be healthier as well.

Try one new recipe a week and make a note of the ones you like. Don't try to be adventurous all at once.

Not everything has to be amazing and delicious. If it's dinner and it's reasonably healthy then it's fine.

You may end up with a super fussy kid who goes through a long phase where they will only eat one of 3 meals you make anyway!

Good luck. You'll be fine. All new mums are learning as they go!

I'm not adventurous in the kitchen but have recently been expanding my home made repertoire for the children. Current favourites are home made meatballs, chicken nuggets, macaroni cheese, tuna pasta bake, cauliflower cheese bakes, cheese patties etc. My eldest isn't really keen on things with sauce so I tend to do things like nuggets she can have with some potato and veggies and mix and match.

YouTube!

My 6yo cooks using YouTube. (I do the cutting) he stops the video, follows the instruction and presses play til the next bit.
Everyone can cook. If you are able to learn various tasks for work or other things in life then cooking is no different.

I can’t cook; my partner did all the cooking but through his work hours I’ve ended up cooking my DDs meals. I’ve learnt simple recipes and I use some pre made sauces; my DD is a great eater and I don’t think it effects me as a mum

Don't put too much pressure on yourself op, as long as food is fairly nutritionally balanced it doesn't have to be big cooked meals every night.
How old is your child/when do they arrive?
I have a toddler and she prefers light meals - would take veggie sticks, hummus and chunks of cheese over a cottage pie any day! I tend to do light food in the week and then cook something big at the weekend when there is more time.

Would second a slow cooker and simple slow cooker recipe book, then all you need to do is chop things up!

Slow cooker, slow cooker, slow cooker!