Canned and packet goods recommendations

[georgedawes]

I'm sorry, I'm sure this has been covered on other threads but I wanted to ask for your recs for these as it's not something we eat loads of.

Currently have:

tinned tomatoes/passata
tuna
sweetcorn
baked beans
kidney/mixed/cannelini/black beans
pineapple
apricots
pears
evaporated milk

What else is good? I always found canned potatoes a bit of an odd texture, same with mushrooms, but perhaps they're better cooked. Also wondering about things like smash - is it really equivalent to mashed potato? I'm also quite wary at trying tinned meat but think I might be being a snob!! I don't want to waste stuff though.

If all goes well these will at least be good options for camping!!

I'm sure it's really frowned upon on here, but I really rate Bachelors Pasta and Sauce packets. They make a tasty accompaniment to a lot of meals.
Tinned mushrooms are OK in things, but they are different to fresh (frozen ones are good though).
Smash is weird. It's not really like potato. It's more like.... Smash.
Tinned meat... To be honest, I'm not a fan. But DH loves it in sandwiches (mostly 'Pek'), and as it turns out, our DCs also think it's great (despite being super fussy eaters!).

Smash is awful, tinned potatoes and mushrooms don't taste any better cooked (but I have heard of people frying the tinned potatoes and them ending up nice, I've never liked any canned meat except corned beef.

Jack Monroe has recently released a new book called Tin Can Cook which might be worth a look.

I like tinned lychees and manderin segments (the value ones are fine) but not much else.

www.amazon.co.uk/Tin-Can-Cook-Store-cupboard-Recipes/dp/1529015286/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&keywords=tin+can+food&tag=mumsnetforum-21&qid=1552160967&sr=1-1

I use tinned potatoes in slow cooker casseroles and curries, they turn out really well ime

Packet wise I love proper Asian noodles, you can get them in supermarkets with Asian food sections.

A world apart from supernoodles, the flavour sachets have different compartments with oily base and herbs and spices. I like the noodle soup ones and sometimes have as a quick meal with whatever protein I can find in the freezer.

I used to love Batchelors pasta packets waving - Used to eat them when I was a poor student. Love their supernoodles too! They always seem to sell them at B&M so might get some as it's an easy meal if needs be.

Not a lychee fan but mandarins are a good idea, thanks.

That book looks great but isn't out til the end of May...

I love super noodles, Heinz tinned spaghetti bolagnaise and processed peas

Idaho mash. A couple of different versions of potato loveliness.

Looks good, I think I've seen hikers in the US using that. Will get some to try.

Your post reminded me Ginger of how useful asian supermarkets are generally. So many tasty things I'd like to add to the pile but none nearby (and the main supermarkets also have a rubbish selection).

There is a tasty Sainsbury’s lemon & coriander cous cous in a packet which is nice.

You can get ready to eat rice, either plain or flavoured which might be handy to have.

Do you like pesto? Things like olives, sundried, tomatoes, a jar of peppers, anchovies and capers might be quite versatile and flavoursome. If you like stir fries etc you can get tinned water chestnuts, bean sprouts & bamboo shoots etc.

Thanks, I do have a couple of jars of pesto, should get some more as we like it a lot. I've made and frozen some but actually it's no tastier/cheaper than the shelf bought stuff! We do eat sundried tomatoes/peppers etc so that's a really good one to get.

Had no idea you could get stir fry stuff like that, do they taste OK? Definitely something we would get if they do.

I buy mackerel in tomato or curry sauce when it's on special offer, and jars of olives, antipasto, and sauce, herbs, and spices. We shop at Aldi and they often have random "weird shit" but it keeps for ages,is flavourful, and combines well with other things to make a meal.

Princes stewing steak is good as a pie
Or pasty filling.

Tomatoes - I use wither own brand from Asda, they are just tomatoes.

Same for tinned veg. A carrot is a carrot.

I watch eat well for less and people
Can't usually tell the difference from own brands.