Spike3.0 Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 I've been struggling lately with ideas when I get my shopping in; it’s a typical bloke thing... I pick up loads, spend a fortune and then get back to realise I can't even make some tea with the crap I just bought! I’m sure all of you are the same, picking up the usual things off the shelf in the same boring supermarket. I want to get away from this and actually get some new ideas for meals. It would be cool if everyone could list a few items they buy + any recipes they love cooking... Hopefully this will help everyone out and get us all fitting in our Mankinis better[COOL][/COOL] Cheers all, I look forward to the responses:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guigsy Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 i had the same problem. I just gave up in the end and baught ready made meals Tesco italian ones mostly. I only have to feed myself and they are quite good. especialy the tuna bake Probably unhealthy but not that bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike3.0 Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 Thats what I find, but they don't fill me up and I'm always starving while watching these cooking programs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathew Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 since moving out ive had the same problem.i usually buy a few bags of frozen chicken breasts. bags of frozen veg and a bag of potatoes. defrost a few chicken breasts every few days and cook. just microwave the veg and boil the potatoes then just add some gravy and hey presto a chicken dinner. i usually then store a few cooked chicken breasts in the fridge for a couple of days an just microwave them with the veg. this is my usual evening meal and when i get a bit bored of it just substitute the chicken for turkey, beef or pork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl_S Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Think basic.. Staple - eg wholewheat pasta Meat - bit of chicken/ can of tuna Sauce - ready made Veg - eg frozen Magic - bit of herbs/ tabasco/ garlic/ pepper/ ketchup or get your mum to come round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike3.0 Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 I cook Fajitas sometimes which are very easy but chicken gets a bit boring after a while... I also keep frozen veg as I hate the fresh stuff going off after a few days, but the frozen veg tastes horrible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSK Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 pasta pasta sauce (which ever you like) sainbury's lean (less than 3% fat) steak mince fish (wide selection) king prawns pizza base (then whack on your own toppings when you cook) pizza toppings: like sausages, chorizo, parma ham, mozerella, tomato puree, peppers Onken fat free strawberry yogurt fresh salad items Green tea with critus Tuna chunks in water/oil my favoruite; iced cold fruit platter; melon, grapes, strawberries, kiwi, water melon, mango (sliced and diced), large oranges If they offers on McCoys/Wotsits crips and Twix/KitKat then i grab some of these as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogmaw Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 I had the same problem until I bought these - problem solved! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike3.0 Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 Think basic.. Staple - eg wholewheat pasta Meat - bit of chicken/ can of tuna Sauce - ready made Veg - eg frozen Magic - bit of herbs/ tabasco/ garlic/ pepper/ ketchup or get your mum to come round. I wish I could go back to the parents for some tea, but I'm 200 miles away [sAD][/sAD] Im liking the sound of wholewheat pasta, I remember that from ages ago as having a better texture, that can go on the man list then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike3.0 Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 I had the same problem until I bought these - problem solved! Bought, hopefully not too basic. I like to think I can cook a little, just lack of ideas and then lack of being arsed messing around after work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl_S Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 It's a good discussion to have. lucky to have a mum that drops stuff round. But, failing that, it can be a pleaure to cook. Throwing things togther and playing kitchen wizard. More glamours than cook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 I could write an essay on this sort of stuff after becoming all healthy over the past 2 years If you're new to cooking meals for yourself I'll stick to the basics. However I cannot stress enough how important it is to stick to fresh ingredients. There are a lot of ingredients needed when starting out cooking for yourself but you'll soon find that a about 4-6 spice pots and the rest of the 'raw materials' are used in many dishes in all types of meal... Anyhow, try a spag bol as a start: - Italian spaghetti - Lean mince beef or lamb (I prefer beef as it has less fat) - 4x fresh tomatoes - Tin of chopped tomatoes - 2-3 cloves of garlic, crushed (optional) - 1-2 large chopped onions (depends how much you like - dried bay leaf - dried thyme - salt and pepper - olive oil (personally I prefer mild for this) - grated mild cheese (optional, I prefer none due to the fat content) Chuck the meat and crashed garlic into a hot saucepan (with a small amount of the olive oil) until the meat is browned (you can also add a glass of red wine if adventurous) Lower the heat. Chop the fresh tomatoes into smallish sections, chuck into the pan along with the tin of chopped tomatoes and everything else apart from the cheese and allow a mild simmer for between 30 mins and 90 mins (it doesn't matter too much really, but I find the flavour is better the longer it is, also gets rid of excess water) Take off heat and cook the spaghetti Serve and if you want add the cheese. It takes about 10 mins to prepare but is a great meal and not too bad on calories. Tastes superb too I have dozens more, some more simple, some more complex, if you want to hear them of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Get a steamer (Tesco do a cheap value one)... Portion of salmon Frozen veg (pref fresh) Really simple... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 One thing to add - the frozen stuff, especially meats, should be avoided if it's for weight loss/healthy lifestyle reasons. They are always lowest grade meat and will be absolutely loaded (I.e injected) with water to bulk mass. They taste terrible when compared to fresh meat. Edit - as Gav says a steamer is a really simple way to prepare top quality and healthy food. It's the best thing I've ever bought for the kitchen. I'd rather have one of those than an oven or hob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guigsy Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 my favorite... when i can be arsed to make and buy the stuff. It will kill you if you eat it too much though Its hardly a full roast with all the trimmings but i just made this... Ive called it "The hangover heartattack" and its a bit like a burger but with a twist. This makes 2. 4 x Thick Richmond irish sausages (Richmond sausages are the king of sausages, Make sure you dont use any of that fashionable chunky rubbish, richmond sausages are nice and smooth which is what makes them great for this kind of thing) 3 or 4 rashers of smoked streaky bacon 1 inch of chorizo sausage (optional) A chunk of medium cheddar, enough for a couple of handfulls. 3 x slices of Jalapeño (red) Some drops of hot sauce (tabasco, whatever) Remove as much fat as you can from the bacon and cut into small pieces. Chop the chorizo into 5mm cubes. Remove the skins from the sausages, add the hotsauce and mush them up to make a sausage meat paste. Chop the Jalapeño and the cheese into 5mm cubes. Mix all the ingrediants together (but not the cheese) and then flatten the mixture out till about 2/3 of an inch thick. Sprinke over the cheese giving it a good covering. Dont over do it, but make sure you have enough! Fold it in and make sure the cheese is mixed in well with the mixture. Seperate the mixture into 2 parts about the size of a burger and fry in a pan. You wont need any oil. Once its starting to brown on the edges flip it over. When its done you should have a tasty, spicy and very unhealthy treat that ooozes strings of cheese when you cut into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilicos Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 The MOST important thing is having a weekly menu written out. Then buy your ingredients based on that. You should also pre stock your cupboards with the 'essentials', eg, pasta, rice, a couple of tins of baked beans, etc for when you just need something quick. Going into the supermarket 'blind' means you will only waste your money and end up with useless items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 One thing to add - the frozen stuff, especially meats, should be avoided if it's for weight loss/healthy lifestyle reasons. They are always lowest grade meat and will be absolutely loaded (I.e injected) with water to bulk mass. They taste terrible when compared to fresh meat. Definitely!!! And if you shop around (tesco, asda, morrisons), you will soon find fresh veg is the way forward. Also consider getting a george foreman grill (or a cheap clone), they are superb for cooking with. Stirfry's are a nice easy one, I used the foreman to grill turkey breasts, and then dice up and add to some stir fry veg and a sauce of your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathew Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Definitely!!! And if you shop around (tesco, asda, morrisons), you will soon find fresh veg is the way forward. Also consider getting a george foreman grill (or a cheap clone), they are superb for cooking with. Stirfry's are a nice easy one, I used the foreman to grill turkey breasts, and then dice up and add to some stir fry veg and a sauce of your choice. why do you say this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 why do you say this? Fresh veg has a much better taste which in turn allows for a much more flavourful food... Frozen veg is quick and easy and not a bad option, but you just can't beat the flavour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathew Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Fresh veg has a much better taste which in turn allows for a much more flavourful food... Frozen veg is quick and easy and not a bad option, but you just can't beat the flavour. thats fair enough i guess. i was waiting for you to give some bumf about nutrients and all that jazz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Poached salmon fillets on a bed of lemon couscous, with a side salad. I use the flavoured couscous in packets from the supermarkets. Doesn't need refrigerating and has the same kind of shelf life as tins. Piece of p*ss to prepare too. Sprinkle chopped dill onto the salmon just before serving. --------------- Home made burgers: get some beef or lamb mince, finely chop up an onion or chives, add an egg (helps it bind into shape), splash of lea & perrins. Grill. Done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benkei Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Quick and easy meal for when I'm on the go: -Get a large cup and 3 eggs, crack the eggs and empty 3 whites and one (or two depending on your preferance) yolk into the cup, and beat! -Get a small frying pan and put a little sunflower oil in it, and put on a low heat -Pour eggs into the pan -Put a piece of bread in the toaster (I use brown or wholemeal) -With a spatular, move the egg around in the pan so it doesn't turn into an ommlette, chop large pieces up too, and keep 'stiring' -When the toast 'pops', put it on a plate ready -When the eggs are nearly done, turn the heat off to avoid burning it -When they ARE done (after a few minutes) tip the contents of the pan onto the toast And there you go! Scrambled egg on toast! A cup of tea is recommended to accompany your meal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike3.0 Posted June 29, 2009 Author Share Posted June 29, 2009 Mexican rice and bean casserole 1 tsp vegetable oil 125ml/4fl oz water 1 onion chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 110g/4oz mushrooms, sliced 2 green peppers, chopped 125g/5oz long-grain rice 1 can (796g/28oz) red kidney beans drained 1 can (540g/19oz) tomatoes 1 tbsp chilli powder 2 tsp cumin a pinch cayenne pepper 110g/4oz grated low-fat mozzarella cheese Method 1. In large saucepan, heat oil with water over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, mushrooms and green peppers; simmer, stirring often, until onion is tender, about 10 minutes. 2. Add rice, beans, tomatoes, chilli powder, cumin and cayenne; cover and simmer for about 25 minutes or until rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. 3. Transfer to baking dish and sprinkle with cheese. Bake in 18OC/350F/Gas 4 oven for 15 minutes or microwave at high (100%) power for 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese melts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike3.0 Posted June 29, 2009 Author Share Posted June 29, 2009 Just got back from Asda and I'm all stocked up on rice, pasta, peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, bananas, etc... Its looking very colourful and healthy for once! Hopefully Il get some good ideas for recipes now, but I did find this very good site. http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/browse_categories.shtml Check it out : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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