rice in a bag

[colhut]

Confession time, I used to be a Jar cook, cook some meat bung in a jar of gludge and hey presto, chicken korma etc. Then when I took up with the other half she taught me to cook, more importantly that I could do a better job with fresh ingredients in the same time (or occasioanlly quicker) and no E numbers at all. So my contribution to head shaking in the supermarket is Jars of gludge that contain something I could do myself just as easily.

[Clara]

The only time I can think of these things being "acceptable" is when someone isn´t physically (or mentally) capable - I couldn´t believe it when my dad said he had frozen mashed potatoes, but then he has really restricted movement in his hands from arthritis, so I let him off.....

Can´t agree more with kids eating the same as the adults, I don´t quite know what they would make of it here if you asked for the children´s menu!!

[Urban Ayisha]

Also the blind belief that organic/wholegrain/low fat is better, if it's organic but packed full of additives it's still going to be bad, if the fat has been swapped for sugar you have another set of problems to contend with. Well balanced meals witha bit of thought behind them and as little nonsense and faffing around are the best .

TRYYYYYYY finding a non low-fat yoghurt these days! near impossible. its SUCH a con sometimes i wanna scream at the stalwart dieters in the staffroom "actually read the ingredients on that little pot"! gimme the fat, i WANT the fat!!!!

[Merry]

`Convenience` foods seem to escalate as time goes by.
I remember in my school cookery lessons - what seems like millenia ago-
the teacher sniffily telling us that self raising flour was
`an unnecessary convenience item`.
and that we needed to learn to use the correct proportions of plain flour, bicarb and cream of tartar for what we were baking.
Cor - if dear old Mrs Parker is still alive she`ll be turning in her grave!

[QuakerBear]

My personal bug bear is yoghurt kits. It's so easy to make your own, you can even make good (but not set) yoghurt from skimmed milk. If anyone wants to know how, just ask.

I've just moved house and the new flat has a freezer. It's amazing. I've bulk made dhaal, tomatoe sauce, veg curry, all sorts. I understand the preasures of woking mean it's often hard to cook a full meal every night, but I don't understand why more people don't do like I do, cook loads, freeze and then have your own 'ready-meal' at a latter date.

[Chickenlady]

Ready grated cheese! Ready chopped veg of any description.

I will confess, though, to having a jar or two of bolognese sauce in the bag of my cupboard for emergencies - Usually for when I am out and about all day then doing after school collections. Otherwise tea can get very late, and I am supposed to feed the kids I childmind before they are collected at 6pm. I should be more organised and cook up several batches then freeze them. Yet another job for the weekend!

Many people seem to actually live off convenience foods of various descriptions, though. Surely nobody is so busy that they can NEVER cook a meal from scratch?

[9ball]

How long will it be before somebody just sells a turd in a tub. Simply open, deposit into the toilet and flush - none of that messy cooking or eating needed

[mrsflibble]

ready chopped onions get my goat 'cos OMIGOD you might have to PEEL AND CHOP them yourself???!?!? oh the hardship!

I have to say though, instant noodles (NOT supanoodles; the cheap own brand variety.) are a staple of Jim's work diet 'cos they're quick, hot and filling. his favorites are Aldi's own spicy thai ones.

and i do admit to having a couple of sachets of colman's casserole powders, a tin of sweet and sour sauce and a jar of curry sauce in my larder for emergency dinners. They are doctored with fresh ingredients and i cook my own rice lol!!

[mrsflibble]

Soph eats mostly what we do. It's harder though when james is on day shift or doing overtime or team leader duties and he is home too late for her to eat with us, she may not get what we are havng but she will have something equally as tasty/healthy. I buy fish and make up little individual fish pie mixes for soph so i can remove from freezer, bung in the microwave or a pan and serve to her in under 10 mins. if she's eating I stay with her and have a snack so she's not eating alone. she seems to eat better when I do that.

she loves jim's homemade chilli. she has the "mild" version (not really mild but milder than jim has it) and it's guaranteed to be gone in seconds.