finally cooked a meal.

[chilistrucker]

slightly embarassed to admit this.
but i've just never got round to cooking a meal.
well, one that doesn't involve a microwave or a pot noodle.
lots of reasons really, time being the main 1. so as i'm doing an easier job at mo, i get abit of time to myself, and last week caught the new gordon ramsay program on channel 4.
for a total novice like me, its a great show, and after watching him do a pork chop dish, with garlic and basil, with peppers and red onion in red wine vinegar, with some sugar to caramelise, i thought i'd have a go.
so went out, got all the ingredients, and yesterday gave it a bash. o.k had to take the laptop in the kitchen for reference, as wanted to try and get it spot on, and do you know what, it actually came out spot on. followed all of mr ramsays advice, re prep, cooking, and lettng the chops stand and the meal was really nice. well the mrs is still alive and suffering no ill affects

i have to admit i enjoyed the whole experience, from buying the ingredients, to preping, cooking and finally eating. so, next sunday going to try a lamb dish and see how we get on. might even buy a cookery book for beginners

[grumbledoak]

Excellent.

No need for a book- you can find loads of recipes online. Just google e.g. 'lamb recipe', search, then click on 'Pages from the UK' so you don't get anything in septic units, and Bob is your Auntie's brother.

[madbadger]

Good stuff.

Keep it up and try doing lots of different things. When you are happy with a recipe I would play with ingredients a bit. Vary the quantity or substitute things. It will still ( probably) be edible and you get to experiment a bit. Makes it easier if you can get a feel for cooking rather than just slavishly following a recipe. Having said that a good recipe book is an excellent starting point.

None of it is rocket science, but maybe avoid Heston recipes for a bit.

[chilistrucker]

thanks, will try the google route.
yeah, think hestons stuff is away off yet.
i'm def up for experimenting with stuff, once i get the basics down. when i was in m&s getting the ingredients i needed i was looking at the different, herbs, spices, sauces etc, thinking, ooo i'll have to try something with those.
we only normally do our weekly shop at tesco, but i thought i'd get the chops etc from m&s for this, and glad i did. there is a waitrose not to faraway, and my sister raves about their stuff, so will go shopping there next saturday and have abit of a stock up.

[Cotty]

chilistrucker said:

last week caught the new gordon ramsay program on channel 4.

I think a lot of people watch cooking programs for pure entertainment value. But if you watch enough of them sooner or later you see something and think "hey I could do that" you try it, it comes out ok and you are away.

[chilistrucker]

I'll be honest, I was just watching for entertainment, but the way he was showing the whole process made me actually think I could do that. Glad I did, as it was really enjoyable, there was also a lamb dish he did that I think I can manage so that's next, then jerk chicken! Always fancied trying jerk chicken, problem is the mrs doesn't do hot and spicy, so I'm gonna hv to make a different marinade for her.

[calibrax]

chilistrucker said:

thanks, will try the google route.
yeah, think hestons stuff is away off yet.
i'm def up for experimenting with stuff, once i get the basics down. when i was in m&s getting the ingredients i needed i was looking at the different, herbs, spices, sauces etc, thinking, ooo i'll have to try something with those.
we only normally do our weekly shop at tesco, but i thought i'd get the chops etc from m&s for this, and glad i did. there is a waitrose not to faraway, and my sister raves about their stuff, so will go shopping there next saturday and have abit of a stock up.

For meat, you are much better going to a proper butcher, or a farm shop. The supermarket meat, even at Waitrose or M&S, is quite simply not the best quality.

To get your herbs and spices cheap, figure out what you want to buy and go to your nearest Asian/Indian supermarket. They won't have everything, but what they do have will be cheaper. An example is that Tesco etc might charge you £1.50 for 50g of paprika, but at the Asian supermarket you'll probably be able to get 250g for the same price!

Edited by calibrax on Tuesday 18th September 00:11

[chilistrucker]

Calibrax, thanks!
It's funny I've been reading this section of ph for the last 2 hours, whilst being unloaded in Kent, ironically enough with 23 tonnes of frozen chicken!
One of the things I've learned tonight, is that from now on all of our meat will come from a butchers and no longer the supermarket. I know it's all dead but would like to think abit ethically about it if possible, and I'm all for the high street over the big chains at the mo. just hope my local butcher doesn't mind my stupid noob questions.
Like the tip on spices etc aswell, cheers.
I aim to buy a new spice every week to build up a decent store, just got to learn what to do with them all, but guess that's half the fun.

[Mobile Chicane]

calibrax said:

To get your herbs and spices cheap, figure out what you want to buy and go to your nearest Asian/Indian supermarket. They won't have everything, but what they do have will be cheaper. An example is that Tesco etc might charge you £1.50 for 50g of paprika, but at the Asian supermarket you'll probably be able to get 250g for the same price!

^^^ Exactly this.

Split packs with friends, or else keep any opened packets of ground spices in a lidded box in the freezer.

[Switch]

chilistrucker said:

Calibrax, thanks!
It's funny I've been reading this section of ph for the last 2 hours, whilst being unloaded in Kent, ironically enough with 23 tonnes of frozen chicken!
One of the things I've learned tonight, is that from now on all of our meat will come from a butchers and no longer the supermarket. I know it's all dead but would like to think abit ethically about it if possible, and I'm all for the high street over the big chains at the mo. just hope my local butcher doesn't mind my stupid noob questions.
Like the tip on spices etc aswell, cheers.
I aim to buy a new spice every week to build up a decent store, just got to learn what to do with them all, but guess that's half the fun.

Your butcher should hopefully respond well and educate you a bit. Just ask and listen and you'll learn a lot. they're also good for tips on how to prepare your particular lump of meat.

Also stay away from the BBQ threads, you'll suddenly find yourself with piles of wood chips, tin foil and a smokey garden...

[spikeyhead]

My local Tesco had the Ramsey book to accompany his series for £12.

Could well be easier than having the laptop in the kitchen.