Delia Online

By Jameseybaby!!!: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 11:45
What are our own cheats???????????????

Replies

Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 11:46

I suspect that many of us have things in our cupboards for cheating purposes that are not exactly real cooking, but that we use fairly regularly...... SHARE!

Let us all know of those little time saves for occasional use......

You know you wanna!

xxx

By Jameseybaby!!!

Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 11:51

Firsly, I have to admit, I've kept a bag of frozen mash in my stocks for a good few years. There is nothing in it that I would not add myself so i see no harm...

The other I like is sainsburys own Instant cheese sauce mix. 39p and it makes just over half a pint. It lovely stuff. I usually make my own using delias all in one method, but when you get home late, its fab!

Your turn.....

By chesca: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 12:01
Hi James ..I make a very tasty spicy chicken using condensed soup Possibly not for you though James it includes ONIONS!!.......chesca

By Jameseybaby!!!

Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 12:10

I usually start my stews off with a couple of tins of veg soup as a base Chesca.

By Amelia: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 13:13
- Jars of ready made curry sauce, by Pataks or Rajah.
- Mushroom, shrimp, or onion soup powder bases from Maggy or Knorr( to make sauces or add flavour to other dishes)
- Ready made jars of tomato sauce for pizzas.
and,...the worst cheat... a packet of frozen pre-fried chips, for when I'm too lazy to peel some potatos ( my family hates those, they sometimes have a funny smell when being fried, but they always turn out so much more crispier than the ones made from scratch.

By The Dinner Service: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 14:37
These days I just cannot be bothered to make my own mayonnaise - I always buy it. I hate Hellmans but I like Sainsburys French and think Tescos is better still.

By Essex Girl: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 14:53
I often use jars as a base for curries, enchiladas, gumbos, etc. then add my own extra touches.

By Gravy Queen, Buckingham Pantry: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 15:02
Campbells condensed soups as sauces!

By Amelia: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 15:19
Oh, I forgot about mayonnaise, I never make it myself, always store bought. My favourite is Calvé.

By treehugger: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 15:20
hi everyone- just took my desserts to lunch at neighbours -they have been busy digging up spuds- made a plum crumble and a nice trifle, and then made a choc mousse from a packet and a creme caramel from a packet!! can't believe i've just told you lot- i feel so ashamed!!! AND i put coloured chocolate sprinkles on the trifle and mousse- how tacky is that!! ;-)

By The Dinner Service: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 16:03
That's made me smile Treehugger.
I am so used to cooking things from scratch, on the rare occasion I do put something "ready made" and/or "crappy" in my trolley I actually think people are looking at me in disgrace when I am unloading at the checkout. As if the food police are going to jump out at any moment. Yesterday I picked up a bag of frozen mince from Morrisons - horrendous stuff - it's even got some soya in it. But it's £1 a bag and cheaper than dog food. I felt like I wanted to make an announcement in the shop to explain.

By treehugger: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 16:08
hi TDS- i know what you mean!
thing is a couple of weekends ago i went to alot of trouble making desserts for a birthday lunch- i did Delias summer terrine thingy- and it really wasn't to their taste- they spat out all the blackcurrants!! so i thought i'd better play safe and do easy puds that i know they will eat!!

By The Dinner Service: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 16:19
I think if it tastes good does it matter whether you've made it or it's come out of a packet? The problem of course is that most things out of a packet don't taste great. So it's great when you do find something that's ok.

By Jameseybaby!!!

Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 16:24

THats pretty much how I think D.S. If its good, I dont have a problem using it, its just that very few of these things do taste good!!!!

By Welsh lamb: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 17:38
Tilda rice that you can microwave - its is delish!

By jeni_hope: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
12 Jul 2008 18:49
TDS - If you get your groceries on line only the delivery driver can turn up his nose at your purchases!
I keep a stock of Seasoned Pioneers Cooking sauces. They are quite expensive at £3.50 each, but no preservatives or addatives at all. My favourite is the
Chinese Sichuan Plum & Mandarin.

By Dottie May: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
14 Jul 2008 08:18
Just off the top of my head - Packets of Mashed Pots. Parsley Sauce Granules, Ready-made Custard, Condensed Soups, Bolognaise Sauce (Waitrose make a good one), Ready to Bake Garlic Bread, Tinned Plum Tomatoes, Probably find more things when I check my cupboards! Dottie Mayx

By Trekkie: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
14 Jul 2008 08:36
Of course, I'm perfect and never cheat at anything.
Really,
Well, hardly ever.
Mr.Mash doesn't count, does it?

By Donna: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
14 Jul 2008 09:16
Ready prepared fresh veg - saves so much time when I get home and have to start feeding everybody!!

By Jameseybaby!!!

Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
14 Jul 2008 12:56

I've always got some frozen veg in.....

By vivaciousviv: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
14 Jul 2008 16:14
Never both making vinaigrette now since I discovered Maile Cider apple and balsamic vinegar dressing and Orange and balsamic vinegar dressing. They ae absolutely delicious. Viv xx

By Sheelagh, Rossett nr Chester: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
14 Jul 2008 16:30
Condensed soup - especially tomato...
Frozen potato wedges - have a Good Food recipe which uses them...
Pizzas for hungry son...
Seasoning mix for tacos (and the shells too, of course)
And now frozen mash too!

By samcat-lynlet

Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
15 Jul 2008 10:25

frozen mince? i think i'd rather eat the dog food!

tilda rice is the best james - so much more flavour than the non branded especially the basmati.

i use the schwarz(?) packets for chilli. I use one hot one and one normal one when making up a chilli and i can't beat it by doing it from scratch. plus they are sugar free which makes a difference to my diet!

By Chutney Queen, Somerset: Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
15 Jul 2008 16:32
Creme fraiche mixed with grated parmesan as a sauce for cauli cheese , or a ready made cheese sauce of course. Ready-made custard (tinned is fine) and mascarpone blended together with whatever flavourings for lusciously smooth icecream.
Tins of ratatouille, layered with slices pre-cooked potato, topped with yoghurt blended with egg & parmesan for instant moussaka.

By Lovergoat

Re: So, we've done this before but who cares......
15 Jul 2008 17:48

Where to begin? I'm such a terrible, terrible cheat.

Instant mash, tinned tomatoes, chilli flakes, uncle bens semi cooked 2 min rice, plastic cheese for burgers, spreadable butter substitutes and sliced frozen mushrooms can all regularly be found in my kitchen.

Of course if we are ever entertaining and some of that goes into a meal .The packaging is removed from sight quick smart :p

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