Help! SOS! How do you Cook?

[mim]

Hiya! Was just wondering how to do roast potatoes? Oh and Jackets too? I have just moved out! Sorry to sound stupid!

[-Garry-]

agreed....you do sound stupid!...erm...sounds like you had better stick to the takeaway!

[brawburd]

Boil potatoes, drain, when slightly cooled shake about a little in pot - this breaks surfaces and lets them get more crispy. Meantime, a roasting tin in oven filled with oil (just enough to half cover potatoes) quite a high heat (about 220 deg cen) - put cooked potatoes in hot oil (carefully!) - roast for about half an hour. Give a couple of turns, then when nice n brown n crispy - enjoy!

[mim]

Thanks so much brawburd!! Anyone have any ideas on the Jackets?

[WendyW]

Jacket Potatoes .... either microwave for 7 mins (until they are slightly soft) then put in the oven (190 degrees) for about 20 mins OR miss out the microwave stage and leave them in the normal oven for about 45/50 mins. To test if they are done you just give them a squeeze and if they are soft then they are done. Use a cloth when you test them or you will burn your hands.

[mim]

Thankyou wendy!! Now i think i will go and burn the house down! Thankyou both for all of your tips they were very helpfull.

[WendyW]

Its a pleasure mim .. enjoy your cooking.

[darth vader]

mim, if you want to impress the boyfriend/girlfriend/parents then for roast potatoes use pork fat (buy it from the butcher) and sprinkle a few sprigs of FRESH (not dried) rosemary and a large pinch of salt over the spuds prior to roasting

[Andromeda]

Darth - that sounds lovely - will have to try that one! -Garry- sorry, but if you can't say anything constructive, please don't say anything at all. Remember we all have to learn to cook sometime. Don't assume that everyone is at the same level as you.

Andy

[gilf]

I reckon we should all go round to garys house and try out his "wonderfull" poatotes and see how good he is.

[-Garry-]

You are all more than welcome to pop around,,,just let me know when is convenient...and ill have my kitchen staff prepare a nice banquet for you!

[Wee Kaz]

Mim, I do my jacket potatoes the same as WendyW but before putting them in the oven I brush olive oil over the top half of the potato and then twist some sea salt over them, then make a small slit lengthways across the potato and wrap it in tinfoil and cook in a pre-heated oven for 20 mins. The oil make the potato go golden brown, it's yummy!! Enjoy :o)

[paulz]

Mim if you aren't confident in the roasting spuds the frozen ones are nearly as good - sometimes when we're in a hurry or the potatoes have gone mushy/sprouty they're an ideal substitute, plus you can cook as many - or few as you need. Ok garry where do live we'll all come round

[mim]

Thanks to everyone who reponded to the question! You have all been lots of help and thanks to you all the next time i cooked spuds (roasties) it worked! I didnt use oven ready rosties but i did use oven ready parsnips and they bwere just as good! Ta very much everybody! x

[paulz]

Mim Glad things are going ok 4 u, no need to rush into the cooking lark, master / practice a bit at a time, you're bound to have accidents/disasters/hiccups [usually when you've invited someone round] - I'd cooked a wonderful meal for New Year, fillet steak that cost a fortune and all the works. Turned my back to open the vino & darling dog swiped the steak [mine of course!] For cook books try either Delia's cookery course [paperback version is a lifesaver] Readers Digest Cookery Year [good for the basics] and even Jamie O's books are good [not cheap though]. There's also some ace recipes in the cheapo �1.99 books that woolies & asda sell snag is they only cover a topic eg fish, pasta etc. Talking of pasta my first disaster when learning to cook was to soak the pasta [like you do to rice! doh!] it went into a congealed mass of sludge. Above all take your time and enjoy it - it's meant to be fun Good luck

[mim]

cheers for the tips paul - its ok I wont go cooking for Twelve just yet! It is fun in a way, and i'm sure i'll get the hang of it. Cheers for the advice on cooking books- there are so many I never seem to know which one to get!

[chef]

mim the cookbooks paulz mentioned are on buy one get one free in Woolies, Asda sell them too. The recipes are better than mine!

[mim]

Cheers for that chef...