ready meals

[paulsmummy]

what is your take on them?

[weeal]

hi, i eat too many of them, cant be bothered cooking for one

[puddicat]

they have there place but dont rely on them! try and do the real thing youre family will appreciate youre culinary skills!!!

[paulsmummy]

i find them cheap and u can do many things to jazz them up.. plus.. when you dont have alot of money sometimes you dont have any choice when your trying to feed a family of four money is tight and you have to do your best with it dont you? i think many of us are kinda forced to buy economy food .. given the prices arnt we

[pastafreak]

I'm a cook-I don't touch the things...never have as they will always disappoint.

[paulsmummy]

lol.......what culinary skills....... ta da......i can peel a lid off........hehehe... im probably not a very cook but to be honest i wouldnt know how or what to do...lol

[shellywelly]

Very occasionally we have them. Especially when you have had a horrible day at work and you just can't be botherd. Everything in moderation don't they say.

[~max~]

Agree with both weeal and puddicat! I'm by myself, so don't generally cook, but whenever my best mate comes over, it is a real pleasure to see him enjoy home cooked food! It's not hard either, and doesn't have to follow any recipe. As long as you love you, like I do, you'll know when something is going to taste right! lol

I even did my first proper xmas dinner for him last year, with all the trimmings! :O)

[tiggerblue10]

I used to eat loads years ago. I usually cook my own meals now, mostly one pot meals.

[paulsmummy]

pasta......what sort of stuff do you cook? im very limited idea wise..i make cheese potato pie, i make bacon onion pud.. in the cloth my dad taught me..liver and onions.. but then i kind of think.......i dont know what else to do apart from stews..lol

[weeal]

i cooked a lot when i was married, it makes a difference having somone there to appreciate it
i am quite a good cook, have just lost interest

[~max~]

When money is tight, as it is for loads of people! just buy less meat and more veggies! a good home made stew or casserole, even a nice simple pasta dish will feed 4 easily for very little money.

[puddicat]

get a cookbook such as delia for beginners she takes you from boiling egg to full blown meals,or go to your library and say i am looking on how to cook for my family and they have so much advice on what books they have please try i have taught both my sons to cook, by the way mother was a lousy cook lol and me and my sisters are really good!!!

[paulsmummy]

max..... that generally what i do.. i try but im not good idea wise..

[paulsmummy]

soz.... gotta go for now.. but ill look back in tomorrow.. thanks for the advices..

[~max~]

Paulsmummy, have a look at that website, especially the one on the link! Loads of ideas for cheap and cheerful meals!

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdispl ay.html?f=33

[mistys]

I always burn them.

[pastafreak]

Base meals around rice-stirfries or curries-both can be done quite cheaply,especially stirfries. Don't buy pre cut and bagged veggies....you are paying for the conveniance! Make pasta-bakes...a bag of pasta....veggies of your choice,lots of grated cheese-even some Philly Lite...mix all together in a deep baking dish and pop some more cheese on topand bake til bubbly and golden. Make meat loaf or meatballs or cottage/shepards pie....add veggies to the meat. You can also make lovely soups for very little. Take a look at the cookery section of a bookstore...youdon't have to buy-lol.....but look for ideas. The more you cook and experiment-the better you will become!

[pastafreak]

Take a look at these two websites,paulsmummy.....there are lots of budget ideas....good luck hun! http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/food/recipes/Cheap -family-recipes

[pastafreak]

And this one http://mahalo.com/Cheap_Food

[paulsmummy]

thankyou for these... i looked and they are very interesting..oh and bookmarked..lol