Most useful culinary shortcut (lighthearted)

Astitchintime

Here’s a recipe for a very simple but super delicious dessert.

One cup of hot water
One cup of plain Greek yogurt
One packet of sugar free jelly - I used raspberry.

Whisk together and chill for a few hours. Makes a fabulous mousse style dessert…….no idea how long it would keep in the fridge though, we ate it that evening after dinner.

I’ve been buying jelly recently to use up some frozen fruit in the freezer and have added yoghurt to it. I like a few chocolate sprinkles on the top, too. I do like milk jelly!

Small jars like this.

Every supermarket sells them. You can also get them in tubes.

Haven’t seen those Pittcitty

crazyH

Ginger/Garlic paste - can’t do without it

I like the jars of ready garlic, ginger and chilli.

teabagwoman

If I need just to soften onion, carrots etc. as a base for a dish I mix the chopped veg with a little oil and microwave on high for 3 minutes. Works particularly well when using frozen onion’s etc.

I'll try that tbw thank you.

If I need just to soften onion, carrots etc. as a base for a dish I mix the chopped veg with a little oil and microwave on high for 3 minutes. Works particularly well when using frozen onion’s etc.

Ginger/Garlic paste - can’t do without it

I use all the frozen shortcuts including chopped herbs, onions, peppers, mushrooms, soffrito etc.

I use creme fraiche or cream cheese to make a sauce instead of a roux. Just heat gently and add cheese, parsley or whatever.
The herby cream cheese is lovely if stirred into cooked pasta and any meat, veg you fancy. I usually sprinkle with cheese and finish in the oven.

Crumble - just pour porridge oats over fruit

I buy fresh potato swede and carrot mash - it does freeze, and recook if you do not want to use a whole one.

As well as normal mash uses, I mash in finely chopped spring onion and tuna for a quick easy meal or as a base for curry and chili instead of rice

No excuses about mobility, I just like it better than my own

- I cook all veg in the microwave. Wash, pop in a bowl with a spoonful of water and cook for about 2 minutes.
- frozen mash is wonderful and I eat it all the time.
- quick pie - bought pastry case, mashed up tuna (with seasoning and mayo) , cheese on top, stick in oven, then serve with salad.
- I have just bought some frozen ready meals from Field Doctor - you can indicate any food preferences (e.g. I don't eat mushrooms) - they are supposed to be healthy meals, but I am guessing they will be a bit farty - time will tell!

I was given a tip for making crumble which I use all the time now.

Melt your butter and then add into your dry mix a little at a time. It’s a game changer

ViceVersa

GrannyGravy13

Frozen puff pastry.

Yes, that would get my vote too. I can make pastry, but can never be bothered faffing around to make puff - and mine never turned out all that great anyway. Apparently my hands are too hot to make good pastry (according to my hypercritical mother, anyway!)

My mum was a cookery teacher and was very critical of anything ready made, but she used frozen puff pastry. She also bought ready made battenburg cake as she said that was too much faff to make.
I too always had hot hands so struggled with pastry making. I also couldn't make a good crumble mix so bought it ready made. Mum was horrified when she saw it when she came to stay. She set about making me a huge empty plastic ice-cream container full of crumble mix. I'm afraid after I'd used it all I went back to buying packets! On the rare occasions I make crumble nowadays I add some rolled oats to the bought mixture which gives it a better texture and reduces the sweetness.

Thank you x

Katekeeprunning

Which frozen mash would you suggest?

I usually get Morrisons or Waitrose, I didn’t like the Aldi one as much.

Lazy garlic in a jar.

MayBee70

My one job at Christmas is to make the red cabbage because nobody really likes it but I think it adds colour to the meal. I then end up with lots left over and spend Christmas Day with stained red hands. I think frozen is the way forward….

M&S do an excellent one Maybee.

I made some last Christmas, the first time for a long time. It was delicious but never again!

Bluebell

Fibre. Potassium. Iron. Vit B. Vit C. Antioxidants.

All in the potato skin. All good for you.

First cooking lesson in Home Economics was Stuffed Jacket Potatoes.
Scooped out potato skins after baking; flesh seasoned, and mixed with strong English Cheddar and put back in the skins. Grated cheese on top and then under the grill.

Still a favourite supper dish with baked beans or Coleslaw after 40-years.
.

My granddaughter is dairy intolerant so I use an egg to mash potatoes it works really well

Katekeeprunning

Which frozen mash would you suggest?

I use Aunt Bessie's, but to be honest, I've used Morrisons and Asda's own, and there's not much difference.

I am interested in the chopping box mentioned, any recommendations on particular models?

amzn.eu/d/gj8XOPi

This is the one we have Gin, it makes short work of everything!
The cutting blades are very sharp so you need to be careful.

Maybe not to everyone's taste but a friend makes crumble with half oats and half flour approx brown sugar and virgin olive oil plus lots of cinnamon, I now do the same , to me its delicious

Really enjoying this thread
Lots of tips, looking forward to making apple crumble without peeling apples next...

My one job at Christmas is to make the red cabbage because nobody really likes it but I think it adds colour to the meal. I then end up with lots left over and spend Christmas Day with stained red hands. I think frozen is the way forward….