Ask Miss Smartypants - August 31, 2009 |
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| Written by Miss Smartypants |
| Monday, 31 August 2009 00:00 |
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After reading your answer about buying fresh produce, I think you might be able to help me. I can't cook. It's not that I can't cook, actually - not like I enter the kitchen and draw a blank - but that I don't like to cook. Actually, I'm not the best cook because I don't really know what to do in the kitchen, but it's more than that. I don't enjoy it. I find it messy and time-consuming. I don't like doing the washing up afterwards. As a result, I eat a lot of junk/instant foods, and eat out a lot. It's not the best plan for my waistline or wallet. So what can I do? The Kitchen is My Nightmare Dear Chef at Home, The first thing I think you should do is get a book that covers the basics in the kitchen, whether it's Cook with Jamie, How to Boil Water, or even that old standard The Joy of Cooking. They not only have simple, easy recipes but also techniques, tips, and tricks to make cooking a little easier on you. After that, I've got two ideas: one-pot recipes and make-ahead meals. The former are my favourite because they combine everything you look for in a meal (protein, produce, carbs) in one place. The latter might be easier on you because you can cook on the weekend and eat throughout the week. If you don't like eating the same thing day after day, many of the recipes lend themselves to freezing, so you can mix and match. I've recommended the Food Network's site in the past, which has both a one-pot meal section and a make-ahead meal section, as well as a Quick and Easy tab. Kraft Canada is another great resource for 15 minute meals, one-pot dinners, and make-ahead meals. Surf those sites until you find a handful of recipes that sound tasty to you, print or copy them, and take them to the grocery store. As for the washing up, I don't know anyone who likes doing the washing up. It's a necessary evil in the grand cooking scheme. If your place doesn't have a dishwasher, buy one. Apartment? Get one of those in-sink dishwashers or tiny portables that hook up to your sink. It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but, if you hate doing dishes that much, I doubt you'll regret it. Ready to serve, Miss Smartypants Got problems? Send 'em to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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