Friday 13 February 2015

Word of the Week

This week's word only sprung into my mind yesterday and doesn't really sum up the week as such but there hasn't really been an over-riding feel to the week so it will suffice.




Yesterday I cooked tea.  'Wow' I hear you all shout. Well, yes, it's not that exciting in itself is it?  I cooked cod fillets in crème fraiche and with pea and mint crush. Sounds lush, n'est pas? I confess - it was a Waitrose ready meal ... Just shoot me now for being a bad wife ...

What I noticed was how small the portions were, no bigger than my coasters. Actually, the coasters are larger! The packet said there were two servings - I can only assume they didn't mean two people!

However, this got me thinking about convenience.  I confess that I use ready meals sometimes, a few times a week if I'm honest. It's become a habit; I wander round Waitrose and pop a couple of packs in the trolley without really thinking about it.  I do it for convenience. I know that there are a couple of fool-proof meals in the fridge and one of my few culinary skills is peeling back the film from a foil tray!

But is it really convenient? Maybe time wise but what about in other ways? Food should be an expression of love and care - what am I saying by buying it ready made and merely re-heating something made in a factory?  Have I really got that lazy and complacent?

So I've set myself a challenge: next week I'm not buying anything 'convenient' at the supermarket, I intend to make all meals from scratch. This will take some planning so I'm planning a weekend of pouring over cookbooks finding ideas for a full week and actually planning all meals rather than grabbing what's in the fridge in a foil tray.

Actually, looks like next week's Word of the Week could be planning ... Watch this space!
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13 comments:

  1. Anonymous13 February 2015 at 10:23

    Good for you. I never buy convenience meals - have you read what is in that stuff? Simply cooked home meals - nothing says 'I love you more' at Valentine's (or indeed, any time of the year) more than that.

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    1. Jo's Writing Space13 February 2015 at 11:35

      I'm hoping that it helps me turn a corner and do more cooking as well. I enjoy it when I do it so I need to do more of it - does that make sense?

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    2. Anonymous16 February 2015 at 22:45

      Just like me! Just do it,

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    3. Jo's Writing Space17 February 2015 at 07:48

      Made a good start with Beef Stew yesterday. Raymond Blanc's poached chicken followed by pancakes tonight. Enjoying it so far!

      Delete
  2. Kim Carberry13 February 2015 at 11:22

    Good luck! I sometimes buy convenience meals they are handy but are the easy, less fulfilling option.

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    1. Jo's Writing Space13 February 2015 at 11:36

      Agree that they are less satisfying - for the cook as well as the eater!

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  3. Louisa13 February 2015 at 14:03

    I buy a few convenience meals for the teen for when he comes in starving at strange hours but we don't eat them ourselves (unless you count frozen pizza). I hope you enjoy cooking from scratch #wotw

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    1. Jo's Writing Space13 February 2015 at 15:19

      Thank you for you comment, Louisa. I hope it all goes smoothly - looking forward to getting the cook books out for a good browse

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  4. The Reading Residence13 February 2015 at 14:12

    Good luck! Sounds like you've a busy planning weekend ahead of you. Enjoy all of that home-cooked deliciousness :) Thanks for sharing with #WotW x

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    1. Jo's Writing Space13 February 2015 at 15:17

      I do hope there's plenty of deliciousness going on, will keep fingers crossed!

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  5. Jo's Writing Space13 February 2015 at 15:15

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. Anonymous13 February 2015 at 17:19

    I buy those ready made meals when the store would almost close and would get them cheap. So for me they are okay even if its smaller side I still got them cheap and I just need to pop them out the oven or microwave a bit. But on full price these food are really extortionate to get. #wotw

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    1. Jo's Writing Space17 February 2015 at 07:49

      They are handy especially for lunch with portions being smaller.

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