I seriously lack in the culinary skills department. (fwiw, i blame my mom ;) no, seriously, it is amazing how little I know how to cook - for example, i just recently discovered baked chicken...lol
I voted that it varies for me as well. Most things I make during the week are either crock pot or quicker type things, but never do I think I have managed to get things done in 30 minutes!!!
This time of year, we do grill quite a bit as well. So cooking gets simpler. I try to do everything on the grill or the side burner when we grill.
I also am a fan of making things ahead-like freezer to over casseroles and such-and just pulling things out as needed. I don't like prepared foods from the grocery store, generally speaking, and we rarely go out to eat, but sometimes we are busy and I just don't have time to cook!
Some things I will always do from scratch though-like mashed potatoes. I never make those ahead or use a box or anything-I only like fresh, homemade mashed potatoes, lol.
But I love cooking, like Jenn. Too bad my kids don't love what I cook!
ETA-I only plan 2 meals per week during the week. We eat the leftovers the other two nights because there is always plenty for 2 nights, and then Fridays we have pizza night at Bill's parent's house, and weekends we usually grill this time of year, or I will do a Sunday dinner type of thing during the winter, which will be something more elaborate that I can't do as easily without Bill around to watch the kids.
-- Edited by Supafly on Monday 12th of April 2010 01:47:46 PM
Less than 30 minutes. OK I had to think about this a little more. I was thinking about how much hands on work that I do which is less than 30. I do make things that take up to an hour in the oven. I hate cooking so I wouldn't spend over 30 working on something. I hate a long list of ingredients and a bunch of steps so most of what I make is simple.
I love, love, love to cook..if you're on facebook you know how big my meals are most of the time, lol
It usually takes an hour or two to cook, unless I'm grilling and then it's not that long..but on average I'd say at least an hour.
Wow! see, i'd think that you spent all day cooking. and when can i come visit ;)
anytime you want
I save a lot of prep work with some stuff...for instance, I always keep onion chopped up in the fridge, because that saves a ton of time and a lot of things I cook calls for that.
Now, when I cook peas or beans or something like that, that takes longer, so I start those before I do the other stuff. Beans get yummier and softer the longer and slower you cook them, so I might put them on mid-afternoon or so and let them cook slowly for a few hours
I love, love, love to cook..if you're on facebook you know how big my meals are most of the time, lol
It usually takes an hour or two to cook, unless I'm grilling and then it's not that long..but on average I'd say at least an hour.
Wow! see, i'd think that you spent all day cooking. and when can i come visit ;)
anytime you want
I save a lot of prep work with some stuff...for instance, I always keep onion chopped up in the fridge, because that saves a ton of time and a lot of things I cook calls for that.
Now, when I cook peas or beans or something like that, that takes longer, so I start those before I do the other stuff. Beans get yummier and softer the longer and slower you cook them, so I might put them on mid-afternoon or so and let them cook slowly for a few hours
Do you know that is always surprises me how many people do NOT have onions in their house on a regular basis? One time I needed an onion, which was shocking enough to me, and then I couldn't find a single person in the neighborhood who had one!!!
I love, love, love to cook..if you're on facebook you know how big my meals are most of the time, lol
It usually takes an hour or two to cook, unless I'm grilling and then it's not that long..but on average I'd say at least an hour.
Wow! see, i'd think that you spent all day cooking. and when can i come visit ;)
anytime you want
I save a lot of prep work with some stuff...for instance, I always keep onion chopped up in the fridge, because that saves a ton of time and a lot of things I cook calls for that.
Now, when I cook peas or beans or something like that, that takes longer, so I start those before I do the other stuff. Beans get yummier and softer the longer and slower you cook them, so I might put them on mid-afternoon or so and let them cook slowly for a few hours
Do you know that is always surprises me how many people do NOT have onions in their house on a regular basis? One time I needed an onion, which was shocking enough to me, and then I couldn't find a single person in the neighborhood who had one!!!
we eat onions pretty much everyday around here
not just "in" something, but with our meal as a "condiment", rofl!
Less than 30 minutes. OK I had to think about this a little more. I was thinking about how much hands on work that I do which is less than 30. I do make things that take up to an hour in the oven. I hate cooking so I wouldn't spend over 30 working on something. I hate a long list of ingredients and a bunch of steps so most of what I make is simple.
I hate the clean up after most of all. that is why my new favorite friend is foil ;)
Less than 30 minutes. OK I had to think about this a little more. I was thinking about how much hands on work that I do which is less than 30. I do make things that take up to an hour in the oven. I hate cooking so I wouldn't spend over 30 working on something. I hate a long list of ingredients and a bunch of steps so most of what I make is simple.
I hate the clean up after most of all. that is why my new favorite friend is foil ;)
I do too! And to think, until we moved into this house, I had to WASH DISHES BY HAND!!! LOL
I love, love, love to cook..if you're on facebook you know how big my meals are most of the time, lol
It usually takes an hour or two to cook, unless I'm grilling and then it's not that long..but on average I'd say at least an hour.
Wow! see, i'd think that you spent all day cooking. and when can i come visit ;)
anytime you want
I save a lot of prep work with some stuff...for instance, I always keep onion chopped up in the fridge, because that saves a ton of time and a lot of things I cook calls for that.
Now, when I cook peas or beans or something like that, that takes longer, so I start those before I do the other stuff. Beans get yummier and softer the longer and slower you cook them, so I might put them on mid-afternoon or so and let them cook slowly for a few hours
that's a great idea! I keep saying I am going to cut up some vegtables to snack on. I LOVE cucumbers.
I chose 30 minutes... I'm still usually E-mealz pretty much exclusively for all my meal planning. Generally food takes about 30-45 minutes to cook, except for crockpot meals, which there are usually 1-2 of per week.
I chose 30 minutes... I'm still usually E-mealz pretty much exclusively for all my meal planning. Generally food takes about 30-45 minutes to cook, except for crockpot meals, which there are usually 1-2 of per week.
I just looked up E-mealz. Is it worth it. Can you make meal plans based on certain foods you eat/wont eat.
I chose 30 minutes... I'm still usually E-mealz pretty much exclusively for all my meal planning. Generally food takes about 30-45 minutes to cook, except for crockpot meals, which there are usually 1-2 of per week.
I just looked up E-mealz. Is it worth it. Can you make meal plans based on certain foods you eat/wont eat.
No... You choose your store, and the menu changes based on what's on sale. I will say, though, that I am a (VERY) picky eater and there are very few things that I've passed on. If anything, it's convinced us to try some things that under different circumstances I wouldn't have made at home. This week for our menu there was a shrimp and feta dish, that wouldn't fly here, so I just go with something basic and tried and true (and cheap, to stay within their budget) like spaghetti.
They do have menu plans for WW and diabetics and stuff like that, but not for certain foods. But I would encourage anyone to try it, as it's made cooking and shopping INSANELY easy for me, and I'd gladly pay 3x what they charge for it.
