Hello.

My microwave died in spectacular fashion today. It was the lifeblood of my kitchen. I’ve had it so long I’ve forgotten how to cook without one. And I can’t afford to buy a new one. I was going to post in eatcheapandhealthy but that place looks as dead as my microwave. I don’t know what I’m going to do.

Jamie Oliver often went on about cheap recipes… that required 30 ingredients and a bunch of equipment I don’t have. These are not helpful. I need recipes that are cheap to shop for, cheap on electricity usage, easy to prepare with limited equipment, and it would be a bonus if they are healthy and tasty. I know I’m being picky, but I don’t have much to work with.

I figured this would be the community to ask because to cook well, you need to know stuff that a bad cook wouldn’t know. I hope I can get a few useful ideas. Thanks.

  • @[email protected]English
    2•3 months ago

    The secret to cooking good rice is to soak it in water (even 5 minutes will do) and then rinse it to remove the excess starch. Then add fresh water and cook it. Don’t take the lid off the pan so the steam cooks it properly. A rice cooker will simplify this process but all you really need is a pan with a lid.

    • KalvoOP
      1•3 months ago

      The secret to cooking good rice is to soak it in water (even 5 minutes will do) and then rinse it to remove the excess starch. Then add fresh water and cook it.

      I’ve heard that and tried it once. I couldn’t taste the difference. I’ll try it again. I cooked rice in a saucepan today and it was ok so I’ll try the rinsing method again once I’ve finished my current batch of rice. Cheers.

      • @[email protected]
        2•3 months ago

        You could also try if you like it better with some butter, just add a little after it’s finished. It’s not for me, but I know other people like it :)

        • KalvoOP
          2•3 months ago

          I’ve been adding margarine and yes, butter would be much better. Butter chicken curry! 😲

          • @oessessnex
            1•3 months ago

            You can also saute an onion before adding the rice and water, and add a bullion cube, to improve the flavor.

              • @oessessnex
                1•3 months ago

                Yes, I meant a bouillon or stock cube, sorry for the typo. Or you can use stock or a broth instead of water.

                Stock is also pretty easy to make. You can buy a whole chicken and then throw the leftover carcass, skins, bones, with onions, carrots, celery and some herbs into a pot and simmer it for 2 hours.

                • KalvoOP
                  1•3 months ago

                  I think I’ll use stock cubes for now. Actually I bought some yesterday. Thanks for the info.