Need help with cheap simple meals without a microwave - eviltoast

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.

  • Kalvo@lemm.eeOP
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    7 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.

    • CiderApplenTea@lemmy.world
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      7 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 :)

      • Kalvo@lemm.eeOP
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        7 months ago

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

            • oessessnex@programming.dev
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              7 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.

              • Kalvo@lemm.eeOP
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                7 months ago

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