[feythful]

I seriously manage to screw up the most simple recipes. I'm in tears over dinner which is simply a pizza made a different way. I'm so sick of frozen meals, but I seem to be completely incapable of cooking anything that requires any amount of assembly...I seriously just told Jeff to make himself a PB&J. DH just keeps saying it takes practice, but who wants to keep trying when only 1 out of every 8 or so things I make come out edible (not even good necessarily).

Anyone have any suggestions that are stupid proof and not entirely processed?

[*Kiliki*]

porcupine meatballs...fairly simple and ohh sooo yummy

1lb ground beef
3/4 cup of uncooked rice
salt-pepper-onion powder(or minced or chopped)-garlic powder to taste...just a dash of everything
1 egg
1 large can of tomato soup

mix beef rice seasonings egg and a table spoon of the soup and form into balls

take the rest of the soup pour it into a large pan with about half a can of water drop the meatballs into the soup mixture and let cook for about an hour...medium setting or until done...

i like to serve these with mashed taters and green beans

[*Kiliki*]

pot roast is always easy...whether in a crock pot or the oven....getting those little packets at the store for pot roast...all the seasonings ready mixed, get those oven bags put the roast teh seasoning and carrots, celery and potatoes in and cook! only takes about 2-3 hours depending on the size of the roast...same goes with whole chicken...just get some good spices and put it all in a bag to cook or just throw it all in a crock pot whichever one works for you

[feythful]

Originally Posted by *Kiliki*

pot roast is always easy...whether in a crock pot or the oven....getting those little packets at the store for pot roast...all the seasonings ready mixed, get those oven bags put the roast teh seasoning and carrots, celery and potatoes in and cook! only takes about 2-3 hours depending on the size of the roast...same goes with whole chicken...just get some good spices and put it all in a bag to cook or just throw it all in a crock pot whichever one works for you

I even manage to screw up those. I add all sort of seasonings and they come out bland...

[somo_chickenlady]

I know exactly how you feel. I used to be a terrible cook, and would get completely overwhelmed with meals that were complicated or took multiple steps all at the same time. I have never been good at multi-tasking. If this tells you anything, my husband had to teach me how to cook mac & cheese, and he just went by the directions on the box!!! I grew up as a spoiled rotten brat that never had to bother with that stuff. It was either cooked for me or from a restaurant.

It has taken me years to learn to do it and have it turn out well, without DHs help. I really started cooking a lot once I became a SAHM and I am just now, one year later, to that point where my meals are good and I am able to tell by taste if a dish needs extra salt, or garlic, or whatever. I am also able now to multitask and judge when to start multiple dishes that cook for different lengths of time. That was really hard for me for a long time. I can't tell you how many times I would be in tears also.

It really takes practice for some people, it did for me. Have you thought about taking some cooking classes? That might help.

[Dizzi]

Crock pot recipes rock because they're generally so easy and you literally just turn it on and leave it alone.

Check these out. Click on the packet and it tells you what you need as well as how to do it. They are all crazy easy. No adding anything to anything, no cooking. Just set it and forget it as they say! lol

Clicky!

[jbug]

I just made a simple pot roast recipe the other day and it was so good. It's called 3 packet pot roast. You take a packet of ranch dressing mix, a packet of Italian dressing mix, and a packet of brown gravy mix (these are all the dry powder mixes). You put your roast in the crock pot and mix all the packets with 1 cup of water and pour on top of the roast and that's it. I did season the roast with salt and pepper too. It was so easy and so yummy.

I am not the best cook either. I am just starting to branch out and try new things since I have become a SAHM. I think it just takes some practice.

[acupofjoe]

i agree on the crock pot stuff, sooo easy and its not to hard to throw things in there and turn it on

[somo_chickenlady]

Here are a couple of of SUPER easy recipes, that you basically just mix ingredients together and either bake or microwave. They only take a few minutes to put together, no real cooking involved beyond making some taco meat, and are both REALLY good.

Taco Pie
Taco Pie | Tales of a Transplanted City Girl


Taco Soup

1 Lb ground beef, cooked & drained
1 - 28 oz can kidney beans*
1 - 28 oz can diced tomatoes*
1 -14 oz can corn * (*DO NOT drain liquid)

Add all ingredients into a bowl with a lid and cover.

Add 1-2 packets of taco seasoning and stir.

Cook in microwave for 20 minutes or until hot. I would do 10 minute segments and stir each time.

Serve with sour cream, cheese and corn chips.

[Dizzi]

mmm Kara I'm going to try that Taco Pie recipe! It looks and sounds delicious!!

[acupofjoe]

Omg yum @ the taco soup!! I wonder if I can make that in my crock pot...I might try it tomorrow!

[TheOnlyPink]

aw sweetheart, it does really take practice. I couldnt boil an egg when i became a sahm. I literally learned everything from scratch. I still cant do a big dinner, like a full roast or christmas, but i would say that i'm a good cook.

My advice is to start small. Start with things that seem too easy to be tasty. Kara has given you some gorgeous recipes (that i am stealing!) and they seem to be pretty simple. and i totally agree with the girls, the crock pot is your best friend! Most crock recipes are just a matter of throwing everything in, stirring, and turning on.

Some other advice would be to invest in a really good cook book. My favorite one is Delia Smith but its very british and might not be much help to you. Liz would be the best person to ask for a recommendation from the states! but this book went into detail about the most basic of dishes, and more importantly why I messed up.

I'll try and find some of my simple recipes, most of mine are just me throwing whatever is in the fridge into a pan tho!

[feythful]

Thanks ladies. It is so frustrating to try something only to have it turn out poorly. DH was able to salvage the meal last night and it turned out okay, although I'm not sure if I'll make it again. Tonight we're sticking with something I know I can do and tomorrow I'm making a big pot of soup since it's supposed to feel like fall tomorrow!!! The hormones are not making this any easier. I swear I cry over everything lately!

[youngwoman]

Awww, I totally get where you're coming from. It took me awhile to really improve my cooking too; when I was pregnant, I became addicted to The Food Network and learned SO much. And then once I became a SAHM, I had more time to practice and try new things. You will get there!

I agree in using a slow cooker, if you have one. Those things are great. Also, one of my foolproof meals is meatloaf. I buy the little meatloaf seasoning packets at the grocery store and just follow the directions. Takes all the guess work out of making one truly from scratch, but still tastes great. It's still one of my DH's favorite meals.

[sebarreiros]

Speaking of crock pot meals....I tried this last night for the first time and yum! Plus, it's super easy just toss everything in!

Slow-Cooker Tex-Mex Chicken recipe

I used an entire pack of taco seasoning just to make it extra yummy, and I waited to add the veggies until about an hour or so before it was done so they wouldn't be super squishy.