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Post by scrappintoee on May 15, 2016 23:12:59 GMT
After always using boxed mixes, I was SO looking foward to my FIRST attempt at cornbread from scratch. The recipe included cornmeal, cream corn, SOUR CREAM (yum!!), etc. Well, it had NO flavor---NONE !!!! Luckily, I had a box of 'Jiffy' cornbread mix to the rescue!!! 3 other things I think are NOT worth making from scratch: 1. Yellow cake ! ('Duncan Hines' is SO yummy!!) I do NOT like canned chocolate (blechh!) frosting, but canned vanilla is pretty good---but I prefer to make both from scratch EXCEPT **** 2. Caramel / coconut / pecan frosting for German chocolate cake! ( We love all the brands of pre-made: Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, or Pillsbury) are WAY better than scratch! 3. For pork chops, I've tried many scratch recipes, but we prefer the perfect seasonings of 'Shake -n- Bake'. How about you? ETA: THIS is the recipe I followed to the letter....doesn't it LOOK yummy?!?! well, it was NOT . t
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Post by refugeepea on May 15, 2016 23:14:50 GMT
So many many things. Life is too short and I hate to cook! My first thought was pizza.
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Post by dealsamongus on May 15, 2016 23:15:14 GMT
Breading.. Easier to buy it.
White bread.. Easier to buy but any specialty leaves are worth it IMO.
Pizza is almost always better bought, unless you can make a mean pizza. For me easier to buy it.
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,775
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on May 15, 2016 23:16:07 GMT
Fried chicken. Not worth the mess.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on May 15, 2016 23:18:04 GMT
You need a better cornbread recipe, because from scratch is much better than Jiffy! I'll agree with you on German chocolate cake frosting.
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garcia5050
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,729
Location: So. Calif.
Jun 25, 2014 23:22:29 GMT
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Post by garcia5050 on May 15, 2016 23:20:40 GMT
I know plenty of people here have mastered the trick to pie crust, but I'm not one of them. Not worth my disappointment.
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Post by scrappintoee on May 15, 2016 23:23:52 GMT
**GypsyGirl**.....You're right, I should try more than just ONE recipe for cornbread! . By the by, I just added a pik of it to my OP if you're curious what went into it.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on May 15, 2016 23:24:15 GMT
Cottage cheese. It took FOREVER to make it!! I was delish but so not worth the time!!
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Post by scrappysurfer on May 15, 2016 23:25:09 GMT
Tomato sauce... I won't buy spaghetti sauce but it's not worth cooking fresh tomatoes into sauce from scratch unless I have I hae a boatload of tomatoes (which I never do).
I love jiffy cornbread too. Fresh sourdough from a starter is delicious but I never could keep up with feeding it.
Fresh salsa is totally worth it, though.
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zookeeper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,909
Aug 28, 2014 2:37:56 GMT
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Post by zookeeper on May 15, 2016 23:31:19 GMT
Squillen has the very best recipe for cornbread. If you can get it from her! She sent it to me a dozen years ago and sadly, I have lost it.
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Nink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,947
Location: North Idaho
Jul 1, 2014 23:30:44 GMT
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Post by Nink on May 15, 2016 23:32:36 GMT
Pie crust Pizza dough Spaghetti sauce
I could go on forever. About the only thing I insist on making from scratch is icing.
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MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,506
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Jul 4, 2014 21:35:44 GMT
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Post by MorningPerson on May 15, 2016 23:34:37 GMT
Oh, so many things I could list here. Pie crust, spaghetti sauce, most salad dressings….. Big kudos to those who love to spend time in the kitchen. I've spent years wishing I were one of you, but I'm coming to peace with who I am. I cook, and I think I cook well, and a good amount of it is from scratch, but I'm really just not that into it. I've seen this line before, but I just came across it again today. It sums up how I feel: I only have a kitchen because it came with the house.
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mimima
Drama Llama
Stay Gold, Ponyboy
Posts: 5,019
Jun 25, 2014 19:25:50 GMT
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Post by mimima on May 15, 2016 23:37:05 GMT
I agree with sandwich bread. I like cornbread from scratch, though. Mine isn't sweet
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on May 15, 2016 23:43:32 GMT
**GypsyGirl** .....You're right, I should try more than just ONE recipe for cornbread! . By the by, I just added a pik of it to my OP if you're curious what went into it. Part of the problem is that she calls for oil. No decent cornbread has oil in it. You need to use real butter! And never, ever put sour cream in cornbread! I'm a huge fan of sour cream, but it doesn't belong in a good cornbread! I'll send you a couple of recipes to try. Definitely keep trying recipes until you find one you like. The end result is so worth it.
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Post by JustKim on May 15, 2016 23:47:48 GMT
Yes, try a different recipe. I have one where I soak the cornmeal in buttermilk and used honey. I had boxed jiffy after that and I will never have boxed again. Pie, that is what I let Costco make for me, not worth the time and effort!!
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 15, 2016 23:48:12 GMT
So many many things. Life is too short ITA! I felt different when I was a SAHM and my whole day could revolve around cooking and prepping for meals, and dreaming of fun new dishes to try. Now, all the fun is sucked out of cooking & baking because it has become just another chore I have to do around my work schedule.
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Post by peano on May 15, 2016 23:52:31 GMT
pesto fresh salsa tzatziki
I buy all of these at Costco and they are worth it.
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smcast
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,319
Location: MN
Mar 18, 2016 14:06:38 GMT
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Post by smcast on May 15, 2016 23:54:14 GMT
Pie crust and sugar cookies. I buy them so avoid rolling out the dough. It is really frustrating to me.
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Post by hop2 on May 15, 2016 23:57:07 GMT
**GypsyGirl** .....You're right, I should try more than just ONE recipe for cornbread! . By the by, I just added a pik of it to my OP if you're curious what went into it. Part of the problem is that she calls for oil. No decent cornbread has oil in it. You need to use real butter! And never, ever put sour cream in cornbread! I'm a huge fan of sour cream, but it doesn't belong in a good cornbread! I'll send you a couple of recipes to try. Definitely keep trying recipes until you find one you like. The end result is so worth it. I agree with you on the butter, no oil in corn bread corn goes with butter. Lol But I've used sour cream in corn bread ( though I do prefer buttermilk ). Also, the type/ brand of cornmeal makes a difference. The King Arthur corn meal is my fav if I can find it.
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calgal08
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,519
Jun 27, 2014 15:43:46 GMT
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Post by calgal08 on May 15, 2016 23:59:08 GMT
Check out Grandma's Best Cornbread recipe on AllRecipes, it's the only one I use and get rave reviews every time. I even somewhat healthify it by doing 1/2 butter and 1/2 applesauce and a little less sugar.
I'm not a great cook, but on the whole I do try to make most things from scratch.
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Post by hop2 on May 16, 2016 0:00:50 GMT
So many many things. Life is too short ITA! I felt different when I was a SAHM and my whole day could revolve around cooking and prepping for meals, and dreaming of fun new dishes to try. Now, all the fun is sucked out of cooking & baking because it has become just another chore I have to do around my work schedule. I'll second this. And the family takes me for granted they just leave stuff because somewhere in their sub concious they figure mom will do it. I thought DD had figured that out while away at school but she just did that to me this week and got pussed off when I commented that they all take me for granted. I know she isn't conciously figureing 'hey I'll leVe this pile of ________ because mom will eventually pick it up' but she still does leave stuff and expects me to come home and do it. Um no not happening
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on May 16, 2016 0:03:13 GMT
I agree with so many of these - bread crumbs, tomato sauce, pizza, fried chicken (though I do make awesome chicken tenders). I also don't make mac 'n cheese from scratch, because I prefer the blue box. It's one of those holdovers from childhood. Also, the type/ brand of cornmeal makes a difference. The King Arthur corn meal is my fav if I can find it. If you haven't, try making it with some stone ground (coarse) corn meal. Makes a huge difference!
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Post by gracieplusthree on May 16, 2016 0:03:19 GMT
oh how I hate cooking.. so I like shortcuts and things that make it easier..
biscuit mix? yep(I don't like the canned pillsbury ones or any of the frozen ones tho so sorta do them myself but I do use a mix).. cornbread mix? yep jiffy mix rules, Ive heard good things about Famous Daves cornbread mix too... cake mix? yep.. brownie mix? yep.. frozen french fries? yep.. frozen pizzas?yep but occasionally we'll do em ourselves just not very often at all.. taco seasoning mix? yep. mac and cheese from a box? yep
often I"ll buy a rotteserie(sp?) chicken from the deli and pull the meat to use in a recipe instead of cooking chicken meat, or if I just need/want some I'll buy a baked chicken breast from the hot bar and pull the meat off it and use it..
and many more. really i hate cooking, and with having arthritis and fibro once I get home from work its the last thing I want to do
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Post by Merge on May 16, 2016 0:11:24 GMT
Brownies. We like the Ghirardelli triple chocolate from a box better than anything I've ever made from scratch.
I agree with pie crust - mine is always terrible. The Pillsbury refrigerated ones taste better.
Also fresh pasta, marinara sauce, any kind of crackers, ice cream (as long as you have access to high-quality premium ice cream in the store), baked beans, meatloaf (we love the McCormick seasoning packet), chili (again, the packet) ...
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YooHoot
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,417
Jun 26, 2014 3:11:50 GMT
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Post by YooHoot on May 16, 2016 0:12:59 GMT
Cookie dough...also limits the amount I eat when a package only makes 12. Rolls....I give up. I'm not a baker. Meatballs...frozen bags of them are easier to buy than to make and cheaper too.
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Post by AussieMeg on May 16, 2016 0:13:59 GMT
I would have to say Brownies. Now that we have Costco here I buy the big box of Ghiradelli that has about 6 pouches in it. The kids love it and it is so easy.
ETA: I see I'm not the only one Merge !
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 16, 2016 0:17:51 GMT
I totally disagree about pizza - my husband makes pizza from scratch and it's way, way better. My pick is pasta. There are so many great fresh pastas out there and my from scratch attempts were way too much work.
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Post by monklady123 on May 16, 2016 0:19:17 GMT
So many many things. Life is too short and I hate to cook! My first thought was pizza.
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Post by bosoxbeth on May 16, 2016 0:19:43 GMT
puff pastry!
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Post by myshelly on May 16, 2016 0:23:00 GMT
Honestly pretty much anything.
I hate cooking. There is nothing that I like better homemade. There is nothing that I think is worth having to make it myself.
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