everything i can buy frozen is in my 3 freezers
even fresh veg that has been grown by ourselves, cut, blanched and then frozen
(we have a family allotment where we grow veg)

frozen veg is fresher then supermarket fresh veg, its just frozen …

I buy pre-prepared food all the time.

Grated cheese, chopped and frozen veg, powdered milk, peeled prawns, filleted fish, and other examples.

I could do all of the above myself of course, but why bother? Particularly on the vegetable front - I've worked in kitchens since I was 13. I'm now 21 and in only my second or third non-kitchen job. My previous ended about 10 months ago. I've spent hours and hours and hours peeling/dicing/chopping/cleaning/frying off/filleting/searing/boiling and baking foods that I have absolutely no will to do it anymore.

I do quite like cooking at home, but just prefer not to do the prep.

Oh boy YES - if you can get peas just an hour or two off the bush, then they're fabulous.

However, the ones in the supermarket are two days old. They taste worse than good quality frozen. Birdseye FTW!


Much to my surprise, I noticed that pre-sliced and grated cheese is actually cheaper in the supermarket than off the block. I can only assume this is because it's horrible, but I can't bring myself to try it!

That said, I have started buying processed cheese for my burgers. I never thought I'd say it, but it works. It's designed for the job, and much as I hate it I think it goes with the meat better.

Technically it's against my religion to eat dairy and meat together, but meh. It all ends up in the same tummy and I only do cheese burgers rarely. Actually thinking about it, they don't usually have meat in it's OK

Ordinarily I would buy simple fresh stuff and make very quick pasta every day. Maybe a microwaveable once a week if I'm tired. These days I'm extremely lucky; the missus is obssessed about cooking (like me about computers) and prepares feasts daily.

I am not allowed to use a hob. Too many kitchen fires. Even so I have found that with a slow cooker and microwave I can cook pretty well without having to use ready meals. I do not buy grated cheese. If I need grated cheese I grate what I need for myself. As for pre washed and cut vegetables I only ever use them when really busy. Though the prepared salad option is handy for small amounts of mixed salads. I try and avoid prepared foods because it comes with too much packaging. As for pre washed and peeled that is a waste as well. I only really peel swede and turnips and any root vegetables with thick skins. Potatoes and carrots can be simply washed and sliced.

As for the time element there are ways around that. I cut my veg when I am sitting down watching the TV or doing it small stages so I can get other things done as well.

It is annoying when the whole veg is only available in a multi pack, like peppers. I do use frozen veg. Though I have to admit I have not seen pea pods in the supermarkets anyway.