Delias Cheaty Cheating Cheater Show..discuss

I got some of the frozen mash when I was sick with the flu and just didn't have the energy to do more than pop bland sustenance in the microwave and come back when it beeped.  I was surprised how good it was, and at the fact that all it contained was potatoes, butter, salt, pepper, and milk.  No weird stuff.  Having said that, as a healthy person, making mash isn't THAT hard.  I'll do it from scratch. 

I didn't think the "cheats" were actually cheats -- they were just plain lazy!  How hard is it to brown some mince?  How difficult would it be to slice up some potatoes (rather than opening a bag of frozen chips)?

For me, a cheat is using frozen puff pastry rather than making my own from scratch because that would be more effort than it's worth.  For Delia, it seems that her "cheat" for beef wellington would be to run up to M&S and buy a ready prepared one.     I imagine she'd "cheat" a cherry pie by using a ready-made pie crust and tinned pie filling, but if you're gonna do that, why not just go one step further and buy a pie from a bakery?

Cooking/baking is all about the process for me and enjoying making something.  The recipes Delia used were just about assembly and plonking something into the oven.

For me, a cheat is using frozen puff pastry rather than making my own from scratch because that would be more effort than it's worth.  For Delia, it seems that her "cheat" for beef wellington would be to run up to M&S and buy a ready prepared one.     If she's going to "cheat"

That's exactly how she makes her Cheat's Tarte Tatin - by using frozen puff pastry. For me, like you, that's a reasonable alternative to making it from scratch. Her "cheating" recipes aren't really anything new - they've been around in magazines and on her website for a long time. But I think maybe they're getting more attention now with the book and series, and maybe some of the recipes do involve a bit too much cheating. 

Frozen mashed potatoes are probably not good, but other frozen veggies are generally better for you then fresh ones.  They are flash frozen as soon as they are picked and that prevents them losing vitamins etc. 

Since "fresh" veggies sit around on the supermarket shelf for so long, in varying conditions, they tend to lose vitamins.

Tinned meat however, yuck!

I didn't think the "cheats" were actually cheats -- they were just plain lazy!  How hard is it to brown some mince? 

Harder for some than you'd think. Not to mention, browning and draining mince takes about 20 minutes. Peeling and slicing potatoes: around 25-30. Some people don't have that kind of time. Skill aside, implying that people who use these cheats are lazy isn't nice.

I mean I'm lazy! But I'm probably in the minority since I'm lucky enough to actually have the time to do it from scratch if I chose.

Peeling and slicing potatoes: around 25-30.

How many potatoes are you peeling!?!? 

Personally, I think she's going after a different market and that market being people living off pre-prepared foods (boxes, cans, cartons and drive-thru windows), in the hopes that these 'cheats' will show them how quick you can make food and possibly convert them to 'proper' cooks.  Yes, some of the things are still coming in boxes, cans, etc, but you have to start some where.

I saw the show and wasn't impressed because I limit the amount of pre-prepared foods in our diet.  I see where she's going, but it's not my style.

How many potatoes are you peeling!?!? 

That's what I was just going to say. Honestly I'd say it takes me less than one minute to peel a potato. And since I buy extra lean mince it doesn't have to be drained and so browing it... maybe 5 minutes if the pan is really hot?

I'm just so unimpressed with the concept of this show and totally agree with Chary and Lola - I'm all for using pre-made puff pastry, etc. but the rest is just plain lazy....

Harder for some than you'd think. Not to mention, browning and draining mince takes about 20 minutes. Peeling and slicing potatoes: around 25-30. Some people don't have that kind of time. Skill aside, implying that people who use these cheats are lazy isn't nice.

I mean I'm lazy! But I'm probably in the minority since I'm lucky enough to actually have the time to do it from scratch if I chose.

Browning a pound of mince takes around 5 minutes from the time you put it in the hot pan to the time you drain it.

Peeling enough potatoes for four people takes another 5 minutes.  If you then cut them into small enough pieces and put them right in boiling water, they'll take about 15 minutes to cook through and then it takes about 2 minutes to add butter/milk/salt/pepper and mash them.

I'm not implying that people who use the Delia-type cheats are lazy -- I'm actually saying they are!  But hey, that's my opinion.  I'm sure there are tons of people out there who think that frozen mashed potato discs and tinned mince make a delicious meal, and more power to them.  I just hope they don't invite me over for a meal! 

Really though, if someone doesn't have 20-30 minutes to cook a decent meal for themselves, that's worrying and perhaps they need to look at ways to find that time.  I think it's a really sad commentary on the state of the modern world that a show like Delia's is striking a chord with people.    

I'm not implying that people who use the Delia-type cheats are lazy -- I'm actually saying they are! 

  

Really though, if someone doesn't have 20-30 minutes to cook a decent meal for themselves, that's worrying and perhaps they need to look at ways to find that time.  I think it's a really sad commentary on the state of the modern world that a show like Delia's is striking a chord with people.    

That's a very, very good point.... 

I'm lazy about making mashed potato, so I just leave the skins on!

I'm lazy about making mashed potato, so I just leave the skins on!

That's not lazy, that's tasty. 

...and on one of her shows she put some shop bought ice cream in a bowl and put smarties on top!!!

 

Say it ain't so!!   

Shop bought ice-cream put in a bowl with smarties on top? 

Shop bought ice-cream put in a bowl with smarties on top? 

I'd eat that! 

When I was at school (about 8 I think), in cookery we were doing shephetd's pie and told we could with bring in the fresh ingredients (mince, onion etc) or a can of mince. Has everyone else said they were taking a can, I wanted to as well....my mum wouldn't let me saying that wasn't teaching me to cook, only how to open a can.
So the fresh stuff it was....and I "accidentally" left it at home! My mum phoned the school and explained to the teacher and they spoke to me and said there was nothing wrong in doing it that way.

Anyway I guess that got through to me!


I've never like Delia, always seems so condescending, and "this is how you should do things, no other way"....her "How To Cook" did my head in, especially when she was doing toast!