Ready meals.

[Aingeful]

I am having to rely on these a lot more than I used to! What are your experiences and which would you recommend? I like food to be as natural and nourishing as possible.

[Bevvy]

I tend to purchase ready meals from individual local shops that produce them. I believe that this way they are more likely to be natural and healthy than mass produced meals. Having said which if I needed to I would use a company such as Wiltshire farm foods because they specialise in ready meals. Rather than a supermarket that does general ready meals.

[Doggie123-UK in reply to Bevvy]

I use Wiltshire Farm Foods most weeks, what I like about them besides the good quality meals is that you can just order as and when you like with no contract

[peege]

I sometimes use them when not well, I've found Cook frozen meals to be more like homemade meals & luckily there's a shop 2 minutes away. M&S are usually good as well also Co-op are reasonably ethical (ie sustainable palm oil where used). Most do deals on multiple purchases. The very best are Charlie Bingham, like homemade, not to salty & easily do 2 or 3 meals to a pack depending on your appetite ie fish pie/chicken tika masala (yummy, just add a few frozen peas/beans to go even further). Most supermarkets do a microwaveable pouch of various rices including brown rice also couscous which you can add to with frozen veg & stir in beaten egg for protein (like egg fried rice).

Containers are now all recyclable. P ××

[Thepainterswife in reply to peege]

I occasionally buy a ready meal just for a break from cooking but I’ve never tried Charlie Bingham , I’ll look out for them . I’m also going to try the microwave rice , I pride myself on being a good cook but rice is not my best , it’s either too hard , too soft or just far too much and there’s always a messy pan to deal with afterwards 😏 x

[peege in reply to Thepainterswife]

There are many supermarket own brands as well as uncle Ben 's & Sharwoods. You're right, no waste and no washing up. Win win. 2 minutes in microwave. I like to get Cook's Thai yellow prawn or chicken curry to use with the rice, delicious. That Charlie Bingham's is fantastic, fresh not frozen, a bit more pricey so for me it's a treat & better than a take away. Waitress & Sainsbury stock them. (I sound like an advert but honestly, no relation)!

Something else useful Aingeful are M&S 'Meal Deals for two, usually available near weekends & consisting of starters, main, sidedish, dessert & wine or posh juice. Used to be £10 for all that though I expect they've gone up a bit.

My local Co-op has 10% discount for pensioners on Tuesdays, by Tuesday evenings the shelves are bare !

[Bevvy in reply to Thepainterswife]

I’ve started using boil in the bag rice. That way I get sensible amount (I also tend to cook far too much) and pan is extremely easy to wash out.

[Cloudancer in reply to Thepainterswife]

Yep rice can be tricky.My hubby is oriental and I am hopeless at cooking oriental food.But am famous in the family as being the best cook of rice -taught by my father in law I always wait for it to "sing" in the saucepan turn the heat off leave it covered for 10 mins and hay Presto nice rice and no messy pot!!

[Thepainterswife in reply to Cloudancer]

I’ve heard about switching off the heat , cover and leave but not the singing - can you explain what “singing rice “ sounds like please 😂 I’m going to try this before giving up altogether

[Cloudancer in reply to Thepainterswife]

Aaaah.Think that's the direct translation.Easy rice method

Cup of rice per person(small cup I have rice cup)

Wash rice thoroughly.

Drain rice.

Then add equal number of cups of water to amount of rice plus extra half a cup of water.

Bring to boil.

Don't leave it.!

Whilst it's cooking it will Bubblé(sing).

Once you have small holes appear in surface of rice listen carefully you will hear the Bubblé sound almost stop.

Put lid on saucepan turn off heat and leave for 5 to 10 mins.

Then fluff up using a pair of chopsticks or fork.

If it's too moist at bottom cover and leave for another few mins.

Best of luck!If to much can freeze once cool

[Thepainterswife in reply to Cloudancer]

Ooooh it all sounds very scientific 😬but I’ve screenshot your reply and I will try it thank you 😊. I shall still be buying the microwave stuff just in case 😂

[teenieleek in reply to Thepainterswife]

Finding the Tilda sachets of rice was a revelation for me. Perfect amount for two and perfectly cooked after two minutes in the microwave. No steamed up kitchen and no mess. At £1 per sachet it’s definitely worth it.

[Thepainterswife in reply to teenieleek]

I’ve just realised what a boring life I must lead when I found myself excited by your reply - I can’t wait for my Tesco delivery 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

[Donald_1931]

I’ve more or less lived on ready made meals over the past 14 years and yet to find anywhere that beats Wiltshire Farm Foods. 🙂

[Thepainterswife in reply to Donald_1931]

I was going to post the same Don . My 96 year old neighbour has those delivered every week and says they’re really good and not too expensive 😃 I’m not sure if they’re available nationwide 🤔 x

[Donald_1931 in reply to Thepainterswife]

That's a thought I've never heard whether is nationwide. The prices range from under £4 to over £6. Salmon Fillet in Mint Butter Sauce is £6.15 one of my favourites. Delivery is free and the delivery person will even unload the meals from the carboard boxes into your freezer if you wish. I really can't fault it.

[Thepainterswife in reply to Donald_1931]

My neighbour, Hilda says exactly the same , she enjoys the food but she also loves the chat with the drivers 😉. That salmon sounds delicious, I don’t eat meat so that’s my kind of meal 😋

[CDPO16]

I have bought ready meals from supermarkets since the pandemic began and we started grocery deliveries. Some are better than others and some have gone down in quality over the years. I think it's a matter of taste and trying ones to see which you like but I couldn't honestly recommend any of the ones I buy. They are purely for convenience rather than quality much of the time. I am aware of companies such as Wiltshire farm foods but haven't tried them. My local hospice has also started a meals on wheels service but having been an in patient there a couple of months ago, I definitely couldn't recommend those!

[Alberta56 in reply to CDPO16]

i agree. I like to have something in the freezer for emergencies, which happen about once a week😁😁, so I just buy supermarket readies and get very cross if they say defrost before using. Daughter and I usually have veggie ones, but spouse is a total carnivore. Daughter likes Kirstie's meals, but otherwise I just buy what we like regardless of vitamins and minerals. I hope I keep enough fruit in the house to stop us getting scurvy.

[CDPO16 in reply to Alberta56]

I haven't come across Kirstie's meals. Asda do meals under Gino di Campo's name and they are very good if you like Italian food. I agree though if you fancy something and then discover it needs defrosting it's damned annoying! It's rare I know the day before what I'm going to want the next day.

[CDPO16 in reply to Alberta56]

I haven't come across Kirstie's meals. Asda do meals under Gino di Campo's name and they are very good if you like Italian food. I agree though if you fancy something and then discover it needs defrosting it's damned annoying! It's rare I know the day before what I'm going to want the next day.

[leo60]

The only ready meals I have really tried were from when I worked at Tesco and got the reduced ones! They were good and the "finest" were very authentic, but higher in salt. It is vegetables that I have to have cooked fresh! I can't bear frozen (apart from peas) or microwaved, but cutting up a bit of veg and steaming it isn't beyond me yet. Peeage is right about the microwave rice, it's really very good and saves me a fortune as I always cook too much otherwise I would suggest trying as many as you can on introductory offers!! xx

[Aingeful]

Thanks for all your suggestions, I've put an order in to Wiltshire Farm foods, they seemed to have the biggest selection and good reviews. I will report back 😀

[gillianTS in reply to Aingeful]

Hi, just to add to the information you have received regarding Wiltshire Farm Foods. The company who manufacture the ready meals do so to specified nutritional guidelines due to the fact the companies manufacturing arm provides the same ready meals in bulk to meals on wheels kitchens, hospitals etc for both a hot meal and frozen meal delivery service. The meals are produced inline with local authorities and hospitals up and down the country unlike those purchased from supermarkets etc. The meals include standard dishes, low fat, low salt, gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, and texture modified meals for those who require softer foods. The manufacturing company also offers a hot meal service in serveral areas not through the Wiltshire Farm Foods franchise.

[Kristicats]

Wiltshire farm very good and reasonable price. The delivery man put them straight in mums freezer. Oh and the puddings are good too,

[SORRELHIPPO]

As an alternative to Wiltshire Farm, I use Oakhouse Foods, do not think there is much of a difference, I agree with Peege, I have a Cook in my high street, and sometimes get my carer to pick one up as a treat, they do deliver in some areas, but I think a bit pricier than my usual Sainsbury shop.

[MELNEL]

Hiya when i am not well i always order my meals at Marco Meals, its 5.90 per meal but it's fresh and taste delicious. They do lovely meals fresh vegetables and very special. I love getting some meals from.macromealsuk.co.uk/

And Tastly tastily.co.uk/order

I actually wanted to thry meals on wheels in my area again have heard shall be nice again. But those 2 i use sometimes when not well that I can't cook or my hubby is working and can't cook.

Enjoy 🥰

[ghousrider]

Good morning i dont mind cooking & i do alot of bulk cooking sometime i cant be bothered to cook daily so once a week do the lot but got pub by me aswell they do takeawys roast beef dinnerr for &10 G R

[Cloudancer in reply to ghousrider]

Mmmm roast dinner...

[Pipswhips]

I used to get farm foods they are very good. Only reason i stopped getting was only because my microwave stopped working.i know ypu can get them to put in oven but i tend to use an halogen oven because to ecpensive to use my main oven

[Lutontown]

I like Parsley Box ready meals. Mainly because you can make your mind up to have one, and it's ready in 10 minutes. Generally I love their gravy taste. They also don't take up room in your freezer. Got to watch out for high salt and sugar inclusions in ready meals. Parsley Box also do a frozen range.

[horseygirl_0103]

For me it depends on what it is & how much you want to spend or can afford to spendThere are some ready meals that are quite "posh" & nice & affordable

I ate them whilst my wrist was recovering from tenosynivitis because I found it too painful to use a knife & fork because my left wrist was too painful too move because it was so inflamed

[Qr83k_-Jd]

I used to live off ready meals, I never cooked you see and I loved the ready meals. I mostly lived on Tesco's meals and I couldn't find much better. Now I try to stay off them because they are all processed which is not too good for you. I read many differing articles and they all said the same thing. "Don't eat too many processed foods" I now choose fruit, nuts and seeds, chicken, pork, and a little red meat and plenty of fish. As a sufferer of Anorexia the ready meals suited me great as it always stated the calories in each meal. Now I am trying to cook but haven't been very successful. I do plan to cook sometime. The ready meals that I loved were sausage and mash, prawn linguine, cod peas and mash, lamb hotpot, and they have lots of Chinese and Indian cuisine. From m and s their hunters chicken, chicken chow mein, braised steak and mash and chicken in white sauce and chicken in red wine sauce. There are many more that you will like but I chose the ones usually under 300 calories. I hope you find these few helpful and I would like to wish you happy shopping. I still buy the prawn lignite as I love it.

[Mavary]

Me too. I have difficulty getting mine and washing up. Most weeks I’ll get fish and chips for one day. Or I’ll get a chicken chow mein another time. Sometimes I’ll have a frozen meal from Sainsburybut not keen on them. I get meals I can do quickly like ham egg and chips.

[Aingeful]

Thanks again for all your replies,you have given me a few new ideas. X

[MoyB]

I like the Wiltshire Farm Foods because you don't have to do anything to them except pull off the film when they're cooked. I use them if I'm feeling too unwell to fiddle about in the kitchen or, sometimes, if we've been out all day and I have no energy left to cook.

They can go in the oven or in the microwave.

xx Moy

[panda22]

2 I would recommend are Parsley box and oakhouse. Parsley box store on shelf for up to 6 months which is ideal if you don't have much room in the freezer. Workhouse are frozen meals and you can have main or mini. I cook all mine in my halogen air fryer, I haven't used my oven for years. So you get best flavour and look if you cook in halogen airfryer