Any suggestions please?

[Sonyme]

I am 86 year old man, living on my own and severely disabled and housebound. I can't stand unsupportedfor more than 2 mins, so food preparation and cooking is becoming increasingly difficult. I am trying to learn to like ready meals, but haven't found many. As i can't get to shops I don't get to see new lines or make impulse buys. Am getting a touch fedup with only 6 - 8 meals to choose from. I order food on line and tend to use Waitrose and Sainsburys. I am capable of putting a chicken portion and potatos in oven and veg in steamer. I have microwave, fan oven, steamer, slow cooker and small deep fat frier.
Any suggestions for good ready meals or easy recipes - not too much preparation - would be appreciated.

[Psybbo]

Wiltshire Farm Foods

We tried these at Christmas as gifts to a couple of people in a similar situation. They were excellent. You can order on line, a minimum of £20 per order. They deliver them frozen in a refridgerated van on a specific day for different areas. Have alook at their extensive range. x

[Sonyme]

Thanks will try their serices.

[Psybbo]

http://www.wiltshiref...meals/cottage-pie_208

They are also reasonably priced, in my opinion.

[bednobs]

also, have you thought of getting a perching stool?

[EcclesCake]

Have a look at cookfood.net. Very high quality and a fabulous range of different meals that change through the seasons.

Yes, they are a little more expensive than some but they are good.

[nungate]

I was also going to suggest something along the lines of Sibton's idea, it might be ideal for you. But given your age and infirmity I think you would qualify for some help from social services to assist you with your meals, or even meals on wheels. I think anything that would help you continue to live independently should be explored, maybe your doctor might be able to put you on the right track.

[boxtops]

I was going to suggest Meals on Wheels - from what you say, you should be eligible, all you need to do is to reheat them.

[Sonyme]

Perching stool! good idea don't know why I didn't think that way, and I have one in bathroom

[fairycakes69]

My mum has started to get her meals from Wiltshire Farm, she really enjoys them and she is very hard to please. Its worth a go.

[bednobs]

it might be a bit difficult to bring it from the bathroom when you want to cook, and also the kitchen heights might be different - perhaps either another one or a barstool

[EcclesCake]

It might be worth you googling for local caterers. Some do freezer cooking, i.e. they will prepare meals for your freezer.

It's a really good way of getting exactly what you want.

[Sonyme]

Many thanks to you all will have a look at cookfoods, never heard of them before.
Social services are aware of me but say there is quite a waiting list. Have been waiting 5 weeks for occupational therapist and still no date to hand.

[bednobs]

lol i waited 18 months for an ot assessment at home

[pdust]

Hi Sonyme, we often cook 'one pan' meals when we are busy. They are easy to prepare and once everything is in and simmering you can just sit down and wait for it to cook.

Most meals start out the same, oil and salt in the pan, chopped onions, chilli if you like it, chopped lamb or chicken, fry for a little while then cover with boiling water, add spices if you want them. You can then add whatever you like. We use beans a lot, sometimes black eyed beans sometimes others (dont know what the other names are in english) sometimes sliced potatoes, whatever veg you fancy, we use okra or broad beans pretty often and buy it frozen so theres no prep. We usually mix a bit of tomato puree in boiling water and add that so theres a bit of colour but turmeric will colour it too. Once everythings in and simmering we just chill out for an hour or so til its all cooked.

One meal even the little uns like is to fry sliced potato and onion in a big frying pan, add whatever spices you like, give it 10 mins, you dont need to stand over it but you will need to stir it a couple of times, then add lamb or beef mince, turn it down and again just stir a few times....It takes about 25 mins.

If you make double portions you wouldnt have too much cooking to do the day after.

We usually serve stuff with rice or bulgar wheat.... again these are dead easy to cook.... heat a bit of oil and salt if you like it in a pan, add washed rice or bulgar wheat, give it a stir, cover it with boiling water just above the level of the rice/bulgar wheat and when its simmering turn it down really really low, put the lid on and leave it for 20 mins or so... dont nosey at it, it will be okay.... you can put anything you like in with it.... finely chopped onions, dried fruit (sultanas and apricot are really nice) bits of left over meat, any finely chopped cooked veg (you can boil or fry up raw veg and add that but im thinking easy for you) bulgar wheat is really nice is you fry onions and chilli, add the wheat and water then a bit of tomato puree and a little bit of lemon juice.

[pdust]

i meant to mention sitting down.... you should be able to do the frying off seated, ive done it before when my back or legs have been bad.....

[pdust]

flipping heck i cant say what i mean today.... you can maybe do prep and frying off sat down

[Sonyme]

Thank you all. Have just had a look at cookfood and ordered first shipment. they look good.

[shoota]

Tesco now do an excellent range of tinned curries, (lamb rogan josh, chicken tikka masala, chicken jalfrezi etc) which are as nice as many restaurants. Coupled with a bag of microwave basmati rice you have a filling tasty meal for about £3.
I got into them when I saw young Indians buying them so I thought they must be good - and they are! Not too keen on the chicken Korma but the OH likes it.......

[EcclesCake]

So glad you liked the link, I do hope you enjoy your first delivery.

[B00]

Hope you enjoy your meals Sonyme :-)