I'm starting to really like cooking; no, I'm not joking.

This week I have cooked two hot meals for myself, without killing myself, or making myself really ill. I find making a meal for the first time rather exciting/nervous, like the first time you see the love of your life lying next to you in bed (asleep).

Sausages and mash is a really good meal for someone like me a student. It's what I've cooked twice in a row (because I didn't want to use any chicken). I do admit that I spend half an hour on a 15 minute meal, but I always enjoy the outcome; nice taste, nice small, nice filled tummy.

Unlike my parents, I find cooking really hard to do. I was seriously scared anytime I went near the chip pan, scared of cooking baked beans in a pan and lived off microwave meals for a good 3 years, while my mum worked weird shifts. Now, I hate microwave meals, especially the chicken korma ones; make me want to vomit, which is unlike me.

So, for anyone who has no idea how to make Sausages and Smash, here's how I do it (the wrong way, I'm sure).

You need:
Sausages.
Smash.
Carrots.
Peas.
Bisto (Ahhh.)
2 pans.
2 measuring jugs.

Incase your sausages need defrosting, use your microwave. Put settings to 'defrost' (imagine that) and set for ten minutes. If it's starts sizzling in the microwave, it usually means the sausages wanna be in the pan. If you haven't got a microwave, you'll have to leave your sausages in the fridge for 24 hours. Though, I'm not too sure if you need to defrost sausages...

Oil your pan (not too much, unless you want the insurance). I use olive oil spray, but sunflower oil should be okay too.

Heat the pan for 2 minutes and then put the sausages into the pan; they will sizzle. I will make it known that I nearly ran a mile when they started sizzling, but remembered I wanted to keep my accommodation deposit. You cook the sausages for 12-15 minutes; turning them over every 3 (I turn them over all the time, because I'm a wimp.) If in doubt, cut through the middle of the sausage to see if it's cooked; if there's no pink, you're safe. Though Carl mentioned something about sausages starting grey...

Next, we'll make the smash. (I love it.)

As we're serving for just you (or me in my case) only pour 50 ml of cold water into the measuring jug and then 10 ml of hot water (use your kettle, not the hot tap). Then add 60 g of smash (flakes) to the water and stir with a fork. Easy! When smash is creamy, add butter to give it taste. You can also add salt or pepper, but not too much; salt is bad.

As for the carrots and peas, I buy canned veg from Sainsbury's at 14p per can (not expensive at all!) Heat them in a pan for 3 minutes, bringing to the boil. Again, easy.

Gravy is pretty simple too. Add 4 tea spoons of (Ahhh) Bisto to the measuring jug and pour hot water (again kettle) to 280 ml and stir while you pour (you're supposed to, but I don't; I love my hands.) If you want thicker gravy just add more bisto, though I'm usually happy with just four tea spoons.

Everything should be ready now. Set out on plate as you like (I just throw it on).

End of instructions.

On a non-cooking note, it's the fresher's ball tomorrow; yay for pretty Zara dress and shoes.