Cooking for one

23.5C here at the moment in the house. Cool outside right now - but a sort of refreshing cool. Can tell its going to be another hot day. Thankfully no hanging round on workmen doing things today - some weeks before it's next tranche of work to be done - so I think I'll probably head for the coast.

I know what you mean re comment about being wary of opening windows because of it being a bungalow (as mine is). Thankfully - it's a pretty safe location I'm in in a variety of ways - so I'm prepared to open most windows (provided I'm up). This is where I wish previous owners of house had done the windows the way I would have - which would include being able to open every bit of window (rather than just 1-2 side windows and 1-2 small top windows - but much of the window is a big pane of glass that can't be opened). I'm just not prepared to go to that extra hassle/expense to swop to those - unless I ever find I have to replace a window anyway (in which case - full window opening it is).

Just checked outside temperature projected - sounds about ideal for me - at mid-20sC. I find I start wilting and wanting to know where cold drinks/fans or air conditioning etc are when outdoor temperature is 30C plus. Maybe that's partly down to a bit of time living in hot climates as a child. Crikey - just checked my Home City and it's going to be several degrees extra there- I think I might find that a bit hot....

EDIT; That's had me googling around - 18C in Edinburgh! 20C in York! I knew I didn't want to move north - I'd even be cold to standard in height of summer personally.

Hollyharvey wrote: »

I'm off out to the shops now same as you. I'm even going for much the same things
Hope we both get back home before it's too hot!

I'm too undecided... I've got a list in two columns, one means "buy" the other means "look at/check out".

On it so far are: chocolate spread, 83p quiche, grapes, squash drink, 49p scones, pineapple/coconut fruit juice, quarterpounder burgers, veggie burgers, onions. 2nd shop: bread rolls and choc ices. 3rd shop: fizzy pop.

And to look at: pitta, cheesecake, crab pate.

The trouble I have is that when I put an item on the list I then start pontificating about whether I could/should make it myself (and then to which recipe/ingredients) ... and I "get stuck" with indecision and uncertainty. e.g. that quiche..... I could just knock one up, or a crustless one (save calories) ... but it's only 83p and if I buy it, then it's there/available/instant....

Also - the overall volume issues.... I could add more things, but the more you buy, the more you have to "get through before it goes off" So a lot never makes the list, even though I fancy/want it.

I also wonder about taking the hit of higher prices to reduce the number of shops, but there's a "round robin" route I can take.

I need to just DO this ... rather than sitting here, refreshing, "in case" somebody replies ... and time passes ... and then it's too late/hot/etc.

I'm off! Bye.

Hollyharvey wrote: »

Hope you got off ok

I bought, a couple of quiches, sausage rolls, mini pork pies, some scones, two cheesecake slices, and topped up the salad/fruit. Then got some choc ices.

I am just going to have picky meals and sandwiches for a few days. That's all I fancy eating at the moment.

Yes, I went and I'm back. Three shops, £8, £12 and £8 spends.

Phew, what a scorcher, as they say.

I do envy you your "couple of quiches" because as I was waiting for the PC to fire up I thought "should've got two". I also envy you your sausage rolls.... because I didn't get any. I am not a fan of any pork pies. I looked at scones, but the shop didn't have the cheap ones, so I didn't get any. Cheesecake slices sound nice. I had "look at cheesecakes" on my list, but I'd lost the will to live by then!

I've bought a random selection of foods.

Shop 1/4ldi - I walked. Got the big bread rolls I like (intended for burgers), TWO packs of 8 choc ices (so I didn't run out), a bottle of Summer Fruits squash drink and some frozen lamb mince (cheaper than the fresh) which I bought to make kebabs with. Pint of milk, intended to make crustless quiches with, one red pepper (39p/one of this week's offer items), big bag of red onions and a big punnet of grapes (annoyed a bit later as 4sda were cheaper). I figured the onions and pepper and milk will make a quiche .... if I CBA.

Shop 2/4sda I got: 3 litres of fruit juice, an 83p quiche, a 50p pasty, 4 frozen burgers, 18 packets of crisps (multibuy/cheaper/can only get those from 4sda), two jars of choccy spread, some pitta breads for those kebabs .... and some other more mundane/boring things.

Shop 3 I only went in to get fizzy pop at a good price - walked out with 30 cans.

So, overall, I've lots of different/varied food that can be picked from at random ....

On the way back the car thermometer said 35C, the garden/in the shade thermometer said 35C and indoors here (kept the curtains shut while I was out) it's 26C.

I've faffed with the food stocks so I've got "instant food to eat" in the fridge.

I've sliced the quiche, made a coleslaw, made a spud salad, grated a lot of cheese.... I was tempted to slice the red pepper, but ran out of steam.

I've also got salad tomatoes I bought the other day and I've eggs I can boil at the drop of a hat. I've got bread, bread rolls, pitta breads. I've got more crisps than are necessary.

I've got fruit juices and fruit squash that can make lollies; I've got tins of fruit and jellies and custard and dream whip so I could make trifles (won't though, but I could!).... and I've got 16 choc ices.

So I've options ... of things that could go together on a plate .... and I won't go hungry

So much food one could buy, so many variations of what to put on a plate, it's overwhelming most of the time.

Today I've eaten an egg/salad cream sandwich earlier ... and a packet of crisps since I got back from the shops.

I did bother to do all the washing up, which is a good thing

meg72 wrote: »

Loaded it all up ....a cup of tea and a lovely cuddle of the baby, a gorgeous 14 month old. Quite made my day.

Blimey .... I'd have done the same, but I'd have left her at the door .... I "don't do" "stickies"