It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

rosieben

elizabunny wrote: »

... making do and cutting back doesn't neccessarily mean doing without or having a poorer quality of life and above all that giving or receiving expensive gifts doesn't mean that you love someone or they love you more.
...

Excellent post and the truest words :T

I have one or two microwave christmas pudding recipes if anyone is interested

mummysaver

Yes please rosie!

Caterina

Hi all

Sorry I did not post very much lately, my hospitality has been sorely tested by a bunch of teenagers (DS friends) who came to stay for one night only and stayed 3 nights instead - long story, won't bore you with it.

MERCIFULLY I have just seen the back of them now! YIPPEEEEEE the house back to myself!

DS was very good at keeping them away from me and my things and he cleaned and tidied after them. He was also a bit exhausted after they left.

Now I am back to normal and just popped in to say hi.

I have also started a new thread about events and places for OSers, hope that it takes off and lots of people post their suggestions.

Going to cook now, fancying a stir fry and the tofu needs using up, so that's the dinner decision made!

Ciao all

Caterina

purpleivy

Caterina wrote: »

Hi all

Sorry I did not post very much lately, my hospitality has been sorely tested by a bunch of teenagers (DS friends) who came to stay for one night only and stayed 3 nights instead - long story, won't bore you with it.

MERCIFULLY I have just seen the back of them now! YIPPEEEEEE the house back to myself!

DS was very good at keeping them away from me and my things and he cleaned and tidied after them. He was also a bit exhausted after they left.

Now I am back to normal and just popped in to say hi.

I have also started a new thread about events and places for OSers, hope that it takes off and lots of people post their suggestions.

Going to cook now, fancying a stir fry and the tofu needs using up, so that's the dinner decision made!

Ciao all

Caterina

I miss most things about my dd now she is across the world on her gap year, but sudden influxes of 'a few friends' is one thing I don't miss at all. THey're pretty good I suppose. they go and fetch their own drinks from Bargain Booze and I usually provide soft drinks. THey just take over the sitting room, then sleep over! I think that the most there has been is about 10.

I suppose I shouldn't complain, they're at the other end of the house, we sleep 2nd floor at the front and sitting room is ground floor at the back. So we don't hear them. At least we know where they are and what they're doing. They're not very big drinkers, but they can shift the grub!

bellaquidsin

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH am so jealous knitting wool is very expensive around here. Have taken to pulling back some hand knitted garments I got from a jumble sale to keep me going.[/quote]

I always watch out for the sales and stock up. I was talking to an old lady of 90 whom I know. She was widowed 41 years ago and soon after as a diversion her DIL took her to a jumble sale. She had never been to one before and didn't know what to buy then her eyes lighted upon a knitted garment and she thought she would take it home and unravel it. This started a life long hobby but like most of us with a stash she has not managed to knit it all and has a big cupboard full and her knitting days are over. I shall be seeing her again in January and she is going to bring me some (all wool apparently) so it should be interesting.

Sorry you can't source the yarn locally nannaC but have you thought of the internet. Kempswoolshop is very good and have some good offers.

Bella.

pagangirl

Hi folks - hugs all round, sounds like lots of people need them right now.

Just been shopping - found in Netto - Large family size (750g) Kellogg's Frosties £1.04 - half price. :j Go stock up anyone who uses them - I just did (and no I don't have shares in either Netto or Kelloggs) !

pagangirl

No brains :rolleyes: - forgot to say end date is Oct 09.

elizabunny

rosieben -I would be so interested in your microwave xmas pud. recipes. :A
Yipee no more steam:jThank you.

rosieben

Ok, mummysaver and elizabunny, here are both Microwave Christmas pudding recipes. Please bear in mind that these are old recipes so you will need to adjust the times for higher wattage.

I have made the first recipe - malt extract is something I would have never had in my store cupboard so I suspect I just left it out. I've not made the 30-minute pud, but I'm intrigued by the cooking method so may be trying this one out myself.

Sorry, I cant give credit for the recipes as I've no idea where they came from, far too long ago!

Enjoy!

Microwave Christmas Pudding
Just a reminder that you don’t add coins if you’re cooking in the microwave

5 ozs plain flour
3 tsp mixed spice
6 ozs breadcrumbs
8 ozs soft brown sugar
8 ozs shredded suet
4 eggs
2 tbsp milk
¼ pint stout
1¼ lb mixed dried fruit
2 ozs chopped peel
2 oz glace cherries
grated rind of 1 orange
1 apple, peeled and grated
3 tbsp black treacle
1 tbsp malt extract

Lightly grease 3 x 1pt pudding basins (or 2 x 1½ pint). Sift flour and spice into bowl, add all dry ingredients and mix well together. Mix in all other ingredients. Mixture will improve in flavour if left covered overnight in a cool place.

Divide mixture between basins. Cover with cling film and pierce the cling film.

(This is an old recipe and I suspect one that I used in my old 650 watt microwave. Adjust times for other wattage)

Cook small puddings 5 mins
Larger ones 7-9 mins

Stand 5-10 mins before turning out.

Pudding can be cooked and left to mature wrapped in greaseproof and then foil.

On the day, reheat in microwave for 2 - 3 mins, depending on size, or in individual slices for 1 minute.

[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT] 30-minute Christmas pud

Makes 1 x 2lb and 1 x 1lb puddings
Prep: 10 - 15 ins
Cook: 25 - 30 minutes

Any Christmas pudding benefits from maturing time, so if you can, make puddings a few weeks in advance and store them in your fridge or freezer

You will need:
8 pint bowl; 1 - 1¼ pint bowl; 1½ - 2 ½ pint bowl.

1 oz margarine
2 tbsp black treacle
8 ozs currants
5 ozs raisins
5 ozs sultanas
8 ozs soft brown sugar
1 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp mixed spice
6 ozs fresh brown breadcrumbs
3ozs plain flour
3 eggs, size 3, beaten
Grated rind and juice of 1 lemon
¼ pint stout

Melt the margarine and the treacle in the large bowl (1 min on high). Add all of the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. This is when you can make the traditional wish but don’t add coins or charms if you’re cooking in the microwave.

Cook uncovered on high for 6 minutes, stirring very minute, until mixture starts bubbling on the surface. This stage of cooking is very important.

Lightly grease bowls with margarine and wipe off excess with kitchen paper to avoid coating the turned out puddings. Fill bowls with mixture and smooth the surface.

Cover with a cap of lightly greased greaseproof paper and tie loosely. Cook on Defrost to allow the flavours time to blend and to enhance the colour.

The 2lb pudding will take 23 - 25 minutes, the 1lb pudding will take 12 - 13 mins.

The puddings are ready when dry on the surface and firm to the touch. Remove from microwave and leave to stand or 15 minutes. Turn out. Serve with brandy butter.

Storage:
Wash bowls and replace puddings in them. Store, covered, in a refrigerator for up to 2 months.

Reheat:
2lb pudding for 8 - 10 mins on defrost and 1lb pudding for 5 - 7 mins on Defrost.

D&DD

*twilight zone music*
Cor Rosie are you psychic??
I was just logging on to say yes please :rotfl: and go on...guess...yes I have malt extract :rolleyes:
Thankyou so much for the recipes they will be extremely handy this year!
XX