Milanns mutterings on this last milestone.

milann

Taxi - no recipe as such - but this is roughly how I make it.

stewing steak (skirt, flank, braising steak are other names it goes by) - I prefer to buy a piece and chop my own but can use previously diced casserole steak.
a couple of carrots and onions (some people add swede/ peas/ and or other veg - depends on what you like - sometimes I put a leek and stick of celery in too depends if I have any in)
a couple of oxo
spoon of tomato puree (optional)
salt and pepper

this is all a bit vague because there is really no need to measure things out and no exact recipe it all depends on personal taste

I have a big pan but can equally be done in big casserole dish or slow cooker.

Dice all the meat and veg.

Sometimes I fry the meat and veg to brown it first - sometimes I just throw it all in - depends how much time I have.

Cover with water and stock cubes.

Put pan or casserole dish with lid on in oven on low setting and forget about it for a couple of hours at least

Peel and dice potatoes - I usually just fill the pan up to within a couple of inches from top of pan - old potatoes are best as they fall better making nicer gravy.

When meat is virtually tender add potatoes and oven can be turned up at this stage. Make sure potatoes are covered with liquid - I usually add a bit more salt at this time but depends on your taste.

When potatoes are cooked thicken gravy with cornflour and water mix and adjust seasoning - can't give a time cos will vary from type of potato and size of dice.

Make shortcrust pastry (or open a packet) - I roll and cook mine on baking sheet to keep it crisp - but it can be placed on top of meat and potato mix. Cook.

Serve with red cabbage/beetroot/pickles and/or HP sauce

I have been known to throw all the stew ingredients together in SC before I go to work and leave on for the day - just thicken it as making pastry before serving.

Very versatile - lentils can be thrown in to stretch it - amount of meat varies to taste and budget - the secret is slow moist cooking - be it in pan, oven or slow cooker. A friend adds all manner of herbs and spices but I prefer it simple as it is tasty enough with natural flavours. Not a meal to do in a hurry as meat needs at least 2 hours - 3 is better!!!!

I freeze any left into individual portions - which is why I still make a mammoth panfull for just the 2 of us - along with squares of cooked pastry - easy tea after work.

Enjoy - I did.

taxi73

Thanks for that Milann.....I will be doing that in the slow cooker..so I take it I can throw everything inc pots in at the same time.
I have a combi convection microwave oven..what temp do I put it on....to cook the pastry....or do I just cook the pastry on a sheet on it's own?
Sorry for the questions.

milann

Pastyr can be done either way - if it's done seperate can be heated up as leftovers better. I've never used a combi convection so can't help with that - whatever your instructions say. I do it at about 180-200 in my oven.

Sent off for road tax yesterday as want to try and make sure if the post goes on strike it comes through for the end of the month. I hate paying for things like that - lots of money and nothing to show for it.

savingholmes

I know what you mean about road tax - has to be done for them.

How are you doing in yourself?

milann

Savingsholme - I'm back at work - been tired but much better than I was - think iron is finally kicking in.

Got an appointment through for a pelvic scan in November and doc asked me to make an appointment back to see her a couple of weeks after that - so it's a matter of wait and see - still think it's an age thing rather than anything to worry about.

Also got an appointment for a routine mammogram - coming back as a fella next time LOL. And one to see a dietician to see if she can come up with any suggestions to help with my digestive problems. At least they are looking into things - I'm hoping a different approach might help me as medications are not very reliable - all or nothing - which can be very inconvenient to say the least.

Milann

milann

Went out for carvery meal straight from work with some people who used to work at our place. It was good to catch up and a mid-week special so not too expensive at all.

Looking forward to next week and having a week off work. Not much planned other than getting my Christmas pressies at least organised if not bought - just going to let the week unfold and see what happens - that's my fave kind of week.

taxi73

Everything sounding positive there Milann.
Have they thought of giving you allergy tests ...as that may help as well with digestive problems.
Good to see that the DRs etc have got the ball rolling on everything medical wise and hopefully they will come up with some answers.
The week sounds nice..just let it unfold..I like that.

savingholmes

Hi Milann - sounds like you have a lot on your plate! Well done for staying so positive

milann

Did a bit of tidying today - althought it wasn't too untidy as I did a bit of a blitz last week.

My 'take each day as it comes' plan is getting a bit planned up tho :rolleyes:

Got an appointment at Abbey on Monday morning to re-do saving accounts that I thought I'd already set up last month - they messed paperwork up as accounts were classed as dormant :mad: - but for what I want, these still seem the best accounts I've seen. Meeting friend for coffee later.

Tuesday - scrutinising house so fit for Royal Visit (MIL) tomorrow :eek: - will try and get som r&r in though

Wednesday - picking MIL up and bringing her back for afternoon and for tea - WISH ME LUCK LOL LOL :A

Thursday - out for lunch at friends house with gang from work

Friday - Keeping day free but at another lady from work's house for evening

A week is not long enough - petition government for longer half term holiday lol.

Somewhere in between I want to go for at least one swim :T

Sh - I have spent the last hour or so reading through your diary - just got up to where you have got a temporary job - but not started yet - will read more tomorrow. It is a regular occurance for jobs to be advertised and an internal candidate is 'guaranteed' the job - but they have to be seen to be doing it legit - so maddening!!!!!!!

I try to keep positive through most things - always have tried to - it's not always easy and I do have my moments but when I look at some of the kids I work with (one 3 year old has a tuma of the spine and is already on borrowed time - this kid's always smiling - although you can see the effort put into some of the tasks done) - it certainly makes me put things into perspective. Things could always be a heck of a lot worse than they are now

Did some cooking for freezer today - so had a good day.

Had a bit of a shock yesterday when I went for a mammogram - I expected some pressure when they x-rayed my 'bits' but didn't expect them to be virtually steam rollered flat :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:- I was very relieved when they sprung back to shape - I had images of having to roll them up to get back in my bra - ouch - but only ouch for a few minutes - certainly worth getting checked out

Milann

Claw_back_money

Hi Milann
Just read you diary, I'm amazed that you can fit so much into a week!

Very best wishes for your 'royal visit'. OH texted me yesterday, he was speaking to his folks arranging dinner tonight - should we go there or would they come here. I said 'either is fine', and they decided we'd go to them. I'm everso pleased today - first time I've seen the house in daylight for a week and does it need a clean....!

Ensure you get your R&R...

best wishes
Cbm