Subsistence cooking equipment

annie123

Do bob and shirley have a microwave?
can't be many around now who have teenagers and not got themselves one by time the kids are that old, or am I wrong on that one?
If they do have one I would do steam puddings in it, a lot cheaper to make. 10 mins in the microwave rather than several hours steaming on the hob.

In fact, if money was so tight over all those years that I hadn't been able to buy one then I wouldn't use all that gas/elec to make a steam pudding.
Not economical in my book. Much cheaper ways to make a dessert.

Just my thoughts

ariarnia

The steamed puds are savoury as well as sweet, and I don't know if a pastry shell and meaty filling would cook right in a microwave for 10 mins - lack of consistency compared to doughy puddings.

If it does work I'd be interested in trying it if you could give me an idea as to time v's power and if I need to add water to the microwave (in the pud or in a cup next to?)

Oh, and I think B&S don't have a microwave, or at least we're assuming they don't.

kezlou

Hi Ceridwen,

I wouldn't ever use a biscuit or sweet tin in an oven or grill, in fact i tried it once and it was disgusting. I swear i could smell the toxins going into my lungs.Couldn't stop coughing at the smell.

Pack lunches - i have some clear plastic tubs for my young children and OH. I use margarine tubs at home. If gave them margarine tubs to the boys they would be hounded at school.Can't bear to have them bullied at such a young age, well ever really.

Microwave - we don't own one, OH can't stand them, so doubt we'll ever get one, 10 years down and have no need for one. I'm teaching the boys how to cook without one.
Personally - a food processor any time, stick blender what a pain in the backside, total waste of money.

Actually only just caught up with the thread after i wrote the following. so feel free to ignore.

Kitchen list

Rolling pin :- 55p Wilko's, large solid heavy one £1 pound shop
Baking trays - pound shop or just use a roasting tray. Also use these to make flat bread,buns, stottie, pizza bases, yorkshire puddings etc
cake tins - i have in the past just used yorkshire pudding trays, just spoon cake mixture straight in. They pop straight out when done, no need for cake paper cases etc but if you really want them go to the pound shop.
Kitchen scissors - pound shop a pack of three - i use these instead of sharp knives to cut meat, veg etc Also doubles a nut cracker and bottle opener.
bread tins - pound shop for a 2lb loaf
A good frying pan - i bought out of Sainsburys for £6 and it acts as a great wok, holds liquid in without drying. Made soup in it in recently was brilliant. Well worth forking £6 out for it.
Large pan - can cook all sorts in and use as a mixing bowl
Tried a wine bottle, coke bottle etc for rolling a load of rubbish, just wrecked the pastry instead.
Whisk:- just use a fork
mixing bowl - a large pan, jug, bowl, washing up bowl
Roasting tin :- Get a glass pryex rectangle dish (pound shop), use it for lasagne, bakes, cakes, roast dinner. Can also double as a baking tray if needed
storage containers - margerine tubs, bottle for stock, foil trays (leftover from previously bought pie), just wash and reuse.

My list for under £20
baking tray x 1 -(pound shop) (85p wilkinsons)
rolling pin x 55p - wilkinsons (can double for bashing meat with)
frying pan + lid £6 sainsburys
loaf tin - £1 (pound shop)
large pan + lid £5 T J hughes - technically mines a stock pot
Rectangular Pyrex dish £1 (pound shop)
scales - 59p wilko's
Kitchen scissors 3 pack x 1 - pound shop
chopping board (pack of two wooden ones) - pound shop or 65p each in wilkinsons
set of 8 utenils - e.g spatula, slotted spoon - pound shop
sharp knife - pound shop
cheese grater - pound shop - use for grating fresh garlic, cheese etc
£20.14


HTH

seraphina

Mothercare and John Lewis nursery department are the best place for muslins,

I'm fortunate enough to have a mother who was at home when I was growing up and was an interested cook, so I learnt a lot of the more "obscure" cooking methods from her, and TBH they don't seem obscure to me! However I do think I might be the exception rather than the rule in my generation (I'm 28) but like Thriftlady I love to read about cooking, so also pick up bits and pieces from books.

seraphina

ceridwen wrote: »

I think its little bits of "knowledge" like this about cooking that are in danger of being lost - certainly I'm in the Baby Boomer generation and I dont know myself - so its time to ask those who still retain "the Knowledge" as to specifics as to how to do these things:)

I don't agree with this - certainly I know loads of people who were brought up with no real interest in food but as they cook for themselves have turned into total foodies. Indeed now people seem to be in competition as to who can turn up the most obscure ingredient or most technical method!

What I do think is happening, is that food knowledge is becoming increasingly polarised between the "foodies" and the microwave ready meal brigades. We need to be populating the happy medium, so that the majority of people are capable of cooking healthy meals within their budget.

Frugalista

seraphina wrote: »

Mothercare and John Lewis nursery department are the best place for muslins

Surely that would be an expensive way to buy? I just went to our local fabric shop (and its only a very small town) and bought a metre for around 70p.

seraphina

Frugalista wrote: »

Surely that would be an expensive way to buy? I just went to our local fabric shop (and its only a very small town) and bought a metre for around 70p.

Nope, nursery places are quite good muslins - for instance Tesco have 6 large squares for £3 in the baby aisle.

carriebradshaw

ceridwen wrote: »

Okays...further on this:

I've had a PM (thank you:)) from a poster. I dont know whether they wish to be anonymous - or no - so havent quoted their "name".

They say:
If pudding is put in a pudding basin - then the top needs to be covered. She usually uses a square of greaseproof and a square of foil tied round the top of basin.

She further suggests we could cover with a square of muslin or cotton (eg an old hankie or worn-out shirt). She reminds us that we would need to flour the side in contact with - and make sure its pleated to allow for expansion. Further - its possible to make roly-poly type puddings wrapped in a teacloth - but that greaseproof is better (as it doesnt stick).

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

From that - I'm deducing that maybe we need to add greaseproof paper to the Kit List and keep some old cotton cloth to hand as well for experimenting with what is the best combination (could be old teatowel/old cotton shirt/old hankie - depending on what is available). What does everyone think?

how about cheesecloth or even clean cotton pillowcases

adouglasmhor

seraphina wrote: »

Mothercare and John Lewis nursery department are the best place for muslins,

I was going to say a Mosque, then I put on my specs, I should

adouglasmhor

carriebradshaw wrote: »

how about cheesecloth or even clean cotton pillowcases

Cheesecloth is much the same but coarser, works fine, I have seen a dumpling made in a cotton pillowcase before, tasted great.