It isn`t tough for us. We are OS and we COPE

modern_millie_2

Hi everyone, haven't had much time for posting lately but I have been reading. Many having it even tougher but we are a resilient lot, and lots of support here.
I've also got a veg stew on the go (is it something to do with the end of the month? not much left but a few bits of veg!) and was thinking of rice pud but only have ordinary long grain rice. Will this be OK?
Pitlane, we have been pouring water into our washing machine for about 3 years now, since it stopped doing a rinse on it's own - doesn't seem to do any harm and saves forking out for a new one!

bees**knees

EstherH wrote: »

What sort of rings? Sorry if this is a daft question.
Hubby loves crumpets and this sounds so easy.

You dont need to spend money on special rings. Collect those tuna type small cans - just take the tops and bottoms off -(best to use a can opener that doesnt leave a sharp edge) and hey presto with a good wash you have rings. And as if life isnt exciting enough - you can also use them to produce those fancy layered dishes that the TV chefs produce !

Primrose

I've looked at the Approved Foods website and although there are obviously some bargains, not much of it appears to be healthy food. It's probably OK if two or three people can share a delivery so that you're not forced to eat junk type food for weeks on end, but it does appear to me that you could probably spend the same amount of money on lots of different root vegs such as parsnips, swedes, carrots, etc, and turn them into a savoury cheesey potato pie and eat much more healthily into the bargain.

A fairly small amount of sage & onion stuffing mixed in with mashed potato can turn it into something tasty without the large amount of trans fats of other dodgy ingredients which are included in most snack foods.

EstherH

valbuk wrote: »

You dont need to spend money on special rings. Collect those tuna type small cans - just take the tops and bottoms off -(best to use a can opener that doesnt leave a sharp edge) and hey presto with a good wash you have rings. And as if life isnt exciting enough - you can also use them to produce those fancy layered dishes that the TV chefs produce !

Thanks Valbuk. That's a thought.

Primrose

soupdragon10 wrote: »

I have the same problem, because we have money in the bank my DH cannot see that this is money for us to live on when I am made redundant in March. He is very much live for today, which is OK to a point, but then you starve tomorrow, metaphorically speaking.

If your DH isn't good at managing money, I'd sneak any surplus money out and put it in a secret account somewhere so he's not tempted to spend it. At least that way, you're exercising a certain degree of control.

[Deleted User]

you lovely lot do get me focused sometimes. I`ve been doing some work up at the allotment this (freezing) morning. Then back here to pressure cook all in the same pan and cut up small, potatoes, celeriac and cabbage from my own bright green cabbages that are as tough as old boots. Mashed later and then set to fry up half in the frying pan to eat with half of yesterdays stew. lol the other hash half tomorrow with whatever I can dig out from the freezer. Really nice too so that is 3 ways of dealing with my very tough cabbages, only 9 big cabbages to go! oh plus the half I have left in the fridge, oh well I`ll have to put some in tomorrows pea and ham soup. No wonder I have planned next year better in the allotment

I had some very dry and wrinkly broad beans that I`m not going to waste so have soaked them and laid them on wet kitchen roll under a pyrex bowl. I am glad to see that most are sprouting and so I have just been out to plant them in pots

Now spent a little time trying to catch up on here. I am so sorry that many are still finding it very hard going. The thread title came about in a hurry because I didn`t want us to get lost in the arms and I wanted to try and be upbeat because it is all too easy to drag people down into a well of misery

I love the sound of those crumpets lavendula and I used to grate and freeze cheese just because it made cooking so much easier after a hard day`s graft

I am looking into wine making now. What do I need for a basic kit so I can make some bottles of good wine? I used to make it by the gallon but that was in 70s -80s and I have forgotten what to do

jamanda

Kittie, for winemaking you will need:

Big white bucket with lid (food grade)
demijohns (from car boots, freecycle or somewhere)
rubber bungs with holes in and air locks
syphon tube
sterilising fluid or whatever means you intend to use
bottles
corks
cheap corker (in Wilkinsons last time I looked, as were most of above list)
Finings/vit c, camden tablets etc. depending on what you want to do.

Very basic list but might help.

Athome1

Athome1 wrote: »

I totally agree with the above AND I LOVE SEMOLINA too but judging from most peoples reaction we're in the minority!:rotfl:

mardatha wrote: »

with jam in the middle and cream poured over !:D

OMG, I never thought of using cream, thinking of it now!:D

ceridwen wrote: »

I like semolina too - and tapioca and sago...
(sweetened with honey in my case - so not as "cheap as chips" then.....) - but still pretty darn cheap.:D

I nevered liked tapioca and I can't remember what sago is like - in my defence it is 40+ years since I had school dinners:p

fedupfreda

mama67 wrote: »

YUM YUM :j

I like porridge with evaporated milk on top

Or rice pudding made with evaporated milk.

Come to think of it, any milk pudding is better with evaporated milk. Must be my 70's upbringing

Oh boy, reading this thread has really got me hungry....

Athome1

mama67 wrote: »

YUM YUM :j

I like porridge with evaporated milk on top

Me too and lots of sugar too:D