Not mentioning the T word at all

Seakay

Hurrah! Lots of Pratchett fans to play with! I love them all but wait for them to come out in paperback so don't print spoilers if you have the latest in hardback - I am up to "I shall Wear Midnight"! Favourite apart from witch and wizard ones is perhaps "Monstrous Regiment" but then I say that and remember scenes from others - so I just can't choose!

Tahini is basically just a sesame flavouring for a chick pea pate or dip, if you don't like it leave it out and the result will be fine. I usually leave out some or all of the garlic as I don't like raw onion or garlic
You could add chopped herbs, tomato puree, sundried tomato paste, curry paste, whatever flavour takes your fancy. You can also make a dip with any white bean (better beans, cannellini etc) they all have that slightly creamy flavour and can be jazzed up flavourwise as much or as little as you like

Soak chickpeas in cold water overnight. Drain off the soaking water, give them a rinse, cover with fresh water and simmer for about 40 minutes or until soft but still retaining their shape. DO NOT add salt to the cooking water - it makes the skins horribly tough. This applies to cooking any pulse - always season after they are softened.

greenbee

Bitsy_Beans wrote: »

I've got dried chick peas so I'll need to work out how to cook them I suppose :rotfl:

MG has a recipe somewhere and I think she makes I without oil so it freezes OK and then adds oil before serving.

PaddyPaws

fuddle wrote: »

I tried to get into TP's books as DH is an avid fan, The Wee Free Men is his fav, but I couldn't get into it.

I had lots of friends who read TP and the first time I tried I didn't 'get it' at all. About 12 months later I hadn't got anything to read and tried again, from then on I was hooked. I like the stories with the witches the best.

To all who've shared about the loss of loved ones - thank you. Something like that does make you stop and think. The biggest impact for me was in my early 30s when we were told my father had, at most, 12 months to live. That really stopped me in my tracks as he was only 69 at the time. I realised that my life was my responsibility and I could either drift through it and just let it happen to me or take steps to make it what I wanted it to be. I studied with the OU and then went to uni full time, managed to get onto the graduate recruitment scheme with a large american company and spent 10 years there. Then last year (not sure what the trigger was this time) I realised that although I liked the income I didn't want to spend every waking hour working which is what it had become and with the support of my DH I resigned to take a step back for a while and work out what I want to do.

14 months later I'm enjoying being a housewife, using the recipes (and OS ways) that I'm learning on here and I think I'm now a much nicer person. I've also just signed up as a volunteer with our local hospice. My savings/rainy day fund is almost all gone now so a new budget has been drawn up and we can just about keep the wolf from the door with DH's salary, but I will need to find some work. I think DH is hoping I'll start missing my old corporate role and land another PM type job, whereas I'm thinking more along the lines of part-time in one of our local shops. We'll work it out

Sorry, have wittered on a bit there

PP

Mrs_Veg_Plot

I have also read a few TP books and really enjoy them. Have just finished Snuff. Wish I'd gotten into his books years ago.

Mrs_Chip

Evening All - another waif hopping over!

Had a lovely birthday, tinged with a little sadness as it is my first without Mum. She spent the last four years of her life severly disable by a stroke and unable to communicate properly, but with her marbles all in place. I know how much she went through without being able to do anything about it, I dread the same and grieve for the years we should have had together. Such things make you realise that nothing is more important than your health and loved-ones. I would love to think she is still with us in spirit, but I have no beliefs that lead me that way, much as I wish I did.

OH made me a birthday cake (with the help of our neighbour), and cooked me a fish finger roll for lunch which we ate in the garden surrounded by lovely birdsong and sunshine who needs more?

Tonight he ran me a bath with candles and is just about to make me my favorite cocktail - a Paradise - aptly named I think and I hope we can all find our own version!

mardatha

_pale_ don't like this thread. People are very scarey. They eat GREEN STUFF.

Seakay

Oh yes, mardatha, how is your kailyard doing?

And can we have the paradise cocktail recipe please Mrs Chip?

Churchmouse

Now come on mardatha you must like some green stuff? Pistachio ice cream for example? Makes a lovely pud after kale with your dinner

Mrs_Chip

Paradise - 1 measure gin;1/2 measure apricot brandy; 1/2 measure 'proper' orange juice; dash of fresh lemon juice. Shake with ice and decant into gob!

littlecal

Can I join in please,it's scary on my own!!!!:o Mardatha - i don't have any sweeties but I do have a stash of kit kats (hidden from OH):D:D