A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

lizzyb1812

GreyQueen wrote: »

Lizzy, thanks for the info about Superscrimpers; I'm telly-less thru choice so won't be watching it unless they release the Greatest Hits DVD and stock it in the public library. I'd love to have the details of the recipe whenever; won't be making any until late-summer 2012 anyway.

Yes, I know, that's why the link is to 4OD - ie you can watch it on the interweb :) - it's Channel 4's version of the i-player

Kittikins

Hi GreyQueen - here's the recipe, I'm sure you can cook in a pan (maybe not Gollum) rather than a microwave if you don't have one *hic*

Blackberry Liqueur
What you'll need (makes 2 bottles)
2 packs fresh blackberries (300g), 450g sugar, pint of water, half bottle of cheap vodka (500ml)
+ Potato masher (or similar), sieve, bottles for decanting
How to do it
STEP 1: Sterilise your bottle by washing it in hot water or on the hot cycle in a dishwasher. Dry by placing it a preheated oven at 160C/325F/Gas 3 for 10 - 15 mins, then leave to cool.
STEP 2: Microwave the blackberries until they begin to breakdown and you can see some of the juice
STEP 3: Add the sugar, and mash together
STEP 4: Place the bowl back into the microwave and bring to the boil, this will also sterilise the mixture
STEP 5: Strain the mixture using a sieve and let it cool
STEP 6: Once cooled, it should resemble a thin syrup, add the water and vodka and stir
STEP 7: Decant into your bottle
Scrimper Tip
Why not experiment with different types of berries, rasberries maybe?
Approximate cost - £4.82

juliettet

A heads up to those with Atlantic/SSE electricity in Scotland, I have an night meter & a day meter here as the house was originally all electric. I was under the impression that cheap rate was 11.30 - 6.30 Winter & 12.30 - 7.30 Summer. Customer services have informed me in Scotland it is 11.30 - 7.30 now and in Summer 12.30 - 8.30. No more setting the timer on my washing machine as I am up at 6 anyway. I was always scared it would go on fire.

Beccatje

Softstuff wrote: »

I made the peanut butter balls today from a recipe here:
http://www.joyofbaking.com/candy/PeanutButterBalls.html

.

I think it's so funny how they say at the end of the recipe:
Store in the fridge for up to two weeks.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
I'd be lucky if they last 2 hours in my house!!! :rotfl:

thanks for the recipe though, they look yummy.. will deffo try them.

tink1981_2

Kittikins wrote: »

Blackberry Liqueur
What you'll need (makes 2 bottles)
2 packs fresh blackberries (300g), 450g sugar, pint of water, half bottle of cheap vodka (500ml)
+ Potato masher (or similar), sieve, bottles for decanting
How to do it
STEP 1: Sterilise your bottle by washing it in hot water or on the hot cycle in a dishwasher. Dry by placing it a preheated oven at 160C/325F/Gas 3 for 10 - 15 mins, then leave to cool.
STEP 2: Microwave the blackberries until they begin to breakdown and you can see some of the juice
STEP 3: Add the sugar, and mash together
STEP 4: Place the bowl back into the microwave and bring to the boil, this will also sterilise the mixture
STEP 5: Strain the mixture using a sieve and let it cool
STEP 6: Once cooled, it should resemble a thin syrup, add the water and vodka and stir
STEP 7: Decant into your bottle
Scrimper Tip
Why not experiment with different types of berries, rasberries maybe?
Approximate cost - £4.82

We made Blackberry Whisky this year a similar way. It was a recipe done by forager John from River Cottage http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2011/aug/31/how-make-blackberry-wine-whisky

We've only had a little taste so far but boy does it tast good :beer: planning to take some up to mum and dad's for crimbo. DH has been trying to convince me to let him use the left over fruit in crumble! Had thought it would go well in meringue nests topped with yogurt.

Feels like a very frugle recipe as not only do you get a tipple but you can make use of the left over fruit rather than throwing them away like with sloes :j

Byatt

redlady_1 wrote: »

Havent had a TV for 2 years now and I dont miss anything on TV. Anything I want to watch is done in my time not theirs. And I am £13 per month better off too

Redlady, your post intrigues me. I'm looking to cut back on BT stuff next year and wondered what you can watch on the computer. I know about BBc iplayer...I have the tv on as background noise most of the time, but want to use the radio, listen to tapes etc and generally be more pro active.

xxxxx

redlady_1

You can watch most things. There is an ITV and 4od catch up which has several bits from those channels. iplayer covers all the BBC channels and also radio. I love Masterchef and also HFW River Cottage bits. I actually sat and watched all of his series over a period of days when I first found out about him.

I have recently done away with BT and gone to O2. As a result my bills have halved. BT charge if you go over a certain download limit.

I often have the radio or my ipod on but it is actually really nice to have some peace after a hectic day. Once you get used to silence it is very relaxing. I read quite a bit too. Radio 4 (yes, I am old!) is also something I started listening to. Some bits are really interesting.

What do you tend to watch Byatt?

Byatt

redlady_1 wrote: »

You can watch most things. There is an ITV and 4od catch up which has several bits from those channels. iplayer covers all the BBC channels and also radio. I love Masterchef and also HFW River Cottage bits. I actually sat and watched all of his series over a period of days when I first found out about him.

I have recently done away with BT and gone to O2. As a result my bills have halved. BT charge if you go over a certain download limit.

I often have the radio or my ipod on but it is actually really nice to have some peace after a hectic day. Once you get used to silence it is very relaxing. I read quite a bit too. Radio 4 (yes, I am old!) is also something I started listening to. Some bits are really interesting.

What do you tend to watch Byatt?

Thanks.

I tend to channel hop; I like dramas. But most of the ones I like have gone over to Sky. But I also know a lot go onto DVD's now. I rarely watch the news. I watch daytime stuff but I can survive not doing that. I like films.

redlady_1

Have a look at iplayer and just see what there is on there. There are alot of daytime series on there and a few films. You can flick through the various BBC channels and also the days. You can also search according to what you want to watch, for instance sport.

Byatt

redlady_1 wrote: »

Have a look at iplayer and just see what there is on there. There are alot of daytime series on there and a few films. You can flick through the various BBC channels and also the days. You can also search according to what you want to watch, for instance sport.

Thanks, I will.

edit: just had a look and there's a lot out there! Looked at the licence site and it says I have to declare not using tv for watching/recording which is fine. I want to keep the tv as a friend has given me a Wii for Christmas.

Now to work on the phone/broadband part.