make do and mend for tougher times

Popperwell

GK I had some prepared callerole vegetables in a bag but the dayte says yesterday:mad:Wonder if I dare risk using them in the slow cooker tonight, they can't go off immediately it reaches the use by date?

There's carrot, potato, leek, swede...it would be a pity to throw it out...

I take it that I cook the chicken first...

Then put the vegetables in to the cooker with a pint of water, when that's cooked, serve it up with the chicken I cooked earlier?

Does it take hours to cook vegetables otherwise I could cheat and do some of those quickly in a pan on the hob...that still should be quite energy efficient?

And the water from the vegetables could be used to make some gravy?

Hope that you all don't get tired of my questions...once I have the basics off it should be really easy...

fuddle

Byatt wrote: »

Just really happy right now, my LL has agreed to me removing the prepayment meter and having a credit meter! :j:j Also offered the use of some wood for my wood burner.

That is some moneysaving good news :j

I have some good news too. Our good friend possession has helped me to get a weekend Sun holiday booked quicker than I thought I could, which has meant we can go in the half term and my DD's don't have to miss any school. I'm chuffed, thanks hun :j:j Something to look forward to

kitschy

Popperwell wrote: »

I think you need a hug too...sorry to hear of your news too...

Thanks Pops :grouphug:

I think one way or another we're all in it together, all trying to cut our cloth in the best way for our circumstances. The irony is that my job was to help people find work - and now I'm sitting next to my customers in the JobCentre! Every time I go in there I hope it's the last time

Just went for a hot chocolate with my parents at Mr A, and my Daddy (yes, still call him that at 31!) had got me a little ornament in the CS to cheer me up. A little thing, but it has really made my day

ps - plenty of Kilners left in Kempshott Mr S for any local folk wanting them. I wouldn't have the first idea what to do with them - that's how good at OS I am :rotfl:

Popperwell

That's really good news Fuddle and well done Possession:T

Byatt

fuddle wrote: »

That is some moneysaving good news :j

I have some good news too. Our good friend possession has helped me to get a weekend Sun holiday booked quicker than I thought I could, which has meant we can go in the half term and my DD's don't have to miss any school. I'm chuffed, thanks hun :j:j Something to look forward to

That is good news about the holiday, I was going to offer my code, so if anyone else wants it on here just shout. I've really enjoyed the holidays we've been on, but not sure we can manage another one this year.

Popperwell

kitschy wrote: »

Thanks Pops :grouphug:

I think one way or another we're all in it together, all trying to cut our cloth in the best way for our circumstances. The irony is that my job was to help people find work - and now I'm sitting next to my customers in the JobCentre! Every time I go in there I hope it's the last time

Just went for a hot chocolate with my parents at Mr A, and my Daddy (yes, still call him that at 31!) had got me a little ornament in the CS to cheer me up. A little thing, but it has really made my day

ps - plenty of Kilners left in Kempshott Mr S for any local folk wanting them. I wouldn't have the first idea what to do with them - that's how good at OS I am :rotfl:

How ironic kitschy...but yes we are in it together(but not as our leaders mean it:p)Whoever it is making the policies, they are not helping(there I'm not having a go at any particular party:rotfl:)

I think that's sweet still calling your Dad "Daddy" and why not...I'm glad you have been cheered up a little...

Byatt

Popperwell wrote: »

GK I had some prepared callerole vegetables in a bag but the dayte says yesterday:mad:Wonder if I dare risk using them in the slow cooker tonight, they can't go off immediately it reaches the use by date?

There's carrot, potato, leek, swede...it would be a pity to throw it out...

I take it that I cook the chicken first...

Then put the vegetables in to the cooker with a pint of water, when that's cooked, serve it up with the chicken I cooked earlier?

Does it take hours to cook vegetables otherwise I could cheat and do some of those quickly in a pan on the hob...that still should be quite energy efficient?

And the water from the vegetables could be used to make some gravy?

Hope that you all don't get tired of my questions...once I have the basics off it should be really easy...

I would think the veg are fine after one day, do the sniff and sight taste. I used to be a martyr to the dates but no longer...

The root vegetables take longer in a SC, but I just chuck them in with the meat and a little water. SC for 6 hours or so, and you have a meal. It's just trial and error. I finish off in the oven usually as I like the oven roasted taste, but that's just me. You can add dumplings and seasoning at this stage not at the beginning.

Yes, the water will make a gravy, you can add stock/seasoning to taste.

BTW you can make a chicken stock for soup with the carcase, I'm sure someone on here will give a good recipe.

Pooky

As long as the veg isn't slimy the get is used! It will take hours in the SC tho.

I've got some curry pastes from AF that were 12 for 1p as they went out of date in 2010. They taste just fine! They're vacuum packed so will keep for years and years and years.

Possession

Pooky wrote: »

As long as the veg isn't slimy the get is used! It will take hours in the SC tho.

I've got some curry pastes from AF that were 12 for 1p as they went out of date in 2010. They taste just fine! They're vacuum packed so will keep for years and years and years.

Someone after my own heart.
Although sadly the Hovis bread mix I found and made yesterday which went out of date in 2009 did not fare so well. Yuck.

smileyt_2

Sunshine if your income is going to drop, it might be worth checking whether you'll be entitled to any benefits. I use https://www.entitledto.com which is brilliant.

I've finally got all the bits together for my Housing Benefit letter, so will drop that off tomorrow. The next thing I'm going to do (after making another cup of tea) is my JSA appeal letter. I have to get it done as that will then be a huge weight off my shoulders. I had to go to the Job Centre today (Kitschy, I share your hearty dislike!) but one good thing is that they have fitted me onto an interview technique session in the morning. I have a few questions to ask so that will be useful. One of my questions is should I wear jewellery and make-up? I never normally bother with either, apart from gold stud earrings, and actually make-up makes me itch, so I'd rather not. I am lucky that I still have fairly wrinkle-free skin for almost 43. I hate wearing make-up as it makes me feel really self-conscious, quite the opposite of the confidence-imparting effect it's supposed to have! *Tosses 3mm crewcut dramatically ... I'm a natural beauty ...* :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Dropped a jar of jam off to the friend who helped me pick the tayberries. Two minutes after I'd left I got a text saying 'Mmmmmmm' - I expect he's scoffed the lot by now :rotfl:.

Nothing OS to report today. Must do better ....