make do and mend for tougher times

fuddle

Me too, I'm praying that the kiddies stay a peeps for just a little while longer while I have my cuppa, peace and a catch up.

Mam and sister visiting me today. It's been a long time since they visit together as I can't cope with both of them at once. Wish me luck!

Tink_04

Morning everyone I don't post much but read a lot! I'm Hoping for some advice - words of wisdom - anything really!

Bit back ground there is me DH and DD3 im one of there 20 somethings that was never taught and as both parents worked we mostly lived on bung stuff in the oven foods. Well I've been learning over the last 5 years due to debts (on the last one to pay off ) high mortgage payments and high child care bills (DH works ft and me pt)

So far on this site I have learned to:
Cook from scratch ( not baking I just make a mess)
Batch cook meals (great for work days)
Have a small store cupboard
Prepare for winter (started 2 years ago and just keep adding bits every year)
Meal plan

Ok so that a have mastered and its become part of day to day life (all thanks to this site) but I have some things I struggle with - the slow cooker ( I have books and books and have read the threads but everything I do is runny or burnt up the side with a skin on? Its a Tesco £9 one (was £9 when I bought it 3 years ago think its £11 now!) any way im starting to waffel a bit - I think im lost because I don't know the basics like we only each chicken (breasts) & mince as I don't know how to cook other meats I've never roasted a chicken (let alone done one in my sc like im itching to do) I find things fast bland as im not sure about herbs and spices.

Sorry for the long post i have learned a lot but need to go back to basics but don't have anyone to ask really!

My name is Tink im a 20 something mother and i can't sew a button on or make a cheese sauce i need an adoptive OS mum - any takers?

mardatha

Fuddle - maybe I read wrong so if I did then ignore me - but were your girls in the front garden when this happened? Can you not tie up the gate securely- maybe with a bike lock as somebody said - leave the front door open, and let the dog out with them? They should be safe then?

kidcat

Fuddle - good luck and remember whatever they say - words cannot harm you. whats the saying sticks and stones and all that. Take care and try to let anything wash over you (easier said than done I know).

Tink welcome

mardatha

LOL Tink - I'm a 62 yr old granny who canny cook to save my life and I need adopted too! I want a mummy who will buy me loads of sweeties :rotfl:
I love my crockpot (SC) - I just throw stuff in and leave it. On low setting. Whole chicken, bits of chicken, beef stew, anything with a load of chopped up veg, leave it 5-6-7 hours and it comes out looking and tasting like food... which in this house is good going !

kidcat

Tink - delia does a really basic cookbook I believe that covers stuff like basic sauces and how to cook eggs etc, it may be worth trying to borrow a copy to start with.

Have just had delivery of shining new machine - all wrapped up and I am not allowed to open until dad gets here - its just like Christmas!!

Tink_04

Mardatha - sweetie buying IS something im good at!! I must be missing something because when I've tried chucking it all it it comes out a floppy mess! Maybe im leaving it too long as were out the house for 8 hours? Acutually managed to burn leeks to the bottom of it once :S

Tink_04

Kidcat im at the library with DD today so will have a look!

PhGage

Tink_04 wrote: »

Maybe im leaving it too long as were out the house for 8 hours? Acutually managed to burn leeks to the bottom of it once :S

Are you always using the high rather than low setting? It will involve a bit more washing-up but you may be better bringing your chicken/mince etc. up to temperature on the stovetop, putting that in your slow cooker and setting it to low while you're out for the day. Otherwise, a lot of recipes need you to put the items in cold, run the slow cooker on high for 1-2 hours and then switch to low.

There are many excellent slow cooker books you might be able to borrow from the library.

I use a modern haybox for long, slow cooking. You can read about the same principle on the Wonderbag site - it's impossible to burn anything in one of those

mardatha

I put mine on high for one hour, then low for the rest of the time