Preparing for winter IV

pollys

Hello

DH has sealed round the side door to the garage. I noticed that the old seal had perished leaving quite a gap. If the rain had got in it could have caused a bit of damage to the electrics and alarm.
I'm putting off sorting out clothes, it's so warm in school I'm wearing summer stuff.
Still waiting for the gardener to cut down the ivy and the kitchen roof will be done in October.
I'm hoping the warm weather continues, it's great getting the washing dry outdoors.

Polly

115K

It's been really warm today, I was vacuuming and I felt sweaty afterwards.:D

I was thinking about getting our bathroom done before winter starts, it needs tiling and I was thinking of getting a walk in shower instead of our stupidly tiny bath.

I need to get a stock cupboard done as I bought tins of soup but have eaten most of them. I might also get some cocoa as I really like that on a cold day.:A

115K

I was thinking about replacing my electric oven but I was thinking maybe about getting a small countertop oven one instead. I might also get a slow cooker too.

Does anyone on here have either and do you like them?:)

[Deleted User]

I've had a slow cooker forever and it's one of my winter mainstays. I cook soups, casseroles and stews, steamed puddings and pot roasts in it. I've never had anything fail and contrary to popular opinion the food doesn't all taste the same or 'brown'. I even cook the christmas joint of brisket in the slow cooker, delectable and makes wonderful cold meat for slicing very thinly for sandwiches afterwards and also keeps all those flavourful meat juices in the gravy, Mmmmmm yummy!!!

115K

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

I've had a slow cooker forever and it's one of my winter mainstays. I cook soups, casseroles and stews, steamed puddings and pot roasts in it.

Sounds great!:) I make a lot of soups and stews over the winter so I think it seems like a good investment.

Living_proof

I recommend a combination oven/grill/microwave. I do have a big electric oven but would only use it one VERY rare occasions because the combi manages fine for all the demands I put on it. It wouldn't make sense for a family of four on its' own, but for a single/two person household it is more than adequate. I use the slow cooker a lot for stews/whole chicken/ham etc.

Snorkypants

115K wrote: »

I was thinking about replacing my electric oven but I was thinking maybe about getting a small countertop oven one instead. I might also get a slow cooker too.

Does anyone on here have either and do you like them?:)

I have a slow cooker and love cooking in it. It's great making stuff in the morning and coming home in the evening to a house that smells delicious and having a lovely hot meal ready. I bought a slow cooker recipe book when I first got it, which worked well for me but now I happily 'adapt' any recipe to use the slow cooker and they always turn out well. I say adapt, it's mostly just massively increasing the cooking time and possibly adding a bit more liquid.


I used it 3 times this week and if we stick to the meal plan we'll be using it 3 times next week too. Pulses like chickpeas, beans etc are wonderful cooked in a slow cooker because the long slow cooking time really softens them.

115K

Living_proof wrote: »

I recommend a combination oven/grill/microwave. I do have a big electric oven but would only use it one VERY rare occasions because the combi manages fine for all the demands I put on it. It wouldn't make sense for a family of four on its' own, but for a single/two person household it is more than adequate. I use the slow cooker a lot for stews/whole chicken/ham etc.

Oh okay, thanks.:) Would you recommend any particular brand? I've just been looking on Amazon.

Snorkypants wrote: »

I have a slow cooker and love cooking in it. It's great making stuff in the morning and coming home in the evening to a house that smells delicious and having a lovely hot meal ready. I bought a slow cooker recipe book when I first got it, which worked well for me but now I happily 'adapt' any recipe to use the slow cooker and they always turn out well. I say adapt, it's mostly just massively increasing the cooking time and possibly adding a bit more liquid.


I used it 3 times this week and if we stick to the meal plan we'll be using it 3 times next week too. Pulses like chickpeas, beans etc are wonderful cooked in a slow cooker because the long slow cooking time really softens them.

People seem to rave about their slow cooker.:T I'm vegan so cooking pulses would come in very handy.

BritishBibliophile

Did a batch of bolognese this afternoon, wanted to do 2 batches but I've run out of tomato puree and I consider it to be an essential ingredient in any bolognese Will need to restock next week.

Just letting it cool a bit before I serve up and stick in the freezer, first test will come later in the week, need an easy dinner on Thursday.

Wills106

I vote on the slow cooker.
They are wonderful and make batch cooking even easier. Chuck stuff in and come back X hours later. That's all there is to them.

I don't even bother browning meat off in a pan first like some recipes call for. It seems counter productive to me (IE using more than 1 cooking pot)
I can never tell the difference when I have browned meat off.

Also I really wouldn't bother buying a "Brand" one unless you want a fancy timer. Mine is a huge one paid about £15-18 from a cheapo store 3 or 4 years ago. Still going fine.

O BritishBibliophile just a hint to save some money, Sainsbugs have large tubes of Tomato and hint of chilli paste in the at min for 20p each! Normal ones are about a £1.