The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

kezlou

Oh what a gorgeous little kitty fpk

sorry.mar have to say we had sun today was lovely:)
Still to cold to sit outside, but got the washing hung out finally.

OH had boys yesterday while I went out without the boys, it was, really nice just chatting and laughing. Then went back to hers for a cuppa and played with her children. They are so sweet, OH picked meup and we had movie night. I was a bit miffed as OH only gave them breakfast and got back at 5pm so kids were starving.


Today we just relaxed while OH went to work, he's had five days off amhs today he was fed and watered at his relatives who working for.

Back at the vets tomorow for kittens check up

mcculloch29

Tried the Diet Coke Chicken from Jack's book today, ahh, hmm... well, I'll put what I put in my 'what's for dinner' thread post.

Jack describes it as a sticky sauce, to get it sticky she must have used something with sugar in, as it isn't sticky with diet cola.

I also had to cook it for 40 minutes on a very fast heat, as opposed to the 30 on a low/medium of the recipe, to get it to reduce to a bbq-style sauce.

It was certainly tasty but to be honest I could have probably added water to the chopped tomatoes that are the other main ingredient of the sauce and got the same result.

I might try it again with orange juice or with a few spoonfuls of honey added to get the required stickiness. It was certainly worth trying and certainly tasty.

DS (aka Dr C) has requested "no more experiments" for a bit, :Dwhich somewhat nadgers the plan I had to try Jack's sausage and lentil one pot dinner tomorrow or Tuesday :rotfl:

He quite liked two of the three meals he has tried - he wasn't impressed with the easy satay sauce though, so that won't be re-appearing.

I think I might try some of her baking recipes to mollify him.

The mixed bean goulash is definitely worth a go, though if Jack reckons it serves 4-6, her friends must have the appetite of gnats.

It served two, could have served two not greedy adults plus a child.
I had thought of adding some bacon to it, though DS suggested mushrooms. These can make a casserole/hotpot rather watery, so I might cook these off separately to overcome this.
If there are any vegans reading, a lot of the meals in Jack's book are vegan, or can be adapted to be vegan.

[Deleted User]

I make a really easy Satay Sauce with storecupboard ingredients. I used it yesterday to make my vegetable satay on the outdoor woodburner

Satay Sauce

1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon hot chilli sauce
1 teaspoon ginger paste
1 teaspoon garlic paste
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon tomato puree
2 heaped tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1/3 can of coconut milk
salt and pepper to taste

Mix everything together in a basin and add in to your recipe at the appropriate point in cooking, simmer for 10 minutes and enjoy.

Mrs_Chip

Morning Everone!

What lovely weather we are having - frustrating, as we are quite busy this week, which hinders the gardening effort, but very nice to be out and about in! Looking at the jetstram forecast I think we wil keep this until the weekend, so hopefully we can get out at some point.

McC - every 'coke' recipe I have seen says to use full-fat, for that very reaon, it's the sugar that goes sticky.

I decided I needed to check the suggested serving for the cereal we have, OH seemed to be dishing up qite a big bowlful. It seems my breakfast, whilst big, was not excessive, was 4 times the suggested portion. The correct portion of 30g is frankly ridiculous so I have compromised and have a 60g portion. I know we all have different appetites, perhaps some people really do eat like sparrows?

Have a lovely day veveryone, whatever you are doing!

Pooky

Morning all

Lovely day here too!

I mix peanut butter with mayo and lemon juice for a nice thick satay (plenty of chilli flakes and a dash of soy liven it up nicely).

Mrs C - those cereal portion sizes are tiny aren't they? I have a granola that's suggested portion size is 50gms but because I have it on top of yogurt and chop a nana in I only use 25gms.....but with milk it wouldnt touch the sides.

My current healthy eating is going well, I'm feeling less bloated and can see my body changing shape, just infuriated that I've stuck at the same weight for 2 weeks now. I'm trying to up my "activity levels" which is easier now it's nice outside but I'm getting a bit disheartened at the sticking weight.

House is all hoovered through, doors and windows flung open and just waiting for the bedding to finish spinning to get it on the line then perhaps I can crack on with some sewing.

Mrs_Chip

I like cereal with yoghurt and fruit Pooky, so I might get some plain youghurt in to have with a 30g portion of cereal and some apple.

I make satay sauce by adding some lime juice, chilli flakes, a bit of soy and water to thin to peanut butter, yummy for mixing in chopped cold chicken, makes a lovely jacket potato filling, or to have with a crispy salad.

fuddle

Morning! Glorious here too, although feeling rather caught out that I havent yet affixed the washing line in the garden. Ooops, feel a really rubbish OSer.

There was talk on the news this morning about the supermarkets beginning to fight back the share of the market that has gone to the cheaper foodstores. If it means cheaper prices it can only be a good thing, no?

Pulled pork, salad and coleslaw for our tea.

Shopping list for Friday to include items for the new menu plan. Im looking to shave off the weekly food budget as it had gone up slightly while I was working evenings - convenience. No more.

Car to wash as it hasnt been cleaned since before I moved from the North. You can imagine the state of it.

More NVQ work to do but only half an hour.

Housework in all rooms but not as bad as it sounds as things are pretty much clean and tidy.

Lots of bathroom paint left so might begin a wall of the kitchen. I have only 1 hours work today as I had emergencies to contend with last week so to help me cope (I am fine) they have given me an easy day.

Park after school so will be looking for a free kindle app download for my phone to read while the girls play.

Car is getting the first of the jobs done tomorrow evening.

All is good. All is in hand. All is manageable.

fuddle

Does anyone have any tips for removing burn from an iron soleplate?

stiltwalker

Afternoon all - went to the docs this morning as my voice has almost completely gone and I still feel lousy and she said I officially have the lurgy! Laryngitis so I've to rest and try not to talk too much - easier said than done but at least I can Makaton to DH - who knew how many uses signing could have?


Also sorted DH's life insurance out as he's not had cover since he finished work but we wanted it to be past the 12 months after he'd given up smoking so he counted as a non smoker to get the premiums down a bit.


Should be doing my essay but I'm wiped out now so think I'll just have a sit and a 'puter.


Take care all - X

cutestkids

FUDDLE rub the iron with soap or a soapy cloth while it is hat the when it cools down wipe with a soft cloth a micro fiber type is ideal, this usually works for me.