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

Knit_Witch

Sounds as though huge hugs are needed right around the board!

I'm hoping this goes through - people have been having problems since they changed servers!

FairyPrincessk

AOT, big hugs. Like Lyn says, there are many things they can do to help stroke patients. My OH has a close friend whose sister had a stroke a few years ago and she now lives a very rich and lovely life. I know it must be difficult being so far away and unable to do anything. Have you thought about popping something in the mail for her? Either a partner or someone who is visiting her could take it in. Even just a card she can put up in the hospital might help brighten her day.

the_cake

Hugs to Ginny, Kez, AOT and anyone else who would like one! And huge thanks to all of you who keep this lovely thread such a warm and comforting place to pop into when all else is a bit bleak ......

FairyPrincessk

Long post--sorry!

Thanks for all of the support. I've told him he needs to do some more research and tell me what he wants because I can't read his mind. He tends to work slowly so in the meantime we've agreed to aim for veggie meals.

I've no problem with day to day veggie menus, but August is when I go into squirrel mode and do some batch cooking for the freezer and term time and that is what I'm struggling to come up with ideas for. Usually these would be the only meals in a week (1-2 times) where we would eat meat--the batch cooking meant I could buy in bulk, cut down on the cooking time one or two nights a week and it meant I could portion out the meat into smaller servings since there is only two of us. So--I have lots of quick veggie recipes for the other nights, but no freezer recipes that are veggie.


I'm looking for some hearty comfort foods. We're both very big eaters, and a bit scrawny, so calorie dense helps! OH tends not to get enough calories in at breakfast or lunch, and while he gets several small servings of incomplete proteins, they aren't really enough so I try to make dinner with a complete protein at least three to four times a week. We're both good with fruit and veg with a few minor exceptions--I don't like mushrooms or beetroot, and he likes things to have very strong flavours so I add chillis, vinegars and spices to lots of things otherwise he complains they're bland. I love to improvise, but I think I need some new starting points.

Only other thing is that I'd like to avoid too many meat replacements and I'd like to keep the soy in our diets to the occasional treat.

So, if it isn't too much to ask--any suggestions for very hearty meat free meals I can batch cook and freeze? Building blocks that can be added to speed up cooking are also great. Just a few ideas, as my inner squirrel is in a panic! I'm also willing to check the library for cookbooks if anyone can suggest any good ones (Lyn, any suggestions of books on your shelf??)

I know this seems so trivial in comparison to what some of you are dealing with. Again, big hugs to those of you who need them.

Also, Pops, thanks for the best wishes for the cat. She isn't ours, just on loan. I think some of it is just the transition, she certainly misses her mumi. I think she has also had an upset tummy and may have been trying to clear it by eating grass. Hopefully nature has worked its magic.

the_cake

I'm another one looking for inspiration for meals ... my OH has just left his job to start (re-start, actually, but it's been nearly two years) working from home again, so I will need to think about lunches as well as suppers, especially in the winter, when we will need something hot. Had a bit of a LBM this morning when worriting away at meal plans: I am thinking of a week's worth of suppers, with one from each of these groups (I know they are not proper 'food groups', but they help me think up ideas): pasta, rice, pulses, white meat, red meat, fish, eggs, which should give us seven suppers across a wide range of foods. I will also attempt at least one new recipe a week, just to keep myself on my toes!

kezlou

how about veggiemeat loaf made with lentils and kidney beans?These could served with veggies, mash, yorkshire puddings and gravy.
So say like veggie roast dinner?

Another is spicy veg stew with cheese bread?

The veggie meat loaf, you can eat hot or cold and can be frozen.
this is the same with spicy veg stew.

My dad came round and had some, my OH didn't realise they were vegan! So i was well chuffed.

Fairy princess meal planning is NOT trivial!!!
Your stresses and worries are NOT trivial in anyway shape or form. We come on here for support whether its what colour to dye hair through to meal planning to going into hospital.

So don't you or anyone else think they problems are trivial because they not!!!!!!!!!!

[Deleted User]

FPK I'll go right through the shelf when I get home and get you some titles and ISBN numbers, they need as much info as they can get at the library. A very useful book for general use is The Bean Book by Rose Elliot which is chocablokc full of delicious and frugal recipes, another book I find myself going back to time after time is The Vegetarian Cookbook by Gail Duff which is again full of delicious recipes including some lovely thick pottages which are heavenly on cold winter days.

In general risottos are cheap and filling, I expect they freeze perfectly well too, and vegetable lasagnes are always nice. I love vege indian dishes and we often have a dahl, rice and vege curry (usually Aloo Gajaar which is potato and carrot curry), and I make African Beans in a tomato peanut sauce which freeze well and are nummy. I'll dig out the recipes and post them when I'm home. Is there anything you really fancy if so give me list and I'll do a bit of searching to see if I've got a recipe for you. Vegan books by Linda Majzlik are regional cooking from all over the world and cost £5 ish and are very useful for ringing the changes, let me know what you like and I'll send you some recipes, Cheers Lyn xxx.

FairyPrincessk

Thanks Kezlou, two brilliant ideas! I've penned them down on my list. I think I'll try to double cook 3ish meals a week for the next few weeks so these two will be brilliant! We'll eat one for tea and I'll put the other in the freezer. Do you have a recipe for the meatloaf? I think I can work out the stew, but might need some guidance for the loaf.

And thank you, I felt much better after I posted here and you're right meal planning is important.x

kezlou

Thanks lyn and pops for the links to the websites and name of the books. I love the idea of these:

http://www.yummly.com/recipe/external/No-Bake-Chocolate-Oat-Bars-Allrecipes

Would like to second risottos are fantastic to freeze and defrost really well. They are also really easy to make.
Other meals such as macaroni cheese, caluiflower cheese, veggie bakes. Lentil sheperds pie, lasagne work really well too.

My biggest problem is when its colder i cna make really cheap and filing meals. As soon as starts heating, it all goes to pot lol

Still love the summer though

kezlou

Spicy bean and lentil loaf

1 onion finely chopped and sliced up small
2 garlic cloves crushed
2 celery sticks very finely chopped (optional) or 1 large leek
400g can kidney beans
400g can lentils
1 egg
a carrot grated
50g cheese grated
50g breadcrumbs
2 tbsp tomato puree
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp chilli powder
salt, pepper

1)grease a loaf tin and set oven to gas mark 5
2) fry onions, garlic, celery / leeks till soft, remove from heat
3) blend kidney beans, lentils, then onion mix and egg together until smoothish
4) tip into another bowl and mix with tomato puree, breadcrumbs and spices
5) Put the mixture into the loaf tin, level the surface with a knife
6) Bake in oven for about an hour.
7) remove from tin and serve

This loaf can be served hot or cold.
Any kind of beans can be used and spices are optional.
I normally serve this with veg, mash and gravy