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

[Deleted User]

Hewo ANTY LIBILET an POPPY an LILY Ize bin inna riva vis mornien an Mumi sez Izea stinker, buttt ize finkin itza nyse ponggggggg, wot duz peeples no bout gud smews enyway?

Lillibet, we do have a very small fruit press designed for home wine making, I found it at a boot fair some years ago and it is what makes it possible to make the cider. It's a very basic method. Chop up any apples you have, windfalls are fine, just wash them but chop them in the skin with the core in and even a bit of bruising doesn't matter, but not if they're on the way to being rotten. We blitz the chopped apple in the food processor and then press the pulp in the fruit press and put the resulting juice in demi johns with a bubble trap to do the initial fermentation, He Who Knows measures the specific gravity of the apple juice and adds a little sugar if needed. If the fermentation is slow we add a Cider specific Yeast that we get in the sachet from the home brew shop. The juice ferments itself out and we rack if off from the sediment and into a big 5 gallon container with a bubble trap and let it ferment itself out fully. It then goes out into the cooler garden shed until it clears completely and this can be months. It matures the cider and we bottle it when it tastes right. We use old beer bottles and have a capper tool, the caps are available from Wilkos at £1 for 50. The bottles sometimes need a tiny amount of sugar adding and then they are capped and again stored in a big cool cupboard in the shed until we bring them in to the house to drink. You can use any type of apple, not too many eaters are advised, but anything you can lay your hands on really. We're getting better results since He Who Knows did a 1 day course with a commercial cider maker and learned some tricks of the trade. The first batch we made we followed instructions from the Home Farmer Magazine a couple of years ago and were amazed at how easy it was and how good the end product was. The recipe and instructions might still be available online, worth a look maybe? Cheers Docky and Lyn xxx.

lillibet_dripping

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Hewo ANTY LIBILET an POPPY an LILY Ize bin inna riva vis mornien an Mumi sez Izea stinker, buttt ize finkin itza nyse ponggggggg, wot duz peeples no bout gud smews enyway?

Lillibet, we do have a very small fruit press designed for home wine making, I found it at a boot fair some years ago and it is what makes it possible to make the cider. It's a very basic method. Chop up any apples you have, windfalls are fine, just wash then but chop them in the skin with the core in and even a bit of bruising doesn't matter, but not if they're on the way to being rotten. We blitz the chopped apple in the food processor and then press the pulp in the fruit press and put the resulting juice in demi johns with a bubble trap to do the initial fermentation, He Who Knows measures the specific gravity of the apple juice and adds a little sugar if needed. If the fermentation is slow we add a Cider specific Yeast that we get in the sachet from the home brew shop. The juice ferments itself out and we rack if off from the sediment and into a big 5 gallon container with a bubble trap and let it ferment itself out fully. It then goes out into the cooler garden shed until it clears completely and this can be months. It matures the cider and we bottle it when it tastes right. We use old beer bottles and have a capper tool, the caps are available from Wilkos at £1 for 50. The bottles sometimes need a tiny amount of sugar adding and then they are capped and again stored in a big cool cupboard in the shed until we bring them in to the house to drink. You can use any type of apple, not too many eaters are advised, but anything you can lay your hands on really. We're getting better results since He Who Knows did a 1 day course with a commercial cider maker and learned some tricks of the trade. The first batch we made we followed instructions from the Home Farmer Magazine a couple of years ago and were amazed at how easy it was and how good the end product was. The recipe and instructions might still be available online, worth a look maybe? Cheers Docky and Lyn xxx.

Thanks Lyn!
I thought I would need some sort of press - the only one I've got makes cheddar cheese so would take me years to press all these apples!! Back to apple pie then.:rotfl:I've still got 3 jars of apple and chilli jam that I made with last year's offering!
A fruit press, being so expensive in the first place, is not the sort of thing you find on freecycle - might check ebay but the postage/collection might make it prohibitive.....

[Deleted User]

LILLIBET you'd be surprised where things like fruit presses turn up, boot fairs are best candidate, but I've seen them in charity shops and we were given a second one by an old schoolfriend of He Who Knows after his 98 year old father passed away and he cleared the shed, there must be many unused ones in cupboards all over the place, from the good life effect in the 70s. You might even try asking on FREECYCLE, we've had some amazing things for the sake of asking if anyone has one they don't need any longer, have a go, it might be worth it, Cheers Lyn xxx.

I've just had a look on Fleabay and there is a press the same as ours there for £21. Search FRUIT PRESS and the one we have is on the first page, its a Boots Fruit Press, and is a white one with all the pieces there as far as I can see. It's not a big one and you have to put through lots of different batches of apples which takes time but we're both retired and have all day to do things like that, hope that helps, Lyn xxx.

fuddle

Leek and potato soup on the hob... Again! Leeks cost me £2 and the luxury soup so fancy doing a roasted carrot and ginger soup next time. It sounds full of flavour

About to knock up a jam steamed pud for afters. Need to do a crusty bread too but I'm thinking a lazy fry of bread ends for croutons instead

I've asked my sister to help my mam see that I'm not abandoning her, but protecting myself and the girls from more hurt because I can't cope with the emotion of being around mam. My sister has refused, saying its nothing to do with her. I'm out the will now apparently (found out thurs via sister) so I guess she's keeping mam sweet. Jeeeeeeeez! Anyway...

The good news is that MIL is dropping a couple of balls of wool off for me. Her arthritis is getting worse and she feels no longer able to knit so not only more blanket grannies I'm going to crochet a 'string' bag for kids' raincoats, snacks, sun cream, first aid kit, caps, drinks etc - a pick up outing bag (that isn't water proof!! Never mind humour me )

The possibilities are endless with ties!!! Oh dear, I know what I'll be browsing this evening

jpscloud

Mrs_Chip wrote: »

Oh dear

http://pinterest.com/tansy51/unique-craft-ideas-from-men-s-neck-ties/

Another thing to add to the to-do list :rotfl:

You're ALL VERY NAUGHTY!!!

Now I have more stuff to drool over!

Margaret54

Hi everyone Been trying to catch up on loads of reading on here as have not been on in a while. A very warm welcome to new faces, lovely to meet you all.
I too can remember back to the crippling cost of a grammar school uniform only able to be purchased at a "specialist shop" and even though my dd is married and in her thirties now it stayed with me. It was very difficult for me as money was very tight and I was bringing up my children on my own.
Even though mine are all adults now my dh and I were talking about the costs of uniforms and school shoes the other day, and feeling for parents trying to buy all that is needed.
I have had loads of blueberries this year from a tree I bought last year and it is lovely to go outside and pick them:) The price of fruit is ridiculous and food costs are just spiralling.:( Times are indeed very challenging, and I am so glad to be here and read all the great tips and recipes from you lovely people. There is also such a warmth and support on here too, thank you everyone.
I have now been on the Kelp 2 weeks on Tuesday past and what I have noticed more than anything is how strong my nails have become. My nails have been weak and they grow to a certain length and then they will start to break off. I am nearing 60 and this is the first time I have not been embarassed about them while out on a social event.
I made a fruit loaf from the recipe board and it turned out delicious, and my dh said it is so much nicer that the shop bought one we buy at times and much cheaper to make. It will be baked once a week from now on. It is so tasty with some butter on a slice of it and a wee cup of tea:) I hope you all have a nice weekend and that the rain stays away while we attempt to dry the washing love Margaret xx

carlymummy

Happy Saturday fellow toughies,
Had a quick read through but not properly so forgive me I am not being ignorant by not sending individual responses etc, just lazy ;D
Quiet morning here today well apart from the usual cleaning, washing and running round after 3 boys. DH has just gone to play football so I have spent an hour designing a poster for a lady that I met through my cake page whose daughter has been diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, she is fundraising for a local charity that have supported her but isn't very computer savvy and needed a xmas fair poster and a logo designing.
Also had a text from my SIL asking if I could bake and decorate her 12 cupcakes for her friends baby shower so have baked them ready but will decorate in a little while once they are cool enough, she is popping round in the morning to collect them and I get a bonus squidge of our niece too
After the horrid council letter from Thurs, in yesterdays post was a letter returning DH wage slips so hopefully that is sorted now, just praying we don't need to pay anything back to them?!
Horrid weather here today, cold as well as grey, drizzly and miserable. Homemade curry for tea, yum yum If I have time I may try the lemon curd cake recipe but my arthritis is not great today think its the cold, can't wait to be able to order some Kelp just to try.
Hope everyone is well and/or coping x

[Deleted User]

FPK I promised you some ISBN numbers and some recipes so here goes

Gail Duff's Vegetarian Cook Book - Published in 1978 by Macmillan London Limited ISBN 0 330 25643 2

Cheap and Easy by Rose Elliot - Published in 1988 by Fontana Original ISBN not on details page.

The Bean Book by Rose Elliott - Published in 1979 by Fontana Original ISBN not on details page

I use all three of these constantly and the recipes are easy and delicious. I've picked up all three copies from charity shops and the most I've paid is 99p.

Lyns African Beans - Serves 4

2 tins of mixed beans/beans of your choice or 1 and a half cups of dry beans soaked overnight and cooked until soft.
2 medium onions chopped
2 tablespoons of oil (any)
1 135g can of tomato paste or 135g from a tube
1 410 g can of thick coconut milk
2 heaped tablespoons of peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
2 teaspoons of paprika
1/2 a teaspoon of chilli powder
1/2 a teaspoon of ground cumin
2 teaspoons of brown sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
good grinding of black pepper

Saute the onions in the oil until translucent and clear but not brown, add in all the other ingredients bring to the simmer and cook gently for 15 minutes. To serve sprinkle with chopped salted peanuts and finely chopped fresh green pepper. Nice with rice, flatbreads, polenta or if you're feeling adventurous Ugali ( african white cornmeal porridge).

Dry Carrot Curry - Aloo Gajjar serves 2

1 - 2 Tablespoons of oil (any)
2 teaspoons of whole cumin seeds
8oz of carrots peeled and diced small
8oz of potatoes peeled and diced small
1/2 teaspoon maximum of chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric
1 teaspoon of ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
5 fl oz water

Heat the oil in a heavy based pan and fry the cumin seeds until they crackle and pop about in the pan. Add the vegetables and fry gently for 5 minutes then add in the spices, seasonings and water. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat to the lowest simmer possible and cook for about 7 minutes until the veg are tender and the mixture in the pan is a thick dryish sauce. Serve with dahl and rice and a cucumber raita and some chutney or with chappatis dahl and a spicy salad.

Lemon Dahl serves 4

6oz of red split lentils
1 pint of water
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
1 onion sliced
1 clove of garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon of ground coriander
1 teaspoon of ground ginger
1/2 a teaspoon of ground turmeric
a good grinding of black pepper 1/4 teaspoonful of cayenne pepper
2 fresh tomatoes chopped
the juice of 1/2 to 1 lemon
a bunch of fresh coriander leaves chopped or 1 - 2 teaspoons dry leaf coriander
salt to taste added at end of cooking

Cook the lentils in the water until soft and broken down. In a separate pan heat the oil and gently fry the onion and garlic until softened, add the spices and cook gently for 5 minutes. Add the cooked lentils the tomato, the lemon juice and the coriander leaves and cook for 5 more minutes stirring often. Salt to your taste.

I sometimes fry an extra onion and some green peppers to top the dahl with.

You can add in any other cooked veg you have such as peas, sweetcorn, green beans, diced potato, diced carrot and heat them up in the cooked dahl to make a more substantial meal, enjoy, Cheers Lyn xxx.

FairyPrincessk

Lyn,

Thank you, this is really very lovely! I just sat down with my sandwich and saw this! I've made a note. I'll have to go into uni/town next week anyway so I'll see if any of these are available or get them ordered and make the most of my train fare and hopefully come home with at least one or two to pour over.

The recipes look really truly wonderful! I love that the top one is yours. The seasoning is just the sorts of thing we use regularly so I think they will go over well.

Thank you, again. Both for the time and the thought. It is much appreciated.

[Deleted User]

FPK do you want details of the vegan regional books by Linda Majzlik? I can get them off the shelf and list them for you now if that would be any use, Lyn xxx.