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

cutestkids

for puddings things like banana bread, gingerbread, cherry loaf cake, lemon drizzle cake can all be made then sliced when cool, put the slices in the freezer, the best way is to open freeze them overnight on a baking tray then when solid transfer to bags.

If you take the slices out and lay them in a single layer as you are starting to cook the main part of the meal the will be more or less defrosted by the time you are ready for them, if having hot custard over them then they will warm up just enough.

Cheapskate

My freezers are half empty now, so later this week I'm going to start batch cooking for quick teas and lunchboxes. Got 2lb braising steak in there, so that'll make a HUGE stew that can be tweaked to make chilli or pie fillings.

Glad to hear people have had good summers, really sorry to hear about the poorlies, emergency ops and car accidents - lots of (gentle!) hugs to you.

I'm on facebook, too, if anyone wants to pm me.

Littlies are due at a party later, so we're having a quiet afternoon, then they can go to bed early, getting up early as practice for them returning to school on Tuesday. Got last few things to name tonight, then can just do cleaning etc tomorrow without having to panic about school stuff!

A xo

kezlou

FPK fab night!!!!

SQ sounds like you've had a good few days out with peeps, good on you organising!

We didn't go to the carvery, think i lunched it out. didn't help that my phoned died. Ah well they all went for a walk so thoiught make dinner here instead. They didn't have brekkie till 11 as they got up so late.

oh what a nightmare, went shopping spent a whopping £2.26 on bread,onions, tinned peas, cream and satsumas.
About to start making mince dinner when the little monkeys came in and asked for spag bol instead! Luckily i had started frying the onions so it wasn't to bad.

What a time to change they minds, as well pastas all good yum!
ds2 picked some oregano and chives from the garden and dropped them in the pan saying that smells nice!

fuddle

Super ideas, thank you all very much. I adore the idea of a mug of soup and even more so the defrosting ready made batches. I really am not making the best of the time I have batch cooking. I must improve on this because it will be a super money saver, not to mention brain frazzle when it's stresses at meal times!

I do my steamed puds in the slow cooker. All the mix goes in the pud dish, wrapped with greaseproof paper and tinfoil (normally tied with wool as I never have string!) Sit in half an inch of boiling water, turn dial of SC onto high, lid on and forget. Really nice sponges this way too.

Off out in a moment to find sticks (going to glue 'em round an empty syrup tin for a natural effect pen pot) and some blackberries - going to try a blackberry pie tomorrow. What pastry do you suggest?

something along these lines (pic not mine Pinterest)

the_cake

Fuddle, houmous is quick, easy and cheap ... and healthy as it's high protein, with raw carrots or celery to dip in.
For pud, I quite often make a real orange jelly - again, very cheap, easy and yummy with custard (or cream!). Can post recipe(s) if you like? Bread & butter pudding is also a favourite. HTH, the cake

manchestermargo

Hi Fuddle, Probably been suggested before but what about bananas and custard. I used to use a jam swissroll instead of making a sponge to go with custard.

Been stripping the kitchen walls ready for decorating, ever wished you hadn't started a job!!

best wishes

MM

nuttyp

Hi everyone, finally caught up with all the chatter on here.

I have had a manic few days, mum has been allowed home from hospital. She has to rest, and has been given new medication including beta blockers. I walked up the road to the paper shop this morning, that was enough to wear her out again. We have a country show in our village today, but my mum isn't going as she is not well enough. It is mice weather for the show, they have dog classes and pony jumping etc.

I have a lovely day off, so far OH has helped do some house work and is now fast asleep.

At work a lovely man gave me his insert from his paper, so I have a spare voucher for aldi. I can post tomorrow if anyone can use it.

Take care everyone x

Pooky

There's a recipe I got from here for a microwave sponge pudding, it's fab. I vary by adding chopped pineapple (tinned), dried fruits, syrup, jams etc, whatever takes our fancy. If anyone wants the recipe I shall dig it out. It only takes 5/7 mins in the microwave so a nice quick and easy standby.

Got Inlaws coming for dinner again tonight (here yesterday too) as they've just moved and are shattered. I was round there yesterday unpacking and cleaning, the previous owner left it in such a disgusting state....at one point my t-shirt had to be peeled off the cupboard door, they were thick with grease. Yuck!

Don't forget tinned fruit and jelly as a pud (or with angel delight etc) cold puds are just as nice and have the advantage of sneaking more fruit and calcium into the kids.

Popperwell

Yes the weather has changed:(I went to look for the scarecrows in Fuddle's old stomping ground and found...two:pOne I no idea what it was and the other was St. George saving a damsel from a fire breathing dragon. I was told there was a red riding hood in someone's garden I couldn't find it:(

To be honest I decided I could not walk far and gave up in the end, I found a duck pond though:D

I found the co-op in the town had reduced their bread and danishes so it wasn't a total waste of time and I found some lovely tomatoes.

I got my blood pressure machine, can't fathom out how to set the year, month and day as yet and as I used to work with watches in a previous life and set up many gadgets isn't very good:mad:but its my new friend as in tests since getting home it gives better readings than when I see my Dr/consultant and all readings have been constant and very near each other.

Perhaps I am calmer at home but I not usually worked up even when I go to hospital...my pulse rate was slightly I thought but was still within the accepted range.

If correct it suggests that my blood pressure is normal and pretty well smack bang in the middle of the ideal readings.

We'll see how it goes, they say take a reading daily in the instructions...I won't be doing that. Perhaps once a week will do. But I ain't going to let it become an obsession or take me over.

Love all the food talk...I cheated, I found a tuna crunch roll in Tesco's reduced to 50p and added some tomato, spring onions and lettuce, that filled me up for now...

I may have something nice for supper when I come in later from my "Bingo" night:p

Nice to see Mum out of hospital NuttyP, hopefully on the road to recovery.

Hope Sunday is going well whatever everyone is doing resting or catching up on things and getting ready for the week ahead.

I can feel it is colder indoors but still ok for now...can always put something extra on or if I was staying in a dressing gown or pyjama's etc...when it gets cold the leisure shirts get put back in the cupboard and its thermals, jumpers and the like...

fuddle

Oh bananas and custard. I forgot about that and yummy! Thanks. Pooky I don't have a microwave but will be pulling on your shirt tails for the recipe when I do.

DH has suggested a 'supper' instead of starters and puddings. They will come in the same form but at later in the evening. I like that idea and it means I'm not stressing about courses altogether.