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

tattycath

siegemode wrote: »

Wow that sounds delish. I have 2 squash in the outside cupboard that came in veg boxes and had no idea what to do with them. Couldn't find any appealing recipes, but now I feel inspired to use them. Thank you



Reminds my of a postcard I was sent that said " women are like teabags, you never know how strong they are until they are in hot water" How true I think.

Parsniphead hope you find homes for all the little kitties. I think oh would have a job to prise them away if it was me.

Kidcat hope you have a lovely holiday as stress free as possible. I always forget something when we go away too. Most expensive time was going up to fil for a few days and I left my cardy on the banister and only realised 60 miles down the road. It was freezing while away and had to buy one from Asda. We go up 6/7 times a year and I always manage to forget something.
tattycath how has the bread turned out ? good I hope.
fuddle/Mrschip 5 min bread sounds good, do you have the recipe please ?
Stiltwalker thanks for the info about rice. I have known that you shouldn't store cooked rice for long and have always been careful but your explanation was helpful.
Pooky We paid our CT in one go too. Being on a low income and unsure of the future I wanted it out the way, one less thing to worry about. I'd forgotten to set up a DD and after only a month got a court summons and additional charges :eek::eek::eek: I contacted the CT people and explained our situation and they removed the extra charge and offered me a 10mth payment plan, but I just paid it all.

Have decided to leave lawn and planting till tomorrow when everyone is at work. That way I shan't shatter this peaceful and beautiful afternoon. (well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it)

Siegemode the bread turned out really well and is delicious.
Just a shame about how long it took including the proving.
I will be making some more soon because I got free yeast from supermarket and there is enough for about another 3 lots!

siegemode

tattycath wrote: »

Siegemode the bread turned out really well and is delicious.
Just a shame about how long it took including the proving.
I will be making some more soon because I got free yeast from supermarket and there is enough for about another 3 lots!

Well it's said that the best things are worth waiting for. Glad it was a success.
We've saved loads on bread since oh started making it. We use Marriages organic flour (I buy in bulk when on offer and store it behind the settee :rotfl:) Are you using fresh yeast ? Our local Ts will sell a small piece for 1p but I can't always get there so have been buying fresh from Ocado 200g for £1.79 :eek:
Expensive but the results are actually better. He tried dried yeast but he wasn't pleased with the results. Bit of a pain really as I bought 10 tubs when it was half price :eek: Still at least it has a long date and I might use it for some Chelsea buns etc.

3 medium loaves and 12 rolls for £2 lasts the two of us about 10 days.

tattycath

siegemode wrote: »

Well it's said that the best things are worth waiting for. Glad it was a success.
We've saved loads on bread since oh started making it. We use Marriages organic flour (I buy in bulk when on offer and store it behind the settee :rotfl:) Are you using fresh yeast ? Our local Ts will sell a small piece for 1p but I can't always get there so have been buying fresh from Ocado 200g for £1.79 :eek:
Expensive but the results are actually better. He tried dried yeast but he wasn't pleased with the results. Bit of a pain really as I bought 10 tubs when it was half price :eek: Still at least it has a long date and I might use it for some Chelsea buns etc.

3 medium loaves and 12 rolls for £2 lasts the two of us about 10 days.

I asked at the bakery dept of asd@ and they gave me some and said they don't charge :money:
It is a lovely loaf and I intend to make bread more often. I did make t by hand but I have actually got a bread maker in the cupboard. I should hunt out the instructions really and start using it. I have had it for about 16 years but I think I have only used it about a dozen times.
Do you make yours in a bread maker or by hand?

Popperwell

I have some sourdough culture in a kelner jar that I plan to use soon. I have not been kind to it but so far I have avoided killing it off.

Loads of bread lessons on You Tube this one seems easy. No kneeding. There are some that can be made quicker...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6x95DHYdWQ

tattycath

Popperwell wrote: »

I have some sourdough culture in a kelner jar that I plan to use soon. I have not been kind to it but so far I have avoided killing it off.

Loads of bread lessons on You Tube this one seems easy. No kneeding. There are some that can be made quicker...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6x95DHYdWQ

Thanks for this Popperwell. Will watch it later-I should have gone to bed ages ago as I was home from work before 1.

Popperwell

Hope you get some sleep...I'm determined to get back into baking(even for one);)

I even found a video that allows for making bread in a microwave within 5 minutes.

See you soon...

This is a quicker video and he does other recipes too...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8x0OHRlIRE

siegemode

tattycath wrote: »

I asked at the bakery dept of asd@ and they gave me some and said they don't charge :money:
It is a lovely loaf and I intend to make bread more often. I did make t by hand but I have actually got a bread maker in the cupboard. I should hunt out the instructions really and start using it. I have had it for about 16 years but I think I have only used it about a dozen times.
Do you make yours in a bread maker or by hand?

My oh makes it by hand since I have problems with my wrists. He finds it quite theraputic even though it means his fit for nowt for a few days with his back and legs. I've got a panny breadmaker but never had decent results. Only gets used for the odd bit of jam making when I find ys fruit. I'll ask for some yeast next time I go to an Asda. Nearest is 19 miles unfortunately.

siegemode

Popperwell
Thanks for the links, I'll check them out. Hope you get some sleep. I've yet to reach the land of nod, but am hopeful. Would be easier I'm sure if the bliddy pigeons would shut up.

siegemode

As I lie here awaiting my departure to the land of nod I'm mulling over meal plans for when we visit fil. He eats mw ready meals that his carers cook for him every day and although he eats fruit he has no fresh veg. When we go up and visit I like to cook proper food and this is quite difficult and I am limited compared to being in my own kitchen.
I want to do a beef roast kind of meal but only have a mw, a slow cooker and 3 gas rings. No oven and a foot sq of prepping space so nothing to involved. I want to be able to slice the meat rather than pull it apart which is what happened to some brisket that I braised.
Also does anyone have tips for doing a whole chicken in the slow cooker as I've never done it. It breaks my heart to know he lives on mw dinners but it's his routine and he's happy and can't see that so many £1 meals can be unhealthy when ther are healthier alternatives.
We make the 200 mile trip to see him every 6 to 8 wks and this time I'm doing an online shop with ocado tobe delivered when we get there to save on weight and packing. Have added a few treats to :Dleave with him after we've returned home

Popperwell

siegemode wrote: »

Popperwell
Thanks for the links, I'll check them out. Hope you get some sleep. I've yet to reach the land of nod, but am hopeful. Would be easier I'm sure if the bliddy pigeons would shut up.

When I do sleep its ok Siegemode, but have had times like you...it does help when you are not having to keep to set times.

If you are able to use the links or find others, that's great!

I have found the web offers me some entertainment in the early hours...I have been watching the old light comedy series Bewitched and now have found another series from my childhood, a thriller Alfred Hitchcock Presents...

I use my computer more like a tv and radio...Hope you manage some sleep too...

You have much to think about and that's very thoughtful what you are doing for your FIL. I hope that you work out a plan that benefits him...I've had to do something similar for myself and I now have meals that are good, simple and varied but take little preperation.