Living on next to nought - is that the key?

sonas_baby

Hi GP just thought I'd drop by and say that I'm still yoghurt making, though I did have one disaster. I have found that since reading your diary that you've got me more organised on the food front. I haven't even gone over budget for the last 3 weeks. Thanks for all the great ideas.

Shortie

OOohhh, I found one - I found one!

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Yogurt

So it looks like I still need the thermometer to check that it's around 43 degrees, but otherwise I skip the first boiling step, heat it to that temp, add the dried milk and starter yoghurt, and pop into a thermos flask overnight. #CanItReallyBeThatSimple

Cheery_Daff

It can indeed really be that simple shortie! I've made my own yogurt before (in a thermos) and it does work - although mine was a lot runnier than shop bought, but that might be because it got cold too quickly? I've used skimmed milk powder in the past - just a spoon full in the hot milk and it does make the whole lot thick and creamy

I've done it with UHT before too (although YEARS ago and I can't remember entirely what I did! Sorry!) I don't like the taste though so switched to normal milk

:hello: just waving to GP, thanks for hosting yogurt-related conversations

Shortie

Oohh thanks Cheery Daff, it sounds like it's worth trying both UHT and fresh to see which we prefer

Greying_Pilgrim

Ay up :hello:

Shortie wrote: »

So it looks like I still need the thermometer to check that it's around 43 degrees, but otherwise I skip the first boiling step, heat it to that temp, add the dried milk and starter yoghurt, and pop into a thermos flask overnight. #CanItReallyBeThatSimple

Cheery_Daff wrote: »

It can indeed really be that simple shortie!

I agree with Cheery it can indeed be that simple - look at THIS from the 2nd post onwards HTH

Cheery_Daff wrote: »

:hello: just waving to GP, thanks for hosting yogurt-related conversations

:wave: back to Cheery - do you know what? The pleasure, is most definitely all mine - chat away :D

Greying

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening :hello:

ooh, what a lovely buzz going on here Mind if I stay a while and join in the conversation

sonas_baby wrote: »

Hi GP just thought I'd drop by and say that I'm still yoghurt making, though I did have one disaster. I have found that since reading your diary that you've got me more organised on the food front. I haven't even gone over budget for the last 3 weeks. Thanks for all the great ideas.

Ha! sonas_baby - you are very kind - but I bet those 'killa' organisational skills were yours all along. Perhaps they've gone walk about a wee while, but yours none-the-less Aren't we lucky here though? Folks drop by and share their great ideas freely and openly - absolutely smashing

Well today has been another thoroughly 'Thursdayish' Thursday if you see what I mean, but on the whole, it twer OK

I bagged a NSD - easy peasy - left my purse at home But they all count

Dinner this evening was based on a soup by Maria Elias - got from her book the new vegetarian. I say 'based' as I looked at it and thought, 'she's taken in in a sort of Thai direction, but not really....' and promptly decided I wanted to go in the Thai direction a bit further. Pity I didn't think it through before, as I could have used some lime and coriander to make it better

However, lemongrass and sweetcorn soup (without crème fraiche) was my inspiration, photo here;



I'm happy to tell you what I did *differently*, but if you'd like a go at the version as Maria intended, then please have a look at THIS link

So instead of a roux and milk 'stock', I used diced potato, veg stock and coconut powder. In addition, I only put half the sweetcorn and chilli in to start - blitzed it once the potato was cooked (very thin slices) and then added in more sweetcorn kernels and finely chopped chilli. Oh, and I used frozen sweetcorn kernels from the get go, not cobs. I also added the lemongrass in at the end, as I :eek: at the cost of buying 5 lemongrass stalks, and cheated and bought the paste instead. I also had half a lemon kicking about, so I juiced that as well - wish I'd had a lime though. The green specks are parsley, not coriander. It was a nice zingy soup. Light and yet substantial. Quite pricey, I should reckon somewhere in the region of 75p to £1 per bowl - given that our bowls are quite big. The lemongrass was the biggest cost - half a jar, so about 65p. I did consider using the last of the yoghurt to swirl, rather than crème fraiche, but didn't bother and we didn't miss it...... I've noted down Maria's recipe in my book and also my adaptation. I could see either being made in Greying Towers again

Oh, and don't worry about protein intake - we had cheese *rolls* for our snap today

Today I am grateful for these 3 things;

being able to discuss things, and come to joint decisions, with DP

for getting inspiration from the smallest of things - DP casually mentioned something this morning whilst leaving the house, and a teeny tiny budgeting adjustment lightbulb went off in my head .......

for how much more organised our finances are, 8 months on from starting this diary - and I always thought I was frugal/good with money Always new things/approaches to learn :D

Thank you so much for popping in, reading and commenting. Surely you must know by now how much I appreciate it

See y'all later.

Greying

Shortie

I'm definitely going to give yoghurt making ago - you lovely lot have totally inspired me - yay you lot xx :beer:

I was reminded of you thread earlier on my way home from work - may I post something I am grateful for today?

Kind-hearted strangers - I was a walking zombie on my way home after working the night shift last night and getting up for a normal shift today, and I turned my ankle over (I hadn't had any alcohol, honest guv... and I was wearing a pair of decent, supportive trainers.). And it really went 'crack'. So I instantly composed myself and hobbled 3 steps along so I could tuck myself out of everyone's way while I caught my breath / tried to not throw up / etc... Turns out there were two chaps behind me when I did it, and one took the time to stop and ask if I was okay, saying he saw what happened. Aawww bless. I naturally lied and said I was fine thanks. And then added 'but thanks for stopping to check on me' Awwwww, what a lovely person. And was in the city of Londonshire where people are usually too self absorbed to even look up form their phones

beanielou

Looking yummy as ever :j

kackleful

Yummo! Im going to make me some Pancakes tonight! Thankyou Greying, wonderful piccie!

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning :hello:

Ah shortie - that is wonderful. I agree, we should 'call it' when we receive acts of kindness. And yes, unfortunately, I see your point about it happening in a place where usually folk are glued to their phone/pod/kandle. Thanks for sharing - and I hope your ankle is better - ouchie!

Talking of ouchie - little_sweetie I know you can't post, but I hope recuperation is helping your back get better

Thanks Beanie - I hope everyone else on this thread knows that Beanie became DEBT-FREE this week :D:D I read it on lovely Piq's thread and fair whooped at the news

Hey kackleful - how are you? Well I hope


So Friday already.

Nope we're not having pizza for dinner tonight Bit of a change round in the planner and plans in RL. But I've not decided on a substitution yet - mmmm :think: best get round to giving that some thought I guess.......

I shall however, aim for another NSD. It would definitely constitute 'frittering' if I spent any money today, as I'm sure we've everything we need - even with 'unknown' for dinner :rotfl:

Well, I've still to put the snap in the bags, so I'd better get to it.

Thank you so much for stopping by, reading and commenting. You know that I appreciate it.

See y'all later.

Greying