Nice People Thread Part 9 - and so it continues

GDB2222

PasturesNew wrote: »

I have chosen to be deliberately annoyed by the very annoying Jamie Oliver and his ridiculous new show...... he's on about money saving dinners - his budget for one meal is 2x my whole day's budget

W*nker,

You probably need more veg than you seem to be getting. I say probably, because I haven't seen what you actually eat, but from what you report here you'd definitely benefit from more veg. I don't know how you do that within the budgetary constraints you are under, though.

Is there any point popping down to the local allotments and offering to buy surplus produce at a knock-down price? Or would they tell you to buggah Orff? I suppose that most people would worry that they would, even if they wouldn't.

GDB2222

lostinrates wrote: »

You could always have roasted strawberries.


I wouldn't go so far as to say I dislike crumble, but I've never actually 'wanted' it. My fruit use of choice is tart or pie.

I do love apple dumplings though.

There you go, I just made crumble the healthy option, feel virtuous, eat crumble.

I was in the shop across the road in Sheringham, and I was astonished that somebody came in and asked to buy a bag of crumble topping mix. I was even more astonished that they had it.

http://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/McDougalls-Crunchy-Crumble-Topping-Mix/18055011

This stuff - main ingredient seems to be various types of sugar. Surely, it's quicker to whizz that up in a food mixer than the time it takes to go to the shop?

GDB2222

Nikkster wrote: »

It has occurred to me that I sounded rather rude saying that. I didn't mean to be.
I'm incredibly grateful for all of the support and gentle pushing given to me (some less gentle than others ), and for all the kind wishes since August finished!
Without wishing to single anyone out, I lost count of the number of times last week that I reminded myself that out of everything on MSE, GBD looked for an update from me first

I knew it already (and you know it too), but you guys are such incredibly nice Nice People.

I think we were all willing you on. It's fantastic that you've finished it, and I hope they damn well award your doctorate.

Have a good time on the Isle of Wight.

PasturesNew

GDB2222 wrote: »

You probably need more veg than you seem to be getting. I say probably, because I haven't seen what you actually eat, but from what you report here you'd definitely benefit from more veg. I don't know how you do that within the budgetary constraints you are under, though.

Is there any point popping down to the local allotments and offering to buy surplus produce at a knock-down price? Or would they tell you to buggah Orff? I suppose that most people would worry that they would, even if they wouldn't.

I can afford veg; can't be 4rsed to cook it most days and don't have a saucepan..... I do eat a lot of tomatoes and onions, peas and baked beans. They're veg. I sometimes buy 1Kg of frozen veg then eat it within 2 days, usually in a big yorkshire with mash and gravy - and the last bit in an oven-baked frittata.

Yesterday I think I had a cheese/pickle sandwich from the shop; intended to eat something yesterday evening then couldn't be bothered to even toast a piece of bread so had a banana.

This morning I've had two crumpets. Might pick up some food later, a loaf - there are 2 eggs and the remainder of a lettuce/cucumber here, so I can eat eggy sandwiches for the next day or so, I don't want to be buying stuff I can't guarantee to eat in that time. There's a lot of stuff here that's "best before" the next 3 days that I might as well use up.

PasturesNew

GDB2222 wrote: »

I was in the shop across the road in Sheringham, and I was astonished that somebody came in and asked to buy a bag of crumble topping mix. I was even more astonished that they had it.

http://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/McDougalls-Crunchy-Crumble-Topping-Mix/18055011

This stuff - main ingredient seems to be various types of sugar. Surely, it's quicker to whizz that up in a food mixer than the time it takes to go to the shop?

I'd consider buying those packets. Saves you having to weigh out flour, have the right flour, weigh out margarine., have and weigh out the sugar .... and not everybody's got a food mixer - I've never had a food mixer (yet). I buy one 8oz tub of margarine at a time; usually lasts me 3 months - so most of the time I might not even have enough in to make a crumble on the fly. Packet'd last longer than always making sure I had margarine in "in case".

With a packet, too, you can open the packet then reseal it, using only the amount you need. Quick crumble for one with 40 blackberries you picked.

From 35-39p at supermarkets http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/Shopping/FindProducts.aspx?Query=crumble+mix&Store=Tesco&Sort=Price

Same with batter mix; while I make fabulous yorkshires, I've still got a packet of Basics batter mix in the cupboard "in case" - as it's cheaper to use that and add water, than it is to have an egg and buy a pint of milk specially to make it.

Also, crumble mix might have been bought for an elderly person to make a crumble with some fruit in their garden. Might not have the dexterity to go mixing crumble by hand, nor a mixer.... and elderly people do get a bit frail and overwhelmed/confused by some things... like weighing out ingredients.

lostinrates

Don't you have to have butter or the m word for those packets anyway? Flour and sugar last indefinitely!

(Btw I don't use a mixer or scales for crumble, I use eye, or a cup if feeling particularly pernickety, and fingers.....but I do have cold hands....worked for many generations of women before mixers though, quick course amalgamation)

PasturesNew

lostinrates wrote: »

Don't you have to have butter or the m word for those packets anyway? Flour and sugar last indefinitely!

I buy 8oz of marg about 4x a year. And I'd really want hard butterStork for rubbing in, which is a special thought/purchase. Sugar lasts indefinitely - but if you don't use it ever then there's no point having it in the house, flour lasts a long time, but, again, if you're not getting round to using it then it's best to only buy in if you're actually doing something.

GDB2222

PasturesNew wrote: »

I'd consider buying those packets. Saves you having to weigh out flour, have the right flour, weigh out margarine., have and weigh out the sugar .... and not everybody's got a food mixer - I've never had a food mixer (yet). I buy one 8oz tub of margarine at a time; usually lasts me 3 months - so most of the time I might not even have enough in to make a crumble on the fly. Packet'd last longer than always making sure I had margarine in "in case".

With a packet, too, you can open the packet then reseal it, using only the amount you need. Quick crumble for one with 40 blackberries you picked.

From 35-39p at supermarkets http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/Shopping/FindProducts.aspx?Query=crumble+mix&Store=Tesco&Sort=Price

Same with batter mix; while I make fabulous yorkshires, I've still got a packet of Basics batter mix in the cupboard "in case" - as it's cheaper to use that and add water, than it is to have an egg and buy a pint of milk specially to make it.

Also, crumble mix might have been bought for an elderly person to make a crumble with some fruit in their garden. Might not have the dexterity to go mixing crumble by hand, nor a mixer.... and elderly people do get a bit frail and overwhelmed/confused by some things... like weighing out ingredients.

Well, she was a bit elderly. She paid £1.89 for the packet IIRC.

PasturesNew

lostinrates wrote: »

Don't you have to have butter or the m word for those packets anyway? Flour and sugar last indefinitely!

I just realised what you said/meant/asked... no. Open the packet, pour over the fruit, bang in the oven. Job done.

There's an option of dabbing a bit on top if you wish, but the packet's ready to go.

lostinrates

Our new mortgagee is giving us MORE money to apologise for the dramas and our case is changing there rules on valuation and appeals etc.