Preparing for Winter V

Laura_Elsewhere

@Cheapskate - tastes differ, of course, but if it were me, I would peel and core he apples and freeze them rough chopped to use as the main fruit in crumbles, so you can add blackberries one time, or plums another time, or bottled cherries or whatever, and it goes further because you've the huge stock of apple chunks to use. 

basketcase

Laura_Elsewhere said:

We use "mixed size" free-range eggs, and basically one beaten egg goes into one of the fingers, so to speak! It's just so useful having a frozen amount bigger than an ice-cube but smaller than most of the small containers around! 

Plus they're a more freezer friendly shape

Si_Clist

Laura_Elsewhere said:

We use "mixed size" free-range eggs, and basically one beaten egg goes into one of the fingers, so to speak! It's just so useful having a frozen amount bigger than an ice-cube but smaller than most of the small containers around!

Forgive me if I'm missing the obvious here, but if you have to buy eggs, beat each one, and then tie up space in your freezer while hoping for no power cuts this winter, why not just use a tablespoonful of dried whole egg powder instead as and when you need it?

[Deleted User]

Another muffin tray filled with three different 'melts' - basil, garlic and oil; sage 'butter'; roasted red pepper, chilli, olives, garlic and caper tapenade 😊 
The flat roof is being done this week! 🙌 I decided against insulation as it would be another month due to delivery delays and I need the saga over! 🙈 
Dh and I have been looking at options for where to put a woodstore- strange question but does it need to be in sunlight or can it be placed in heavy shade? Just wondering if it needs light to assist with drying 🤔 I'm running out of bright places that we're willing to use! 😂

Laura_Elsewhere

Si_Clist said:

Laura_Elsewhere said:

We use "mixed size" free-range eggs, and basically one beaten egg goes into one of the fingers, so to speak! It's just so useful having a frozen amount bigger than an ice-cube but smaller than most of the small containers around!

Forgive me if I'm missing the obvious here, but if you have to buy eggs, beat each one, and then tie up space in your freezer while hoping for no power cuts this winter, why not just use a tablespoonful of dried whole egg powder instead as and when you need it?

Good question  

I use freezing only if I've misjudged my dates and have excess eggs that need used up or chucked. 

Although... with shopping trips at a minimum lately we've accidentally discovered that British free-range eggs from the supermarket, kept in the fridge, are perfectly good to eat more than one month after their use-by date...! We've had fried eggs and I used some in baking, all fine.  

jamanda

Chimneys been swept this week ready.  DH has had a week's holiday and has been playing with the wood supply and coverings.
(Charged £64 for 2 chimneys if anyone interested).

[Deleted User]

Picking rhubarb from the plot to make chutney this afternoon and checking the state of ripeness of the plums to see if they're ready for jam making.

Cheapskate

@Laura_Elsewhere, that might be more efficient, time wise, and I've done it before, thanks for the reminder!
Going to pick up some random bits of wood from a friend for making kindling and will be stocking up on 'coal' this week. One of sons repaid some money we'd lent him, so have a bit extra this week and it will go on a few winter preps. Also just got myself a little job delivering for a local florist, so I'll have a little extra there - most will be saved towards winter preps.

A xo

MrsCD

With eggs, I work on the 'dead fish float, so do eggs' principle.  Once they're a couple of days past the date on the box, I put them in a jug of water when I want to use one. If it sinks, it's still fresh, if it hovers in the middle, it's ok to use to bake with but if fried it will spread a lot. If it floats on the water, it's probably past its best, but do the look and smell test before deciding whether to use of throw out.
My MIL would never throw food out, to the point that she was often 'bilious' as she called it! 😱

MingVase

Wow Jamanda, our sweep charges £20.