Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

Living_proof

vhalla1478 wrote: »

Hello Everyone,

just have to report I'm ridiculously excited because the first seeds I've ever planted in my (long) life are sprouting. I'm so proud of myself that I've written them all down to tell you - yes, it's sad, but it's great to find out you can do something!

The ones coming up, up to now (about two thirds of what I've planted) are ; poached egg plant, Californian poppies, angel choir poppies, aquilegia, Iceland poppies, red lettuce, perpetual spinach, kale and leeks. I shall be now peering anxiously everyday to find more!

Have a great day, Folks, back later.

Viv xx

I do hope you are not having the terrific hail storms as are happening in DN15 right now - really damaging amounts with thunder and lightening.

vhalla1478

Thanks for the advice, Cheerfulness and the weather forecast, Living proof. Ok at the minute, but will bring them into the porch if it gets serious here! A warm welcome from me to the new ladies.

Viv x

fuddle

Does any one know how long corned beef lasts once opened?

I was thinking about corned beef and tomato sauce sandwich filler (sorry if it sounds a bit disgusting but it's memory filled as my dad used to give me his remainders out of his bait bag, namely a bread bag, when I was a little girl) I haven't had it for years and think my girls would love it. Just wondering how long it's likely to last refrigerated if I make a big batch.

[Deleted User]

It should last for at least 3 days in a covered container in the fridge but you could equally freeze half on the day you make it, use the other half then defrost the rest when you need it, should be fine in the freezer too!

meritaten

generally, cooked meats last about 3 days once opened (or cooked and cooled). but use your eyes and nose and if it looks and smells fine it probably is.
corned beef and tomato sauce sandwiches were a staple food of my childhood. on white sliced loaf of course - yummy!
I also used to like corned beef on toast ---mixed with tomato sauce and put back under the grill to heat.

silvasava

Nursemaggie - Bon Marche do trousers in shorter leg lengths - not sure how 'narrow' they are 'cos I'm a long legged person so non of theirs fit me.
Vhalla - you'll have Aquileiga for years! They spread quite profusely if you don't dead head them before they seed - Mind you there are some lovely colours - I've a purple one that I took the seed from one growing at the edge of a public car park! Glad you had a nice time with DB - Bruge & Ghent are lovely, you'll really enjoy them so hope you can find a good deal too.

vhalla1478

Hello again, All,

Thank you for the tip about aquilegia, silva; I've such a large garden to fill that I'm grateful to anything that isn't a weed that wants to spread itself around as profligately as possible!

Here at last, is the long terrine recipe I mentioned last week. It isn't at all expensive to make and you can take your time throughout the day and make it bit by bit or of course have one marathon session. I do recommend that you gather all the ingredients together first, and then it will be simple. It looks spectacular.

Pastel Terrine with Fresh Cranberry and Orange Sauce - serves 6-8

For the First Layer:

15 grams butter, chopped onion, 2 x 330 gram can sweetcorn, drained, egg plus n egg yolk, beaten together, quarter tsp chilli powder.

For the Second Layer

25 grams butter, 2 chopped onions, 400 gram can plum tomatoes, chopped and drained, 2 tbsp. pesto sauce, egg plus an egg yolk, beaten together.

For the Third Layer

625 grams leeks, steamed or boiled until tender, 1-2 tsp curry paste,
egg, plus an egg yolk, beaten together

Also 175 grams mushrooms, sliced.

Start by preparing the first layer. Melt the butter in a pan, toss in the chopped mushroom, cover with a lid and cook over a gentle heat for 10 minutes until soft. Stir in the sweetcorn, then spoon into a food processor or blender and liquidise to a rough puree. fold into the beaten eggs and season to taste with chilli powder.

Next, prepare the second layer. Soften the onion in the butter as previously, stir in the drained tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes over a medium heat until most of the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the pesto sauce, pour into the food processor and blend to a puree. Fold in the beaten eggs.

Now make the third layer. puree the cooked leeks with the curry paste, then stir into the beaten eggs.

Assemble the terrine. Thoroughly grease a 1.5 litre loaf tin. Place a third of the sliced mushrooms in the bottom of the tin and press down well. Cover with the sweetcorn mixture, then place a second layer of mushrooms on top. Spoon over the tomato sauce and cover with a third layer of mushrooms. Finally, top with the layer of leeks.

Put the loaf tin inside another, bigger tin. fill the outer tin with boiling water, set on a baking tray and bake in the centre of the oven at 200 degrees/gas mark 6 for one hour fifteen minutes, covering with foil for the last 30 minutes of cooking. It is ready when a sharp knife inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Set the tin on a wire rack and leave to cool for at least half an hour. Loosen the edges carefully with a sharp knife and invert onto a large serving dish. Serve sliced, warm or cold, with cranberry and orange sauce.

Cranberry and Orange Sauce

500 grams fresh cranberries, 150ml orange juice, 100 grams sugar, 2 tsp grated orange rind.

Put all the ingredients into a pan, cover with water and cook gently for 6-8 minutes until the cranberry skins burst. Simmer for a further 4-5 minutes until the mixture turns into a sludge and the liquid has reduced. Press through a sieve to separate the skins from the juice and stir well.

This recipe is really worth the effort, otherwise I wouldn't have inflicted it on you!

Have a nice evening, Everyone.

Viv xx

vulpix

Oh ladies,I am in shock.I need a major operation on my spine.2 surgeons,inserting a cage round the spine and screws and pins!oh lord,whatever next!Vx

vhalla1478

So very sorry to hear that, vulpix; are you going for a second opinion?

Viv xx

ps forgot to say, if anyone in my part of the world wants to meet up, please do pm me. x

camelot1001

vulpix, what a shock. Do you know when this would be?