Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

Nargleblast

Courgettes are good for bulking out veggie curries, too!

misstara

GQ - I know my parents had a lot of courgettes last year and were putting them into everything. I'm sure courgette cake featured so will ask my mum for the recipe when I see her at the weekend.

Just had a veg pasta using up a lot of veg that is at the bottom of the fridge, will need to think of something else to use up the rest before going away on Friday.

Not much MMMing getting done at the moment, just feel like I go to work, come home, eat, sleep and then repeat. Meanwhile the list of things that I want/need to do gets longer. So looking forward to my week off

mcculloch29

No courgettes here, but a friend gave me a handful of apples that weren't quite enough for a pie or crumble, and were too sharp tasting for eating apples. I used them up in Jack Monroe's Bramley Soda Bread, I'd like to say wow, it was great, as I'm a big Jack fan, but tbh, I was a bit underwhelmed.
I've made soda bread enough times to know what I'm doing, Jack's recipe has a lot of liquid compared with the usual ratios and is very heavy as a result. The apples weren't really detectable as much as I'd hoped.
Oh well. I still ate it and although I would be lying if I said I enjoyed it, it used the apples up and was solidly filling.

iamsalt

Hi. Just a quick stop by, as busy so only able to read to keep up.

I make the Mary berry courgette cake, but I up the courgette and spice content and reduce the oil, as I find they make it wet enough. I also throw in whatever nuts or flour I have. Just reading that back maybe it's more Mary berry inspired, and people have regularly asked me to make them more.
S x

cornishchick

CEW wrote: »

If you have a Metro Bank near to you they have a coin machine that is free to use and they convert it to cash. They are also open 7 days a week. I use ours regularly to cash up my coins.

Chez x

Hi all just a quick note,
I change , change into notes/ larger coins in my purse, then use the coins to pay at the self service tills in supermarkets:) for 1 or 2 items especially Morris ones, cos they can just pour the cash in lol and if you put a little to much in it repays out in the least amount of nominations.
X CC

Nargleblast

Now that's a crafty way of getting shot of lots of coins, Cornishchick ,must try that one!

FairyPrincessk

Cornishchick--nice to see you! I've been doing that the past year or so but this is several years accumulation.

Unfortunately we don't have a metro bank near us (thanks to whoever mentioned it, sorry I've forgotten who!) So I think I'll start counting out the rest of it tonight. Some of it is counted and bagged, but I'll try to get OH to pop into the bank and ask for more bags today if he gets a chance.

Iamsalt, I'll give that recipe a go when my plants get started, glad to hear it is forgiving if you add more courgettes. I always add more spice too

Plans today--work this morning. I've had positive news on the work front that a very big project is taking another step forward. It could be awhile yet before I get any definites and it is equal parts terrifying and exciting so I will just have to keep to my routines and remember to do a little every day. I'll aim to finish work around 2 again. I've started one of the front panels of my cardigan, so will work on that a bit. I did the gym yesterday so will be recovering a bit today. OH is out seeing Friends for tea tonight so I'll do myself something quick from the bottom of the fridge--maybe an egg and then I think I'll put something on iplayer and do my ironing from holiday.

bargainhunterss

Hard_Up_Hester wrote: »

I've been reading along but haven't posted for ages.
I'm having a new cooker delivered tomorrow, when someone asked me why I was replacing my existing one, I quipped 'It needs cleaning', lol.
I have paid to have my cooker cleaned, but wouldn't pay to have my microwave done, I clean it the easy way by putting a bowl of water in it with a tablespoon of lemon juice, put it on high for a few minutes. Leave it for the steam to soak into the stains. It all wipes clean in a sec.
I also had a cleaner in for a few weeks when I came out of hospital as I wasn't well enough to do it my self.
I've turned 2 of the DGS's trousers into shorts (he'd torn the knees & they were getting a bit short on him).
Hester

Thanks for the microwave cleaning tip Hard Up Hester

mcculloch29

I have to second having a cleaner. My DS has just moved out, but when he was here and I could afford it, I had a cleaner. She was fantastic, she visited just once a week but it was lovely to have pristine rooms in the house.
I was working 2 jobs and am disabled, but I'd advise anyone who needs one to get one.
It is so worth it to come home and find the tidy fairy has been, it really lifts the spirits.

mcculloch29

I liked the look of this courgette fritter recipe, it has some cheese in to give it a bit of flavour: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/7190/courgette-fritters