Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

nursemaggie

Why not just cook less potato?

greentiger

leek & potato soup

Siebrie

I have just made a leek and pasta oven dish with manky leeks, leftover pasta, some leftover bacon (yeah, I don't understand that, either), and some other basic ingredients I already had in my stock. It smells delish!

We made ginger angel cakes with supplies already in the house, and while the oven was on I roasted some walnuts I had lying about for a few months. I can't eat them raw, and hope to be able to eat them roasted.

Every morning I eat one prune (not more!) from a supply of 5 boxes that I wombled at work a few months ago. They need to be eaten, and by eating one a day the supply finally dwindles......

meritaten

instead of fish cakes - how about 'cheesecakes' made exactly the same way but with coarsely grated cheese, and absolutely delish when hot and the cheese is all oozy!

vhalla1478

Hi Everyone,

I've been offline for a couple of days because my internet connection went wonky.

Great to know you are still around Celtic and that things are turning around for you. It was I who mentioned the dongle some time ago, but they have now stopped producing the ones with money included (or at least the sort I needed), so my DS has bought me a mobile WiFi box, which works on a 'pay as you go' basis - it's about the size of a mobile phone so it's an unobtrusive piece of plastic (I hate plastic!).

I've been out scavenging today and for free from a friend of a friend, I am now the possessor of a halogen oven, a second hairdryer, various pieces of pyrex, a cast iron fondue set (given to Dil on condition she makes me a chocolate fondue - I remember them from the 1970s - she was delighted). What was wrong with them? Absolutely nothing that a good steam clean can't sort out. I've also acquired - but the car was full, so will be picking it up next week, a lovely French garden set and matching bench and a very heavy pair of velvet curtains which will do for upholstery. Dil and I are thinking of doing pop up shops when we've acquired more bits and pieces.

I'll post some recipes tomorrow; have spent the afternoon re arranging the living room as I also acquired an amazing wing armchair.

Have a nice evening, Folks.

Viv xx

Floss

Sounds a fab haul Viv, just think of the cozy nights in your new chair!

nursemaggie

Wow Viv how did you do that? I will be needing new curtains when we move.

Much warmer and dry today so went to Town and finished Christmas shopping. Had some vouchers from surveys so bought board games for DGD and DGS, left some Euros for little one when I visited them in the summer. Was Walking round Wilko buying utensils I have had accidents with recently, broke sieve and fried chopping board and splatter guard, walk past a display of gift cards and spotted one for a pub meal so bought that for eldest DS who is a nightmare to buy for. I know he will use that.

When I got back "Steam" online digital games, just put up their black Friday sale. Three games off DS who still lives at home, wish list so that's him sorted too. All three games 70% off. Will get parcels off tomorrow. That's one more thing done before moving.

meritaten love the sound of your cheese cakes. Would be nice with some onion too.

meritaten

thanks nursemaggie! I always make my fishcakes with finely chopped spring onion in - and that goes nicely in cheesecakes too! oh - I do leave out chopped parsley in cheesecakes - I sometimes put it in fishcakes but only if I have fresh parsley - I hate dried parsley in fishcakes!

thanks for the heads up about the digital games - sounds like I may well get the game grandson has requested on there - if I am quick!

ummm - can I ask how you managed to 'fry' your chopping board? you chop that fast?

Lynplatinum

Hiya All

I had a great weekend last weekend - but I must be getting old or sommat! I ve only just recovered! So it was my 57th on Fri 20th and then my son's album launch on the Sat21st! the launch went well but the after party was out in a village and they (DS1 + GF)did not have the money for a cab back+ being out too late would not be good for their doggies. So I offered a lift there and back. It took til 1am to pack away the music gear + lighting effects. At 2 am we arrived at the party venue. Our kind hosts had ordered in pizza so it would have been rude to refuse it so we left about 3am. We got lost on the way home and so they got home about 4am. I then trucked on home and got home at 5am. Was still then wide awake - like you are when you have a) had a cracking night out and b)been driving late at night and needing to be alert - so I didnt get to bed til 6am! So my sleep patterns have been weird for the past 4 days!!

Great to read all your posts! So to comment!
Vulpix - snow :eek: - where do you live again????
Celtic Moon - great you are around and can see a brighter future - it is amazing we ve been at this for nearly a year now - I was thinking the same thing!!

Re left over mash - egg nests! In a well buttered 'mince pie' tin line the sides with the mash (seasoned with chives or pepper or sundried tomatoes or crumbled bits of ham or just salt and pepper) crack in an egg into each 'dip' bake for 25 mins GM6 - alongside some bacon (which can also be 'baked' at same time or tomatoes and or mushrooms (topped with breadcrumbs yumyum)

Viv - your coffee and meat recipe sounds interesting - when I ve got some pennies I will give it a try!! :T

Here is oatcake recipe as promised a while ago! (Sorry)

75g medium oatmeal (or grind up porridge oats)
75g porridge oats
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
a few twists of ground black pepper
small handful of sunflower seeds or similar
2 tablespoons of olive/sunflower oil
100 ml boiling water

Method
1) mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Make a dip
2)pour in oil and add 100 ml boiling water
3) Work quickly together - either add more water or oats - the oats will need more water the longer they have been stored.
4)roll up into a ball and leave to rest for 5 mins (essential to let gluten develop)
5) roll out - dough will be crumbly so you might find it easier to squish into shapes about 5mm thick or cut out if successful at rolling.
6) bake GM 4 for 20 mins turn over and bake for another 10.
7) allow to cool on the tray.

Hope you enjoy folks ! Am off soon for an early bed - must get back into routine! got work to do! :rotfl:

meritaten

Lynplatinum - I remember those days! well, nights really, when my BF was a drummer with a fairly popular band - we could travel a couple of hours or more to venue and set up, then they played their set (while us 'Wives and Girlfriends' cheered them on), and afterwards it was 'all hands on deck' to load up the Transit and the various cars and get home. sometimes it was 3 or 4 in the morning by the time we got home. and the money was crap then! BUT, the guys loved it! and it really was fun.
Thanks for the oatcake recipe - I have most of the ingredients and I will try that!