Cooking for one

PasturesNew

Farway wrote: »

But one of my hobbies is photography, digital pocket camera, always on the lookout for the picture of the year, not yet found it of course

I used to take a camera out, but that had to be planned - then you have to stop and unravel it and get it out ... can't hang it round your neck (boobs mean it swings/bangs with every step). So I got a phone just to be used for the camera, so I've at least always got one with me and don't hold up other people as I'm trying to get organised.... trouble is, I've got very shakey hands. I don't notice it, but it's very noticeable when I am trying to hold things still. For my food pics I even hold my breath and even though I'm indoors without any rush they still blur.

caronc

iammumtoone wrote: »

Yours was a weekly one, this one I wont be repeating. I just wanted to see if I could come up with a plan that involves as little waste as possible by the end of the week and nothing to go back into the freezer.

Ah - I misunderstood, I took a different approach using only stuff I already had in the fridge/freezer/cupboard looking at fridge-wise what needed using up first.

Re the conversations re going out for no specific reason- I'm an outdoorsy sort of person and luckily live a few minutes from the sea. However for the past four months aparts from trips to hospital and doctors appointments I've been virtually housebound after losing my balance due to Meniere's Disease. I'd give anything to go for a mindless (never mind a mindful one) walk even if it is cold and wet outside :mad:

caronc

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Going back to bread...

I've just finished off a small malted / seeded loaf I made on Thursday and it was still crispy... it's all down to the type of bread and the way you store it.

I used to make a loaf and store it in a plastic box thinking that keeping it airtight would help it 'keep'. It didn't, it made it soft from the moisture created by the yeast. I tried all sorts of things and then someone on here said they used a cloth.... BINGO!

Now I make a loaf in the breadmaker, put it on a rack to cool and then wrap it in a cotton tea towel and it sits on the rack till it's used up.

A medium loaf for the Panasonic takes 400g of flour, less than a tsp each of salt, sugar and yeast and about a tablespoon of olive oil. Then add tap water.

Even buying a super-expensive seeded flour the loaf costs me less than 60p and I get about 8 slices (plus end crusts) from each loaf. My normal brown loaf costs about 30p to make.

That loaf from Thursday did me for dunking in stew, a sarnie, a toastie, toast and jam for brekkie and I'm going to fry the crusts for croutons to have with a hummus salad tomorrow.

It's very rare I'd not get through a loaf of homemade - but then I'm greedy and love Nutella.

Thanks for the tip re the bread storage though you can keep the Nutella- butter and cheese or pate for me please:D

iammumtoone

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Going back to bread...

I've just finished off a small malted / seeded loaf I made on Thursday and it was still crispy... it's all down to the type of bread and the way you store it.

I used to make a loaf and store it in a plastic box thinking that keeping it airtight would help it 'keep'. It didn't, it made it soft from the moisture created by the yeast. I tried all sorts of things and then someone on here said they used a cloth.... BINGO!

Now I make a loaf in the breadmaker, put it on a rack to cool and then wrap it in a cotton tea towel and it sits on the rack till it's used up.

A medium loaf for the Panasonic takes 400g of flour, less than a tsp each of salt, sugar and yeast and about a tablespoon of olive oil. Then add tap water.

Even buying a super-expensive seeded flour the loaf costs me less than 60p and I get about 8 slices (plus end crusts) from each loaf. My normal brown loaf costs about 30p to make.

That loaf from Thursday did me for dunking in stew, a sarnie, a toastie, toast and jam for brekkie and I'm going to fry the crusts for croutons to have with a hummus salad tomorrow.

It's very rare I'd not get through a loaf of homemade - but then I'm greedy and love Nutella.

Interested in hearing more about your bread-making skills.

I own a bread maker but all I can do successfully is a plain white loaf. Whilst it is nice I don't eat white bread as its not good for you. I always buy wholemeal, that to me is impossible to make HM so the bread maker has been relegated to the back of the cupboard I dont want to get rid as I keep telling myself one I will master the art of making someone healthy in it.

iammumtoone

I have looked at those meet up pages but you need to be near a big town/city there is nothing close to me (closest group 40 miles away when I last checked) I live in an area of the country that is very unfriendly nobody speaks to anyone round here (not on trains / buses / in shops or anywhere).

LameWolf

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

I read a hippie psycho babble type book a couple of weeks ago about increasing your luck... hmm yes well... anyway, this guy suggested you walk along and look for lost coins, he reckons that if you expect to find some then you will start to notice them. Haven't tried it yet...

One of the few actual advantages to being in a wheelchair is that you're nearer the ground, all the better to see lost coins on the pavement.

Tiddlywinks

iammumtoone wrote: »

Interested in hearing more about your bread-making skills.

Skills? Er, that would be a big fat 'no' .

Just luck for me (plus the Panasonic thread on here) and a good machine that seems (touch wood) to be reliable.

I think it's the choice of flour that is important really... I use Waitrose (only because I get an Ocado delivery) and some white flour I buy from Amazon for Italian breads and pizza.

Super-expensive seeded

Basic (but still good and dense)

Wholemeal

The seeded flour is my absolute favourite as it is really filling and tasty.

I just follow the recipe in the manual and, hey presto, magic happens and a loaf appears .

Since I've started using the tea towel to wrap the bread I've been really pleased... before that the bread would get all soft and stale after just a day. Now, like I mentioned, Thursdays bread was still crispy and tasty today.

iammumtoone wrote: »

I have looked at those meet up pages but you need to be near a big town/city there is nothing close to me (closest group 40 miles away when I last checked) I live in an area of the country that is very unfriendly nobody speaks to anyone round here (not on trains / buses / in shops or anywhere).

Oh where do you live? I know what you mean about unfriendly - I'm in the South East and it seems worse here than 'oop north' or South West.

Have you thought about trying to start your own group - just stick a 'shout out' and see what response you get. Nothing to lose really. I bet there are other people around you that'd like to join a friendly bunch too.

LameWolf wrote: »

One of the few actual advantages to being in a wheelchair is that you're nearer the ground, all the better to see lost coins on the pavement.

:rotfl:

In my youth my nana used to sweep her hands into the basins of the slot machines (the bit where the winnings come out) to see if anything had been left behind - we'd all go to the seaside for fish and chips and a flutter on the pokeys (slot machines) and she'd insist we pushed her slowly so she could check for change as we passed .

PasturesNew

caronc wrote: »

... few minutes from the sea...

me too ... but once you've seen it, you've seen it

There are lovely seas ... and some not so great seas.

I'd be happy to sit in a beach hut with a flask looking at the same bit as that's "purposeful" and out of the wind ... and you can take sandwiches and everything!

But beach huts are expensive... even if I were given a free one it'd be hard to justify the annual costs of council tax, maintenance and plot rent! It's £1000-1500/year probably.

iammumtoone

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Oh where do you live? I know what you mean about unfriendly - I'm in the South East and it seems worse here than 'oop north' or South West.

Have you thought about trying to start your own group - just stick a 'shout out' and see what response you get. Nothing to lose really. I bet there are other people around you that'd like to join a friendly bunch too.

East. I was born here so its what I know, but people who move here say its is awful and it takes a while for them to get used to it.

I would go to a group but couldn't set one up. I am not that confident or outgoing

iammumtoone

PasturesNew wrote: »

me too ... but once you've seen it, you've seen it

I live driving distance (15min) from the sea.

I try to take advantage of how lucky I am to live close to the sea, lots only get to see it when on holiday. I do go quite often in the summer my favourite time is to leave after tea and get back late evening that way I avoid all the queues of traffic. North sea so really not the greatest but its sea and better than most have.

I did hear one chap who must have been on holiday when his child was attempting to run into the edge of the tide and play tell her to stay away its not proper sea and dangerous :eek: :rotfl:I have lived here all my life and never has anyone drowned by paddling on the waters edge!