Cooking for one

karcher

PasturesNew wrote: »

I went to the chippy - fish £3.75 and chips £1.75. So I just got the chips. Weighed them, so I know.... 480 grams! That's HUGE, that's serves two really ... but when you live alone .... sometimes you soldier on

You have no idea how much I'd love a portion of Chippy Fish and Chips and mushy peas (in a separate pot of course) with salt and vinegar and maybe (coz I'm greedy), a buttered bap :eek:

Too far away for it to be possible for me and HM just isn't the same: so PN, sod the cost and excess; every once in a while, a chippy chip excels beyond all others when the urge takes.

And rest assured, I'd eat the lot too

Doom_and_Gloom

PasturesNew wrote: »

I should've split those chips into two portions - but they're simply not the same/not as good the next day .....

Just for information next time, though this doesn't always work as it depends on the place/how they've cooked them etc, but you could coat them with oil/spray oil (just a little as already very oily but the new oil I found was needed, you could try without) and put them in the oven/or equivalent until warmed through again. I found it works out but yes it does depend. Can't remember the temperature as last time this method was used was about 5 years ago.

PasturesNew

Doom_and_Gloom wrote: »

Just for information next time, though this doesn't always work as it depends on the place/how they've cooked them etc, but you could coat them with oil/spray oil (just a little as already very oily but the new oil I found was needed, you could try without) and put them in the oven/or equivalent until warmed through again. I found it works out but yes it does depend. Can't remember the temperature as last time this method was used was about 5 years ago.

They're still never the same. Actually, although it's a good chippy I think I hit it at the wrong time as the chips tasted as if they'd sat for a bit, rather than being piping oil hot. They were super busy, so they were fresh ... but I wonder if they get really ahead of themselves in order to keep up with demand.

moneyistooshorttomention

...and I'm wondering right now what I would make of High Carb Hannah's style of chips - well more like potato wedges size-wise.

I was watching her mini video on YouTube and she makes them with one of those ridged saucepans (yep...I have one - that I've rarely used) and just slices them into wedges and does them on that with no fat or anything. 15 minutes on one side and then 10 minutes on the other side basically. Seasonings of garlic powder/paprika/etc added afterwards. Yep...it is no oil - as it's part of the oil-free way of cooking.

There's me thinking "Surely they'd stick like mad"/"Would they cook properly"/etc/

Has anyone tried them? I think I should try and reduce the amount of oil I eat (at any rate until I have my figure back) and my new frying pan is helping. That being - I bought a "Green Pan" one. It's still not exactly what I want - as I don't think exactly what I want is yet on the market. However, I used a lot less oil in yesterday's stir-fry than usual - compared to what I'd been having to use in previous pan.

*************

Re the child-size portions of food - my mother didnt take any persuading of the virtues of these (when I suggested that to her t'other day) and is currently waiting her chance to try out a new place that does these and intent on asking for them. Worth bearing in mind for many of us in some parts of the country. Servings anywhere I've eaten out here to date have varied between small and adequate usually - but, in my home area, large portions are frequent and so I might ask for child portions myself when I visit if I fancy more than one course.

SunnyGirl

PasturesNew wrote: »

My experience is as somebody who has always lived alone and never accumulated stuff/gadgets nor a larger house ... whereas empty nesters are more likely to have a lifetime of accumulated dishes, gadgets, large freezer etc... so, probably occupying a larger space with more stuff.

As I've never had anybody to cook for - and am not really interested in it at all, I've just worked out how to slap food into a dish quickest

I COULD cook .... if I had the space/gadgets and an audience. But without any of that lot, there's zero interest for me to cook.

I do try to vary what I eat... not massively - I'd never "try something completely new" in case that purchase was a waste. So my foods are old style stuff - no new-fangled foods. There's also a lot I don't like/don't fancy (eg lentils, aubergines, mushrooms, courgettes, celery) and I never stir fry (can't use a hob/oven due to weird phobias/fears).

But ... I manage all right

Sounds like you manage exceptionally well, I find you inspirational. I don't actually have many gadgets as I really don't like them - not even a toaster - the only gadgety thing I have is a hand stick blender (£5 in Tesco) as I make a lot of soups. I did have food processor, toaster and slow cooker but didn't replace them as they died a death as I don't use them when CFO.

Morning all. Hope you are all well and the sun is shining. It is here so far. I'm at work today until 5pm so have brought my lunch - a tuna sandwich, banana and yoghurt. Dinner tonight is one of the spag bol's I made yesterday. I don't do breakfast although I often have a couple of Weetabix for supper when watching the tv.

Have a good day all

PasturesNew

SunnyGirl wrote: »

...I find you inspirational.

I should frame that
Thank you.

SunnyGirl wrote: »

I don't actually have many gadgets as I really don't like them - not even a toaster - the only gadgety thing I have is a hand stick blender (£5 in Tesco) as I make a lot of soups. I did have food processor, toaster and slow cooker but didn't replace them as they died a death as I don't use them when CFO.

I've had some small gadgets, but a lot scare me to be honest. I've got a sort of faux George Foreman grill thing ... brand new, bought about 15 years ago as a present to me ... petrified of it so far... but held onto it as I really MUST get the courage to use it one day. I'm scared of anything that gets hot through electrical power; I fear spontaneous combustion and fires.

I was staggered I'm happy with a slow cooker - but I'd never leave the house with it on. I can use the nuker, but not for long and if something says "cook for 10 minutes" I'll do three blasts of 3-mins or so, wiping it down/waiting a minute as I go.

I have a stick blender - used it once for soup and found it stained and pretty rubbish... although maybe I didn't use it long enough, but the washing up and trying 6 ways to remove the red staining p155ed me off.

I am very fortunate I have the nerve to use a mini grill, although I am still nervous each time I use it.

I have a toaster - that's a staple. £5 from Sainsbobs, so not a posh 'un. The toaster is the "go to" gadget to produce instant food (toast, muffins, crumpets), so it's a winner. It's too small to take toaster bags ... I did buy some, hoping to pluck up the nerve to use them ... and when I finally chose the day realised they're way too big for the toaster!

SunnyGirl wrote: »

.... the sun is shining. It is here so far. I'm at work today until 5pm so have brought my lunch - a tuna sandwich, banana and yoghurt. Dinner tonight is one of the spag bol's I made yesterday. I don't do breakfast although I often have a couple of Weetabix for supper when watching the tv.

Have a good day all

Bright sun here too ... just got the folding chair to sit outside and realised it's a bit bl00dy breezy. I live in a micro climate of very strong coastal winds/breezes, which is annoying as wind is THE weather I hate the most. I say "You can't dress for wind".

Having biffed out for way too many days ... I am carrying round my front a reminder that too many choccies isn't a good look.

Breakfast this morning has been a bowl of honey nut cornflakes.

I was thinking of popping out for a loaf/eggs, so I can make sandwiches for "random strolls with the pet trolley", but as I am typing this there are some grey clouds and the sun's being chased away. Having said that, one great thing about the trolley is I can now carry all manner of changes of clothes with me without struggling! I can slide in wellies/waterproof and socks and a hat, an umbrella, gloves.... and be as happy as larry that I've prepared and won't get caught out

SunnyGirl

The thought of you finally getting ready to use the toaster bags then finding them too big has made me laugh! As long as you can use your toaster, mini grill and slow cooker you won't starve. I am going to urge you to try the George Formanesque grill though. You can post on here whilst doing it and we can all keep an eye on your progress

PasturesNew

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

There's me thinking "Surely they'd stick like mad"/"Would they cook properly"/etc/
----
Re the child-size portions of food

All programmes are recorded and stylized. Also, they don't tell you that she's using some £500-£800 pan whereas you'd have what you've got or a £10 one from the market

Hers is probably coated in a special coating developed by NASA.

Re child portions - in a lot of areas they will refuse to serve child portions to anybody who doesn't have a child with them. It's an awkward moment where it's a stand off.... so then you wonder if they'll spit in it just because you stood your ground

Some menus even have it printed on them, re age limits and other criteria.

If I could see a child portion in a takeaway - I'd choose it. Sit down can be very funny with you though.

PasturesNew

SunnyGirl wrote: »

The thought of you finally getting ready to use the toaster bags then finding them too big has made me laugh! As long as you can use your toaster, mini grill and slow cooker you won't starve. I am going to urge you to try the George Formanesque grill though. You can post on here whilst doing it and we can all keep an eye on your progress

The first fear barrier is always the first instruction in the leaflet.

"Before using ... turn it on full for 10-20 minutes ... there will be smoke as it burns off the residue...."

Not in MY house there won't be! Smoke petrifies me.

When I bought the mini oven I got an extension lead - and I plugged it in while it was in the garden, then stood over it with my heart racing for 20 minutes. It didn't catch fire/explode, so then I unplugged it, waited for it to cool down and brought it inside again. The grill would get the same treatment.

moneyistooshorttomention

PasturesNew wrote: »

All programmes are recorded and stylized. Also, they don't tell you that she's using some £500-£800 pan whereas you'd have what you've got or a £10 one from the market

Hers is probably coated in a special coating developed by NASA.

Re child portions - in a lot of areas they will refuse to serve child portions to anybody who doesn't have a child with them. It's an awkward moment where it's a stand off.... so then you wonder if they'll spit in it just because you stood your ground

Some menus even have it printed on them, re age limits and other criteria.

If I could see a child portion in a takeaway - I'd choose it. Sit down can be very funny with you though.

Get your point - though I don't know if that would apply to this particular blogger (in view of fact her - and with a hubbie too by sound of it - are in process of moving to a tiny house). So - I guess it's possible - though I doubt she has much money. Tries to think what that particular saucepan cost me now - though my new frying pan was about £25 (so mid price range and bought from Dunelm and not market stall).

*********

I shall keep my eye out on that in future re attitude to child portions - though I guess there is an element of "come back" one can have at any restaurants/etc with that sort of policy of "Oh well - hmmm....well I'll have an adult portion then and a doggybag to take away what I don't want now" said right at the start. If they refuse to even provide a doggybag - then just walk out....

Would be interested to know what other posters' have experienced re this...