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I remember the Home and Freezer Digest, all the batch cooking recipes both for everyday use and celebration meals. The Christmas editions were good for showing you how to prepare the food for the Big Day weeks in advance. I also have the original Paupers Cookbook, an entertaining read in itself, and a couple of Shirley Goode's paperbacks. The Readers Digest Cookery Year is my go to bible for all culinary queries. Very 1970s, the oven temperatures are in Fahrenheit (there is a conversion table though).
For a cookbook that is a really entertaining read I recommend The S l u t ' s Cookbook by Erin Pizzey. Out of print now, but second hand versions are around. Her amazing 4 day beef stew for example.
Day 1 - eat as is.
Day 2 - add more veg and wine to stretch it,
Day 3 - curry it.
Day 4, if there's anything left, put it on the garden to kill the weeds.One life - your life - live it!9 -
That sounds brilliant NargleChin up, Titus out.8
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It's available on kindle!!!Chin up, Titus out.8
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I had to edit my post to space out the S word because the MSE sweary filter didn't like the word. You'll like the book, Hester, fun to read and some good recipes too.One life - your life - live it!7
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annieb64 said:We love the bacon, potato and onion hot pot from the paupers kitchen.
I only have one of Shirley Goode's cookery books but think I came across the chocolate digestive idea and the suggestion about making pies in Yorkshire pudding tins in articles she wrote for a little magazine called "Home and freezer digest"I collected every issue of Home and Freezer digest in the 70s. Mary Berry, Shirley and others had lots of recipies , hints and tipsand as owning a freezer was fairly new to me they were very useful and used to be my monthly treat.When I bought this house and was moving with two small children I was overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that was moving with us. We moved a week before Christmas Day.I gave my H&F Digests to a local group which supported single parents with children and taught them money management , cooking , childcare etc. To be honest I regretted giving them away for quite a long time. A few years ago I was trying to track down a book online and came across someone selling all of those little magazines as a complete set.I was very tempted but had to have a word with myself. I've always had a freezer since the 70s have cooked in bulk and frozen future meals so I don't need those little books.I sometimes wonder how many people repeat Martin's Mantra when debating whether to buy something. I've probably done it around a dozen times over the years and the Mantra won and I resisted those little temptations.Does anyone remember Shirley on the daytime bbc programmes? Not sure if it was Pebble Mill at one. We used to try to catch her on TV in the staff room at lunchtime. Another favourite was The Farmhouse Kitchen. I have both that very thick book and the baking book. My eldest dd has often asked time to get rid mum? I've donated many books over the years but those books , Gary Rhodes, Nigel Slater and others are not for going yet.pollyxIt is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.
There but for fortune go you and I.8 -
Hard_Up_Hester said:I had the Paupers Cookbook, I still make the bacon, onion and potato hotpot from it. Otherwise known as how to feed a family of 6 with a rasher of bacon!
I also had Shirley Goode books, the pizza base with yoghurt was a favourite.
My family still remember all the home made cakes, bread and meals such as Hunt the Fish pie.
I really miss baking but there is no point now as Steve doesn't eat cake.This reminds me of Bernadine Lawrences books which are still in print. The first one was How to Feed Your Family for £4 a day and she had a very big family. It was also known as The Benefits Book her husband was very ill and she was struggling on a pittance. She managed to feed her family a healthy, balanced diet and her bread recipe was one I used for years.Do you never feel like baking cake for yourself Hester? In Goode for One Shirley had a basic cake mixture she made a one tin sponge cake which she used half the mix for and when cool cut it in half, added a filling and placed one half on top of the other. She also used the mixture for steamed lemon pudding, bakewell tart and other cakes and puddings.It's a very useful little book and was full of advice for Single Parents, Senoir Citizens, The Working Girl and Students.I hope you're enjoying your new berth and have managed to catch up with the family at some point. When to you return to your home berth? This year seems to be flying by now. Take good care of yourself as well as Steve and of course Beano, he's a very lucky dog to have found you although he doesn't like the rain. It sounds as though he could do with wellies, oilskins and a souwester if such things exist.pollyxIt is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.
There but for fortune go you and I.6 -
I lost custody of my Shirley Goode books when divorcing the 20th century husband, along with the cat, dishwasher & 3-piece suite. I got the kids and the rest of the furniture & appliances 😉 He also got the Good Housekeeping Cook Book given to us when we got engaged & with a message from my parents written inside (bet his wife loves that! 😂)
I'm with you Polly - I can't contemplate getting rid of my paperback Complete Delia or my Nigel / Rick / Nigella /Jamie books, although to be fair I read them as books first before using for recipes2021 Decluttering Awards: ⭐⭐🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 2022 Decluttering Awards: 🥇
2023 Decluttering Awards: 🥇 🏅🏅🥇
2024 Decluttering Awards: 🥇⭐
2025 Decluttering Awards: ⭐⭐7 -
It sounds as though you were well rid of 20th centuty husband Floss. I could cope with losing a dishwasher and a three piece suite but a cat! As for the written message from your parents in the book he sounds a right charmer- not.When dd1 questions the books and sentimental items I think of Simon and Garfunkel " I have my books and my poetry to protect me" . I'm not a hoarder, I do pass things on to charity but some things I keep.She doesn't understand the Queen, Meatloaf, Springsteen , Beautiful South and many other CDs and DVDs but I do and when I'm feeling a bit low I'll play Radio Gaga or the Manchester Song which always cheers me up.I don't query her complete Jo Malone collection or many other things they're her business not mine so I'd appreciate her not interfering in mine.I don;t know if they were anywhere near you they were due to fly over Crewe and various other NW areas but I was like Emily Post sitting on her suitcase waiting for her Doctor yesterday. The Red Arrows were due to fly over here around noon yesteday as part of the flypast for the G7 meeting. I waited and waited but they didn't show up. I now know how Nan felt waiting for her Dr Who.On the subject of things it's surprising how many hard to get when you're limiting shops items are already here. Marie Kondo wouldn't have a hope if she turned up here.The ups and downs of life have taught me to be prepared. We had many a laugh on the SHTF thread but we learned to think ahead and as a former Girl Guide Be Prepared.pollyxEta misquoted Simon and Garfunkel. How could I forget the poetry.It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.
There but for fortune go you and I.7 -
How could I have forgotten Erin Pizzey Nargle. Her book will be here . She was a huge inspiration for me when she founded Chiswick Women's Shelter. Years later with Women's Aid she was a big help with the Toxic 2nd husband. She was pretty amazing and as I walked out of court for the last time it wasn't only "No one's ever gonna keep me down again" by Helen Reddy that was in my head Erin was there too. Erin and Helen gave women the power to change their lives. I didn't need a refuge. I was clinging on to my roof , he'd never paid a penny for any bills. it was the advice from Women's Aid , Two very good neighbours who probably saved our lives a number of times and very supportive local Police Officers who kept arresting and taking him back to court and our former GP who logged everything who saved us.It saddens me to think of all who don't seek or know of the help available. The figures for Domestic Abuse have risen sharply during the pandemic. I know of many who spent hours on the phone or online trying to contact the help agencies but they were overwhelmed and short of staff. We were lucky that back then our local police were very proactive. Not many were back then but most are now.pollyxIt is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.
There but for fortune go you and I.7 -
My divorce was very fair, we each got four items.
He got the house, the business, the pension and the savings.
I got Alex, Cassie, Jennie and Chris so we both got what was most important to us!Chin up, Titus out.10
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