Cooking for one (Mark Three)

PasturesNew

Today I wandered into L1dl for some sweeties. I went in for one bag of my current favourites. Grabbed two bags "might as well, since I'm in here" and then grabbed a box of matchmakers too

I decided to buy some frozen chips, I'm in my last 8 days of food here and chips are super simple to reheat/scoff, so I thought it was a good plan.

I didn't intend buying anything else, but my eyes fell upon spicy bean burgers and, for some unknown reason, I got those. I then had to buy flatbreads to serve/eat them with.

Since I came home 7 hours ago I've scoffed matchmakers, sweeties ... and THREE of those bean burgers/flatbreads

Freezer food I have to eat in the next week is just: curry/rice, chips, 1 burger, 1 bean burger, some hash browns. That's achievable. The fridge has about 2 tablespoons of marg and half a small pack of cheese. That marg is a problem... I don't want to run out as I can't buy/waste another. That 250g tub has lasted me 11 weeks, so I can't buy one for just a week's eating.

caronc

PasturesNew wrote: »

I used to keep ketchup and brown sauce bottles thinking "next time I put something in the SC I can swill that out"; I'd invariably forget and promise myself I'd remember next time.

In the main I reduce my jars/bottles to the bare minimum as I can't bear having 20 opened jars that sounded interesting. I limit myself to one jar of jam open at a time, I can only open the next one when the first is finished. Ditto chutneys etc. If I open a jar of chutney it'd last 2-3 years (forget I've got it most of the time), so even though I might like the sound of 20 other chutneys - and even though I don't particularly like the current/open one, I can't buy/open another until the first has gone.

The fridge still seemed cluttered with: 1 ketchup, 1 brown sauce, 1 jam, 1 marmalade, 1 lemon curd, 1 other jar of something or other.

Even culled I have a few more than that but they are down to a level I'm more comfortable with, I couldn't be nearly disciplined enough to only have say one mustard on the go - I use them for different things, though will use a jar of jam or marmalade before I open another. Sounds as though your food stocks are coming down nicely

Brambling

I've English, whole grain and Dijon mustards currently on the go, but as you say different mustard for different things, only a English mustard 'empty' jar to be swilled out at the moment and a ketchup . I only ever have one jam on the go ( currently none) a marmalade and a lemon curd. As I like to cook there are probably a greater variety of savoury jars opened then I should have

My sister is still in hospital, they thought it was pneumonia but it's bronchitis, she will be there for the weekend. Unsurprisingly for her there's a whole drama around it but she's ok which is the main thing. Unfortunately my eldest sisters' blood pressure is really bad, the higher number is over 200 :eek::eek: , they are gradually upping her existing meds with daily doctor checks, she's nearly 80 and doesn't know the meaning of taking it easy :cool: she's says she's still feeding 12 Christmas Day :eek: she will have to hand the reins over to her daughter and granddaughters

I was led astray at the Sainsbobs lunchtime I went in for the weekend fruit, veg and milk and picked up YS less than half price chicken breasts and thighs. Will need to play freezer Tetris in a bit but it was worth it four large breasts and eight thighs for less than £3.

Lunch today was more of the HM vegetable soup and dinner was simple blue cheese and leek omelette with some wilted spinach.

caronc

Brambling wrote: »

I've English, whole grain and Dijon mustards currently on the go, but as you say different mustard for different things, only a English mustard 'empty' jar to be swilled out at the moment and a ketchup . I only ever have one jam on the go ( currently none) a marmalade and a lemon curd. As I like to cook there are probably a greater variety of savoury jars opened then I should have

My sister is still in hospital, they thought it was pneumonia but it's bronchitis, she will be there for the weekend. Unsurprisingly for her there's a whole drama around it but she's ok which is the main thing. Unfortunately my eldest sisters' blood pressure is really bad, the higher number is over 200 :eek::eek: , they are gradually upping her existing meds with daily doctor checks, she's nearly 80 and doesn't know the meaning of taking it easy :cool: she's says she's still feeding 12 Christmas Day :eek: she will have to hand the reins over to her daughter and granddaughters

I was led astray at the Sainsbobs lunchtime I went in for the weekend fruit, veg and milk and picked up YS less than half price chicken breasts and thighs. Will need to play freezer Tetris in a bit but it was worth it four large breasts and eight thighs for less than £3.

Lunch today was more of the HM vegetable soup and dinner was simple blue cheese and leek omelette with some wilted spinach.

Glad one sis is settling down but my that's a scary figure for the other but at nearly 80 she probably is very much of the "keep on carrying on generation" so no telling her!
I think if you are a keen cook it's very hard to keep the "bits" down, it's scary how much space in their very small kitchens that both my sons allocate to ingredients of one form or the other - no doubting I'm their Mum;):cool:. That sounds like a great YS definitely worth the freezer tetris.

Brambling

My sister tells me I indoctrinated my nephews at a early age when babysitting as both boys sound like yours with well stocked kitchens and liking to cook

I'm too frightened of my eldest sister to suggest at her age she should be taking it easy she may be only 4ft 9 but she packs a punch she has children my age so I'm her baby sister and treated more like a child than sibling :cool:

Farway

Restless night, and woke this morning with what I hope is not Christmas lurgy, cough & itchy eyes. It's been brewing for over a week. Luckily I've plenty of stuff "in" so no problems with groceries

My fridge is disgraceful

I'm a bu66er for opening new jars of jam for just one scrape, then it's left and I open another type. I've two types of marmalade open at the moment, plus curd & HM apple & B jam.

Numerous types of mustard, plus horseradish, tartare, mayo, salad cream & Caesar salad dressing. Brown & red sauce are also in there

Porridge breakfast

Lunch, not sure, it's my son's birthday and there is a chance I may meet him & family for lunch, but it was a late idea and they may have made arrangements, they do "like to lunch"

Personally going to a shopping area on a Saturday before Christmas is something I would normally avoid but mustn't be an old curmudgeon;)

Dinner, no idea, CBA to prep & cook much but I've plenty to nuke or warm up

caronc

Good morning everyone,

It's back to wild & wet here and it's baltic. I've no need to go anywhere so shan't be straying apart from the usual bin run. Like you Farway I'm a bit snuffly this morning and hope it's isn't a cold, I'm out for lunch with friends on Monday and would prefer not to be full of the sniffles. Apart from making a curry for tomorrow later I've not much planned for today. I have groceries arriving this morning and once they're put away and I've done some laundry I think it will be feet up for a bit. I might tackle some wrapping later if I cba. LOs from last night for lunch and breaded haddock for dinner.

Wednesday2000

I have just had a few crackers so far today. Lots of water again.

I have leftover chickpeas, cherry toms, cucumber, fresh lemon and parsley in the fridge so I will make chickpea salad later. I have some Pizza Express salad dressing too. I will probably have it on toast.

I'm going to have a shower and then feed the birds. It feels really cold here today, although it is sunny at least.:)

caronc wrote: »

Hope the hangover was worth it Wednesday

I still feel a bit delicate today!:rotfl: I did have a good time, though.

PasturesNew

Breakfast at lunch time... was a 'use it up' event.

3 hash browns from the freezer. 2 remaining
2 scrambled eggs. Just 2 remaining.
Remainder of the cocktail sausages (Use by 11th, oops).
Rest of the beans I'd opened 1-2 days ago.

Farway

I did get out in the end, met son & family in huge, largest in UK, M & S, by which time it was past 11, so my "breakfast" of smoked salmon & scrambled eggs on toast I counted as lunch
It was nice though, and even better as zero clearing up

The actual M & S food hall is enormous, but surprisingly there are some reasonable priced items among the "How much?" stuff. I think my years of [STRIKE]droning on [/STRIKE]educating my son on value has worked, he was quick to scorn the ready to roast parsnips , umpteen pounds a pack of mince pies etc
My work here is done:D


Dinner, probably a bacon & brown sauce sarnie and maybe cheese & crackers later