Cooking for one (Mark Three)

AndyCF

Wednesday2000 wrote: »

Yes. I don't actually have a microwave!:p

It was delicious, though, exactly what I fancied to eat.

What I used to like doing at one point was once the potato (or two if they were small) were ready was to open then up as per normal, then scoop a tiny bit of potato out, as in (depending on potato size!) about a third of the content, leaving a good two thirds "outer" , I'd then fill the middle with hot mincemeat+gravy mix and then attempt to put a bit of the potato back in to 'fill' it back.

Bit difficult to explain in words!

This seemed to have a benefit of not only flavouring the potato nicely a few minutes later when it was ready to be served with something like a few garden peas or other but also seemed to help keep it warmer too for longer. :T

Daresay for the non-meat eaters something like the veggie/quorn type mince would work just as well perhaps.

About a tablespoon heaped of potato was spare which I'd just scoff while preparing the rest of the plate! , the only real downsides to this is I preferred the well known branded mince and its not terribly cheap, but I did try one 'S'upermarket's brand and they thankfully did have a bit of sanity with tiny tins, as in 200g instead of a regular 400g size , only problem was I did not like the taste of this brand at all, tried it a few times in case I had a slightly iffy one but no.

There was also some spare mince obviously, I'd just spoon this onto the side of the plate so it all went well.

I did try at one point just cutting the potato open and emptying the mince onto it so it ran in and around it, a little bit messy (best in a bowl really) but it worked OK, however that treat I found is best when done with my mini 'mega mince+veg mix'

Some tinned produce of various kinds is on my radar though when I investigate A1di next week. It was firmly planned for this morning but unfortunately rain stopped that adventure and the afternoon was taken up with other tasks.


I see there's a bit of talk about pressure cookers lately ? Are these good now ? I've never honestly looked at them I do recall hearing stories about them popping but these were likely ancient models or 70's stories and safety devices on them are no doubt 100 times better/more reliable.

I do also keep meaning to eventually get a soup maker, i said it months ago and yes I know , one neighbour has one and swear by it (not at it!) and she had one previously for years, before they were a popular addition aka more akin to being found in a restaurant kitchen rather than a home one. This is good as it means prices are a bit more sane I suppose. I imagine if you wanted one 20/30 years ago when they were probably not popular it would of been a small fortune as it may of been seen as a 'professional kitchen' type item perhaps ? Could be wrong! It does appear on first glance however to just appear to be a kettle with a whisk inside it!

Not had evening foods yet actually still not quite with it, however I plan on something within the next hour or so, something 'lite' perhaps. I did earlier today keep eyeing up some chicken/barley broth type soup I saw on offer but did not grab one despite two journeys to the same shop. Could probably just do with that now. , reminds me I don't think I've ever had potato+leek soup either, that is something I do want to try. I can't recall trying leeks either but I suspect they would of been in 'something' I'd eaten anyway.

Brambling

Farway wrote: »

PattyP, "So I made some delish veg soup the other day, all in the processor and added dorset spice shed chefs secret, which they sold in my local store. Best taste ever. Having that soup later with some toast"

Oooh, sound interesting spices, I'll keep a look out in Ye Olde farm Shoppe as I we sometimes stop for cuppa around Bridport area on way West

I've not heard of that brand, maybe I'll ask my sister to keep an eye out as she's still Bridport way . I've added soup to my menu plan for lunch next week, something light as it's not cold enough for a heavy winter one but I've been fancying minestrone or chicken noodle.

I've not been out today, just a pottering day in doors getting things done after being away, two loads of washing done although unfortunately the dull day means it's still has a damp feel to it so I should probably iron it :cool: or maybe not

Lunch was a black bean burger from the freezer with salad. For dinner I cooked some puy lentils with loads of diced veg, pan fried mackerel fillet and green beans. Unfortunately there seems to be enough lentils and veg for another couple of meals :cool:

AndyCF I've a electric pressure cooker rather than a manual one, like you I remember tales of exploding valves on the old type, I tend to use it instead of my slow cooker. I don't have a soup maker, no room for more gadgets I use a stick blender if I want to blend it

unrecordings

AndyCF wrote: »

What I used to like doing at one point was once the potato (or two if they were small) were ready was to open then up as per normal, then scoop a tiny bit of potato out, as in (depending on potato size!) about a third of the content, leaving a good two thirds "outer" , I'd then fill the middle with hot mincemeat+gravy mix and then attempt to put a bit of the potato back in to 'fill' it back.

Bit difficult to explain in words!

Like a rustic shepherds pie crossed with a tarte tatin ?
So a tarte tati (if you've a soft spot for Monsieuer Hulot - a kind of French Mr Bean created in the 1950's by Jacques Tati)

unrecordings

unrecordings wrote: »

Like a rustic shepherds pie crossed with a tarte tatin ?
So a tarte tati (if you've a soft spot for Monsieuer Hulot - a kind of French Mr Bean created in the 1950's by Jacques Tati)

Oh man, can't believe my 1000th post was a really contrived pun - suppose I'd better make amends and stop lurking. I see this is a fast moving forum give me a while to explain, my typing is really slow/poor...

unrecordings

...So here's where I am. Known my vegan wife for 25 or so years, I'm still omnivore, so I suppose technically that's cooking for one as far as I'm concerned. With a nice garden and a wide selection of herbs I used to do a lot of cooking, preferring fresh to ready meals or eating out, but of course within those respectful rules that those with vegan/vegetarian spouses/friends might recognise. I'm currently in a bit of tangle with a brain tumour (have been for over three years, so the combination of disability, chemo appetite, steroid appetite & fatigue has curtailed things somewhat, but Mrs Un is always there to rustle up the chilli I'd planned to make, or whatever (within reason). The interesting thing is I spent 50 years being left handed, now that side of my body doesn't work properly, I've almost naturally become right handed (it took over six months for dominance to assert itself). So that's me. I hope to amuse & inform with my dietary choices and technique

pattypan4

I am getting the DM today, to get some inspiration on eating much more veg, fruit and proteins, to do more exercise and more lifting etc. Going out on the bus today, 40 minute journey but there is a good outdoor fruit and veg stall where I will stock up with what I can carry home. I only need to pick up some spare keys but they are yale extra security with a number on a card, they had to send the number away, £33 for 2 keys, I nearly dropped.



I have some fridge bottoms to gather together before I leave and a small whole water melon, I love that fruit. I have some part cooked salad potatoes left but they are very nice steamed with some veg. Looking in the freezer, I do have a few hm Rms and several soups, pretty good standbys for cba sessions. I also have lots of blackcurrants and blueberries and have frozen raspberries. I need to get some things to make me feel fuller but main shop is tomorrow, might well add a small tub of cream to add to the berries for afters


Does anyone on their own here actually set a table place for eating?

pattypan4

Andy I still use a pressure cooker, I have two, one is very shallow with a lid and the other is normal sized. I do still use them and feel safe, not like in the 70s when a load of pea soup ended up on the ceiling. They have a lot of safety devices these days. I think I have too many pans really but I am not letting the pressure cookers go, nor the coloured le creuset dishes, I like looking at the le creuset but my basic pans are stainless steel and are kept in a pan drawer, I use them most of all. I don`t have a slow cooker and only recently have a built in nuker, which I have used only a few times

Farway

Had a mini lie in, maybe the cooler weather & darker mornings

Last night's lamb chop was as nice as the previous one, wish I'd put more on the list now even though they are pricey

Decision made on weekend meat, weather dictates slow cooked YS gammon joint, now in with a 1/4d windfall apple. No liquid added as these joints seem to have plenty in them, probably injected water as a make weight:(

Steaks now in freezer to reappear over the coming months

Lunch more of the YS rolls, probably with cheese + ???

Dinner, the gammon will be cooked by then, so some of that plus use up eggs, grilled use up tomato & frozen chips

I'm into use up this weekend because on Monday it's Westward Ho

AndyCF wrote: »

, reminds me I don't think I've ever had potato+leek soup either, that is something I do want to try. I can't recall trying leeks either but I suspect they would of been in 'something' I'd eaten anyway.

Well worth making Andy, you need a liquidiser, hand held blitzer thingy though to get a smooth soup.

I bung in some cheapo version of Philly cream cheese to give it a lovely creamy texture & taste
Leeks should be appearing soon , coming into season now Autumn's here

unrecordings

pattypan4 wrote: »

Does anyone on their own here actually set a table place for eating?

Yup - not just because it's physically much easier, but when we moved into this place we put a ban on TV dinner style eating as we'd just put fresh carpet in and inherited a nice vintage sofa. It's not a galley kitchen so there's room for a table & relay style food prep if it's a 'sepo tea'

caronc

Good morning everyone,

Andy - I use my pressure cooker a fair bit, it's a stove top one so does need an eye keeping on it but they are much safer now. I know lots of folk like them but I always feel soupmakers are a waste of money/space unless you are planning on making an awful lot of soup. A pan and a cheap stick blender produce the same results and are much more versatile. If you don't already have one I'd definitely recommend buying a stick blender, I use mine a lot and it was £6.

unrecordings - sounds as though you've had a rough few years. Isn't it amazing how the body adapts to cope with set backs and relearns.

pattypan - I seldom set the table if it's just me though quite often sit at the table in the consevatory to have my lunch if it's a sunny day. I have a lap tray that suits me fine for my evening meal, when the kids were at home we nearly always ate at the table as it was chance to catch up with each other but now that's not the case I'm happier with my meal on my lap. To me there feels something quite lonely about sitting at a fully set table by myself. When the kids are back we nearly always revert to eating at the table.

The rain has finally stopped and the it's a lovely though fairly chilly day:D. It's to drop to 5C this evening:eek:. I'm going to make most of the dry weather to get the brambles picked and start cutting back tom plants. If after that I still have any oomph left I'll start on the veg patch and flower baskets but they will probably get done another day.
Last night's liver & bacon was smashing, there's a bit of gravy and cabbage left but that's it. I'll use the LOs up tonight as I'm having bangers and mash. Lunch will be a sarnie of some description.