Cooking for one (Mark Three)

PasturesNew

Just had cheesy beans on toast. I'd bought a new pack of cheese just last week.... and I need to empty the fridge, to clean it, to photograph it, to advertise it.... modern cheese doesn't last long without a fridge, so I have to crack on and eat that before the fridge goes.

Expect lots of cheese beans on toast in the next 2-4 days

I've also had several kitkats (6 since yesterday) and some chocolates.

AndyCF

For what little it is (not) worth. Local council used to collect fridges free, then they started charging £15 for it. I was then told when I attempted to book this it would be five weeks wait! , if it was still free I could understand that but as it was now a paid service that seemed a bit off personally.

You're quite right about some charities, they do want near or new only and then there's fire/electrical regs to think about. I suppose they are only in some ways trying to cover their own backsides maybe, to a point at least.

Second hand shops perhaps ? The more erm 'ratty' ones might be interested.

GummyTwig (yes I know!) a possibility for cheap/free bits but having tried free paper ads for free things , people still mess about it seems. Then again there's no harm in trying.

I've a good washing machine I want to give away, its about 10 years old but not used much, nothing wrong with it apart from you need to wiggle the door to 'tell' it its closed and I see said model going used for £40 to £80 typically. 'wiggle' could be fixed for £15 apparently but its never bothered me for 5-6 years! No one wants it, not even for £10 or less. Asked at the local 'used appliance' place and he said "no not even for free won't take it from you"

For again what little it is worth when my 'move that did not happen' I would of had to struggle myself with a hired large van and possibly occasional help from a neighbour (in the evening!) or paid for one of those "man with a van" you see advertised. My plan was at the time to move the small bits myself then get them to move the heavy stuff over, figuring they charge per hour so I was best to not have them longer than needed.

Its going to vary obviously depending if/can/want/get (choose as appropriate) another pair of hands without resorting to hiring someone out for a few hours... Sadly 'teleporters' are still science fiction.

Having said that this can sometimes be an economical option if you ring a few of them to find out prices. I was told £80 from what I can recall. That was for "one load" (about 5 miles move) but they had a large luton type van. It would of easily all gone in one load. Figure d two hours 'work' for them all in all. Going to vary wildly in prices depending on whereabouts you are though! That and "local demand" too.


Nothing above is meant to be negative. By reading your post you do have a plan of action and know the best way of sorting things. I'm sure it will be fine as long as there is not an impending deadline for things then you will be fine.

AndyCF

PasturesNew wrote: »

Just had cheesy beans on toast. I'd bought a new pack of cheese just last week.... and I need to empty the fridge, to clean it, to photograph it, to advertise it.... modern cheese doesn't last long without a fridge, so I have to crack on and eat that before the fridge goes.

Expect lots of cheese beans on toast in the next 2-4 days

I've also had several kitkats (6 since yesterday) and some chocolates.

One friend years back managed quite well for about two weeks with a simple electric single 'counter top' hob (I know you're probably not too interested in that part) and a microwave and kettle. I guess keep the 'bare essentials' out and pack the rest away! They had to manage, they had no kitchen just those and a couple of tables for them.

Talking of chocs I keep staring at all the box selections that have started to appear in BM as well, they usually have some but its start to 'fill up' already. If I was being cynical I'd say its early Christmas stock perhaps.

PasturesNew

AndyCF wrote: »

I'm sure it will be fine as long as there is not an impending deadline for things then you will be fine.

What, you mean like the completion date as I sold the house
That's pretty impending

PasturesNew

AndyCF wrote: »

I guess keep the 'bare essentials' out and pack the rest away!

I'm keeping the microwave, kettle, toaster here until the last minute .... they were pretty sh4gged a year ago and I've just prayed each time I used them that they'd work. The plan has always been to take all three to the tip, so I don't have to either pack those, or take them with me. I'll buy new when I get a new home. All three were cheap when I bought them 7 years ago (£25, £5, £5).

Pretty much everything I own has always been "cheapest", or 2nd hand. There's nothing smart, or pricey, in my house

Brambling

AndyCF wrote: »

As much as I might be berated for saying it, (although it seems a bit 'marmite' love/hate) the instant powered tea maybe ? Just for emergencies perhaps if you are not keen. !

Andy for emergencies my sister lives a mile down the road and there's a T express between us Having said that milk and tea bags are the must haves in my house, I'm not nice with out my morning cuppa :eek:

I was meant to go with my sister to our first tai chi class tonight but I've postponed until next week, I couldn't sleep last night and was still awake after 2am so after a manic day at work I'm brain and body dead the class is a 'just turn up' when you want type, it's the same guy who did the workshop I went to and he's provided videos of the 'movements' we covered there so I'll practice

Lunch was more of my HM chicken and veg soup. Dinner was a cba gammon and chicken wrap with some salad and when I get up the energy I'll have a early night

caronc

Good evening everyone,

Hope your pot noodle arrived in time Wednesday
Fingers crossed PN re the advertising, as you say it can be really hard to get rid of stuff without paying a lot to have it taken away.

DundeeDoll wrote: »

Hello all. After having a friend staying for a couple of weeks while he tended a broken heart and ended up 3 years during which time he did all the food buying and cooking, from mid August i've been back to cooking for one. I have been working my way through some items he'd bought and not used (e.g. anchovies, and have now developed a love for Puttanesca sauces)! However, there are some items I'm not keen on on their own, and I don't know whether to discard or whether they would be good as ingredients. We're only looking at 1/2 jars (I have given away some of the full jars), but thought i'd throw out the challenge
1) small chunk branston
2) lime pickle
3) mango chutney (am thinking coronation chicken?)
4) pickled onions
5) gherkins
6) aubergine pickle
And unopened
7) jar red peppers
8) small jar courgettes in oil
9) 2 jars jalapenos
10) jar cherries in syrup
There may be more lurking, but that's a start

Hi I'd echo the suggestions of dollops here and there in casseroles but a few other suggestions -

A couple of diced pickled onions added to a tin of toms, a tin of baked beans, some cooked carrots and water cooked for about 20 mins then blended make a cheats version of tinned tomato soup
Drained red peppers whizzed up with a tin of butter beans or chickpeas, a few of the jalepenos and some lemon juice make a tasty dip. Or add to cooked butternut squash or sweet potato and stock for soup.
The cherries can be turned into a boozy treat, drain the cherries and pop back in the jar. Mix half of the juice with brandy or triple sec and add to jar. Seal, shake well and leave for a few weeks to "mature" lovely. The soaked fruits make a lovely boozy eton mess or topping for ice cream with some grated chocolate over the top. The boozy juice can be added to "fizz" or cocktails.
Mango chutney mixed with soy sauce, ginger, garlic and 5 spice powder makes a fab glaze for pork ribs or chicken etc. or mix with ketchup, some of the branston, chilli powder, white wine vinegar, garlic and a splash of Lea & Perrins for a bbq style sauce. Unless it is the spice/tangy stuff it's basically jam so works well stirred through yoghurt or added to smoothies, tagines or most anything that calls for dried apricots. A dollop added to rhubarb in place of some of the sugar works well in crumbles or stewing. (Years ago I ended up with a catering jar of mango chutney:eek: so had to find many ways of using it up:cool:)

Chopped gherkins added to mayo with a little of the pickle juice makes a tartare style sauce or dice them and cook with cabbage.
The jarred aubergines & courgettes can be chopped and added to tomato sauce or curry sauces and blended if you want to lose the chunks.
I'm sure you'll soon shift them using bits here and there:).


I've had a fairly lazy day, I posted the card, picked brambles (loads ripe but mainly very small so only picked about 1/2lb, I'll leave the rest for the birds) and a huge mixing bowl of toms but apart from some domestic chores not a lot else. Pottered about the garden for a bit enjoying the sunshine, it was warm if you kept moving and didn't step into the shade. It's definitely on the the chilly side now.
Lunch was a simple but tasty tomato sandwich with a fig and a peach. Keeping it simple again tonight with a bowl of brown rice cooked in chicken stock, various veg, soy sauce, garlic, chilli and topped with sliced omelette, sesame oil and spring onions. After several days of rich eating I'm craving lots of veg.:)

AndyCF

PasturesNew wrote: »

What, you mean like the completion date as I sold the house
That's pretty impending

Erm yes in that case. However it does from what I read sound like you have a decent sane action plan.

PasturesNew wrote: »

I'm keeping the microwave, kettle, toaster here until the last minute .... they were pretty sh4gged a year ago and I've just prayed each time I used them that they'd work. The plan has always been to take all three to the tip, so I don't have to either pack those, or take them with me. I'll buy new when I get a new home. All three were cheap when I bought them 7 years ago (£25, £5, £5).

Pretty much everything I own has always been "cheapest", or 2nd hand. There's nothing smart, or pricey, in my house

I think if it was me I'd keep them and take them with you to your 'new' place as and when, if they still work might as well stretch them out another few weeks if you can until you feel ready to invest in replacements.

My stovetop kettle has started to weep but only at the very top so if you do not put more than half in (which normally I don't) its fine. I will need to get one at some point though.

Brambling wrote: »

Andy for emergencies my sister lives a mile down the road and there's a T express between us Having said that milk and tea bags are the must haves in my house, I'm not nice with out my morning cuppa :eek:

I do have a T express too, about 15 mins roughly away. Good news is its downhill (steep) the way there, bad news is the way back! Tis a bit pricey though and v.little 'T' brand bits. Positive note is they are open at 6am for early shoppers! Did ask last time about more 'T' stock but just got blanked when I asked about a few things.

Brambling wrote: »

Lunch was more of my HM chicken and veg soup. Dinner was a cba gammon and chicken wrap with some salad and when I get up the energy I'll have a early night

Sounds excellent!
I keep eyeing up that Bax' (I think its theirs) branded ham-hock soup as its at 50p currently although their pea/ham one was nice until it went awol for a month to then return at 69p. Lentil/Bacon was quite nice too. Tiny tins though.

PasturesNew

I was up just after 3am, wandering around and looking at "all my stuff", then sighing and wandering off again.

Breakfast was 2 scrambled eggs on 2 toast about 6am.

Lunch will probably be cheesy beans on toast.

Farway

PasturesNew wrote: »

I was up just after 3am, wandering around and looking at "all my stuff", then sighing and wandering off again.

Sorry if I woke you:), I was about at 2, blooming foxes yelping somewhere nearby, I thinks there's a family as neighbour has seen some cubs around

Went back to sleep in the end, now up to lovely sun again

Last night the pasty defrosted first, so I've 1/4 HM roasted chicken for tonight's salad

Porridge breakfast with diced own apple, HM yoghurt + honey drizzle
Lunch, it's PN breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast. The eggs are OK but need to be gone before they hatch;)

Dinner, I've some YS "baby" organic spuds, so I'll boil a few up to mix with mayo to go with the 1/4 chicken & salad

Watered back garden stuff in pots, found blight has nobbled the last of my outdoor tomato plants, once the sun gets round to warm the area I'll pick the toms & bin the plants.

They've done well this year despite a poor start