Cooking for one (Mark Three)

caronc

Good morning everyone,

Yes we're famous for midgies on the West Coast though here gets off comparatively lightly compared to going inland a bit or onto the islands. They are vicious wee beggars!

It's another glorious day here though due to rain tomorrow so I want to make the most of the good weather while it lasts. I'll do some more garden tidying this morning and later I have an errand to run in town. While I'm out I'll pick up milk & a loaf. I had plenty when I got my groceries delivered earlier in the week so didn't order any but I'm running short now. There's a Farmfoods near where I'm going so will pop in there.
Salad bits for lunch and I have a bavette steak defrosting for tonight.

AndyCF

PasturesNew wrote: »

I ended up at the local chippy. They do good chips, but they are a price!

I had fish & chips, something I have ever rarely bought. HUGE portion of chips, it was well tasty.

As long as they were nice. From the progress etc so far the 'mini treat' sounds deserved I think.

I think I was spoiled at one time with a really good chippy, it was not local but it was in the area I used to spend my time. They were not cheap by any means but they were always busy and always nice quality. I did ask him years ago (mentioning without names other places not being as nice) if it was the quality of the ingredients as I see there's variation or the cooking oil, he reluctantly said it was the latter. How true it is is another matter. Shame he retired, people who took it over just sell the usual quality ( ! ) fair.

Local one is both quite expensive and not very nice. Concluded it is down to both cheapest possible potato's and cheapest oil. Bear in mind I am in the East Midlands so prices should not be 'south a bit more' or 'north a bit less' etc.

They do have an excellent hygiene rating but as I've mentioned to someone else who said that, all that means is the place is clean. And to be fair it is spotless. I would surmise the oil/fat is not changed often enough too, realise a lot is lost during serves too, either that or it is really the bargain 'chippy supplies' stuff. Google reveals quite a lot of places.

Unfortunately the 'next nearest' is about 2 miles away. There is another combi chippy/take-away place about 1 mile away but the few neighbours who have tried it said although it was cheaper it was not very good.

Interestingly I did learn from my erm 'research' that chip shop fishies come in various types, with without batter etc. Quite a lot to it really.

PasturesNew wrote: »

Then I zonked out.....

So much to think about, so many things on the go, so much I could do, or should do .... and worries, decisions ... my brain just imploded and I went into shutdown mode.

Awake now though. Bit groggy.

You'll get there!

PasturesNew wrote: »

I've more than enough boxes. I think the issue with boxes is you can't have too few, you can always easily dispose of too many - but finding "the right sized box" is too much time/effort. When you just want to pack "similar things together" efficiently, you fixate on "ideal/perfect box size", which is then unachievable... so you end up with things still left unpacked in case your mind unfogs and you can see the way forward.

I needed a smallish box the other day to post something, but an odd size, think "typical trainers/shoebox but twice as long" , ended up with a pair scissors cutting an old 'microwave oven' cardboard box up to make something. With an excess of selotape holding it together *ahem* it appeared fit for purpose.

On a food note about this, donkey's years back when we had a Fine-Fare and Presto (yes I know!) , although my age then was in single digits, I can recall after the 'checkout' area they used to just have a big area of their old cardboard boxes out, for customers to use for their shopping if they wished. This I think was both good for the environment (even back then) and helpful as it was before the days they were recycled I suspect from shops.

I did mention this to someone last year but the general 'unofficial' thought was "health safety would have a fit about it"

Shame really as it would be helpful to many people these days too (I see you said you have enough boxes, but that may of provided more choice of sizes etc as tis a pain to 'make' a decent box manually from another one) , oh well.

Reminds me of this recent erm "idea" of returning bottles for deposits, I seem to remember this being done years ago you either returned the bottle or the cap or something ? And you got 5p off. Something like that.

Farway wrote: »

Last of the sunny days today according to forecast so 500g of my local ethical diced water buffalo out to defrost, ready for SC stew thing tomorrow

Good job I may be getting super hearing aids, I heard a thump earlier, it was the Postie, he said he'd rang bell & knocked door, neither of which I heard.

The thump was the letter box as he put the "missed you" card through:eek:. Caught him in time, my loose tea delivery arrived, that's me set for a bit

Seems a bit cooler here today , wind is actually cool as yesterday it was a warm breeze.

Good 'catch' on the Postie. We only tend to have that if a relief one is on duty, the regular knows what to do if there's no answer etc, although there is certainly one who never bothers ringing the bell just taps the door then goes away. :rotfl:

Farway wrote: »

Talking of Paris, I was given a cheapo sat nav, and no matter what I tried it always started by wanting me cross a bridge over the River Seine despite me being in Hampshire:(
Searching revealed it was common fault on the is cheapo one and no fix had ever been found.

No wonder I was given it, I passed it on, and it's probably doing the rounds of charity shops & car boots even now

I can probably tell you I was 'indirectly' involved in some testing of these in about 1995 or 1996, these were when they were like £2k+ for one and it came with a small 'screen' up front and a huge 'box of tricks with a cd drive' in the boot. It did work quite well although I can recall if you were on a main A road and changed the route it would say "if possible make a U-Turn" :rotfl: , did not have the sense to "see" where you were. We had one in our 'shared' company car for about two weeks to test it out on our travels around the Midlands. As I say to be fair it did work reasonably well but it was a manufacturers 'internal test' model way back then.

caronc wrote: »

It's another glorious day here though due to rain tomorrow so I want to make the most of the good weather while it lasts. I'll do some more garden tidying this morning and later I have an errand to run in town. While I'm out I'll pick up milk & a loaf. I had plenty when I got my groceries delivered earlier in the week so didn't order any but I'm running short now. There's a Farmfoods near where I'm going so will pop in there.

Yes its forecast rain here for Sunday or Monday, can't remember which as I looked at what vaguely passes as "teletext" last night to see the weather and I've not caught a forecast since then.

FF I found out there's a small one in the town here, I had no idea! The medium sized one I've never been to and the larger one I used to occasionally visit (too far now) was reasonable.

Briefly touching on FF , does anyone else get about once a month or so a leaflet from them with various offers and vouchers ? Its typically a 2-4 page A4 thing. I'm just plainly curious if it is just this area or country-wide that's all.

Wednesday2000

Toast and marmite and a blueberry yoghurt for breakfast. It looks like a nice day again.:)

I'm about to shower, get dressed and go for a walk.:A

AndyCF

@Wednesday2000 Yes its reasonable out at the moment. Rain due tomorrow I think, or Monday ? I guess it depends whereabouts everyone is!

Enjoy walk!

I keep looking at toasters But the ones locally are a bit pricey compared to online ones. Cheapest locally that I can see within range is 12.99

Then I do see locally at sensible prices these 'grill' things, but some of them are the sandwich maker ones with plates which are not ideal, but I also see the ones with just a straightforward vertical ribbed top/bottom which is ideal, just avoiding the ones with the 'sandwich pattern' plates inside. Cheapest one is also a 2portion well known 'GF' one 14.99

Realise both the above prices are less online but not convenient when within 10 minutes walk or less I can grab either there and then.

I dare say one could use said thing for toast and with a bit of luck something like potato chips/wedges too maybe. Space and pennies are both in relative short supply so I think the 'mini grill' thing is a better purchase somehow.

@PN Not sure if I mentioned it but I still have a spare washing machine *sigh* . I did something quite cheeky today simply as I had to walk past it: I called back into the spares place and asked again. Summary being I said I'd rather they give me a £5 or £10 note for it and sell it for £50 than me mess about selling privately etc. Took my number and calling to look at it Monday lunchtime. I'm 50/50 on it going either way but there was no harm in the moment or two's chat I thought, figuring worst that can happen on Monday now is (if they turn up) they just say "no!"

I did erm "lightly butter" them up a bit saying how good they were to me when I brought hoover bags (but that's actually true) summary being here if you have any appliances 'to go' then it is worth a moments cheek if such a place is local perhaps ?

Farway

My bread was not too stale, so cheese & HM chutney sarnie for lunch
Salmon has defrosted, def a salad tonight, hot in the sun now

caronc wrote: »

Salad bits for lunch and I have a bavette steak defrosting for tonight.

I had never heard of that, quick search found it, sounds like I will have had it under another handle

Andy, FF I get leaflet, generally 2 pages. I've never been in one, it's about a 10 mile round trip and from the leaflet it would appear any saving would go on fuel, plus it is in a less than salubrious area so I've never bothered to check it out

PasturesNew

AndyCF wrote: »

@PN Not sure if I mentioned it but I still have a spare washing machine *sigh* .

There's a local place that buys/sells and services appliances. WM was first out of the door well over a year ago I didn't want strangers in the house. I also didn't want strangers fiddling with the water connections. I especially didn't want strangers lugging it out and through the house and any pitfalls that might've occurred due to any lack of care they demonstrated (e.g. scratched floors).

I don't like WMs. Annoyingly somebody was selling two this week that are the sort I hope to get in my next place: caravan/portable twin tubs for campers... but I didn't enquire as I am trying to not accumulate things.

I just don't like WMs. Heavy, take ages, petrify me, fear of them catching fire (many do).

I've also noticed that, in most house/kitchen photos many of them are too big to fit under the worktop, the majority stick out. I especially dislike houses sold with "fitted appliances" too as if that's a bonus! I don't want somebody else's choice - and the future headache of replacing any item with one that is exactly the right size. I hate built in things.

Farway

PasturesNew wrote: »

I just don't like WMs. Heavy, take ages, petrify me, fear of them catching fire (many do).

I suspect the fire thing is the combined drier type where the fluff filter has never been cleaned. Main problem IME is springing a leak that only becomes apparent when toadstools spring up

PasturesNew wrote: »

I've also noticed that, in most house/kitchen photos many of them are too big to fit under the worktop, the majority stick out. I especially dislike houses sold with "fitted appliances" too as if that's a bonus! I don't want somebody else's choice - and the future headache of replacing any item with one that is exactly the right size. I hate built in things.

#MeToo, built in means limited replacement choices often at premium prices

AndyCF

PasturesNew wrote: »

There's a local place that buys/sells and services appliances. WM was first out of the door well over a year ago I didn't want strangers in the house. I also didn't want strangers fiddling with the water connections. I especially didn't want strangers lugging it out and through the house and any pitfalls that might've occurred due to any lack of care they demonstrated (e.g. scratched floors).

EDIT... Forgot the quote above, sorry!

Does make sense yes, random unknown people coming+going = not really much fun even if they are half-expected to be attending. I still have a weird deep 'scratch' on the upstairs landing actually from when I got rid of the old unwanted wardrobe. That was a silly idea it sold for 99p on a "certain site" because I was stupid enough to not put a reserve on as it needed to go asap but I was sensibly expecting about £5-£10 for it to be honest. To flip it over, they did pick it up that evening so it was at least 'out of my hair' so to speak.

My WM is not built in, its just sat in the 'corner' if that means anything. Its probably about 15 years old too.

What might mean more perhaps ( ! ) is previous to that we had a twin-tub which had been around for far longer than I had! , it only went as it was getting too much work to use (not for me) and the 'frame' was starting to rot away, it was a 60's model. Mind you it never really broke either, just wheeled it out the corner, plugged the rubber pipe onto the tap and put the drain pipe into the sink and the power plug in the wall socket and you were ready!

Regarding potential erm "conflagration" of WM's , well a bit like kettles a silly comment might be to say given what they are they ought to be in a way self-extinguishing perhaps. I've not got a drier and would not have one.

[Deleted User]

Thanks caronc, this is the 3rd op and I prepped for the first with soup etc so was ready for the 2 hips. I had soup and ready cooked meals in freezer and when I came home dd would visit daily (or arrange for ds or neighbours) and get a soup for lunch and a dinner for later, I could put porridge in SC the night before so it was ready when I got up, pleanty of fruit in freezers (already got as I like blueberries and not sure if they will be so easy to get post Bword) and everyone will bring in fresh milk although I stock up on Long Life and dried. It is so much easier these days as lots of meals get delivered and so are groceries. I changed to an automatic car before the first knee so again, it helps. Should be (fingers crossed) done, dusted and home before Xmas, good job I have sorted quite a few pressies already.x

PasturesNew

Had beans and cheese on toast earlier. The cheese had been on the worktop in the supermarket resealable plastic envelope... but it felt slimey. I'll not be eating the rest. Happy to eat that bit.

Anyway, that was the end of the opened tin of beans and the final crust of bread.

I'll not be buying more bread probably. I'll stick to 4-packs of rolls which are easier to get through. Punnets of tomatoes are fine. Cucumbers keep. Bound to be other things I spot that go into rolls. I can still cook eggs, so egg rolls is doable.

I'm guessing leaving the cheap marg out since the fridge went probably means that should be tossed, wasn't a lot left in it as I'd been trying to eat my way to the bottom since I bought it, conscious of the fact the fridge would be departing.

Might .... treat myself to an indian later

The food world is my oyster.... as they say. Can't actually get a chinese as the chicken balls where I go are actually large fillets and 8 of them. I usually serve 3 pieces, then 3 pieces the 2nd night and 2 pieces the third night. Can't store leftover chicken now, so, as I can't physically eat 8 large pieces I'll just go without. Even the indian's a push - I usually have half on the night and half the next.