It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

basketcase

linz said:

Hi all,

Sorry to derail the boiled veg topic but can someone tell me what I can use to get rid of limescale at the end of my bathroom tap pls? I remember seeing Kim & Aggie do it with a small plastic sandwich bag scrunched up with something in, tied with an elastic band round the tap for a couple of hours but I can't remember what they used. I don't fancy scratching it with a 2p,

Thanks in advance, and now back to boiled cabbage

Was it not white vinegar?  Or lemon juice?  Both are acid, so I think they should work. 

JIL

linz said:

Hi all,

Sorry to derail the boiled veg topic but can someone tell me what I can use to get rid of limescale at the end of my bathroom tap pls? I remember seeing Kim & Aggie do it with a small plastic sandwich bag scrunched up with something in, tied with an elastic band round the tap for a couple of hours but I can't remember what they used. I don't fancy scratching it with a 2p,

Thanks in advance, and now back to boiled cabbage

Lemon juice and vinegar soaked into a kitchen paper and shaped round the tap. 

basketcase

Rather than boiled cabbage, could I shift to bulk boiled potatoes please?

I read about boiling/parboiling potatoes in bulk to reheat as roasties/wedges/mash etc and save on time and fuel.  I've done a batch today.  So thanks to those who suggested it.

BUT microwaving them was also suggested.  Sounds good, but my question is how would I do this?  Do you use water, treat them like MW 'baked' spuds or what?  Also, if they're to be used later, how cooked should they be?

I've had a MW for years but have never thought of bulk cooking like this, so all help appreciated!

Thanks

TheAble

basketcase said:

Rather than boiled cabbage, could I shift to bulk boiled potatoes please?

I read about boiling/parboiling potatoes in bulk to reheat as roasties/wedges/mash etc and save on time and fuel.  I've done a batch today.  So thanks to those who suggested it.

BUT microwaving them was also suggested.  Sounds good, but my question is how would I do this?  Do you use water, treat them like MW 'baked' spuds or what?  Also, if they're to be used later, how cooked should they be?

I've had a MW for years but have never thought of bulk cooking like this, so all help appreciated!

Thanks

You'll probably get a better result on the hob tbh. Use a nice big pan, boil for around 10mins. Steam dry for a few mins afterwards then into the hot oil.

freyasmum

linz said:

Hi all,

Sorry to derail the boiled veg topic but can someone tell me what I can use to get rid of limescale at the end of my bathroom tap pls? I remember seeing Kim & Aggie do it with a small plastic sandwich bag scrunched up with something in, tied with an elastic band round the tap for a couple of hours but I can't remember what they used. I don't fancy scratching it with a 2p,

Thanks in advance, and now back to boiled cabbage

White vinegar is probably what was used, and it is good for maintenance.

But recently I've been using HG products - it's not old style, but the limescale removers are like magic, no scrubbing required! 

basketcase

@TheAble

Thanks for the tip.  I'm fine using the hob but wondered if it was more fuel-efficient using the microwave.

Longwalker

I have to join in the over cooking vein here

Mother, whilst had to cook every day, was never a cook. Oh she could bake, but cook - never. 84 now and still moans at me about peas ( she boils them for 15 - 20 mins, I nuke for 3 ). I remember her first and thankfully only attempt at Spag Bol, back in the day when spaghetti came in a blue packet a couple of foot long. Well that pasta was boiled so it was pure white and pure slime and the Bol - just mince in oxo. 20 years later and I was invited to an Italian restaurant for a date, I refused lol

When I was growing up in the 60's and 70's, food was scarce. We had 3 meals a day and that was it - eat or go hungry and tbh there was no option not to eat - you were sat there until you ate it - no matter how much your stomach was rebelling

Im near 60 now and have serious issues around food. I rarely eat a "proper" meal - meat and a dozen veg as it was. I can eat more modern food, ethnic food in particular, but "traditional" British food turns my stomach 

I married a man whose mother had never eaten out in her life, perhaps a fish supper when away on holiday. First time we went out for a meal - Chinese - he wanted a chicken Maryland ??? Apparently that what he always had from the Chinese. When I served him spag Bol the first time, he was aghast. Made a curry and he was like this flat stinks. He grew up on the meat and dozen veg only his mum could cook and for me to serve up the above and wraps and chilli and Mexican - he was like a fish out of water. Luckily he had the option of eating it or cooking his own - he cant cook lol

Now mother lives with us and Im back cooking the meat and a dozen veg ( only not over cooked to her disgust ) he hankers for my more modern cooking 

I had the same battles with his children. I didnt force it, I just said give this a try, you have never had it before and you might like it. His daughter now 36, with her own children and married to a meat and a dozen veg man, now loves coming to stay with us as she knows she gets the food she now prefers  - chicken tikka masala tomorrow - yay

Our oldest grandchild will eat anything, always did. Middle child is fussy because her dad is, youngest is at the age where hes exploring texture still. I do think children are very much influenced by what their parents eat. 

Ive never been the sort of step mother that catered for 3 different tastes, nor a grandmother doing it. I always have the beige food the granddaughter will only eat in the freezer, but will offer her what we are having.Today it was spaghetti Bol . She doesn't like the tomatoes ( she really wont eat any red food , not even jam ) so her spaghetti Bol was mince and pasta. Looked like she was eating the same as us, her food choices weren't flagged up, she ate the same - garlic bread and cheese and all. I done the same with the step kids, what was it about the meal they really couldn't try - might just have been they didnt like frozen peas - not a problem - opened a can and we all ate the same meal

For me and my food issues its texture. Serve me boiled or mashed potatoes and they are going to me moved about the plate. Roast them, make they dauphinois , fondant , slice and fried, chipped - Ill eat them. Serve me mince and potatoes and I will gag every mouthful - make it into cottage pie - I can manage it. Too many memories of awful school dinners and lousy home cooking 

Longwalker

basketcase said:

Rather than boiled cabbage, could I shift to bulk boiled potatoes please?

I read about boiling/parboiling potatoes in bulk to reheat as roasties/wedges/mash etc and save on time and fuel.  I've done a batch today.  So thanks to those who suggested it.

BUT microwaving them was also suggested.  Sounds good, but my question is how would I do this?  Do you use water, treat them like MW 'baked' spuds or what?  Also, if they're to be used later, how cooked should they be?

I've had a MW for years but have never thought of bulk cooking like this, so all help appreciated!

Thanks

Do you have a big plastic mixing bowl? Thats what I use in the microwave.

Cut the spuds to size, chuck into bowl, rinse off and dont be careful about draining all the water off. Cover with cling film, pierce a hole and nuke for 5 mins. Remove and test. If some are near tender and others not, give a good shake and give another few minutes. You have to judge this for yourself but I never usually go past 8 mins. Then tip into colander and cover with tea towel to steam and dry

You should be left with cooked through spuds which wont break up when added to hot fat

pelirocco

RobM99 said:

pelirocco said:

linz said:

Those people with Shell Energy it looks like theyve added the £67 to accounts. Just noticed the credit in my account has gone up by about that figure since I did the meter reading on 29th Sept

British gas refunded to £67 to my bank ,think that's a crazy idea it should stay credited  to fuel accounts

 What difference can it make? You'll probably have to pay it out again in winter.

A huge difference  to many people who are struggling  across the board .
£67 Can easily be used up elsewhere
But then maybe it could be argued there's a lot more worthy bills to cover( or food ) 
I would argue that only those with incomes large enough to cover all outgoings will be able to set this money aside to pay for the increase in fuel

annieb64

Think it was probably white vinegar, linz.