From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

So the stew last night was 'ok'.  One of the drawbacks was that there was 'alot' and I mean alot of gravy.  I didn't put in as much liquid as the recipe called for, but of course, the mushrooms let out water - so whilst it was tasty, there was moisture that was not soaked up by the potatoes.  I did put in a spoonful of flour (as per recipe) and so at least the gravy thickened, plus i made dumplings - which, surprisingly worked and rose to fluffiness - so it was as you would expect stew liquor, it was just the quantity that was wrong.  I'm not sure I would bother using the SC again.  I think I will have a go to see if I make it in the PC (same time in the morning), and then leave it, and re-heat it at teatime, whether I would get a better stew.  Failing that, I shall go back to stovetop saucepan and making it a day in advance.  I thought the slow cooking might have emulated that.  

To be fair, every plate was clean - I served it up with steamed cauli and green beans, so we got our 'five a day' in big style!  Also, the MrL porter was perfectly nice.  It did flavour the stew - DH recognised by the aroma that there was 'beer' in the dish - it did lend a lovely savouriness to the liquor, I would use it for cooking again.  There was a little of the beer left - 100ml or so.  Once DH came home, I did try the Porter on its own.  Very nice.  I wasn't getting the coffee bitterness, but I thought it had echoes of 'dandelion and burdock' to it - which I know isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I like it.  Maybe there was hints of fennel too.  Perfectly acceptable for........ £1.35? a bottle.  

I have a wash on as DH is getting low on work socks.  I've put in some workwear with the socks and then there will need to be a second wash of other garments.  The weather is slated to stay dry today - it's just a pity that the stronger breeze is likely at the end of the day, rather than in the beginning.  Fingers crossed it is enough.  Yesterday's wash is dry enough to put away today.

I need to get some apples today, as we've run out and a few other bits with the remaining £11 of this month's grocery budget.  I will walk over to the retail park to get my exercise.  I didn't do any walking yesterday, so must go today.  

I am nervous about a low spend February, as - and we've all said this before - 'good' food, fruit and vegetables, aren't cheap.  I can but try though, eh? It's only because I have set myself this faux savings target for the windows, that it's what it is.  

DH's work have included a bonus in his pay this month.  And yes, of course, we're grateful as a family, but also the employer is not really treating the employees fairly, and there has been no pay rise, so....  Oh, and update on the uniform saga, DH brought home another top and a pair of trousers.  Whoopeedoo.  I mean, I now have 1 day's grace to get all the washing done for a new work week.... 🙄

Snap is packed.  Uniform is laid out.  Best get on with the day.

Ta for popping by.  Greying X

ladybird1106

I still find that when making veggie stew in the slow cooker,that it taste better the next day. I use the S.C. because it’s less energy intensive rather that the hob top. 
Love 🐞

EssexHebridean

I think stew always tastes better a day or so later - isn't that one of the fundamental laws of the kitchen?!

Greying_Pilgrim

Back from my wander to hB.

I managed to spend £10.03 on fruit, nuts and seeds 😱  Brazil nuts have gone up 20p since the last time I bought some 😟

Whatever January's total comes to (it's very, very close to £200), will be it now for expenditure, as whenever I next shop - whether it's tomorrow or Friday, I will be buying stuff to be consumed in February, as we have enough of the 'staples', bread, milk, cheese etc to see us through the last 2 full days of the month.  

I'm going to see if I have any interesting ingredients to make a steamed pudding - I'm thinking of 'soup & pud' for tea.  If I make a steamed pudding, I am going to make it in the SC.

Right, off to amend my siggie, put the shopping away and have a rootle through the baking bits.

Greying X  

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening MFW'rs

Tea was Green Lentil Soup (Fakes) followed by chocolate steamed sponge pudding with a ball of vanilla flavoured ice-cream.

I am so glad that we have reached the stage of LG not only liking (most of) the soups I make, but also soup being acceptable as a 'meal' in our little family.  When I was younger, my dad would not have been happy to have been served soup for tea (without a meat and three veg course to follow).  I was thinking about this today when I was making the steamed pudding.  My mum used to make steamed puddings in a steamer, and the cold kitchen (no central heating) would be dripping with condensation.  We were all far more active - farm work, cycling to work, cycling to school.  But then we wouldn't have eaten anything as 'exotic' as green lentils either, and they do make a substantial and filling soup.  

I was pleased with how the pudding turned out.  I cooked it for 4hrs on low, rather than 2 hrs on high.  I will admit, I do actually have some of the pudding bowls mentioned on the blog - I bought them last year, as whilst I do have a couple of ma$0n &ca$h bowls, they take a while to heat through, plus you have to wrap them totally in foil to use in the SC, so I decided to invest in the bowls, rather than rolls and rolls of foil.  I made chocolate because there was 1/2 a bag of chocolate chips in the cupboard, and I have a tub of cocoa powder.  The pudding came out of the bowl easily, and tasted yum.  

A relatively inexpensive tea and used up some bits and bobs.  

I got the washing in off the line after the school run.  It wasn't bone dry, but it had dried well - acceptable for a winter's day, definitely.  I have put it out on the airer, and in front of the rad.  I didn't put the dehu on, as I think it wasn't needed.  

Can't think of anything else MSE to add.  But definitely a good day - for which I'm grateful.  

Greying X

rtandon27

Wow GP - that steamed pudding looks a treat!  I am well impressed as I'd not have the patience to wait 4 hours for chocolate!

ETA - now OH is pining over steamed pudding - food of his youth!

peb

I've never made pudding in the slow cooker.  I don't know why but it feels "wrong"...looks good though 🤔

And the bedding dried today as did the swimming kit.  Nightgown being heavy cotton not there yet.

Greying_Pilgrim

Ha ha rt - the beauty of the SC is that it does most of the work for you, and the kitchen isn't as steamed up as with conventional steaming 😁 Jame$ Mart1n was on the TV at the weekend making steamed pudding - I didn't see the whole clip, but he made it in a ceramic pudding bowl covered with foil and in a steamer - and was waffling on about making a handle out of string - naturally his was poncy butchers string (although it looked more like tri-coloured wrapping string), rather than the natural cotton stuff from W1lkos.....  He then 'elevated' it by making "proper" custard to go with.  Steam puddings with B1rds custard (made with powder) were a staple of my youth too 😁

peb - the SC just acts as a big 'bain marie' for the pudding.  I find it more reliable to use the SC than the PC for steam puddings - I've had no end of 'soggy middles' using the PC.  Well done you for getting bedding dry in winter!  

Homework is the only thing done yet this morning.  I've not even stuck a sarnie in a snap box yet 🙄

I'll be back later.  Best crack on.

Greying X

Bluegreen143

I’m in awe that you achieve homework in the morning! Though I think you all get up earlier than us. Our homework has to be done in the afternoon because none of us are early birds and we are all sleepy/grumpy/up too late to fit anything else in 🤣. (I’m up at 6.45, but we leave at 8, so it’s not as early as it sounds when you have two kids to get ready and I need to fit in 30 mins of actual work at the laptop too!).

redofromstart

Mr Redo just about had the patience to wait for microwaved steam pudding @rtandon27

I have fond memories of jam roly poly in the PC when I was little.