Meat free Monday so we had layered roast potatoes, carrots and chick peas topped with dukkah, with cheese topped broccoli. Flavoured tonic to drink (Fever tree ‘aromatic’) as a break from alcohol.
I think I'm going to have a meat-free Tuesday instead: a recipe for chickpea and red lentil curry came up on my Google homepage the other day, and I think I'll give it a go.
Unfortunately the smallest number of servings given in the recipe is six*, but they said it would keep for several days in the fridge, and I've got a good appetite ...
* that was assuming one tin each of tomatoes and chickpeas, and I'm not faffing about with half-empty tins in the fridge.
Meat-free Monday was flat-pack veggie balls (Sweden’s take on felafel) with lots of allotment red cabbage, followed by allotment apples & rhubarb.
Meat-free Tuesday will be casserole made with a newly discovered and very acceptable chicken replacement.
I will eat meat to make life easier when eating out (because of various allergies), but prefer not to cook it.
There's a fridge/freezer, but it's, shall we say, compact. It's more than just an ice-box: the freezer bit (top third) has two shelves, but they really haven't got much space. It's the smallest two-in-one I've ever seen - not much more than four feet high.
The fridge bit is just about big enough for what I need, but to accommodate things like French sticks and tubs of stock, I could really do with more freezer space.
If my plans for central heating come to fruition, I might be able to fit a slightly bigger fridge/freezer in the cupboard currently occupied by water tanks, meters and fuses.
It's around this time of year that I start worrying about fridge and freezer space. What we have is fine for two of us - and in fact was fine when the Nenlets were at home as well - but with the need for extra festive fare (possibly including the need to cater for a vegetarian) I can feel myself starting to fidget. I also start fretting about the oven suddenly conking out, and power cuts...
I've been finishing something and have been desk bound in my study for the past couple of days, so am determined to get out for a walk at some point today.
I'm not sure if any amblage will happen today - it's been at best Mildly Moist since early on.
Today's exercise may have to take the form of returning the sheets to the bed; they're currently in the tumble dryer (for which I didn't need to wait - someone was emptying it as I arrived).
You know how you wait for ever for a bus and then two come at once? I got an e-mail today inviting me for another interview (also Health Service, and not really any closer to home). As I've accepted the first one (which has a posher job title, but is at the same grade), I politely declined.
1:1 Pilates via Zoom today, with one or two minor glitches on account of me using my new PC for the first time. The old one is Very Unwell, but I bought a cheapo laptop on-spec some time ago in an Argos sale, just in case of need.
O blessed foresight! The new Magic Interweb Engine is actually better than the one which is unwell, although I have the name of a computer doctor who may be able to cure the sick - after lockdown...
We use the garage as a spare fridge, it’s always really cold in there. 🥶
Nothing is allowed in our garage apart from things to do with Mr Nen's classic cars (the ones we actually drive are parked on the road) and his wood collection which is suspended from the ceiling. Anything house related has to be in the house. Anything garden related has to be in the shed.
I have an evening lecture today (mostly on various aspects of care, and also a sort session on the life course) then we will have a late supper afterwards, cooked by Mr Heavenly.
We're having early supper because Mr Nen is Zooming at 7pm. Yesterday evening a bottle of red WINE kind of opened itself and it would be rude not to finish it. Can't have it going off.
I've realised I keep hopping on and off here to check for news about Ross. >votive<
It's around this time of year that I start worrying about fridge and freezer space. What we have is fine for two of us - and in fact was fine when the Nenlets were at home as well - but with the need for extra festive fare (possibly including the need to cater for a vegetarian) I can feel myself starting to fidget. I also start fretting about the oven suddenly conking out, and power cuts...
I've been finishing something and have been desk bound in my study for the past couple of days, so am determined to get out for a walk at some point today.
A sturdy cool box/bag is a great help, as long as you can have a couple of ice blocks in the freezer to change over fairly regularly, usually daily when the weather is cold. I’ve used this method, keeping the cool box out in the shed, for milk, fruit juice, cheese, etc very successfully over the Christmas period. Won’t need it this year as none of my family can come 😢.
I have access to a cupboard off the communal stairs (presumably unheated, although indoors) where the wheelie-bins live; I suppose there's no reason why I couldn't get a cool-box and put it out there, although whoever takes the bins out might assume it's for disposal.
I'm not sure what happened about my bin last week; it was taken out for emptying and brought back, but left outside the flat. When I went to put something in it, it turned out it was quite full, and not of stuff that I'd put in it. I brought it back into the cupboard, but I think I'll take it out myself on Friday and bring it back on Saturday - I hope it wasn't all stuff that the Council won't take.
The curried vegan vegan curry* was really rather nice (just as well, as there's enough for probably two more meals) - it's definitely a keeper.
* It wasn't totally vegan: I thickened the sauce with flour-and-butter and put a dollop of yoghurt on top
I've just discovered some rather lovely cheese (which I had sort of forgotten about) in the back of my fridge: it's an Amber Mist Mature Cheddar with Whisky, from the Snowdonia Cheese Company!
A sturdy cool box/bag is a great help, as long as you can have a couple of ice blocks in the freezer to change over fairly regularly, usually daily when the weather is cold. I’ve used this method, keeping the cool box out in the shed, for milk, fruit juice, cheese, etc very successfully over the Christmas period. Won’t need it this year as none of my family can come 😢.
My sister and b-i-l have a cool box that you can both plug into the car and into the mains at home/in a hotel where you only have UHT milk, and you have to pay extra for breakfast...
They find it brilliant both for breakfast for said hotels, but also as a kind of overflow fridge.
Sorry but this absolutely does not compute: how do you forget about CHEESE?
Sincere apologies to La Mighty France and her many most becoming cheeses! Oh, thou great Roquefort etc!
Well, there were some cheeses in the front that needed eating first, before I got to the back; no affront intended. The one mentioned above is good until the end of January 2021, so I had initially planned to wait a while. But then, lust for cheeses (hallelujah!) overcame me, and I just had to try it out!
I've had a vegan Tuesday so far - reading this thread has made me realise - and with 3 hrs to go of Tuesday I'm wondering whether it will be a full vegan Tuesday or will I make inroads into that rather delicious creamy yoghurt!
The thought of cheese is making me salivate. What is it about cheese that is so - cheese.
I have access to a cupboard off the communal stairs (presumably unheated, although indoors) where the wheelie-bins live; I suppose there's no reason why I couldn't get a cool-box and put it out there
If you're sure none of your neighbours are either thieving or malicious. How are you found for external window sills?
I have a thing called an Osokool in the garage, but haven't used it of late. (The garage is full of hoard which is not mine.) My Dad got one from the company when we were in Kent, and I don't know what happened to that.I got it for seasonal overspill. It's a box of a chalk-like material with an insulated door, and a depression in the top into which one pours water. This soaks the chalk which then evaporates and cools the contents. Not effective at Christmas, though.
I’ve bought Red Leicester CHEESE many times in the UK - nondescript.
I had tried Red Leicester at various times over many years, and having found it nondescript each time had finally given up on it - but earlier this year I came across 'Red Fox', an aged Red Leicester, which is very tasty - and decidedly more-ish. It is now a regular on my shopping list.
None of them would be accessible from outside; on one side (the kitchen and sitting-room) they're at first-floor level*, and on the other (bedroom and bathroom) they're set high up in the wall, and inaccessible to the vertically-challenged piglet. Even from inside, the only one that would be reachable for me would be the sitting-room, and I couldn't really see anything working from there.
* You enter from street level without stairs, but because of the way the street slopes down towards the loch, the flat's really on the first floor.
A sturdy cool box/bag is a great help, as long as you can have a couple of ice blocks in the freezer to change over fairly regularly, usually daily when the weather is cold. I’ve used this method, keeping the cool box out in the shed, for milk, fruit juice, cheese, etc very successfully over the Christmas period. Won’t need it this year as none of my family can come 😢.
My sister and b-i-l have a cool box that you can both plug into the car and into the mains at home/in a hotel where you only have UHT milk, and you have to pay extra for breakfast...
They find it brilliant both for breakfast for said hotels, but also as a kind of overflow fridge.
We have one of those which we have often used on long-distance journeys across Australia. It went with us when our son and d-i-l moved to the Northern Territory for a new posting, and due to distance limitations imposed by the Defence Force, our itinerary comprised a nine-day road journey, one way. We left on 30 December. New Year's Eve in Broken Hill was 41degC. On New Year's Day, in Port Augusta, South Australia, the car temperature readout was 47degC, and very day of the journey thereafter was above 40. The car fridge was a lifesaver, as we had ample cold water, and were able to carry lunch provisions with us, as rest stops in central Australia are few and far between, besides being fiendishly expensive.
A sturdy cool box/bag is a great help, as long as you can have a couple of ice blocks in the freezer to change over fairly regularly, usually daily when the weather is cold. I’ve used this method, keeping the cool box out in the shed, for milk, fruit juice, cheese, etc very successfully over the Christmas period. Won’t need it this year as none of my family can come 😢.
My sister and b-i-l have a cool box that you can both plug into the car and into the mains at home/in a hotel where you only have UHT milk, and you have to pay extra for breakfast...
They find it brilliant both for breakfast for said hotels, but also as a kind of overflow fridge.
We have one of those which we have often used on long-distance journeys across Australia. It went with us when our son and d-i-l moved to the Northern Territory for a new posting, and due to distance limitations imposed by the Defence Force, our itinerary comprised a nine-day road journey, one way. We left on 30 December. New Year's Eve in Broken Hill was 41degC. On New Year's Day, in Port Augusta, South Australia, the car temperature readout was 47degC, and very day of the journey thereafter was above 40. The car fridge was a lifesaver, as we had ample cold water, and were able to carry lunch provisions with us, as rest stops in central Australia are few and far between, besides being fiendishly expensive.
I have one of those too, bought when my caravan fridge packed up, and it was really helpful but then I discovered and removed the spiders web in the caravan fridge vent so the cool box wasn’t needed so much, but has been really helpful when my ok-for-one fridge is challenged when I fill it for visitors.
I'm using one of those coolboxes for the stockpile of butter and vegetable spread. I was using it upstairs for my private supplies during the occupation.
I've just discovered some rather lovely cheese (which I had sort of forgotten about) in the back of my fridge: it's an Amber Mist Mature Cheddar with Whisky, from the Snowdonia Cheese Company!
Veeeery nice indeed!
Just ordered some for Mr S at Christmas!
Btw, @Piglet , many thanks for introducing me to the Praetorius - Mr S bought me the Christmas Mass, and we loved it so much he bought another CD of stuff like country dances. Guaranteed to raise your spirits on a wet grey morning
We’re all packed up now and will fly at 9pm our time. Followed by two week’s quarantine.
The puppy will stay with his broader. Tatze will be delivered home by my friend tomorrow and my brother will walk her for us each day. The online shop is done for tomorrow and the fruit and veg boxes arrive on Friday. Mr Boogs has an indoor turbo trainer thingie for his bike and I’ve booked extra Zoom Pilates.
Good to hear it, Boogie - safe travels, and good luck with your quarantining.
It's a cool, partly sunny day here, and now that the deliveries from Am*z*n have arrived (really boring - a vacuum cleaner and some dusters - why can't you find dusters in shops these days?), I think I'll have a little amble over to Fork Handles (tin-openers and skewers) and then down to Tesco's (food).
It's been a day for nice post too though - the puffin masks I ordered from a lady in Orkney arrived this morning (well done Post Office, as they were only ordered at the weekend), and I also had a card and another mask with a puffin on it from a photographer friend in Orkney who must have noticed that I always put a emoji on the pictures of puffins that she posts!
I've also been spending what feels like inordinate amounts of time filling in online forms for Disclosure Scotland, so that the nice policemen here and in Canada can assure NHS Lothian that I'm not a dangerous criminal ...
I suspect that a lot of you are not going to be pleased with this post ...
We have just returned from a two-night mini-break in West Wales. Lovely hotel with view over the pretty harbour, superb food and wines (I won't tell you what we had as salivating over a keyboard can cause irreparable damage). Now, there are two West Walian CHEESE producers we rate very highly. We knew that Caws Cenarth are not at present receiving visitors; however we were driving along home and felicitously saw a sign to Caws Teifi, the other one. So we drove down a narrow and ultimately very bumpy lane to the farm, where the owner opened up the shop for us. We came away with Celtic Promise, which I've never had, mature Caerphilly and Teifi with cumin. And, my wife having sampled and enjoyed it, half a bottle of seaweed GIN which is also distilled on the farm. We were happy people!
Sounds lovely, Baptist Trainfan.
I’ve just finished a meeting and other half is about to serve Thai red chicken curry and rice.
A productive day, I listened to a research seminar this morning (recording of a compulsory one I missed last night because I was teaching), found out I was a runner up in the Bake your research competition and was introduced to someone doing similar research who saw my abstract in the competition, and started revisions on my literature review chapter. Then a short module meeting to stay up to date.
We had our meal early as I have a Zoom meditation group on a Wednesday evening and I'm now about to carry on with my catchup with this year's Autumnwatch - I don't think I managed to see more than one of them live, for one reason or another.
We have curry on a Friday evening; I usually make red or green Thai but this week I couldn't face the thought of either and have bought a jar of Korma...
Mmm, Thai curry. Not had that for a while, and I have coconut milk (it was on offer and it was rude not too...).
Any suggestions for protein if I go for a veggie version? Tofu seems like an obvious idea, but I live alone, and a block of tofu is a lot for one, and I'm not sure how well it reheats...
Mr Heavenly put a plate on the table and then banged it with a serving spoon - unfortunately it was on top of my glasses (expensive varifocals that I need for the computer) and they broke at the bridge. He has glued them together temporarily but I now have a trip to Specsavers booked for Friday. Oh well, I scratched them in the summer so they needed replacing.
But pray tell, why would he put a plate on top of your varifocals? Was he in a hurry and just didn't look? And what was the reason for his banging the plate? It all seems a bit muddled, like observed through... scratched glasses, so to say. - Enquiring mind etc!
I think for the Thai curry I'd go for prawns - I always keep a bag of frozen ready-cooked ones in the freezer, as it's easy enough to take out just enough for one.
I finished off the chickpea curry for supper; there was really too much, but I had it all the same. I'd say it's a keeper though - it was really rather good.
BT - I'm not in the least displeased* - as you did the sensible thing in Wales and locked down in October I don't blame you (and you were helping the local economy).
Mr Heavenly put a plate on the table and then banged it with a serving spoon - unfortunately it was on top of my glasses (expensive varifocals that I need for the computer) and they broke at the bridge. He has glued them together temporarily but I now have a trip to Specsavers booked for Friday. Oh well, I scratched them in the summer so they needed replacing.
If you know your prescription and pupilary distance I've found Zenni very useful for getting a cheap spare pair. Of course having spent the princely sum of £10 on my spare pair about 7 years ago I've never needed them.
I don't have much success with prawns - I'm so concerned about not cooking or reheating them thoroughly enough that I always overdo it and they end up rubbery.
I too am baffled as to why Mr Heavenly put a plate on Heavenlyannie's glasses and then banged it.
He is not the most organised and observant person so wasn't looking when he put the plate on my glasses (and didn't notice!), he then served some rice and banged the serving spoon hard on the side of the plate to dislodge the rice. He then noticed the glasses...
He's actually done a fabulous job of gluing them, with all the precision of an engineer.
I'm wearing my old pair of distance glasses, not as good but okay. I considered trying to order a replacement pair online with Specsavers but my face shape means I really need them fitting (I have a genetic connective tissue disorder that means I have a small flat face and low nose bridge) so I'll go in person. I must have been due for a test soon anyway.
It feels very strange not being able to go out of the house at all! We even had to text our neighbour to ask if he could bring round the parcel which had been delivered there for us. Thank goodness we have a garden, at least I can wrap up well, do some tidying and get some fresh air. 🙂
English Covid tiers from next week now announced ( causing government "tier finder" website to crash!). Looks like Cornwall, Isles of Scilly or Isle of Wight are the places to be living in England. We're tier 3☹️
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Unfortunately the smallest number of servings given in the recipe is six*, but they said it would keep for several days in the fridge, and I've got a good appetite ...
* that was assuming one tin each of tomatoes and chickpeas, and I'm not faffing about with half-empty tins in the fridge.
Meat-free Tuesday will be casserole made with a newly discovered and very acceptable chicken replacement.
I will eat meat to make life easier when eating out (because of various allergies), but prefer not to cook it.
The fridge bit is just about big enough for what I need, but to accommodate things like French sticks and tubs of stock, I could really do with more freezer space.
If my plans for central heating come to fruition, I might be able to fit a slightly bigger fridge/freezer in the cupboard currently occupied by water tanks, meters and fuses.
I've been finishing something and have been desk bound in my study for the past couple of days, so am determined to get out for a walk at some point today.
Today's exercise may have to take the form of returning the sheets to the bed; they're currently in the tumble dryer (for which I didn't need to wait - someone was emptying it as I arrived).
You know how you wait for ever for a bus and then two come at once? I got an e-mail today inviting me for another interview (also Health Service, and not really any closer to home). As I've accepted the first one (which has a posher job title, but is at the same grade), I politely declined.
O blessed foresight! The new Magic Interweb Engine is actually better than the one which is unwell, although I have the name of a computer doctor who may be able to cure the sick - after lockdown...
Nothing is allowed in our garage apart from things to do with Mr Nen's classic cars (the ones we actually drive are parked on the road) and his wood collection which is suspended from the ceiling. Anything house related has to be in the house. Anything garden related has to be in the shed.
I've realised I keep hopping on and off here to check for news about Ross. >votive<
A sturdy cool box/bag is a great help, as long as you can have a couple of ice blocks in the freezer to change over fairly regularly, usually daily when the weather is cold. I’ve used this method, keeping the cool box out in the shed, for milk, fruit juice, cheese, etc very successfully over the Christmas period. Won’t need it this year as none of my family can come 😢.
I'm not sure what happened about my bin last week; it was taken out for emptying and brought back, but left outside the flat. When I went to put something in it, it turned out it was quite full, and not of stuff that I'd put in it. I brought it back into the cupboard, but I think I'll take it out myself on Friday and bring it back on Saturday - I hope it wasn't all stuff that the Council won't take.
The curried vegan vegan curry* was really rather nice (just as well, as there's enough for probably two more meals) - it's definitely a keeper.
* It wasn't totally vegan: I thickened the sauce with flour-and-butter and put a dollop of yoghurt on top
Veeeery nice indeed!
My sister and b-i-l have a cool box that you can both plug into the car and into the mains at home/in a hotel where you only have UHT milk, and you have to pay extra for breakfast...
They find it brilliant both for breakfast for said hotels, but also as a kind of overflow fridge.
Sincere apologies to La Mighty France and her many most becoming cheeses! Oh, thou great Roquefort etc!
Well, there were some cheeses in the front that needed eating first, before I got to the back; no affront intended. The one mentioned above is good until the end of January 2021, so I had initially planned to wait a while. But then, lust for cheeses (hallelujah!) overcame me, and I just had to try it out!
The thought of cheese is making me salivate. What is it about cheese that is so - cheese.
We got some at a deli here - delicious!
If you're sure none of your neighbours are either thieving or malicious. How are you found for external window sills?
* You enter from street level without stairs, but because of the way the street slopes down towards the loch, the flat's really on the first floor.
We have one of those which we have often used on long-distance journeys across Australia. It went with us when our son and d-i-l moved to the Northern Territory for a new posting, and due to distance limitations imposed by the Defence Force, our itinerary comprised a nine-day road journey, one way. We left on 30 December. New Year's Eve in Broken Hill was 41degC. On New Year's Day, in Port Augusta, South Australia, the car temperature readout was 47degC, and very day of the journey thereafter was above 40. The car fridge was a lifesaver, as we had ample cold water, and were able to carry lunch provisions with us, as rest stops in central Australia are few and far between, besides being fiendishly expensive.
I have one of those too, bought when my caravan fridge packed up, and it was really helpful but then I discovered and removed the spiders web in the caravan fridge vent so the cool box wasn’t needed so much, but has been really helpful when my ok-for-one fridge is challenged when I fill it for visitors.
Just ordered some for Mr S at Christmas!
Btw, @Piglet , many thanks for introducing me to the Praetorius - Mr S bought me the Christmas Mass, and we loved it so much he bought another CD of stuff like country dances. Guaranteed to raise your spirits on a wet grey morning
The puppy will stay with his broader. Tatze will be delivered home by my friend tomorrow and my brother will walk her for us each day. The online shop is done for tomorrow and the fruit and veg boxes arrive on Friday. Mr Boogs has an indoor turbo trainer thingie for his bike and I’ve booked extra Zoom Pilates.
I think we’ll survive the two weeks. 😜
Indeed they are!
🍷
It's a cool, partly sunny day here, and now that the deliveries from Am*z*n have arrived (really boring - a vacuum cleaner and some dusters - why can't you find dusters in shops these days?), I think I'll have a little amble over to Fork Handles (tin-openers and skewers) and then down to Tesco's (food).
It's been a day for nice post too though - the puffin masks I ordered from a lady in Orkney arrived this morning (well done Post Office, as they were only ordered at the weekend), and I also had a card and another mask with a puffin on it from a photographer friend in Orkney who must have noticed that I always put a
I've also been spending what feels like inordinate amounts of time filling in online forms for Disclosure Scotland, so that the nice policemen here and in Canada can assure NHS Lothian that I'm not a dangerous criminal ...
We have just returned from a two-night mini-break in West Wales. Lovely hotel with view over the pretty harbour, superb food and wines (I won't tell you what we had as salivating over a keyboard can cause irreparable damage). Now, there are two West Walian CHEESE producers we rate very highly. We knew that Caws Cenarth are not at present receiving visitors; however we were driving along home and felicitously saw a sign to Caws Teifi, the other one. So we drove down a narrow and ultimately very bumpy lane to the farm, where the owner opened up the shop for us. We came away with Celtic Promise, which I've never had, mature Caerphilly and Teifi with cumin. And, my wife having sampled and enjoyed it, half a bottle of seaweed GIN which is also distilled on the farm. We were happy people!
I’ve just finished a meeting and other half is about to serve Thai red chicken curry and rice.
A productive day, I listened to a research seminar this morning (recording of a compulsory one I missed last night because I was teaching), found out I was a runner up in the Bake your research competition and was introduced to someone doing similar research who saw my abstract in the competition, and started revisions on my literature review chapter. Then a short module meeting to stay up to date.
We have curry on a Friday evening; I usually make red or green Thai but this week I couldn't face the thought of either and have bought a jar of Korma...
Any suggestions for protein if I go for a veggie version? Tofu seems like an obvious idea, but I live alone, and a block of tofu is a lot for one, and I'm not sure how well it reheats...
Or I could just go for salmon green Thai...
Mr Heavenly put a plate on the table and then banged it with a serving spoon - unfortunately it was on top of my glasses (expensive varifocals that I need for the computer) and they broke at the bridge. He has glued them together temporarily but I now have a trip to Specsavers booked for Friday. Oh well, I scratched them in the summer so they needed replacing.
I''m really sorry to hear it!
But pray tell, why would he put a plate on top of your varifocals? Was he in a hurry and just didn't look? And what was the reason for his banging the plate? It all seems a bit muddled, like observed through... scratched glasses, so to say. - Enquiring mind etc!
I finished off the chickpea curry for supper; there was really too much, but I had it all the same.
BT - I'm not in the least displeased* - as you did the sensible thing in Wales and locked down in October I don't blame you (and you were helping the local economy).
* maybe a bit envious though ...
If you know your prescription and pupilary distance I've found Zenni very useful for getting a cheap spare pair. Of course having spent the princely sum of £10 on my spare pair about 7 years ago I've never needed them.
I too am baffled as to why Mr Heavenly put a plate on Heavenlyannie's glasses and then banged it.
He's actually done a fabulous job of gluing them, with all the precision of an engineer.
I'm wearing my old pair of distance glasses, not as good but okay. I considered trying to order a replacement pair online with Specsavers but my face shape means I really need them fitting (I have a genetic connective tissue disorder that means I have a small flat face and low nose bridge) so I'll go in person. I must have been due for a test soon anyway.
It feels very strange not being able to go out of the house at all! We even had to text our neighbour to ask if he could bring round the parcel which had been delivered there for us. Thank goodness we have a garden, at least I can wrap up well, do some tidying and get some fresh air. 🙂