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Hello Forkers January 2017 Edition

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  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,354

    Oh no! Dove's got the lurgy!

    My OH had it over the Christmas period and I also thought I'd got away with it. Maybe I shouldn't be celebrating quite so soon image. Sounds like a nasty little virus - take care Dove - stay warm and hydratedimage I'm told that chocolate is considered quite medicinal these days. image

    Kitten shenanigans sound like fun Obx - been there - got that T-shirtimage My 15 year old 'kitten' still thinks gently biting noses and ears is a good way to start the day and human heads were made for sitting on!

    Lesley I have a slow cooker but I don't use it very often. This newer one is a bit spluttery and I find it gets too hot even when on lowest power setting. Much preferred the ancient ceramic one I used for many years - much better behaved.

    I used the old one quite a lot when I was out at work - but I wouldn't want to leave the new one unattended for more than 3 - 4 hrs - which nearly defeats the object. I also struggle as bit as liquid doesn't evaporate in the same way it does from a normal casserole so food often seem a bit watery. I think it tastes a bit different too. Probably just need to practise more but - for me - it's easier to shove a pot in the oven - and I can use the same pot for searing, cooking and serving.

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • Joyce21Joyce21 Posts: 15,489

    T'bird - mine is the ancient ceramic one. Bought it when I was working. Very useful now when I'm in the garden to come in to the meal cooked.

    SW Scotland
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    I got a slow cooker a couple of years ago T'bird, and I found it watery when I did stews/goulashes, but I now stir a tblspoon of flour in with the meat and it basically makes a sauce. Failing that, Ieave the lid off a little for the last hour or so and a lot of it evaporates. I suppose it depends what you're making too, but that works for me. I sometimes shove stuff in when I come home for lunch at this time of day, and that means it gets a good 6 hours cooking too, so that might help as well.

    Had to go and defrost the watering holes again for the birds. Dennis junior couldn't wait for his cheesy treats and was going in the front of the 'bench cage while I was shoving it in at the back! Hope he leaves a little for the blackies. The watery sun has made very little inroads as it's still only minus 2. We're supposed to get a bit of cloud arriving later though. At least it's warmer at work now as we have heaters on timers - only problem is that the heaters keep dying. Not very robust image

    Keep all your lurgies to yourselves please - and yes, don't mix up the knitting with the hankies Dove image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,354

    Joyce - I think mine was nearly 40 years old when I decided I should have a new one! It originally  belonged to my mum and I acquired it when she died. Was still working & used regularly - but there was always a slightly worrying  ffiiizzz sound when you connected it to the electrics image and no removable liner - so washing up could be a bit a bit tricksy.

    Decided to get one that I could remove the metal liner to sear the meat in on the hob to save using a separate prepping pan. But that no longer works because the liner is (rather flimsy) aluminium & can't be heated on the new induction hob. I suspect the metal liner is also the reason it gets a bit too hot. Washing up is easier though....

    Edit to add: Hello Fairy - did you see the programme from Orkney about the archaeology there? - it was on Tues night perhaps? very good programme and, of course, beautiful scenery. First in a short series I think.

    Last edited: 05 January 2017 12:50:51

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • LesleyKLesleyK Posts: 4,029

    Thanks Joyce, Toobird and Fairyimage.  The one I'm looking at has an inner that can be used on the hob to sear meat first and as it looks a great price atm I think I'll risk it.  I've seen a recipe for pulled porkimage.

    I've defrosted the bird bath again Fairy.  Your wee Robin is well catered forimage.  If I have bits of cheese left I sprinkle it under the hedge as the wrens love it too.

  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360

    I have one of the old ceramic ones, no removable liner. I think it's a 70s vintage - I remember it being used once when I was a kid, then put in the cupboard! Then I inherited it and I've had the odd successful flurry with it, but I've never got properly into the swing of using it. 

    Sorry to hear you've joind the Lurgy Club, Dove. I've redefined my lurgy as a flu-like thingummy. It was very flu-like last week (temperature, aches all over, headaches, out of it etc) but that only lasted two days and I thought I was on the mend. A weekend of "I think I'm getting a bit better" and then wham, this is my fourth day of feeling rough as hell. Laid on the sofa after the school run yesterday and couldn't get up - luckily the kids know how to boil a kettle / use the microwave etc as they had to sort their own meal out. I should not have tried to function on Tuesday and Wednesday - paying for it now. And fed up with it too.

    Moan over.

    It's very cold here - bright, beautiful sunshine but everything still frosty. I'm not going outside!

    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,146

    I've had a 'flu jab so it shouldn't be flu ...............

    I use my slow cooker lots and lots - for pot roasts, caseroles and soups - also steamed puds and all sorts of stuff - I put hardly any liquid in it and don't have the problem of 'watery' casseroles etc. 

    Some slow cooker tips from  foody friends here http://www.wildfood.info/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=13853&p=385960&hilit=slow+cooker#p385960

    image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,088

    Thanks Busy.  I shall have a look.

    Haven't got a slow cooker but do use the oven or gas hob on very very low for slow cooked roasts and stews.  I tend to make stews a day ahead anyway as they're much tastier when reheated and I can skim off excess fat when they're cold before heating to serve.

    Plumber has been and done the deed.  He's an electrician too so moved the mirror with its lights - much better than getting OH to do it.  He's going to quote for installing a radiator in the bathroom and my real cooker in the annex.  It's a Rangemaster with two ovens and a grill and ate 3-phase leccy in Belgium but we're mono phase here so will likely need extra feeds.   Fortunately, the annex has no ceiling or roof insulation yet - work stopped when previous owner upped and abandoned wife and kids one day - so it'll be easy to do without breaking walls.

    Minstrel has been quiet all morning but is now in full song and bum waving again.   Might have to see if we can bring the op forward as she'll be at it again in 14 to 21 days according to the web.

    I need some sleep.

    Do please look after yourselves if you have lurgies.  Viruses have a way of creeping up and biting you if you if you don't take all the R&R time you need.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,146

    Desperate for some fresh air I just took a brief wander to the end of the garden and back and am considerably cheered up - snowdrops are pushing their noses through the leaf litter image they weren't there yesterday - I had a look.


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,354

    My snowdrops are all in shady spots. Means they won't be appearing for a while yetimage 

    Might have to plant some in a sunnier spot to prolong the season.

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
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