I was idly surfing last night before bed when I came across a reference to a programme on Channel 4 that must have slipped under radar. It's called 'Make Do and Mend' and is exactly the sort of programme I pay my TV licence and Sk subscription for. It's almost at the end of it's series run but I think most episodes are available on 4OD. By an astonishing coincidence, I caught one today as I happened to flick the TV on while I was eating my lunch. Today they were decorating, shortening trousers and cooking a Vindaloo. All fairly straightforward stuff but you never know when you might pick up a gem of a tip.
The Cowboy Pork and Beans was a hit. I allowed 50g of pork per person as there would be 50g of beans as well making 100g of protein per person. It's a great dish to make when everyone is arrivng home at different times as it keeps and reheats well. It was served with the new potatoes I bought last week. I was cross with myself because light had got to them and I had to compost about a third. That was a careless mistake (grump).
There was still enough pork left for sandwiches today and I'm pleased to say that the salad leaves are coming on well now. We harvested some for dinner Saturday and sandwiches yesterday and today. It doesn't get fresher than that. DH has also been taking a radish or two to pep up his lunch. I'm trying to perfect the art of successional sowing to keep us in salad all year round but it's a work in progress. I sowed some more french beans, coriander, basil, lemon grass and oregano last night. Another garden goal is to dry enough beans and herbs to last through the winter instead of buying from the supermarket.
We have alot of large bills due out in the next week or two and a family anniversary to buy a present for. So my goal is to last until Monday without any major food spending. I have planned meals until then and with what I bought from Mr M's today and maybe one more ingredient, I think we'll be okay. We will probably need petrol and may go to the car boot on Sunday. It is reported that the price of petrol is to come down which is a great relief but the price of home energy is to rise which is a nightmare. I really don't know where we can cut back energy use any further but we are going to have to try.
For dinner tonight, we are going to have a version of Nigel Slater's Chickpeas with Pumpkin, Lemongrass and Coriander. I say a version because Mr M didn't have any lemongrass so I'm going to have to improvise as my one lemongrass seedling is only 4cm tall. I soaked the chickpeas overnight and they are cooking in the pressure cooker as I write. I would really like to experiment with a haybox. For dishes requiring a long slow cook, they are supposed to be very good. The idea is that you get your food up to temperature, then the insulation in the haybox keeps it cooking. I would love to try it. It's another method that was promoted during WW2 to save fuel and I also remember seeing it in the camp cookery section of my Girl Guide Handbook. There are also sites on the Internet with instructions for a modern version.
As I am hoping to go quilting tomorrow, I am going to make 'Three Bean Pasta Soup' for dinner tomorrow night. I'm hoping to make some nice bread to go with it. I will chill it quickly today, refrigerate, then reheat tomorrow in time for the kids getting home from school. Easy, and it means I can have my '
On Thursday, I'm planning homemade Pizza with Focaccia. I find I can tolerate buffalo mozzerella so can eat with the family. Friday, we are at the in-laws, Saturday Delia Smith's Vegetarian Chilladas, chips and peas, Sunday, I have a pork shoulder in the freezer which will do Sunday dinner and sandwiches Monday. That's the plan. Wish me luck.
Until next time x
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