Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday

Apologies about this being a combined post.  Things have been busy again here and I also have a very off-colour Jack Russell who is needing a lot of attention at the moment.  So please bear with us.  It is old age a lot of it, but even so have to take care of them.

Friday

Today Chicken Livers were sourced. Big Packs of Chicken Livers costing £2 each.  Far more than probably what we need. We are rather fond of Chicken Liver Pate, and at one stage many years ago, I used to make Pate regularly.  Sort of got out of the habit of that a few years back therefore decided was going to have another bash at making my own, especially as I now have my food processor which I am extremely happy with.  Chicken Livers are into the freezer in preparation for making this. Have 5 x 8oz bags of Chicken Livers packed away in the freezer.  This should keep us going.  Need to source one or two other ingredients including Pork Belly and then will set too and make some other pates as well.

My stinky cheese arrived today ever so well packed and a decent wheel, despite the expense.  Ordered in some Stinking Bishop which should last us until the end of January.  It has been wrapped in a zip lock bag and will be going into a tub as well as otherwise it will stink the fridge out.  But a delicious cheese all the same.  The other cheese the Baron Bigod and the Stilton, should arrive around 20th of December.  I have a big cheese box for all the cheese that is coming and a smaller one for other smaller Truckles or pieces of cheese.

I have also bought in the bulk of the ingredients to make G some last minute Piccalilli.  Just need to get some fresh beans (French ones).  I bought in two large nets of onions last night at £3 a net.  I have plans to use one net in preserving, namely some French Onion soup to be bottled and a chutney.

Today's Tasks

• Freeze the Chicken Livers;
• Freeze more Chicken breast pieces;
• Deal with the pile of washing that seems never-ending at the moment; slowly working through this.

Today's Tea

Quick Chicken Stir fry with a bought sauce served with Rice.  Did the job and went down nicely.

Saturday

This week we will make it to the Fishmonger and also to Johnsons of Old Hurst Farm shop.  We have tried the past couple of weeks and have not got very far first off because of the weather and secondly, because of a Jack Russell voicing her displeasure by howling unreasonably!  Cannot reason with her as she is deaf, but equally cannot have her howling because of the neighbours.

Saturday morning started off extremely chilly.  I had been snug under a duvet and quilt all night long, had been comfy and getting up was a shock to the system.  Needless to say the heating went on pronto and then I got dressed.

In any event although we managed to get up quietly without disturbing her.  We ended up having to take her with us though as she clocked us and started acting up before we managed to get out in any event.  We do not like leaving her, especially as now she is more fragile and elderly but sometimes you just have to go out without her not that we really like doing that at all as she gets into a right two and eight.  Yes we are soppy with her, but she is part of the family and matters too.  Not everyone's cup of tea I know, however, I have always been around animals - they give a lot of unconditional love, and they get lots of love in return.  Love is after all what really makes the world go round.  It is a pity that there is so much hate and violence out there.  There is no need, it is just an excuse half the time instead of dealing with the actual problem.

First of all we called at the Fish stall in Ramsey.  G came back with four fresh Cromer Crabs, two of which are going in the freezer to have over Christmas or thereabouts and two for tea tonight with some bread and butter and some Whelks - a favourite of G's;  I shudder at the thought! I prefer brown Shrimps!

At the Butcher's today, I managed to get a few goodies.  We usually zone in on some of their "Pasties" which if you can get them more or less straight out of the oven are gorgeous and tasty.  The pastry is good too.  Managed to get four today two of which were demolished and accompanied by a large mug of steaming milky coffee when we got in.  

Also bought some various waxed Truckle cheeses; Black Bomber, Red Devil, Red Storm, Amber Mist, Ginger Spice, (all Snowdonia Cheese Co), Wizard's Fire (Clawson Farm), these should keep in the fridge for a while, and a small piece of Cambridge Blue cheese which is beautiful, and a Cherry Pie.  

Also bought a Horseradish root which I will process in the food processor later on, and then freeze the grated horseradish in ice cube trays for making fresh Horseradish sauce as needed. Caution will be needed when dealing with this as we have done this in the past.  Talk about chemical warfare!  I do have two very large Topside Beef joints in the freezer in any event to accompany it.  

Also bought some smoked Back Bacon and some Green Back Bacon, Lincolnshire sausages and chipolatas. Also picked up a pot of freshly made Pheasant pate.  Samples were available and it was gorgeous.  Have therefore bought a pot and it is in the freezer ready to have over Christmas. We used to love their sausages, but as it has been a while since we have been to the shop and indeed had any.  Hope they have not changed at all.  In the end decided to buy a small quantity to see if we still like them and if we do will buy in a larger quantity and freeze next time we go. We are having Toad in the Hole for Sunday dinner this week, so will see how it goes.  

Also bought a new to us Chutney to try known as a Cheeseboard Chutney and made from Figs, and a top up of some herbs and spices I was in need of.  I also managed to source a couple of packs of the Italian sponge fingers used for Tiramisu (which I love and which G hates) which I will  use for trifle over Christmas as well, oh and last but not least, a couple of bags of dried Cranberries.

I appreciate that I am very lucky to be able to take stock of what we do have and taking sensible precautions to get my food storage back up to scratch.  Some of what has been bought today is already in the freezer.  I stock a little and often on more expensive items and then selectively use them.  My aim is to give as much choice as I can over Christmas and hopefully until Spring on certain items.  I appreciate not all items will last until then by quantity or frequency in which they are used but it is substantially better than I have had or have at the moment.  All part of the Pantry stock-up.  Hopefully apart from items for preserving and other fresh items will not have much of a shopping bill come January.  Sometimes you have to spend a bit to gain a bit.

When we got home, Missy collapsed in her bed when she got in and has been asleep quite a bit since.  Needless to say G has been as well. It would appear that they have not had their  quota of beauty sleep!   Alright for some.  Eventually managed to raise Missy to feed her and she is pottering around now.  Not too steady on her legs these days, but old age comes to all of us somewhere down the line.  

I have also succumbed and placed orders for a new hand operated passata machine as I am going to have tomatoes to process during the coming weeks making the most of what is around at the moment and getting much needed stores into the Pantry.  Hopefully will have my own tomatoes in the coming year to harvest when will make the most of them as well.  Want to make use of stuff that comes my way whilst I can.  I have also ordered a new meat slicer; the meat slicer was another one of my casualties during the last three years.  I tend to buy larger joints of meat as the meat cooks better, in one go, and then I have meat for ready to run meals dished up with gravy, and sometimes veggies. For me on the cost front and on time fronts Preserving is something I tend to do all year around as I make the most of what comes my way.  Most of my shopping is done through small shops, Farmers shops, odd forays to supermarkets, genuine bargains and layby stalls for things such as some veggies, eggs and potatoes.  I am hoping to get back into the swing of growing food for myself as well.  Up until now have not had this available but that is going to change.

Today's Tea

Will be a fresh Crab each with some bread and butter.  After eating earlier on still a bit full as the pasties are quite substantial.  I like good food but I cannot eat in quantity these days.  A bit of a wimp on the appetite front.  Needless to say the Crabs were delicious.

Sunday

A quieter chill out day today.  Shattered after yesterday's shenanigans and need to "rest" before starting off on a hectic week.  Lots to do this coming week as per usual.  Must get up early this week to accomplish what I need to accomplish.  I did not quite get all my shopping together for the Pantry re-stock but there is still this week.  Then once the Pantry re-stock has happened completely, it will be fresh stuff and last minute items only and a bit of baking and that should see us through.  If I have the ingredients I can more or less have a go at anything.  Standards here on the baking front are Shortbread, a few cream and jam scones, some Chocolate Coconut, Mince Pies, Coconut cheesecakes, Sausage rolls and savouries, Nan's Fruit bread, Christmas cake and maybe some Banana bread and a Yule Log.  All simple fare.  Any extras can be made as I go along. Do not want to overdo it, as do not want any waste.  Might add in a few more bits, might not or I might change what decide to make.  My first love when it comes to be cooking really has to be baking at the end of the day. Coming from a family who really celebrated Christmas and it was a big family affair I miss the doing as much as anything, the traditions and just being. A time for celebration, and the happiness you make for yourself. Does not matter how simple or how upmarket the food is, it is about spending time with family where you can. My first husband had a large family so things were always busy. 

I also purchased online from Ebay four 5 litre carriers of 5% white vinegar for £15.49.  Am waiting for that to come hopefully will be here in the next few days.  I use white vinegar for cleaning and laundry.  However recently have had trouble getting hold of it in larger quantities.  This should do nicely as I have some last minute pickles to achieve as well as some Piccalilli to make for G.

Today's Tea

Neither of us were really hungry and so we had a pick and mix from the fridge, with some cheese, tomatoes, pickles, crackers.  Went down very nicely especially as we were not-over hungry.

Monday

I have been busy in the kitchen washing and tidying things up.  Progress is very slow though, as soon as I get some washing up done, I end up cooking and using a load of pots again so not ideal but at least we are eating well.  Missy is a lot better than she has been for the past few days and is actively seeking her grub again.  Past couple of days she has been very iffy about eating anything.  Managed to get her going again though.  It is a combination of the arthritis she has, old age cold weather.  The cold weather does not do her any favours at all bless her.  

More washing and drying has been achieved nearly down the pile which is a good thing.

Today's Tea

Is going to be Toad in the Hole with mashed potatoes, carrots and Broccoli with lots of gravy.  Tea was lush.  Made the Toad in my Ninja Foodi, for a first time it turned out really good. This was followed by a Cherry Pie and custard.  I will make more custard than I need as we often eat this cold.  The pie and custard should last a couple of meals.

No specific tasks per se today, just got stuck in and dealt with those most immediate matters.  Hopefully will be able to get stuck in again tomorrow.  A Little and often keeps me moving forward.

Hope you are keeping warm and safe, wherever you are.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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