A Quiet but Productive Day

Has been had today.  A gentle day where I am taking things slowly, pottering as it were just in my own space and time. Am still not quite right but am slowly getting there.  

Today G went to the Fish man for the first time this year.  He came home with a Kipper and a Crab for me (I am partial to a nice Kipper served with a poached egg and bread and butter).  Same as I am partial to a fresh crab.  G came home with an absolutely massive back of Whelks.  Something I am not keen on and four smaller bags of Cockles (all frozen) and so they were decanted into the freezer as well.  I have re-packed everything.  I was going to freeze my Kipper and Crab unfortunately I ran out of freezer bags and so will probably have those tomorrow.

I have also done a little shopping today have a variety of fresh veggies including sweet potatoes which I love also a few Pantry essentials including Hazelnuts for baking and use in salads(I make a variation of a Waldorf salad using Hazelnuts) and homemade Granola.  Am hoping to get some batches of this made this week as well as back into the cooking and preserving and sorting the Pantry.  It is a bit heaving at the moment.  I also need to use some of the things out of the Freezer so that can re-stock with some different items. Some soup is also on the menu for this week a vegetable soup I think to start with.  This is more for me though although I will be chuffed if I can get G to have some.  As usual lots planned but need to bring it into fruition one step at a time.

I am pleased to report that today I have started the half of the big washing pile I half dealt with last year.  This is the remains of the biggest pile I had last year but which I got dragged off.  Some progress has been made today but more on another post to come shortly.

For this afternoon, I have been sat writing recipes out into a book.  I have some things that need making and getting out of the way with but I need to have quantities and an outline of the recipe to work from.  Unfortunately my memory is not as good as it was and it is something I am working on.  If I have a book to hand of the measurements which is where I struggle, I usually know what to do with the rest being familiar with quite a few techniques.  So I am aiming to help myself get a little bit more organised.  I need to be focusing on food again for many reasons.  My recipe book as it were.

I have Cranberries, Mixed fruits in the Freezer and these need making up into Cranberry jelly and Jumbleberry Jam.  There is also Orange Marmalade (I have made the Seville Orange already) and Lemon Marmalade to make as well as some curds. Chutneys and pickles, stock and vegetables.  All need sorting and dealing with.  Intend to do one a day maybe possibly two as I go along to try and get them out of the way with.  I am currently waiting for a new pair of kitchen scales.  I have a digital set for small quantities but when I am preserving I do like a proper set of scales to get more items into and a new set was ordered yesterday. The new set should be with me soon.

For tea this evening we have the Cheese and Pickle Beef Melts together with a Lamb and Rosemary tray bake.  The reason I serve these together is that the Melts are pure meat whereas the traybake has some meat in it but not quite enough for what we like so combining the two works well.  G has a bigger appetite than I do in any event.  Absolutely delicious and not hot.  Will be having these again the cheese used was delicious as well.

Tomorrow's tea will be steak and salad or roasted vegetables not quite made my mind up as of yet.  Could equally be a Roast Chicken as I need a carcass for making some stock.

Its been an awfully wet day here in Peterborough and cold.  I have for the best part stayed inside only nipping to the shop to get stocked up a bit on fresh food.  I know up North is predicted to be snow covered and not good.  So if you are in the Northern regions please keep warm and safe.  Well everyone keep safe and warm.

Right am off to put my feet up.

Another day beckons tomorrow.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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