A Different Direction than Planned

I was going to get on in the kitchen but decided to go shopping instead.  I can get stuck in in the kitchen over the weekend or during the week and I needed a change of scenery.  Not lots of shopping to do, more fresh stuff than anything else, but it does normally last me about 10 days apart from the odd item here and there.  I store the majority of veggies in the fridge for the best part. It has been a while since I did a proper stock up in any event.

I will go back again during the week as I did not get everything. I am after some frozen cherries for a supply of Cherry Pie filling.  I also need to stock up on some of the dried staples I want to get some more plants and some different herbs to get some cuttings underway in any event.  A lot will not produce a lot this year but if I can keep them over next winter then they should put on a better display.  Anything is better than nothing as far as I am concerned when it comes to items for the Pantry shelf.

I also need to get some more Vodka and some more Gin for some more Liqueur type spirits to put up for Christmas. You can also cook with them once they are made, use in sauces or indeed jams etc.

I have also treated myself to a Wok and a new Frying Pan.  Both Tefal so will see how we get on with these.  The Frying Pan is a 24cm one and I also need to get a 28cm one.  The 24cm one was £14.99 on offer and the Wok was on offer again £19.  I have gone for Tefal as in the past they have always been worth their money and I have ended up with careful and regular use having said items for many years. I am still using baking trays I bought 20+ years ago.

We are having fresh sweetcorn for starters this evening followed by fish, and then a Dark Chocolate fresh cream Eclair for afters.  G is having Cod Loins and I am having natural smoked Haddock with a poached egg.  Very nice it was too.

I have picked up a big bag of wonky new potatoes for £1.30 from Waitrose.  Think I might heat process these for the Pantry shelf in readiness for the winter months as it were.  If they have any when I go back later in the week will probably pick up another bag too.  Never satisfied here, but giving yourself scope to have new potatoes in winter and older potatoes during summer gives you more flexibility on the cooking front.  I may also process some chips prepared in jars as well.

It is that time of year where old potatoes are not as readily available because the new ones are coming in; and that is one of the reasons I bought the two half sacks of potatoes yesterday as I like mashed potato all the year around from old potatoes.  

I have also picked up a large 2kg pack of carrots for 90p and may get some of those to process as well.  I want to get as much preserving done as I can for this coming winter under my belt and out of the way with.  

I will go back in the week for some herb plants.  I had a full small trolley today and will go back later in the week when I will be a bit more hands free. I did bring two Rosemary plants back today which I am going to pot into some planters for the old herb garden.  The Grape Vine seems to have taken over the majority of this bed and the Black Peppermint the other end with the Bay tree in the middle.

I have also bought in a load of apples to start off making the first of several lots of apple sauce.  A very useful pudding filling, but can be used as sauce for accompanying roast Pork or sausages.  You can also use instead of eggs in cake making.  Lots of preserving in the pipeline.  

So lots to do as usual it is just the depth that varies.

On the positive side the whole fridge has nearly been stripped out.  Have most stuff in, just have the two large drawers to strip out in the morning.  That is really a big thing as items can now be easily stored.  Lots of plans for future projects as well.

Piccalilli will be made tomorrow as will the Pickled Red Cabbage.  As I may have mentioned before more on that in a future post.

Hope everyone is having a lovely Easter, a bit belated, but Happy Easter from me to you.  Hugs.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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