Baking - Tips, Questions, Discussions, Recipes.

Oh you are quite right, Pepys - beef - I am clearly outvoted on the cornish pasty thing but I loved Lass' description of being served whitebait by her Mum which is one of my all time favourites. My Mum used to give us brains smeared with Shiphams fish paste and breaded and tell us they were fishcakes . Absolutely disgusting. She was a terrible cook. We were always encouraged to do the cooking as she hated it. 

love

flamingo

My grandmothers cooking was very frugal, she lived near my infant and primary school, I was bussed in every morning to school, we lived in the Midlands then, so always went to have my dinner (which was at lunchtime) there.  I loved tripe, she made her own brawn, Savoury Ducks ( in the South called faggots), and it didn’t phase me at all to see a Pigs Head in the Old flashed Pantry, her pies stewsand puddings were delicious she was an amazing cook.   Grandad bred rabbits so they were always on the menu. Mum was sick of that type of food so never learned to cook that way, I was too young to ask so all her recipes died with her, 

lynda x

Hi Flamingo 

yes, I was wondering about a Cornish pasty made with the original ingredients, which sadly I cannot stomach though generally I love anything wrapped in pastry. I tried making some...Hairy Bikers?...and didn’t like them. Anyway, some ridiculous change in food laws meant that if manufacturers called a pasty a Cornish pasty, it had to contain the original ingredients. I have this on good authority from an Incurables  group member!! So I think my choice is to take dear Lass’s advice or nip down a tin mine to check out what people are having for lunch!

Brains! I know I’m a wuss but I’ve never tried them. One of my closest friends is Gujarati (he is my sri lanka travel companion) and rather more adventurous than me. A few years ago we were in Paris and he ate brains. I can never erase the memory from my mind! He told me his dad cooks them for the family so I guess it’s what you’re used to. 

Food has become such an issue for me lately. Every day sees me lose the taste for something  I love. So apologies for harping on about it all the time!

pepys xx

Hi Lass 

            Oh I love my stuffing made with bread! and yes you cannot beat putting it inside the bird for the flavoring! although if I'm worried about the cavity being undercooked I usually put an onion and herbs inside and stuffing in the neck and of course for me lots of salted butter under the skin! Yes Mum was handy in a kitchen her Mum was a cook and so was her mother in law so she picked up a lot over the years.

I had a look at your scar and glad to see it doesn't seem infected but those stitches do look extra tight ! and yes with a biopsy they are inclined to dig deep! your right to let the air at it during the day and rub some cream on it to keep the skin soft

Yes it was and is very thoughtful of him he was on the phone to me tonight asking what I fancied tomorrow and telling me he had been shopping again today and seems to have bought some of my favorites! He brought me a Victoria sponge cake today which was delicious! I have already eaten half of it" I actually cannot believe how much food I am eating at least double what I would have normally he brings me a big plate full and says just eat what you can!I looked at it and thought I will never finish this only to find myself with a licked plate within minutes! 

I love the old black and white movies so I have watched the Innocents starring Deborah Kerr, the four feathers with a good line up {not a black & white} Rebbeca by Hitchcock, Dial M for Murder, the 39 steps, and I have just started to watch the movie about the Moors Murders, I like period dramas as well as I love the costumes etc good murder mysteries and any whodunnit! I am not into anything too violent or a lot of bad language unless needed for a science I enjoy a good comedy and I like a clever sci-fi, the last box set I enjoyed was the Tunnel which was very good! The last movie was the woman in the van? which I found boring, I liked the first marigold hotel movie but not so the second

Is tonight the Eurovision! I haven't watched that in years I have to be honest I am not really a fan of it

Hi Pepys 

               If you are looking for something really tasty that is meat in gravy with a pie crust why not try a Fray Bentos steak and kidney pie? They come in a tin and although not the healthiest thing to eat if cooked properly by that I mean really crisp the pastry The gravy in them would awaken anyone's taste buds! Serve with mashed potatoes and veg of choice, nowadays you can get a small single serving, or what about some savory rice? Bachelors have a good range they taste nicer than uncle bens and tasty even on their own I like them as a side to fish or chicken when I want something different 

Hi Bluebell 

I’ll give those a try, thank you! I’m eating a lot of curry at the moment. Made spiced rice yesterday though even that wasn’t quite feisty enough. I used chilli, turmeric,,onions, cardamo. Ginger might have lifted it more. I suggested to my son tonight that he bring me samples of his cooking. Not too much to ask given what I provide for everyone...food, booze, use of car. Payback time. Honestly I’m so fed up with the loss of taste. I’m a bad case. Making my own bread has helped because I’m learning it’s not just taste that affects me but texture. My bread toasted is gorgeous with salty butter. I’ve also rediscovered malt loaf, which is nice and chewy with butter and dark tahini. 

I've felt quite tired today and have slept quite a bit, though  managed to rouse myself when son came round tonight and we watched Terminator 2. Couldn’t face the Eurovision.

pepys xx

If you have a fancy for a good curry go to your Indian Restaurant my son does this for me told them what I have a fancy for and they knock it up for me, soon as he walks in they know what he wants and they are very kind in tweeking “my curry” cant remember what it was in the beginning but it’s finely chopped lamb, flavoursom but not at all hot and always hits the spot.

lynda x

I am astonished at what you lot can eat and apparently like eating. Your stomachs must be lined with iron.

I have taken Pepy's (I think) advice and bought some Zantac for the acid reflux and terrible burping. I took the first one yesterday and burped my way around the garden thinking it wasn't doing anything for me but I just had a most peaceful night, very thirsty but scarcely a burp all night, no reflux episodes and I definitely am feeling the stomach is settled more this morning. So thank you Pepys. Apparently it works by stopping some acid producing enzyme. 

In fact just had a large strong coffee before taking the dog out for a last bluebell walk before heading back to Oxfordshire.

love

flamingo

My sister blew the oven door off with Fray Bentos pie when I was a child. She neglected to open the tin. Luckily no one was in the kitchen at the time.

flamingo

Haha! I haven’t even seen a frat bentos pie since I was a child! 

Pepys