Our Phili-Pam

Hi all, On such a cold day as today, (sarcasm) what better than a vegi stir-fry. I boil the small potatoes & sliced carrot for half their cooking time, to which I then add the frozen veg (mixed peppers, peas & anything else) for the last five minutes of boiling. I drain the saucepan, then carefully add to the pre-warmed frying pan with oil or lard. I use the saucepan lid that fits my small frying pan to cover. Once well sizzling, I then add small sliced tomatoes. That was quite a plateful for just me, but I could fry an egg, but was very delighted with how it was.

Hi all, I'm due at Morrison's confessions in a bit. I was lured to Aldi, late last evening. I asked where their Molton Brown shelf was, they thought it was a sauce! I did buy a six pack of hot dog rolls, considerably cheaper than I paid for four from Morrison's, but, I've doubled my Morrison's order for next Wednesday. Well, all our bins are emptied, 16 all put away. Window cleaner next this morning. There's much confusion for shoppers & traders at the Arena whilst the games are on. I'm avoiding the area, so M&S cafe might be short on takings. They might be doing a roaring trade, I certainly hope so. Anyone attending the games off our forum?

Aldi and Lidl do what they do well and cheaply but their fundamental problem is a lack of overall choice.

Hi Helen, hi all, My preference for Morrison's comes down to convenience. The Holbrooks store, walking distance away, whilst a very reliable online delivery service. An absolute treasure during Pam's illness, but also an asset for Pam when I had a spell in hospital over six years ago. My mum, going back to the fifties, was a Co-op & Sainsbury customer, along with the greengrocery trip to the market.

At ease, everyone! Today was Ringtons delivery day. Conscious of not commercially advertising, Ringtons jams have always been a favourite of mine, including their orange marmalade. Their blackcurrant jam simply blows a fuse! I was once given a hint that Tiptree are amongst their jam suppliers, so I'm not surprised to so enjoy their blackcurrant. It's described as a breakfast jam, but whether on toast, like I've just enjoyed now, or on a scone, it certainly has the Tiptree fruit quality. I was involved with a Tiptree contract in my early days working for Courtaulds Engineering, where I can state my experience of their production standards. Happy jammy time to you all.

Hi all, I've included boil in the bag kippers, in my grocery delivery tomorrow. Yummy yummy. Restaurants shy away from them, as the stink hovers everywhere, from grilling fresh kippers. Mind you, fresh is a contradiction after the process of turning herring into kippers. The boil in the bag, with butter, my home will cope with. Easy does it for now, but Pam added a poached egg to my kippers. The flavour of the yoke, mixing with the kipper is for me fab. Pam & I were visiting Stonehaven, on the east coast years ago, where "Smokies" were being grilled in the open on the harbour. Just served with bread & butter, Oh how I could just eat them now.

Hi again, I've cheered myself up just now, with a Tuesday use up day. There wasn't anything that needed using up, so for a quick fix lunch, emphasising that as my last post showed, I do like fish. Anyway, A few small potatoes boiling, along with a carrot. A cup of frozen peas ready to be added for ten minutes. A small tin of skinless & boneless spicy tomato mackerel, emptied onto the middle of my pre-warmed dinner plate, which is then placed under a low heat grill for 5 minutes. The hot veg then added around the outside. I've just eaten that, it was scrumptious. Obviously you have to like fish. No problem for me on that score.

Good on you, Philip. I am a 4 x 3 person myself. Meat 4 days a week, then fish the rest. Very satisfying and healthy. Oh, with veggies of course, or salad. Bon appetit.

Thank you Dreamtime.

Hi all, Applause Groceries arrived, all put away. I can't wait to have my boil in the bag kippers later today. Have a good day all.

I'm happy for you Philip but please don't mention smoked fish this early in the day. My Mum loved smoked haddock and I dreaded it. She was astonished when I mentioned it as an adult and she wondered why I'd never said. I said that I hadn't been aware there was an option. On the plus side, it meant I learnt to cook really early.

Hi Helen, What I cannot mention was often a breakfast treat for Pam & me. Tea time great treat today.

I'm afraid that I have wussy taste buds. You could make me cry with the wrong food. In the presence of kedgeree I might actually faint.

I probably don't realise how fortunate that I've been having a no restrictions diet. That's why post Covid, I thought that my world had fallen apart, when my appetite had disappeared. It all came back last Christmas. I honestly had prayed about it. I hardly knew that I had been infected with Covid, I had the child version, an odd tummy. On occasions I would really want something to eat, but a mouthful I was full. It was awful. My concern now is putting on weight.

Poor Philip! Ok, under those circumstances you can mention kippers first thing. I'll shut my eyes. Look after yourself.