Happy Thursday

Ian said:

dumplings with liquorice and brown castor sugar to go with stewed apples

I think that would be a good combination, delicious!

They might work as a snack, but personally, I put them in the stew. All that is required is to add dried beetroot powder and horseradish powder to the suet and flour mix.  My next culinary experiment will be to make dumplings with liquorice and brown castor sugar to go with stewed apples.

I would try the dumpling, all-the-while completing an advanced multi-cross-dimensional analysis, as to their suitability as a new and exotic form of delicious savoury-snack. Then I’d probably never touch them again..

Noooo! 

Maybe just the soft close... 

That’s how it starts, Pegg, first the soft close, the coffee-warmer, next thing you own a franchise..!

Ian said:

Has anybody else tried beetroot and horseradish dumplings?  Yes, I know I am weird.

I haven't - I know somebody who likes marmite and marmalade sandwiches though! 

To me that sounds weirder than beetroot and horseradish dumplings, which could make sense.

Hi Pegg.  Noise is relative ... if you are sensitive to noise you might want to leave the room or put on ear defenders. Mine is about the same as the microwave.

Ah! That sounds interesting... I will have a look online... 

Thanks Ian

Thanks Ian - all really interesting! The coffee warmer may be a solution for me, because I can't make my mind up about a new microwave - decisions about new things take me so long...

I like the idea that the coffee warmer does a specific thing, which is the main thing I need. 

I have researched air fryers, as the idea of them appeals to me and my convection oven makes an annoying sound when swtiched on. Are air fryers noisy? Perhaps you know. 

I used to have a slow cooker, but not for ages. They are very good. 

I like the Combi Wave, even at £400. The idea of a three-in-one cooker is brilliant!

I got one of those coffee warming pad thingies  (technical term) -  you put your coffee mug on it, and it keeps it hot, all day if necessary.  https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=coffee+warmer&crid=1KVKP8W2LAV88&sprefix=coffee+warm%2Caps%2C4139&ref=nb_sb_noss_2     Other retailers are available if you don't want to use Amazon, but their web page shows some of those available.

I use a hot air fryer and it is brilliant if you like fish and chips, chicken and chips, or for heating up ready made lasagne or meat pies. I also buy "half-baked" bread rolls and croissants, which take about ten minutes to bake.

My other kitchen favourite is a slow cooker.  I like stews. Usually, I put everything in a saucepan and simmer for about ten minutes then put it in the slow cooker for a few hours. I am dribbling on my keyboard at the thought of venison with mushrooms, peppers, onions, aubergines, courgettes, and kidney beans ...  But almost any leftovers from the fridge with a selection from my drawer of about fifty herbs and spices and a bit of Marmite will make a stew. 

Has anybody else tried beetroot and horseradish dumplings?  Yes, I know I am weird.

If I had the option, I’d rip all my appliances out of the wall, and replace them with small appliances..

I am, seriously, tempted by a soft-close, mute button microwave... 

So long as the child lock never kicked in, it should be fine! 

I'm overly optimistic about this, probably... 

Mmm, date bars!

They're nice. 

Not as nice as oats, obviously...

You couldn’t crack an egg on that soft a close..

Oh fantastic! Such good news!

Soo tempting.. makes me wish I didn’t live off of a diet of date-bars and gluten free Pringles

Hmmm...

But the soft close! The mute button! 

Tempting..

What kind of keyboard..?

I'm back to stress.

Had a few things to do, in a short timeframe, but got them done.

1. Buy Ballygowan sparkling, at a shop.

2. Buy a new USB keyboard, Hope chewed the one I had; which no longer works.

3. Get Farm-Fresh Milk at the Kiosk.

4. Replace the Litter, in Hope's tray.

5. Make dinner.

6. Contact the Council; the Blue Recycling Bin wasn't collected, yesterday or today.