Stormy Weather

[mercia]

Little Egrets

yes, I used to like watching those on a reservoir in Kent

going to be a lovely day here today, clear skies, very still, sun just coming up

what's taiters?

[Serial_Apologist]

what's taiters?

Frozen oven chips???

I just checked up on the week's forecast. Looks like we'll all be having our heating on by Wednesday; . Frost predicted Thursday night, even here in S London.

[amateur51]

Frozen oven chips???

I just checked up on the week's forecast. Looks like we'll all be having our heating on by Wednesday; . Frost predicted Thursday night, even here in S London.

Must get a bag of porridge oats & a litre of milk tomorrow then

We'rrrrre aarrrllll doooooomed, ah tell ye!

[salymap]

I feel the cold and have had my heating on [and off] for about a week. I can't run everywhere like all you young things

Porridge sounds a good idea, do you make it in the microwave am ?

[amateur51]

I feel the cold and have had my heating on [and off] for about a week. I can't run everywhere like all you young things

Porridge sounds a good idea, do you make it in the microwave am ?

I do, salymap and very good it is too.

It takes about 4 minutes and there's very little washing up once you've got the hang of it.

Porridge warms you up, see you through til lunchtime, lowers your cholestrol, does nice things for diabetics and keeps things on the go ... if you see what I mean

[Serial_Apologist]

Porridge. Excellent idea. Thanks AM51! I haven't eaten porridge now for 40 years, I reckon. It was an essential at the time I moved into my first bedsit in January 1965. The place had no heating, not even a 1-bar electric fire; the glass of water by my bedside was often topped with ice; five blankets and a heavy overcoat were needed to stave off hypothermia. I liked my porridge best with golden syrup. Demerara sugar was a second choice, being more expensive. As I recall it needed very little milk, so this could prove a small saving.

Older folks remembered when times were much worse, but living conditions were still pretty tough in the 1960s. Looking to the future, , it seems timely now to remember past privations - (weekly rent in 1965, £8; weekly wage, £5) - for vital tips on survival...

[marthe]

Yes, porridge in the micro is the way to go. I do a wonderful porridge (called oatmeal over here) with sultanas, and cut-up fresh or frozen fruit, milk, cinnamon, and maple syrup. It takes about 2.5 mins and no washing of porridge pan. Can't beat that. It's the best thing on cold mornings. My maple syrup is the real thing from a friend up in Maine who taps his own trees. Absolutely delicious.

[mangerton]

Older folks remembered when times were much worse, but living conditions were still pretty tough in the 1960s. Looking to the future, , it seems timely now to remember past privations - (weekly rent in 1965, £8; weekly wage, £5)

This is much worse than Micawber. How on earth did you manage?

[greenilex]

I suppose there is almost always something left to sell...

[amateur51]

Yes, porridge in the micro is the way to go. I do a wonderful porridge (called oatmeal over here) with sultanas, and cut-up fresh or frozen fruit, milk, cinnamon, and maple syrup. It takes about 2.5 mins and no washing of porridge pan. Can't beat that. It's the best thing on cold mornings. My maple syrup is the real thing from a friend up in Maine who taps his own trees. Absolutely delicious.

Hang abaht, hang abaht - all this maple syrup/golden syrup palaver - delicious I agree but .... what about us diabetix?

I find that putting a cut-up banana in the mix and then blasting it in the microwave renders the nana sweet & fragrant even if it has a touch of green on the skin The frozen fruit idea (raspberries!) in the winter months is a good idea too, marthe

[doversoul1]

I like cooking porridge in a pot. There is something about stirring porridge with a wooden spoon and watch it turn soft and thick while my mind wanders off to all sorts of odd places. And I like my porridge plain.

[ed]
marthe
Having said that, your porridge sounds a treat. I might try it but with genuine Kent honey

[mangerton]

Hang abaht, hang abaht - all this maple syrup/golden syrup palaver - delicious I agree but .... what about us diabetix?

It need not be a problem. There'll be thousands of Scots spinning in their graves reading about maple syrup and fruit. (Not me, though. )

Porridge was traditionally eaten with salt. They're much better for you that way.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

er no salt is not good for me! ...blood pressure etc ... red grape juice instead of any dairy and no sugar or salt and any kind of chopped or pureed fruit and never never in a micro wave, use a non stick pan ... and the smell fills the kitchen ...

nippy innit

[marthe]

doversoul, mangerton, and Calum, I used to make my porridge in a porridge pot, stirred with my wooden spurtle, but found that the micro works nearly as well. That being said, my grandfather, who was Belgian (not Scottish), made the very best porridge ever using the old-fashioned method. Bon Papa's oatmeal (porridge) was a real treat. We had this for breakfast whenever we visited our grandparents. It was always served with raisins, brown sugar, and cream. I like my porridge with fruit and cinnamon. The maple syrup (sometimes honey) is an added treat. The fruit itself really adds enough sweetness so that I don't always need the extra sweetening. At the moment, I'm adding apples and fresh cranberries (now in season). During the summer, I would have peaches and blueberries. Sometimes I substitute chopped apricots for the sultanas. The cinnamon, or sometimes ground coriander, adds flavour and is antioxidant as well. This is my power breakfast. It keeps me from snacking mid-morning. As a result, I've lost nearly 3 stone over the past 12 months and feel much better for it.

[marthe]

am51, I also do the banana in the micro trick. I don't add maple syrup/honey when I use bananas. They're sweet enough. I like your idea of using fruit juice, but I use milk for the calcium (and also add plain yogurt) to keep my bones in good shape. It's better that than having to take Boniva or some other calcium supplement.