Chitchat thread #24

[Bren In Pots]

By the way, Nancy's tip about leaving dirty oven shelves on the grass overnight really works!

That's good to know Flo, but I probably won't be trying it.

I do know it you have a burnt pan and put it in the sand pit with the other toys for the kids to play with, the following year the pan looks good as new.

[greenishfing]

I'm sorry to say that I'd never heard of Nancy Birtwhistle. I've only watched bake off for the last three or four years. I have now had a quick look online. Some of her books might even be an answer to some of my Christmas present problems.

[Nicos]

Glad to be of help gf!

[Nicos]

By the way, Nancy's tip about leaving dirty oven shelves on the grass overnight really works!

I’m going to try that tonight!…just hope it doesn’t go rusty!

I should have done it last night…my dehydrated oranges have darkish line marks on them now

[Florence Fennel]

Coincidentally, Nancy's entry on Instagram today was to warn people that her account on Facebook has been hacked!

[greenishfing]

I've just been watching last night's bake off and all the tiramisus looked absolutely gorgeous. I could practically taste them. I think I've only ever tried it once though, and I can't say that I was particularly impressed. I remember it being a bit (lot) dry and nondescript. If anyone's got a gorgeous gooey recipe please let me know.

[Nicos]

What a coincidence!
I was looking at this site earlier today ( can’t ya just tell I’m dieting )

The mango one caught my eye as I’m not a great coffee dessert person and don’t really like rum!
https://www.delicious.com.au/recipes...13yfdj?page=25

[Nicos]

Mornin n’alln’all
Rubbish night’s sleep, so I’ve just given up

However, I’m being happily entertained by one purring pussy cat and an owl outside hooting away.
I may nip out for a grory hop later. Don’t need much so it won’t take long.

More of the same for me today.
I’ve not been outside yet, but I’m looking forward to checking that oven shelf Flo.
Might give the oven a clean too. Does she have tips for that?
Must say, I’m interested to see what her gardening tips are…I’d be suprised we didn’t already know most of them! Always happy to learn!
I was reading an article earlier on a french gardening site and they said they store their tomatoes in wood ash from the fire. Not heard that one before but apparently it works pretty well.
Anyone else heard of that before?

Right well, the central heating has kicked in so I’ll go and make a brew and let Hibou out…then in…then out…then in…. Much easier in the summer when I can just leave the back door open And yes, exasperating as it can be, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Right…anyone else up for a brew?….

[Nicos]

Where is everyone?…having a bit of an extra snooze or is someone giving away £50 notes somewhere?

The oven shelf has certainly improved but not quite clean- mostly clean on the side of the grass. Will give it another go tonight if I remember, but upside down instead.

[greenishfing]

Good morning all.

It's a bit chilly here, still in single figures. I'm still cocooned in the duvet waiting for the heating to warm things up. I remember getting dressed under the blankets as a child and then running downstairs hoping that the coal fire could be brought back to life without cleaning and re - laying it.

Nicos, some of those tiramisus look very interesting. Not mango though, I just don't really like it, not even mango chutney.

What is the theory behind the oven shelves on the grass? I've never heard of that before. My best tip for a clean oven is to use the rolls of oven bottom liner. Even burnt on drips wash or peel off really easily, and they last for years.

I have made my own caster sugar in the past but found it a bit uneven, some of it like icing sugar. Once I also made my own ground almonds when I needed some mid recipe and the shops were shut. Blanching them to remove the skins was a real pain though.

I did a grory hop yesterday and Aldi had their Christmas magazine in. They are evidently getting one of my favourite blue cheeses, Bleu D'Affinois in on Nov 27th. I will be there.

Today it looks as if I'll be in Mrs mop mode. I think I'll blitz the bathroom and also get the washer working overtime despite a complete lack of sunshine for drying outdoors.

It's a bit warmer now. I think the thought of coffee is luring me out of my nest.

[greenishfing]

Nicos, I presume your oven shelf didn't rust. I remember Mr GF once deciding that the anchor chain on his boat looked rough. The boat was in Spain. He decided to clean it by putting it in a big tub of Salfumante (acid I think). He was delighted with the sparkling chain....until the next day ....when it was brown and rusty. All the galvanisation had apparently come off. Expensive mistake..

[Bren In Pots]

Morning

Damp and cloudy here this morning, don't think its going to improve much either. No gardening today apart from sorting out GH toms most of them are on their way to ripening.

enjoy your day

[Nicos]

It didn’t rust no gf…I’m guessing it’s the length of time there is dew on it which does the trick?
My stove is 90 cm wide so the shelf is a real struggle to immerse in water which was why I had my fingers crossed it would work.

Yikes… that was an expensive mistake with the anchor

[Florence Fennel]

Good Morning All Dull here again. The theory is that the dirt is loosened for easier cleaning, it doesn't do the whole job! Have a good day All

[Snoop Puss]

Morning all.

Salfumán is hydrochloric acid. I've never used it. Perhaps I should on my hob grates though. They're dire (talk about washing your dirty linen in public). I'll give the grass trick a go first, mind.

Another busy day ahead. Plus I'm supposed to be doing lunch for three. No idea what yet and I need to get started in about 45 mins. Hope there's some inspiration over on the cooking thread. Not going to think about tiramisu. So good it's lethal stuff.

Have a great day, everyone.