With the cost of living rising so dramatically I’m more than ever glad that I invested in my thermal cooker. It saves so much on fuel for cooking.
It will take a small, whole chicken, a meat joint or a ham. A few minutes of simmering on the hob then the pan is placed inside the thermal shell and left to continue cooking for a few hours without power. I was sceptical before I tried it that meat cooked in this way would taste as good but I needn’t have worried. The meat is tender and delicious. I add a couple of stock cubes to the water and it works well. Vegetables can be added too. It’s also good for rice pudding and if you don’t like the skin that forms in the oven, this is ideal.
Last Christmas I bought a couple of extra frozen turkey breasts. Last week I thawed one and popped it in the thermal cooker. About 20 minutes on the hob then into the thermal cooker instead of an hour and three quarters in the oven. I could just leave it to continue cooking without power. Almost free cooking. Provided three very satisfying meals.
Turkey mince is also an economical and healthy meat. I sometimes make turkey burgers although I can’t do these in the thermal cooker.
Turkey Burgers (makes four) 454g Turkey mince 1 sweet Apple 1 Clove of Garlic 1 large Egg Salt and Pepper Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan oven. Peel and chop the apple into small pieces. Place in a bowl with the mince. Crush the garlic and add to the mince. Add the egg and salt and pepper. With a fork or clean hands mix well. Form into four flat cake shapes. Place in a greased roasting tin and cover with foil. Cook for 30 minutes. Uncover, flip over and cook for another ten minutes. To make full use of the oven it's a good idea to roast parsnips or squash and potatoes at the same time.
I have been working on a small cookbook which I hope to publish soon. A few of my blog readers said they would be interested in having my recipes in book form and I thought it would be an interesting project to work on. I have enjoyed compiling it and have done some simple illustrations to decorate it. They will need a bit of freshening up before adding to the book. A couple of examples here:
Meanwhile outdoors the garden is springing to life. Yesterday we had this year’s first frogspawn. Unfortunately the frogs have placed it over the tiny new plants I put into the pond a few days ago! I hope they will thrive along with the tadpoles.
Flowers appear almost every day and look so beautiful even in the rain.
When the sun comes out the lovely Crocuses open their petals to reveal golden stamens.
More Daffodils are appearing and the Corydalis are producing their pretty pink flowers under the fruit trees. The Primulas are holding their own against the slugs and the arch has lots of lovely cream Clematis bells.
The Snowdrops are withering now. It’s time to transplant, to spread them or to fill up odd corners of the garden. Best to lift them with soil under the roots and plant the bulb with its leaves into a new spot. Many expert gardeners recommend this. They seem to thrive better than when dry bulbs are planted.
Sometimes potted Snowdrops that haven’t been sold are discounted in the nurseries and garden centres around this time. A few planted now will spread eventually and give you pleasure in the darkest days of Winter. An inspiring and hopeful sight.
Still a bit chilly out but the longer days are so welcome. I love the sunlight flooding the living room when the weather permits. It lights up the pottery and paintings and warms my back while I read or write.
These little pleasures mean so much and my thoughts are with the people everywhere who have had their lives disrupted and lost their homes. At times we need to take stock of what we love and be thankful.
With you again next week. Meanwhile stay safe, keep warm and enjoy the things you like to do.
Living a contented creative life. 