Cooking Tips

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/32186/cooking-tips-and-recipes/p1

I was having a look around for some recipes that originated with us rather than some taken from any other site and found these. They date back to 2012 but recipes don't date - and some look delicious

I'm going to try the chicken and bacon paella recips from @lindalegs

Yvonne x

I'll share a soup recipe I love at this time of year

Butternut squash soup.

Now they are tricky for wrists and fingers right! So I buy frozen butternut squash to make life easier

chop one large onion, saute if desired (I confess I often leave that bit out)

1 1/2 lb butternut squash

1 lb potatoes

1 pt veg stock (I use a cube, unless I have veggie water from cooking our Sunday roast dinner)

Put all the above into a pan, boil for about 5 mins. Turn the heat down to simmer and add a pinch of nutmeg, 1tsp tarragon, leave for about 20 mins until the veg is well cooked. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Pour into a liquidiser and whizz or use a stick blender (my choice) until it's smooth. Reheat. Serve.

Can be frozen, tastes lovely, crusty bread is my choice to go with.

Yx

@Brynmor Good idea!

I use a mezzaluna knife which needs 2 hands and takes pressure off joints.

My best tip is get the old man to do the cooking. 🤤

This is really easy and suitable for vegetarians though if you'd like some meat in it you could lightly fry some lardons or chopped bacon to stir in.

Gnocchi & tomato bake

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red pepper, deseeded and finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 400g can chopped tomatoes
• 500g pack gnocchi
• handful basil leaves, torn
• half a 125g ball mozzarella, torn into chunks

Method

1. Heat grill to high. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, then soften the onion and pepper for 5 mins. Stir in the garlic, fry for 1 min, tip in the tomatoes and gnocchi, then bring to a simmer. Bubble for 10-15 mins, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is soft and the sauce has thickened. Season, stir through the basil, then transfer to a large ovenproof dish.
2. Scatter with the mozzarella, then grill for 5-6 mins until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
3. Serve with garlic bread and/or a green salad.

@frogmorton

Or tofu Toni. 😊 xx

@Trish9556 I am glad you've resurrected this thread.

I swear by my instant pot which is a kind of pressure cooker like you I like to make stews casseroles and soups in mine.

I don't think I could have a bread maker though else I'd be the size of a 🏡 I love love love warm bread.

Shoving it in is definitely the way to go😂still tastes good and that's all that matters isn't it?

take care

Toni x

Hi

My two favourite items in my kitchen are my pressure cooker and my coffee machine. My pressure cooker makes lovely warming stews with dumplings ( yum ) and I always make extra for another meal either the next day or it can be shoved in the freezer! I would not be without my coffee maker machine as I do like a good quality strong coffee during the morning to perk me up.🙂

@Trish9556

did you see? @Fran54 'shoves' too!!

You honestly think I wouldn't eat the entire loaf of lovely warm bread? sigh.......bliss!

Absolutely @stickywicket prepping ahead is the number 1 lifesaver.

You might have to explain the cake boiling method I've never heard of it but it sounds great.

Take care all

Toni x

Thanks, @Trish9556 , the Bero book, formerly my Mum's😊, is where I first got it from. Last week I had a surfeit of dried apricots so I set Mr SW (who has two good hands) on chopping them. Result, a lovely moist cake.

But I came back to this method in November when I got a cravinģ (ah, no. Those days are long gone!) for a proper Yorkshire Parkin. The real, stick-to-your ribs thing with black treacle and oatmeal, nothing like the flimsy, tasteless golden syrupy ginger cake that shops misname parkin. Fantastic. Our younger son used to ask for the recipe every year (because he always lost it) when he was at uni.

My tip for the kitchen, is to put everything you use a lot, down on lower shelves, so you don’t have to stretch up in pain to reach stuff. I also have one or two gadgets for unscrewing lids on jars. It’s like a silicone nutcracker, which basically fits small or large lids. I have also ordered a hook thing that helps with ring pulls on tins, and cans.

@Woofy

I'm under 5' tall so struggle with even the lowest shelves lol. What I do have when the husband isn't around is a sturdy, long, pair of BBQ tongs which work well in his absence. Yes things do fall down but not on me and it does the job. Breakables aren't put near things that I use lol!

Love n hugs

Trish xx