I was forced to rethink my weekly shopping on my feet earlier today when a key ingredient wasn't available. As it was horrible outside I decided a casserole might be in order, but I didn't fancy paying Tesco's prices for decent beef. So being a tightwad, I bought a pack of the cheapest cubed beef I could find. In the past this beef has been known to last longer than my shoe leather even when done in a slow-cooker!

However, a spoon of bicarb of soda on it, washed off after about 30 minutes left this the most tender meat I've tasted recently. Apparently, it's a well known Chinese take-away trick.

Talking about beef. Last Saturday I went to the butcher the other day to get a steak for my son, the Rib-Eye steak was £10 for a thick slice, would feed two I guess, but I got sirloin instead which was a bit cheaper, I must say it cooked beautifully medium rare. I don't know why English beef is a ridiculous price, The Rib-Eye , cost more than buying a chicken.


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Today we are having fish (salmon) and veg.

WE rarely eat a pudding, and just go for fresh or tinned fruit and yogurt.

It will likely be salmon or cod with baby potatoes, carrots and broccoli with either hollandaise sauce or parsley sauce depending upon which fish I decide to have.

Just had spicy bean burgers and mixed veg. A bit 'hot' and spicy.

I've still got some casserole left!

Just had a curry and some fruit with yogurt . Makes the sweat pour out of you on a hot day, the temperature feels about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Got two loads of washing dried today in this heat.
I expect we will get a cracker of a thunderstorm tomorrow! We haven't had much rain.

I've got rice pud in the slow cooker. I'll enjoy that later.

I walked the dog about 4:00 and ended up in the local pub. Sweat was oozing out of me, yet the dog wasn't fazed. Having dried off I headed for home. I can now hear thunder, but see no signs of cloud or precipitation.

Oooh... Rice pud, now there's an idea except I will do mine in the oven with a butter skin and some grated nutmeg

I've had a few slow cooker meals this last week. Great in as much as I get a cooked meal with very little heat in the kitchen. Chicken just falls off the bone.

Thought I'd try Salmon with sweet chilli sauce, and veg, which turned out to be very nice.

I love chilli sauce.

I think I'll have bangers and mash tonight, not had that for a while.

I had a very delicious cod and chips takeaway today and at this point am full so dinner tonight might just be some fruit.

As a bit of an experiment, I had mussels & pasta (with a few other bits) tonight.

I love mussels, especially in garlic butter

I don't eat them very often. Thankfully, Tesco sells them already shelled so I could just put them straight into the pan.

Caramelised banana pancakes tonight! - Surprisingly enjoyable, if not quite as filling as I'd like!

Tomorrow will be Mango rice pudding. - I'm looking forward to that!