Following my Belly
Mar. 23rd, 2020 06:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tealinI gave up on finding some live yeast, so I decided to start some sourdough starter from scratch. I had never done this before, but these instructions made it look achievable. The only problem was, I needed some yoghurt. I didn't know what my chances were at Sainsbury's, but there's a Little Waitrose not far away and they don't mark up their dairy products too much. That part was fine, but I happened to end up in the checkout queue (at a safe distance!) behind a lady buying two carrier bags' worth of groceries on two different bills – I assume she was buying for people on lockdown.
The other benefit of going to Waitrose was I could circle back around via The Free Press, on the off chance there were any eggs to be had. There were! And they were so pleased I had brought my own carton as they had run out of their own. I asked further about how to order things and what was available: Most basic stuff, was the answer; if you ordered before 9 they would be there the next day, and they offered delivery service. I paid for the eggs, then remembered I also wanted to stock up on my favourite beer, so asked for three bottles. From the dark recesses of the pub a voice proclaimed 'They're 4 for 2!' which was impossible to refuse. I thanked them profusely for offering their service and wished them well before I clinked home. Besides egg baskets, they had run out of takeaway bags, so it sounds like business is doing OK. I hope they are allowed to continue.
Now I have everything I need to make perogies – they have gone from Eastern European peasant food to Canadian student food; one of the things I miss outside Canada is being able to find big bags of cheap frozen perogies at any supermarket. They are stodgy as anything and cheap as chips, so they should keep me going a long while. I will make them English by using Stilton (of which I have lots) instead of Cheddar (of which I have none) but that shouldn't damage them in any way. We are ready for winter.
The Prime Minister is addressing the public at 8:30 GMT, and is widely expected to be announcing stricter lockdown measures after a weekend of crowded parks and holiday destinations. Winter could be very long indeed.
UPDATE: Yup, we're on lockdown. Allowed out once a day for exercise, alone or with one's housemates, and for acquiring the bare necessities of food and medicine, but otherwise everyone is to stay indoors. Wellp! Here we go.
The other benefit of going to Waitrose was I could circle back around via The Free Press, on the off chance there were any eggs to be had. There were! And they were so pleased I had brought my own carton as they had run out of their own. I asked further about how to order things and what was available: Most basic stuff, was the answer; if you ordered before 9 they would be there the next day, and they offered delivery service. I paid for the eggs, then remembered I also wanted to stock up on my favourite beer, so asked for three bottles. From the dark recesses of the pub a voice proclaimed 'They're 4 for 2!' which was impossible to refuse. I thanked them profusely for offering their service and wished them well before I clinked home. Besides egg baskets, they had run out of takeaway bags, so it sounds like business is doing OK. I hope they are allowed to continue.
Now I have everything I need to make perogies – they have gone from Eastern European peasant food to Canadian student food; one of the things I miss outside Canada is being able to find big bags of cheap frozen perogies at any supermarket. They are stodgy as anything and cheap as chips, so they should keep me going a long while. I will make them English by using Stilton (of which I have lots) instead of Cheddar (of which I have none) but that shouldn't damage them in any way. We are ready for winter.
The Prime Minister is addressing the public at 8:30 GMT, and is widely expected to be announcing stricter lockdown measures after a weekend of crowded parks and holiday destinations. Winter could be very long indeed.
UPDATE: Yup, we're on lockdown. Allowed out once a day for exercise, alone or with one's housemates, and for acquiring the bare necessities of food and medicine, but otherwise everyone is to stay indoors. Wellp! Here we go.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-23 08:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-03-23 08:26 pm (UTC)That beard, though! Still not over it.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-24 12:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-03-24 08:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-03-23 09:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-03-23 09:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-03-24 10:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-03-24 12:53 am (UTC)it's been a challenge to try to support local businesses, but most restaurants are still open, so I'm trying to order take out from them as often as I can in order to not need that many groceries (or grocery runs) as well as upping my Hello Fresh deliveries. Turns out to be more expensive than I'm comfortable with. :\
Glad you didn't have issues getting the beer and eggs!
Though beware of the cult of home bread-makers...they're out there...they are watching...your starter dough.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-24 02:42 am (UTC)Also, rye flour makes a good starter-from-scratch but it's theoretically possible with regular flour too. But you have to make peace with sacrificing a few cups of flour and something like six days before it's usable.
kingarthurflour.com/recipes/sourdough-starter-recipe
no subject
Date: 2020-03-24 09:04 am (UTC)If I had some rye flour on hand I would have used it, but the only place here that sells it, it comes in 2kg bags, and I know from personal experience that it takes a long time to go through that much rye, even making rygbrød. When I need to stock up maybe I will find space for it – I'll be desperate for a change of flavour then, no doubt!
no subject
Date: 2020-03-26 12:28 am (UTC)Bless their hearts.
They will save us all.