tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post3504456857143698236..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: Crock Pot series. Casseroles, Pies and Curries.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-12850957413992971102015-06-27T23:18:16.649-07:002015-06-27T23:18:16.649-07:00Great post and the pies look wonderful, thank you ...Great post and the pies look wonderful, thank you for the great ideas. Thanks also for sharing at Good Morning Mondays. BlessingsAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04936255875038423505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-54410994887517047712015-06-23T04:59:59.782-07:002015-06-23T04:59:59.782-07:00Dear Aly,
I have a few sized and shaped muffin tin...Dear Aly,<br />I have a few sized and shaped muffin tins. I have man size (texas) tins down to small. That means suitable sizes in the freezer. For you, if you want less pastry, do yours in little ramekins and dont put pastry on the bottom, just a little bit on top. Then it will be fine for you too. This reduces pastry by about two thirds.<br />Im so glad this was helpful! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-23224730468984315522015-06-23T02:32:20.394-07:002015-06-23T02:32:20.394-07:00Annabel this makes me want to cook.
I have to say ...Annabel this makes me want to cook.<br />I have to say I really really learnt something new from here today. I would not have thought about making pies in a muffin tin.......brilliant idea. This would really suit us as DD5 would not eat a bigger size pie and me with diabetes either but would be a great treat now and then.<br />Who says learning stops when you leave school.<br />Great blog as always<br />Aly xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-56735992684466120572015-06-22T19:35:22.050-07:002015-06-22T19:35:22.050-07:00Sago! Good idea! I really like sago, we always use...Sago! Good idea! I really like sago, we always used to call it little hailstones.<br />I should use it again especially with apples, pears etc.<br />Have a lovely week Barb and thank you.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-65130406156204893402015-06-22T19:33:40.146-07:002015-06-22T19:33:40.146-07:00Thanks Lana. They are so handy. A pie is a meal al...Thanks Lana. They are so handy. A pie is a meal all in one pastry! When the girls were little they were in charge of decorating. Oh we had some good ones, mice and birds and interesting things! lol <br />Have a great week!xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-15327431622215563792015-06-22T15:36:57.647-07:002015-06-22T15:36:57.647-07:00Lovely post Annabel. I was talking to my neighbor ...Lovely post Annabel. I was talking to my neighbor and she adds some sago to her crockpot to thicken and soak up juices.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12183372772666943487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-27385025901427753822015-06-22T13:07:38.118-07:002015-06-22T13:07:38.118-07:00Your pies are too beautiful to eat! Your pies are too beautiful to eat! Lanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09380649410508372279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-23367402781279722822015-06-22T07:14:26.306-07:002015-06-22T07:14:26.306-07:00Dear Teri, Thank you! I should have said I pop non...Dear Teri, Thank you! I should have said I pop non stick baking paper under my pies. Then if I am freezing them I freeze them in the muffin tray. Once frozen I remove from tray and freeze in a large snap lock bag. So the tray isnt taking up so much room and you get your tray back. Then I just get a pie or two out as I need them. <br />I spent ages in the supermarket today doing "research" and it was very interesting! <br />The more we know the better prepared we can be. Lots of love Annabel.xxxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-39680647542452733152015-06-22T07:11:09.786-07:002015-06-22T07:11:09.786-07:00Helen the mint sauce/raita is so easy that it is r...Helen the mint sauce/raita is so easy that it is ridiculous but it is so nice. The thicker yoghurt and creamy the better. I use Swan breakfast yoghurt as it is really thick and smooth and slightly sweet. Anyway it works so well. I would say use two really big handfuls of mint at least.<br />I am so glad you like the series. I have much to come! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-92191356506261321772015-06-22T07:08:43.167-07:002015-06-22T07:08:43.167-07:00Hi Jayne, Apricot chicken appears regularly. I hav...Hi Jayne, Apricot chicken appears regularly. I have used fresh apricots, dried, canned, or mixed these according to what I have. I have to say a few dried apricots added is good! <br />I spent two hours in the supermarket learning stuff today! I hope I can deliver on Wednesday now! Many thanks! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-39910353930212731742015-06-22T07:06:06.742-07:002015-06-22T07:06:06.742-07:00Dear Kaye, I am so glad for you to have those spar...Dear Kaye, I am so glad for you to have those spare meals. Tiredness, sickness or helping others etc all mean we need nights off. Its a relief!<br />I think knowledge really is power re our pantries, preparedness and all the skills that can help us save money. It is kind of exciting to be learning so many new things! And we need to. I dont think the economy is anything too thrilling! <br />My stock in the freezer is going to be handy tomorrow. I got 3 kilos of zucchinis for five dollars something so soup is going on tomorrow. I have the stock thawing overnight.<br />Have a really good week! And I hope you are 100% better, lots of love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-77241547537528341212015-06-22T07:01:26.847-07:002015-06-22T07:01:26.847-07:00Thanks so much Lynette. I love the idea of the len...Thanks so much Lynette. I love the idea of the lentils. I like to use beans but most need a long cooking time and are not much good for this later adding to soak up liquid I wasnt expecting. But lentils would work! There is a lot of goodness in the juices so I never want to waste them.<br />If the slow cooker is doing the work you can get more knitting done and I can get more crochet done! <br />Have a great week. Many thanks, Annabel.xxxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-24893520167108142922015-06-22T06:58:27.075-07:002015-06-22T06:58:27.075-07:00Thank you Tania and I know you are not eating meat...Thank you Tania and I know you are not eating meat but I guess the boys do... but I hope the slow cooker helps you. As you say there are so many things we could be doing, all help is gratefully accepted! <br />As I write it is raining steadily. I hope it keeps going and you are getting it too. With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-21293639707742306742015-06-22T06:56:22.098-07:002015-06-22T06:56:22.098-07:00I agree Becky, I love the slow cooker in summer. I...I agree Becky, I love the slow cooker in summer. I have used it outside too for BBQs etc.<br />The last I heard from Laine was when Harper was born... so 5 weeks ago. I am not feeling too hopeful about the website just now. This could change and I would be excited and let everyone know if I knew. I am glad we can still read Laines Letters, thankfully. And I do every time I need a lift. xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-24021592709785100112015-06-22T06:53:29.224-07:002015-06-22T06:53:29.224-07:00Dear Mel, I think making dog food is a massive sav...Dear Mel, I think making dog food is a massive saver. I think probably healthier too. We used to add meat meal. I dont even know if that exists now? And also cod liver oil. That worked so well. I could not even find that to buy recently. I would like to find that though. I had not thought of this kind of cook up in the crock pot. It would be good fun if someone thought that this was dinner! :)<br />Have a good week. I am thinking of you! Lots of love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-34896520524904947852015-06-22T02:06:54.837-07:002015-06-22T02:06:54.837-07:00Annabel, I have all your recipes copied by hand in...Annabel, I have all your recipes copied by hand into my recipe book you gave me. I love that they start " Annabel's.....".<br />Mel, great tip about the dog food. I never thought of that. Also Annabel thank you for the recipe of the Mint Yoghurt. How easy is that?<br />I learnt from a friend years ago that as soon as breakfast is over, I should start working out what we are going to have for dinner and do what prep I could towards that. I have stuck to it through the years, and it has been a lifesaver as very often the day doesn't go as planned, especially if someone gets sick.<br />Thanks so much for the wonderful series.<br /><br />Love Helen xxxAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01022606699440794764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-23927067003653519532015-06-21T23:39:45.302-07:002015-06-21T23:39:45.302-07:00Another slant on the crock pot mine was full on Sa...Another slant on the crock pot mine was full on Saturday with slow cooked dog food. I bought 3 kilo of pet mince and a kilo of liver and mixed that with ends and bits and pieces of finely chopped vegetables that would not have made it to the dinner table. I added 3 cups of organic rolled oats. To this I added water and some seasoning packets from noodles. This made a huge amount of dog food in fact I needed 2 crock pots and our crock pots are large. This is a huge saving of what our dog food was costing us. I then freeze it in large ice cubes and put them into a freezer bag. 6 ice cubes of pet food feeds the dog and the cat a meal. This is saving me a large sum of money over a year. I often make two or three varieties at a time for variety and I add eggs often if I have an abundance.Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17017438973165858980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-73149427323390183762015-06-21T22:47:24.184-07:002015-06-21T22:47:24.184-07:00Annabel, Thank you for so many wonderful ideas! I...Annabel, Thank you for so many wonderful ideas! I love using my slow cooker and you have given me some new ways to cook dinner! :) I don't bother to brown my meat first, either. To me, its just an extra unnecessary step! lol<br /><br />Your pies look divine! And using a muffin tin for "mini" pies! Great idea! <br /><br />Can't wait to read your next pantry post! Have a wonderful day! Love, TeriTeri Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-21745556398694007642015-06-21T22:39:29.810-07:002015-06-21T22:39:29.810-07:00Yum, I am really enjoying cooking in the cold weat...Yum, I am really enjoying cooking in the cold weather. I haven't made apricot chicken in ages and everyone likes it - thanks for the reminder!<br />I am intrigued about what you found out - can't wait for Wednesday now!Tiny Toadstool Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741553266633373902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-76815149630591078242015-06-21T20:22:24.547-07:002015-06-21T20:22:24.547-07:00Annabel loving this series. If I have something th...Annabel loving this series. If I have something that needs thickening I use either red lentils or rolled oats, pop them in about 1/2 an hour before you need to be dishing up the meal.<br /><br />I must agree that even if you are home, some days can be quite busy and having a meal ready at the end of the day is a life saver. <br /><br />Lynette<br />XXXXX<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-31334731654163409942015-06-21T19:46:06.841-07:002015-06-21T19:46:06.841-07:00It will be interesting (or perhaps troubling?) to ...It will be interesting (or perhaps troubling?) to read what you share on Wednesday. <br /><br />I have a whole chicken I'm presently getting prepared for the pieces to go in the slow cooker for chicken Indonesian that I will freeze and am removing the breast meat for butter chicken for tonight. I cook the butter chicken on the stovetop as it has to have spices cooked etc. Am tempted to get the smaller crockpot out and just throw all the ingredients in and see what the finished product tastes like! I even saved a recipe for a crockpot version of stir fry beef and broccoli to my Pinterest boards the other night. You add the broccoli in the last half hour. Just enough time while I cook the rice! <br /><br />Thanks to you Annabel, I cook ahead at least one meal a week for the freezer now, and bulk cook something i.e. Stock, Apples, pumpkin etc and freeze in portions for base of new foods. Because I'm home, I have usually just cooked for that day with some leftovers. Planning some extras has been a life saver while I was sick. KayeBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02893434891123813140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-63364205019610344122015-06-21T19:28:15.131-07:002015-06-21T19:28:15.131-07:00Excited about your Wed. post or maybe I should be ...Excited about your Wed. post or maybe I should be nervous:) I love my slow cooker. When it is hot and I don't want to turn the oven on , it's perfect. Any news on Laines new website yet?beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09779906229261926165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-75470855791458364582015-06-21T18:37:26.785-07:002015-06-21T18:37:26.785-07:00A very helpful post Annabel. So many choices for ...A very helpful post Annabel. So many choices for delicious meals, and slow cooking is such a great way for busy people to get nice meals on the table. Even the not so busy can benefit from slow cooking. It can free up your day to fit in other things like craft ~smiles~ I will be saving your suggestions and trying them out on my family.<br /><br />Thank you for this series, it will be a life saver for some.<br /><br />Wishing you a blessed week,<br /><br />xTaniaTaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10176661940614462611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-86011207557283172182015-06-21T18:13:17.498-07:002015-06-21T18:13:17.498-07:00Dear Patsi, Thank you! I know its out of season fo...Dear Patsi, Thank you! I know its out of season for you but stewing fruit and fruit pies could be in season! <br />Have a great week! I love a new week! Lots of love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-5518882938415450282015-06-21T18:10:13.033-07:002015-06-21T18:10:13.033-07:00Your crock pot meals look delicious and what great...Your crock pot meals look delicious and what great tips you shared! You are sharing some valuable and very usable information in this series ... thank you!patsi @ a working pantryhttp://aworkingpantry.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com