General

Sorting out my cupboards, freezer and my conservatory, which has also been doing service as a larder during the winter.

Experiments with my new coffee maker are going well. Initially, I had some issues with the temperature of the coffee coming out of the machine – fine if you drank it immediately, but it quickly went luke warm. I was almost considering returning it for a refund.

Over the last year, I have considered getting myself a pod coffee system. I don’t drink a lot of coffee – I am a seasoned tea drinker, and dislike instant coffee. However, I do like the occasional cup of expresso, and when working at home, I sometimes neglect myself with regard to drinks if I am too busy to go down to the kitchen to get a brew on. So I thought a small machine in my office would be ideal.

In May, I tried smoking some olive oil, using oak. I poured a 500ml bottle into a very shallow bowl, and placed it on the bottom rack of my cold smoker, while I also smoked some cheese and butter. It was probably smoking for 6-8 hours.

My new cooker has arrived, and is fitted; having been without a kitchen stove for a month or so, it was well worth the wait.

I’ve been playing with the Android allthecooks recipe app over the weekend, and it looks quite fun. Thousands of recipes, and an easy way of turning recipes you select into shopping lists.

I’ve got a date for the delivery of my new cooker at last – October 21. Although I have managed with just the microwave and the BBQ, I will be pleased to have a stove in the kitchen again, and perhaps I will start doing some proper cooking again, and provide some content for this blog!

Had friends round for gaming yesterday, and several commented on my (temporary) lack of a cooker in the kitchen. I let my old cooker go to freecycle a few weeks back, and have yet to replace it.