Hodge Podge Marking time by June McInnes

In my last article, I was looking forward to getting the renos finished and the house completed. This time I find myself behind in proposed projects all because of a stupid injury. It’s made me stop all my projects and I have to take a back step whilst other people step up to the plate and do the work.

Tendinitis is one of the most painful things I’ve done to this poor body of mine, not as painful as childbirth but wow, it sure puts a crimp on your day, not to mention the fact that you can’t actually bend your fingers at all.

It’s my own fault I guess, cutting drywall, hammering and plastering, filling holes, putting down concrete, lifting, fetching, carrying, it’s not like I did it alone though, my family and a fair number of tradesmen have done far more. I guess I’m just getting old and I’m not as good as I once was as they say. So, I’m not going to be able to do any more work until it heals.

So whilst I’m not putting up drywall and I’m taking a backseat I’ve had my fingers taped together to keep them rested, it is working a little and it forces me to not use them.

However, it doesn’t stop me from cooking one handed so I’m sharing these recipes with you.

With crippled fingers in mind here’s the easiest to do recipes I could manage.

Quick home made soup

1 packet of instant mashed potatoes 1 packet of ready prepared carrots 1 jar of red peppers, drained

1 red onion

1 stock cube

A little butter for frying Salt and pepper for seasoning 1-2 pints of water

Method

Chop the onion, place in a large pan, cook until soft, stirring Next add the carrots, stir. Add the peppers, continuing to stir.

Then add the stock cube to the water, pour that into the pan and cook the soup until the carrots are soft.

Once the carrots are cooked, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of the instant potatoes Just to thicken the soup a little if you like it chunky or if you have one, blend the soup to make it smooth. Lastly season to taste. Serve with crackers or crusty bread.

Egg free chocolate mousse

1 half pint pot of cream

1 bar of chocolate, (could be flavoured if desired)

Method

Whip the cream until fluffy.

Melt the chocolate in either the microwave or in a basin over a pan of boiling water.

Stir occasionally until fully melted. Take the chocolate off the heat and cool just a little.

Fold the chocolate into the cream and then place in your serving dishes, place in the fridge until ready to serve, decorate if desired with a blob of cream or chocolate buttons whatever you like.

I hope these easy recipes help you as much as they helped me.