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stumbling self sufficiency in a small space
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10:13 pm
Councillor
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Tue 20-Apr-10
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This is something I really ought to know the answer to. I have made some Picalilli exactly (well in a Chris sort of way!) according to a recipe, at least the proportions were exactly right and I have just potted it all up and it looks good. HOWEVER there is not enough of the sauce or whatever you call it to cover the contents and all the recipes agree on one thing, DON'T LEAVE ANY AIR BUBBLES. I don't have anymore cider or white wine vinegar in the house to knock up some more of the sauce to add to it, so will it be OK to do so tomorrow morning, and do I empty all the contents (carefully) and remix it with extra sauce or do I pour sauce directly into the jars as they are and risk having 2 tone sauce. (Maybe it could be the Picalilli version of go faster stripes)
Seriously what is the best remedy.
I have reached an age where my train of thought often leaves the station without me...
10:51 pm
Supreme Being
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Sun 30-Jan-11
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I can't answer your questions, sorry Chris, as I loathe piccalilli (so not a lot of help!).
I just wanted to say I'm in awe of all the things you do!
learning to love veg…..except celery :-O
11:03 pm
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Tue 20-Apr-10
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Don't be Soo, it is just a whole lot of fun and when you are retired you have the time to play, as long as it doesn't cost too much!!
Also, this is a wheeze not to have to buy Christmas presents so in a way it pays as well.
Frankly I know I should probably take it all out of the jars and remix it but I will probably risk a 2 tone finish, a little voice inside me has just suggested putting some vegitable dye in it so it would be 2 colours hhm.
I have reached an age where my train of thought often leaves the station without me...
11:31 pm
Supreme Being
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Sun 30-Jan-11
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You're right about the presents bit......we're going to a wedding next week and for the gift I bought a pretty basket and lined it with scrunched up tissue paper in shades of pinks and purples. I'm filling it with jars of my preserves and will make a batch of blueberry, lemon and chocolate chip muffins the day before. Then will cover the whole lot with some nice wrapping paper tied with a big purple bow - job done. They've both been married before and have been living together for some time, so don't need any of the usual household appliances - this seemed like a nice (and much more personal) gift.
Vegetable dye - now there's an innovative thought! 
learning to love veg…..except celery :-O
11:35 pm
Supreme Being
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Tue 22-Sep-09
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I've had similar issues chris, but was able to make up some more sauce straight away.
I'd be tempted to make up the sauce, then just nuke the ready made stuff (in jars) in the microwave for a short blast, just to warm through slightly, then add the new sauce, seal and then tip upside down a few times to mix it a bit (and remove air bubbles) - good luck
11:50 pm
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Tue 20-Apr-10
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Soo, take a pic of the finished gift and load it up it would be lovely to see, I am an expert now on loading up pics on this web site so if you need any help just ask TA !!
Janet, thanks that is probably what I will do, I have never had this happen before and the problem with Picalilli, as you know, is that the more you handle it the more likely you are to damage the florets and that would spoil the appearance.
Let you know how it goes.
I have reached an age where my train of thought often leaves the station without me...
12:00 am
Supreme Being
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Sun 30-Jan-11
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I'll try, Chris - no promises though, I'm rubbish at anything techie 
learning to love veg…..except celery :-O
12:02 am
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Tue 20-Apr-10
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Incidentally Sue, have you noticed that we have done the same number of posts ?
I have reached an age where my train of thought often leaves the station without me...
12:26 am
Supreme Being
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Sun 30-Jan-11
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So we have......but you've been here a lot longer than me, so I clearly rabbit on about nothing in particular far more than you do 
learning to love veg…..except celery :-O
12:31 am
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Tue 20-Apr-10
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You might say that, being a gentleman, I couldn't possibly comment !!
I have reached an age where my train of thought often leaves the station without me...
10:51 am
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Tue 20-Apr-10
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Janet many thanks for your help, glad to know I am not the only one to have sufferred this problem.
Went to Waitrose at 8:00 this morning and got some more White Wine Vinegar and have done the deed.
After I had topped the jars up and got rid of the air bubbles the colour match looked good with no obvious delineation between the two batches of sauce so I have left it.
I was worried about giving it a quick blitz in the microwave anyway as that would probably cook the vegitables a bit and they would lose their crunch.
So, fingers crossed and that is another one bitten the dust for Christmas.
Have taken a pic of two of the jars¦
I have reached an age where my train of thought often leaves the station without me...
11:02 am
Expert
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Fri 9-Sep-11
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Great photo - they look good. I also like your labels, do you print them yourself?
When I first tried to load a photo on here it went very weird indeed - what is your secret?
Maura
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
11:11 am
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Tue 20-Apr-10
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Maura, answers:
Thanks
Yes
I am the expert (not) on this web site for loading photos, just ask TA !!
Actually regarding the labels, it is a photograph of my cottage reduced to a line drawing and then imported into Avery's free label editing program, the labels are plain white photo glossy labels.
Just relieved that I seem to have got away with this.
I have reached an age where my train of thought often leaves the station without me...
11:20 am
Expert
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Fri 9-Sep-11
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Ah - I use Avery to do labels as well but often have problems when trying to insert an image into them. It sometimes shows a blue envelope type logo which probably indicates an error.
I also tried to insert a line drawing of my house which I took from a set of drawings that were done when we had to apply for PP for an extension. Trouble was the house looked like it was lopsided as thats how it appeared in the architects art work.
Maybe I try too hard and should just stick to the simple things 
So come on then.....how do you get your photo to look so neat and tidy 
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
11:23 am
Supreme Being
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Sun 30-Jan-11
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Well done Chris!
(and I wouldn't even dream of printing off my own labels, let alone designing/editing them, that's all wayyyyyyy over my head, so even bigger well done! 
)
learning to love veg…..except celery :-O
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