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    Queso!

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    Sent Darrell out to get some Cheddar, from the new Carrefour, that  opened today in Santa Pola. Instead he came back with this, Spanish Queso Tierno.  You just can't get decent cheese here. Having said that, after tasting it, I was pleasantly surprised. If anyone knows where to get English Cheddar in Gran Alacant, please let me know; it's a guilty pleasure, I can't do without!
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    Don't clean it too much, it might fall apart!

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    Darrell has been cleaning our dilapidated old car today.  Not sure how much longer the old thing is going to last; it sounds like a tractor and has a smoking exhaust. Still it get us from A to B, what more do you need in Spain! 
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    Freezer Food!

    I have spent the last few days cooking; preparing food for the freezer.  Times are still very tough for us at the moment, with little money in the pot, so I am continuing to live in the most frugal way I can.  Cooking in bulk and freezing meals, to be eaten later. I usually spend a few days cooking a week, which also saves on the electric bill. 

    Obviously I am eating the cheapest food I can buy, which is what most people I know, do here in Spain.  Having said that, everything I do, is fresh and frozen immediately, for a fraction of the cost, I used to pay in the UK!  I no longer eat the convenience food, I did in the past.  There are no more takeaways or microwave meals, just good old fashioned, home cooking!
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    Carrots

    Remember when preparing carrots for the freezer, you should blanch them, for about ninety seconds in a pan first. This will ensure that they last longer in the freezer.  Blanching takes away a harmful enzyme that causes decay. Without the blanching process, home frozen carrots will last about four weeks; if blanched they will last significantly longer!
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    Pork Stew

    I do eat a lot of stew it has to be said. Good hearty, filling food. I always buy the one litre 'Caldo Casero de Pollo' from Mercadona, to use as the base, adding, casserole vegetables; these you can buy in pre-prepared packs.  I think I paid 1.45€, again from Mercadona.  I always add Barley to my stews also, seasoning with salt, pepper and sage. Six portions for about 6.00€.  Not bad eah!
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    Roasties

    Always remember to par boil the potatoes, with plenty of salt; drain, place the potatoes back in the pan.  Shake the pan of potatoes vigorously, add some plain flour, shake the pan again.  This process will fluff up the surface of each boiled potato, making them crispier when roasting. Freeze, when cooled down!
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    Cabbage

    Cabbage should also be blanched before storing in a freezer.  Once boiled and drained, the cabbage should be placed in a bowl of ice cold water, to stop the cooking process, turning the cabbage too soft.  You will loose some of the crunch when freezing cabbage, nothing significant; freezing offers convenient storage, for perishable vegetables. 
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    Spicy Hotdogs

    Real University student food this; 32 hot dogs for 1.10€, a large tin of tomatoes, half a pepper, garlic onions and a tin of tomatoes, seasoned with basil and smoked paprika, served with pasta.  It's really tasty.  Six portions for about 4€!
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    Lunch!

    El Hatsikidee no-wives-club
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    Dawn popped over yesterday, while I was cooking up my weekly meals, to invite us out for lunch. We went to our favourite restaurant in Gran Alacant,  the Dutch owned El Hatsikidee, next to the GA Centre. After lunch, we rushed home to rescue the food I had left in the oven; returning to Dawns villa afterwards for a few drinks.

    It was good to talk to Dawn, as  always. Myself and Darrell are still very much playing a waiting game here, which can't continue for much longer, so people like Dawn offer invaluable advice, as well as a platform in which to relax, taking away some of the stress and worry, that we currently have.

    We must have got through about six bottles of red wine, sat out on the veranda; I had a lovely day.  Sometimes, other people, can  give you that bit of encouragement, you need, to get through the next day. Dawn is good at giving out those positive vibes, we all need someone like that, in our lives, from time to time!
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