I have some random questions for you.....

[Flippinfurloughed]

I have started then stopped writing posts asking these things today as on their own they are piddly little questions - but I actually want to know the answers, so I’m hoping by putting them together in a mega post it will justify my nosiness!

Q1) what meal can you cook to restaurant standard? Or would be proud to serve to guests?! I want to learn to cook fancier food as we are eating in all the time now, but I need inspiration!

Q2) do you have a hobby? Apparently having an interest will lower my - off the chart - cortisol levels, but I just spend hours reading bloody mumsnet and no one ever mentions their hobby incase it outs them!

Q3) Can you show me if you have some nice slippers please? I need some new ones.

Thank you for indulging me - feel free to add any random questions of your own that don’t quite justify their own post but that you want to know the answer to :)

1. I can't cook anything elaborate to restaurant standard. I'm sure my everyday meals such as steak, pasta etc. are as good as you'd get in a restaurant but anything elaborate never matches up in presentation if I make it. I would say, just pick a recipe you like the look of and have a go! It doesn't have to be restaurant standard to taste good and if you enjoy it and make it again, practice will improve the dish.

1. I'm interested in history/visiting old monuments etc. I enjoy arts and crafts (type depending on mood) and creative writing. I'm devoted to my pets.

1. I never wear slippers - hate them! Bare/stockinged feet or shoes in the house (we are not a rigidly 'shoes off' household). Thick socks in winter if cold.

Hi!
I used to have some hobbies: reading, the theatre, drawing, and then I had children and most of it went to pot 🙈

I have Ugg slippers, I've had two pairs and they last a long time, so worth the money imo.

In terms of food, I can cook a whole range of foods to a good standard. I'm of Greek heritage and I can cook lots of good Greek food! I make a good lasagne, I make a great lamb dish slow cooked with pomegranate. I think most people under season their food, understandable with children sharing it, but it can sometimes make it bland.

Ooh thank you for replying!

Lamb with pomegranate sounds amazing - I wouldn’t have thought to try anything like that, so I maybe need to dig out some recipe books! I very much cook to suit my sons palate at the moment, which is bland to say the least (he doesn’t like his food to touch never mind have sauce or seasoning!)

I’ve always wondered about Ugg’s - I’m a bit like you @Pelleas as I usually just have bare feet, but I want something snuggly!

You have actually reminded me I like reading and the theatre too. I’m always envious of people who have an arts and craft project on the go - I honesty wouldn’t even know where to begin! Can you buy a kit?! I’m going to go look on amazon!

1. I’d like to think most of the things I make are restaurant standard because I trained as a chef. (Many, many years ago)

1. My hobbies are gardening, painting and cooking.

1. I always have padders slippers. Very comfy!

This looks SO nice - I need to deviate outside my normal recipes I think.

Ooh @MaisyMary77 what are some of your favourite things to cook? Is there anything you would really recommend?

I made the mistake of googling “sexy slippers” I don’t even know why, I think I was just aiming for none granny ones...... I do NOT need fluffy heeled mules that’s for sure!

I cook a lot of food really well, once you have the basics it becomes a lot easier.

I don’t really have hobbies, I work FT and have 4 DC so I’m busy. I walk/jog and do Pilates to keep fit but don’t love it. I read books, I do a bit of embroidery/ cross stitch. I play the piano badly and love interior design but mostly I just potter and drink wine.

Uggs are brilliant slippers. Will never buy anything else again.

1.I make a bloody good Mary Berry Chicken and bacon Pie

1. My slippers are from FitFlop, they were Eye-wateringly expensive, but are going strong after about 5 years. I love them!
2. I like to run, read, I'm trying to be more creative and have enjoyed beginners embroidery kits from Ebay during lockdown!

1. I’m a good home cook but not sure if I’m at a good restaurant standard. I do a mean risotto, in particular.

2. I read a lot. Mainly dystopian fiction. I’ve just treated myself to a ukelele.

3. I have Uggs. They were a gift and I love them. They’re not something I’d have bought myself due to the price but I will buy again in the future. I’ve been wearing my current ones constantly during lockdown and they’re just so comfortable. Also, they don’t smell which is an issue I’ve always found with cheaper slippers after a while.

Can you buy a kit?!

Yes, there are lots of craft kits out there, from sewing to model-making, card-making, glass painting - dozens of things. Have a good old browse!

Or you can start an art project with as little as pencil and paper for drawing. For painting you can buy starter painting kits that include suitable paper or canvas boards.

1. I'm getting better. I have a lot of cookbooks!! I probably cook lots of simple things but am good at stuff like lamb tabbouleh, a good bolognese etc.

1. I have small people so it's tricky but I do love to bake

1. Ugg slippers all the way. Have had mine for years and they wash well. Will definitely repurchase!

1. I'm always proud of my roasts. We have my best friend over for Xmas most years (her family are Jehovah's witnesses so they dont celebrate) and she always enjoys my roast potatoes.

1. I draw and am just taking up painting with watercolours. I like to be able to create things that are pretty.

1. Can't help you there. I hate wearing anything on my feet when I'm at home.

Right, I’m browsing UGGs - do you all have the moccasins or the scuffette ones?! I have the chestnut scuffette ones in my basket at the moment.....

I’m going to browse craft kits next.

This is quite exciting! Do you think there’s any worth to trying one of those hello fresh / Gousto boxes? Or just picking a load of recipes and going for it on my tesco order?!

I went to a boarding school with dire food and my mum never really cooked beyond a Sunday roast, I think I missed the part in life where you actually learn to create nice food. I’m coming to this late!

Oh I like a random set of questions!

1. I don’t really like cooking but I do like eating. I’ve recently moved to following Keto and have come across some fab recipes on dietdoctor.com which are easy to make and I would happily eat in a restaurant, the current favourite being chicken pesto casserole.

1. I play the piano, sing and I’m quite sporty so run a few days a week and do home workouts. I’m also really curious so am often researching a topic on something, currently keto. I have recently seen an online art class that I fancy although I am not artistic in any way! Lockdown has given me a few more opportunities to explore these things as I’m normally rushing around being Mum’s taxi. I have two dogs so like to go on some nice hill or trail walks with them and the family.

1. I do have slippers but I never wear them, I much prefer a giant pair of slipper socks complete with pom-poms and sticky grips on the bottom. They are very cosy although quirky rather than stylish!

@Flippinfurloughed funnily enough I don’t really have a favourite! I love cooking and eating what I cook. I asked my kids and DH what they liked-they love my quiche, steak, Spanish omelette, sautéed veg... they were very kind!

On a side note-my eldest DD-26, has recently taken up painting by numbers-involving canvas and acrylic paint. She says it’s a great way to pass the time and incredibly satisfying. Best thing is that she gets a fab picture to frame and hang.

Oh!!! @Mumoblue you just reminded me that I once followed a tutorial for roast potatoes on a YouTube video and they were AMAZING! It wasn’t real life though as I cooked nothing else alongside it and literally just made the roasties to see if I could. Maybe good cooking is just spending a lot of care and attention on every single element of the meal?! It feels like a lot of juggling and pressure (remembering the stress of worrying over my roasties!)

I don't do fine dining but I'd be happy to serve the dishes I do cook to guests. I have a limited repertoire but they are all good.
I do wet and needle felting. I also love reading. I do disappear down the rightmove black hole more than I should...
I just get whatever slippers - tesco, m&s etc.

@Flippinfurloughed I have all the timings down for a roast now. I always find if your meat and your potatoes are good, people don't notice if you half arse the veg and that!
It's pretty much my go-to 'adult' meal.

Though I did make onion gravy for the first time the other day and felt very pleased with myself.

1. I'm not a brilliant cook but I do make a delicious creamy chicken and courgette dish that could possibly pass for restaurant standard! It's the only one I could claim

1. My hobby is running. I love getting out and taking in the peace and quiet, the lovely views and just being on my own for a bit. The endorphins I get really set my day up. Some days I'm as slow as a snail but I still feel good to have done it.

1. I'm quite a snuggy type of person so do like warm slippers. Mine are from Zara and are grey. They look vaguely stylish, whilst being practical and warm.

1. Cooked mac n cheese today for the first time, please to report that it was to restaurant standard (that is the standard of a restaurant crappy enough to have it on the menu).
2. Yep, I cross stitch. My house looks like it belongs to a 90 year old but I’m super chill.
3. I have mini uggs. It’s like wearing baby sheep on my feet.

Right, I’m browsing UGGs - do you all have the moccasins or the scuffette ones?! I have the chestnut scuffette ones in my basket at the moment.....

I have grey Scuffettes with cream trim.

They’re my favourite thing.

I keep cross posting with people, I’m not being rude ignoring you I promise!

The uggs I want seem to be out of stock in my size everywhere.... got distracted by these little numbers instead don’t worry, I will put them back....

I’m wondering if I just need to up my game on the food I already make. So do a roast, but actually do it reaaaaalllly well as appears to just winging it and buying frozen parsnips or something?!

I need to cook something now and I feel all panicked that I need to up my game now! I may make notes this evening and start tomorrow instead :D

All you runners are amazing by the way! I completed the C25k with a club just before lock down, can I call it a hobby still if that’s as far as I got and I nearly died every single run towards the end as I was so unfit?! I want to get to the stage where I love it too!

@Beachcomber1 they are lovely! I am off to google the grey ones now!

1. Fish pie,-lasagna (beef and veggie), Apple crumble, toad in the hole,brownies
2. Cycling - road, touring, mountain
3. Celtic house boots

Hi there... Nice thread!
Well I'm not sure about restaurant standard but my family all say my roast is better than we get when we go out for one. I think you're right about the roast potatoes making the meal. I pre boil them and make sure they're nice and crispy. I also think good gravy is really important too. Oh and we always have Yorkshires no matter what the meat is! I also do some good food on the barbecue too and we have used it so much during lock down. I make a nice marinated Greek chicken dish which everybody seems to love. Also barbecued veggies and halloumi goes down well too.

Hobbies... Well recently it's been veg growing like so many others. I'm really enjoying it and just started picking my own leaves and radishes. I also enjoy keeping fit.. ish... and using weights at home in the absence of the gym!... Oh and walking my two Staffies!

Slippers... Uggs for me too although not the real thing. I bought fake ones in Turkey 2 years ago and they're still going strong 😁