The Brexit Cupboard Part 2

[PerverseConverse]

Following on from the fantastic thread of the weekend, I thought we'd continue discussing our brexit cupboards and boxes here. Here's to all the preppers and their cupboards, no matter what they contain. (Keep quiet about your stash in real life).

I bought 6 bottles of wine which were on offer, we tried one and .... I don’t like it . Will have to make a lot of boeuf Bourguignon instead. Sorry, red wine beef stew.

Well, it looks like lorries will be allowed through in the event of no deal, so it may not be as shit as expected.

In the mean time, I have been clearing and cleaning out a stash hiding place. It needed vacuuming anyway. It has a mixture of tins and things, then all the stuff that was stored there back on top. I need to do the other half tomorrow.

It is looking more promising Brexit shortage wise, but it will all be used anyway.

Are the lorries going to be able to get back across the Channel again as seamlessly as before?

If we're going to start waving any old shite through the border I'm definitely stocking up on things I trust now

Waving lorries through is just what I imagine when I think of us 'taking back control of our borders'

WTO Members must operate their borders on a non-discriminatory basis by treating equally the other WTO Members.

So

No border in Ireland, no border at Dover = no border anywhere (even Heathrow).

I don't think they have thought this one through.

Wonder if I've got time to invest in a people smuggling startup between now and the end of March? Because this seems like an absolute boon to the trafficking sector.

On balance, I'd rather this provision than not, because I like eating food more than I dislike, well, pretty much anything. But it's asking for trouble really.

Confession time I have been veggie 30 years and the only time I've cooked with lentils is to make soup!

So...I'm not confident in using dried lentils, can I ask if you can use tinned lentils as a mince alternative? Is there a knack to using them? As you can tell I'm quite wary. I don't think dd would eat them but I will.

Yesterday's delivery now means my cupboards, fridge, freezer and 2 crates in my room are chocka! There's only me and dd but I find it hard to assess what's "enough"

I must admit I am feeling increasingly anxious - and SO ANGRY the govt has put us in this position!

The news today of "simplified customs procedures" is also worrying - how safe will our food be? Surely this would just make it easier for dodgy counterfeiters?

"Compared to crisps a pack of popping corn is very space saving. (If the kids like popcorn of course!)" great idea, however again I've never made it "from scratch" I've used those microwave sachets but don't currently have a microwave (considering getting one for other reasons). Is it easy?

On meds - still getting NO reassuring answers on this!

Wed I'm planning on having a sort out to check what I've got & create more space, grapes should be finished by then so will use the punnet for spices that are currently annoyingly taking up far too much room in cupboard!

Ooh! Wraps! Could I freeze them? Thinking they'd not use too much room in my small freezer?

So they're going to be waving any old shite 'medicines' through the border too? Fake tranquilizers, counterfeit antibiotics?

Lorries full of refugees, hidden amongst the fruit and counterfeit meds?!
I'd find the irony of that almost too hilarious for words.

The lorries thing is great news. And bloody ironic too. Win. Win.

The Brexit brainiacs are taking back control by losing control of what's coming into the country.

Fitting.

Had a record-breaking number of substitutions - 8 - in my Sains online order tonight. From tinned fish to milk and pasta. Usually only one. Max two, so did make me wonder. Feel bit more stocked up now.

graphista popping your own corn is easy, fun and delicious. Got to be one of the best space-saving options too!

Anyone getting bottled water? It's worrying me that water quality could be compromised.

I'm still hoping this is all some cruel social psychology experiment and at the last minute they'll say "ha ha, only joking, just gathering data on the psychology of those who prepare for disaster and those who say it will all be FIIIIINE even though they know it won't.

I keep 24 x 1/2 litre bottles of water at home. It would not be enough, but I have to realistic.

@graphista To make popcorn put enough oil to cover the bottom of a pan. Add the corn when the oil is cold. Make sure the corn is in a single layer. Turn on a medium heat and put the lid on. It will take a couple of minutes to start popping. When it starts, shake the pan occasionally. When the popping has stopped take it off the heat. We usually shake a bit of icing sugar over ours.

PerverseConverse I defrosted my small three drawer kitchen freezer today and managed to clear most of the top drawer for restocking with frozen veg., which has been a relief! Also removed seven chicken breasts and odd bits of veg, which when supplemented with celery, courgette and leek, carrots and parsnips from the fridge will make at least 8-10 portions of stew. Thickened with red lentils. Letting it all 'meld' overnight, then tomorrow I shall try the library method using zip bags... I can see it will save space because I tried out four packs of kippers while sorting the freezer and it has made a difference.

I'd also like to thank the poster who introduced the library method

I've got water purifying tablets and water containers. I invested in them after the beast from the east caused so many burst water pipes last year.

I'm debating a Waitrose or Tesco delivery. I don't need much this week but could use it to extend my stock. Bottled water seems sensible and easier to have it delivered than stack my trolley full of it.

Am going to grate cheese into portions for macaroni cheese and freeze it so it's even quicker and easier to make.

More pastas
Cheese
More lentils
Water
Sun cream

I wonder whether people will stop prepping now after news story about lorries being waived through?

Not sure what will be let through though? Quality? Authenticity?

Well to a large extent we do know what will be let through. The things that people have ordered. Which will broadly be what comes through at the moment.

I had 4 subs in sainsburys order this week which included quite possibly the TINIEST tin of peaches I've ever seen!

It's not a huge amount of subs (main reason I switched to sainsbury was RIDICULOUS subs from Asda - both no and what they dubbed) but it's unusual for them.

"graphista popping your own corn is easy, fun and delicious. Got to be one of the best space-saving options too" ok - any tips? Can you use any pan? I'm just thinking I don't think any of my pans have lids! I don't use them.

Thanks bluechameleon - also amounts? To get a small pack of cooked popcorn amount how much corn do you pop? (Realises I don't even have kitchen scales!)

I get bottled water anyway, I used to be a diet cola addict (not even joking) but for health reasons weaned myself off it and now drink mainly water or milk with the occasional can of non caffeine fizzy. But it's one of the reasons I've been asking about Amazon prime/pantry as I'm not sure if it would be something worth my while having. But certainly bottled water & loo roll look more economic on this. I'm just worried I wouldn't "do" it right.

Don't be afraid of dried lentils. You can just boil the red ones for 25 minutes and stick them in anything.