The General Chat Thread

IvyTheTerrible · 27-07-2016 10:06AM

We brought my son and his cousin trout fishing yesterday, so last night we had trout with new potatoes, and a mix of courgettes and tomatoes sautéed together (all the veg from papi's garden).
Very nice, and now the kids have a better idea where their food comes from.

dee_mc · 27-07-2016 06:31PM

There was a thread about this 9 years ago but I was hoping for an update from the wise foodie quarter

: is it possible to buy ground cardamom? I'm making a cake that calls for 2 tsp ground cardamom, and although I'm willing to get the ole pestle and mortar out and grind my own I'm always happy to find a shortcut! Also, how many ickle cardamom pods would I need to get that much powder?! Thanks in advance!
Edit: ok I just Googled the second question and apparently about 10 pods makes 1.5tsp ground cardamom!

the beer revolu · 27-07-2016 07:43PM

Go for the whole pods. They'll be far, far more fragrant.

Sapphire · 27-07-2016 07:45PM

IvyTheTerrible wrote: »

We brought my son and his cousin trout fishing yesterday, so last night we had trout with new potatoes, and a mix of courgettes and tomatoes sautéed together (all the veg from papi's garden).
Very nice, and now the kids have a better idea where their food comes from.

I know a kid who only made the connection between "fish and chips" and "fishing" around 9 or 10. He'd only ever saw a fish in a finger or in batter. He was awfully upset.

IvyTheTerrible · 27-07-2016 08:11PM

Sapphire wrote: »

I know a kid who only made the connection between "fish and chips" and "fishing" around 9 or 10. He'd only ever saw a fish in a finger or in batter. He was awfully upset.

The little lads (4 and 5) weren't upset but they asked a lot of questions when daddy had to bang it on the head, and then when they didn't move anymore.

MissFlitworth · 27-07-2016 09:04PM

dee_mc wrote: »

There was a thread about this 9 years ago but I was hoping for an update from the wise foodie quarter : is it possible to buy ground cardamom?

We have some here, gets used for baking. I think our stuff was bought in Norway but I'm almost positive I've seen it for sale in Polish shops in the baking aisle (kardamon) if not in normal supermakets

BaZmO* · 28-07-2016 08:41AM

dee_mc wrote: »

There was a thread about this 9 years ago but I was hoping for an update from the wise foodie quarter : is it possible to buy ground cardamom? I'm making a cake that calls for 2 tsp ground cardamom, and although I'm willing to get the ole pestle and mortar out and grind my own I'm always happy to find a shortcut! Also, how many ickle cardamom pods would I need to get that much powder?! Thanks in advance!
Edit: ok I just Googled the second question and apparently about 10 pods makes 1.5tsp ground cardamom!

You can get it in most Asian shops. I know for definite that Eurasia on the Fonthill Road does have it.

rubadub · 28-07-2016 01:00PM

dealz have kilner stuff, not particularly good value IMO but I have seen kilner stuff selling for stupid money

http://www.dealz.ie/catalogsearch/result/?q=kilner

woodies have some too, more expensive
http://www.woodiesdiy.com/action/searchsite/kilner

Sapphire · 28-07-2016 01:03PM

rubadub wrote: »

dealz have kilner stuff, not particularly good value IMO but I have seen kilner stuff selling for stupid money

http://www.dealz.ie/catalogsearch/result/?q=kilner

woodies have some too, more expensive
http://www.woodiesdiy.com/action/searchsite/kilner

Woodies one is a fiver. Dunnes have a kilner jar filled with ice-cream for a fiver.

StripedBoxers · 28-07-2016 02:11PM

Was in Aldi this morning and they have Hake fillets reduced to €2, striploin and sirloin steaks reduced to €2 as well.

They have other meats reduced but I didn't get a proper look at them so not sure what they were but I spotted burgers of some kind.

Bought a good bit today as I'm getting ready for my batch cooking now. Cottage pie, lamb stew, chicken stew, various pastas and smooth soups. Mmm.

Cannot wait

Stheno · 28-07-2016 02:12PM

Anyone know where I'd get samphire in Dublin?

It's also called sea asparagus.

Thanks in advance

Bored_lad · 28-07-2016 02:26PM

Stheno wrote: »

Anyone know where I'd get samphire in Dublin?

It's also called sea asparagus.

Thanks in advance

Your local fish mongers should have it.

pigtail33 · 28-07-2016 02:33PM

Stheno wrote: »

Anyone know where I'd get samphire in Dublin?

It's also called sea asparagus.

Thanks in advance

Dunnes Stores sell it. I got some from a work colleague in Dunnes branded packaging, but I don't know which branch it was bought in. Definitely South Dublin though.

BuffyBot · 28-07-2016 08:04PM

Yup, seen it in Dunnes too, with the fresh herbs.

Yes, I had to double take too.

28-07-2016 09:10PM

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

Not sure if this is the right thread but didn't want to start a new one. Can you still get these bad boys, haven't seen them in Tesco or Dunnes in a while?

I've seen them in my local dunnes/tesco still

also there is a new dark choc mint variety out

sammyjo90 · 28-07-2016 09:14PM

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

World's hottest chilli goes on sale in Tesco this week

http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/world-s-hottest-chilli-pepper-goes-on-sale-in-ireland-1.2735207

I dare ya!

I've had it. My sister is a chilli fiend and bought them online ages ago.
Wouldnt recommend!

Gloomtastic! · 28-07-2016 10:31PM

sammyjo90 wrote: »

I've had it. My sister is a chilli fiend and bought them online ages ago.
Wouldnt recommend!

I bought a pack yesterday and have been looking at it since. Warning on front says to handle only with gloves on. Serious stuff!

Might have to invite some mates round for a bit of macho-competitive egging on.

Gloomtastic! · 28-07-2016 10:37PM

Speaking of chillis, I posted this over in Gardening but have had no takers yet......

'Chilli bushes are taking over my conservatory so looking for a good home(s) for two large (about 1metre tall) 'long slim cayenne' plants. Dozens of flowers and fruits on each.

You'll need to be able to collect them from Dublin 3.

PM me if interested'

sammyjo90 · 29-07-2016 08:06PM

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

I bought a pack yesterday and have been looking at it since. Warning on front says to handle only with gloves on. Serious stuff!

Might have to invite some mates round for a bit of macho-competitive egging on.

haha definitely, she bought a packet of pork scratchings with it dusted on them.. dared one guy at the market she trades in to eat all the leftover dust at the end of the packet. he did it but the noise outta him afterwards wasnt pretty. He couldn't handle it

Zelda247 · 30-07-2016 08:37AM

StripedBoxers wrote: »

Was in Aldi this morning and they have Hake fillets reduced to €2, striploin and sirloin steaks reduced to €2 as well.

They have other meats reduced but I didn't get a proper look at them so not sure what they were but I spotted burgers of some kind.

Bought a good bit today as I'm getting ready for my batch cooking now. Cottage pie, lamb stew, chicken stew, various pastas and smooth soups. Mmm.

Cannot wait

What recipe do you use for your cottage pie?

StripedBoxers · 30-07-2016 12:39PM

Zelda247 wrote: »

What recipe do you use for your cottage pie?

I use this one, have done for years.

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/775643/cottage-pie

However I don't use worcestershire sauce or plain flour and I don't use 850ml beef stock. I use a lot less. I judge by eye how much to use to be honest.

I also add passata to my pie, mushrooms and pearl barely too.

When I brown the mince/veggies (incl mushrooms), I then add the wine and passata, then let it simmer for a bit (maybe 20 minutes), then add in the pearl barely and stock. I don't add all the stock at once, I add it in dribs and drabs as I like my sauce to be thicker than most people so by adding all the stock at once I find I water it down too much so a little at a time, and I never use the full 850ml to be honest.

I always let the mixtures simmer for 2-3 hours so its full of flavour and rich.

Toulouse · 30-07-2016 01:05PM

StripedBoxers wrote: »

I use this one, have done for years.

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/775643/cottage-pie

However I don't use worcestershire sauce or plain flour and I don't use 850ml beef stock. I use a lot less. I judge by eye how much to use to be honest.

I also add passata to my pie, mushrooms and pearl barely too.

When I brown the mince/veggies (incl mushrooms), I then add the wine and passata, then let it simmer for a bit (maybe 20 minutes), then add in the pearl barely and stock. I don't add all the stock at once, I add it in dribs and drabs as I like my sauce to be thicker than most people so by adding all the stock at once I find I water it down too much so a little at a time, and I never use the full 850ml to be honest.

I always let the mixtures simmer for 2-3 hours so its full of flavour and rich.

I use that exact same recipe but I follow it all except for the volume of stock, it's way too much. I halve it and then let it simmer (lid off) for as long as it takes the sauce to thicken and the meat to get lovely and tender.

I get so many compliments on my cottage pie, that recipe always turns out really well.

StripedBoxers · 30-07-2016 01:32PM

Toulouse wrote: »

I use that exact same recipe but I follow it all except for the volume of stock, it's way too much. I halve it and then let it simmer (lid off) for as long as it takes the sauce to thicken and the meat to get lovely and tender.

I get so many compliments on my cottage pie, that recipe always turns out really well.

I used the exact recipe once and wasn't a fan tbh. Didn't like the flour in it, thought it left a funny flavour, as for the amount of stock, its a ridiculous amount of stock, don't know anyone who'd use that much at all.

Like you, I always get compliments on the pie when I make it, always. I also add cheese to the top of the potatoes when they're done, and let it sit in the oven for a few minutes so it melts. Delicious it is.

rubadub · 03-08-2016 08:57PM

My tesco had a lot of new things in its "asian market" section, this section is nowhere near the rest of the chinese sauces etc, its only stuff you usually see in asian markets.

most was expensive though, 1L kikkoman soy was 9 euro, I think this is 6 something in my local filipino shop which is not particularly cheap for other stuff.

Had "angry lady" chilli sauce, 2.99 for 280g.

http://www.tesco.ie/groceries/Product/Details/?id=276845994

Goldfish curry sauce, regular and hot n spicy, 3.59 for those which is also expensive. hot n spicy is most similar to chinese takeaways IMO

http://www.tesco.ie/groceries/Product/Details/?id=259731818

taijade shaoshing 13.5% rice wine 600ml 9 euro. I am not sure if wine is common in asian shops as I guess they need a off licence. I got some hon mirin in my local one, a small bottle and did not state % but did have alcohol, maybe this is illegal, they might not even know.

http://www.tesco.ie/groceries/Product/Details/?id=276844949

the beer revolu · 04-08-2016 06:58AM

If wine (or even spirits) are designed purely for cooking with, they will add seasoning so they are classed as a sauce and do not attract duty or licencing laws.
Not 100% sure if Shaoxing qualifies or not.

Gloomtastic! · 07-08-2016 02:59PM

Hmmmm, this could be interesting https://www.vizeat.com

It's AirBnB for foodies - sell a place at your dinner table.......

Dizzyblonde · 07-08-2016 06:13PM

^ On with the Irish stew, coddle and corned beef, there's money to be made

The Black Oil · 11-08-2016 09:01PM

Has the price of chicken fillets gone up, or am I imagining it?

Whispered · 11-08-2016 09:13PM

I know I'm not alone in this forum as someone who eats a bit more than necessary when they need a little pick me up

This evening I had spicy bean wrap, glass of wine, square of dark choc, some blue cheese, walnuts, glass of wine, spicy bean and brown rice with jalapeños and a big glass of water. Roll me to bed!

Kovu · 12-08-2016 12:02PM

A friend of mine has asked if I wanted to go to the 'Taste of Cavan' with them tomorrow. Now they are insisting that it's €5 on the door and nothing else but I'm suspicious that it's going to be something similar to the Taste of Dublin and I'll have to buy florins or whatever they use in order to get anything at all. Anyone any experience of it? I'll prob go regardless but would like to know what to expect!

The General Chat Thread

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