The General Chat Thread

Dizzyblonde · 20-02-2017 05:30PM

I think most places in the city centre would be pretty busy, but if you're looking for another place in Drumcondra there's one that I've yet to try, but it looks really nice. It's called Restaurant 104 and has a great lunch menu: http://restaurant104.ie/

Surreptitious · 20-02-2017 08:54PM

I bought a crepe pan and I'm wondering would that be ok for the odd fried egg?

SB_Part2 · 20-02-2017 09:12PM

StripedBoxers wrote: »

Hey all,

Looking for your recommendations for a nice place to get a nice lunch in Dublin city or else around Drumcondra area? Could even go somewhere within the city centre.

Was in The Ivy House in Drumcondra last week, it was nice, but looking to try somewhere else.

Only one issue - need somewhere that is not overly busy, we were going to try Elephant & Castle, but having gone there once before and remembering how crazy busy it was, I don't know if its suitable.

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions.

Fennel. It's beside the regency hotel.

Dizzyblonde · 20-02-2017 10:47PM

Surreptitious wrote: »

I bought a crepe pan and I'm wondering would that be ok for the odd fried egg?

I'd say it would be perfect for frying an egg.

rubadub · 20-02-2017 10:53PM

Surreptitious wrote: »

I bought a crepe pan and I'm wondering would that be ok for the odd fried egg?

I have a presumably smaller "pancake pan" in my house that I do eggs on, a lot more eggs than pancakes.

Its sort of like asking if a potato peeler is OK to peel apples or pears with! If it had been labelled a "fried egg pan" would you be asking if its ok to do pancakes.

If it has very, very low sides oil running up it could be an issue, this is why I like the pancake pan, you can get a spatula easily in the side.

Surreptitious · 20-02-2017 11:00PM

rubadub wrote: »

I have a presumably smaller "pancake pan" in my house that I do eggs on, a lot more eggs than pancakes.

Its sort of like asking if a potato peeler is OK to peel apples or pears with! If it had been labelled a "fried egg pan" would you be asking if its ok to do pancakes.

If it has very, very low sides oil running up it could be an issue, this is why I like the pancake pan, you can get a spatula easily in the side.

I'm basically asking because I hate trying to get the egg off of things. The fact that it's a crepe pan means it's lighter and not very sturdy. I used to be a chef so am clueless about washing up items as they were always thrown in the porter's place and for Breakfast they used very large pans where the oil was actually way over the eggs as they were done in bulk. I don't usually fry anything due to not wanting to put on weight and always found the cheap pans to be useless. My wok is my main cooking item which is very heavy and I have a stone pan for steaks so I suppose I was just thinking aloud. Anyways it was only 6 euros so it won't matter long term. Thanks for the replies

rubadub · 20-02-2017 11:20PM

Surreptitious wrote: »

very large pans where the oil was actually way over the eggs as they were done in bulk.

This would be an issue, on TV I see a lot of chefs tend to use lots of oil. I did large thick pancakes on the same pan and oil would go over the sides if they were too big.

I wondered if this was due to typically not using non stick pans, and/or buffering the heat so it is more forgiving -or if it was just generally since it ended up tasting nicer -to hell with the calories.

You mention woks, there are free ones out again with uncle bens, they are light and have nonstick coating, I was saying they are useless to use as proper woks as the nonstick coating is not suited to high temps, but are great for the likes of eggs which are/can be done at lower heat, and the spatulas can go in on the curved sides easily for flipping.

Surreptitious · 20-02-2017 11:24PM

They reason they cover the eggs with the oil so there is a film over the yolk and it won't split and it cooks faster. Presentation is key in these places. I wouldn't do it at home though, no way. If that's what you were asking, sorry if you weren't. I will have a look out for the Uncle Ben's offer.

Graces7 · 21-02-2017 06:29AM

Surreptitious wrote: »

I bought a crepe pan and I'm wondering would that be ok for the odd fried egg?

I was always taught to save the pan we made pancakes in for that. And do that to this day; I have my main frying pan and the one I would make pancakes in. Never used for anything else.

The main frying pan was well "proved" and never ever washed or submerged in water. A wipe clean.

On the island, the local bread was floury bannocks and they had a separate frying pan they kept for them. No non stick in those days.

tampopo · 23-02-2017 07:35PM

Yeah, I've never washed my pancake pan. Not ever.

The Hill Billy · 23-02-2017 08:22PM

Nana Billy told me that when she was a child the frying pan was washed once a week - on a Sunday morning for the fry-up after mass.

The rest of the week the same fat was used & added to when necessary. There'd be rashers, sausages, chicken, lamb, pork, rabbit & fish (on Fridays) all done in the same fat. She maintains that the best meal of the week were the steaks they had on a Saturday evening. (Her dad was a butcher.)

beertons · 23-02-2017 08:26PM

The Hill Billy wrote: »

Nana Billy told me that when she was a child the frying pan was washed once a week - on a Sunday morning for the fry-up after mass.

The rest of the week the same fat was used & added to when necessary. There'd be rashers, sausages, chicken, lamb, pork, rabbit & fish (on Fridays) all done in the same fat. She maintains that the best meal of the week were the steaks they had on a Saturday evening. (Her dad was a butcher.)

Don't suppose you carried in the family tradition?

The Hill Billy · 23-02-2017 08:36PM

Mrs Billy would have a fit if I tried that.

B0jangles · 24-02-2017 06:59PM

FYI Just came across a very good deal on worcestershire sauce - 568ml bottle of Lee & Perrins is only 3 euro in Iceland. I've never seen a bottle of w.s so big before!

arian · 24-02-2017 08:05PM

1

B0jangles wrote: »

I've never seen a bottle of w.s so big before!

My WS is bigger than yours

B0jangles · 25-02-2017 08:23AM

Good Heavens!

Gloomtastic! · 25-02-2017 10:19PM

How much do you pay for battered cod in a chipper?

I find Cod in most of the chippers round here (Dublin 3) is about €7 so with chips it's about €10

Was in Northern Ireland today and we had to go to several chippers looking for gluten free. All had battered cod listed as £3.90 (about €4.60)

Shocking price difference!

Graces7 · 26-02-2017 06:36AM

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

How much do you pay for battered cod in a chipper?

I find Cod in most of the chippers round here (Dublin 3) is about €7 so with chips it's about €10

Was in Northern Ireland today and we had to go to several chippers looking for gluten free. All had battered cod listed as £3.90 (about €4.60)

Shocking price difference!

Fish in general is a terrible price. For a seafaring nation.. Gave up on chip shops years ago as the prices make my eyes water. Sometimes get it when is in the reduced section and the frozen breaded is not too bad. It has become a treat not a staple. I love it by the way, maybe more as it is a rare event. :rolleyes:

Surreptitious · 26-02-2017 06:38AM

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

How much do you pay for battered cod in a chipper?

I find Cod in most of the chippers round here (Dublin 3) is about €7 so with chips it's about €10

Was in Northern Ireland today and we had to go to several chippers looking for gluten free. All had battered cod listed as £3.90 (about €4.60)

Shocking price difference!

I heard that The Fish Wife does a cod supper (at lunch) for a fairly good price on Grand parade. i have never ate there so can't comment of quality but it is fairly lauded.

Faith · 26-02-2017 09:56AM

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

How much do you pay for battered cod in a chipper?

I find Cod in most of the chippers round here (Dublin 3) is about €7 so with chips it's about €10

Was in Northern Ireland today and we had to go to several chippers looking for gluten free. All had battered cod listed as £3.90 (about €4.60)

Shocking price difference!

My local chipper here does a "medium" (read: ginormous) cod and chips for ~£5. Less for a "small" (read: still more than I could possibly eat).

Graces7 · 26-02-2017 11:36AM

Having a cooking splurge.. Must be the mountain air and the inspiration from all of you!

Yesterday, real custard as opposed to a packet...

Today as the weather tantrumed, mushroom soup, from real mushrooms, and a roux. and half ot the roux the foundation for a delicious cheese sauce which will adorn my Sunday meal later; sprouts and sugar snap peas and a chicken and ham kiev courtesy of tescos reduced counter.

Actually, everything on the menu was half price .. I no longer plan a list..

NB the mushroom soup is totally tasty and will freeze well...

Exhausted and back abed but enjoyed that. Maybe soon will try yeast bread atop the stove.

the beer revolu · 27-02-2017 10:52AM

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

How much do you pay for battered cod in a chipper?

I find Cod in most of the chippers round here (Dublin 3) is about €7 so with chips it's about €10

Was in Northern Ireland today and we had to go to several chippers looking for gluten free. All had battered cod listed as £3.90 (about €4.60)

Shocking price difference!

Fish Wife in Cork charge €8 for cod and chips (with peas, tartare sauce and a wedge of lemon) €9 for hake. One portion comfortably feeds Mrs.Beer and me.

There is cheaper than that around, too.

Graces7 wrote: »

Fish in general is a terrible price. For a seafaring nation.. Gave up on chip shops years ago as the prices make my eyes water. Sometimes get it when is in the reduced section and the frozen breaded is not too bad. It has become a treat not a staple. I love it by the way, maybe more as it is a rare event. :rolleyes:

Fish is a terrible price here compared to where?
Developing countries?

Fresh wild fish is cheaper here than in any European country, I've been to.

Graces7 · 27-02-2017 11:14AM

the beer revolu wrote: »

Fish Wife in Cork charge €8 for cod and chips (with peas, tartare sauce and a wedge of lemon) €9 for hake. One portion comfortably feeds Mrs.Beer and me.

There is cheaper than that around, too.

Fish is a terrible price here compared to where?
Developing countries?

Fresh wild fish is cheaper here than in any European country, I've been to.

Whoooaa..... I was not making any comparisons. but compared to other food and what I can afford and to what it was when I was a child.

It used to be a staple and now is a luxury for eg pensioners.

Cheapest I ever had in Ireland was a whole sea bass my former landlord gave me when I had done some paperwork for him ...

I occasionally get a bargain off the reduced counter and so enjoy it. Smoked coley once...

RasTa · 27-02-2017 01:15PM

Go fishing

Gloomtastic! · 27-02-2017 01:27PM

RasTa wrote: »

Go fishing

As often as I can thanks. But these days that means a couple of days a year.

Just amazed me the price difference between the North and Dublin. But it is Ireland I suppose.......

ps If anyone wants a real fishy treat, Beshoffs do a Seafood Box with Scampi, Calamari, Cod and Chips for a tenner. Delicious!

The Hill Billy · 28-02-2017 09:56AM

My local chopper is almost €8 for a portion of cod & then €2.50 I think for a bag of chips. But they also do a 'Fish Box' with 2 sizable piece of fish & a mound of chips for a fiver. You get almost as much for half the price.

rubadub · 28-02-2017 10:15AM

€10 sounds a lot for fish n chips to me. Burdocks is 9.70 which I consider a lot.

I think Romayos is the biggest chipper chain in the country (nearly all in Dublin), there are lots of Macaris but they are not all the same chain. They have 9 romayos in dublin (for comparison there are 7 supermacs).

Anyway fresh cod is 6.10. Meal of cod, full chips & can is 9.40, but on wednesday its 8.10.

Chips are 2.70 and they do a small chips 2.30. So cod & large chips is 8.80.

I eat a fair amount but never buy fish n chips unless its a deal price, it is very rare for me not to get a decent enough scoop of chips thrown in with a fish. I wonder if the places up North are giving these huge fish, whenever I get frozen "chipper style fish" I always have at least 2!

Europa chipper near bakers corner are 8.70 for cod, chips & 500ml coke. On wednesday its 5.50 for fish n chips, the fish is smaller than usual, and I think the chips are too, but its certainly enough for me.

Lady Haywire · 28-02-2017 10:41AM

My aunt is doing a big clearout and has a skip outside for everything she doesn't use. The surface had gone on these so she couldn't use them anymore....so she said. Put these aside for myself & bit of elbow grease, oil, salt & resurfacing & I'm not the proud owner of some Le Creuset cookware!
(She used to put them in the dishwasher, I am so ashamed!) :pac:

beertons · 28-02-2017 11:39AM

The Hill Billy wrote: »

My local chopper

You have no idea how long I'm waiting to get the chopper back on someone.

B0jangles · 28-02-2017 02:15PM

Random cooking tip: Anyone here not happy with the way omelettes can often turn out to be a bit leathery should definitely try the main tip in this recipe:

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2016/04/diner-style-ham-and-cheese-omelette-for-two-recipe-food-lab.html

The key step is to whisk the eggs up with some salt and leave them sit for 10-15 minutes, this apparently changes the structure of the proteins and makes the resulting omelette much more tender and silky than usual. I used to really dislike omelettes but after tasting one made this way, I think I'm a convert

The General Chat Thread

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