The General Chat Thread

Dizzyblonde · 14-09-2017 06:53PM

It's Apple week here at Dizzy Heights

I was given a box of lovely cooking apples, and today I made spiced apple chutney. I also cooked another heap of apples and have them straining overnight. I'm going to make apple jelly tomorrow.

Some of the jars of chutney:

The Hill Billy · 14-09-2017 07:03PM

I was thinking that I'll harvest my apples this weekend too. Poor crop this year, but we had to trim it right back earlier in the year to get rid of canker. I should get a few jars of apple jelly out of it though.

Markcheese · 15-09-2017 07:48AM

The Hill Billy wrote:

I was thinking that I'll harvest my apples this weekend too. Poor crop this year, but we had to trim it right back earlier in the year to get rid of canker. I should get a few jars of apple jelly out of it though.

Might do a bit of apple jelly... Easier than coreing them all

15-09-2017 09:04AM

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

It's Apple week here at Dizzy Heights

I was given a box of lovely cooking apples, and today I made spiced apple chutney.

I'd love your recipe for this please? I'm always spending money on apple chutney when I'm sure I could make it far more cheaply myself!

Mr. CooL ICE · 15-09-2017 12:06PM

Accidentally bought easy cook basmati instead of regular basmati a while ago and am determined to get through it.

Am I the only one who find easy cook rice incredibly difficult to cook properly?

B0jangles · 15-09-2017 12:11PM

I use easy-cook long grain for fried rice and jambalaya because it is basically indestructible, but of course the flip of that is that it's got that weird leathery outside texture. Maybe put it aside and use it for things where the texture is less obvious or might even be helpful, like biryani?

Dizzyblonde · 15-09-2017 05:11PM

Mystery Egg wrote: »

I'd love your recipe for this please? I'm always spending money on apple chutney when I'm sure I could make it far more cheaply myself!

No problem - after looking at a few recipes this is what I came up with and it turned out well.

1.5kg (after peeling and coring) of cooking apples, diced
2 medium onions, chopped finely
350g soft light brown sugar*
700ml malt or cider vinegar
400g raisins or sultanas, or a mix of both
3tsps ground coriander
3tsps mixed spice
3tsps paprika
1tsp salt

Put everything into a large saucepan, stir well and bring to the boil. Simmer for around 40 minutes, stirring regularly, until the apples break down and the mixture goes pulpy. A potato masher will help towards the end when there are a few whole pieces of apple still floating around.
Allow to cool and place in sterilised jars. Leave for 2-3 months before using.

*Depending on how bitter your apples are, you might need to add more sugar when the chutney is cooked so taste it before potting.

oscarBravo · 15-09-2017 07:02PM

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

I also cooked another heap of apples and have them straining overnight. I'm going to make apple jelly tomorrow.

I was very lucky that when my in-laws moved to a smaller house they didn't have room for their steam juicer. It's such a fantastic way to make all sorts of jellies.

15-09-2017 08:17PM

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

No problem - after looking at a few recipes this is what I came up with and it turned out well.

Thanks so much! I'm surprised by the use of coriander and paprika. How would you describe the flavour of the chutney?

Dizzyblonde · 15-09-2017 10:53PM

Mystery Egg wrote: »

Thanks so much! I'm surprised by the use of coriander and paprika. How would you describe the flavour of the chutney?

The combination works well - it's savoury and spicy, and because of the mixed spice it tastes quite Christmassy. They were the spices in THIS recipe but it uses less apples and I felt it would be too strong so I used them with the amounts in THIS recipe. The second recipe has a ridiculous amount of sugar so I reduced it and it tasted sweet enough with the apples I used.

StripedBoxers · 16-09-2017 05:00PM

Hey folks,

Looking for your recommendations for a hand blender and breadmaker please.

Looking to pick up one of each and no idea what to go for, recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a mil.

Dizzyblonde · 16-09-2017 06:32PM

There used to be a big thread about bread machines and the general consensus was that the Panasonic is the best. The cheaper ones don't tend to be as reliable. I've had one for years, it's the SD 255, but the serial number has changed since. As far as I know the newer one has a jam making function too.
With hand blenders, in my experience the cheaper they are the quicker they break.

StripedBoxers · 16-09-2017 06:45PM

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

There used to be a big thread about bread machines and the general consensus was that the Panasonic is the best. The cheaper ones don't tend to be as reliable. I've had one for years, it's the SD 255, but the serial number has changed since. As far as I know the newer one has a jam making function too.
With hand blenders, in my experience the cheaper they are the quicker they break.

Thank you so much. I will check out the Panasonic website and see what they have.

Are there any hand blenders you'd recommend? I had a look on Amazon and they have loads from different price points so I'm a bit lost with which to go for

BaZmO* · 16-09-2017 07:37PM

StripedBoxers wrote: »

Are there any hand blenders you'd recommend? I had a look on Amazon and they have loads from different price points so I'm a bit lost with which to go for

I've had this Braun one for years, easily over 15 years, and it does the job perfectly.

https://www.terapeak.com/worth/braun-immersion-hand-stick-blender-model-type-model-4169-w-wall-mount-nice/351490344427/

rubadub · 16-09-2017 08:13PM

Was watching the australian "my kitchen rules" MKR earlier. Another couple ruining meat, overcooking one, undercooking the other. I wondered if there was some rule against using meat thermometers, googling I see others wondered the same and there is no rule, they are not allowed use sous vide machines though.

I think many on these programs mess up since they likely have cooked the things many times, or even all their lives for 2-5 people, and then wonder why the oven acts differently when cooking for 15 or so.

They have no doubt seen the programs loads of times, yet still insist on selecting dishes where it being underdone/overdone is critical -but do not think of getting a thermometer.

One poster in a forum did recall one couiple using one, and took a steak off the pan once the core reached 65C, and then wondered why it was overdone and binned the thermometer!

Gloomtastic! · 16-09-2017 08:36PM

StripedBoxers wrote: »

Hey folks,

Looking for your recommendations for a hand blender and breadmaker please.

Looking to pick up one of each and no idea what to go for, recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a mil.

Bread makers are great BUT they leave a big fücking hole in the bottom of your beautiful loaf that used to drive me mad. I ended up giving ours away and now use a mixing bowl and kneaders to knead it and then stick it on a baking tray.
But then read a tip about how to avoid the hole but cannot for the life of me remember what it was.

Anyone know what it is?

beertons · 16-09-2017 08:38PM

Beef bourgon, or how ever it's spelt, pee cooked, for a 3 hour stint in the oven tomorrow. The whiff of red wine in the house. I'm nervous serving this to the kids. A full bottle of red in it. It better not let me down.

Gloomtastic! · 16-09-2017 09:39PM

beertons wrote: »

Beef bourgon, or how ever it's spelt, pee cooked, for a 3 hour stint in the oven tomorrow. The whiff of red wine in the house. I'm nervous serving this to the kids. A full bottle of red in it. It better not let me down.

Once it was brought to boiling point the alcohol will be cooked out. No worry about the kids.

I once did a Bourgogne in a slow cooker and the taste was horrid cos the alcohol was never hot enough to burn off - horrible!

rubadub · 16-09-2017 10:10PM

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

Once it was brought to boiling point the alcohol will be cooked out. No worry about the kids.

It can depend on the time, temp, how open/enclosed the dish is, many factors. 3 hours is a long time though. Many seem to think the alcohol boils off preferentially on its own as its boiling point is lower. But if you have a mix of water & alcohol the overall boiling point lowers but is above the boiling point of pure alcohol. The longer you boil it the more alcohol will reduce, but it does not magically boil off first purely on its own first, a mixture comes off. This is one reason why spirits are distilled multiple times.

You will see chefs reiterating this myth, the worst I saw was Simon Rimmer (sunday brunch chef) reassuring Frank Skinner that it was going to be alcohol free, after what I think was a short cooking time, and after Skinner expressing concern as he is a recovering alcoholic. I have experienced an alcohol buzz off stews and would be considered a big drinker. So I reckon a recovering alcoholic would certainly feel the effects a lot more than me.

I would question this wiki link below, it will not be the same in all cases. I have discussed it with lads with degrees in chemistry who could not get their head around it. Even some involved in distilling cannot grasp it fully.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooking_with_alcohol#Alcohol_in_finished_food

Gloomtastic! · 16-09-2017 10:54PM

^ You learn something everyday. Thanks.

tickingclock · 17-09-2017 12:58PM

StripedBoxers wrote: »

Hey folks,

Looking for your recommendations for a hand blender and breadmaker please.

Looking to pick up one of each and no idea what to go for, recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a mil.

I'm no help on the bread maker at all. I asked recently about a hand blender. I've yet to buy another one. Some other poster said the cheaper hand blenders don't last and they are right. Look out for the wattage of the blender. The higher the wattage the more power the blender will have.

Dizzyblonde · 17-09-2017 03:01PM

My hand blender is a Braun too and I've had it for years. As tickingclock said, wattage is important.

@Gloomtastic - I think someone suggested removing the paddle from the bread machine after the kneading stage. I don't bother because I don't mind the hole in bottom of the bread.

18-09-2017 01:05PM

StripedBoxers wrote: »

Hey folks,

Looking for your recommendations for a hand blender and breadmaker please.

Looking to pick up one of each and no idea what to go for, recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a mil.

I had a Panasonic SD2500 Breadmaker and it was excellent. I got rid because I moved to a house with a miniscule kitchen.

If you followed the bread recipes to the letter, the loaves were perfect every time.

StripedBoxers · 18-09-2017 09:49PM

Thank you all so much for your help.

What do you think of these blender? Would appreciate your thoughts on them. Need to pick one up soon (pref this week or next) so am a bit overwhelmed as I normally take my time with stuff like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ko%C3%B6lle-Electric-Powerful-Processor-Attachment/dp/B01M6CQ2Q8/ref=sr_1_10?s=kitchen-appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1505770278&sr=1-10&refinements=p_n_feature_browse-bin%3A3539033031

https://www.expert.ie/products/small-appliances/food-preparation-blenders/blenders/kenwood-hand-blender-hdp300wh

https://www.johnlewis.com/kenwood-hdp300wh-triblade-hand-blender-white/p1745317

https://www.tesco.com/direct/breville-vhb067-hand-blender-black/768-5836.prd?skuId=768-5836

https://www.tesco.com/direct/vonshef-800w-3-in-1-hand-blender-matte-black/396-9168.prd?skuId=396-9168

https://www.tesco.com/direct/bosch-msm6300gb-hand-blender-with-jug-mini-chopper-in-white/276-3355.prd?skuId=276-3355

SB_Part2 · 19-09-2017 08:50AM

Will you be using the extra pieces you get with it?

kylith · 19-09-2017 04:53PM

I've got the Russel Hobbs hand blender with the bits, and I don't believe I've ever used the whisk or the tall glass. The immersion blender is very good, and it's handy that it clips onto the food processor bit, but that tends to leak when in use.

I'm thinking I might actually get a proper food processor, or a stand mixer with a dough hook. Cos (drumroll) I'm getting a new kitchen! Well, a new second hand kitchen, but it's taking over half my living room (no more being stuck in a freezing, damp kitchen by myself, hello open plan ground floor). I'm considering if a gas hob with a canister would be worth the effort of drilling holes through the wall, but I'll get to get an actual oven! That actually works! And didn't come from Lidl! And I'll have cupboards and drawers and maybe even a big press!

oscarBravo · 19-09-2017 05:07PM

kylith wrote: »

I've got the Russel Hobbs hand blender with the bits, and I don't believe I've ever used the whisk or the tall glass.

Literally the only thing I use my hand blender for is whisking, be it egg whites or cream. I have one (actually, a couple) of those mini blenders from Lidl for small quantities like pesto, and a full-size jug blender for soups and curries, so I just don't have a need for a stick blender.

I'm considering if a gas hob with a canister would be worth the effort of drilling holes through the wall...

I would say definitely, especially if you have room for a decent 5-ring hob with a big-ass wok burner. Don't forget you have to get an RGI installer to plumb it up.

Dizzyblonde · 19-09-2017 07:52PM

StripedBoxers wrote: »

Thank you all so much for your help.

What do you think of these blender? Would appreciate your thoughts on them. Need to pick one up soon (pref this week or next) so am a bit overwhelmed as I normally take my time with stuff like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ko%C3%B6lle-Electric-Powerful-Processor-Attachment/dp/B01M6CQ2Q8/ref=sr_1_10?s=kitchen-appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1505770278&sr=1-10&refinements=p_n_feature_browse-bin%3A3539033031

https://www.expert.ie/products/small-appliances/food-preparation-blenders/blenders/kenwood-hand-blender-hdp300wh

https://www.johnlewis.com/kenwood-hdp300wh-triblade-hand-blender-white/p1745317

https://www.tesco.com/direct/breville-vhb067-hand-blender-black/768-5836.prd?skuId=768-5836

https://www.tesco.com/direct/vonshef-800w-3-in-1-hand-blender-matte-black/396-9168.prd?skuId=396-9168

https://www.tesco.com/direct/bosch-msm6300gb-hand-blender-with-jug-mini-chopper-in-white/276-3355.prd?skuId=276-3355

I'd definitely go with an 800w one over a 300w one. And I'd buy a metal rather than plastic one, otherwise you have to wait for soup to cool a bit before blending it or it will melt the casing around the blades.

kylith wrote: »

I've got the Russel Hobbs hand blender with the bits, and I don't believe I've ever used the whisk or the tall glass. The immersion blender is very good, and it's handy that it clips onto the food processor bit, but that tends to leak when in use.

I'm thinking I might actually get a proper food processor, or a stand mixer with a dough hook. Cos (drumroll) I'm getting a new kitchen! Well, a new second hand kitchen, but it's taking over half my living room (no more being stuck in a freezing, damp kitchen by myself, hello open plan ground floor). I'm considering if a gas hob with a canister would be worth the effort of drilling holes through the wall, but I'll get to get an actual oven! That actually works! And didn't come from Lidl! And I'll have cupboards and drawers and maybe even a big press!

Congratulations on the new kitchen

BaZmO* · 19-09-2017 08:17PM

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

And I'd buy a metal rather than plastic one, otherwise you have to wait for soup to cool a bit before blending it or it will melt the casing )

Really? My one is plastic and I've never had that problem in all the years I've had it. I only ever use it for blending soup too.

vicwatson · 19-09-2017 08:22PM

StripedBoxers wrote: »

Thank you all so much for your help.

What do you think of these blender? Would appreciate your thoughts on them. Need to pick one up soon (pref this week or next) so am a bit overwhelmed as I normally take my time with stuff like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ko%C3%B6lle-Electric-Powerful-Processor-Attachment/dp/B01M6CQ2Q8/ref=sr_1_10?s=kitchen-appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1505770278&sr=1-10&refinements=p_n_feature_browse-bin%3A3539033031

https://www.expert.ie/products/small-appliances/food-preparation-blenders/blenders/kenwood-hand-blender-hdp300wh

https://www.johnlewis.com/kenwood-hdp300wh-triblade-hand-blender-white/p1745317

https://www.tesco.com/direct/breville-vhb067-hand-blender-black/768-5836.prd?skuId=768-5836

https://www.tesco.com/direct/vonshef-800w-3-in-1-hand-blender-matte-black/396-9168.prd?skuId=396-9168

https://www.tesco.com/direct/bosch-msm6300gb-hand-blender-with-jug-mini-chopper-in-white/276-3355.prd?skuId=276-3355

Buy anything but a breville, had two and lasted no time. Brutal. The Bosch one I had lasted the longest

The General Chat Thread

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