The General Chat Thread

igCorcaigh · 11-11-2018 07:07PM

Onions, for sure.

L1011 · 11-11-2018 07:27PM

igCorcaigh wrote: »

You had me at curry base... What's the secret?

Loads of different variants around, mine is close to this:

http://www.greatcurryrecipes.net/2013/12/31/make-indian-restaurant-style-curry-sauce-large-batch/

Basically - onions, onions, onions. I used a mix of white and red today. Cook them alone for a long time until they are incredibly soft, then you've still got about 45mins with whatever other veg you want and all the spices. Blend it to a sauce consistency with a proper stick blender - a food processor will not do the job. Peppers and carrots are the usual extra veg, for peppers it'll be a mix of sharper and sweeter ones.

Even with huge amounts of spices, the base is not enough for a curry on its own - but it lets you just do some spices, some solid veg and whatever protein source you want and get a good curry in ~20mins.

There is the famous curry thread in the cooking club sub-forum here (pity that that died) which gives an alternate take on it but one you've figured out your taste preference you won't need to look back at recipes.

rubadub · 12-11-2018 01:15PM

Bisto "best" beef gravy granules on offer in tesco. These are by far the best instant granule ones I have had

https://www.tesco.ie/groceries/Product/Details/?id=258006276

Bisto Best Beef Gravy Granules 200G
Special OfferSAVE 33%
valid until 13/11/2018
€1.60

Their standard bisto one is 1.59 but only 170g.

Only the beef shows online but they had others in the shop. I did get the beef one with carmalized onions which was not as good. Otherwise I have only had the beef, I think there was a chicken in the shop. I prefer beef gravy on chicken as it is what I grew up having.

rubadub · 16-11-2018 04:48PM

2kg chicken was E4.58, cut off the 2 breasts, with no skin or bone weighed 622g, so that is 7.36 per kilo just for them, which is already cheaper than most.

I can squeeze the remaining whole chicken into a standard philips airfryer to be roasted. I do not like the breasts on a large roasted chicken, and end up with decent sized chicken portions.

Saved the leftover fat for frying the chicken fillets. When luke warm I poured it into a small glass spice jar so takes up little room in the fridge.

The chickens were 2 for 8euro in tesco, at that price the fillets work out 6.43 per kilo.

Gloomtastic! · 18-11-2018 09:03AM

The Journal’s 12 essential items every kitchen needs

https://www.thejournal.ie/essential-kitchen-equipment-4341623-Nov2018/

I score 10/12. No potato ricer or fire blanket but there is an extinguisher somewhere. You?

cefh17 · 18-11-2018 09:14AM

11/12, missing tongs but make it 10/12 if you count a four sided grater as not being good enough

To my downfall (space-wise!) I don't usually treat myself by buying new clothes and whatnot, it's kitchen gear and cookbooks..

B0jangles · 18-11-2018 09:24AM

Everything bar a non-stick pan (because birds), and a fireblanket, but we do have an extinguisher.
I disagree on potato ricers being a 'necessity' -they are ok, but they are a much more of a pain in the proverbial to clean than a masher and I compulsively avoid creating more washing up than I absolutely need to :P

BaZmO* · 18-11-2018 10:30AM

Everything bar the fire extinguisher. Personally I’d say my ricer is an essential as I like my mash smooth.

Graces7 · 18-11-2018 10:35AM

B0jangles wrote: »

Everything bar a non-stick pan (because birds), and a fireblanket, but we do have an extinguisher.
I disagree on potato ricers being a 'necessity' -they are ok, but they are a much more of a pain in the proverbial to clean than a masher and I compulsively avoid creating more washing up than I absolutely need to :P

Oh I am dead in the water on this one!

I do have a small nonstick frying pan, but no fire blanket, extinguisher , potato ricer ( whatever that is) , no measuring cup or really good knives, or heavy cast iron pot... I do have a slow cooker but never use it, preferring a low light on the gas cooker..

Grater yes but rarely use it..

No tongs; a slatted spoon works.

Ordinary scales are fine.

No measuring cups...

Hand blender, yes, the one thing I use often.

Do I get the booby prize?

And no mention of the really useful things like a spatula? Wooden spoons?

The Hill Billy · 18-11-2018 11:08AM

No non-stick pan, ricer or cast iron pot. Have never used Mrs Billy's silicone spatula. I haven't seen (or bothered looking for) my measuring cups in donkey's years. I'll go 7/12.

I cannot understand how people don't use tongs. They are the handiest tool I'd use day-to-day in the kitchen.

Kat1170 · 18-11-2018 12:08PM

The Hill Billy wrote: »

I cannot understand how people don't use tongs. They are the handiest tool I'd use day-to-day in the kitchen.

I wonder if Ruth has any in her kitchen :eek::eek::D:D

B0jangles · 18-11-2018 12:19PM

I used to be very fond of my old weighing scales, mostly because of nostalgia - but after using an electronic scales, I would never ever go back to an old-fashioned scales, even if it was an heirloom which had used to bake every cake in my family for the last 1000 years.

Electronic scales are a bit like stick blenders - you really don't know what you are missing until you get one.

sammyjo90 · 18-11-2018 01:31PM

I got 4/12 :pac:

Slow cooker..tongs..pan..and hand blender...

I cant say my greater is anything but adequate. Im in a shiitty rented apartment with a tiny kitchen.
Ill buy better things when I become a grown up with my own house.
I will never be 12/12 though...no need for a ricer!

RasTa · 18-11-2018 02:07PM

Potato ricers are a pain in the ass to clean. I just add more butter.

Toto Wolfcastle · 18-11-2018 02:37PM

Our potato ricer just goes in the dishwasher and it’s grand.

New Home · 18-11-2018 02:42PM

I use a toothbrush (one that I only use for the dishes, let me be very clear), I find it quite easy, too. Besides, you do need a ricer if you're trying to do potato croquettes, potato dauphines, gnocchi, or anything like that.

L1011 · 18-11-2018 03:43PM

I wash the ricer immediately and it's never an issue

Actually bought a new Salter electronic scales today as my no brander with allegedly touch sensitive buttons is nearly impossible to tare.

Have an extinguisher not a blanket, should really address that.

Maldesu · 18-11-2018 03:56PM

11/12 - no ricer for me. Last I looked, they weren't very compact and I need to keep my space. I'd not have the patience to clean it anyway (no dishwasher here)

oscarBravo · 18-11-2018 09:03PM

12/12

\o/

Birdsong · 18-11-2018 09:21PM

The Hill Billy wrote:

I cannot understand how people don't use tongs. They are the handiest tool I'd use day-to-day in the kitchen.

Agree with you, tongs & silicon spatula and I am happy

Dizzyblonde · 19-11-2018 11:17AM

10/12 for me - I don't have a potato ricer or fire blanket. I threw my potato ricer out because I hadn't got the patience for filling it over and over with potatoes. Must get a fire blanket and small extinguisher though.

Alun · 19-11-2018 12:17PM

I have no ...

Measuring cups (I don't bake, and rarely measure anything anyway

)
Potato ricer (I have one of these instead ... https://www.lakeland.co.uk/18908/Masha-Electric-Potato-Masher, and no it isn't the same as a hand blender!)
Slow cooker (never had any use for one)
Fire blanket (but do have an extinguisher)

Gloomtastic! · 19-11-2018 05:10PM

Visiting friends down the country at the weekend. Came back with a brace of pheasants.

Just finished preparing the pheasants - skinned as opposed to plucked - still a pretty messy job. It’s going to have to be stew tomorrow night.

Dial Hard · 19-11-2018 05:41PM

Is it just me or is the venison very late arriving into Lidl & Aldi? I thought they normally have it by now.

The Hill Billy · 19-11-2018 06:13PM

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

Visiting friends down the country at the weekend. Came back with a brace of pheasants.

Just finished preparing the pheasants - skinned as opposed to plucked - still a pretty messy job. It’s going to have to be stew tomorrow night.

Or jointed & browned with bacon lardons, then braised in cider & mustard with apples & thyme? Just sayin'...

Maldesu · 19-11-2018 06:25PM

The Hill Billy wrote: »

Or jointed & browned with bacon lardons, then braised in cider & mustard with apples & thyme? Just sayin'...

Keep on with the ideas. I'm hoping to do pheasant for Christmas this year

Gloomtastic! · 19-11-2018 06:33PM

The Hill Billy wrote: »

Or jointed & browned with bacon lardons, then braised in cider & mustard with apples & thyme? Just sayin'...

The breasts are shot to pieces :rolleyes: so it’s a stew. I was planning on using a Mary Berry recipe that has apple juice and bacon in it so not far off.

Muahahaha · 19-11-2018 11:30PM

Where do you get an extinguisher & fire blanket? Also what type should the extinguisher be, for electrical fires Im guessing?

New Home · 19-11-2018 11:34PM

For grease would be your best bet in the kitchen.

rubadub · 19-11-2018 11:54PM

Muahahaha wrote: »

Where do you get an extinguisher & fire blanket? Also what type should the extinguisher be, for electrical fires Im guessing?

littlewoods have blankets
https://www.littlewoodsireland.ie/streetwize-accessories-fire-blanket/1460826526.prd?_requestid=355962&Ntt=fire%20blanket

argos have both, blankets are expensive and only a small bit bigger.
http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10152&catalogId=14551&langId=111&searchTerms=FIRE+BLANKET&authToken=

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/7001583.htm

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