The General Chat Thread

Hermione* · 05-01-2014 11:00PM

Faith wrote: »

You live in Cork, right? KCs chippers in Douglas. Queues a mile long because it's so brilliant. It's not your bog standard chipper either, which is nice.

I'm completely addicted to the Atlantis, and their garlic mayo is out of this world. It's also really reasonably priced - enough food for 2 of us with drinks never costs more than €15 and you're bloody stuffed at the end.

My mouth is drooling, thinking about that!

Back to Sunday night normality. Made a big pot of Domini Kemp's lentil, lemon and ginger soup for the week's lunches. I hope it'll help ward off the first-day-back blues tomorrow!

Minder · 05-01-2014 11:07PM

Hermione* wrote: »

Made a big pot of Domini Kemp's lentil, lemon and ginger soup for the week's lunches. I hope it'll help ward off the first-day-back blues tomorrow!

Any chance you would post the recipe or a link? Would love to give that a try.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 06-01-2014 12:06AM

Last few days I've been really craving fish, and might take a trip to Dublin purely to go to a seafood restaurant. Since I'm not really a fish fan, I want to go somewhere really nice so it will taste the best it will taste. I'm kind of intrigued about oysters too, but I'm very squeamish so would I be better off avoiding? I just want to broaden my taste, at the minute I only ever order the soup and the chicken off a menu. I tried ceviche and have made it myself and have become to love it, feels very fresh. Meh I don't even know what I'm asking really, except for is it worth it to try some oysters

gg2 · 06-01-2014 12:17AM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

Last few days I've been really craving fish, and might take a trip to Dublin purely to go to a seafood restaurant. Since I'm not really a fish fan, I want to go somewhere really nice so it will taste the best it will taste. I'm kind of intrigued about oysters too, but I'm very squeamish so would I be better off avoiding? I just want to broaden my taste, at the minute I only ever order the soup and the chicken off a menu. I tried ceviche and have made it myself and have become to love it, feels very fresh. Meh I don't even know what I'm asking really, except for is it worth it to try some oysters

Its worth it to try anything that your think you can stomach imho!! Myself and OH went to an oyster festival and, of course, had to try the oysters, just got one each to start us off. We found a quiet spot incase we had to spit it out and I totally lost my nerve. He said he'd go first, down in one and he said "That was amazing, give me that if your not gonna eat it" being the greedy pig I am, I threw it into me...... Sweet jesus I'd say it was in my mouth less than a second and I had to spit it into a coffee cup we had just incase of this happening!
So glad I tried it though! I would try anything to an extent... It also has alot to do with how its prepared.....

dipdip · 06-01-2014 01:12AM

I've tried oysters raw and cooked, and I was nauseated by the texture on both occasions and had extreme trouble swallowing.

However everything is worth trying once. You might love them: many, many people do.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 06-01-2014 01:39AM

dipdip wrote: »

I've tried oysters raw and cooked, and I was nauseated by the texture on both occasions and had extreme trouble swallowing.

However everything is worth trying once. You might love them: many, many people do.

What was the texture like?

Gloomtastic! · 06-01-2014 07:27AM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

What was the texture like?

Raw oysters have a texture of cold wet jelly.

Used to love oysters and we had them so regularly we even bought our own oyster knives. However eventually had a 'bad' one and the resulting illness was pretty severe.

They say once you have the bad oyster bug in your system it never goes away. Tried them again a year or so later and sure enough, 48 hours later all hell broke loose!

dipdip · 06-01-2014 08:05AM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

What was the texture like?

Honestly? Some will disagree but to me the texture resembles phlegm.

ChewChew · 06-01-2014 08:15AM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

Last few days I've been really craving fish, and might take a trip to Dublin purely to go to a seafood restaurant. Since I'm not really a fish fan, I want to go somewhere really nice so it will taste the best it will taste. I'm kind of intrigued about oysters too, but I'm very squeamish so would I be better off avoiding? I just want to broaden my taste, at the minute I only ever order the soup and the chicken off a menu. I tried ceviche and have made it myself and have become to love it, feels very fresh. Meh I don't even know what I'm asking really, except for is it worth it to try some oysters

I've had oysters a few times. First was in a restaurant in Dublin called The Lobster Pot. Absolutely delicious!!! We were ragin we didn't order more actually

if you are looking for a good seafood meal, then I would go there. But I'm purely basing that on the fact it's the only seafood restaurant I've been to in Dublin, so I have nothing to compare it too. But since then, I've had oysters and I prefer them with lemon juice, not tobasco sauce. But you should try them definitely

IvyTheTerrible · 06-01-2014 08:19AM

I say go for it! I didn't like them much the first time I tried them but once you get used to them they are lovely.

homemadecider · 06-01-2014 09:05AM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

What was the texture like?

dipdip wrote: »

Honestly? Some will disagree but to me the texture resembles phlegm.

I agree. I only tried an oyster once, I think I described it afterwards as "it was like a big snot that came from the sea". Salty gooey awfulness. Will not try again!

Loire · 06-01-2014 09:13AM

I absolutely adore oysters! Best thing to go with them is a nice pint of Guinness too. I buy them the odd time from O'Connells in the English Market, where you can consume there & then...they open them for you and serve on a plate of ice with a slice of lemon. Delicious shot of salt!

The only thing...I've bought them a few times to bring home and each time they have turned into an inedible gooey white slush. I live close to the city center and put them into the fridge straight away so not sure what I am doing wrong?

IvyTheTerrible · 06-01-2014 09:18AM

Loire wrote: »

I absolutely adore oysters! Best thing to go with them is a nice pint of Guinness too. I buy them the odd time from O'Connells in the English Market, where you can consume there & then...they open them for you and serve on a plate of ice with a slice of lemon. Delicious shot of salt!

The only thing...I've bought them a few times to bring home and each time they have turned into an inedible gooey white slush. I live close to the city center and put them into the fridge straight away so not sure what I am doing wrong?

TBH that sounds like they were close to going off anyway. We'd get them some times the day before or even two days before we eat them and that has never happened to us. We might have the occassional "off" one (you can tell by the smell when you open them) but that would be all.

Animord · 06-01-2014 10:58AM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

What was the texture like?

why don't you try them cooked if you are not sure?

I know Morans in Clarinbridge do them grilled with breadcrumbs and garlic - I prefer them raw myself, but they are just like any other sea food when cooked.

Loire · 06-01-2014 11:01AM

So I was in the supermarket yesterday and bought a pomegranate (they seem to be en vogue). My fridge is fairly well stocked, so I'm just asking....what will I do with it / any recommended recipes (I'd prefer a nice starter, but a mains would be OK too) ?

Thanks!
Loire.

MissFlitworth · 06-01-2014 11:56AM

Just remember that for every seed you eat from it you have to spend a month in the Underworld with that dry sod Hades, it it worth the risk?

I love pomegranate with feta or other salty cheeses, it makes a lovely fresh salad. I normally just do crumbled feta, rocket, toasted nuts of some sort and a dressing of olive oil & lemon juice (or something else tart) but this one looks really lovely too

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/leafysaladwithfetaan_83561

Merkin · 06-01-2014 12:21PM

I love oysters! You should try them Lexie and tbh the texture shouldn't really come into play as they are supposed to go straight down the hatch! A good oyster should also taste of the sea as opposed to being overly fishy. Another option is to try an oyster sabayon - had a delicious oyster and Guinness sabayon in the Shelbourne a couple of months ago and it was sublime.

Poor Gloomtastic! on your bad oyster :eek: That's horrific. Wasn't it a bad oyster that ultimately caused poor old Michael Winner's demise? The poor thing ate a bad one in the Caribbean or somewhere and never really recovered. Worth going to somewhere reputable and paying that bit more.

homemadecider · 06-01-2014 12:35PM

I'm going to the fish shop tomorrow to get 2 nights' dinners. I'll get some of whatever is on special but not sure of what to get for the other night - any suggestions? I was thinking maybe tuna steak but not sure.

ElleEm · 06-01-2014 12:48PM

I will be buying a chowder mix soon to make a fish pie. It is so warming in this weather!

Malari · 06-01-2014 12:50PM

MissFlitworth wrote: »

Just remember that for every seed you eat from it you have to spend a month in the Underworld with that dry sod Hades, it it worth the risk?

Confused face plus question marks

MissFlitworth wrote: »

I love pomegranate with feta or other salty cheeses, it makes a lovely fresh salad. I normally just do crumbled feta, rocket, toasted nuts of some sort and a dressing of olive oil & lemon juice (or something else tart) but this one looks really lovely too

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/leafysaladwithfetaan_83561

But on the subject of salads, I love salads that don't contain lettuce! I made one the other day with roasted carrot and parsnip, fried halloumi (or squeaky food as my boyfriend calls it) and walnuts with a pear dressing. Twas delish.

dee_mc · 06-01-2014 12:54PM

A restaurant near me does a roasted pumpkin or butternut squash and rocket salad with pomegranate (in season obviously!), delicious.

homemadecider · 06-01-2014 01:21PM

Malari wrote: »

fried halloumi (or squeaky food as my boyfriend calls it)

:D:D

dipdip · 06-01-2014 01:53PM

Malari wrote: »

Confused face plus question marks

She's referring to Ancient Greek mythology.

A wikipedia quote to clear things up:

The myth of Persephone, the goddess of the Underworld, also prominently features the pomegranate. In one version of Greek mythology, Persephone was kidnapped by Hades and taken off to live in the underworld as his wife. Her mother, Demeter (goddess of the Harvest), went into mourning for her lost daughter and thus all green things ceased to grow. Zeus, the highest ranking of the Greek gods, could not allow the Earth to die, so he commanded Hades to return Persephone. It was the rule of the Fates that anyone who consumed food or drink in the Underworld was doomed to spend eternity there. Persephone had no food, but Hades tricked her into eating six pomegranate seeds while she was still his prisoner and so, because of this, she was condemned to spend six months in the Underworld every year. During these six months, when Persephone is sitting on the throne of the Underworld next to her husband Hades, her mother Demeter mourns and no longer gives fertility to the earth. This became an ancient Greek explanation for the seasons.[68] Dante Gabriel Rossetti's painting Persephona depicts Persephone holding the fatal fruit. It should be noted that the number of seeds that Persephone ate varies, depending on which version of the story is told. The number of seeds she is said to have eaten ranges from three to seven, which accounts for just one barren season if it is just three or four seeds, or two barren seasons (half the year) if she ate six or seven seeds.

MissFlitworth · 06-01-2014 01:54PM

Malari wrote: »

Confused face plus question marks

Poor ould Persephone, daughter of (I think) the Goddess of Spring. Caught the eye of Hades who spirited her away to the Underworld. She starved herself out of sadness or stubbornness or somesuch but gave in and ate 6 pomegranate seeds so had to spend 6 months of every year in the Underworld with Hades. Which is the science behind why we get Winter, her mam is too sad to bring Spring while she's underground

Mrs Fox · 06-01-2014 02:35PM

Hi all.

I received a big bag of paprika this morning from a dear friend who's aware of my love with gulyásleves (goulash). It comes from a farm in South of Hungary, freshly ground, and spicy. The real stuff, not your Schwartz kind.

I've enough to last me for a couple of months, and as ground spices go, it tends to lose its punch if kept too long. So I thought why not give some of it away to fellow Boardies who will most definitely get great use out of this stuff?

I've individually packed portions of 2 tablespoons each. The reason I put 2 tbsp is because I always go by the rule of 1 tbsp of paprika per lb of meat. But use it in whatever you wish; as seasoning or spicing up a dish.

So anyone interested can PM me and I can have it posted to you. First come first served.

Malari · 06-01-2014 02:47PM

Thanks dipdip and MissF! I did not know that, but glad I asked!

Animord · 06-01-2014 03:02PM

MissFlitworth wrote: »

Poor ould Persephone, daughter of (I think) the Goddess of Spring. Caught the eye of Hades who spirited her away to the Underworld. She starved herself out of sadness or stubbornness or somesuch but gave in and ate 6 pomegranate seeds so had to spend 6 months of every year in the Underworld with Hades. Which is the science behind why we get Winter, her mam is too sad to bring Spring while she's underground

Let's just hope that Demeter, Persephone's mother, isn't sad that Loire is eating Pomegrante seeds and fails to bring us a summer.

Be careful Loire.

MissFlitworth · 06-01-2014 03:07PM

At least we know who to blame/witch hunt when we're all sitting round in our thermals eating stew in August! <pitchfork>

Loire · 06-01-2014 03:20PM

Animord wrote: »

Let's just hope that Demeter, Persephone's mother, isn't sad that Loire is eating Pomegrante seeds and fails to bring us a summer.

Be careful Loire.

Now that's pressure. (It'll never rain again!)

RasTa · 06-01-2014 03:43PM

I shall be having this with the red cabbage tomorrow, mouth is already watering.

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/782637/threehour-pork-belly

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