The General Chat Thread

BaZmO* · 26-01-2015 08:15PM

MissFlitworth wrote: »

Does anyone know how one might get or if it's even possible to get the smell of clove oil out of plastic? My boyfriend got himself a food processor just before Christmas and decided to make powdered cloves for cookies in it. I didn't want to look like a know it all at the time so didn't give voice to my 'ooh...no...best not to do that...' reservations. So now it's pretty badly scraped and very clovey smelling. Tried soaking it in cleaning soda and water but still pretty pongy!

I know it's too late now but apparently it's not recommended to put cloves into food mixers for the very reasons you gave above.
I read that somewhere just before I got my spice grinder years ago, and in a quest to keep it in prime condition I used to grind the cloves separately in a p&m. Then I got bored and just did them together with all the other spices in the grinder.

Haven't a clue how to fix your problem though..

StripedBoxers wrote: »

Hi all,

Looking for suggestions on a white wine that is suitable for cooking? I don't drink white wine (bar sparkling the odd time) and anytime I've bought a white wine specifically for cooking I've never had good results, its either been to sour/sweet or just not nice, so I'd really appreciate some suggestions.

As its specifically for cooking, I'd rather not spend too much though.

The wine I got most recently for cooking was this one, it was bad enough in a glass, but in a white wine sauce it was even worse.

It was like sweet vinegar, and given that I am a huge fan of red Rioja, I was a wee bit disappointed.

White Riojas aren't ideal for cooking, you need to use something crisp and slightly sharp like a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay (just make sure it's un-oaked).

Dizzyblonde · 26-01-2015 08:15PM

MissFlitworth wrote: »

Does anyone know how one might get or if it's even possible to get the smell of clove oil out of plastic? My boyfriend got himself a food processor just before Christmas and decided to make powdered cloves for cookies in it. I didn't want to look like a know it all at the time so didn't give voice to my 'ooh...no...best not to do that...' reservations. So now it's pretty badly scraped and very clovey smelling. Tried soaking it in cleaning soda and water but still pretty pongy!

Good old bread soda/bicarb should work since it absorbs odours. I'd put a tablespoon or two in with water and leave it overnight. You might have to do it a few times though because clove is such a strong smell.

Gloomtastic! · 26-01-2015 08:19PM

StripedBoxers wrote: »

Hi all,

Looking for suggestions on a white wine that is suitable for cooking? I don't drink white wine (bar sparkling the odd time) and anytime I've bought a white wine specifically for cooking I've never had good results, its either been to sour/sweet or just not nice, so I'd really appreciate some suggestions.

As its specifically for cooking, I'd rather not spend too much though.

The wine I got most recently for cooking was this one, it was bad enough in a glass, but in a white wine sauce it was even worse.
It was like sweet vinegar, and given that I am a huge fan of red Rioja, I was a wee bit disappointed.

I use vermouth instead of wine. You can get a bottle in Lidl for €5. It keeps for months and adds a lovely wine flavour to any cooked food. Most disgusting drink ever though!!!! :eek:

Kat1170 · 27-01-2015 03:24AM

Bought an oven thermometer today. Have to say I'm very happy with the way my oven's temps match the Thermometer

Kat1170 · 27-01-2015 03:27AM

StripedBoxers wrote: »

Hi all,

Looking for suggestions on a white wine that is suitable for cooking? I don't drink white wine (bar sparkling the odd time) and anytime I've bought a white wine specifically for cooking I've never had good results, its either been to sour/sweet or just not nice, so I'd really appreciate some suggestions.

As its specifically for cooking, I'd rather not spend too much though.

The wine I got most recently for cooking was this one, it was bad enough in a glass, but in a white wine sauce it was even worse.

It was like sweet vinegar, and given that I am a huge fan of red Rioja, I was a wee bit disappointed.

I don't use wine in my cooking but I have often heard it said that you should not use a wine in your cooking that you would not be happy drinking.

the beer revolu · 27-01-2015 09:38AM

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

I use vermouth instead of wine. You can get a bottle in Lidl for €5. It keeps for months and adds a lovely wine flavour to any cooked food. Most disgusting drink ever though!!!! :eek:

I know taste is a subjective thing but I tried this and didn't like the results at all. I found the flavours from the vermouth way to noticeable for me. I ended up throwing the bottle out.

I think a Lidl cheap pinot grigio was my last cooking white wine.

dibkins · 27-01-2015 09:44AM

I got that 3.99 white wine from aldi, and it was pretty good in my risotto. Not sure if it would hold up if it was the star of the dish, but it definatly worked well as a background.

Dizzyblonde · 27-01-2015 11:50AM

I'm beyond delirious this morning because I've just had a call to say I've won one of these:
http://www.agacookshop.co.uk/cast-iron/coalbrookdale-pot

B0jangles · 28-01-2015 11:55AM

StripedBoxers wrote: »

Hi all,

Looking for suggestions on a white wine that is suitable for cooking? I don't drink white wine (bar sparkling the odd time) and anytime I've bought a white wine specifically for cooking I've never had good results, its either been to sour/sweet or just not nice, so I'd really appreciate some suggestions.

As its specifically for cooking, I'd rather not spend too much though.

The wine I got most recently for cooking was this one, it was bad enough in a glass, but in a white wine sauce it was even worse.

It was like sweet vinegar, and given that I am a huge fan of red Rioja, I was a wee bit disappointed.

This chenin blanc from tesco is perfectly drinkable ( I like dry white wines and this stuff is fine) and only 5.75

http://www.tesco.ie/groceries/Product/Details/?id=257364025

MissFlitworth · 28-01-2015 04:17PM

There are Easter Eggs, and not just a few cheeky creme eggs but actual Easter Eggs and lots of them, in my local Tesco. I stood there for a full minute today, slack jawed, looking at them. Seasons are seriously starting to melt into one & other.

Tilly · 28-01-2015 04:19PM

MissFlitworth wrote: »

There are Easter Eggs, and not just a few cheeky creme eggs but actual Easter Eggs and lots of them, in my local Tesco. I stood there for a full minute today, slack jawed, looking at them. Seasons are seriously starting to melt into one & other.

JC's in Swords have had them in before Christmas

MissFlitworth · 28-01-2015 04:28PM

Whaaaat, ok, they win the Mental Supermarket competition.

Toto Wolfcastle · 28-01-2015 04:29PM

I think the JCs thing is a sort of Christmas tradition.

Dizzyblonde · 28-01-2015 04:54PM

Bobblehead Panda wrote: »

I think the JCs thing is a sort of Christmas tradition.

It is, and has been for decades

homemadecider · 28-01-2015 06:11PM

My husband heard about a "pot noodle easter egg" and got really excited about the potential weirdness... but it turns out it's just a regular chocolate egg sitting in a mug with 'pot noodle' written on it. :mad::mad:

Stheno · 28-01-2015 06:28PM

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

It is, and has been for decades

You have to admit they are a v bit whacky though

29-01-2015 09:46AM

That moment when you wake up to a pizza dough that's tripled in size and tumbled right out of the giant bowl it's been proving in.

BaZmO* · 29-01-2015 11:18AM

Bought this today.

31WYAAN38GL._SX425_.jpg

Chuffed. Nice and simple design with a 10 year guarantee......and less than half price.

Loire · 29-01-2015 08:50PM

One of those special moments this evening. Made a big batch of fish fingers this evening with a helping hand from my 6 year old. (Best way to get the inside track with kids is doing activities like this). Anyway, she turns to me and says "Daddy, when I'm big I'm going to get married and we're going to live with you and Mammy and we going to get a cat" Fantastic stuff!!

angeldelight · 29-01-2015 08:56PM

Loire wrote: »

One of those special moments this evening. Made a big batch of fish fingers this evening with a helping hand from my 6 year old. (Best way to get the inside track with kids is doing activities like this). Anyway, she turns to me and says "Daddy, when I'm big I'm going to get married and we're going to live with you and Mammy and we going to get a cat" Fantastic stuff!!

I think I was 6 when I told my mam that when I got married I was going to move in with my husband so she could cook for us every day

Dizzyblonde · 29-01-2015 08:58PM

My daughters are adults now and so many of our happy memories are centred around the kitchen - both cooking and eating

heldel00 · 29-01-2015 09:03PM

Loire wrote: »

One of those special moments this evening. Made a big batch of fish fingers this evening with a helping hand from my 6 year old. (Best way to get the inside track with kids is doing activities like this). Anyway, she turns to me and says "Daddy, when I'm big I'm going to get married and we're going to live with you and Mammy and we going to get a cat" Fantastic stuff!!

Loire, going by the gorgeous things you post up here, when I'm big I'm going to live with you and mammy. (I already have the husband but have you any issues if we have a dog instead of a cat?

)

Stheno · 29-01-2015 09:47PM

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

My daughters are adults now and so many of our happy memories are centred around the kitchen - both cooking and eating

I grew up in a slightly strange family, my dad was the cook, and many of my childhood memories are of his experimenting and dishes fancy/weird names like goulash (strange in the seventies

) and his Friday night special of "vomit" and his encouraging me (as he did in many other areas) to experiment with cooking.

In other news, I am going through a phase of clearing out the freezer of "old" i.e. stuff that has been there for 3-6 months, so this week I pulled out some chicken breasts to defrost.

Given that my de facto use for them is stirfry and I just didn't fancy it, I had a root around the kitchen.

RESULT! Chicken, chorizo and lardons, in a tomato, honey, vinegar and mixed herbs sauce topped with mash

I thought I was the dogs proverbial, until I googled it and discovered about a million recipes lol

Minder · 29-01-2015 10:47PM

Loire wrote: »

One of those special moments this evening. Made a big batch of fish fingers this evening with a helping hand from my 6 year old. (Best way to get the inside track with kids is doing activities like this). Anyway, she turns to me and says "Daddy, when I'm big I'm going to get married and we're going to live with you and Mammy and we going to get a cat" Fantastic stuff!!

Kitchen time with the kids is the best. Tonight I asked my daughter what she wanted to do at the weekend. Busy Sunday, but she says can we spend Saturday in the kitchen. Happy days. She's 11. Now if only I could get her little brother as interested.

Loire · 30-01-2015 09:04AM

heldel00 wrote: »

Loire, going by the gorgeous things you post up here, when I'm big I'm going to live with you and mammy. (I already have the husband but have you any issues if we have a dog instead of a cat? )

Thanks for that! You're more than welcome as I don't even like cats!

fiddlechic · 30-01-2015 02:07PM

Photo-Sniper wrote: »

Oldest trick in the book.

Prick the squash with a fork a few times, cut the top and bottom off and into the microwave for 3 and a half minutes.

This is just enough time to soften the skin while not affecting the inside of the squash. Take out of Microwave, leave cool for 1 minute and take your peeler or paring knife and the skin will come off like butter. If it doesnt, lash it back in for another 30 seconds.

People tend to think microwaves are a kitchens worst enemy, yet dont realise that Michelin star restaurants will have 4 -5 of them for simple tricks like this.

This is the best trick ever.
Just made a butternut squash soup with carrots and parsnips from Lidl. I think it cost about 4 euro to make and it will do me for the week!
No hacking and cursing while peeling squash. I'm in awe!

Mr. CooL ICE · 30-01-2015 02:19PM

A chinese colleague gave me a century egg today. It tastes nowhere near as bad as it looks, but I'll stick with my hard boiled eggs for now.

Mrs Fox · 30-01-2015 02:30PM

Nicolas Cage wrote: »

A chinese colleague gave me a century egg today. It tastes nowhere near as bad as it looks, but I'll stick with my hard boiled eggs for now.

It's best eaten with something plain like congee.

eisenberg1 · 30-01-2015 03:01PM

fiddlechic wrote: »

This is the best trick ever.
Just made a butternut squash soup with carrots and parsnips from Lidl. I think it cost about 4 euro to make and it will do me for the week!
No hacking and cursing while peeling squash. I'm in awe!

Speaking of which, I grabbed a couple of butternut squash in Lidl. Anyone got a good recipe for soup?

Mr. CooL ICE · 30-01-2015 03:05PM

Mrs Fox wrote: »

It's best eaten with something plain like congee.

I had it with a glass of water in case there was a bad aftertaste

The General Chat Thread

Comments