The General Chat Thread

The Hill Billy · 27-10-2015 12:22PM

GeneralC wrote: »

Any culinary courses out there for total newbies with no confidence in the kitchen?

Also, I have limited space in my studio/flat. I have a hob, George Foreman grill, microwave, toaster and a few utensils. Anything else that would help my situation?

There's been a few threads about cookery courses in the past. Try the forum search function. Alternatively, start a new thread - this is a 'chat' thread & specific queries may get lost in the mix fairly quickly.

GeneralC wrote: »

How do you guys poach/fry chicken and how do I know if it's safe to eat?

Important: We do not give food safety advice in this forum. Please do not ask for it either.

tHB

The Black Oil · 27-10-2015 08:24PM

Have to start thinking about recipes for the family Kris Kindle.

cadesin · 27-10-2015 11:02PM

Have to think of savory and sweet foods to take to parties.

Old Perry · 28-10-2015 12:24AM

GeneralC wrote: »

Any culinary courses out there for total newbies with no confidence in the kitchen?

Also, I have limited space in my studio/flat. I have a hob, George Foreman grill, microwave, toaster and a few utensils. Anything else that would help my situation?

Most important thing is ingredients. Think about what youd like to eat , then find out how to cook it and you can start collecting equipment from there. Almost neccessary to all recipes will be salt, pepper, chef knife, chopping board, pot(s), large spoon etc etc.

Kovu · 29-10-2015 06:46PM

I went a little insane on one of those 'short dated-cheap stock' websites recently. I now have 10 tubes of Blue Dragon Chilli Radish paste (They were only £1 for all!)
So what can I use them in? Stir fry?

So much stuff, so few presses to put it in! I also went overboard with beef jerky, coffee, chocolate and Nik Nak crisps.

Gloomtastic! · 29-10-2015 09:49PM

Kovu wrote: »

I went a little insane on one of those 'short dated-cheap stock' websites recently. I now have 10 tubes of Blue Dragon Chilli Radish paste (They were only £1 for all!)
So what can I use them in? Stir fry?

So much stuff, so few presses to put it in! I also went overboard with beef jerky, coffee, chocolate and Nik Nak crisps.

A quick Google gives you these recipes.

http://worldrecipes.expo2015.org/en/recipes/q-spicy_radish_paste.html

Kovu · 29-10-2015 09:55PM

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

A quick Google gives you these recipes.

http://worldrecipes.expo2015.org/en/recipes/q-spicy_radish_paste.html

Oooh thank you! I'd been on my phone earlier and it was too fiddly to google search. I hadn't know you could search recipes by ingredient either. Mucho gracias

MissFlitworth · 29-10-2015 09:56PM

Kovu wrote: »

I went a little insane on one of those 'short dated-cheap stock' websites recently.

Erm - where is heavenly website of cheap-but-crusty-with-age snackables?

Kovu · 29-10-2015 10:03PM

MissFlitworth wrote: »

Erm - where is heavenly website of cheap-but-crusty-with-age snackables?

There's a few of them in the UK that I know of, http://www.approvedfood.co.uk/ and http://www.clearancexl.co.uk/

I used Clearance XL this time as I find their postage to be cheaper, something like up to 30kg for £13.75 shipping and it arrives in a few days. Now 30kg is a LOT. I even have a full box of Rib'N'Saucy Nik Naks here, best crisps ever.
They don't sell anything fresh, just things that have 'Best before' on them, not 'Use By'

I recommend the cappuccino and hot choc with the free glass.

Gloomtastic! · 29-10-2015 10:21PM

Anyone curtailed their processed meat intake following another 'scare' earlier this week?

MissFlitworth · 29-10-2015 10:29PM

Nope, Gloomy. I read the bit that said 'the risk is still extremely low' and decided not to get het up about it

Whispered · 29-10-2015 11:06PM

MissFlitworth wrote: »

Nope, Gloomy. I read the bit that said 'the risk is still extremely low' and decided not to get het up about it

Plus you don't want to risk making yourself sick by worrying about making yourself sick! Everything in moderation, even moderation.

Pizza dough, is it worth the hassle of making your own?

Dizzyblonde · 29-10-2015 11:25PM

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

Anyone curtailed their processed meat intake following another 'scare' earlier this week?

Not me. I don't eat it very often so I've convinced myself that I'm safe

MissFlitworth · 30-10-2015 07:12AM

Whispered wrote: »

Pizza dough, is it worth the hassle of making your own?

Oh yes! And it's very little hassle. This is the recipe I use and it makes the most beautiful dough, especially the day after you make it. I use whatever olive oil I have and whatever sugar I have instead of 'extra virgin' and 'golden caster' and I rarely have fine ground semolina so mostly just use flour

The Black Oil · 30-10-2015 11:05AM

Should we all cut back on red meat?
What's the official line the church is taking?
Only the farm takes up most of my time and I mightn't be able to devote myself full time to the old meatism.

iwantmydinner · 30-10-2015 06:54PM

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

Anyone curtailed their processed meat intake following another 'scare' earlier this week?

Nope, planning the usual Saturday morning grilled rasher-fest here. I eat processed meats maybe twice a week maximum anyway so I'm going to continue to enjoy it!

Zelda247 · 31-10-2015 09:45AM

Not planning to change my eating habits at all. I don't believe this endless press coverage of what we should and should not eat, its mostly scare mongering.

Gloomtastic! · 31-10-2015 01:37PM

Aul one, from some food quango, on NewsTalk during the week was asked what to give kids for their school lunch sandwiches instead of ham or salami.
She suggested salad or egg sandwiches instead. Not a f@cking clue! :rolleyes:

Diamond Doll · 31-10-2015 01:51PM

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

Aul one, from some food quango, on NewsTalk during the week was asked what to give kids for their school lunch sandwiches instead of ham or salami.
She suggested salad or egg sandwiches instead. Not a f@cking clue! :rolleyes:

What's wrong with salad or egg sandwiches?

My toddler loves either. (I do usually stick some meat in with the salad, though!)

Kovu · 31-10-2015 01:55PM

^ Anyone in my school that had egg sandwiches was relegated to a stinky corner to eat them in :pac:

Gloomtastic! · 31-10-2015 02:02PM

Kovu wrote: »

^ Anyone in my school that had egg sandwiches was relegated to a stinky corner to eat them in :pac:

This!

31-10-2015 03:04PM

I made a soup for lunch and as usual it lacked something.

I slow roasted 5 peppers and a whole bulb of garlic.

Meanwhile I sautéed a cup of chopped onion and a cup of chopped potato in butter, covered and sweated for 10 minutes.

When the peppers and garlic were ready I added them to the pot along with a can of tomatoes and a litre of chicken stock. No fresh herbs in the house so added some hot paprika and dried basil, and seasoned. Boiled for ten minutes, liquidized and served with cream and crusty bread.

Bland as heck.

Where did I go wrong?

Old Perry · 31-10-2015 03:38PM

Mystery Egg wrote: »

I made a soup for lunch and as usual it lacked something.

I slow roasted 5 peppers and a whole bulb of garlic.

Meanwhile I sautéed a cup of chopped onion and a cup of chopped potato in butter, covered and sweated for 10 minutes.

When the peppers and garlic were ready I added them to the pot along with a can of tomatoes and a litre of chicken stock. No fresh herbs in the house so added some hot paprika and dried basil, and seasoned. Boiled for ten minutes, liquidized and served with cream and crusty bread.

Bland as heck.

Where did I go wrong?

Sounds nice enoungh to me. I couldnt say why it came out bland. Potateos love salt, possibly need more. Maybe season/herbs earlier before or during sautee/sweating.

The Hill Billy · 31-10-2015 03:43PM

Maybe the stock wasn't flavoured enough or there wasn't enough seasoning?

I usually find that finely diced carrots & celery usually add something as a base to most soups, unless you are going for a specific flavour, eg, French onion soup, potato & leek soup. You can never go wrong adding a couple of fresh bay leaves to any soup.

Whispered · 31-10-2015 04:25PM

I have two chicken breasts marinating in yoghurt, spices and lemon juice. Wondering what the best way to cook them will be?
They will be served alongside a lentil curry and basmati rice.

Mrs Fox · 31-10-2015 04:36PM

Kovu wrote: »

^ Anyone in my school that had egg sandwiches was relegated to a stinky corner to eat them in :pac:

Oh dear, really? I've been giving my poor children egg sandwiches or boiled eggs for their lunch! :eek:

Kat1170 · 31-10-2015 05:39PM

Mystery Egg wrote: »

I made a soup for lunch and as usual it lacked something.

I slow roasted 5 peppers and a whole bulb of garlic.

Meanwhile I sautéed a cup of chopped onion and a cup of chopped potato in butter, covered and sweated for 10 minutes.

When the peppers and garlic were ready I added them to the pot along with a can of tomatoes and a litre of chicken stock. No fresh herbs in the house so added some hot paprika and dried basil, and seasoned. Boiled for ten minutes, liquidized and served with cream and crusty bread.

Bland as heck.

Where did I go wrong?

I always add a beef stock cube to my Veg. soup.

kylith · 31-10-2015 06:41PM

Mrs Fox wrote: »

Oh dear, really? I've been giving my poor children egg sandwiches or boiled eggs for their lunch! :eek:

That earned me the nickname 'egghead' in primary school.

Cedrus · 31-10-2015 11:18PM

Mystery Egg wrote: »

I made a soup for lunch and as usual it lacked something.

I slow roasted 5 peppers and a whole bulb of garlic.

Meanwhile I sautéed a cup of chopped onion and a cup of chopped potato in butter, covered and sweated for 10 minutes.

When the peppers and garlic were ready I added them to the pot along with a can of tomatoes and a litre of chicken stock. No fresh herbs in the house so added some hot paprika and dried basil, and seasoned. Boiled for ten minutes, liquidized and served with cream and crusty bread.

Bland as heck.

Where did I go wrong?

Peppers are very sweet and need more seasoning than most veg soups, with the cream added it could be very cloth mouthed, maybe a bit of chilli, either powdered of jalapenos sliced in, a spoonfull of harissa stirred in would make the world of difference. Half a fist of sea salt would work too, but think about the blood pressure. Lemon or lime works with some dishes but not the above I think.

The Black Oil · 01-11-2015 03:14PM

I was watching Eat Well for Less on the BBC just there. Family of four spending £260 a week on food. :eek:

Also, I don't eat sausages often and I know the mass-produced ones are a bit, well yeah.

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