View Full Version : OK, What's For Lunch or Tea Today? II
hifi_dave
18-12-2025, 15:51
That's Yak hair, an Aphrodisiac I believe.
Clearly you don't recognise what rosemary stems look like after cooking.
hifi_dave
18-12-2025, 17:17
I have 3 x large Rosemary bushes which we use regularly and the stems, towards the ends, are much thicker and fleshy.
Can get stuck in your teeth.
I have 3 x large Rosemary bushes which we use regularly and the stems, towards the ends, are much thicker and fleshy.
Well maybe it was thyme stems. Either way they look similar after cooking and both can be used when frying chips.
I'm not going to telephone the restaurant to find out what they used.
Well maybe it was thyme stems. Either way they look similar after cooking and both can be used when frying chips.
I'm not going to telephone the restaurant to find out what they used.
I think you can use thyme or rosemary on chips, should give a nice flavour similar to when you use Rosemary on roasted potatoes ?
hifi_dave
19-12-2025, 09:37
'Thyme' that's more like it. They are thin and woody.
I'm glad we sorted that out then. :)
Was that a steak Diane Barry?
No, it was a rump steak, cooked medium rare, with a peppercorn sauce.
No, it was a rump steak, cooked medium rare, with a peppercorn sauce.
Ah- just the mushrooms and sauce reminded me of Steak Diane. I used to cook that in a Gastro Pub some years back.
Unfortunately the pub owners were trying to attract customers so had a very adventurous menu which included Aligator and Ostrich amongst loads of other things. The Ostrich steaks weren't bad.
Ah- just the mushrooms and sauce reminded me of Steak Diane. I used to cook that in a Gastro Pub some years back.
Unfortunately the pub owners were trying to attract customers so had a very adventurous menu which included Aligator and Ostrich amongst loads of other things. The Ostrich steaks weren't bad.
Ostrich meat is delicious and very low in chloresterol. They tried to farm them in this country, but ostrich need a large area to be comfortable, otherwise they get stressed and the quality of their meat suffers.
I haven't eaten alligator but I would imagine their flesh tastes more of meat than fish.
hifi_dave
19-12-2025, 14:38
It's just like Chicken.
The Kings Head in Bawburgh near Norwich used to do all sorts, as well as ostrich and alligator I remember trying kangaroo and zebra.
I recall alligator was like fishy cotton wool, although if you google it that would probably depend on what bit of it you get on the plate.
The Kings Head in Bawburgh near Norwich used to do all sorts, as well as ostrich and alligator I remember trying kangaroo and zebra.
I recall alligator was like fishy cotton wool, although if you google it that would probably depend on what bit of it you get on the plate.
Alligator was a bit like chicken when I cooked it. Ostrich steaks were very nice but very lean. Not sure I would like to try Kangaroo or Zebra but I suppose meat is meat.
Lions seem to enjoy them!:)
Whilst on my travels I have eaten a lot of unusual things: some of them delicious, some OK but unmemorable, and a very few downright disgusting.
Of the usual bovine beasts of burden, I have eaten: Yak (or Dri) in Tibet; Water buffalo in Nepal, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia; Zebu in Botswana; Boran(?) in Ethiopia, and venison in Finland. To my knowledge what I haven't eaten is zebra, giraffe, or camel (the latter of which are usually worked too hard so their meat quickly becomes sinewy).
I have eaten most kind of fowl; very few of which I enjoy. And no doubt various kinds of porcine animals: e.g. warthog. I might have eaten turtle, but I do know I ate tortoise in Laos which was disgusting!
Tonight:
Macédoine (an African potato salad)
https://i.postimg.cc/Mph3mw4B/008.jpg
followed by
Chicken Tikka Masala
https://i.postimg.cc/d05kKQYk/007.jpg (https://postimg.cc/v16HrsDb)
Some more Chicken Tikka Masala:
https://i.postimg.cc/JnbCbcLn/20251218-183058-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/7GYR4zb8)
with a large orange for desert.
Tonight,
Some more Macédoine to start, followed by smoked salmon with rice, vegetables and a spicy prawn, onion and tomato sauce:
https://i.postimg.cc/BvjhFxFs/20251220-175521-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
A slice of chocolate gateaux for dessert, and a glass or two of a 2023 Château de Colombe, Sainte-Colombe, Castillion, Côtes de Bordeaux.
Starter:
https://i.postimg.cc/25zjLmM1/20251222-181737-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/zycY9mJN)
Avocado, egg, carrot, tomato and celery salad.
Followed by:
https://i.postimg.cc/prX5xzYx/20251222-184324-2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
On a bed of spaghetti, jakowcawa (a Polish sausage), carrot, sugarsnap peas with a pesto sauce.
A glass or two of a 2014 Château Alcée, Castillion Côtes de Bordeaux to drink.
Smoked salmon salad to start:
https://i.postimg.cc/PJW5S04b/20251223-174616-2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Followed by roast beef with roasted vegetables: carrot; potato; onion; celery, fennel and red and yellow peppers
https://i.postimg.cc/mZ8qHmBL/20251225-180044-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Not your traditional Christmas dinner - but then I am no lover of turkey or of chicken.
A large navel orange for dessert, and a couple of glasses of a 2018 Château Bibian, Haut-Médoc to drink.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251226/c20499ddea38475bc895c727285b33ee.jpg
Yesterday’s Turkey. Roast beef today now prepping.
Pigs in blankets (catering for 11)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251226/be763429df3a84172596e84062ba470d.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251226/d5886ff8a2b3bb50677121d1f51590d3.jpg
Pigmy Pony
26-12-2025, 11:56
I calculate your guests get 4 pigs in blankets each, with 8 left for yourself. Sounds about right to me :)
Pigs in blankets is definitely the best bit of Christmas dinner. [emoji4]
Here’s the Boxing Day beef.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251226/5edab6a213aa45f2bb207acba3d26008.jpg
For her: roast duck; roast potato; brocolli; carrot and braised fennel and celery.
For me: gammon steak; boiled potatoes; carrot; brocolli; red pepper and braised celery
The rest of the 2023 Montagne Saint-Emilion to drink
Vegetable samosas to start, followed by
On a bed of spaghetti, chorizo sausage, broccoli, carrot and green beans:
https://i.postimg.cc/dQNN5rRL/20251228-175401-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/7b7N6CWk)
A couple of mandarin oranges for desert.
And for a change, a glass of a 2023 Léon Perdigal, Plan De Dieu, Côtes de Rhône to drink. :)
Roast gammon.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251229/ea41be3c5c09d121243a9a6e733c2d3b.jpg
Ummm! - looks good. I love gammon and had some the other day.
Yesterday
Sushi to start:
https://i.postimg.cc/Wb7pqJQN/20251230-172053-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/GHHnZ9LV)
Followed by baked salmon with vegetable rice and vegetables:
https://i.postimg.cc/LsKydn8N/20251230-181057-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Wd8mgprk)
Tonight
Sushi again:
https://i.postimg.cc/XY01ZQTP/20251231-190527-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/fJBfpjW7)
Followed by roast beef, sauteed onions, roast potatoes, parsnip, sprouts, miniature corn cobs, green beans and carrot.
https://i.postimg.cc/02CDfnzB/20251231-200955-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/XpprNwcf)
(Last time I followed a recipe by Jamie Oliver, which did not turn out well. This time I followed my own recipe which was much better.)
A couple of glasses of Château Maine D'Arman, Côtes de Bourg AOC 2020 to drink
https://www.laithwaites.co.uk/images/uk/en/law/product/3885020b.png
Smoked salmon salad to start:
https://i.postimg.cc/jSwtRtGW/20260101-173530-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/dhYzBPQv)
Followed by the rest of the roast beef:
https://i.postimg.cc/HsCTdqTV/20260101-182357-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/w3FCkbyp)
Some chilled Moscato Rosé to drink.
Indian street food at Mowgli in Norwich for lunch - it’s a chain, but was really very good.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260103/db59491d501fde354a7c3e5fcbd2c5c9.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260103/c0eb4b0c604b7b9b7652df0001c0d6c6.jpg
It all looks very tasty Alex. :)
We had something a bit more prosaic -
Yesterday:
Sushi to start, followed by
https://i.postimg.cc/QxXWHCrq/20260102-184635-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/bdBv5zrG)
Spaghetti with beef in a tomato sauce, spinach and some vegetables,
A couple of mandarines for dessert.
And tonight:
Some more sushi, followed by vegetable fried rice, with some more tomato beef and vegetables:
https://i.postimg.cc/rs2ZSW9k/20260103-190453-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/LYvVSJ7C)
Trying to use up what’s in the fridge getting a bit past its best or close to “Use By” dates: chicken breast stuffed with Brie and whole grain mustard wrapped in bacon, with garlic roasted new potatoes and veg. Was great for a thrown together midweek meal.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260106/0042ca0dea72c8cc99f5754b6309c09c.jpg
What is the green vegetable next to the chicken.bacon wrap?
Creamed spinach - usually make it to this recipe - https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/creamed-spinach - but this was a cheat pre-prepared version from Tesco which is actually really good.
Trying to have (at least) one meat free day a week as part of my New Year commitment to improve my health. Found a recipe for Garlic Mushroom Penne Gratin in one of my Mary Berry books which I have never made before so gave it a go. A combination of Shitake, Oyster and Chestnut mushrooms in a garlic, cream and Parmesan sauce with a crust of melted mature cheddar. It came out lovely, delicious- kids and Sue loved it too so definitely one to repeat.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260108/be9c6eeac40b2e459814066b4b83d87a.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260108/66273ac1d89cf37af0058abfecb899bd.jpg
Pork loin with roast potatoes and vegetables:
https://i.postimg.cc/vmwvHj0c/20260110-180344-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/hXMm2CWB)
Tonight:
Home made lasagne with vegetables
https://i.postimg.cc/G36K5HvX/20260111-185847-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/grq3wcSh)
Looks good Barry, especially the lasagna and your commitment to 5-a-day as always!
After our trip to the Indian restaurant Mowgli last week daughter wanted to try some Indian cooking. All from scratch, took us most of the afternoon but was really good. Top next to the naan bread is Gunpowder Chicken - lightly spiced and deep fried in gram batter. The main curry was Butter Chicken, and Saag Aloo on the side.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260111/d05988b0583a24016204c6e89a42879f.jpg
Not very Indian but I made it yesterday - New York Baked Strawberry Cheesecake. The healthy eating went out of the window tonight!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260111/622a9c2c8b802e436c1413aaa70fb476.jpg
Home made meatballs in an onion sauce, boiled potatoes and vegetables.
https://i.postimg.cc/WzHT0CZc/20260113-174844-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/jnPpb8vM)
More meatballs in a tomato and onion sauce, but this time on a bed of spaghetti:
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/s2VGQD0w/20260114-182930-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/pm6L3xvF)
Spaghetti for us tonight too, with lemon chicken, a recipe I haven’t tried before. It was edible, but I doubt will be repeated.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260114/9616887cdfc7d87e9977e3d68705bea3.jpg
Starters and dessert at Felix, Warley, Parma ham with mozzarella and balsamic dressing and Eton berry mess.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260115/4e0175d995efcab092818b299f40113f.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260115/68d8f445f4d02db7f9e9baa7374d9a84.jpg
Gammon
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260119/beaaab4d3f43330473638a2b3a298784.jpg
Pasta
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260120/795376bd3b7a45704a9847c4d8d1aaa9.jpg
Chicken Dhansak - first time I’ve made it and it was really good I thought but son not impressed with the texture so I doubt it will become a regular on the menu!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260122/8ae27334cac66f818493926845eaa3f4.jpg
Cottage pie, with vegetables:
https://i.postimg.cc/cC11Zs6V/20260127-183217-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/5YGWSWB3)
A pear for dessert, with a couple of glasses of a 2020 Château Maine D'Arman, Côtes de Bourg.
https://www.laithwaites.co.uk/images/uk/en/law/product/3885020b.png
“5 hour” leg of lamb, in white wine and root veggies, garlic and herbs - amazing, if I do say so myself!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260201/c8e477db5f9d99ae4028f03afe514b96.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260201/9bc50e5696c67d828a7c24a3ee3b7276.jpg
Yesterday:
https://i.postimg.cc/VNqkPTNy/20260131-203046-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Lqspzxfv)
Chilli con carne, rice and green vegetables.
Fruit for dessert, and washed down with a 2020 le bourg, Côte de Bourg, Bordeaux
https://www.laithwaites.co.uk/images/uk/en/law/product/4359823b.png
Today, some comfort food:
https://i.postimg.cc/3x6tQScV/20260201-195216-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/87RRhHDm)
Gammon, eggs, chips and beans. Might be considered to be transport café fodder, but it was yummy!
Large navel orange for dessert, and to give the meal a touch of class: a couple of glasses of a White Zinfandel Rosé.
Supper
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260203/38272dcdea2de564f86dfbf341ccabe0.jpg
Tonight:
https://i.postimg.cc/nL3vpGzm/20260203-201029-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/PL8LMZ1f)
Baked potato with tuna mayonnaise and some veg.
Braised rump
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260204/41fb079e0b665354020afd9669aa8f9b.jpg
Gammon, crushed potatoes, and vegetables, with some Branston pickle on the side
https://i.postimg.cc/xjFYBSpv/20260204-182424-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/PNZB80jJ)
Lemon cheesecake for dessert. White Zinfandel rosé to drink.
Pigmy Pony
05-02-2026, 08:28
Last night's dinner was a Gousto recipe. "Stove Top Meatloaf with Red Wine Glaze".
https://production-media.gousto.co.uk/cms/mood-image/R-5231-2_Stove-Top-Pork-Meatloaf-With-Red-Wine-Glaze-_-Chantenay-Carrots-0431-1676301152564-x700.jpg
This is a picture from Gousto's website, but Anita's effort did look exactly the same
Didn't think I'd be a Meatloaf fan, and looking at it was worried that it'd be out of me like a bat out of hell when the morning came. But no problems so far, and it was really tasty :)
Last night's dinner was a Gousto recipe. "Stove Top Meatloaf with Red Wine Glaze".
https://production-media.gousto.co.uk/cms/mood-image/R-5231-2_Stove-Top-Pork-Meatloaf-With-Red-Wine-Glaze-_-Chantenay-Carrots-0431-1676301152564-x700.jpg
This is a picture from Gousto's website, but Anita's effort did look exactly the same
Didn't think I'd be a Meatloaf fan, and looking at it was worried that it'd be out of me like a bat out of hell when the morning came. But no problems so far, and it was really tasty :)
Looks good! :)
Pigmy Pony
05-02-2026, 10:01
Looks good! :)
It really was Barry, but it kept Anita in the kitchen for an hour and a half prepping and cooking. So her verdict on the Meatloaf: "I would do anything for love, but I won't do that" :( Sorry, I had to put that in.
The Gousto meals are almost always very good, but require a bit more effort than you'd expect. But can be pretty good value, Anita only orders them when their 50-60% off deals are running. Which is much of the time.
Thai green curry with wild rice
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260209/638d48439040e9e059940592ad17a78c.jpg
Fish
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260217/7083ef3f97fe8a41e4ad5ba36f9b1a14.jpg
Both look good Roy. What is the fish?
Yesterday:
https://i.postimg.cc/HLVRQFDh/20260217-200443-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/7CrK4sL3)
King prawns in a tomato, basil and chilli sauce. Spaghetti, asparagus, green pepper and sweetcorn.
Museli with raspberry yoghurt for dessert.
This evening:
https://i.postimg.cc/CL52yWdC/20260218-185642-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/bsXgkVxd)
Minced beef, onion and tomatoes. Crushed potatoes, baby carrots, peas, brocolli and green beans.
An orange for dessert.
Washed down with a glass or two of a 2022 Chateau Moulin du Prieur, Bordeaux.
Tuesday we were in London, at lunchtime we went to “Pick & Cheese” where you try various British cheeses from a conveyor belt. Not good for the diet, but a great experience!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260219/cbe01b9844ff10431aea52108f5383c5.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260219/122221b6980b074b00690e859166ac06.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260219/aee6449e2a0ba14b26f80cf9295eed77.jpg
Some really nice cheeses, they select an appropriate accompaniment, water and crackers free, so didn’t work out horrendously expensive even though we had about 12 plates (about £55]
Dinner was at Steak & Company. I had Carpaccio to start:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260219/0e4bac8e0e1c0c2117961f53435b4e06.jpg
Amazing!
Then “Steak on a stone” - 10 oz fillet, chargrilled on the outside then you cook yourself to your liking on the stone - barely a few seconds for me. “Special salt” and choice of butter (truffle for me) and sauce (bernaise) - really good!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260219/2aacb4fe882d3579ad07fd7655867af9.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260219/1993158a9f2fa82e18e40038efa43d59.jpg
You don’t get a discount for cooking it yourself! Kids love the experience, too.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260219/8d8a6badffeb73ed3440af415a4e39ea.jpg
I like fillet steak but I don't like it "blue", so it would take more than a few seconds to cook it à point. The seared cuts look good. :)
Both look good Roy. What is the fish?
Not sure, was frozen from Iceland, probably pollock? Tasty anyway.
Pigmy Pony
20-02-2026, 16:38
I always liked pollock, used to catch it when fishing up round Ullapool. Can't get fresher than that. It was us that were frozen :doh:
Beef curry
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260222/6611c3ef9ec75b86ee0bb1bf15f07da2.jpg
It turned out to be a beautiful day today, despite the completely inaccurate weather forecast, that we decided to go out for Sunday lunch in a local pub.
Homemade paté with toast (sadly not Melba toast as it should be) to start, followed by roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, sausage pieces, roast potatoes, peas, broccoli, carrots, red cabbage, cauliflower cheese with sage and onion stuffing:
https://i.postimg.cc/02PDj1Gj/20260222-140609-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Sj1J15vb)
I've never had a roast lunch that was so plentiful. Not bad for £15 apiece. We were so full that we forewent any dessert!
Roast pork with stuffing
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260226/1d5a4ca10b7243e16b47df319f5272d4.jpg
Spicy pork and wild rice and a wine I can’t spell
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260227/0d6fbe2689144641f52e84f728683fcb.jpg
Oven-baked smoked haddock, with air-fried chips and vegetables: red and green peppers, leek, asparagus, onion, green beans, broccoli, sweetcorn and beetroot.
https://i.postimg.cc/vmRchTwf/20260307-183322-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Beef in a tomato and chilli sauce, baked potato, with carrot, asparagus, green beans and brocolli
https://i.postimg.cc/J0jjx61s/20260308-190458-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Some more baked potatoes, but this time with tuna mayonnaise, steamed red peppers, baby corn, carrots and asparagus:
https://i.postimg.cc/HndSyjqs/20260310-183056-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
A large orange for desert and a glass of a 2022 Château de la Grande Tour, Cuvée Phoebe, Bordeaux.
Very healthy as always, Barry! Well done. I shan't upset you with a picture of tonight's Toad in the Hole...!
Tonight - king prawns on a bed of spinach, with carrots, boiled potatoes and steamed onion and red pepper.
Tiramisu for dessert (not so healthy!) and a glass or two of a 2022 Château Le Coin, Bordeaux to drink.
Again no pics as I'm away from my laptop, and I don't know how to transfer photos from my smartphone to the Forum. :doh:
Steak pie, with mustard-mash potatoes, carrots, green beans and broccoli:
https://i.postimg.cc/vHj4sZ7S/20260314-201055-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Muesli with yogurt for dessert.
Scrambled egg with tuna, carrots, green beans, sugar-snap peas, spinach and broccoli:
https://i.postimg.cc/TwRtkd1Q/20260316-195350-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
No dessert, but a glass of a 2021 Le Serret, Haut-Médoc.
M&S Pepperoni pizza (cheating I know!), spinach, green beans and sugar-snap peas.
A large orange for dessert and another glass of Le Serret Haute-Médoc to drink.
Chilli and tomato king prawns with spaghetti and vegetables:
https://i.postimg.cc/FHq5JDPF/20260319-185148-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
An orange for dessert. No alcohol, as we try to maintain two alcohol-free days a week.
Yesterday was relatively warm and summery, so a tuna and egg salad:
https://i.postimg.cc/76th1n26/20260322-192041-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Strawberries and yogurt for dessert and a glass of Seashore Isla Negra, Sauvignon Blanc
A bit cooler today, and whilst it started off bright and sunny, it clouded over by tea time, so:
King prawns in a chilli, coriander, basil and tomato sauce, baby, potatoes, onion, carrots, green beans and baby sweetcorn.
https://i.postimg.cc/VLp7Zy89/20260323-190554-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Muesli, banana and yogurt for dessert, and some more Seashore Isla Negra, Sauvignon Blanc.
Yesterday’s gammon, has to be colly wobble cheese with roast gammon….
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260323/0fb25d31314ea780763706419541e5e4.jpg
Smoked haddock, mustard mashed potato, and vegetables:
https://i.postimg.cc/W3NySPNH/20260324-182849-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Isla Negra, Sauvignon Blanc to drink.
Minced beef and onion on a bed of brown rice with vegetables:
https://i.postimg.cc/2872cKtt/20260325-192228-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Mango and yogurt for dessert.
Tonight, chilli, coriander and basil king prawns on brown rice with vegetables:
https://i.postimg.cc/vmFT40YY/20260326-195114-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
An orange for dessert.
Salmon steaks, with baked potatoes and vegetables.
https://i.postimg.cc/x8Jnsh26/20260329-183843-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Mango and yogurt for dessert.
Meatballs on fusilli pasta with vegetables:
https://i.postimg.cc/q7H6R0kF/20260330-185046-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
A couple of glasses of Chateau Le Vieux Serestin, Médoc 2020 to drink. (https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?506-The-Wine-amp-Whisky-Thread/page527. Post 5269)
Chilli con carne with boiled white long grain rice and peas.
https://i.postimg.cc/1RMxsx6L/20260404-194738-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
An orange for dessert, and a glass or two of a 2021 Château La Clarière, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux to drink.
Gammon, egg, chips and beans:
https://i.postimg.cc/5y7fPFTD/20260410-182421-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/rR46sz89)
An orange for dessert, and a glass of a 2023 Moulin Du Prieur, Bordeaux.
Tonight
Feeling a bit lazy, so a double pepperoni pizza, with mixed veg:
https://i.postimg.cc/FK8WxFTZ/20260411-201804-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/SXLfS4F2)
Again an orange for dessert and another glass or two of the above mentioned Bordeaux.
Pigmy Pony
12-04-2026, 17:47
Last year we put bark chippings under our acer. All of a sudden we find we have some really weird looking mushrooms growing in it. Did a bit of research, and found it is called black morel (Morchella importuna), a highly prized edible mushroom... pretty poisonous when raw, but apparently really nice when cooked. So I'll give them a go on Tuesday and report back (hopefully not from a hospital bed) :doh:
https://www.wildfooduk.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Black-Morel-1-720x540.jpg
Looks ok cooked. Note: this isn't my effort, mine will be rather more basic :)
https://boroughmarket.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Morel-rice-bowl-square-1-1024x1024.jpg
Wow, that’s brave! Hopefully we will hear the report back!
Leg of lamb, slow cooked 6 hours, delicious!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260412/c94e715d203c8517129093ef1753762c.jpg
Last year we put bark chippings under our acer. All of a sudden we find we have some really weird looking mushrooms growing in it. Did a bit of research, and found it is called black morel (Morchella importuna), a highly prized edible mushroom... pretty poisonous when raw, but apparently really nice when cooked. So I'll give them a go on Tuesday and report back (hopefully not from a hospital bed) :doh:
https://www.wildfooduk.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Black-Morel-1-720x540.jpg
Looks ok cooked. Note: this isn't my effort, mine will be rather more basic :)
https://boroughmarket.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Morel-rice-bowl-square-1-1024x1024.jpg
There were many mushrooms and fungi that would appear from time to time in my parent's garden. My father was always willing to see if they were edible. One clue was to look at the underside gills, if pink it was best avoided. Those that looked credible he would fry, but only try a very small piece: reckoning that if they were inedible he would not be poisoned.
You can buy books which illustrate edible fungi and the best way to cook them. Good luck!
Pigmy Pony
12-04-2026, 18:54
There were many mushrooms and fungi that would appear from time to time in my parent's garden. My father was always willing to see if they were edible. One clue was to look at the underside gills, if pink it was best avoided. Those that looked credible he would fry, but only try a very small piece: reckoning that if they were inedible he would not be poisoned.
You can buy books which illustrate edible fungi and the best way to cook them. Good luck!
I don't even need to do that - the internet is awash with info about identifying and cooking these and other mushrooms. Your dad sounds like he was pretty cool, what with the mushroom trials and the car building :)
Further to our discussion of edible and inedible fungi, here is the book I bought for my father:
https://i.postimg.cc/wj906zWw/20260413-200056-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
ISBN 0-330-26441-9 (1981)
Ham omelette, with chips and sweetcorn:
https://i.postimg.cc/L4cmQCyt/20260413-220501-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Mushrooms in ale with goats cheese, garlic and rocket.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260414/83282b92b2236c7808aba454c8c470b9.jpg
If you wanna try it, Barry.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260414/6e72ccbef1a65b08728d65b04b0cf7e2.jpg
Here's another from the same book I made a while ago.
It's basically an American book of recipes all with differing kinds of booze as an ingredient.
It was so interesting I have just bought the necessary to make it again.
The wife liked it a lot, too.
Jack Daniel Mac & Peas. She can't stand Jack as a drink, which makes it all the more interesting.
The peas really work texture wise. And the flavour really is excellent.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260414/3fba04ecf7c3ce332f96f219bb07d4f5.jpg
A sort of bacon and mushroom carbonara, with penne pasta and vegetables:
https://i.postimg.cc/tCRjNVqs/20260415-191427-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/s1LqVxZz)
Muesli and fresh raspberries for desert, and a 2022 Médoc to drink.
https://i.postimg.cc/YqBRmJHy/20260415-194151-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/t7DWKv7h)
https://i.postimg.cc/90Dh73Dp/20260419-204535-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Ham, onion in a white sauce on penne with vegetables.
Another ham omelette, this time with baked beans and chips:
https://i.postimg.cc/L6Vc86Q9/20260420-190116-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
A sort of beef risotto (using long grain rice as I don't like arabetto - it comes out too soft and sticky), green beans, asparagus, broccoli and carrot.
https://i.postimg.cc/cLw8n23p/20260422-194444-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Chilli con carne, with green beans, cauliflower and carrot
https://i.postimg.cc/NMJxzSpd/20260423-184839-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Chicken Korma with Sag Aloo.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260430/9bba4eff856cd0d4f83f801d501a5a7b.jpg
Tuesday’s Carbonara
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260430/ea67f99b724aa6e22ee9fd3da79b0b3d.jpg
Wife won't stop telling me how good this is.
Asparagus, courgette and sun blushed tomato risotto.
Doubled up the Grand Padano and added peeled, de-pipped courgette. Some amazing asparagus in Sainsbury's at the moment that is really thick stalked. It's double the price of the thinner stuff and not at all tough.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260505/259640345e0323f245859b7bddff7e5e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260505/c31e89f9556bd5eb1a1bcb70f16c8511.jpg
Are you vegetarian, Justin? I vaguely remember you posting a veggie dinner previously? Sounds interesting, we are trying to eat more meat free meals.
No, Alex.
We do like a lot of veg only dishes, though.
Are you vegetarian, Justin? I vaguely remember you posting a veggie dinner previously? Sounds interesting, we are trying to eat more meat free meals.
I call myself a flexatarian Alex and probably do 2 or sometimes 3 veg only days a week. I think liking spicy food and heat is very helpful in that regard.
Mostly for me though it's trying to reduce processed foods and I recently started making my own sourdough, as I really dislike supermarket bread.
A couple of my favourites, a white boule and a malted wholemeal - just three ingredients flour, salt and water - or 4 with the malted flakes.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55252774939_5e087dfc70_b.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55252534281_a72846ca23_b.jpg
I used to post loads of sourdough loaves on here a few years ago.
You're doing it right, Tim. That looks a bit like my Lodge cast iron thang I use as a Dutch oven.
When you make bread yourself, you seriously wonder what the hell the stuff supermarkets sell is actually made of.
Another massive super hate of mine is supermarket homogenised milk. It's simply a crime. Tastes like utter shite. Because it is. Basically ruined mass produced rubbish. The fat cells have been utterly destroyed. Crucifying the taste.
Not sure I managed to express enough hatred there. Can someone back me up, LOL?
The bread looks great, Tim! I only buy bakery bread, agree on supermarket bread. No comment on the milk, though Justin - I can't stand milk in any form, not even in tea or coffee, so I will have to take your (strong!) word for it!
Yup agree on the Supermarket milk, it's awful. Pretty much everything in a supermarket these days has been ruined - edible food like products, designed in a lab for maximum profit, as opposed to real food .
Yeah, took me awhile to get the sourdough right Justin, but having the cast iron (it's a Lodge Chinese copy) makes it easy. I knock them up now without even thinking about it. Can't do bugger all else though, just loaves of bread. But way better than plastic bread.
Real sourdough. Or real bread made with fresh yeast. The biggest hurdle is cutting it. Even with a serious knife and some oil in the mixture before you baked it.
I persistently find that the hardest part of the process.
Sounds odd, but it is true.
It's not an age thing.
It just requires energy;)
Mass production would never like that.
Ha, now that made me chuckle because nobody told me that before making sourdough. Where were you when I needed you? It's bloody hard, unless you don't mind mangled bread!
There is a remedy however, a Japanese Damascus steel bread knife . . . I'm not telling you how much it cost though!
Let's just say the money I'm saving making my own sourdough is going to take about 3 years to recoup because of the knife :sofa:
I loath sourdough bread, really dislike the taste! Nothing wrong with supermarket milk either - if you are that fussy, milk the cow yourself! :doh:
Pigmy Pony
07-05-2026, 07:24
I'm not a fan of sourdough bread, to me it just tastes wrong. Seeded batch loaves for me. Anita likes sourdough, but she goes through phases. She's not bought any lately, but I'm sure it will be back soon enough.
I don't get into supermarkets much these days, though I have been doing this last month as Anita's hand has been recovering from her carpal tunnel thing, and something I've noticed is how much shelf space is being given to "free from" stuff. Gluten free, lactose free, sugar free, etc. And vegan cheese! Just when did we stop being able to tolerate normal food? There's not enough shelf space left for proper food, like tinned peas and custard powder. "Excuse me, where do you keep the evaporated milk?" "There's a small tin on aisle 6, hiding behind a tin of free range pear halves".
I think she was pulling my leg about the free range pears, because I couldn't find them. Couldn't find the evap milk either.
Oh dear, I've just sent you a loaf as a present Barry . . . I thought you'd be pleased.
I'm off to put some bacon under the grill, with some sourdough toast . . . the best toast in the world :)
There's sourdough and sourdough.
Some cultures are nuts. I went on a baking course and used a sourdough starter from San Francisco that was over 100 years old.
It was an intense taste to say the least. Pretty vile, really.
After we ate some, the tutor said it was found to contain human spit enzyme.
I kid yee not!
Home made white flour sourdough really doesn't have that much taste lest you start getting adventurous.
Current weapon. Not expensive but it is quite good. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260507/19d95aaf1d461b2760e6db88d2f4a26d.jpg
I loath sourdough bread, really dislike the taste! Nothing wrong with supermarket milk either - if you are that fussy, milk the cow yourself! :doh:If there was one handy I would!
I think you've forgotten what milk tastes like. There's no other sane explanation.
My wife has been making cappuccino's recently with proper milk using my Rocket espresso set up. I made her use the M&S organic milk she bought the other day and she knew the coffee was ruined by it.
What's the friggin' point of organic milk if you're going to screw it up with homogenisation? I dunno.
https://youtu.be/bHynIe0z3Q8?si=OPJUjz0ny_5c4oXf
I don't drink any of the brands mentioned in the video.
I think people have forgotten what real food tastes like Justin.
I've given up trying to coax people into considering there are perhaps better choices available. I got called the food police, so I rarely bother these days . . . gets to be exhausting.
I'm quite fortunate where I live, as I can walk into town and buy local produce where they can tell you where it's come from. I probably only go to a big supermarket like Tesco once every couple of months. Easy for me on my own though, that would be very difficult if I was working and had a family.
Modern milk tastes awful, I remember as a kid I used to drink glass fulls daily, I loved it. Came from a local dairy via a milkman in a bottle and it tasted delicious. We've traded quality for convenience and nobody seems to give a toss - hey ho.
Pigmy Pony
08-05-2026, 05:15
When I was at primary school in the sixties, we were forced to have milk every morning, about a third of a pint, came in little glass bottles. With a cardboard straw. In the summer months it was always warm and tasted disgusting. Ruined milk for me, so I never drink it. I only ever have it in my porridge or a bit in tea.
I don't think switching to organic, non-homogenised, lactose-free, sterilised, the damage is done.
Modern milk tastes awful, I remember as a kid I used to drink glass fulls daily, I loved it. Came from a local dairy via a milkman in a bottle and it tasted delicious. .
Mine still does.
When I was at primary school in the sixties, we were forced to have milk every morning, about a third of a pint, came in little glass bottles. With a cardboard straw. In the summer months it was always warm and tasted disgusting. Ruined milk for me, so I never drink it. I only ever have it in my porridge or a bit in tea.
I don't think switching to organic, non-homogenised, lactose-free, sterilised, the damage is done.
When I was in primary school (1970s) it came in those pyramid shape cardboard cartons, with a straw. They'd leave it out in the sun from when it was delivered at about 0800 to after the morning break when it was issued to us. Yes it was warm and revolting. Some kids would drink it but most wouldn't.
Mine still does.
I wish I could do the same Martin, it stopped around here about 8 or 9 years ago :(
If you go further into west Wales you can still get real milk. My sister in law has great milk, delivered by her milkman in bottles. I don't use it now, black tea, black coffee and I have porridge with water and salt like the Scot's. Haven't had boxed breakfast cereal and milk for breakfast for over 20 years.
I wish I could do the same Martin, it stopped around here about 8 or 9 years ago :(
If you go further into west Wales you can still get real milk. My sister in law has great milk, delivered by her milkman in bottles. I don't use it now, black tea, black coffee and I have porridge with water and salt like the Scot's. Haven't had boxed breakfast cereal and milk for breakfast for over 20 years.
I drink black tea since back when I was a student and couldn't afford luxuries like milk. 250 Happy Shopper tea bags would last me a few weeks.
I do drink a glass of milk per day and have breakfast cereal so that's where it goes. 2 pints a week. I think it is about £1.10 a pint though.
For a long time we had no milk delivery here but it started back up again just after covid.
I think it is about £1.10 a pint though.
I'd happily pay that for decent milk :)
Yep, it was those little 1/3 pint sun-toasted bottles of milk at primary school that did it for me. The dirty bastards.
I must have been lucky, we got them cold.
I remember drinking those, sitting crossed legged on the floor listening to our teacher (who I fancied) reading us The Hobbit.
We have Milk&More who deliver in glass bottles.
It'd break my heart if they stopped the service.
I've always drunk masses of milk, from the pyramid cartoons at school to modern day. 11 pints a week in some way, shape or form. A lot goes in coffee and cereals, though.
I used to drink a lot, loved a Cadbury's chocolate bar and ice cold milk.
Now the chocolate is some sort of American Frankenstein shite, that tastes nothing like Cadbury's and the milk is rank, so I don't bother with either.
The enshitiffication of everything.
hifi_dave
08-05-2026, 16:11
Yep, it was those little 1/3 pint sun-toasted bottles of milk at primary school that did it for me. The dirty bastards.
Same here. The milk was delivered in crates with bottles leaking and the milk lukewarm even in Winter. We were forced to drink the muck. I can still smell it and the taste was enough to make me heave. Hated milk since then. I can just about tolerate a tablespoon of fully skimmed, ice cold milk on cereals but that's it.
Enshitification deserves an Oxford English dictionary entry.
Enshitification deserves an Oxford English dictionary entry.
100% with bells on Justin
I can just about tolerate a tablespoon of fully skimmed, ice cold milk on cereals but that's it.
So only the most enshitified version of anti-milk will do.
That might be a double neg, but hopefully it's understood.
I dunno.
It truly does take all sorts!:)
Got to be full fat. The milkman left me semi skim one time. I called them up and they say 'Oh well we do that if we run out of full fat.
Told them no chance, refund the money and next time don't leave me anything if you don't have any proper milk left.
Got to be full fat
https://i.postimg.cc/7Z4TRVd8/100.jpg
I used to love my creamy full fat milk until having an operation on my brain to remove a blood clot after a stroke after a blood clot moving from a partially restricted aorta.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sorry to hear of your condition Noel. Are you able to drink skimmed milk, or have you been advised to follow a low fat diet?
Good morning everyone.
My breakfast today is a cup of coffee made in a mocca pot using Arabica coffee from Cameroon. I drink it 'brown', that is with a splash of milk. I'm also enjoying a bowl of muesli with added mixed nuts and some raspberries.
The milk used for both is semi-skimmed milk from cows that are pasture fed as much as possible, and bought from my local supermarket. :ner:
:lol: I like my coffee black.
That made me laugh though Barry :)
Now that the bread and milk police have had their say, here is something I knocked up this evening:
https://i.postimg.cc/j5s1gkny/20260509-190343-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Whole wheat penne with tuna in a tomato and basil sauce, broccoli, green beans, and sweetcorn niblets.
May not look much, but it was tasty.
Sorry to hear of your condition Noel. Are you able to drink skimmed milk, or have you been advised to follow a low fat diet?
I am trying to stay on a low fat diet + blood thinners. Using almond “milk” instead. Locally (Australia) made with locally grown almonds. It’s not too bad.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Now that the bread and milk police have had their say . . .
:eyebrows:
Comfort food: steak and ale pie, chips and baked beans.
https://i.postimg.cc/bwY6LgGB/20260511-202444-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Not the healthiest of meals, but tasty nonetheless. :)
Nee, naa, nee, naa, nee, naa . . . . milk police here, just popped into say thanks Justin, I bought this for the first time over the weekend - golly gosh, tastes like real milk, instead of bilge water!
So you can get decent milk in a Supermarket. Thanks for the tip :)
https://i.postimg.cc/s2jkLLKj/milk.webp
Nee, naa, nee, naa, nee, naa . . . . milk police here, just popped into say thanks Justin, I bought this for the first time over the weekend - golly gosh, tastes like real milk, instead of bilge water!
So you can get decent milk in a Supermarket. Thanks for the tip :)
https://i.postimg.cc/s2jkLLKj/milk.webpSainsbury's do remarkably decent Jersey milk.
Graham's do a good Jersey one too, but beware. The homogenised version is not good. The other one is. This rule applies universally. H marks milk destruction.
AI seems to reckon there is a bit of a backlash against bastardised, destroyed milk fat cells in water. I only hope it is right;)
Just the boys for dinner tonight as wife’s turn to see RAYE at the O2 with daughter, so my son’s favourite, Spag Bol.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260520/9af3eefb65fd556065ccd72a3fd50a69.jpg
Onion, celery, carrots and mushrooms all in the sauce, Barry - the secret way to get veg into kids! :lol:
5th of the 5 a day was garlic bread. [emoji16]
Sticking with Italian food:
Mushroom risotto with asparagus, leek, broccoli and green beans
https://i.postimg.cc/YCsc12X6/20260520-202741-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
What no meat? I sometimes go vegetarian from time to time. :)
You definitely win in the vegetable stakes as usual, Barry! We try to have one veggie and one fish dinner a week, but not always easy to come up with recipes everyone likes, especially as wife and son are very picky on texture, and hate anything like lentils or chickpeas. But I can’t go wrong with mushrooms!
If you count eating eggs as being vegetarian, then yes, I too eat one fish and one 'vegetarian' meal a week. My partner is an icthiophage (fish eater), so we eat quite a bit of fish: usually seafood such as king prawns or shrimps, but sometimes sea bass, haddock, plaice or cod.
Also, despite my moniker, I try to have a couple of days a week that are alcohol free.
Also, despite my moniker, I try to have a couple of days a week that are alcohol free.
I decided to do “Dry January” again this year, then when February came I thought I might as well go until Valentine’s. Then I thought my birthday, 17th Feb, which coincided with Shrove Tuesday, so then I thought I’d extend it for Lent. Easter has come and gone, and I still haven’t had any alcohol at all!
I’m not saying I have quit, but at the moment am not drinking, and don’t really want to, which I never thought would happen in a million years! I do feel a lot healthier, wake up every morning with a clear head, have lost over 2 stone and saved a few quid, so I can only see the upside of temperance currently!
Well done! I have just done the opposite: spent about £360 on a couple of cases of French wine. That will keep me going for at least six months.
hifi_dave
21-05-2026, 10:22
I don't drink much at all, never have, just a beer with dinner. Lately I've been drinking non Alcohol beers and very good they are too. My favourite is 00 Guinness, which to me is identical to the normal variety, just without the Alcohol and a little bit cheaper..:cool:
I don't drink much at all, never have, just a beer with dinner. Lately I've been drinking non Alcohol beers and very good they are too. My favourite is 00 Guinness, which to me is identical to the normal variety, just without the Alcohol and a little bit cheaper..:cool:
Yes, the 0% Guinness is very good - I also like the Adnams Ghost Ship (which in full-fat guise is one of my favourites) which is a Pale Ale and not exactly the same, but certainly enjoyable.
My main "sin" now is Pepsi Cherry Coke Zero - have that in the evening when cooking and with dinner, no sugar but I am not sure the sweeteners are very good for you, but hey, can't give up everything!
. . . . Adnams Ghost Ship
Great beer (full fat though), have downed a few pints of that myself :)
Stone baked double pepperoni pizza with a green salad.
Two peaches for dessert and a glass of red wine.
BBQ again tonight, but forgot to take a picture! It wasn't cremated, so that was good. Chinese style pork steaks, Mexican sausages and some sort of chicken I can't pronounce or spell! With lots of salads. Desert was the kids and dog having a water fight!
Home alone as the Mrs and kids are in Snowdonenia for a few days so made myself one of my favourites - Greek chicken Souvlaki kebab. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260528/088bd90dc6353388b0d4b90ded91b459.jpg
Looks good - I would eat that.
What . . . no chips Alex? What sort of Suffolkonian are you . . . :D
What . . . no chips Alex? What sort of Suffolkonian are you . . . :D
A fat lazy one! :D
rmcin626
28-05-2026, 20:40
Home alone as the Mrs and kids are in Snowdonenia for a few days so made myself one of my favourites - Greek chicken Souvlaki kebab. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260528/088bd90dc6353388b0d4b90ded91b459.jpg
I had something very similar last weekend on our mini break
Pigmy Pony
29-05-2026, 15:46
Wow that is impressive Robin, I could just eat that right now. You know what I always make when I'm cooking for myself? Beans on toast. And if I'm not feeling too lazy I might chuck a fried egg on top :)
Edit: just spotted that it's Alex's creation, not yours :doh:
Chicken and bacon pasta bake tonight, one of Sue’s favourites and enough leftover to freeze a couple of portions for busy nights.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260602/72612c7a665951f80dea826a7d44978a.jpg
Monday is a busy night so I always have to do something quick to get out the door. Last night we had the 1970’s - Chicken Kiev and veg.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260602/65bd8eb3767fcca58fb1ccc7239240e6.jpg
Pigmy Pony
04-06-2026, 07:37
Chicken and bacon pasta bake tonight, one of Sue’s favourites and enough leftover to freeze a couple of portions for busy nights.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260602/72612c7a665951f80dea826a7d44978a.jpg
Chicken and bacon work well together - Anita's mum used to do a lasagne made with chicken and bacon instead of beef mince, and very nice it was :) probably not dissimilar to your pasta bake.
Pete The Cat
04-06-2026, 08:08
Went out for lunch yesterday, which doesn't happen very often. It struck me how difficult it is to work towards '5 a day' when you're eating out. To score 2 I'd have needed to buy two side dishes with a combined cost almost the same as the main dish, since although all the mains came with a choice of potatoes/chips they just had a smidgeon of something green, and there was nothing on the dessert menu representing fruit.
It was the same when I was working, you could buy any kind of sandwich but there was barely a green vegetable or piece of fruit in sight.
Anyway I had fish and chips and it was smashing.
I agree, Pete, most restaurants are rubbish apart from a token gesture on their veg.
Plenty of veg for us tonight.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260604/5efdc677c7d0d54ed8bf5c3b94e5124e.jpg
(With apologies to Barry as he’s not a fan of my hole, but nobody else has ever complained! ;) )
I should add there was gravy which everyone else lashed over it, I’m still trying to be good so had mine “au naturale”.
I would have the "toad", you can have the "hole". :D
Oops - just noticed your post scriptum. :lol:
Chicken and bacon pasta bake.
Made this yesterday:
https://i.postimg.cc/QCTwKVYY/20260614-193450-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
and I'm rather pleased with the way it turned out. The recipe was supposed to be for 4 people but IMO it is more like for 6 - 8 people. The quantity was so big I didn't have a large enough oven dish, so had to use my largest along with two smaller ones.
I ate it with broccoli and green beans.
An orange for desert, and all washed down with a nice little Médoc.
Pasta Penne
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260622/a73d3b042a4e8923ccf806cf9ddc7ab9.jpg
Some nice pasta there chaps.
Not had Gammon in a while. Annoyingly broke one of the egg yolks, less to dip the chips in, which let’s face it, is the best bit!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260622/23871fd1bf0ac76912686a0abf68bbf8.jpg
It's far too hot for cooked meals, so it's salads for me at the moment. And will probably eat salads for the rest of the week, if not for longer. :)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260623/486df43a2ce0d9c81cfa5c184d5d5646.jpg
Sticky Toffee pudding at Felix
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260624/02c1d268394baf2c334b21a74423dd91.jpg
It has been too hot of late for anything but salads,
So:
https://i.postimg.cc/PJrRH2wS/20260628-175533-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
On a bed of mixed baby leaves, grated carrot, hard boiled egg, smoked bacon pieces, tomato, radish and cucumber.
https://i.postimg.cc/63Sv6Q7C/20260629-181215-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
On a bed of watercress, tuna mayonnaise, cherry tomatoes, radish and cucumber.
https://i.postimg.cc/zGJk30X1/20260630-182420-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Again on a bed of watercress grated carrot, tuna mayonnaise, pickled beetroot, red pepper and radish.
https://i.postimg.cc/pL6k7Kx4/20260704-191055-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Also on a bed of watercress, prawns in mayonnaise, beetroot, red pepper and radish.
https://i.postimg.cc/13wfhQ1T/20260529-175424-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Another egg salad with grated carrot, cucumber, radish and cherry tomatoes.
https://i.postimg.cc/Xv2Zxgb9/20260707-183518-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Ham salad with chestnut mushrooms, beetroot, cucumber and cherry tomatoes.
Think that is enough to be going on with!
Well
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260710/4e0dd1006381edc96da51e875e5ef6bd.jpg
Chicken and avocado salad for lunch today. Sorry no photo.
Out for lunch at Alec’s, Navestock Side.
Prawn cocktail
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260715/2f0b0bda0033fe2d1a08a00f5eb2ce89.jpg
Duck arancini
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260715/8f127f70b4a4edc848061f38d271e6f8.jpg
Steak
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260715/1adefdc7dc9c7c685bce434f328d2e23.jpg
Sea Bass
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Sticky toffee pudding
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Was all of that for you Roy? :D
Was all of that for you Roy? :D
I was arancini/sea bass/sticky toffee pudding washed down by their own Wild Fin ale and a large Remy [emoji4]
Sides were dauphinois and new potatoes and savoy cabbage with bacon.
Looks very good Roy. [emoji4]
As there’s a certain football match this evening I thought I would cook a quintessential English dinner. :lol:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260715/e80192cc8c1d21d619d9c9f8eb9adabc.jpg
That of course would be Chicken Tikka Masala! :D
Pigmy Pony
17-07-2026, 07:16
Looks very good Roy. [emoji4]
As there’s a certain football match this evening I thought I would cook a quintessential English dinner. :lol:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260715/e80192cc8c1d21d619d9c9f8eb9adabc.jpg
If it is Tikka Masala, then I think you'll find it's Scottish :)
Chicken Tikka Masala was voted the nation's favourite dish years ago.
Was actually a Chicken Korma, but with added peppers as I had a couple in the fridige that looked like they were wilting a bit and past their best - given the ensuing football match, that was probably apt.
Friday seems to have become burger night - this week it was pork and pear burgers with blue cheese.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260717/9a7eca3406f7d7ff0fc699240d01ff0a.jpg
Was actually a Chicken Korma, but with added peppers as I had a couple in the fridge that looked like they were wilting a bit and past their best - given the ensuing football match, that was probably apt.
I was surprised to learn that Chicken Tikka Masala was overtaken by Chicken Korma as the second most favourite dish in Britain.
(Fish and Chips is still at No.1 as the nation's favourite.)
Marry Me Chicken.
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Steak night.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Spag
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Now the weather has become more manageable, we have moved from salads to something a bit more substantial:
https://i.postimg.cc/J4cfNhg5/20260713-190130-1.jpg
Spaghetti with chicken in a tomato sauce with vegetables
https://i.postimg.cc/xCpvDLcx/20260717-184714-2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Beef, red kidney beans with onion, red cabbage, braised celery with spinach.
https://i.postimg.cc/NFVZMyP4/20260721-200427-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Gammon, egg, chips, green beans and peas. (Managed not to break the yolk this time. :) )
Nothing more than fried aubergine coated in flour with 2/3 honey 1/3 dark soy sauce fried in a shallow pan with an inch of veg oil.
Coat the strips in salt for half an hour and wash and dry before frying.
Surprisingly good. Derived from the local tapas restaurant that uses a sauce you can't DIY and costs loads on Amazon.
IMHO I prefer the sauce I made but I am biased.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260722/1599da38716af1d729cca49be68d81c7.jpg
Looks interesting Justin.
The only time I use aubergine is to make ratatouille; on it's own it is largely tasteless. Your sauce recipe will provide a much needed flavour - we'll give it a try sometime soon. :)
Looks interesting Justin.
The only time I use aubergine is to make ratatouille; on it's own it is largely tasteless. Your sauce recipe will provide a much needed flavour - we'll give it a try sometime soon. :)Aim for a strike temp of 180 degC or higher and try and get it back up there which even with my big gas burner takes a while. Cook til as brown as you see mine to get the crunch. An aubergine per person is good, but it's not a meal in itself if you are hungry.
Good luck!
Oil temp is not super critical though. Basically just get 'em brown.
Mince curry
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https://i.postimg.cc/qMbJdf68/20260723-190229-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
On a bed of brown rice, fried capitaine fish (also known as Nile Perch), with steamed vegetables.
Pomegranate seeds with yogurt for dessert, and the whole washed down with a glass or three of a 2012 Château Mauvesin Barton, Moulis en Médoc, Bordeaux. (What! - red wine with fish? Fortunately we're not dining with James Bond. ;) )
Some good wholesome food being posted here, chaps, although Steve needs to get his camera out!;)
Barry, glad you're being more active here and taking some good pics:)
Last night's dinner... Pan-fried chicken breast in a lemon and white wine sauce with Jersey Royals, spinach and other greens:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq70/922/or2nRe.jpg
Marco.
...washed down with this rather drinkable red:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q70/923/C4fpkF.jpg
Marco.
The Marco-boy breakfast:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q70/923/w3vL37.jpg
Pain au chocolat and croissant from Lidl's fresh bakery section!:)
[Don't normally have two pastries, but thought I'd spoil myself today].
Marco.
For me it's either pain au chocolat, or an almond croissant. But hey, why not treat yourself Marco!
Is that mango juice you're drinking there? I prefer orange (with the 'bits' in it), or grapefruit juice for breakfast.
Looks lovely Marco. :)
Ours was a little more prosaic:
https://i.postimg.cc/yYRYCQdB/20260725-175759-2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Grilled gammon steak, with potatoes, carrots, red cabbage and green beans.
A large orange for desert, and all washed down with a 2022 Le Vieux Château Guibeau, Puisseguin Saint-Émilion.
For me it's either pain au chocolat, or an almond croissant. But hey, why not treat yourself Marco!
Is that mango juice you're drinking there? I prefer orange (with the 'bits' in it), or grapefruit juice for breakfast.
Yup! I also drink orange and grapefruit juice for brekky, but the Compal stuff, from the local Portuguese deli, is pretty special:)
Marco.
Looks lovely Marco. :)
Ours was a little more prosaic:
https://i.postimg.cc/yYRYCQdB/20260725-175759-2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Grilled gammon steak, with potatoes, carrots, red cabbage and green beans.
A large orange for desert, and all washed down with a 2022 Le Vieux Château Guibeau, Puisseguin Saint-Émilion.
Nice one, Barry. What I like about your meals is there's always a healthy selection of fresh veg, which is good for you. Del makes sure I get plenty of it:)
BTW, take a picture of your vino, too. I like seeing the labels!:D
Marco.
Nice one, Barry. What I like about your meals is there's always a healthy selection of fresh veg, which is good for you. Del makes sure I get plenty of it:)
BTW, take a picture of your vino, too. I like seeing the labels!:D
Marco.
Le Vieux Château Guibeau, Puisseguin Saint-Émilion
https://www.laithwaites.com/images/us/en/product/4500222.png
Vieux Château Guibeau is a medium-bodied red wine with vibrant plum, red berry and earthy tobacco aromas. The palate offers a velvety mouthfeel, with nutmeg and toasty spice notes to round out the silky, lingering finish.
https://www.laithwaites.com/images/us/en/law/tastingnote/map/LRM_france_bordeaux_puisseguin_saintemilion.jpg
80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
14% ABV, Drink by 10 October 2027. About £26 a bottle.
Excellent. Is it a Laithwates jobbie?
One of these days I'm going to wean you off Claret;)
Marco.
P.S In future, I mean take the pic of the wine you're drinking and post it along with your food.
Tonight's repast... Chargrilled 28-day aged ribeye with café de Paris butter and side salad:
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And for pudding... Vanilla pannacotta with a fresh strawberry compote:
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Washed down with this:
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Marco.
Tonight:
https://i.postimg.cc/JhLDXvTz/20260726-181157-1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Couscous, with some more fried Nile perch in a tomato and lemongrass sauce. Red cabbage, red pepper, braised celery, green beans, carrot and broccoli. (That's my "five a day" taken care of!)
Again a large naval orange for dessert, and the rest of the red (!) wine to drink.
Nice, Barry. Didi you like my steak?:)
Marco.
Sorry Marco, I didn't taste it. :lol: But it looked great!
The 2016 Château Macquin looks interesting, where did you buy it?
Lol... I think it was Tanners in Chester: https://www.tanners-wines.co.uk/pages/chester?srsltid=AfmBOoo-8IUdcguc2wMNGs3EOROvVYgGJB02jqeRjzebOTo8RXFWi1jE
Do you like panacotta?
Marco.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260727/12bc6e855fe7682e918aed88112569e7.jpg
Why did you cut your sausages in half, Roy?:)
Marco.
Wanted something a bit lighter tonight, so... Poached salmon in tinfoil with various seasonal veg:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q70/923/5bhKfk.jpg
Marco.
One of these days I'm going to wean you off Claret;)
Marco.
Easily done - just send me a couple of decent bottles of Barolo! :D
Wanted something a bit lighter tonight, so... Poached salmon in tinfoil with various seasonal veg:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q70/923/5bhKfk.jpg
Marco.
Now that is something we often eat. Happy is a passionate icthiophage!
One of these days I'm going to wean you off Clare;)
Who's Clare?
Why did you cut your sausages in half, Roy?:)
Marco.
It's an old trick I learnt in my French Foreign Legion days :scratch: it's to cook 'em quicker from frozen.
Seems like you get twice the amount of sausage (matron)
Easily done - just send me a couple of decent bottles of Barolo! :D
Lol... Got a few stashed away! Have you tried Brunello di Montalcino? That's even better.
Marco.
Now that is something we often eat. Happy is a passionate icthiophage!
Yes I know she likes her fish. The tinfoil thing works really well - keeps the fish nice and moist. Works well with spaghetti, too!
Marco.
Who's Clare?
She's Tabatha's dungeon girlfriend;)
It's an old trick I learnt in my French Foreign Legion days :scratch: it's to cook 'em quicker from frozen.
Seems like you get twice the amount of sausage (matron)
Yesh, dahling, I know how you love to chomp on a big sausage:bum:
Marco.
Yes I know she likes her fish. The tinfoil thing works really well - keeps the fish nice and moist. Works well with spaghetti, too!
Marco.
Yes, we poach salmon in tin foil.
Not sure if I have tried Brunello di Montalcino, but if I have I don't remember. I'm in London at the moment, so I'll pop into an off-licence and see if I can find a bottle. I think M&S might sell it.
She's Tabatha's dungeon girlfriend ;)
Marco.
How is Tabatha? Trust she has been looking after your audio gear.
Yes, we poach salmon in tin foil.
Cool... Like I said, it also works well with pasta. A classic Italian dish is spaghetti alle vongole al cartoccio https://www.vincenzosplate.com/pasta-vongole/ With tinfoil, the pasta, clams, white wine, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil infuse nicely together to give maximum flavour.
Not sure if I have tried Brunello di Montalcino, but if I have I don't remember. I'm in London at the moment, so I'll pop into an off-licence and see if I can find a bottle. I think M&S might sell it.
You'll be lucky, Barry. It's normally only found in specialist wine shops. Honestly, it's a corker - think Barolo with even 'bigger balls'!
Marco.
How is Tabatha? Trust she has been looking after your audio gear.
She's good. She's happy being given a regular supply of diehard objectivists to 'play' with...:eyebrows:
Marco.
Lunch today was had in a pizzeria: Franco Manca, a chain of pizza restaurants that Happy and I like to use from time to time. Sadly the chain is going through difficult times, and their pizzeria nearest us has had to close.
So for me it was their spicy salami, Italian tomato, mozzarella, caramelised red onion and basil sourdough pizza, and for Madam it was aubergine parmigiana, Italian tomato, buffalo mozzarella, ricotta salata and basil sourdough pizza.
No wine as the only Italian red that interested me was the Montepulciano Abruzzo, but wine in restaurants is always overpriced; so a pale ale for me and a homemade apple juice for elle.
No photographs as I feel that is cheating: photos should be only for meals made yourself.
However we were surprised when halfway through our lunch, a wedding party of about 20 arrived for their wedding reception! Not something you see every day. :)
Nice one, Barry. Do they have a wood oven? For me, it's not a proper pizza otherwise... You can't get the base right with an electric oven.
Oh, and did you find some Brunello?:)
Marco.
Yes, they use traditional dome-shaped wood fired ovens.
Regarding the Brunello, you can pay anywhere between £40 to over £1,000 for a bottle. I'll wait until we get home to pursue matters further. Amazon sell a well-regarded version for £40, but I avoid buying anything from Amazon as much as possible.
It's a top-notch wine, Barry, but don't spend any more than £40 a bottle. Oh, and it'll benefit from decanting and enjoyed with a nice steak!:)
Marco.
Lunch today, chez-moi... Piri-Piri chicken (poussin) with accompanying bits:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q70/922/h0WFS6.jpg
No need for any further food today:)
Marco.
Interesting that you have chosen to have a hot lunch. I was reading that all of the major supermarkets have reported that despite the continued hot weather, their customers have abandoned salads and the like, and are buying ingredients to cook hot meals.
Now Happy and I love salads and could eat them until the cows come home, but even we are moving towards hot cooked meals. As I write Happy is making a vegetable soup, to consume later with baguettes.
It's not been that hot here today, Barry, especially at lunchtime, so the chicken was fine:)
I love salads too, my favourite being a salad Niçoise or a Caesar salad. Enjoy your soup!
Marco.
Pork ribs - done in the slow cooker all day in Reggae Reggae sauce then finished off on the BBQ with new potato and Greek(ish) salads.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260729/852d2045dbadec198541fa08b2918b15.jpg
They look good, Alex - yum!:)
Marco.
Something equally as 'caveman' for dinner ce soir... Grilled double lamb cutlets, with dauphinoise potatoes, seasonal veg, and homemade mint sauce:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q70/924/o64dx1.jpg
Washed down with a rather nice Rioja!
Marco.
Nowt wrong with a nice 'earthy' Rioja.
It's been cooler today, so back to salads.
Something equally as 'caveman' for dinner ce soir... Grilled double lamb cutlets, with dauphinoise potatoes, seasonal veg, and homemade mint sauce:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q70/924/o64dx1.jpg
Washed down with a rather nice Rioja!
Marco.
Looks great! If I remember correctly, Del is vegetarian? What does she have when you go all in carnivore? :)
I’m off the booze currently, but as you may remember, Rioja is my tipple when it comes to red wine so good choice!
Looks great! If I remember correctly, Del is vegetarian? What does she have when you go all in carnivore? :)
I’m off the booze currently, but as you may remember, Rioja is my tipple when it comes to red wine so good choice!
Marques de Riscal, Alex. You've probably had it - it's a real corker: https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/rioja-reserva-14210
Barry, I think you'd also love this!
Del eats the veggies and potatoes, which there's always loads of. What's really cool is that she manages to get meat dishes perfectly seasoned without tasting anything.
Marco.
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