Baked vine leaves stuffed with rice and minced lamb, with a minty yogurt dressing 😋
Syl said
Apr 23 6:08 PM, 2025
I have my new cooker. What a drama...it took 2 men 3 hours to fit it.
To celebrate...beef bourguingon , potatoes, and white cabbage.
Syl said
Apr 23 7:21 PM, 2025
jackb wrote:
Syl wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
Maddog wrote:
Boiled potatoes?
Just once?.😉
Thrice boiled would make them very soggy.
True.
I've never boiled a potato in my life unless I was going to mash them.
Do you cut them up and serve them plain?
Just add salt and butter.
I hate mash....school dinners put me off for life.
Don't all potatoes becoming mashed potatoes in your mouth after you chew them?.
School mash had black lumps in it...gross. Please don't make me think of them when I am eating my boiled potatoes.
Anyway, tonight, It's another Pizza and Prosecco night with family. Off to Sainsburys in a bit to get their brilliant deal of 2 very large pizza's and a large bottle of coke for £8.
i LOVE MASHED SPUDS BUT YEAH WE HAD THE SAME DREADFUL MASH AT OUR SCHOOL TOO.
bLACK LUMPS AND HARD UNCOOKED LUMPS.
wHY THEY COULDN'T GET SOME AS SIMPLE AS MASHED SPUDS RIGHT i CAN'T IMAGINE!
I have only just seen this, sorry.
School mash was foul, as was the custard, God knows how anyone can get hard lumps in custard, but our dinner ladies managed it.
Other crap they gave us...some I have never eaten since I left school, because of the lasting trauma.
Butter beans.
Watery stew with runny beetroot (on the same plate...so the two mingled)
Semolina.
Blancmange.
Meat with gristle.
One thing I did love was the prunes...I was very popular when prunes were served up.
Vam said
Apr 23 7:46 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
I have my new cooker. What a drama...it took 2 men 3 hours to fit it.
To celebrate...beef bourguingon , potatoes, and white cabbage.
Are you gonna go all Domestic Goddess on us? Happy new cooker, anyway. Rather you than me!
Anonymous said
Apr 23 8:37 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
I have my new cooker. What a drama...it took 2 men 3 hours to fit it.
To celebrate...beef bourguingon , potatoes, and white cabbage.
Congrats! When can we expect our invites?
jackb said
Apr 23 10:11 PM, 2025
Went out tonight with three kids aged 6 8 and 14 to Afon Conwy Brewers Fayre Llandudno Junction.
Won't be going there again.
Chip[s with skins on ... became fries.
The steak was medium rare as asked for but only lukewarm just like the fries and fried tomato and peas.
The steak had a nice smoky taste the pepper sauce unrecognisable as such.
Kids wanted pizza... nice tasting cheese but a very cheap looking affair.
The chocolate brownie was very hot and very tasty with a spoonful of ice cream.
Mean portions overall and not warm enough.
Anonymous said
Apr 23 11:46 PM, 2025
jackb wrote:
Went out tonight with three kids aged 6 8 and 14 to Afon Conwy Brewers Fayre Llandudno Junction. Won't be going there again. Chip[s with skins on ... became fries. The steak was medium rare as asked for but only lukewarm just like the fries and fried tomato and peas. The steak had a nice smoky taste the pepper sauce unrecognisable as such.
Kids wanted pizza... nice tasting cheese but a very cheap looking affair. The chocolate brownie was very hot and very tasty with a spoonful of ice cream. Mean portions overall and not warm enough.
Did you complain there and then?
Syl said
Apr 24 12:47 AM, 2025
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
I have my new cooker. What a drama...it took 2 men 3 hours to fit it.
To celebrate...beef bourguingon , potatoes, and white cabbage.
Are you gonna go all Domestic Goddess on us? Happy new cooker, anyway. Rather you than me!
Nooo. I don't particularly enjoy cooking, but needs must.
jackb said
Apr 24 1:46 AM, 2025
Anonymous wrote:
jackb wrote:
Went out tonight with three kids aged 6 8 and 14 to Afon Conwy Brewers Fayre Llandudno Junction. Won't be going there again. Chip[s with skins on ... became fries. The steak was medium rare as asked for but only lukewarm just like the fries and fried tomato and peas. The steak had a nice smoky taste the pepper sauce unrecognisable as such.
Kids wanted pizza... nice tasting cheese but a very cheap looking affair. The chocolate brownie was very hot and very tasty with a spoonful of ice cream. Mean portions overall and not warm enough.
Did you complain there and then?
No but only because I was way to tired with three excited kids on my hands normally it would have been returned to the kitchen straight away.
On my way out some smartly dressed guy asked was everything to my satisfaction and I snarled nope and you won't be seeing us again food was mean and cold.
Vam said
Apr 24 8:06 AM, 2025
Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
I have my new cooker. What a drama...it took 2 men 3 hours to fit it.
To celebrate...beef bourguingon , potatoes, and white cabbage.
Are you gonna go all Domestic Goddess on us? Happy new cooker, anyway. Rather you than me!
Nooo. I don't particularly enjoy cooking, but needs must.
I can certainly relate to THAT!
Still, at least your new cooker should make doing what you gotta do a bit easier.
Syl said
Apr 24 12:45 PM, 2025
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
Syl wrote:
I have my new cooker. What a drama...it took 2 men 3 hours to fit it.
To celebrate...beef bourguingon , potatoes, and white cabbage.
Are you gonna go all Domestic Goddess on us? Happy new cooker, anyway. Rather you than me!
Nooo. I don't particularly enjoy cooking, but needs must.
I can certainly relate to THAT!
Still, at least your new cooker should make doing what you gotta do a bit easier.
Hopefully, when I have fathomed out how to use it.
Compared to my last one, which I loved, this has controls similar to what an aircraft control panel must look like...and the instruction leaflet is in everything but English.
Vam said
Apr 24 1:59 PM, 2025
@ Syl… maybe you could try the manufacturer’s website, to access and download the user manual in English ?
-- Edited by Vam on Thursday 24th of April 2025 02:00:12 PM
Syl said
Apr 24 5:16 PM, 2025
Vam wrote:
@ Syl… maybe you could try the manufacturer’s website, to access and download the user manual in English ?
-- Edited by Vam on Thursday 24th of April 2025 02:00:12 PM
I now have Vam. thanks.
Syl said
Apr 25 3:42 PM, 2025
Smoked salmon and salad....followed by Sainsbury's Dine in for 2 amaretto tiramisu... If you like that desert, I think it's one of the nicest ones I have tasted.
Anonymous said
Apr 25 5:15 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
@ Syl… maybe you could try the manufacturer’s website, to access and download the user manual in English ?
-- Edited by Vam on Thursday 24th of April 2025 02:00:12 PM
I now have Vam. thanks.
Have you got it sussed? Oven options like fan/no fan/top element/both elements/full grill/half grill can be a pain, not to mention all the clock settings.
Syl said
Apr 25 6:46 PM, 2025
Anonymous wrote:
Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
@ Syl… maybe you could try the manufacturer’s website, to access and download the user manual in English ?
-- Edited by Vam on Thursday 24th of April 2025 02:00:12 PM
I now have Vam. thanks.
Have you got it sussed? Oven options like fan/no fan/top element/both elements/full grill/half grill can be a pain, not to mention all the clock settings.
I have, (I think) after a drama yesterday when the oven didn't seem to be reaching it's required heat....I think I had set it to bake not roast.
I will end up probably just using a quarter of the settings, I have no intention of starting to bake bread and cakes...not when I have a local M&S.
Vam said
Apr 25 9:20 PM, 2025
The fam and some friends took me to a great Italian restaurant for a late lunch today.
Caprese salad, followed by rigatoni in a lush creamy salmon & fennel sauce 😋 Little scoop of pistacchio ice cream for dessert.
Syl said
Apr 26 11:37 AM, 2025
Vam wrote:
The fam and some friends took me to a great Italian restaurant for a late lunch today.
Caprese salad, followed by rigatoni in a lush creamy salmon & fennel sauce 😋 Little scoop of pistacchio ice cream for dessert.
Sounds great Vam...is there anything nicer than going to a good restaurant with family, eating, drinking, catching up with everyone's lives?
Thankfully the UK has now caught on to the more med way of life, by welcoming big groups, eating alfresco (weather permitting) and actually welcoming children in restaurants.
I can remember when my son was young, we were actually refused service in a couple of restaurants because they didn't allow children, and this would have been around 6pm. My OH once retorted to a snotty waitress "no wonder you are empty'.
Thanks God times have changed.
Maddog said
Apr 26 3:47 PM, 2025
Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
The fam and some friends took me to a great Italian restaurant for a late lunch today.
Caprese salad, followed by rigatoni in a lush creamy salmon & fennel sauce 😋 Little scoop of pistacchio ice cream for dessert.
Sounds great Vam...is there anything nicer than going to a good restaurant with family, eating, drinking, catching up with everyone's lives?
Thankfully the UK has now caught on to the more med way of life, by welcoming big groups, eating alfresco (weather permitting) and actually welcoming children in restaurants.
I can remember when my son was young, we were actually refused service in a couple of restaurants because they didn't allow children, and this would have been around 6pm. My OH once retorted to a snotty waitress "no wonder you are empty'.
Thanks God times have changed.
We were taken to restaurants, even very nice ones , as children, and me and my sisters are old as dirt.
I didn't always enjoy it, but my parents tried to civilize us and I don't remember it ever being an issue at the restaurant.
Everyone is still unsure if I ever became civilized.
Syl said
Apr 26 4:05 PM, 2025
Maddog wrote:
Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
The fam and some friends took me to a great Italian restaurant for a late lunch today.
Caprese salad, followed by rigatoni in a lush creamy salmon & fennel sauce 😋 Little scoop of pistacchio ice cream for dessert.
Sounds great Vam...is there anything nicer than going to a good restaurant with family, eating, drinking, catching up with everyone's lives?
Thankfully the UK has now caught on to the more med way of life, by welcoming big groups, eating alfresco (weather permitting) and actually welcoming children in restaurants.
I can remember when my son was young, we were actually refused service in a couple of restaurants because they didn't allow children, and this would have been around 6pm. My OH once retorted to a snotty waitress "no wonder you are empty'.
Thanks God times have changed.
We were taken to restaurants, even very nice ones , as children, and me and my sisters are old as dirt.
I didn't always enjoy it, but my parents tried to civilize us and I don't remember it ever being an issue at the restaurant.
Everyone is still unsure if I ever became civilized.
There were always Brewers Fayre type restaurants that welcomed kids, but I have always liked the little bistro type, tbf, it only happened a couple of times, but I don't forget.
My son is in his 40's...grandsons are in their 20's, never been any problems feeding them in any nice restaurants.
(last night’s dinner)
Baked vine leaves stuffed with rice and minced lamb, with a minty yogurt dressing 😋
I have my new cooker.
What a drama...it took 2 men 3 hours to fit it.
To celebrate...beef bourguingon , potatoes, and white cabbage.
I have only just seen this, sorry.
School mash was foul, as was the custard, God knows how anyone can get hard lumps in custard, but our dinner ladies managed it.
Other crap they gave us...some I have never eaten since I left school, because of the lasting trauma.
Butter beans.
Watery stew with runny beetroot (on the same plate...so the two mingled)
Semolina.
Blancmange.
Meat with gristle.
One thing I did love was the prunes...I was very popular when prunes were served up.
Are you gonna go all Domestic Goddess on us?
Happy new cooker, anyway. Rather you than me!
Congrats! When can we expect our invites?
Won't be going there again.
Chip[s with skins on ... became fries.
The steak was medium rare as asked for but only lukewarm just like the fries and fried tomato and peas.
The steak had a nice smoky taste the pepper sauce unrecognisable as such.
Kids wanted pizza... nice tasting cheese but a very cheap looking affair.
The chocolate brownie was very hot and very tasty with a spoonful of ice cream.
Mean portions overall and not warm enough.
Did you complain there and then?
Nooo. I don't particularly enjoy cooking, but needs must.
No but only because I was way to tired with three excited kids on my hands normally it would have been returned to the kitchen straight away.
On my way out some smartly dressed guy asked was everything to my satisfaction and I snarled nope and you won't be seeing us again food was mean and cold.
I can certainly relate to THAT!
Still, at least your new cooker should make doing what you gotta do a bit easier.
Hopefully, when I have fathomed out how to use it.
Compared to my last one, which I loved, this has controls similar to what an aircraft control panel must look like...and the instruction leaflet is in everything but English.
@ Syl… maybe you could try the manufacturer’s website, to access and download the user manual in English ?
-- Edited by Vam on Thursday 24th of April 2025 02:00:12 PM
I now have Vam. thanks.
Have you got it sussed? Oven options like fan/no fan/top element/both elements/full grill/half grill can be a pain, not to mention all the clock settings.
I have, (I think) after a drama yesterday when the oven didn't seem to be reaching it's required heat....I think I had set it to bake not roast.
I will end up probably just using a quarter of the settings, I have no intention of starting to bake bread and cakes...not when I have a local M&S.
The fam and some friends took me to a great Italian restaurant for a late lunch today.
Caprese salad, followed by rigatoni in a lush creamy salmon & fennel sauce 😋 Little scoop of pistacchio ice cream for dessert.
Sounds great Vam...is there anything nicer than going to a good restaurant with family, eating, drinking, catching up with everyone's lives?
Thankfully the UK has now caught on to the more med way of life, by welcoming big groups, eating alfresco (weather permitting) and actually welcoming children in restaurants.
I can remember when my son was young, we were actually refused service in a couple of restaurants because they didn't allow children, and this would have been around 6pm. My OH once retorted to a snotty waitress "no wonder you are empty'.
Thanks God times have changed.
We were taken to restaurants, even very nice ones , as children, and me and my sisters are old as dirt.
I didn't always enjoy it, but my parents tried to civilize us and I don't remember it ever being an issue at the restaurant.
Everyone is still unsure if I ever became civilized.
There were always Brewers Fayre type restaurants that welcomed kids, but I have always liked the little bistro type, tbf, it only happened a couple of times, but I don't forget.
My son is in his 40's...grandsons are in their 20's, never been any problems feeding them in any nice restaurants.