I believe some New Guineans in times past would call humans on the menu "fingers of the long pig". Are cannibal references common to all cultures?
Re shrimp, after they've been frozen there's no parasites alive. They're quite nice raw semi frozen, as are many types of fish, things in the salmon family (various trout, char), and smelts, sardines etc. Clams, oyster, sea urchins etc don't need freezing.
In the Canadian north, tundra where there's nothing much to burn to cook with in the past, much is eaten raw, but is better a bit frozen IMHO. The concept of "must be cooked" is cultural.
I had pelmeni for tea. Russian dumplings, filled with meat (and a touch of celery, and mustard, I think).
To be safe, I fried them to distraction in sunflower oil, but they came out a bit overdone. Next time, I'll follow the other suggestion, and boil water - you then take the water off the boil, and cook the dumplings for just 2 minutes. Doesn't seem long to me, but I guess the Russians know what they're doing.
BTW, does anyone else notice that they might be drinking more alcohol than usual during the lockdown/isolation?
I can understand why (said he, swigging yet another glass of WINE), but it's probably not a Good Thing, in the long run, at any rate.
Ah well. Nearly time to say Evening Prayer, in line (as it were, sort of) with FatherInCharge, who is saying his solitary Mass at 630pm.
Try biting into your raw, live finger, and it's much tougher than a raw prawn!
Proper cooking makes meat tender. Also papaya juice and pineapple juice can serve as tenderizer for tough meat. Finally once skinned you will find that fingers aren't nearly so difficult to bite into, if that's your thing.
Re shrimp, after they've been frozen there's no parasites alive.
Never-frozen shrimp can also be safely cooked in freshly squeezed lime juice, for chemical reasons I don't understand, and by people who know what they're doing.
BTW, does anyone else notice that they might be drinking more alcohol than usual during the lockdown/isolation?
I can understand why (said he, swigging yet another glass of WINE), but it's probably not a Good Thing, in the long run, at any rate.
I gave up alcohol for Lent, as part of a health kick in preparation for the virus (my prepping had a distinctly medical approach). After nearly 3 weeks of having the virus, which I finally seem to be shaking it off (give or take a heavy bout of post-viral fatigue), and I’d really love a gin and tonic. But it’s flavoured tonic again today for me.
I have noticed The Drink creeping up. I think it's because dinner is the highlight of the day. And because I've had to put more effort into sourcing the ingredients and planning a spread of dishes to use them up timeously, as well as the actual cooking - I feel I deserve a few glasses.
I think you've hit it on the head about dinner (supper/tea/whatever) being the highlight of the day, Firenze.
While I've been staying with my sister, I've been doing most of the cooking, partly because I like cooking, and partly because I feel I ought to be doing something.
If I've cooked, I quite like a glass of wine with whatever it is I've made, so I've been having one rather a lot. S. doesn't drink that often (although when she does, she enjoys it). When she asked me if I always drank wine with my supper, I decided maybe I shouldn't, so I'm trying to cut it down a bit.
Besides, the supply won't last for ever, and I don't suppose it counts as "essential foodstuffs".
Besides, the supply won't last for ever, and I don't suppose it counts as "essential foodstuffs".
Speak for yourself. Wine merchants have been permitted to open, though a lot round our way are moving to online and delivery. Great Grog brought us a mixed case on Friday (so that's us good for, oh, a week or more at least).
I don't keep alcohol in the house, except for a bottle of wine if I'm entertaining.
I did buy a six-pack of wee bottles (each holding a wineglass' worth) of Pink Moscato in anticipation of the virtual service I MWd yesterday, as it was announced that Lord's Supper would be celebrated and that we should be prepared with wine or juice and some form of bread or cracker.
I'll probably finish off the six-pack during the week, but otherwise no, my alcohol consumption (already almost nil) has remained unchanged.
If I get the virus, both it and I will be intoxicated.
Well in my imagination anyway. (I like the swagger of pretending that I can really hold my liquor, sort of a pirate kind of a thing.)
From the Twitter today:
Anyone else left the house with a bandana around their face? I did, and found myself lassoing a horse and rustling some cattle from the farm over yonder.
Using special treats, like Nice Soap, seems to be a good thing to do right now! Yesterday, I actually put on a dress and a little makeup, with a necklace and earrings to watch our online church service! Makes coping feel a tad less stressful by having little special goodies.
Also, please remind me to not read the KenWritez-esque food suggestions anymore while I'm feeling ill!!!
I'm dressing up a bit on Sundays as well, just to mark it out as a special day.
I can't find the link right now, but I remember reading a report on a study that argued that washing with posh/nice soap actually makes people wash their hands more. It was done in one of the South Asian countries where hand hygiene in poor areas is historically not great.
I was once tempted to try grits, when a shop specialising in American food opened up in a nearby mall. Until I saw the price. It seemed to me that grits should fall into the price range of polenta, wild rice, buckwheat and other such staples, rather than - it's hard to think of a comparison. Saffron risotto with top of the range specialist mushrooms? They were nearer £10 than £3, so I didn't bother. I hadn't read anything that encouraged me to try the stuff.
If you're looking for soap, the Good Wash company is supplying by mail, and extras for people who need support in the community. We were recipients of a couple of extra bars today and tried working out how to get it to the NHS or food bank: it's not easy. We can't use the nice smelly bars in drawers scenting clothes as they usually have ingredients that I'm allergic to, so they stay scenting the drawers for ever.
Reading this thread I note I have had no interest in wine or such for several weeks, nor am I that hungry. Strange when everyone in my area is talking about eating more. I guess we all handle stress in our own way. I am looking forward to the day of having a nice dinner out with a cocktail before.
I went grocery shopping in the 7am to 8am, older adult time (I dislike the terms "elderly" and "senior"). Blizzard started on the way there. 6" snow in about 45 minutes. This meant in a large Sobey's, there were 8 people shopping. So great. No fear.
Woke up early this morning and got to supermarket 30 minutes after their opening, and got one of the last half dozen packs of toilet paper. (They get new supplies in nightly, but I don't know how much.). They also had a large quantity of my favorite canned food (spaghetti and meatballs), so I'm in good shape.
I hate cooking, and the enforced staying at home has completely failed to create any warm fuzzies about cooking. I'll be the lady over here, eating my severed fingers raw.
I can't help but feel a tad jealous of people who are in lockdown and having time to craft and read and watch box sets...I know I am lucky to work and not have to worry about supporting us, but I would like to have a bit of down time. I seem to be working harder from home than I do for face to face lessons!! Still, I must recognize that it's good to keep occupied!
Besides, the supply won't last for ever, and I don't suppose it counts as "essential foodstuffs".
Speak for yourself. Wine merchants have been permitted to open, though a lot round our way are moving to online and delivery. Great Grog brought us a mixed case on Friday (so that's us good for, oh, a week or more at least).
As you and Mr F raise your glasses, spare a thought for us here in South Africa where the sale of alcohol or cigarettes is prohibited for the duration of the lockdown. I'm surrounded by vineyards, wine estates, some of the most delicious sauvignon blancs or cabernets anywhere and can't buy a drop of the elixir.
Oddly though (or perhaps not), most people here don't mind the prohibition on alcohol as much as the shortage of cigarettes and the blackmarket is booming. I imagine we'll have nicotine speakeasies thriving in a month or so.
My updating camp blanket is on my to-do list. Last night I mended a pair of my husband's trousers which had been in the mending pile for so long that they were dusty. NE Man is rejoicing at what will feel like a new addition to his wardrobe, they've been so long absent.
I have noticed The Drink creeping up. I think it's because dinner is the highlight of the day. And because I've had to put more effort into sourcing the ingredients and planning a spread of dishes to use them up timeously, as well as the actual cooking - I feel I deserve a few glasses.
I’ve given up alcohol for the duration.
Being on my own it’s far too tempting. So, in an all or nothing scenario, nothing it is.
Plus I’ve volunteered to be an NHS volunteer responder driver, I wouldn’t be much use if I’d been imbibing.
My new jigsaw is VW camper vans. Looks really easy. It’s not!
Besides, the supply won't last for ever, and I don't suppose it counts as "essential foodstuffs".
Speak for yourself. Wine merchants have been permitted to open, though a lot round our way are moving to online and delivery. Great Grog brought us a mixed case on Friday (so that's us good for, oh, a week or more at least).
My niece’s OH has recently opened a wine shop in Lancaster. He’s doing a roaring trade (doorstep deliveries, the shop is shut). I can’t wait to frequent it again. He does top notch wine tastings.
As a former smoker, I feel for the deprived smokers of South Africa; while I suppose it would be as good an excuse as any to give up, I'd have hated to have it imposed on me. When I gave up, it was because I wanted to, not because I was being made to.
As a former smoker, I feel for the deprived smokers of South Africa; while I suppose it would be as good an excuse as any to give up, I'd have hated to have it imposed on me. When I gave up, it was because I wanted to, not because I was being made to.
Piglet, this is what irks people so: the sudden imposition and absence of choice.
All this talk of leathery prawns, severed fingers, 'grits' (which sound as though they ought to be very crunchy) etc. is giving this thread a rather surreal feel, no?
Grits, from the Old English grytt, meaning “coarse meal.”
As for the surreal part, well, the severed fingers may be surreal, but nothing surreal about grits to me. That’s normal home cooking; comfort food even.
Interesting how the foods that are ordinary to some can seem exotic to others.
BTW, to bring this back around to The Current Situation, my wife went to the grocery store yesterday, and she mentioned that they were almost out of grits, except for the aforementioned abomination that are instant grits. They were out of our usual brand, so we’ll be trying a different brand, of which they still had a few bags.
BTW, does anyone else notice that they might be drinking more alcohol than usual during the lockdown/isolation
There's no "might" about it.
A number of my online encounters involve wine. We're raising a glass with the family this evening, have virtual wine tasting every Friday with friends, and on Saturday evening are sharing a glass of wine with neighbours two doors down (they invited us a fortnight ago and left a bottle of white inside our gate for our consumption, so we invited them this week and I'll be returning the favour).
And on this morning's early shopping expedition I did manage to get half a leg of lamb for Sunday lunch (lamb has been a scarce commodity in our local Tesco) which will of course require a bottle of red.
Said Tesco's had some toilet paper but no flour. Haven't seen flour for weeks.
I had been looking for whole wheat flour and finally found some last Wednesday. Before that, I experimented with a flour-like substance. There were expensive, small bags of almond flour and ground flax seed. I tried the almond flour first to make my ginger raisin scones. They weren't nearly as good as whole wheat scones, but edible. I'm certain they are very healthy. *sigh*
It is a bright and breezy day here. For the first time in mumble months my laundry basket is
completely empty because I have washed the Tablecloth of Doom.
The NE Man brought the Tablecloth of Doom home from a work trip to China. He loves it.
It is red silk patterned with gold and blue dragons, it has a wide padded border, presumably so that the weight of the border helps it to lie flat, it has tassels and the bloody thing is hand wash only. The padded borders take an age to dry. It can only be washed when I can guarantee several hours of fine dry weather, not something which happens often in North East Scotland, and when I am not using the washing line for anything else.
As a further disincentive to washing it, as soon as it is washed and dried and available, the North East Man can't wait to use it again. You would think that with rather a ...busy... pattern of Chinese dragons any stain might not be too obvious, but somehow the silk seems to act like blotting paper, with any spill or drop somehow spreading.
Note that it has taken two weeks of lockdown before I found time to wash the Tablecloth of Doom.
What is this thing called Toil Et Paper of which you speak?
Perhaps you would recognize it in Latin? Papyrus Latrinarum
I asked a supermarket employee if they had toilet paper in. He turned out to be only a potato chip company employee, stocking the chips display. I told him I'd have to be pretty desperate before using his product for my TP needs.
It is a bright and breezy day here. For the first time in mumble months my laundry basket is
completely empty because I have washed the Tablecloth of Doom.
The NE Man brought the Tablecloth of Doom home from a work trip to China. He loves it.
It is red silk patterned with gold and blue dragons, it has a wide padded border, presumably so that the weight of the border helps it to lie flat, it has tassels and the bloody thing is hand wash only. The padded borders take an age to dry. It can only be washed when I can guarantee several hours of fine dry weather, not something which happens often in North East Scotland, and when I am not using the washing line for anything else.
As a further disincentive to washing it, as soon as it is washed and dried and available, the North East Man can't wait to use it again. You would think that with rather a ...busy... pattern of Chinese dragons any stain might not be too obvious, but somehow the silk seems to act like blotting paper, with any spill or drop somehow spreading.
Note that it has taken two weeks of lockdown before I found time to wash the Tablecloth of Doom.
This is what glass tabletop covers were invented for. Though plrnty of people object to them on principle, they do cut down on the washing. We had one during the kiddie years.
What is this thing called Toil Et Paper of which you speak?
Something our local Sainsbury's and Wilko have stacked up in large quantities just inside their front doors and in several other places around their stores. Waitrose have it only in their normal place (as far from the front door as you can get).
We put the plastic table cloth UNDER the good table cloth (where in theory it is invisible) to protect the good wooden table from plant waterstains. Like, from the Christmas tree.
Comments
You eat around the bone, as when eating chicken wings or frogs' legs.
Re shrimp, after they've been frozen there's no parasites alive. They're quite nice raw semi frozen, as are many types of fish, things in the salmon family (various trout, char), and smelts, sardines etc. Clams, oyster, sea urchins etc don't need freezing.
In the Canadian north, tundra where there's nothing much to burn to cook with in the past, much is eaten raw, but is better a bit frozen IMHO. The concept of "must be cooked" is cultural.
To be safe, I fried them to distraction in sunflower oil, but they came out a bit overdone. Next time, I'll follow the other suggestion, and boil water - you then take the water off the boil, and cook the dumplings for just 2 minutes. Doesn't seem long to me, but I guess the Russians know what they're doing.
BTW, does anyone else notice that they might be drinking more alcohol than usual during the lockdown/isolation?
I can understand why (said he, swigging yet another glass of WINE), but it's probably not a Good Thing, in the long run, at any rate.
Ah well. Nearly time to say Evening Prayer, in line (as it were, sort of) with FatherInCharge, who is saying his solitary Mass at 630pm.
Proper cooking makes meat tender. Also papaya juice and pineapple juice can serve as tenderizer for tough meat. Finally once skinned you will find that fingers aren't nearly so difficult to bite into, if that's your thing.
Never-frozen shrimp can also be safely cooked in freshly squeezed lime juice, for chemical reasons I don't understand, and by people who know what they're doing.
I gave up alcohol for Lent, as part of a health kick in preparation for the virus (my prepping had a distinctly medical approach). After nearly 3 weeks of having the virus, which I finally seem to be shaking it off (give or take a heavy bout of post-viral fatigue), and I’d really love a gin and tonic. But it’s flavoured tonic again today for me.
While I've been staying with my sister, I've been doing most of the cooking, partly because I like cooking, and partly because I feel I ought to be doing something.
If I've cooked, I quite like a glass of wine with whatever it is I've made, so I've been having one rather a lot. S. doesn't drink that often (although when she does, she enjoys it). When she asked me if I always drank wine with my supper, I decided maybe I shouldn't, so I'm trying to cut it down a bit.
Besides, the supply won't last for ever, and I don't suppose it counts as "essential foodstuffs".
I saw what you did there!
Speak for yourself. Wine merchants have been permitted to open, though a lot round our way are moving to online and delivery. Great Grog brought us a mixed case on Friday (so that's us good for, oh, a week or more at least).
I did buy a six-pack of wee bottles (each holding a wineglass' worth) of Pink Moscato in anticipation of the virtual service I MWd yesterday, as it was announced that Lord's Supper would be celebrated and that we should be prepared with wine or juice and some form of bread or cracker.
I'll probably finish off the six-pack during the week, but otherwise no, my alcohol consumption (already almost nil) has remained unchanged.
*hic*
Well in my imagination anyway. (I like the swagger of pretending that I can really hold my liquor, sort of a pirate kind of a thing.)
From the Twitter today:
Anyone else left the house with a bandana around their face? I did, and found myself lassoing a horse and rustling some cattle from the farm over yonder.
I'm dressing up a bit on Sundays as well, just to mark it out as a special day.
I can't find the link right now, but I remember reading a report on a study that argued that washing with posh/nice soap actually makes people wash their hands more. It was done in one of the South Asian countries where hand hygiene in poor areas is historically not great.
I buy a pound of grits at Wal-Mart for $1.30.
But I'm not eating at your houses after this is all over.
Umm, BF? What sort of shop...OH, I get the joke!
I hate cooking, and the enforced staying at home has completely failed to create any warm fuzzies about cooking. I'll be the lady over here, eating my severed fingers raw.
As you and Mr F raise your glasses, spare a thought for us here in South Africa where the sale of alcohol or cigarettes is prohibited for the duration of the lockdown. I'm surrounded by vineyards, wine estates, some of the most delicious sauvignon blancs or cabernets anywhere and can't buy a drop of the elixir.
Oddly though (or perhaps not), most people here don't mind the prohibition on alcohol as much as the shortage of cigarettes and the blackmarket is booming. I imagine we'll have nicotine speakeasies thriving in a month or so.
I’ve given up alcohol for the duration.
Being on my own it’s far too tempting. So, in an all or nothing scenario, nothing it is.
Plus I’ve volunteered to be an NHS volunteer responder driver, I wouldn’t be much use if I’d been imbibing.
My new jigsaw is VW camper vans. Looks really easy. It’s not!
My niece’s OH has recently opened a wine shop in Lancaster. He’s doing a roaring trade (doorstep deliveries, the shop is shut). I can’t wait to frequent it again. He does top notch wine tastings.
Chapel Street Wines - https://tinyurl.com/r27t5ea
Piglet, this is what irks people so: the sudden imposition and absence of choice.
As for the surreal part, well, the severed fingers may be surreal, but nothing surreal about grits to me. That’s normal home cooking; comfort food even.
Interesting how the foods that are ordinary to some can seem exotic to others.
I just take off my Cap to all you inventive and imaginative Cooks!
And still no toilet paper.
There's no "might" about it.
A number of my online encounters involve wine. We're raising a glass with the family this evening, have virtual wine tasting every Friday with friends, and on Saturday evening are sharing a glass of wine with neighbours two doors down (they invited us a fortnight ago and left a bottle of white inside our gate for our consumption, so we invited them this week and I'll be returning the favour).
And on this morning's early shopping expedition I did manage to get half a leg of lamb for Sunday lunch (lamb has been a scarce commodity in our local Tesco) which will of course require a bottle of red.
Said Tesco's had some toilet paper but no flour. Haven't seen flour for weeks.
completely empty because I have washed the Tablecloth of Doom.
The NE Man brought the Tablecloth of Doom home from a work trip to China. He loves it.
It is red silk patterned with gold and blue dragons, it has a wide padded border, presumably so that the weight of the border helps it to lie flat, it has tassels and the bloody thing is hand wash only. The padded borders take an age to dry. It can only be washed when I can guarantee several hours of fine dry weather, not something which happens often in North East Scotland, and when I am not using the washing line for anything else.
As a further disincentive to washing it, as soon as it is washed and dried and available, the North East Man can't wait to use it again. You would think that with rather a ...busy... pattern of Chinese dragons any stain might not be too obvious, but somehow the silk seems to act like blotting paper, with any spill or drop somehow spreading.
Note that it has taken two weeks of lockdown before I found time to wash the Tablecloth of Doom.
I asked a supermarket employee if they had toilet paper in. He turned out to be only a potato chip company employee, stocking the chips display. I told him I'd have to be pretty desperate before using his product for my TP needs.
This is what glass tabletop covers were invented for. Though plrnty of people object to them on principle, they do cut down on the washing. We had one during the kiddie years.
*swoons*
IS OUTRAGE! (and so 1950s.....)
We have two in the Mousehold—one for inside and one strictly for outside use.
I knew Miss Amanda would understand.
Something our local Sainsbury's and Wilko have stacked up in large quantities just inside their front doors and in several other places around their stores. Waitrose have it only in their normal place (as far from the front door as you can get).