Author Topic: First-World Problems. (Read 336521 times)

Eccentrica Gallumbits · « **Reply #1150 on:** 16 February, 2016, 09:42:06 pm »

Quote from: SteveC on 16 February, 2016, 06:21:57 pm

'Cup' in recipes is a standard measure.

In the US it's 8 fluid ounces (so half of one of their pints) (note for the pedantic, the US fl.oz. is not quite the same as an Imperial one)
In New Zealand it's 250ml.

(Mr Google says the US cup is 236.59ml)

Cue the 'nice thing about standards quote'

It's still a stupid unit for solids though. Half a cup of grated carrot? Packed down firm? Left loose and airy? Chopped carrot jammed into the measuring cup and then grated?

SteveC · « **Reply #1151 on:** 16 February, 2016, 09:46:34 pm »

Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 February, 2016, 09:42:06 pm

It's still a stupid unit for solids though. Half a cup of grated carrot? Packed down firm? Left loose and airy? Chopped carrot jammed into the measuring cup and then grated?

I don't disagree. I do use cup measures as I have several American cookbooks but it is a pain.

Ruthie · « **Reply #1152 on:** 16 February, 2016, 09:56:35 pm »

I much prefer cups. Not many recipes require absolute accuracy. If you're the sort of cook who 'bungs stuff in the bowl' rather than measuring everything to the nth degree and garnishing stuff, cups are good.

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #1153 on:** 16 February, 2016, 10:08:04 pm »

Quote from: Ruthie on 16 February, 2016, 09:56:35 pm

I much prefer cups. Not many recipes require absolute accuracy. If you're the sort of cook who 'bungs stuff in the bowl' rather than measuring everything to the nth degree and garnishing stuff, cups are good.

It's a good thing Heston Blumenthing won't be in charge of the Revolution

contango · « **Reply #1154 on:** 17 February, 2016, 04:45:22 am »

Quote from: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 February, 2016, 09:42:06 pm

Quote from: SteveC on 16 February, 2016, 06:21:57 pm
'Cup' in recipes is a standard measure.

In the US it's 8 fluid ounces (so half of one of their pints) (note for the pedantic, the US fl.oz. is not quite the same as an Imperial one)
In New Zealand it's 250ml.

(Mr Google says the US cup is 236.59ml)

Cue the 'nice thing about standards quote'
It's still a stupid unit for solids though. Half a cup of grated carrot? Packed down firm? Left loose and airy? Chopped carrot jammed into the measuring cup and then grated?

No more useless than dietary guidelines that use really useful and objective measures like "a large handful" or "a small portion".

Jaded · « **Reply #1155 on:** 17 February, 2016, 08:13:47 am »

I tick both ways.

perpetual dan · « **Reply #1156 on:** 17 February, 2016, 01:04:27 pm »

Quote from: Ruthie on 16 February, 2016, 09:56:35 pm

I much prefer cups. Not many recipes require absolute accuracy. If you're the sort of cook who 'bungs stuff in the bowl' rather than measuring everything to the nth degree and garnishing stuff, cups are good.

For that sort of cooking I prefer the metric "handful". Less washing up too.
(Our new bread machine's recipe book measures in cups and spoons, water first then flour obv. I'd mind less if the bread ever rose properly.)

Eccentrica Gallumbits · « **Reply #1157 on:** 17 February, 2016, 02:12:37 pm »

And instead of fingers, allen keys?

Wowbagger · « **Reply #1158 on:** 17 February, 2016, 06:05:30 pm »

Quote from: Basil on 16 February, 2016, 06:36:09 pm

Quote from: SteveC on 16 February, 2016, 06:21:57 pm
'Cup' in recipes is a standard measure.

Surely it depends on who's bra you are borrowing to do the measuring?

*leaves thread in disgrace*

Excelent, Basil. If you hadn't made that comment, I would have had to.

hellymedic · « **Reply #1159 on:** 17 February, 2016, 07:37:14 pm »

Dear Whitbread,
Thank you for your email suggesting U book a table to celebrate Mothers' Day at your table table restaurant.
Don't you think it might be useful to remind me of the date of this auspicious occasion cos I can't remember.
I await further emails from Brewers Fayre and Beefeater.

Andrij · « **Reply #1160 on:** 17 February, 2016, 08:00:34 pm »

Second Sunday of May. Unless, of course, Whitbread had in mind Mothering Sunday, which is the fourth Sunday of Lent (6 March this year).

hellymedic · « **Reply #1161 on:** 17 February, 2016, 08:15:31 pm »

I think the May one is USAnian and Mothering Sunday is held as Mothers' Day in the UK.

We don't do Mothers' Day in our family cos we're too Jewish but my Mum is 80 tomorrow and we've just had a BIGgish party.

Basil · « **Reply #1162 on:** 17 February, 2016, 08:19:23 pm »

What's a gish party? Is it fun?

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #1163 on:** 17 February, 2016, 08:56:43 pm »

Quote from: Basil on 17 February, 2016, 08:19:23 pm

What's a gish party? Is it fun?

Everyone comes in fancy dress and the person deemed to look most like Special Agent Monica Reyes is the winner.

L CC · « **Reply #1164 on:** 18 February, 2016, 08:45:45 am »

We have no instant coffee so I had to make the removal man a caramel latte from the Tassimo. We also have no standard tea so the other two got Earl Grey.

(I can't believe I actually typed that, or that it's truly true)

Ruthie · « **Reply #1165 on:** 18 February, 2016, 09:45:06 am »

So you're going up in the world today?

Wowbagger · « **Reply #1166 on:** 18 February, 2016, 09:55:46 am »

Happy move day!

Canardly · « **Reply #1167 on:** 18 February, 2016, 10:46:20 am »

Nice day for it.

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #1168 on:** 18 February, 2016, 05:58:11 pm »

Quote from: fboab on 18 February, 2016, 08:45:45 am

We have no instant coffee so I had to make the removal man a caramel latte from the Tassimo. We also have no standard tea so the other two got Earl Grey.

(I can't believe I actually typed that, or that it's truly true)

Caramel latte? Are you trying to kill the poor fellow?

citoyen · « **Reply #1169 on:** 18 February, 2016, 06:57:40 pm »

Waitrose was out of fresh coriander.

Quote from: Bledlow on 13 February, 2016, 11:26:02 am

What is 'hummus dip' & how does it differ from hummus?

You have to specify that it's a dip or the proles might think it's some kind of poultice and spread it on their piles.

(Incidentally, I wanted the coriander to put in my chickpea curry - prepared by pressure-cooking one actual teacup of dried chickpeas in 2.5 actual teacups of water. I have no idea of the capacity of the actual teacup I used, in either metric or imperial units. I share the view of my learned friends on the matter of hummus without tahini.)

citoyen · « **Reply #1170 on:** 18 February, 2016, 06:58:36 pm »

In other FWP news, I've had to turn down a free cycling trip to Majorca.

Ashaman42 · « **Reply #1171 on:** 18 February, 2016, 07:02:51 pm »

Ooh oooh me! I'll go for you!

Jurek · « **Reply #1172 on:** 18 February, 2016, 07:03:07 pm »

Quote from: citoyen on 18 February, 2016, 06:58:36 pm

In other FWP news, I've had to turn down a free cycling trip to Majorca.

TBH, I'm struggling to summon up ~~some~~ any sympathy

hellymedic · « **Reply #1173 on:** 18 February, 2016, 08:05:48 pm »

Suspect cityoen's Real Life^TM is interfering with the the cycling habit.

citoyen · « **Reply #1174 on:** 18 February, 2016, 08:36:44 pm »

Quote from: hellymedic on 18 February, 2016, 08:05:48 pm

Suspect cityoen's Real Life^TM is interfering with the the cycling habit.

You could say that.