A random thread for food things that don't really warrant a thread of their own

[mrcharly-YHT]

There's a vaccine in development to counteract coeliac disease.  That's going to rain on an awful lot of parades.

Cue gluten-free-produce companies supporting the antivaxx crazies.

Quite a lot of people react to fodmaps rather than gluten.

There's little evidence for this too. It's mostly based on a trial of 37 people with self-defined gluten intolerance. That said, as the Haribo Incident should warn us, these things do have epic destructive potential.

The worse thing I ever ate was Jerusalem artichoke. Celeriac is pretty bad too.

Evidence is very hard to discover for this sort of thing. When I was being 'examined' by a gastroenterologist, he informed me that there are over 500 types of bacteria in the gut, and we don't have a clue about the interactions.
That is so many variables, to gather evidence you need a large sample and rely on statistical trends.

[citoyen]

When I was being 'examined' by a gastroenterologist, he informed me that there are over 500 types of bacteria in the gut, and we don't have a clue about the interactions.

As well as the 500+ species of bacteria, there are also fungi, yeasts, viruses, protozoa... and the balance is different in every individual...

All of which is good news for the probiotics/prebiotics market. 

[hellymedic]

And mean it takes MONTHS to regain 'normality' after they medics has MoviPrepped you...

[ian]

When I was being 'examined' by a gastroenterologist, he informed me that there are over 500 types of bacteria in the gut, and we don't have a clue about the interactions.

As well as the 500+ species of bacteria, there are also fungi, yeasts, viruses, protozoa... and the balance is different in every individual...

All of which is good news for the probiotics/prebiotics market. 

I don't think they work either – probiotics mostly quickly die off and they're mostly made-up science anyway. Best way to a healthy gut microbiome is the boring old eat a balanced diet and get plenty of fibre line. Avoid unnecessary antibiotics, Gwyneth Paltrow, etc.

Unusual foods, over-eating etc. will undoubtedly also cause symptoms.

Faecal transplants seem quite effective at restoring a balanced gut microbiome.

[Ham]

I learned two thins today.

One, that the citrus juice attachment that I acquired with my new magimix and thought I would never, ever use is actually excellent for marmalade making. The juice reamer sits on top of the motor spindle and turning at full motor speed fully juices the orange, separating out all the pips in moments, far more efficiently and much easier than by hand.

Thing the second, that absent mindedly applying an orange half to the fast rotating knobbly reamer by hand instead of using the appliance as designed can be somewhat painful.

[Basil]

This evening, I finished the stupidity large stilton I bought for Crimble. 
Rather ripe, but rather lovely.

[Basil]

While Mrs B and the kids are in Carmarthen, I am preparing a full on turkey dinner with all the trimmings.  (Don't ask).
Only thing is, I forgot to nip to the butchers for streaky bacon before he closed this morning. 
So having found back bacon in the fridge I am prepping pigs in duvets.   Hmm,  not sure about this.

[T42]

MrsT made cauliflower cheese with Roquefort. Wow.

[Mrs Pingu]

Yesterday at a 'pub' I had 3 cheese macaroni cheese. It had wholegrain mustard through it, which was ok for a couple of mouthfuls but not the whole dish. I didn't finish it 

[Cudzoziemiec]

I learnt today that there is a Usanina burger chain called Fuddruckers. Ian, how have we not heard you on this? 

[JonBuoy]

There used to be a burger place on Mill Road, Cambridge called Colonel Fudpuckers.

[ian]

I learnt today that there is a Usanina burger chain called Fuddruckers. Ian, how have we not heard you on this? 

I've never (knowingly) been to one, they're centred on Texas and thereabouts, though I suspect they taste like every other American franchise burger restaurant. And nothing like the secret pleasure of eating a half-dozen White Castle burgers (they're not exactly good, but you can't stop yourself).

[Jakob W]

There are branches in D.C.; I think I went with a group the summer I spent working there (which would be the best part of two decades ago now...) I recall them seeming both tasty and huge, but that may have been the novelty effect.

[ian]

All oversized US burgers from chains sink into the same bland uniformity once you get past the 'signature sauce.' It's basically a game of throwing as much food at the customer at a price that will give the chain enough margin to satisfy their shareholders. Americans will generally eat any burger that's big. They'll settle for a bad burger without complaint provided it's big. What they won't do is settle for a small burger, even if it's made from blessed bovine manna by Jesus himself, as that's positively unAmerican.

[Cudzoziemiec]

C'mon ian, surely you don't have to have eaten at Fuddruckers to entertain us with tales of Fuddruckery!

[ian]

To be honest, you'd think the Americans would have censored the word Fuddruckers, just in case, you know. They have very sensitive ears and they are, famous, a nation afraid of nipples. If NorKim wants to put the literal fear into the US, he doesn't need nukes, he just needs nipples. Battalions of nipples.

That said, many American surnames do sound like someone was trying to unrude a rude word. Bert Jankwanzy to marry Susan Smutsky Clitingle. I'm sure there's a blog somewhere that captures these from the local paper just-married sections (googles, yup, it's fish-in-a-barrel).

I did check and it turns out I did live near(ish) a Fuddruckers, though it was in the Foxwoods casino and I don't gamble. The only reason to head that way was for the endlessly entertaining pronunciation of Norwich.

[T42]

I had just finished my breakfast this morning when one of the dogs threw his up on the rug.

[Ham]

More of a thing I learned, food related, a metal spudger such as this does perfect service as a crab pick. Looking around to see the cost of the "real" item, I found this, the description made me smile.

This set of four duel ended seafood forks and scoops by Masterclass are perfect for eating meat from shellfish, crab and lobster claws.

Perfect for fighting a crab.

[Ruthie]

I made that pecan and apricot flapjack that everyone seems to go mad for.  The plan was to take it to the fellowship meeting tonight.


Well, I took the four corner pieces out on my bike ride because who knows what could happen on a 15 mile loop.  Then I got home and had to try one of the 'proper' bits from the middle of the tray.  Just to check, you know.

It's not going well.

[Mrs Pingu]

It's good then?

[Ruthie]

It's good then?

It really is. It's like crack cocaine or something.

[Jakob W]

Is there a recipe anywhere? Purely out of, erm, academic interest, like.

[Ruthie]

140g porridge oats
70g soft light brown sugar
70g soft dark brown sugar
140g salted butter
140g chopped dried apricots
80g chopped pecans
1tbsp honey
1tbsp golden syrup

Melt the butter, sugar, honey and syrup in a pan.

In a big bowl, mix the oats, nuts and fruit together then pour the hot stuff in. Mix well.

Pour it all into a 20cm square baking tin lined with grease proof paper. Flatten it out so it fills the corners.

Bung in the oven for 35 minutes at 160c.

Allow to cool in the tin, dividing it into 16 squares when it’s cool enough.

Serves 1

[hellymedic]

[~680g stuff]

Serves 1

 

[Jakob W]

  indeed. I thank you - will try and give those a go in the week...