Southampton have their St Gaston thread and quite a lot of debate it's provoked too. So, with a little play on words, I thought the time was right for a Gastron thread of our own, where people can talk freely about food and culture, cake and fine wines. I like to dine out often, as I'm sure we all do and we can all have a lot of fun recommending to each other, various menus, gourmet food or the downright strange to be had from anywhere across the globe. Sometimes, a meal can be remembered not for it's quality or how much it cost, but the reverse. Whilst holidaying in Naples, the wife and I were keen to sample the traditional Pizza that the city is famous for. We trudged from one restaurant to another, but each was charging around 6 euros for a portion. We finally found a place, right by the bay near the exotically named Egg castle that charged 5 euros. A lot for one slice of pizza you will agree. Imagine my surprise, I asked for the traditional with mozzarella di bufala and was amazed when this massive whole pizza was placed in front of me! What comes out of these ovens is so simple yet so divine it defies rational logic. please log in to view this image
Beats the time I was introduced to snails by my French in-laws after being taken to a farm that bred them. I admit to feeling quite squeemish for a good while afterwards.
You mention fine wines, meowth. As a tip for anyone who likes a nice rich full Australian red, nip in quick to your local Sainsburys, and purchase a bottle or two (or three !) of 'Yellow Tail' Shiraz, currently on offer for a mere fiver a bottle. Luvly Jubbly !! Well worth it
After a very cold day's skiing there's nothing better than getting back to the hotel for the totally warming tasty bowl of hot soup. The German's and the Austrian's love their soup, and so do I. Mmmmmm my mouth's watering at the thought of it.
I don't partake these days Woops. But a good Chateau Margaux was a particular favourite of mine. A premier cru with a fairly high price tag, I usually bought it when in France, it was an all too rare treat.
Sounds delish. I've always wanted to go to watch Biathalon, after seeing it on Eurosport and the crowd always seem really happy, waving flags and dancing about, even though it's freezing, I reckon soup must be the order of the day. Shall we put up recipes and debate their various merits?
Ok then, here is a simple one to start. Mrs Meowth introduced me to this, a sweet pudding from Brazil that tastes so good it's almost addictive. Brazilian Style Flan (Pudim de Leite Condensado) Ingredients 1 cup white sugar 4 eggs, separated 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 3/4 cup milk, plus 2 tablespoons milk Directions Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Melt the sugar in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Once the sugar becomes a golden brown syrup after about 10 minutes, pour it immediately into a round baking dish, swirling so that the syrup coats all sides of the dish. Set aside to cool. Place the egg yolks into a blender and blend on medium for 5 minutes, then add condensed milk, 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk, and egg whites. Continue to blend until all ingredients are combined. Pour egg mixture into the baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. Line a roasting pan with a damp kitchen towel. Place baking dish on towel, inside roasting pan, and place roasting pan on oven rack. Fill roasting pan with boiling water to reach halfway up the sides of the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven until a knife inserted 1 inch from the edge comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. The center of the flan will still be soft. Allow flan to cool before unmolding onto a plate. Refrigerate before serving.
Okay - here's one I like, but I don't know the quantities, I just usually add until it looks right. Ingredients: Butter Grated Garlic Chopped Spring Onions Large or King Prawns Gorgonzola cheese Single Cream Tagliatelli or any pasta you like Put the pasta into boiling water - fresh pasta takes 4 minutes Melt the butter in a frypan Add the garlic and spring onions and sear Add the Prawns and cook for a minute or so Put in a big chunk of Gorgonzola cheese and stir til it's all melted Add the fresh cream to the consistency you prefer By this time the pasta is cooked, drain it off, put it on the plates Spoon the creamy prawns and sauce on top of the pasta and voila! 5 minutes tops.
Now just a minute! This is a bit off topic, isn't it?.... Oh, this the Pompey board. That's ok then. Sorry I haven't been around much recently but I have been much engaged in an entirely different board. I will be relieved when my transfer request has agreed by Devo. I am on a free after all, and basically that's all you can afford right now! Of course I have been on loan to you for years really!
We can offer you a four week trial period channon, but we can't afford to pay you until after Christmas, but I can't say which year
I've noticed that Pompey fans don't really tend to go on forums very much - there are a small number of us active on this board, a few on the fratton faithful (about 100 registered but most don't post on there), some posters on the News and that's about it - whereas Saints fans seem to be much more actively involved with more forums. Stroppy lot some of them aren't they. I can't help laughing at their demands for "freedom of speech" but the concept that it brings some responsibility with that freedom is one that is beyond their ken!
Know exactly where you're coming from. I once ate one thinking it was a quite tough mushroom......... shudder shudder - the kids were quite happy to eat them though yuk.
One of my most memorable meals, and not for its quality was in The vendee region in France. We were on holiday with our 3 young kids and it was saturday night, and the French really didnt want 3 young english kids in their restaurant, so every restaurant was "full" and the best they could offer was come back in an hour and see what its like!! So we got 2 large takeaway pizzas, soft drinks for the kids, and a bottle of red for me and the missus and sat on the beach admiring the sunset - Priceless!
I was in California in April, the "food" as they call it across the pond is not what I'd call "gourmet". There were Diners on every street, most notable Denny's and Takko Bell, as well as Ralph's countless Starbucks e.t.c .. It was also intriguing to see in Palm Springs a pub that called itself an "English" pub- yet seemed to think the UK flag was the England flag. Whilst away from the family for a night, I used my night of freedom to head over to it. I asked a local guy, over a pint of the pub's "English" wines, the difference between the UK flag and the English one. He had no clue, after suggesting the red, white and blue of the Union Jack! However, I found some delicious food to eat in America in Mexican food- the place is full of Mexican takeaways, where you can pick up burritos e.t.c .. all of it was very nice, and perfect for children as well, as you can ask for what fillings you like, so its as full or plain as you like! Anyone else had any American experiences ??
If and when I ever travel to France I always bring back a couple of boxes of Chateauneuf du Pape. Rich strong red from the Rhone region. White ain't bad either.
I have had many a good meal in the States but i do remember being taken to a Brazilian restaurant in New Orleans where you helped yourself to endless amounts of different light salads, potatoes,fish etc and then back at your table 6 to 8 waiters roamed around with different meats and carved them onto your plate if you so required. Fantastic food, in fact that's made me hungry just thinking about it, so i am off for my English salad and chips now. not quite the same.
The Koreans have a staple food called Kimchi, which is basically cabbage that has been placed in a pickling jar with inordinant amounts of chilli and garlic and left to ferment. Best described as an acquired taste, this national delicacy is served with every meal and even features in Korean MacDonalds. Served at a Korean barbecue with lots of bulgogi or galbi (variations of marinaded beef) and washed down with copious amounts of Soju (a pretty potent rice based whiskey that tastes foul as it goes down but leaves a more pleasant afterteaste that encourages further imbibing) it is not as bad as it sounds. The most dominant feature when you land in Seoul for the first time is the overpowering smell of garlic and chilli, which permerates everything - although it is no longer noticable after your first meal. Upon one's return home, however, access to the marital bed is often resisted and resumption of nuptual activities delayed until the kimchi has worked its way through your system!
Did they have Carne de Rã? I had this in a similar restaurant in Brazil and only found out what it was after eating it. I will post a link rather than a picture to add to the surprise, as it's a snail moment! http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/2049026790_cdb893eab3.jpg And before cooking. http://chequeteatro.com.br/ra/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ra.jpg And after. http://chequeteatro.com.br/ra/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/carne-de-ra.jpg I have to say, it was rather nice, like a rich chicken.
