BS: Sprout shortage

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: GUEST,Bman
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 01:06 PM

Love those sprouts, ever since I was a kid. Pea soup, too, but that's a taste I acquired as an adult. My mom's way to cook sprouts: soak 'em in salt water and pick 'em over. Take off the outside leaves. Cut a cross in the stem end and parboil in salted water until almost tender. Put 'em in a casserole with some butter and sprinkle on Parmesan cheese. Bake 'em in the oven until they're tender but not mushy. Great stuff. I wish I had some right now. (I usually cheat and use frozen ones, works fine. You can do 'em in the microwave, too; works almost as well.) regards, Bman

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: GUEST,Mal
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 10:40 AM

Sprouts are something you grow into, like traditional music! My kids reckon you have to be 40+ to appreciate them.

If, like me, you always do too many, the leftovers taste lovely for Boxing Day breakfast mashed up and grilled on toast.

Mal

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 10:03 AM

I have recently overcome my dislike of beets and discovered what I have been missing, both as a veggie and as borscht. Pea soup, when properly prepared, will thicken up to make a very acceptable spread. [See my cookbook, "Very Basic Cooking with Captain Clumsy," in preparation.]

I have tried B Sprouts at various ages and stages (and we get them from the farmers' market here) and can state authoritatively that they are an acquired taste and I probably will never acquire a taste for them.

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Cluin
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 04:28 AM

Spaw, you may have stumbled onto the greatest food-related conspiracy since ol' Chuck found out that Soylent Green was PEOPLE!

But you ain't heard that from me....

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: open mike
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 04:08 AM

yum yes it is soup weather
cold rainy and windy and dark
all adds up to a simmering pot
of soup--borscht? split pea?
cream of mushroom? yum, yum.
is peas porridge hot peas porridge cold
peas porridge in the pot 9 days old
the same as split pea soup or mushy peas??
I gotr some fresh beets with greens/tops
and I am looking forward to some borscht
with a dollop of sour cream...

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 03:49 AM

Hmmm sounds wonderful (except for the celery, has a weird effect on me considering exactly what it is... flavoured water in a stick). We got what felt like half a pig yesterday (in various forms but the largest bit was a ham) so will try this when we've disposed of every other method/cut/recipe.

Spaw - I'm sorry you don't like chestnuts... they should be nutty and quite sweet, with a firm, moist texture... they aren't very nice when they go all fluffy and dry, or when they are undercooked. I'm not going to insist though... you probably like eating lots of things I don't (like marmite) and you've never tried to convert me to those... just eat what you like and enjoy it... but please don't give up trying new things. Otherwise I won't have any other recourse when Bratling won't try something new!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 01:58 AM

Spaw,

Such a message to follow! Sheesh. I made a batch of my soup (made a double batch) and it's wonderful! Cooked the ham hock, peas, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic until they were all gooshy (not a technical term, but applicable here). I pulled out my food processor that the mover broke about three years ago (dropped the box and popped a plastic piece off of the lid) and figured out how to stick a piece of bamboo into the safety switch and make it run. I pureed my soup, then added about a cup of minced ham, and the meat off of the smoked ham hock.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 09:34 PM

Living in the "Buckeye State" I can assure you that a Buckeye is not a food source folks....unless you want to eat the Ohio Stae University football team (nicknamed the Buckeyes). At some time in the distant past I mentioned bad tasting chestnuts and was assaulted by other members here explaining different grades and types and how I had eaten the wrong ones. Since that time I have been educated into the ways of the chestnut world and sampled what I was told to try and now I must say this:

My thinking on chestnuts has not changed one fraction of one tiny iota. If ever something was to substitute for dog shit, the chestnut must surely be the thing! I have never tasted dog shit personally although with two largish Weimaraners the possibility has presented itself. Even without that experience, I just feel absolutely sure that between chestnuts and dog shit, there is not the slightest difference. Anyone who would like some "chestnuts" ..... I'd be more than happy to send you some Weimshit which probably also has fewer calories.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: GUEST,Folkmonster
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 08:36 PM

Sprouts eh?

How would YOU feel if a giant cabbage came into your house at Christmas and ate all YOUR babies?

FM

PS. Parsnip chips. Now there's a treat.

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 07:53 PM

Try this for parsnips and carrots (or both together):

1. Boil up some parsnip and/or carrots cut into chunks.
2. When they're done to your liking, drain off the water.
3. Put in a lump of butter, the size proportional to the amount you've cooked.
4. Pitch in some brown sugar (I like to use demarara) and some prepared mustard -- both the taste, start small and add as you like. If you've cooked parsnips either alone or with carrots, try adding just a touch of cinnamon or allspice.
5. Fold it all together to coat the veggies.
6. Serve it. Lie and tell people it was all horribly complicated and took absolute AGES.

(I got this from a graduate of the CIA -- the Culinary Institute of American, not the other one.)

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 06:45 PM

Got my sprouts... I'm a happy bunny....

Brassicas rule!!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: GUEST,JennyO
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 11:33 AM

Pea and ham soup - yum - best thing for winter! The thicker the better! It has to be a smoked ham hock - makes it tastier.

I always thought bubble and squeak was any leftover veges, fried up the next day in a bit of butter. Pretty much always includes potatoes to hold the whole thing together.

                                  Jenny

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 01:35 AM

I haven't tried spreading this soup on anything, but it does sound good! (It's thick enough to work like hummus with pita bread.) I worked late tonight but got to the grocery store before they closed. I have my ham hock and split peas, so it's soup tomorrow.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: smallpiper
Date: 13 Dec 02 - 08:20 PM

Your split pea soup sounds very much like peaspudding very thick when cold and you spread it on ham sandwiches bloody wonderfull! Bubble and squeek is cabbage (or sprouts) mixed with mashed potatoes and fried untill crispy around the edges wonderfulllllllllll.

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Dec 02 - 07:35 PM

I love it! Another food thread. Yes, the cornbread thread was a classic.

A couple of notes:
--Buckeye isn't the same as Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum, used to be called Hippocastenum stelleri). You'll find medicinal uses here (can't vouch for the site, it just came up in a Google search). This site says that, among other things, this tree gets its name because it used to be used as an herb to treat horses coughs. It's native to Asia.

--Brussels sprouts are in the mustard family (crucifere) along with Broccoli and cauliflower and cabbage. Good for you, especially helpful in warding off cancer. I've never thought much of sprouts one way or the other. These descriptions sound good, however. Hate Lima beans.

I grew up eating wonderful split pea soup, and my mother considered it a traditional delicacy from the Danish side of her family. I think the Andersens restaurants in California reference their Danish heritage. I like theirs, but it is a little thin. I make a good batch of soup--so thick that when it's cold in the fridge you can stand a spoon straight up in it and it will stay put. We used to take a batch in the cooler with us when we went camping in cold weather. It was wonderful reheated on the Coleman stove. You warmed your hands on the bowl, and split pea soup, like chicken pot pie, has special powers to hold heat a long time (this is a family observation only, but perhaps someone can offer corroboration?).

I use parsnips in stew, and love them, but I've never tried cooking them another way (they're sometimes hard to find down here in Texas). If you roast them, how do you serve them? What other recipes are out there for parsnips?

Did anyone ever tell us what "Bubble and Squeak" is?

This has me thinking of cold-weather favorites. Now if I could just get the kids to eat oatmeal with raisins in it. I guess I'm lucky they'll eat oatmeal, in this age of toaster pastry and dry cereal.

I'm going to stop and buy a couple of hamhocks and a package of split peas on my way home. Mmmm! Just what would hit the spot, split pea soup! I'll be home sewing for my Santee on Saturday, and can step into the kitchen every so often to see if it needs stirring. It's best cooked for a long time on low heat. And must have LOTS of garlic. . .

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 08:50 PM

openmike - Sweet Chestnuts - before you put them under a grill or at the edge of an open fire, prick the shell with a sharp knife tolet the steam escape. Cook them until the outer shell (Not the green prickly bit - you have already removed the "Nut" ) goes black and charred. The inner "Brain - shaped" chestnut should be perfect for eating. When done under a grill, they often explode like popcorn, and that is a good hint thet they are probably done (if you can find the bits).
Quack!!!
GtD
p.s. Sprouts are ACE!

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: DougR
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 07:30 PM

My Guru: "Mushy peas over chips." Sorry friend, you lost me there. Sounds awful! *G*

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 06:33 PM

Sweet chestnuts, the ones with the almost furry spiny husks. Roasted or boiled, skinned, then tossed in melted butter... hmmmmmmm.

I did think about wiring it to the mains, but thought that might be a little awkward... I'd have to clear the charred remains off the step every morning.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: open mike
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 01:36 PM

Steve--I believe the other name for horse chestnuts is buckeye??
these plants are poisonous to bees and all other critters.
the "fruits" were used by native people to stun fish and
when they rise to the surface they are scooped up/./
i have the other kind, although i am fond of the shiny,
maroon pods of the buckeye tree. And for the reason that
my ansectors lived in a sod dug-out house on a homestead
near a small community named Buckeye in Nebraska.

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 11:19 AM

Tell Oakley he really must share those sprouts with fellow sprout loving catters!!!.....It's not fair for him to stock pile them for himeself!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: MMario
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 10:50 AM

The little ones are sweeter - I think.

Have seen some lovely wreaths MADE of dried orange slices.

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Llanfair
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 10:45 AM

Dogs were going apeshit this morning because someone was hanging a wreath on my door for me.
Perhaps you live in the wrong place Liz?

It was actually my friend Christine, who makes them, and exchanged a finished wreath for some dried orange slices, which I do in the rayburn to go in the mulled wine kits.........but that's a whole nother story.

My sprouts are still growing in the garden. Not very big, but should be tasty.

Cheers, Bron.

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: smallpiper
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 10:27 AM

KJ - a relaible (hahahahahaha) source ie brother oakley hissel. He told me last night that he has stock piled the sprouts on board his ice breaker which is moored somewhere on the humber. I have great concerns about this 1) are they refrigerated because if not we have an ice breaker that is filling up with the gasses given off by rotting sprouts and 2) Oakleys flatulance - put them together and we have the makings of a rather large bang which could destroy a large part of north lincs and east yorks. This might not wory some people who don't live here but.........

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 09:52 AM

Hmmm, I heard Tezza Wogan and Pauly discussing this this morning too, so it's too late anyways....

even more jumping up and down in gleee - hurrahhhhhhhh!

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 09:49 AM

Anybody who listens to Sara Kennedy of a morning will know that Christmas sprouts should have been put on to simmer in April,at the very latest.

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 09:43 AM

PS... I personally think that Sprouts, along with Cauliflower are the spawn of satan, and should only be approached with extreme caution.

(ella - and her magic evil sprout eating weavils)

...EEEEvilll cackling, and lots of jumping up and down in glee - I'm with Gareth on this one!


bloooooarrrrghhh!

:-) Ella

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 09:38 AM

THank 'evans for that I say... I won't have to put up with a putrid green vapour mist being emitted from my fella on St. Stephens Day (Boxing Day). Bloomin putrid smells the day after isn't nice.....

Just got to rid the world of cabbage, real ale and bitter, then I'll have it all sorted....

WHATS THAT, ME buying all the sprouts up in the uk.... Nope, not me mateys, it wuzn't me!

Ella

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Schantieman
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 07:10 AM

Open Mike - do you have sweet chestnuts or horse chestnuts? I don't think the equine kind are edible - by humans, at least!

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 06:17 AM

Raw beetroots is what I say! I tried to get some last night but could I? I had to make do with cooked in the end.

Assistants looked at me as if I was daft. When I explained I wanted then to make Borscht, Tesco spotty kids brain went into metdown...

I waited until he had neary recovered and then served the fatal blow. "Where will I find the blinis..."

Anyway - why are you talking about sprouts at this late stage. If you did't get them on before the last day of October they have no chance of being ready for Christmas;-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: My guru always said
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 03:25 AM

LTS - if you ever decide to hazard a hand-made wreath on your front door again, can I suggest - when wiring it up to the hook, don't forget to plug it into the mains. Bastards!

Mushy peas over chips on a cold day on the Fens, you just can't beat that!

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: open mike
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 03:14 AM

i see my other post now--it went on page 2--duh.
and to think the lowly brussel sprout inspired such
a volume of chatter here!! people used to say
(during the gulf war) that if it was broccoli
instead of oil that there was a lot of in the
persian gulf there would be no such battles.
i think that was shortly after the (then) president
made some comment to the effect that a portion of
ketchup (catsup) would suffice as the daily allotment
of vegetable in a child's school lunch-or something
like that..

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 02:34 AM

RE: the wreath - the most annoying thing is, we made it ourselves, Bratling and I, and it wasn't even on the door a week.

I could make another, but it won't be the same.. I only have 1 velvet leaf left and I used all the burgundy red berries on the original.

I checked the garden just in case it had blown away (highly unlikely, I'd wired it to the hook and the door is set back in a porch) but it wasn't there. The hook had been bent down so I can only assume that someone liked it so much, they just had to have it. Maybe that should be my new occupation.. wreath maker. Anyone want one?

Manitas suggested I spray some barbed wire a festive gold and use that..... I wonder about his understanding of 'the season of good will' sometimes.

Going to buy some sprouts for tea tonight and console myself with them.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: open mike
Date: 12 Dec 02 - 02:15 AM

i thought i replied to this thread...
but i don't see my message so i'll try agian..
i wondered if anyone couold give a recipe for
chestnuts--i believe they (like br. sprouts)
are best if you cut a cross in em before
cooking--or in the case of chestnuts it
sould be roasting on a open fire, no??
i picked a bunch of them and not sure how to get their
prickly jackets off--stomp on 'em??
liz--i can't believe someone would actually
rip off the wreath from your own front
door--what's the world coming to??!!
and what are mushy peas?? fresh green peas?
dried split peas??

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: DougR
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 09:38 PM

Harpmaker: I assume your partner is rather large, right?

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 07:23 PM

I'd always assumed that Australians had their Christmas Dinner as a barbecue anyway - but using the normal Christmas ingrediants like turkey and sprouts and so forth.

I remember when they used to do those round-the-Commonwealth Christmas day broadcasts they always used to include a contribution from some Ozzies who'd been eating their turkey out of doors in the outback or on the beach.

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: harpmaker
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 07:13 PM

I love sprouts, but I did'nt have them for years (12) as my ex suffered from VERY UNPLEASENT BOTTIE BURPS, real bad. But now Iam free, free to eat as many as I want. My now partner, the fabulous Christine has never ever ever farted. So there. Long live sprouts.
Incidently, we were playing today (and tomorrow) at an opening of a new restaraunt, harp n' all that, we get a free xmas dinner-with sprouts!! yummmy, roll on tomorrow!! xcuse, just farted.hgmmm

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 05:30 PM

I love sprouts and I bought some fresh at the supermarket this afternoon and seem as micca doesn't like them much.....they are all mine!!!!

I also like mushy peas with vinegar!!!!

Cat

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Helen
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 05:20 PM

Jeri,

I heard somewhere that young adulthood, or late teenhood, can bring on a change in appreciation of certain foods. It's a physiological thing - don't know the explanation - but cabbage and it's relatives is one of those foods. I'm not sure but I think mushrooms are another.



Finally, I am starting to get some inkling of what was behind a rather strange series of tv ads which hit Oz a few months ago.

A bunch of old fogeys were all sitting around in a restaurant demanding that they have sprouts in their old age, and that they had the *right* to have sprouts. It was an ad for a retirement investment fund.

I think the majority of Aussies just looked at the ad and said "Wot the....???"

Sprouts seem to be available all year here so it's no big deal. And there doesn't seem to be any major interest in them at Christmas or special occasions. They are just another vegie we were told we had to eat.

I admit I like them. They are especially nice in a good, old-fashioned, slow-cooked meaty casserole because they soak up all the yummy juices and get a buttery taste.

I'll have to try them with chestnuts, or the almonds and bacon, with the olive oil, because I love all of those things anyway.

LTS, maybe you need to take a philosophical view on that bastard stealing your wreath. When I worked in a public library where I got to choose the books to buy I began to evaluate how well I had chosen by how quickly they got stolen. "Oh, I did really well this month! They're all gone and they were only on the shelves a week!"

The other thing to remember, in that case, is an apt (mis-)quote? I heard about Henry Ford when his offspring collectively sued him for his assets (don't ask me why) and in court he tapped his head and said "There is plenty more where that all came from", meaning that it was only money but he created it through his own creativity and abilities.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: DougR
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 04:17 PM

Ed: thanks for that blue clicky. I even found that I had posted to that thread two or three times, but had no recollection of ever having heard of "Mushy Peas." Old age, I guess, or maybe it's all Bobert's fault.

I like green pea soup, so I'd probably like mushy peas. I don't know about the butter though. Sounds like it would make them pretty rich.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 04:06 PM

My grandson just suggested that getting away from brussels sprouts might have been the real reason for the American Revolution!

Seriously, I like them with butter and bacon as someone suggested above. They have to be really fresh, however, and not bitter. We would never have them at Christmas dinner, because I stand alone.

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: KJ
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 02:42 PM

My dear Smallpiper, you are sadly misguided about Grand Master Oakley's intentions with the aforementioned sprouts. I have it on good authority that they are not left in the gents toilets but are instead used in a bizarre ritual that involves a ferret & a tub of stork margarine. Oakley is not all he appears to be. Have you noticed he has been very quiet of late? Ferret owners beware!!

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: MMario
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 02:38 PM

or they can be cooked any way you do carrots

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 02:25 PM

Doug,

Regarding Mushy Peas, see this thread.

Parsnips can be cooked in the same way as roast potatoes, but don't take as long.

Ed

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: DougR
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 02:13 PM

Three questions: What are "mushy peas'" and how are they cooked? And how do you cook parsnips?

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 12:15 PM

For the best results cooking Brussels sprouts.

1, Place sprouts in a small saucepan with a covering of cold water and a pinch of salt.
2, Bring gently to the boil and simmer for one hour.
3, Turn off heat, and strain water into a container (if required for making gravy)
4, Tranfer sprouts to kitchen bin.
5, Open a tine of Heinz Baked Beans!

Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: open mike
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 11:52 AM

what's bubble and squeak?
and are these mushy peas of the
fresh green vqariety, or is
it like split (dried) peas??
and can someone give a recipe for chestnuts-
i have a bag of 'em sitting by my frot door
still with the prickly skins on..
picked from a neighborhood tree.
like br. sprouts they do best i
think if you cut a cross in them
before cooking (roasting on an open fire?)
but they take a lot of work to process
besides getting the stickery jackets off
will be the first challengs...
perhaps i'll step on them...
speaking of front door-
what a pity that someone would
actually rip off a wreath
right form your door--
is nothing sacred??

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 11:12 AM

The only way that I like sprouts are as part of the wonderful "Bubble and Sqeak" (no relation to Liz) that I make out of all the left-over veg after Christmas.

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: smallpiper
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 08:54 PM

Its all about security there is nothing more homely to the average Brit than the smell of sprouts being cooked untill they turn grey! However, I will restate that when cooked properley - steamed and tossed in virgin olive oil with almonds and bacon bits then you are close to taste paradise! Those of you that hate them possibly have never eaten them when they have not been boiled until grey!

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: GUEST,JennyO
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 08:41 PM

NOW I begin to understand why we don't have them at Christmas. I'm in AUSTRALIA and it is high summer.In fact there has been a move away from having any kind of traditional Christmas dinner at all, and going with a BBQ instead. I resisted this for a long time, having grown up with roasts and pudding and all that, but it gets SO hot in the kitchen so the last 2 years it has been a BBQ, with howls of complaint from my (grown up) son who likes his hot roast with baked vegies, including mushy peas
I also suspect that I never got to taste brussel sprouts as they should taste because my mother was a terrible cook. She used to UNDERCOOK the baked vegies,like the potatoes, so they were hard, and the greens were SEVERELY overcooked so they all looked grey.

Subject: RE: BS: Sprout shortage
From: MMario
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 04:23 PM

I like them steamed - and then HOT with italian dressing. Or cheese sauce, or buttered, or lemon juice.