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[Post Soviet]

Nandos is a province of Narnia (that's what professor S. Schniperson told me).

[Serial]

Post Soviet wrote: "Nandos is a province of Narnia (that's what professor S. Schniperson told me)."

Thanks for clearing that up, PS.

[Brass Neck]

Nando's is one of the crappest fast food franchises I ever had the misfortune to throw some dosh at and, amongst local schoolkids, one of the most coveted of those not present in N E Lincs - they will get their families to make a special trip to 'enjoy' its comestibles.

My encounter was a result of having a little under an hour until my train home from that there London. Scouting the immediate environs for some scran I alighted on a Nando's opposite King's Cross. The concept is simple - you find a table then order your chicken (don't think they do much else?) to be cooked with varying degrees of chili heat in the peri-peri sauce and whatever sides take your fancy. Mine took so long to arrive I was fretting about missing the train. It was a rather wizened and under-sized indeterminate chunk of dried-out chicken with a rather chemical-tasting sauce and skinny reconstituted fries. I ate it without enthusiasm and vowed never to darken their doors again, a promise I have not found difficult to upkeep. I'm the same with Maccy D's and KFC, etc - they all had one chance and blew it so I have avoided them ever since. That said, I am missing Wetherspoons especially their spicy meat feat pizza!!!!!!

For information purposes;
https://www.nandos.co.uk/food/menu/in...

[Gordon]

theDuke wrote: "At least this part of wales isn't plagued with all the american rubbish, bar Maccy Dees & Burger King.
Nandos.....wtf is Nandos?!..."

Nando's is South African, not American.

[Gordon]

Brass Neck wrote: "That said, I am missing Wetherspoons especially their spicy meat feat pizza!!!!!!..."

I once had some time to kill in Stourbridge (don't ask). I went into a Wetherspoon's and ordered faggots & peas, thinking that was the right thing to do in the Black Country. Well, I guess it provided quite a lot of calories but it tasted of absolutely nothing. Cheap, though.

[Brass Neck]

Gordon wrote: "Brass Neck wrote: "That said, I am missing Wetherspoons especially their spicy meat feat pizza!!!!!!..."

I once had some time to kill in Stourbridge (don't ask). I went into a Wetherspoon's and or..."

But did it include a drink? That's always uppermost in my menu selection. You are right though, the only attraction of Wetherspoons' menu is the price. The best thing on it though is ....... spicy meat feast pizza, yum. I once ordered the latter at the 'spoons in central Manchester. They forgot the chilies entirely but I was hungry and didn't have much time before a gig so blandly down the hatch it went.

[Serial]

Gordon wrote: "Brass Neck wrote: "That said, I am missing Wetherspoons especially their spicy meat feat pizza!!!!!!..."

I once had some time to kill in Stourbridge (don't ask). I went into a Wetherspoon's and or..."

Cheap faggots, black country, Stourbridge....

So much potential.

[suzysunshine7]

I'm afraid that I have some really sad News to share with everyone on here on behalf of our very dear friend, Blastro ... x

As most of us already know, Blastro's Mum was sadly diagnosed over a couple of years ago now with Alzheimers Disease - but was still managing to do remarkably well for a while until more recently.

However, right in the midst of all of the sheer awfulness of this last year, she suddenly became unwell, was hospitalised, and then it was realised that she had had a severe Stroke, which she miraculously managed to survive, but sadly it left her in a very bad way and requiring round the clock Nursing Care.

So, on top of everything else to do with the Covid-19 Pandemic and the National and Local lock-downs, Blastro and J suddenly found themselves also having to make some absolutely heartbreaking decisions about what would be very best for his beloved Mum and to agree to putting her into a Home.

Blastro has just sent me the following Message this morning ...


"Hey there Suze, Sorry to bring darkness with me but I thought I'd better let a couple of yous know... Mother had another stroke over Christmas and we lost her on New Year's Day. Bit of a bastard eh? Am doing ok but not been in much a mood to talk or owt … not just yet.

Don't mind who you share this with, it's just that I don't feel like announcing it meself. Take care m'dear x"


... I'm sure that everyone will all be wanting to express their very deepest sympathies on hearing of such terribly sad News from Blastro - so I thought I would Post this up on here so everyone will know what has happened to our very dear friend ... x

Sending all of my love as always & HUGE HUGS to you, Blastro ... x x x Suzy x x x

[SussexWelsh]

Please pass on my condolences to Blastro, if you wouldn't mind, Suzy.

[Derek]

...and mine please Suzy

[Isabella]

Also mine, please, Suzy

[suzysunshine7]

I will do ... x x x

[Post Soviet]

Condolences, Blastro.

[Gordon]

Condolences, Blastro. It's a terrible time. We lost my dad in July and, although restrictions for funerals were much looser then, we still haven't been able to have a wake. If it's any consolation, we found the care home, the registrars, the undertakers and the celebrant for the cremation service all to be incredibly sympathetic and professional. They do understand how awful things are for people who lose loved ones under these circumstances.

[suzysunshine7]

Awww, Gordon ... x x x ... sending my deepest sympathies to you, and to your family, on the very sad loss of your Dad ... x x x

[theDuke]

Gordon wrote: "theDuke wrote: "At least this part of wales isn't plagued with all the american rubbish, bar Maccy Dees & Burger King.
Nandos.....wtf is Nandos?!..."

Nando's is South African, not American."

It is? Well...going by Mr B's scathing review of their product...i doubt i'll wish to grace one of it's branches anytime ever.

[theDuke]

Brass Neck wrote: "Gordon wrote: "Brass Neck wrote: "That said, I am missing Wetherspoons especially their spicy meat feat pizza!!!!!!..."

I once had some time to kill in Stourbridge (don't ask). I went into a Wethe..."

I once had a Lasagna at a local Weatherspoons....nearly 20 years ago.
Don't need to say anything else, do i?

[theDuke]

suzysunshine7 wrote: "I'm afraid that I have some really sad News to share with everyone on here on behalf of our very dear friend, Blastro ... x

As most of us already know, Blastro's Mum was sadly diagnosed over a cou..."

Aw...sorry to read that. Please do pass on my condolences to Blastro and his family too.

[theDuke]

Gordon wrote: "Condolences, Blastro. It's a terrible time. We lost my dad in July and, although restrictions for funerals were much looser then, we still haven't been able to have a wake. If it's any consolation,..."

And condolences to you and your family too Gordon.

[Craig White]

sympathies to blastro's and gordon's families.

[Lez]

Tech XXIII wrote: "sympathies to blastro's and gordon's families."

Love and sympathy to Blastro and his family, also best wishes to Gordon and his.

Lez

[Serial]

theDuke wrote: "Brass Neck wrote: "Gordon wrote: "Brass Neck wrote: "That said, I am missing Wetherspoons especially their spicy meat feat pizza!!!!!!..."

I once had some time to kill in Stourbridge (don't ask). ..."

I've never been to a 'Wetherspoons', but I am a Lasagne fan, but weirdly no fan of Spaghetti Bolognese. It's all about the layers.....man...

[suzysunshine7]

... especially the Cheese Layer ;o>

[Brass Neck]

suzysunshine7 wrote: "... especially the Cheese Layer ;o>"

Serial has so many layers of cheese he really doesn't need to further indulge!

[Serial]

Brass Neck wrote: "suzysunshine7 wrote: "... especially the Cheese Layer ;o>"

Serial has so many layers of cheese he really doesn't need to further indulge!"

I am a literal smorgasbord of melted runny tastiness.

[Brass Neck]

Serial wrote: "Brass Neck wrote: "suzysunshine7 wrote: "... especially the Cheese Layer ;o>"

Serial has so many layers of cheese he really doesn't need to further indulge!"

I am a literal smorgasbord of melted ..."

Aye, your Stinking Bishopness.

[Serial]

Brass Neck wrote: "Serial wrote: "Brass Neck wrote: "suzysunshine7 wrote: "... especially the Cheese Layer ;o>"

Serial has so many layers of cheese he really doesn't need to further indulge!"

I am a literal smorgas..."

My Cheese board runneth over

[Anita]

Suzy,sorry I missed your message about Blastro,not been well today.Please send my condolences to he and his family.

[Serial]

I'm too cheesey for my shirt
too cheesey for my shirt
so cheesey it hurts....

etc

[suzysunshine7]

Anita wrote: "Suzy,sorry I missed your message about Blastro,not been well today.Please send my condolences to he and his family."

Awww, Anita ... x ... I will do and I hope you feel better soon ... x

[theDuke]

Serial wrote: "theDuke wrote: "Brass Neck wrote: "Gordon wrote: "Brass Neck wrote: "That said, I am missing Wetherspoons especially their spicy meat feat pizza!!!!!!..."

I once had some time to kill in Stourbrid..."

If we Brits made the dish al la traditionally as the Bolognians (is that the correct collective term?), they don't use spaghetti (in fact they consider that an affront to the dish!), instead they use Tagliatelle pasta which is flat. Traditional bolognese Ragu sauce should be thick, oily and slowly cooked (sometimes for days!), and is meant to coat the pasta thoroughly, thus much less sauce is used in the dish.

The version of the dish that us Brits tend to favour is nothing like the classic recipe should be, instead we favour a sloppier tomato rich quick cooked ragu sauce, which is placed on top of the pasta.

This is a traditional ragù alla bolognese



I've got the recipe..i think i might have a go at making it. Have noticed this recipe uses both mince pork & beef and milk, & no tins of chopped tomatoes to be seen, interestingly. Some versions do used chopped roasted toms instead.

[Craig White]

it's because we (as people from britain) tend to pump the life out of a recipe/dish until it is suitably bland enough for our stodge-ready palates!

[Isabella]

I've always preferred tagliatelle to spaghetti in most saucy dishes, although I know that Italians actually have specific uses for each type of pasta. Lasagne is definitely favoured over any simple boiled pasta when it's a Bolognese style dish but Italians would probably disapprove anyway as we make our own vegetarian versions.
The only constant is lots of garlic! (Lockdown's one advantage, don't have to worry about garlic breath!) ;o)

[Serial]

theDuke wrote: "Serial wrote: "theDuke wrote: "Brass Neck wrote: "Gordon wrote: "Brass Neck wrote: "That said, I am missing Wetherspoons especially their spicy meat feat pizza!!!!!!..."

I once had some time to ki..."

Now that might be worth a try.

I do like Lasagne, but am not super keen on other beef mince dishes. We just ate it waaay too much as kids. It was the cheap thing to feed us I guess. There's a lot of ways you can have mince, and I've had em all, many times :0

[Brass Neck]

We like what we know even if it's a bastardised version. No-one in India ever cooked a tikka marsala but it's a staple of Brit takeaways. Bet the Italians don't add bacon to their lasagne but I love it. And if we're ever stumped for ideas for tea then there's allus 'summat wi' mince' chez Brass.

[Isabella]

Brass Neck wrote: "We like what we know even if it's a bastardised version. No-one in India ever cooked a tikka marsala but it's a staple of Brit takeaways. Bet the Italians don't add bacon to their lasagne but I lov..."

One trick I've learned where bacon improves a dish is to use smoked paprika as a flavouring. The only meat I actually miss is good quality smoked bacon.

[Sera69]

Traditional is just another word for wrong.

[Gordon]

Brass Neck wrote: "We like what we know even if it's a bastardised version. No-one in India ever cooked a tikka marsala..."

Cooking chicken tikka in sweet Sicilan wine (Marsala) would be peculiarly bastardised. Tikka masala is quite bastardised enough for me. (Not that I've ever eaten tikka masala, but I have guzzled a large amount of balti, which also has no connection with the subcontinent.)

I was frequently struck by the way in which Mediterranean restaurants (e.g. Greek) in Germany adapted to German tastes by including huge amounts of meat. One meal at a Greek restaurant in Hamburg would contain as much meat as the average Greek person would eat in a week (and as much Metaxa as the average Greek person would drink in a lifetime). That's presumably one of the reasons why lots of Germans have heart attacks and far fewer Greeks do.

[Brass Neck]

"Cooking chicken tikka in sweet Sicilan wine (Marsala) would be peculiary bastardised." - but 'ave yer tried it, eh? 'Ave yer though? Eh? Dunt knock it until tha 'as.

Isn't balti just literally a bucket? Bit like a karahi?

[suzysunshine7]

I've had authentic and traditional Ragù alla Bolognese and, to be honest, I wasn't exactly all that keen on it although I obviously never let on to my School friend's Italian Nonna at the time ... as she was a little too fond of smacking anyone who was within Arm's reach with a big hard Wooden Spoon! ;o>

She once threw a (thankfully empty!) Cast Iron Pot at her Son's Head just for coming Home from Work half an hour later than he had promised to, he ducked just in time, and the impact dent in the Plaster on the Wall with lots of cracks all radiating out from it was there for all to see for over 25 years including several years after Nonna had passed on. She was such a wonderful tiny fierce Lady, absolutely terrifying when having a meltdown, and yet also utterly adored by everyone who knew her ;o>

Anyways, I found the overall flavour to be a little bit too full-on intense for me - rather than being rich and fulfilling yet still with a variety of flavours coming through. She would often serve it with Toasted Bread rather than with Pasta - which was a bit of revelation to me as a 10 year old who had previously thought that Toast was something for Breakfast, Lunch, or just a quick cheap Tea Meal and came sprinkled with Cheese, or some Baked Beans, or slathered in Dripping, Jam, or Honey ;o>

I did learn from Nonna though that Tagliatelle is so much nicer than Spaghetti and so, although we call it 'Spag Bol', we have always used Tagliatelle in our House. Some Milk is added to counteract the acidity of the homemade Concentrated Tomato Paste Sauce and I have continued to occasionally use that handy little tip over the years even though I have always preferred to just use shop bought ready made Passata with just a little Concentrated Tomato Paste (the kind that you get in Tubes) for more depth of flavour. I haven't got the interest or the inclination to want to be cooking a Ragù pretty much all day long like Nonna would do!

Quite a few Italians seem to have their very own local traditional versions that will allow for the adding of the odd extra Ingredient here and there. I have got three completely different yet authentic and traditional Spag Carbonara Recipes and each time I was told that it was the ONLY genuine authentic and traditional way of making it.

There are also quite a few versions of Spag Carbonara that call for Cream being used - which was something that always used to infuriate and make Nonna swear all sorts of oaths in a way that made me extremely glad that I couldn't understand most of what she was saying although I did manage to get the basic gist of it ... "STUPIDO! - TERRIBILE! - is Eggs! - EGGS!! - IDIOTA!!!"

... LOL!!! ;o>

[Brass Neck]

If Nonna had been a man she'd have been a child abuser? Different times.

We put cream and egg in carbonara.

Back in the late 60s a newly-arrived lad from Pakistan joined our junior school class. They said he was 10 or 11 but he towered over the rest of us and I was tall for my age. Anyhoo, he invited a bunch of us to his house for tea after school. I was the very antithesis of cosmopolitan in my tastes (didn't have Chinese or Indian until after I was 30, now I can't get a curry hot enough) and his mum had slaved away producing all sorts of Asian sweets and nibbles none of which I would even try. She did say she had wanted to do something with chips but laddo had insisted otherwise.

[suzysunshine7]

Brass Neck wrote: "If Nonna had been a man she'd have been a child abuser? Different times."

No, I don't think so? It was one of her Son's favourite Stories about her and, I think it would very likely have killed her if she had actually managed to hit him with it. I do think she might have possibly benefitted from having some Anger Management Classes though?! - LOL!!!

I got smacked by her Spoon for dipping my Finger into her Cake Mix when I thought she wasn't looking - which certainly taught me never to do that again! You could do it? - but only after asking her permission to do so.

We once dived in and ate almost a whole Bowlful of Cake Mix between six of us after only asking for a taste - and she just kept smiling and laughing and started making up another Bowl while we finished it off. And she always gave me big portions of 'left-overs' to take Home with me to share with my Brother ;o>

[suzysunshine7]

S'funny really, I've never really thought about it before now but I actually was very fortunate to have had quite an international childhood growing up. Raised first in Ireland, then England, and having Jewish, Italian, Polish, Chinese, and Swiss School friends who all lived reasonably close together.

I'm fairly sure that's why and how my love affair with Baking and Cakes started off - watching traditional things being cooked, being allowed to help out in the Kitchen, and getting to rummage through Cupboards and Fridges in search of things I'd often never heard of or seen before ;o>

[Sera69]

suzysunshine7 wrote: "I think it would very likely have killed her if she had actually managed to hit him with it."

The refuge of many a perpetrator but only an actual excuse if you're home secretary.

[Brass Neck]

Sera69 wrote: "suzysunshine7 wrote: "I think it would very likely have killed her if she had actually managed to hit him with it."

The refuge of many a perpetrator but only an actual excuse if you're home secret..."

Surely the Prittster, Teflon-coated, perma-smirkin', serial non-apologiser (along with every member of this cabinet) that she is, would say, "I had no idea throwin' heavy iron cookware could hurt people or damage property. Of course I regret IF SOME people have TAKEN offence to my actions".

[suzysunshine7]

Well? - my Mum has received two Texts today reminding her of her second Covid jab and her Appointment on Sunday?!! ... and the Lady, who also had her first dose on the same day and took my Mum in her Car to go and get it, has rung us to say she has got the Text as well, and has rung the Drs and been assured it isn't just an automated thing and something that wasn't cancelled when the Vaccine Plans across the UK all changed at Christmas time, but IS a genuine reminder?!!

I'm guessing that we have got enough of the Vaccine in our area to do this and that our Health Authority is resolutely insisting on making sure that the second dose gets given at the follow-up Appointment that was already scheduled? ... bless 'em!!! ;o>

[Brass Neck]

Yes, apparently my dad has had a letter giving him an appt on 2 Feb which will be 8 weeks after 1st jab. Mum, however, went a hospital appt earlier in the week and no mention was made of her needing a jab whether from them or, more disappointingly, her. I've suggested she ring whatever number is on the letterhead and point out that I will be schlepping all the way to Sheffield to take dad, that she's housebound and would need an ambulance each way but we CAN get her into the car and there if they'll just agree to give her a jab at the same time. Let's see whether sense prevails.

[suzysunshine7]

I fully appreciate the fear factor, the desperation, and the urgency to get everyone else vaccinated at least with the first dose and vaccinated ASAP as well - but I'm relieved to know that the NHS is still determined to try to do this the way that they were originally directed to by the Creators of the Vaccines.

My biggest fear was that we would end up with huge numbers of the first Priority Groups having the complete Vaccine Treatment permanently put on hold and in them becoming casualties of an on-going stampede and NHS nightmare in trying to deliver the first dose to SO many of the rest of the population first in the fastest time possible.

[Brass Neck]

You need to get into Bozza's chance it and wing it frame of mind suzy; much more exciting than following the science and requirements of the vaccine trials!

[suzysunshine7]

I think that a lot of folk have recently earned the extremely sad and dubious merit of having a Stage of Psychosis named after them in years to come! ;o<

The Johnson Stage is thankfully still not up all the way up there at the severe and unremitting end Stage of Trump - which should always automatically be dealt with by an immediate Section - but it surely can't be all that far away from managing to cause riotous disorder and extreme distress to everyone if left undiagnosed and untreated over time? ;oO