Religion and Ethics Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Leonard James on April 23, 2016, 04:14:37 PM

Title: The Good Life.
Post by: Leonard James on April 23, 2016, 04:14:37 PM
I have just eaten a slice of madeira cake spread with lemon curd and cream. Life is good.  :)
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on April 23, 2016, 04:31:08 PM
I have just eaten a slice of madeira cake spread with lemon curd and cream. Life is good.  :)
Ah....who says epicurean hedonism isn't the way to go eh?
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Leonard James on April 23, 2016, 05:31:43 PM
Sometimes!  ;D
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: floo on April 23, 2016, 05:37:24 PM
I think golden syrup on a brioche roll is nectar from the gods, but feel guilty when eating it, as it is naughty but nice! ;D
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Rhiannon on April 23, 2016, 05:50:04 PM
Pancakes with maple syrup and creme fraiche.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Shaker on April 23, 2016, 06:01:15 PM
Just-baked croissants slathered with apricot jam, and good coffee  :o

Thick-cut Seville orange marmalade, the bitterer the betterer, on toasted granary bread. (I do fancy myself as something of a marmalade connoisseur).
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Gordon on April 23, 2016, 06:06:05 PM
I'm currently having a G&T, with some nuts.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Shaker on April 23, 2016, 06:06:55 PM
That's no way to talk about your friends, Gordon.

Just poured myself a bourbon over lots of ice with very cold Coke. That'll do pig, that'll do :D
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Rhiannon on April 23, 2016, 06:12:31 PM
Just-baked croissants slathered with apricot jam, and good coffee  :o

Thick-cut Seville orange marmalade, the bitterer the betterer, on toasted granary bread. (I do fancy myself as something of a marmalade connoisseur).

Yes, am always concerned that marmalade may become extinct, as it were.

Love afternoon tea - best I ever had was at the tea dances at the Waldorf - sandwiches followed by buttered crumpets followed by scones, cream and jam followed by cakes. Haven't been there for the best part of thirty years but I've never forgotten them <sigh>.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Shaker on April 23, 2016, 06:16:57 PM
There's something else - cucumber sandwiches with a pinch of sea salt, on good white bread. Glass of champagne compulsory.

Marmalade is safe as long as I'm around ;)
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Rhiannon on April 23, 2016, 06:22:20 PM
I don't like champagne.

I like cucumber sandwiches though. Tomato ones are also nice lightly salted.

Also thinking of a light fruit cake with Cheshire cheese and a glass of Valpolicella.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Shaker on April 23, 2016, 06:26:18 PM
A properly made Ploughman's is a thing of beauty, as is a good Greek salad.

Stone-in Kalamata olives.

Hot focaccia riddled with rosemary, with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Melted Brie (or Camembert) with pan-fried mushrooms on ciabatta, with cranberry sauce.

Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: torridon on April 23, 2016, 06:35:03 PM
Oh, stop it you buggers, I'm on a diet  :-[
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Aruntraveller on April 23, 2016, 06:44:17 PM
This may be to plebeian for some here - but I give you the delight of the humble fried cheese sandwich.

Buttered side out, good quality cheddar inside, hot pan.

Done.

I thank you.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Rhiannon on April 23, 2016, 06:45:28 PM
A properly made Ploughman's is a thing of beauty, as is a good Greek salad.

Stone-in Kalamata olives.

Hot focaccia riddled with rosemary, with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Melted Brie (or Camembert) with pan-fried mushrooms on ciabatta, with cranberry sauce.

You'd be wanting some tapenade with the breads. Made without the anchovy of course.

A proper Insalata Tricolore with very ripe tomatoes, buttery avocado and mozzarella.

The best dish I ever had was a fat pasta roulade stuffed with butter and sage. That was it. Simple yet heavenly. Second best...white beans in olive oil with lemon. That I've been able to recreate, kind of. Not the roulade. And I've never come across anything like it since.

Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Rhiannon on April 23, 2016, 06:48:13 PM
This may be to plebeian for some here - but I give you the delight of the humble fried cheese sandwich.

Buttered side out, good quality cheddar inside, hot pan.

Done.

I thank you.

One of the best things about being vegetarian is turning up somewhere that doesn't have anything much suitable on the menu and being offered an omelette. Chef-made omelettes are sublime.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Shaker on April 23, 2016, 06:51:18 PM
The Mexican staple huevos rancheros, as prepared by your humble servant, a dish of such artery-clogging gorgeousness that the last time I made it I took a photo of it for bragging rights. Two hot quarter-folded tortillas, spicy tomato sauce full of chilli, sliced avocado, massive dollops of refried beans and sour cream, and two lightly fried eggs.

Breakfast of champions, assuming said champions don't mind dying at 32.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Shaker on April 23, 2016, 06:53:26 PM
One of the best things about being vegetarian is turning up somewhere that doesn't have anything much suitable on the menu and being offered an omelette. Chef-made omelettes are sublime.
A good omelette is a joy, although I have a conflicted relationship with them - on holiday in North Africa years ago, where vegetarianism is as good as unheard of, I lived on them for what was actually ten days and felt like a month as it was all I could get. I've never quite recovered.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Rhiannon on April 23, 2016, 07:06:27 PM
I know what you mean. I love a well-made veg lasagne. However, very often it's a slice of gloop that hasn't been reheated properly. And it seems to be the default veggie option just about anywhere.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Aruntraveller on April 23, 2016, 07:13:26 PM
I know what you mean. I love a well-made veg lasagne. However, very often it's a slice of gloop that hasn't been reheated properly. And it seems to be the default veggie option just about anywhere.

The best veggie lasagne I have come across is from a recipe by Sarah Brown, leek & lentil lasagne - unbelievably tasty. It is a while since I made it - time for a revisit, methinks.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Rhiannon on April 23, 2016, 07:20:50 PM
The best veggie lasagne I have come across is from a recipe by Sarah Brown, leek & lentil lasagne - unbelievably tasty. It is a while since I made it - time for a revisit, methinks.

Ooh that sounds good. Hers were the first veg recipe books I had.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Shaker on April 23, 2016, 07:21:51 PM
I know what you mean. I love a well-made veg lasagne. However, very often it's a slice of gloop that hasn't been reheated properly. And it seems to be the default veggie option just about anywhere.
Either that or something with goat's cheese, or butternut squash (which last I don't like).

Asparagus with melted butter and Parmesan shavings, or hollandaise sauce.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Rhiannon on April 23, 2016, 07:25:35 PM
I like butternut squash soup made with apples and served with grated cheese and granary bread.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Rhiannon on April 23, 2016, 07:27:48 PM
I probably need to mention Turkish meze now. Cacik, borek, hummus, baba ghanoush, dolmades and flat bread.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Shaker on April 23, 2016, 07:29:12 PM
I have a couple of food peculiarities that make people give me an old-fashioned look sometimes but which I just happen to like - mayonnaise with rice, and very thin slices of raw white onion with chip shop chips. Yes, yes, I know, but it just agrees with the buds, OK?
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Shaker on April 23, 2016, 07:30:50 PM
I probably need to mention Turkish meze now. Cacik, borek, hummus, baba ghanoush, dolmades and flat bread.
Ah now - Mediterranean food generally - now you're talking. I've made my own hummus, though in my experience it's tricky to get the garlic-lemon juice balance just right according to my taste.

Years ago I used to go to a Turkish restaurant in north London that had an open grill in the middle of the room where they used to cook (amongst other things, obviously) huge oil-smothered peppers, which were just divine.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Rhiannon on April 23, 2016, 07:36:18 PM
Halloumi cooked over charcoal.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Aruntraveller on April 23, 2016, 07:38:55 PM
Halloumi cooked over charcoal.

What is it with you Halloumi worshippers.

Vile. Work of the devil. No, really.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Rhiannon on April 23, 2016, 07:39:10 PM
Either that or something with goat's cheese, or butternut squash (which last I don't like).

Asparagus with melted butter and Parmesan shavings, or hollandaise sauce.

The last time I had asparagus with Hollandaise I was in the lovely restaurant beneath St Pauls Cathedral. The nice waiter told me I had kind eyes.

I shall see your asparagus and raise you the first Jersey Royals of the season with butter and sea salt.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Rhiannon on April 23, 2016, 07:40:10 PM
What is it with you Halloumi worshippers.

Vile. Work of the devil. No, really.

Heretic!
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Leonard James on April 23, 2016, 07:40:23 PM
I was a fool to start this thread! After you lot have finished I feel deprived, and in need of a food parcel.  >:(
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Aruntraveller on April 23, 2016, 07:43:25 PM
Heretic!

Heretic the eighth I am, I am.

Floated into my head, so sorry.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Shaker on April 23, 2016, 07:48:37 PM
We've had desert island books and desert island music threads - I reckon we need a desert island drinks thread.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Rhiannon on April 23, 2016, 07:51:20 PM
Heretic the eighth I am, I am.

Floated into my head, so sorry.

I'm now thinking of Herman's Hermits. Not helpful, Trent.
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Aruntraveller on April 23, 2016, 07:52:15 PM
I'm now thinking of Herman's Hermits. Not helpful, Trent.

Sorry Miss :-[
Title: Re: The Good Life.
Post by: Rhiannon on April 23, 2016, 07:58:18 PM
Second verse, same as the first...

Ohhhh godddd.  :o