A strange Spring
What with warms days, cold nights, no rain things are crazy.
Had to mow the lawn twice in the last week, it's growing so quickly (OK, I only just took the top off, but it soon regrew!) Had to get the hose out today to water all the seeds I planted in the veggie plot (peas, broad beans, parsnips (second lot), carrots sprouts and cabbage. Just hope the frosts are not too severe for the next week or so. Rhubarb is almost ready for a first picking (which is sad 'cos I go away for a month next week). Looking back, I've never picked any before the middle of April in the last 12 years that I've got records for. Over wintered lettuce plants (yes they survived the -14 degrees in the greenhouse) do not seem to be growing very quickly despite the high day time temperatures in there. The ones that I've transplanted out from the greenhouse into the open seem to be doing a bit better! Autumn fruiting raspberry plants only just started pushing out their shoots. No details, ut I think they are usually up to about 2 inches when the clocks go forward. Garlic is growing well, but onion sets took a long time to shoot, but are begining to move now. -- Roger T 700 ft up in Mid-Wales |
A strange Spring
Roger Tonkin wrote:
Rhubarb is almost ready for a first picking (which is sad 'cos I go away for a month next week). Looking back, I've never picked any before the middle of April in the last 12 years that I've got records for. Our rhubarb looks pretty much ready to pick. How does one know when it's 'ok' to pick? Iirc, it gets poisonous when it's older, so a too early picking is ok other than potentially damaging to the plant - nothing to stop me making an early crumble tonight? |
A strange Spring
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A strange Spring
Janet wrote:
Our rhubarb looks pretty much ready to pick. How does one know when it's 'ok' to pick? We've been picking ours for a fortnight. For an established patch. "when" is as soon as you can break off stems about 6" long. Lovely, I'll go out later and pick some, then. Young plants in their first season should be allowed to keep their stems so the leaves can photosynthesise and build up a strong root system. Once a root system is well established and being well fed, nothing short of a direct nuclear hit will damage it. *nod* It's a very well established pair of plants. Nick was meant to split it over the winter, but it started to regrow earlier than predicted, so he missed his chance. Your boys might enjoy a favourite pud of my boys; stewed rhubarb mixed with a packet of raspberry jelly cubes and allowed to set. They probably would, but I don't give them jelly, so they'll have to live with crumble and ice-cream for now. |
A strange Spring
On Mar 29, 3:30*pm, wrote:
Janet wrote: Our rhubarb looks pretty much ready to pick. How does one know when it's 'ok' to pick? *We've been picking ours for a fortnight. For an established patch. "when" is as soon as you can break off stems about 6" long. Lovely, I'll go out later and pick some, then. *Young plants in their first season should be allowed to keep their stems so the leaves can photosynthesise and build up a strong root system. Once a root system is well established and being well fed, nothing short of a direct nuclear hit will damage it. *nod* *It's a very well established pair of plants. *Nick was meant to split it over the winter, but it started to regrow earlier than predicted, so he missed his chance. *Your boys might enjoy a favourite pud of my boys; stewed rhubarb mixed with a packet of raspberry jelly cubes and allowed to set. They probably would, but I don't give them jelly, so they'll have to live with crumble and ice-cream for now. If you can find it try Apricot jelly with the rhubarb |
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A strange Spring
Martin wrote:
Vegetarian jelly exists http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/food/just-wh...stals/1269203/ It does, there are even a couple of different types. Agar-agar and caraggean are, iirc, both seaweed based. You can also get a cornstarch based one which is used as quick setting jelly that you are meant to use in flans. Unfortunately* none of them are quite the same texture or insane flavours as the meaty version. (Speaking of insane flavours - anyone heard the Dylan Moran quote along the lines of "in the 80s we didn't eat food unless it glowed in the dark!!" - reminds me of a brand of jelly in the mid-80swhich didn't flourescent colours, including dayglo blue) |
A strange Spring
Martin wrote:
Vegetarian jelly exists http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/food/just-wh...stals/1269203/ I'm sure it does but possibly not something in the nearest supermarket for a busy, working mum. but available if she wants it enough. To be honest, I think I've got some in the cupboard. I may try it, but I don't think it will do Janet's suggestion justice. |
A strange Spring
"Martin" wrote in message ... On 29 Mar 2011 22:13:57 GMT, wrote: Martin wrote: Vegetarian jelly exists http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/food/just-wh...stals/1269203/ It does, there are even a couple of different types. Agar-agar and caraggean are, iirc, both seaweed based. You can also get a cornstarch based one which is used as quick setting jelly that you are meant to use in flans. Unfortunately* none of them are quite the same texture or insane flavours as the meaty version. That's one of the problems of being a vegetarian after being a carnivore, nothing is quite the same as real meat :-) I can't get my head round why anybody would want to be vegetarian!! Mike -- .................................... Don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out alive .................................... (Speaking of insane flavours - anyone heard the Dylan Moran quote along the lines of "in the 80s we didn't eat food unless it glowed in the dark!!" - reminds me of a brand of jelly in the mid-80swhich didn't flourescent colours, including dayglo blue) -- Martin |
A strange Spring
On 29 Mar 2011 22:15:33 GMT, wrote: Martin wrote: Vegetarian jelly exists http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/food/just-wh...stals/1269203/ I'm sure it does but possibly not something in the nearest supermarket for a busy, working mum. but available if she wants it enough. To be honest, I think I've got some in the cupboard. I may try it, but I don't think it will do Janet's suggestion justice. I'm quite curious why you eat icecream but not gelatin. Janet |
A strange Spring
Janet wrote:
I'm quite curious why you eat icecream but not gelatin. Why would I not? |
A strange Spring
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A strange Spring
"'Mike'" wrote in message ... "Martin" wrote in message ... On 29 Mar 2011 22:13:57 GMT, wrote: Martin wrote: Vegetarian jelly exists http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/food/just-wh...stals/1269203/ It does, there are even a couple of different types. Agar-agar and caraggean are, iirc, both seaweed based. You can also get a cornstarch based one which is used as quick setting jelly that you are meant to use in flans. Unfortunately* none of them are quite the same texture or insane flavours as the meaty version. That's one of the problems of being a vegetarian after being a carnivore, nothing is quite the same as real meat :-) I can't get my head round why anybody would want to be vegetarian!! Mike -- .................................... Don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out alive .................................... I think it helps to have a sadomasochistic streak, no pain no gain! ;-) |
A strange Spring
Janet wrote:
I'm quite curious why you eat icecream but not gelatin. Why would I not? animal product? Male calves die to ensure lactation? But they don't actually put the male calf into the ice-cream. Not unless you're getting some awfully odd flavours up there. |
A strange Spring
wrote in message ... Janet wrote: I'm quite curious why you eat icecream but not gelatin. Why would I not? animal product? Male calves die to ensure lactation? But they don't actually put the male calf into the ice-cream. Not unless you're getting some awfully odd flavours up there. No, but you are now verging on the paranoia linked to vegetarianism ;-( Mike -- .................................... Don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out alive .................................... |
A strange Spring
'Mike' wrote:
I'm quite curious why you eat icecream but not gelatin. Why would I not? animal product? Male calves die to ensure lactation? But they don't actually put the male calf into the ice-cream. Not unless you're getting some awfully odd flavours up there. No, but you are now verging on the paranoia linked to vegetarianism ;-( In what way would you say I was being paranoid, Mike? |
A strange Spring
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A strange Spring
wrote in message ... 'Mike' wrote: I'm quite curious why you eat icecream but not gelatin. Why would I not? animal product? Male calves die to ensure lactation? But they don't actually put the male calf into the ice-cream. Not unless you're getting some awfully odd flavours up there. No, but you are now verging on the paranoia linked to vegetarianism ;-( In what way would you say I was being paranoid, Mike? Please post where I have said you are being paranoid. Kindest regards Mike -- .................................... Don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out alive .................................... |
A strange Spring
On Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:47:57 +0100, "Barney"
wrote: "'Mike'" wrote in message ... "Martin" wrote in message .. . On 29 Mar 2011 22:13:57 GMT, wrote: Martin wrote: Vegetarian jelly exists http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/food/just-wh...stals/1269203/ It does, there are even a couple of different types. Agar-agar and caraggean are, iirc, both seaweed based. You can also get a cornstarch based one which is used as quick setting jelly that you are meant to use in flans. Unfortunately* none of them are quite the same texture or insane flavours as the meaty version. That's one of the problems of being a vegetarian after being a carnivore, nothing is quite the same as real meat :-) I can't get my head round why anybody would want to be vegetarian!! Well, you're even, then. There are people who can't get their heads round why anybody would want to eat an animal. I eat meat, but vive la différence! -- Mike. |
A strange Spring
Janet wrote:
I'm quite curious why you eat icecream but not gelatin. Why would I not? animal product? Male calves die to ensure lactation? But they don't actually put the male calf into the ice-cream. It was a serious question. It was a serious answer. Not unless you're getting some awfully odd flavours up there. Raspberry jelly doesn't taste of calf either. I didn't say it did. I have no problem with the taste of meat. I think, Janet, we have covered this ground before. You don't "get" vegetarianism, I have no intention of trying to "convert" you, therefore there is little point wasting the time retreading the same ground. There are many reasons I do it, but mostly it comes down to "because it seems like the right thing for me to do". I'm sure I should be flattered that you are showing an interest in my diet, but after 24 years of it I mostly just find it a tiresome bore when people demand I explain my reasoning to them. |
A strange Spring
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A strange Spring
"Janet" wrote in message ... In article , says... Janet wrote: I'm quite curious why you eat icecream but not gelatin. Why would I not? animal product? Male calves die to ensure lactation? But they don't actually put the male calf into the ice-cream. It was a serious question. It was a serious answer. Not unless you're getting some awfully odd flavours up there. Raspberry jelly doesn't taste of calf either. I didn't say it did. I have no problem with the taste of meat. You made the joke about flavours, I responded in kind. I think, Janet, we have covered this ground before. You don't "get" vegetarianism, Of course I do. I can perfectly understand and respect why for health or conscience reasons some people won't consume any farmed animal products at all. I am less clear on the health/conscience rationale of why one highly processed animal fat/protein from the production line of dairy farming is acceptable but another is not. I have no intention of trying to "convert" you, therefore there is little point wasting the time retreading the same ground. There are many reasons I do it, but mostly it comes down to "because it seems like the right thing for me to do". I'm sure I should be flattered that you are showing an interest in my diet, but after 24 years of it I mostly just find it a tiresome bore when people demand I explain my reasoning to them. I made no "demand", I just said I was quite curious. Then you asked me a question and I responded. Janet. One of my daughters 'went veggy' as a protest against factory farming. Made it difficult at home, but your family are family. Then she was out one day with her friends, one of which was tucking in to a Ham Roll. Daughter was hungry. "Veggie" went out of the window. 'My going Veggie didn't stop factory farming and I was suffering and depriving myself' That was why I ask why people are "veggie". Very VERY few are veggie for health reasons. Yes I know there are some, don't forget I am dealing with people ALL the time, many on ex Service reunions which require 'feeding' and special diets have to be provided. Mike -- .................................... Don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out alive .................................... |
A strange Spring
On 31 Mar 2011 08:42:10 GMT, wrote:
Janet wrote: I'm quite curious why you eat icecream but not gelatin. Why would I not? animal product? Male calves die to ensure lactation? But they don't actually put the male calf into the ice-cream. It was a serious question. It was a serious answer. Not unless you're getting some awfully odd flavours up there. Raspberry jelly doesn't taste of calf either. I didn't say it did. I have no problem with the taste of meat. I think, Janet, we have covered this ground before. You don't "get" vegetarianism, I have no intention of trying to "convert" you, therefore there is little point wasting the time retreading the same ground. There are many reasons I do it, but mostly it comes down to "because it seems like the right thing for me to do". I'm sure I should be flattered that you are showing an interest in my diet, but after 24 years of it I mostly just find it a tiresome bore when people demand I explain my reasoning to them. Worth noting, though, that ice cream can contain gelatin as a stabilizer; but I think the vegetable ones such as agar-agar are more usual. As it happens, I bought some agar powder in a Chinese shop yesterday, so as to have it on hand for experiments when the ice-cream season opens. -- Mike. |
A strange Spring
Mike Lyle wrote:
Worth noting, though, that ice cream can contain gelatin as a stabilizer; but I think the vegetable ones such as agar-agar are more usual. I have heard of it, but rarely encountered it. Occasionally in ice-lolly encased ice-creams, but never in actual stand alone ice-cream. But then, I also am a terrible ice-cream snob and tend to stick with the premium brand stuff. As it happens, I bought some agar powder in a Chinese shop yesterday, so as to have it on hand for experiments when the ice-cream season opens. Let us know how it goes. Althoguh probably over there ---- not on here. :-) |
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