Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Food and drink

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  • Craig Ranapia,

    Is it possible that those who decry his efforts need some protection for their own drinking habits?

    It's possible that Viggo Mortensen is at the front door, as I type, with the express intention of fucking my brain into a fine, savory paste. Just exceedingly unlikely.

    As I said, its going to take some time to read the whole report rather than the 'headline items' press release, but I'd like any criticisms I have to be considered on their own merits not dismissed because I happen to be an alcoholic.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • uroskin,

    Well, I always knew that aint' real chocolate

    Waiheke Island • Since Feb 2007 • 178 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    The only thing that fits the format is corporate food interests that benefit from people not knowing how to cook or seeing it as too time consuming or difficult. It isn't either.

    his is why the Food Show blows. Most of the stuff being sold isn't food however loosely one defines it.

    Oh dear, Brickley. Who done got up your arse? The food show is fantastic, in my VHO, because you get to see alot of smaller artisan outfits you may not normally. I discovered Aromatics and the St Andrew's Lime people amongst others. And then, what I did, when I was down in the Hawkes Bay one Xmas was to go around all the different places and came back with a car full of yummy yum yums. I love supporting NZ made products and that's what the food show is good for, for me. For you, maybe not so much.

    But anyone giving me shit for my Hubbards Golden Sunrise porridge sachets? Can bite me. Like I need to wake up 15 minutes earlier to add linseeds and slivered almonds to my rolled oats, and then leave a grotty pot waiting for me at the end of the day. More time in bed is my priority, so the sachets win. I imagine most people are able to decide for themselves where the tradeoff line is drawn without being told they're in thrall to the global food industry.

    What she said. After the gym at 6 in the morning, I come straight to work and have my porridge. I really don't want to be washing pots at work quite frankly.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • Stewart,

    Re: blood alcohol levels for driving...

    I know that 'they' want people not to drink at all if they are going to drive, but the guidelines are pretty iffy and the blood-alcohol level can vary according to a number of factors but there is no accurate means of determining if one is on the wrong side of the line.

    We have to have accurate speedometers to ensure that we don't overly transgress the advertised speed limits, but there is no similar assistance to accurately guage one's legal alcohol status. As someone who was once 'done' for being over the limit and who never wants to get 'done' again but who also enjoys a social drink I hate the uncertainty. It means I have to forego the sociable pleasure of a beer with mates purely because I have no way of measuring my blood alcohol.

    Te Ika A Maui - Whakatane… • Since Oct 2008 • 577 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    You should probably stay away from mock turtle soup, too.

    To say nothing of toad in the hole.

    Hommos/hummus, along with felafel, would have to be some kind of benchmark for labour intensive.

    If you remove the chick pea shells after cooking, it tastes less bitter. Yes I am that pendantic.

    Also, there is no such thing as too much garlic. The burning sensation in your mouth is good for you.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Tom Beard,

    As someone who was once 'done' for being over the limit and who never wants to get 'done' again but who also enjoys a social drink I hate the uncertainty.

    I've never been "done" and don't think I've ever driven over the limit, but I certainly want to avoid the uncertainty. My advice: give up driving.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report

  • Phil Lyth,

    If somebody poached Lyndon, Danyl, Robyn and Ian they could drive The Onion out of business inside of six months.

    Poach them? Over a gentle heat at stand 92A of The Food Show?

    But serious why couldn't the Fabulous FOur start bulbinella.com * themselves? David Slack was not biting at all the day I ran the idea past him.

    * Google it

    Wellington • Since Apr 2009 • 458 posts Report

  • Phil Lyth,

    too much garlic

    nor is there any such concept as too much wasabi

    Wellington • Since Apr 2009 • 458 posts Report

  • Morgan Nichol,

    Dal in 10 minutes? Fuck. No.

    My favourite dal recipe (self link):
    http://www.the-monkey.net/2009/06/07/spicy-dal/

    Instant rice sachets still suck, though.

    I've tried the Uncle Ben basmati a couple of times, if you make it exactly as directed it's pretty much ok. Not nearly as good as the real thing, of course, but sometimes 90 seconds is as long as you want to wait.

    Auckland CBD • Since Nov 2006 • 314 posts Report

  • Islander,

    Harraway - the only NZ maker of NZ-grown oats I understand - has this wee gem of a recipe on the back of its Scotch Oats packet:

    per person:
    1/2 cup scotch oats (they're oat flakes not rolled oats)
    1&1/4 cup of cold water or milk
    1/8tj tspn of salt

    Mix all in a microwave proof bowl.
    Cook on high for 1 & 1/2 miutes (per serving).

    Sir, then cook on high for a furthe minute (or until desired level of creaminess is reached. Serve with your favourite topping.

    Mine happens to be milk & a little butter (I make the porridge with water.)

    No porridge pot. Very quick. Tastes delicious (I admit I was brought up on the stuff.) Good old NZ product. Soak bowl before you fly out the door-

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Kong,

    @Russell

    I'd go further than simply proposing a lower excise tax on low-alcohol drinks -- I would oblige bars to sell them significantly cheaper than full-strength drinks. I was out recently and, mindful of the fact that I was driving home, ordered an Amstel Light at the bar. Eight bucks. That's crazy.

    Tricky call. Sounds hard to administer - is there currently any body that goes around and checks that pricing follows laws in bars?

    It can suck for drivers. A very tough cultural issue, and I don't think cheaper low alcohol beer would solve more than a small amount of the problem (but it might help). There's always the option of buying a normal beer and just drinking it twice as slowly, or only half of it. In fact there's a thousand ways not to drink too much - the real problem is the pressure that people come under to drink a lot.

    Since Jul 2009 • 89 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    In fact there's a thousand ways not to drink too much - the real problem is the pressure that people come under to drink a lot.

    Wise words.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    That said, reheated mung dahl with tomato and onion on pita bread is seriously good, if you remember to make enough for leftovers.

    If you make dahl, it's a no-brainer to at least make enough for another meal to freeze and a bowl to put in the fridge for the next day's lunch.

    OTOH, the Taste of India Dhal Soup (have I been misspelling that?) is $2.50 a can at the local Mad Butcher, and really rather nice.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Beer, Bread and Marmite... yum!

    My next project is making yeast

    Well, you're gonna be a fungi to be with : )

    Grab your partners and join the dance of yeast.
    I'd never realised how brutal Marmite production was - those Seventh Day Adventists sure as hell ain't running a Sanatorium!

    Watch out for those Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans!

    ...and like yeast us "poached" eggs like a little vinegar too : )

    yrs Eukaryotically
    Billy Butler Yeats
    sure to rise...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Kong,

    Wise words.

    Well I know the problem. I don't know the solution, though. Best I can do is just try to learn to have a good time in a bar without being drunk, and hope others learn from the example. The best trick I've found so far is to just start talking. The more time your mouth is moving the less time it spends sipping, and it's not like you're hampering your conversational powers by staying sober longer.

    Since Jul 2009 • 89 posts Report

  • Simon Grigg,

    Is it possible that those who decry his efforts need some protection for their own drinking habits?

    No

    He may be a fine chappy but, as a person who's never had an issue with my own consumption of booze (but has had to deal extensively with the problems others have with the stuff) and has some experience as a licensee, albeit a few years back, and a late night habitué of licensed venues, shutting bars at 2am is simply going to aggravate a messy situation.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • Steve Parks,

    After the gym at 6 in the morning,

    What is this "6 in the morning" thing? I have not heard of it.

    Wellington • Since May 2007 • 1165 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    The mad butcher sells dahl? As a meat accompaniment?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Kong,

    What is this "6 in the morning" thing? I have not heard of it.

    You may know it as 'sparrow's fart'.

    Since Jul 2009 • 89 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    What is this "6 in the morning" thing? I have not heard of it.

    It's the time Simon thinks night clubs should close. Gym must be the barman.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Danielle,

    The mad butcher sells dahl?

    The Mad Butcher sells a lot of weird shit man. I actually took a photo of the Mad Butcher-brand lollies. They seemed so incongruous.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report

  • Rich Lock,

    I may be coming to some sort of realisation as to where he got his name.

    A butcher that sells dhal and lollies? Mad!

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Hommos/hummus, along with felafel, would have to be some kind of benchmark for labour intensive.

    Hummus ain't so bad -- but falafel ...

    The sense of achievement is nice, but you tend to think it might be easier next time to let Lisa do it for you.

    The other thing in that category is samosa. There's a palaver for you.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Steve Parks,

    Simon,

    What do you think of the suggested policy whereby people can't go to a new bar after 2 am (or 3 as I believe they are trying in Chch) but the bar can remain open.

    Wellington • Since May 2007 • 1165 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    What do you think of the suggested policy whereby people can't go to a new bar after 2 am (or 3 as I believe they are trying in Chch) but the bar can remain open.

    You mean the one way entry thing? Can't see it doing any harm, but if it's a one way entry to a bar where the definition of 'intoxicated' is 'too pished to find you wallet', it's not going to do any good either.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

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