Consider the aubergine

[PatrickOD]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15561501

By coincidence, I have been reading what my friend Piscator says:

Nay, the increase of these creatures that are bred and fed in the water are not only more and more miraculous, but more advantageous to man, not only for the lengthening of his life, but for the prevention of sickness; for it is observed by the most learned physicians, that the casting of Lent, and other fish days, which hath not only given the lie to so many learned, pious, wise founders of colleges, for which we should be ashamed, hath doubtless been the chief cause of those many putrid, shaking intermitting agues, unto which this nation of ours is now more subject, than those wiser countries that feed on herbs, salads, and plenty of fish.

[Anna]

I saw the Report earlier today that Patrick has highlighted (oh, and fish can now be as expensive as steak unfortunately)

It says that in Scotland and Northern Ireland consumption of fruit and vegetables in Scotland is around 12% lower than in England, and consumption in Northern Ireland is about 20% lower than in England. (Consumption levels in Wales are similar to England) This seems amazing, particularly in the case of Ireland, but is it as simple as fruit and veg are not produced there and so importing them pushes the price up considerably or do, traditionally, their national cusines not feature vegs (apart from tatties and neeps?)

As to a 'fat tax', well I confess I eat (unsalted) butter, have whole milk and am not adverse to a bacon sandwich! But (the Report) it didn't say, where are the saturated fats and salt coming from? Surely not from a diet consisting solely of burgers, pizzas, biscuits and pasties plus, how can people afford to eat junk food, it's horrendously expensive when you can buy so many lovely vegs for so very little (I admit fruit is expensive and probably out of the reach of many) The suggestion of a subsidy on fruit and veg, fine, but how do you get people to eat their cabbage or chomp on a carrot, how do you get people to learn how to cook wholesome food (and please, don't mention Jamie Oliver - it seems Sainsburys have dropped him and David Beckham is to take his place )

[french frank]

How was your stuffed aubergine - and the saturated fat content? (cross referencing the other thread)

I think I could say, "all right". I added a little concoction of Turkish-type powdered spices to the filling and after deliberating as to whether to open a packet of pitta bread or to have a crumpet from an already opened packet of crumpets, I did the correct thing . And imbibed a hearty Corbières with.

Who do you get your veg boxes from and why do you choose to have one rather than buy from your local greengrocer?

They are organic and organic veg has almost entirely disappeared from the local shops, after making a feeble attempt to break into the market a few years ago. I'm not convinced of either the health or superior taste benefits, but I do approve of the farming methods. I will not mention which of several organic veg box suppliers it might have been. But one of them.

Edit: Your last post, yes, fruits are sweet but we eat them with meat, like roast apples and pears with pork or raspberries with lamb don't we?

Yes, that's why I added the bit about garnishes ... Redcurrant with lamb, cranberry with turkey, orange with duck. (We had friends with a farm who served fresh cream on most things, especially good with roast beef.)

[Lateralthinking1]

Thank you to all for a genuinely interesting discussion.

....but now to the biggest climber on this weeks Radio 3 forum charts. Up a whopping 12 places from 14th position to Number 2 are the aubergines. In a moment, we might get round to playing a few seconds of music but first your chance to win an ipod personally signed by Petroc Trelawney. Simply answer the following question:

How many places have the aubergines moved up in this weeks Radio 3 forum charts which today are being sponsored by Christina Aguilera and Wayne Rooney? (Hint: The answer is somewhere in this post.)

a. 12
b. 587 seconds
c. Budapest but only on a bicycle.

Just answer the question by phoning in all of your most intimate financial details on the Breakfast show. Then go onto Facebook and "like" "Essential Classics", whether you like it or not. The winner will probably be announced sometime in 2014 on Twitter if we don't forget. Plus for the lucky runners up, we have 5 mystery goody bags with a corn flake especially designed by Tracey Emin.

And remember - today's Radio 3 forum chart is being sponsored by none other than Christina Aguilera and Wayne Rooney.

Footnote - This post has been authorised by R Wright as a part of the Investors in People initiative.

[burning dog]

Jamie Oliver is not averse to saturated fats. The last time I saw him (I don't often watch Cookery shows) he was cooking Belly of Pork but I suppose the theory is if you're going to eat saturates make it something tasty and freshly cooked.

[amateur51]

Thank you to all for a genuinely interesting discussion.

....but now to the biggest climber on this weeks Radio 3 forum charts. Up a whopping 12 places from 14th position to Number 2 are the aubergines. In a moment, we might get round to playing a few seconds of music but first your chance to win an ipod personally signed by Petroc Trelawney. Simply answer the following question:

How many places have the aubergines moved up in this weeks Radio 3 forum charts which today are being sponsored by Christina Aguilera and Wayne Rooney? (Hint: The answer is somewhere in this post.)

a. 12
b. 587 seconds
c. Budapest but only on a bicycle.

Just answer the question by phoning in all of your most intimate financial details on the Breakfast show. Then go onto Facebook and "like" "Essential Classics", whether you like it or not. The winner will probably be announced sometime in 2014 on Twitter if we don't forget. Plus for the lucky runners up, we have 5 mystery goody bags with a corn flake especially designed by Tracy Emin.

And remember - today's Radio 3 forum chart is being sponsored by none other than Christina Aguilera and Wayne Rooney.

Footnote - This post has been authorised by R Wright as a part of the Investors in People initiative.

You're on top form, Lat!

[Flosshilde]

Jamie Oliver is not averse to saturated fats. The last time I saw him (I don't often watch Cookery shows) he was cooking Belly of Pork but I suppose the theory is if you're going to eat saturates make it something tasty and freshly cooked.

I think it's transubstantiated fats (or whatever the word is) - palm oil & stuff - that crops up in mass-produced cakes & ready-meals that's the problem.

Saly - as someone up-thread has said, Valerie's in Old Compton St is a mere shadow of its former self, even though it's expanded into a chain - one in Twickenham HIgh Street, I saw - & it's a very ordinary street, with mainly the usual chains & charity shops. On my visits to LOndon I go to Maison Bertaux in Greek St (or is it Frith St?) - Hans doesn't seem to be around any more, & Juliette seems to be not there very often (although when she is she always greets me like a valued customer, even though it's 17 years since I was anything like a regular); the staff now seem to be rather handsome young men

[handsomefortune]

transubstantiated fats

[burning dog]

Trans fat
Yes



It used to be in margarine spreads etc. I don't think it's around any more in that form. Supermarkets have cut back using it in other products, but those who supply cheap takeaways still use it.

[Anna]

transubstantiated fats

Not relevent unless you are a Catholic who eats pies.

[burning dog]

Not relevent unless you are a Catholic who eats pies.


?

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8UHp9VWvsg8/0.jpg

[Pabmusic]

Thank you to all for a genuinely interesting discussion.

....but now to the biggest climber on this weeks Radio 3 forum charts. Up a whopping 12 places from 14th position to Number 2 are the aubergines. In a moment, we might get round to playing a few seconds of music but first your chance to win an ipod personally signed by Petroc Trelawney. Simply answer the following question:

How many places have the aubergines moved up in this weeks Radio 3 forum charts which today are being sponsored by Christina Aguilera and Wayne Rooney? (Hint: The answer is somewhere in this post.)

a. 12
b. 587 seconds
c. Budapest but only on a bicycle.

Just answer the question by phoning in all of your most intimate financial details on the Breakfast show. Then go onto Facebook and "like" "Essential Classics", whether you like it or not. The winner will probably be announced sometime in 2014 on Twitter if we don't forget. Plus for the lucky runners up, we have 5 mystery goody bags with a corn flake especially designed by Tracey Emin.

And remember - today's Radio 3 forum chart is being sponsored by none other than Christina Aguilera and Wayne Rooney.

Footnote - This post has been authorised by R Wright as a part of the Investors in People initiative.

Best thing I've read all week. Thank you.

[amateur51]

I think it's transubstantiated fats (or whatever the word is) - palm oil & stuff - that crops up in mass-produced cakes & ready-meals that's the problem.

Saly - as someone up-thread has said, Valerie's in Old Compton St is a mere shadow of its former self, even though it's expanded into a chain - one in Twickenham HIgh Street, I saw - & it's a very ordinary street, with mainly the usual chains & charity shops. On my visits to LOndon I go to Maison Bertaux in Greek St (or is it Frith St?) - Hans doesn't seem to be around any more, & Juliette seems to be not there very often (although when she is she always greets me like a valued customer, even though it's 17 years since I was anything like a regular); the staff now seem to be rather handsome young men

Yes Flossie, it's Maison Berthaux for me too (please don't tell the diabetes nurse!) I like a Cavafy moment with a handsome young man and my Paris bresse too.

Does Glasgow offer similar hedonistic treats?

[Flosshilde]

Yes Flossie, it's Maison Berthaux for me too (please don't tell the diabetes nurse!) I like a Cavafy moment with a handsome young man and my Paris bresse too.

Does Glasgow offer similar hedonistic treats?

The handsome young men or the pastries?

Both, in its own special way

[vinteuil]

my Paris bresse too.

... if Ammy will forgive the pedantry of someone who quite likes cakes (but isn't really turned on by bicyclists... ) - I think this particular pâtisserie was invented in honour of the bicycle race from Paris to Brest, rather than from Paris to [Bourg-en-] Bresse

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris–Brest