Louisa

Oh yes and the oil, I only had sunflower oil. Reading posts above I assume I should have not done this? Louisa.

Thanks every so much everyone for your input. I used fresh chicken breast, and I took a lot of the elements you suggested above. As it was experimental I used quite a bit of coriander and fresh garlic, also fresh chillis and a lot of them. The only element I cheated with a little was the spices which were condensed in a paste. I am slightly upset I didn't go the extra mile and next time I certainly will give it a go. Pretty shocked at just how light and fresh a homemade curry tastes compared to a curry house one. I used two whole packs of vine tomatoes too. Despite using 6 whole chillis with seeds in, the curry was not especially hot by the standard we compare it with something you'd get in a restaurant. But the freshness was something you couldn't replicate, and it was still hot enough to satisfy. For next time, if I am using prawns for example, at what stage do I add them so that hey cook reasonably well but aren't rubbery? Chicken was a safe bet. KK I didn't use tumeric but I think the paste probably contained some? Louisa.

I am cooking tonight for four visitors. Everyone loves spicy, so have decided I'll give making a curry a go. Can anyone recommend how someone like me who mostly cooks meat and two veg can go about cooking a fresh curry with (mostly) fresh ingredients? I am pretty good at doing the basics, but the thought of buying spices and crushing them scares me a bit. Are there any alternatives to buying the spices in some sort of box in the supermarket? Or a paste maybe? How long do I cook for? Any help much appreciated. Louisa.

Ok for you cordsm - I publicly apologise for my alleged narcissistic and childish behaviour. If anyone has taken any personal offence to my comments then I can only say this. I never aim to be directly or personally offensive, I do however have opinions about things and I openly admit that many will disagree with those opinions. The whole point of the forum is to debate these things and hopefully reach some sort of conclusion. Perhaps even agree to disagree? I never take anything personally on here, despite various insinuations I am an alcoholic with issues. I dust myself off, and start all over again. Never would I get personal, and I know others enjoy goadin me on a personal level. It's never offensive to me because I enjoy debate. If you are that sensitive to indirect and mostly generalised criticism from one individual, then perhaps some of what that person says does hit home or hit a nerve so to speak? I cannot see how else someone would find it so personally offensive when it's a generalised comment? Anyhow, I'm done with trying to explain myself. I am drinking wine, I'm not in the garden, and I might even pop to the shop and buy a quiche. Sorry again if anything I've said has been taken out of context and offended you. Enjoy your flan. Louisa.

Sorry admin, I have tried to get this back on topic but I have to respond. "Deeply offensive"? Really? Because I dare to call people up on snobbery and social media bragging? Hardly the worst thing in the world. Also, why does it have to be a right or wrong answer? Why should I step down and follow the crowd like a sheep? I've never been a follower, and if I choose to look at the evidence and make a different conclusion to the rest that's entirely my prerogative. I am not ridiculing or belittling anyone, nor am I trolling. If people wish to be supportive of new local business ventures I am entirely on their side, but I also believe this level of support should be shown to all businesses locally and not just for a fad period which , I personally believe, exudes a level of vanity. NOT everyone, but certainly some. I've already conceded some people work long hours and are only free on weekends and I agree with a lot of what MrsParker says above. I'm not going to step down from my opinions on this, I have NEVER accused everyone of being the same, just some. And I find it incredibly naive of people to assume that we should just give people the benefit of the doubt. You can if you want to, I choose not too. Happy flan/quiche/tart eating everyone. My favourite filling is smoked salmon. Louisa.

Can we get this back on topic now please, enough of this nonsense. What's everyone's favourite tart filling? Louisa.

JoeLeg Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > DulwichFox Wrote > > > > May I just say something about comments aimed > at > > Louisa. > > > > Louisa never sets out to insult and belittle > > other posters. Unlike some on here. You know > who > > you are. > > > > Foxy. > > Louisa also isn't shy about voicing controversial > opinions either, not all of which are easy to back > up. What's controversial about pulling people up on their reasons for queuing outside shops to buy certain things? It's simply an observation. As XIX suggested in their post, people only queu up at Christmas because it's busy and they want to buy cheese. My response to that would be, why tag yourself on social media and post photographs telling people you're buying cheese from a small ED independent rather than a supermarket? Does no one here get my point? I sometimes think I'm the crazy one, as everyone seems to not want to get my point? Might go for a lay down. Louisa.

In response to Ruffers, yes it is a genuine held belief. If a kebab house or a chicken shop opened up a new branch, how many people on here would be talking about? Very few based on past experience of this forum. Walk into a park and listen to conversations about you. I often overhear people walking around in designer clobber and sunglasses talking about popping to an organic bakery to buy young India a croissant. Why do we all need to hear this? Crazy. Louisa.

JoeLeg, I agree. I have no firm evidence, but I'm pretty sure it would be incredibly difficult to find proof because many people who do this, probably aren't aware or would be willing to own up to it. So how do we find evidence? I can only go on personal experiences, I've seen and heard things. Again, this isn't full proof but it's the best I can offer at this stage in proceedings. I don't mind being pulled up on anything, I'm more than happy to hold my hands in the air and have done so in the last few weeks. But when someone opportunistically goads you and tries to bring admin in, it's offensive. Louisa.

Isn't it interesting how you can't have a proper debate, every single time you have to go back to below the belt goading with me don't you? Stir things up with admin by trying to get me banned whilst completely ignoring the argument I am making and then forcing this thread off topic. Well I'm not playing that game, sorry to disappoint you. Louisa.

XIX, says you who makes no valid attempt at a rebuttal. Very yawn. Louisa.

Sue Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > JoeLeg Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > > > > I'd be interesting to know if there's any proof > > that folk do that? > > > Louisa doesn't have any proof for any of the crap > she posts. > > She just likes, metaphorically speaking, poking a > bear with a stick. > > So she will say that people sit in windows to be > seen, rather than to see out. > > And people queue for cheese to be seen, rather > than to buy cheese. > > And people go to a new place, post their opinions > on here (sorry, "bore us all with posts about how > amazing their experience is") and then "rarely if > ever return." > > Would you like to provide some evidence for any of > these risible statements, Louisa? Sue you know full well that this isn't made up. Lots of people go out of their way to perpetuate some sort of lifestyle, much as many social media types do with Facebook and such like, by going into a venue then coming on here to talk about it. It makes them appear popular. But my point is, how is this helpful for a long term business venture? Is this sort of retail voyuerism helpful to them in the long term? I think not. Louisa.

JoeLeg Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > There's a world of difference between "to be seen > doing it" and trying out somewhere new that you > might never visit again for whatever reason. > > I personally doubt that many people go somewhere > just to be seen doing it, especially at Christmas > when we all have more important things than being > seen by people who don't know us buyimg cheese. > > I'd be interesting to know if there's any proof > that folk do that? I'm sure there is plenty of evidence of people wanting to be seen doing something for purposes of snobbery or 'keeping up with the jones's'. That's all well and good, but the sad reality is these businesses need more than a wing and prayer for survival. Is great someone decides to go along on the opening week, and posts about it on here. But did they go back? If not why not? I've been using various local businesses for donkeys years and I've not felt the need to come on here bragging about all of them. But then, these businessses are still in operation, and yet many of the ones the 'be seen doing it' crowd like to bang on about initially, aren't in business any longer. That's a sad truth for many small firms. Put your money where your mouth is, drop the bs and just shop without bragging to everyone else about it on opening week. Louisa.

I also agree with the point Foxy makes. Some people will of course queue on a Saturday because they're busy working during the week, for a local butcher or baker or whatever. Others, like those at Christmas, will queue outside a cheesemongers so they can be seen doing it. It's this sort of selective shopping, doing something to get some weird kick out of it, thats what infuriates some of us so much. People who go somewhere to be seen doing it are not really supporting local businesses, they go along in the infancy stage of the new venture, come on here boring us all with posts about how amazing their experience is, then rarely if ever return and the business goes down the plug hole. It's a sort of strange retail voyeurism. Louisa.

It's hardly a trek walking to Nunhead, unless you're incredibly lazy. I have joint problems and yet I can manage the walk to Nunhead. 20 minutes it takes me, as a round trip 40 mins. That's hardly a mission. Burns off some of what I'll be eating. Louisa.

KidKruger Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Personally, I'm glad I won't be having to trek > over to Nunhead for my daily flan. It will be handy having a flan shop on your doorstep KK, makes it easier to keep up your wild flower planting on the green without interruption. Louisa.

Sue Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > At a wild guess, I'd say most people in East > Dulwich are not going to trek over to Nunhead to > buy a flan .... I do. I trek over to Nunhead to support a local business I've been buying from since I was a youngster. I think it's important that we support existing businesses. I could be lazy, and buy a cold flan from Sainsbury's, but I'd rather make an afternoon of it. It's a nice brisk walk. I don't always buy flans either, sometimes I'll buy sausage rolls, sometimes a loaf of bread or some rolls. Very occasionally a cake or two. What's wrong with that? Louisa.

Ayre's sells flans, that's why it was brought into this discussion. Also, Nunhead and East Dulwich are neighbours, what goes in locally in terms of quiche/flan openings and comparables is entirely relevant to this thread Sue. I would love to know which butter Seabag prefers, because thus far we've heard all sorts of things about industrial butter butter being used in flans and no-one knows or can verify this. It's all hear say. Louisa.

Seabag Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Ghlpc Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Seriously, this thread is great! Keeps me going > > while the wife has love island on the tv! > > Put the kettle on and pull up a chair > > That said, Loopy LouBag is probably drunk/in-bed > by now Actually, I was rather busy last night driving, so no room for alcohol I'm afraid. Sorry to destroy your preconceived ideas about me, but yes I do have a life outside of talking about flans and quiches. Once again my comments are taken wildly out of context and turned into a poor man's monty python sketch. The absurd way in which folk choose to misunderstand my comments is way too predictable. You didn't have to justify being an Ayre's customer for 20+ years after talking about industrial butter. If you believe they use industrial butter then why not say it as it is, 'I won't buy stuff from there it's not for me?'. What items out of interest do you buy from there which you can be entirely sure do not contain this bizarre butter you talk of? I've never even heard of it. Honestly. Louisa.

Seabag Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I get EDhistory's questions, not wanting to see > accusations that are unfounded > > Only when others post spurious "Flan for a tenner" > type posts I don't see the same questions, oddly. > > If Ayres (and others) aren't cutting costs by > using butter substitutes I'd be very very > suprised. I presume this is a dig at me. As ever, I am happy to be proven wrong, and I wish the new firm every success. What amazes me about some posters on here, is the utter contempt for long established and successful local businesses which have weathered various storms, and the eager anticipation at the arrival of something new. Why can't we be happy that these independent places are thriving here still, whether they've been here for 60 odd years, or are new additions to the neighbourhood? Louisa.

Seabag Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Louisa Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > DulwichFox Wrote: > > > -------------------------------------------------- > > > ----- > > > They are going to have to sell a lot of Tarts > > and > > > Salads to pay the rent and rates at that > place. > > > > > > Foxy > > > > > > Exactly. I wish them the best of luck. > > > > Louisa. > > > > Even with your deliberate price smearing, I'm sure > you do > > Tell me, how much is flan/quiche at Ayres? I do genuinely wish them the best of luck. Maybe if you used a long established local business such as Ayres you could find out the pricing on such items as flans and quiches for yourself? Louisa.

Well done KK I wasn't aware you were responsible for these lovely displays. They're looking very handsome I must say, makes my day when I walk past GG. Do you have plans for any others locally? Louisa.

DulwichFox Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > They are going to have to sell a lot of Tarts and > Salads to pay the rent and rates at that place. > > Foxy Exactly. I wish them the best of luck. Louisa.

Come on everyone all these fish puns are just krilling it now. Louisa.

And I'd also like to remind you Sue that it wasn't me who took the thread back off topic, I had already suggested keeping it on topic after Foxy intervened. Louisa.