GTO

I've been digging around and now have spiced fingers, which got me to wondering - "What are your favourite spices? Sweet or savoury? How do you like to use them best?" Jointly with cinnamon, nutmeg has to be one of my absolute favourite spices, used as both a sweet or savoury addition to meats and vegetables. I also love freshly grated nutmeg in hot milk, as a good relaxing drink. So, how about you, how do you spice up your life?

Joe: That's exactly the kind of querky dessert I love, that looks awesome.

I just got a big wedge of 'Shropshire blue' from my local Deli. It's very good. I was looking for something akin to Stilton, with a slightly milder flavour, so I could use it more freely. This is perfect. It tastes almost identical to Stilton but without the sometimes overwhelming strength. So far, I've stirred it into risotto at the last minute, much to my liking.

Even better with chocolate ice cream!

Absolutely, I totally agree. If it were me, I would tell her (and other customers) that, for practicality, a lot of goods are made and frozen. If they value your service enough, which they should, they should also trust your ability to produce something that is still just as good as if it weren't frozen. Afterall, you wouldn't sell it if it didn't taste good.

Wow, I think this is one the "meatiest" selections we have had in a long, long time. I'm being drawn to Ann's 'Chicken Souvlaki' and Chryz's 'Chili' as favourites but everything looks so good, all charred and juicy-licious.

Aww, Old Timer, that is filthy! How do you manage to put those two things together in the first place? Lol, surely you eat this behind closed doors in a dark (very dark) room?

kbjesq: I love Bulgaria, the food is fantastic. The few times I have been have been for skiing but I picked up a few tips about the food and culture. 1. Don't be surprised if none of the food you're served is piping hot. Bulgarians don't believe in eating food which is very hot, as it's considered unhealthy or harmful. Most foods are just pleasantly warm. 2. Gift-wise, don't give something overly expensive or elaborate, as it can be seen as an attempt to somewhat undermine your host, embarrasing them. 3. I was told on numerous occasions by my Ski instructor (Who was Bulgarian), that Bulgarian people do not smile, just for the sake of smiling, to be polite for example. So don't think they're being rude if you don't get a friendly smile every 5 minutes!

Yeah, that's what I thought too, anything that spreads Pesto around is good in my book.

I'm having a hard time imagining parsley pesto, jende. Obviously it's good and works well enough for you to do it over and over, might have to try it sometime. One of my favourites (using Mafalde this week), includes tiny beef/lamb meatballs and a smokey aubergine pesto. Very good with a side of steamed broccoli.

I've been getting messy, making blue cheese & lamb burgers, which are now resting on the side. Even after washing, my hands smell of cheese, which I don't really mind to be honest, lol.

Coconut vodka. steep coconut in a small bottle of vodka for a while, drink the vodka, then eat the coconut.

Joe: What a cool picture. I had to look twice, I thought it was a desert landscape.

Cool, thanks Andrew. I know my salad from my salaud! At least your daughter has a good sense of humour, insommniac, which probably means you raised her very well. Gayette is funny, what's not to like!?

Andrew: I'd forgotten about fish ball. We don't get this in the UK but I've always wondered about the origins of those Jell-O "salads". I've even seen them without any actual fruit, so what part of that constitues a salad? Am I missing the obvious joke about it being the absolute anti-salad, touted as one because of it's fruit content?

Pigs in blankets are awesome. We had Pigs in Prosciutto this Christmas just gone. Kerry: That sounds more like "Sex with absolutey everything".

jackal: We're not the greatest at naming recipes or meals are we? "Haggis with Neeps and tatties" for example. Kerry: Surely, that involves a flambe at some point?

I just got to thinking, what funny looking recipes have you come across? Ones perhaps, that don't seem to make sense due to their wording. For example, I was looking for some coconut recipes on Food Network and came across: "Grilled coconut wings with Thai peanut dipping sauce" Flying coconuts? I smell disaster!

Shaya: After roasted, like that, is my favourite way to eat beef. That looks so good.

I was astonished by those hearts anyway and to find out they were a first attempt - I'm not jealous one bit, lol. Vey, very cool, great marbled effect.

Have you considered steaming your pudding, rather than baking it?

"Jack" Daniel to cherries 1. Jack Daniel was the founder of the famous Whisky 2. Opposition to the "Whiskey rebellion" of 1791 was headed by the Army of George Washington. 3. The State of Washington produces a vast amount of the United States' cherries. Booyah!

I'd go along the cheese route too. Some good quailty Feta on a steak is great, it melts ever so slightly and drinks up some meaty juices.

hathor: Your chicken looks so good, really juicy. Are your shins hurting now, or are you an experienced skiier?

Like a kid in a candy store eh, TKrup? Looks like you got yourself a right hoard. Just looked the website, did you take a look ath te Hawaiian honey products?