Did anyone else grow up with perfectly adequate but woefully plain food?

jackiebaron

pragmatic1 wrote: »

Irish mammies tend to overcook food and not use enough seasoning.

But on the flipside, those diners of old are way more healthy than the stuff kids eat today. You'd be hard pressed to find better quality ingredients. I'd also take spuds over any other form of carbohydrate. They're complex carbohdrates, keep you full longer than pasta or rice and they're full of minerals and vitamins.

Agreed. My girlfriend is Italian and she can't comprehend my worship of the humble spud in all its glorious manifestations.

landsleaving

jackiebaron wrote: »

Agreed. My girlfriend is Italian and she can't comprehend my worship of the humble spud in all its glorious manifestations.

How awfully hypocritical. Italian food is all tomatoes all the time. And you can't make chips from tomatoes, so we win.

lmaopml

My mam was a pretty good cook and she baked home made soda breads, scones etc. Yum! Like jackiebaron ours wasn't fancy but it was varied and always fresh stuff..

Lamb, beef and chicken casseroles with dumplings, steak and kidney pies with gorgeous pastry on top. Homemade burgers ( We called them risoles for some reason ) Coddle, Fresh fish once a week with homemade chips. Colcannon and kippers in October. Ham, cabbage and potatoes - cabbage cooked in Ham water. All sorts of fresh veg, she regularly made homemade winter veg soup...Homemade curry with brown rice....

Deserts could be anything really, she would make em up as she went along - she made a mean trifle though, and grew rhubarb which was gorgeous with sherry trifle.


We had porridge for brekky in the morning, which I loved - my mam was able to make it nice, don't eat it now because it just doesn't taste the same...

Nobody cooks the same as my mum did, she had a way of making things taste gorgeous and varied it up enough to keep us interested.

Anybody remember getting 'dippy eggs with soldiers'? or as a toddler a 'guggy egg'..lol.....I actually remember the trauma of eating a guggy egg - hated them...hehe

Poor Craythur

Wibbs wrote: »

I've never had a Chinese takeaway either. I have eaten a couple of actual Chinese dishes, but the takeaway stuff? Even the smell makes me wanna hurl.

Agree there, Chinese takeaway food is rancid. FAR too sweet too.

TBH, I'm not mad keen on pizza at all, but was just surprised you'd never even tried it.

eiresurfer

jackiebaron wrote: »

Agreed. My girlfriend is Italian and she can't comprehend my worship of the humble spud in all its glorious manifestations.

I simply cannot understand the Irish infatuation with potatoes. You'd think the famine would have taught us something? Alas no. I eat potatoes when I'm given them (quite frequently), but I don't think I've cooked them in over 15 years.

Red Hand

Nothing like a few soapy shpuds cooked till they fall apart.

jackiebaron

landsleaving wrote: »

How awfully hypocritical. Italian food is all tomatoes all the time. And you can't make chips from tomatoes, so we win.

Anyone who thinks Italian food is just spag-bol or pizza probably thinks that Chinese food consists solely of pot-noodles and Indian food is just a friggin' nan bread or curry-chips. Having said that she also likes Marmite. Go figure!

McTigs

jackiebaron wrote: »

There are only 365 days in a year. You would need to have bacon and cabbage everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner in order to hit the 1000 mark.

well check out the big pedantic brain on jackie!

Tayla

This is how food would work in my house......say my ma tried a new thing like lasagna and i'd say I liked it, well then i'd get that pretty much for dinner every night until she decided a few months later to try a new recipe.:(

Poor Craythur

lmaopml wrote: »

Lamb, beef and chicken casseroles with dumplings, steak and kidney pies

Ooh, you've helped me remember three of my mother's other triumphs - chicken casserole, apple pie and rhubarb pie. I think I've been a bit hard on Mammykins!

jackiebaron

eiresurfer wrote: »

I simply cannot understand the Irish infatuation with potatoes. You'd think the famine would have taught us something? Alas no. I eat potatoes when I'm given them (quite frequently), but I don't think I've cooked them in over 15 years.

It's just part of our DNA. When you get fcuking delicious potatoes in a big brown sack with lumps of clay in there from your culchie uncle and you wash and boil a few of them and they turn out to be heavenly, you just dream about that day again and again as you force down the waxy balls of soap you get at the supermarket. It's probably like the Dutch with cheese and herrings. Herring has to be the crappiest most tasteless fish in the world yet the Dutch just drool over it.

Red Hand

eiresurfer wrote: »

I simply cannot understand the Irish infatuation with potatoes. You'd think the famine would have taught us something?

It's true that the shpuds tried to kill us on a few occassions, but you know...they're like Nazis-you just have to love them at the end of the day.:pac:

jackiebaron

Poor Craythur wrote: »

Ooh, you've helped me remember three of my mother's other triumphs - chicken casserole, apple pie and rhubarb pie. I think I've been a bit hard on Mammykins!

There! You see now! Delicious bowl of fresh stewed rhubarb and hot custard. Or a rhubarb tart or crumble. The bizznezz!

I-Shot-Jr

I feel sorry for everyone in this thread, growing up I had a Philipino au pair who cooked stuff from all around asia on a daily basis as well as my Dad who who's hobby was cooking the maddest ****e he could find. I also lived in France for most of my teenage years which meant that everything I ate from then on was pretty much French cuisine.

I think I must be the only Irish person to have ever considered shepherd's pie "exotic".

sbsquarepants

Latchy wrote: »

Variety is the key to enjoying food .I'm not vegetarian but I don't restrict myself to any set standard of food and and will enjoy a Quorn meat meal as much as a fish , chicken , beef meal with fresh salad or veg .It's much easier now to experiment and you'll be surprised what you can throw together with the contenets of a fridge and cupboard with pasta and spaghetti being a big fav with moi

Really?
Are you sure you aren't confusing enjoy and ingest? They do sound kinda similar!:D

Quorn is utter shíte, it's patented, mass produced mould for god sake!

landsleaving

jackiebaron wrote: »

Anyone who thinks Italian food is just spag-bol or pizza probably thinks that Chinese food consists solely of pot-noodles and Indian food is just a friggin' nan bread or curry-chips. Having said that she also likes Marmite. Go figure!

You're right. They also have lasagne

I probably should have slagged off the 10 billion types of pasta, a far better comparsion to our 10 billion versions of the humble spud.

We do have a national talent for taking other country's food and making it as bland as ours though :pac:

Poor Craythur

jackiebaron wrote: »

It's just part of our DNA. When you get fcuking delicious potatoes in a big brown sack with lumps of clay in there from your culchie uncle and you wash and boil a few of them and they turn out to be heavenly, you just dream about that day again and again as you force down the waxy balls of soap you get at the supermarket. It's probably like the Dutch with cheese and herrings. Herring has to be the crappiest most tasteless fish in the world yet the Dutch just drool over it.

Jackie, I prefer waxy spuds!

sbsquarepants

jackiebaron wrote: »

There! You see now! Delicious bowl of fresh stewed rhubarb and hot custard. Or a rhubarb tart or crumble. The bizznezz!

I can't understand how anyone would eat cooked rhubard - it's just slime!
I eat it raw, cold from the fridge, delicious!

RayM

o1s1n wrote: »

Those little orangy red things with a bit of cheese and spongy bases? They turned me off pizza for years too. Eugh!

KVI Brand 'pizzas' from Crazy Prices... I remember thinking they were really exotic. They always tasted better when burnt to a crisp, as it killed the taste.

My mother did/does a great lasagne, so I can't complain about childhood dinners. School lunches, on the other hand, left a lot to be desired. They varied between squashed jam sandwiches and unidentifiable-processed-meat sandwiches. Always unpleasantly warm and accompanied by a Penguin.

Ghost Buster

I have a feeling that many of us here are from an era when spaghetti came in a can, coffee was instant and rice was sweet and in a pudding:o

Ghost Buster

RayM wrote: »

KVI Brand 'pizzas' from Crazy Prices... I remember thinking they were really exotic. They always tasted better when burnt to a crisp, as it killed the taste.

My mother did/does a great lasagne, so I can't complain about childhood dinners. School lunches, on the other hand, left a lot to be desired. They varied between squashed jam sandwiches and unidentifiable-processed-meat sandwiches. Always unpleasantly warm and accompanied by a Penguin.

Ah. The dreaded luncheon roll. The closest to it i can find these days is in Lidl and its for dogs.

pragmatic1

eiresurfer wrote: »

I simply cannot understand the Irish infatuation with potatoes. You'd think the famine would have taught us something? Alas no. I eat potatoes when I'm given them (quite frequently), but I don't think I've cooked them in over 15 years.

Potatoes are versatile and as bland as they are they're nowhere near as bland as pasta or rice.

mikemac

Ghost Buster wrote: »

I have a feeling that many of us here are from an era when spaghetti came in a can, coffee was instant and rice was sweet and in a pudding:o

Spaghetti? Sure that's fancy stuff only for them eye-talians

You forgot supercans
Bring back the supercans I say!

u140acro3xs7dm

Ghost Buster wrote: »

I have a feeling that many of us here are from an era when spaghetti came in a can, coffee was instant and rice was sweet and in a pudding:o

It still does, right?

Ghost Buster wrote: »

Ah. The dreaded luncheon roll. The closest to it i can find these days is in Lidl and its for dogs.

I used to get the chicken and ham paste out of a jar. Truly horrendous stuff. Also the mash that i was givin every day was as dry as a bone, no sauce and no gravy. I was a teenager before i knew you could put milk or butter into mash and it became edible. The same way i always used my fork like a spoon because it was the only way to pick up the veg.

pragmatic1

I-Shot-Jr wrote: »

I feel sorry for everyone in this thread, growing up I had a Philipino au pair who cooked stuff from all around asia on a daily basis as well as my Dad who who's hobby was cooking the maddest ****e he could find. I also lived in France for most of my teenage years which meant that everything I ate from then on was pretty much French cuisine.

I think I must be the only Irish person to have ever considered shepherd's pie "exotic".

Well la di ****in da.

Poor Craythur

Ghost Buster wrote: »

I have a feeling that many of us here are from an era when spaghetti came in a can, coffee was instant and rice was sweet and in a pudding

Yup, my Dad can't get his head around unsweetened, boiled rice.

u140acro3xs7dm

pragmatic1 wrote: »

Well la di ****in da.

I was gonna post exactly that but i refrained.

Poor Craythur

pragmatic1 wrote: »

Potatoes are versatile and as bland as they are they're nowhere near as bland as pasta or rice.

Agreed.

Im Only 71Kg

oh yeah. i hate food.

prinz

Nope, food was generally top notch and delicious, all sorts of stuff from around the world.

I do remember the mini pizzas mentioned earlier though. Burnt paper-thin cheese and tomato crisp topping, and about a half-inch of bread sponge.

RayM

Ghost Buster wrote: »

I have a feeling that many of us here are from an era when spaghetti came in a can, coffee was instant and rice was sweet and in a pudding:o

...and when you convinced yourself that 'Alphabetti' spaghetti tasted better. In truth, it was good for one thing only.

Ghost Buster

Poor Craythur wrote: »

Yup, my Dad can't get his head around unsweetened, boiled rice.

And then theres the Irish farmers version of a salad. hard boiled eggs, jarred beetroot, ham, scallions, stumpy iceberg lettuce and salad cream.

El Horseboxo

Growing up with a Mexican mom it was frijoles, rice and tortillas for me. Changed to just baked beans over here and began to get mash potato most days. Stews and coddles were well mixed in too. When i got older i began making more Mexican food as i love extremly spicy stuff. Mates drop up to me randomly now hoping i will be cooking something.

Poor Craythur

Ghost Buster wrote: »

And then theres the Irish farmers version of a salad. hard boiled eggs, jarred beetroot, ham, scallions, stumpy iceberg lettuce and salad cream.

Oh my God, yes! My parents don't dress salad - it's not a proper salad if you don't, IMO. My Dad asks every time if we're in a restaurant if the salad comes with potato salad and is aghast if it doesn't, not realising that it just doesn't go with every salad!

Poor Craythur

El Horseboxo wrote: »

Growing up with a Mexican mom it was frijoles, rice and tortillas for me. Changed to just baked beans over here and began to get mash potato most days. Stews and coddles were well mixed in too. When i got older i began making more Mexican food as i love extremly spicy stuff. Mates drop up to me randomly now hoping i will be cooking something.

You are so lucky. Jealous.

Ghost Buster

Ah the nostalgia. In the days before they invented heart disease my Mom would occasionally incinerate a steak for my hard working farmer Dad and as a little treat would pour the half pint of fat from the pan over his spuds..... Yum!


Oh yeah. The only cheese was calvita... Im on a roll here.....like the calvita........

mikemac

Irish Mammy's logic:

Plate of deep fried chips are unhealthy and just an occasional treat.
Plate of boiled potatoes smothered in butter is a good everyday meal

Someone else posted this over in Fitness forum last month, just remembered it for this thread

Laika1986

El Horseboxo wrote: »

Growing up with a Mexican mom it was frijoles, rice and tortillas for me. Changed to just baked beans over here and began to get mash potato most days. Stews and coddles were well mixed in too. When i got older i began making more Mexican food as i love extremly spicy stuff. Mates drop up to me randomly now hoping i will be cooking something.

Very lucky, i love mexican food. I have only a couple of times had proper mexican not the old de paso crap. My da can't handle anything spicy its a nightmare, plain bland dinners still the rage in my house.

jackiebaron

landsleaving wrote: »

You're right. They also have lasagne

I probably should have slagged off the 10 billion types of pasta, a far better comparsion to our 10 billion versions of the humble spud.

We do have a national talent for taking other country's food and making it as bland as ours though :pac:

Take it from someone who knows that the Dutch hold the crown when it comes to "blandifying" foreign cuisine. Their palate is so freakin bland that I saw two Dutch blokes in the pub sweating profusely as they ate a Chikken Tikka Massala.

Latchy

McTigs wrote: »

you're joking right? that stuff is pure evil.

It's not something I would have a lot but I had it the other night with spaghetti and tomatoe puree .....delicious and as I say it's all about a bit of variety and I love experimenting and trying something different

jackiebaron

Poor Craythur wrote: »

Jackie, I prefer waxy spuds!

I must say I kind of like them myself. The spuds in Germany are crap. The spuds in Ireland rule, whether they're a big flour ball or a little steaming yellow wax-ball. It's all good.

jackiebaron

sbsquarepants wrote: »

I can't understand how anyone would eat cooked rhubard - it's just slime!
I eat it raw, cold from the fridge, delicious!

Rhubarb raw, rhubarb stewed, rhubarb jam. It's all good sbs. Especially when that first mouthful makes your tonsils and neck-glands go ballistic like you've sucked a lemon :pac:

OutlawPete

feelingstressed wrote: »

Irish Mammy's logic:

Plate of deep fried chips are unhealthy and just an occasional treat.
Plate of boiled potatoes smothered in butter is a good everyday meal

Someone else posted this over in Fitness forum last month, just remembered it for this thread

Heating oil to 180°C and frying potatoes in it, is far more "unhealthy". Not to mention the fact that many of those oils contain trans fats which are implicated in Artherosclerosis. Butter of course is a saturated fat (and is heated during pasteurisation) and so no angel - but afraid I'd have to go with the mammies on this one

Latchy

sbsquarepants wrote: »

Really?
Are you sure you aren't confusing enjoy and ingest? They do sound kinda similar!:D

Quorn is utter shíte, it's patented, mass produced mould for god sake!

Jasus ..you try something once ,decide it's not as bad as some people make out leave it at that ,you wont fcuking die from a plate of it now and again .

Little Acorn

Cabbage and Bacon
Turnip and Bacon
Stew [Beef with spuds, onions, carrots, and barley I think]
Roast Chicken
Roast Beef
Roast Pork
Lamb Chops
"Shepard's" Pie [Cottage Pie
Chicken Curry
Boiled Mince with carrots, onion, garlic and gravy
Oxtail Soup
Veg soup with mashed potatoe
Fried spud with onion and rashers.
Steak mushrooms, peas and spuds
Sausages Beans and Mash
Boiled eggs squished in cup with butter and salt
Chocolate Spread lunch sandwiches
Fry Up Breakfasts
Homemade Soda Bread
Homemade Apple Tarts
Homemade Gingerbread
Homemade scones plain and fruit ones.
Chivers Jelly and HB icecream
Icecream in wafer sandwiches
Cheesecake

I can still quite enjoy all of the above!
Love stew, cottage pie, cabbage,Turnip, and sausages with beans and creamy mash-yummy.:)

These ones Yuck:
Fishfingers
Fried mackerel
Fried Liver
Mince Pancakes! http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/12/03/article-1232952-04CFA7AD0000044D-602_468x301.jpg
Just No.:(

It's mad how we all had almost identical diets!:pac:

jackiebaron

Ghost Buster wrote: »

I have a feeling that many of us here are from an era when spaghetti came in a can, coffee was instant and rice was sweet and in a pudding:o

Canned peaches and a dollop of raspberry ripple.

Or canned fruit cocktail with its single solitary grape. Utter muck!

We were right exotic bastards when Viennetta hit the market.

ToxicPaddy

Nope, always had a huge variety of foods from a very early age. All well cooked and always very tasty. Even my friends comment on how amazing my mum's cooking is.. :P

I remember having curry, chilli, lasagne, all types of paste dishes, stir frys, thai food, a huge variety of seafood and shellfish, loads of different types of fruits etc from a very early age... always had a love of new foods and love to experiment too, even loved sushi from an early age etc.

Still love trying new things when I travel now, rarely eat bog standard Irish food these days, though still always looking forward to roast lamb with mint sauce or stuffed rolled pork with apple sauce, 2 dishes which my mum is amazing at cooking..

Sorry OP but I hate to see this with some kids, growing up with terribly cooked foods and never really learning to appreciate the amazing tastes of new foods from various cultures.. I work with a few guys who think putting mayo on a ham and cheese sandwich is being adventurous.. :rolleyes:

Poor Craythur

jackiebaron wrote: »

Rhubarb raw, rhubarb stewed, rhubarb jam. It's all good sbs. Especially when that first mouthful makes your tonsils and neck-glands go ballistic like you've sucked a lemon :pac:

Rhubarb - food of the Gods.

gravityisalie

Ghost Buster wrote: »

luncheon roll sandwiches for school?

rocks back and forward

KittyeeTrix

Ghost Buster wrote: »

And then theres the Irish farmers version of a salad. hard boiled eggs, jarred beetroot, ham, scallions, stumpy iceberg lettuce and salad cream.

Ah here........You forgot the beans:D