Old Style vs the USDA head-to-head challenge...

ceridwen

Hi Weezl

Well - having just read through the comments on that post in Casaubons Book - are you going to be going off looking for some Japanese Knotweed this weekend. Its in season right now.

I've just been googling and amongst all the entries about removing that pesky knotweed one doesnt want I found:

www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Knotweed.html

According to those comments - it tastes like rhubarb.

weezl74

I am tempted, we must be one of the only gardens in the UK not to be infested with it!!! Where can I harvest some?;)

ceridwen

Well - I am sure someone will come along with the answer to that one soon - I personally am wondering about some boundaries to local allotments - thinks...is that flower I spotted there the "culprit"? hmmm......

and also:

http://rawfoodinfo.com/articles/art_passiveagriculture.html

www.countrylovers.co.uk/wildfoodjj/weedgall.htm

I just keep wondering if I will find weezl camping out on my doorstep one day (having sussed just how big a collection of reference books I must have accummulated over the years);)

(If she disappears for a couple of months folks - she's in my place solidly reading).

Right - now off to w**k (that b....y job of mine).:cool:

weezl74

sorry, I can't paste it into the message, but jeniD click here for a table comparing 3 carbs and how much of your Recommended intake of nutrients a 125g dry weight serving would give you...:D

So Quinoa emerges triumphant!

However, at 51.3 p per 100g compared to 4.3p per 100g for rice, you could add a lovely HM veg curry to the rice, and regain the same nutrients, and it would be a whole meal, rather than a lump of carbs!;)

So I have yet to be convinced about the 'best bang for it's buck' of Quinoa. This is until it becomes more popular, and Tesco stop pricing it like a 'middle class' luxury food.:mad:

When will they bring out 'value' quinoa? I might write and ask!:D

Weezl x

shaz_mum_of__2

Im not sure exactly but asda sell 500g bags of organic quinoa for about 80p

Shaz

oops i take it back it is now £1.38 has anyone used pearl barley instead of rice/couscous etc i only ever use it in casseroles or soups but seen a few recipes using it as a main element like in a "risotto"

shaz_mum_of__2

Went to an asian supermarket at the weekend

400g mustard seeds 80p

70g at asda 77p !! bought a few spices etc a case of tinned chick peas £2 for 12 and nearly bought 25kg rice for £12.50 but realised that can get bit cheaper at supermkt and dont have to store a sackfull

dried pulses were much cheaper there too

we also have a chinese grocer where i stocked up on egg noodles and huge bottles soy sauce(same price as the small ones are at super)and panko (japanese breadcrumbs)

will try to buy mor there from now on just neeed to watch the fuel cost is worth it!!

jenid

weezl74 wrote: »

sorry, I can't paste it into the message, but jeniD click here for a table comparing 3 carbs and how much of your Recommended intake of nutrients a 125g dry weight serving would give you...:D

So Quinoa emerges triumphant!

However, at 51.3 p per 100g compared to 4.3p per 100g for rice, you could add a lovely HM veg curry to the rice, and regain the same nutrients, and it would be a whole meal, rather than a lump of carbs!;)

So I have yet to be convinced about the 'best bang for it's buck' of Quinoa. This is until it becomes more popular, and Tesco stop pricing it like a 'middle class' luxury food.:mad:

When will they bring out 'value' quinoa? I might write and ask!:D

Weezl x

Thanks Weezl this is great, very kind of you. I thought this would be the case too, typical the more expensive, less tasty one is better for you! Ah well, maybe I can just substitute Quinoa for a rice based meal every now and then.

Have any of you read any of Richard Mabey's wild food books? Might be worth seeking one out from the library. The collins gem pocket size version is handy as it has pictures so you can refer whilst you're out picking! Might prevent a dangerous case of food poisoning!

In_Search_Of_Me

weezl74 wrote: »

I am tempted, we must be one of the only gardens in the UK not to be infested with it!!! Where can I harvest some?;)

I think there may be some local allotments for which I have a key (my old one!)...do you want me to find out?!! I have vague recollection that there is a whole plot of it & they have tried unsucessfully to get rid of it so couldnt let the plot...

weezl74

;)How interesting! Altho' with our track record it might be something highly toxic we'll end up harvesting;)

But yes, research away!

How's the no spend week going? need to issue any 'I've got these 3 ingredients, what can I make for dinner?' type challenges?

We're all ears!

Have you posted your parsnip soup recipe?

Weezl x

In_Search_Of_Me

lol only if you eat it without being sure what it is weezl!! Ok will ring my old mate & ak & will let you know! How is busy week going?! No spend week still no spending & can confirm that gingerbread is even more scrummy a couple of day later! Not sure how busy you are but if you have time to pop gloves in I have something that may, tempt you...made by Gu!!
Re the parsnip recipe its sort of easy! Just get a few parsnips, chop em up (clean them first but no need to peel them - take the ends off) and then simmer with a stock cube for 1/2 hour. You can then have fun mixing things in like lentils, carrot and for an extra creamy fattening up mr weezl soup use some coconut milk....scrummy!! Freezes too! Thats it. Easy-just-chuck-it-in kind of recipe!!