Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

*that's shepherds pie with worcestershire sauce - the perfect enhancement

i'll have to go with lasagne tho - the tomatoey tang combined with ever advantageous cheese element nicks it

really could go for some shepherds pie with worcs. sauce and assorted veg right now tho.

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:07 (twenty-two years ago)

I've never eaten a really good lasagne. The ones I've had tend to be floppy with icky cheese. Mind you, I've never eaten it at a restaurant. It tends to be something of a uni hall of residence/staff canteen staple.

However, a good shepherd's pie...num num!

― MarkH (MarkH), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Does Sainsburys Quorn Shepherd's Pie count?

It used to be my favourite dish when I was a child. My mum used to make patterns on the top with a fork and call it Baked Tiger.

Lasanga just not quite the same, at all.

― kate (kate), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:11 (twenty-two years ago)

LASAGNE

every time you mad fools.

― Mark C (Mark C), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:11 (twenty-two years ago)

BAKED TIGER!!!!

― kate (kate), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:12 (twenty-two years ago)

http://yvonneandmason.galganov.net/recipes/gifs/baked.jpg

I mean, it does look quite a bit like a baked tiger, if you use your imagination, doesn't it?

― kate (kate), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Fish pie gives 'em both a king-sized beatdown, but if I have to take sides then clearly it is lovely, rich, autumnal shepherds pie.

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Shedherds Pie by a country mile, although lasagne is more satisfying to make.

― Johnney B (Johnney B), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:14 (twenty-two years ago)

I make a Lasagne Shepherds Pie, which is a Lasagne with an additional layer of mashed pots on the top. Num num, nummity num.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Lasagne is the worst British bastardisation of Italian culture this side of the Di Marco family.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Cor Pete whot a cracking idea! I had a nummy shepherds pie the other day but upon getting past three mouthfuls I realised that the happy shop had CONNED me and instead of nummy cow meat I was eating lentils!! Still they were bloody nice and for the rest of the afternoon I was in a bit of a crisis. I could tell the difference when the lentils got cold. Bluggh.

I quite fancy making a shepherds pie now, whereas I have never made a lasagne wot is not ready made. I am sure it would be easy and nummy but I can't really be that arsed. I think I will make one today. Home cooking cures all illnesses right?*

* despite the fact my homecooked TOAST doesn't seem to have worked.

― Sarah (starry), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Both are obviously the kings of lazy-person's ready meals, in which case shepherd's pie usually wins the day, despite being unmicrowavable. Instant lasanges generally ming.

However, when it comes to proper homemade stuff, lasagne wins by a country mile. However, last weekend I instigated a lasange-making competition between my flatmate and next-door neighbour, which produced enough lasagne to feed three households twice, so could do without seeing another one again for a while.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:29 (twenty-two years ago)

I am now craving Shepherd's pie, cheers all. Good pie though, with a really thick gravy, maybe a bit like the gravy I have left over from my rabbit in red wine yesterday, hmmm, I have an idea

― chris (chris), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Does anyone here have the slightest idea how to make a proper Italian lasagne? If so, then you must already know that it is head an shoulders above any filthy mince and mashed potato dish.

― Mark C (Mark C), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:32 (twenty-two years ago)

It all depends on the moment Mark, and I think I do.

― chris (chris), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:34 (twenty-two years ago)

you are just itching to post yr lasagne recipe, aren't you Mark C? Chomping at the bit.

― MarkH (MarkH), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:35 (twenty-two years ago)

My mum went through a phase where she decided that she would make "proper Italian lasange" (vegetarian, to boot) every Friday. (This was because she had a crush on an Italian guy, and a Roman Catholic priest to boot, but that's another story...) My god, it came close to turning me off Italian food for life!

― kate (kate), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Also If Mark C knew a proper recipe for Shepherd's pie then he'd know that it was far more than a filthy mince and potato dish ;o)

― chris (chris), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:39 (twenty-two years ago)

had a crush on an Italian guy, and a Roman Catholic priest to boot

yr mother likes a challenge then, Kate?

― MarkH (MarkH), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:40 (twenty-two years ago)

Of course you're right, Chris, but I'm just appalled that Britishers would assume that the bog-standard nonsense that masquerades as lasagne in this country is nothing like the heavenly manna I know lasagne could and should be.

Perhaps you can make me a Shepherd's Pie one day :)

― Mark C (Mark C), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:42 (twenty-two years ago)

this thread leads me to believe that the british, by and large, do not 'get' lasagne

― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:43 (twenty-two years ago)

(ie. lasagne in a LANDSLIDE)

― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Lasagne < pasta forna.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:44 (twenty-two years ago)

bastardisation > life itself

― mark s (mark s), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:45 (twenty-two years ago)

i've never had REAL PROPER lasagne i suppose but my Aunty made a good one once and I've had it in Northern italy (it was okay but i am figuring they make it much better in the South) - still i'm happy enough with any combination of mince, cheese, tomatoey gunk and pasta (egged as you like)

also can the difference between shepherds pie and cottage pie be clarified?

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Shepherds pie = lamb (do you see!!) and cottage pie = beef!

― Sarah (starry), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:47 (twenty-two years ago)

also: where shepherd lives =

http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/history/kw/mansion.gif

― mark s (mark s), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:48 (twenty-two years ago)

x-post:
cottage pie is beef and should really be called cowboy pie.

― MarkH (MarkH), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Does anyone see a contradiction inherent in the phrase "proper Italian lasange" (vegetarian, to boot).

That said Saturday Kitchen did a lovely looking Pumpkin Lasagne the other day. And don't you be so hateful about my lovely mince Mark.

Both dishes are massively improved by crisp crunchy tops, so much so it is worth making them in irregular shaped dishes (hence making SP better because it is harder to get irregular shaped Lasagne sheets wot fit).

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Shepherds pie = lamb (do you see!!) and cottage pie = beef!

both, however, were invented thanks to dares

― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:49 (twenty-two years ago)

So what would Baked Tiger be? Bungalow Pie?

― kate (kate), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:49 (twenty-two years ago)

it is a well known fact that tigers dwell in condos

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 27 October 2003 12:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Shepherds Pie is nice but kind of boring, Lasagne is a more exciting dish. Then again Shepherds Pie is easier to make.

I agree that Fish Pie is nicer than either.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 27 October 2003 13:15 (twenty-two years ago)

i'm having a hard time thinking of something that sounds more disgusting than 'fish pie'

― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 27 October 2003 13:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Tigers also live in lifeboats.

― Johnney B (Johnney B), Monday, 27 October 2003 13:19 (twenty-two years ago)

If we're talking ready made micro-oven stuff then shepherds pie - not contest. But my mum's lasagne is pretty damn good....I'm having trouble deciding....

― smee (smee), Monday, 27 October 2003 13:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Fish pie gives 'em both a king-sized beatdown,

whoever said that = otm.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Monday, 27 October 2003 13:25 (twenty-two years ago)

as in 'oh, totally misguided'

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 27 October 2003 13:27 (twenty-two years ago)

stevem OTM(#1)!!

― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 27 October 2003 13:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Fish Pie is very nice Mark you mentalist, once it has a decent selection of fish. It has nothing on Fish Curry mind you.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 27 October 2003 13:28 (twenty-two years ago)

stevem & mark p = mentalists yes haha! (on this evidence, that is)

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Monday, 27 October 2003 13:34 (twenty-two years ago)

i know you are but what am fish pie?

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 27 October 2003 13:36 (twenty-two years ago)

fish pie > getting kicked in the face

― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 27 October 2003 13:37 (twenty-two years ago)

when come back bring ACTUAL FOOD

― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 27 October 2003 13:37 (twenty-two years ago)

perhaps you can wash it down with a nice cold bottle of http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:wnKu1Xd1YSsC:www.maumausounds.com/Wipedout/hatorade.gif

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Monday, 27 October 2003 13:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Lasagne - no contest really.

― Ben Mott (Ben Mott), Monday, 27 October 2003 14:13 (twenty-two years ago)

How on earth can anyone have anything against fish pie? Good hearty chunks of hake, veg and a good mornay sauce plus MASH. What is wrong with you (Pasmina that was me OTM and I am again here, too)?

This weekend I am making fish pie with monkfish and king prawns. It will be hearty. I will eat it after a bracing walk.

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 27 October 2003 14:27 (twenty-two years ago)

fish pie is fine but it can't compete wit da meat

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 27 October 2003 14:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, I really have something against Fish Pie. I'm allergic to fish, even the smell makes me sick!

― kate (kate), Monday, 27 October 2003 14:29 (twenty-two years ago)

don't forget the hard boiled egg. Which veg? Peas and spinach? or just peas? Sometimes mushrooms can be nice too.

― chris (chris), Monday, 27 October 2003 14:29 (twenty-two years ago)

WTF is wrong with everyone, there is no debate here? It is shepherd's pie; lasagna is like the most boring of Italian staples.

Though this horrible fishpie thing might be changing my mind.

― Allyzay, Monday, 27 October 2003 14:31 (twenty-two years ago)

I love my mother's homemade, very expensive-to-make lasagna. She makes it from a recipe she got from a former co-worker of hers and I *think* it should be authentic because said co-worker's ancestry is Italian. Anyway, it's delicious (it's far better than store-bought frozen lasagna) and I crave it constantly, but alas, it's only made for special occasions.

― Many Coloured Halo (Dee the Lurker), Monday, 27 October 2003 14:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Matt otm, monkfish and king prawns are exactly what I'd use for a fish curry. I have not tried prawns in a pie mind you.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 27 October 2003 14:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Mmmm fish pie, huh? Now there's a dish I can't believe I've never heard of 'til now. That sounds absolutely wonderful; I'm gonna get a recipe and make some (possibly) tonight w/ some cornbread too!

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 27 October 2003 14:52 (twenty-two years ago)

i think people need to explain what they mean by these items!!

my mother - who is a bastardized british person - made shepherds pie with tomato sauce, which can'nae be right

― mohammed abba (dubplatestyle), Monday, 27 October 2003 15:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Does she put raisins in curry as well?

(This is the ultimate culinary sin, of course).

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 27 October 2003 15:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Try this one nza

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 27 October 2003 15:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Tomato sauce in Shepherd's pie = abomination.

Chris: veg = peas, carrots, poss mushrooms. Of course, thre more veg in there, the less room for fish.

Kate: fair enough then.

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 27 October 2003 15:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Thanks for the link Matt! Prawns too, huh? Awesome!

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 27 October 2003 15:05 (twenty-two years ago)

no, see she is not a true british person because she hates indian food

i wasn't quite sure that food existed outside of italy and china until i left for college

― mohammed abba (dubplatestyle), Monday, 27 October 2003 15:06 (twenty-two years ago)

when small mark s had curry as served by the institutional cookery of the place he then lived w.mum and dad and small sistrah becky, it came with many excellent bowls of extra stuff to put IN the curry = raisins, sliced apple, dessicated coconut, mango chutney, slice of lemon and i forget what else

if this was bad then evil be my good

― mephistopheles s (mark s), Monday, 27 October 2003 15:09 (twenty-two years ago)

mark I was just about to post that my mom included sliced apples w/our curry!!!! We'd get a big plate of rice, and then curried chicken (always a shocking yellow color) which we'd load onto our rice to make a big mound-mountain, and then what now seem to be dozens of tiny bowls filled with what my landlady is quite tickled to hear I call "fixins" - diced apples, raisins, shredded coconut, anything that was to hand, really. Every now and again she's break down and actually buy the sugary packaged coconut that I loved, but only cause she couldn't find any sugar-free.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Monday, 27 October 2003 15:25 (twenty-two years ago)

We often had slices of fruit served with curries, but it's a habit I seem to have gotten out of.

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 27 October 2003 15:27 (twenty-two years ago)

they have really tasty fish pies at the social in islington. prawn and haddock, made in-house and served with artery-clogging mash on the side.
as to lasagna vs. sp, the two seem so different as to be incomparable.

― lauren (laurenp), Monday, 27 October 2003 15:36 (twenty-two years ago)

that rick stein fish pie (Matt's link) is great, cooked it recently with out all the fussing about with onions and cloves in the milk, i used some mixed spice stuff.

― Alan (Alan), Monday, 27 October 2003 15:43 (twenty-two years ago)

My g/f just got me a Rick Stein cookbook for my birthday. I'm in heaven (and will tonight be cooing devilled mackerel).

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 27 October 2003 15:59 (twenty-two years ago)

does this cooing help to calm them and thus improve taste?

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 27 October 2003 16:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Curry digression:

Aged 13ish I read Roald Dahl's book Going Solo, which has a description of banana curry. Hmm, thinks I, nice idea. It is summer hols and Mum is at work, so I get out biggest pot in kitchen, chuck in lots of bananas and a pinch of every spice in the rack, then heat it up. I add some frozen peas for goodness. Hmm, thinks I, big brown mess, must taste good. I eat it all while watching Dirty Dancing with my sister (she won't touch my good ol' curry). Three minutes later, I run to the bog and puke heartily. Sister pisses herself laughing.

― Madchen (Madchen), Monday, 27 October 2003 16:02 (twenty-two years ago)

And to think I've let you coo(k) for me.

― Mark C (Mark C), Monday, 27 October 2003 16:03 (twenty-two years ago)

You're forgetting spinach pie, which lords it over all these humble dishes, as long as it has a good crust.

― j.lu (j.lu), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:03 (twenty-two years ago)

So people really enjoy a crusty fish pie, eh?

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:07 (twenty-two years ago)

aye matey

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:08 (twenty-two years ago)

Just checking.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:17 (twenty-two years ago)

I like the lasagne that we make. I don't know whether it's authentic or not but it tastes goooood. Shepherd's pie loses its appeal somewhat when you don't eat four-legged beasties.

― Archel (Archel), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:18 (twenty-two years ago)

So people really enjoy a crusty fish pie, eh?

STOP IT.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:20 (twenty-two years ago)

I like it with a bit of cheese on top. A little bit of cheese really compliments the fishiness.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:20 (twenty-two years ago)

STOP IT.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Mark, where do you stand on the following potential lasagne ingredients:

1. The veal/pork/beef mince mix
2. Bechamel sauce
3. Ricotta
4. Mozzarella for the top plus some Parmesan in its "cheese-flavoured salt" incarnation
5. Adding a dash of milk to the tomato sauce to make it s-m-o-o-t-h.

If you and Ed ever sit down and begin to discuss Italian food the resulting Black Hole of Rockissimo will engulf us all...

― suzy (suzy), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:25 (twenty-two years ago)

I also like a nice aubergine lasagne. The secret is making sure the purple skin stays firm, whilst the flesh is yeilding revealing eventually a wonderfully creamy white sauce filling your mouth with joy.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:27 (twenty-two years ago)

It's like Dan never needed to post, really.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:29 (twenty-two years ago)

ya gotta use ricotta, otherwise it's not lasgna, is it??

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:31 (twenty-two years ago)

I've never had lasgna!

― suzy (suzy), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:35 (twenty-two years ago)

Creamy Italian gloop = bad thing.
Lamb *anything* = (nearly as) bad thing.

Cottage Pie is best.

― Lara (Lara), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Hmm. I tend to have an uncharacteristically ascetic approach to lasagne. Suzy, I wouldn't use ricotta personally, and I don't really see the need for veal as it would be overpowered by the other meats. Mozzarella, hmm, could be a nice touch but it doesn't appear in the evidently pretty simpistic lasagne I favour. Simply ensuring that the ragu and bechamel content is of the right moisture level, and generosity with the parmesan, should be enough to give you a perfect lasagne.

I've never tried the milk in tomato sauce, but then again I don't thin smoothness is a desirable quality in pasta sauces, even in lasagne.

Rockist addendum - the type of pasta you use, which often matters little with a quick pasta asciutta, is totally U+K with lasagne. Cheap pasta sheets tend to become glutinous and spoil the dish.

Self-effacing addendum - I think Ed knows far more about Italian food than I do - I have a pretty limited span of knowledge that covers simple rustic Venetian food and the cuisines of my father and grandmother.

― Mark C (Mark C), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Shepherd's Pie

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Wouldn't you prefer hot beef in your mouth?

― Lara (Lara), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Come here and say that.

― Mark C (Mark C), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:45 (twenty-two years ago)

I'd love to.

― Lara (Lara), Monday, 27 October 2003 17:46 (twenty-two years ago)

British version of lasagne vs American version of lasagne

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Monday, 27 October 2003 18:40 (twenty-two years ago)

Many years ago, my stepfather would mix up meatloaf, mashed potatoes and vegetables on his plate into a nondescript mush and call it "Sheperd's Pie" grossing out my stepbrother at the time.

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Monday, 27 October 2003 18:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Mousaka is better than lasgane.

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 27 October 2003 18:50 (twenty-two years ago)

I had never heard of shepherds pie until this year, and I guess it was ok. However, a good lasagna is hard to beat.

― dleone (dleone), Monday, 27 October 2003 19:52 (twenty-two years ago)

I think this thread should be about why so many people appear to have difficulty spelling 'lasagne'.

― Lara (Lara), Monday, 27 October 2003 22:35 (twenty-two years ago)

i think jel may be right about the mous(s)aka

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 00:57 (twenty-two years ago)

I was brought up with Shepherds Pie being cooked shredded roast lamb mixed with veg (carrots and onions usually, methinks), and I think a dash of stock - NOT MINCE IN SLOPPY GRAVY. It was moist and tasty and meaty, not a sloppy meat pie imitation. These "shepherds pie" shit things in shops aren't worth my time.

And I like my lasagne to have good proper tomato passata or a ragu/proper bolognese, with bechamel sauce and lots of cheese.

However my Italian ex's mother made her lasagne quite crispy and dry, much more meaty, less tomato and no bechamel at all. Wether this is a regional thing (she's from Abruzzi) I don't know, but I really didn't like it like that.

Either way, I'm not a lasagne fan. Give me a good, well-made handrolled gnocchi tossed thru with garlic slivers and oil, or perhaps a lovely creamy pumpkin or pesto sauce, any day. Mmmm....

― Trayce (trayce), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 01:20 (twenty-two years ago)

This thread is making me hungry, in a major way....

If I HAVE to pick, give me homemade lasagna, with browned beef and green peppers and melted two cheeses under firm pasta

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 01:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Next time Im at C'est What I should take a picture of the Beer Pie. mmmmmmmmm Shepard's Pie.
But when I was growing up Lasagna was my favorite thing what so ever.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 01:35 (twenty-two years ago)

Biggest problem with lasagna for me: Getting sick of having it every day for lunch AND dinner until the whole thing is gone.

― Christine 'Green Leafy Dragon' Indigo (cindigo), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 02:50 (twenty-two years ago)

from alt.usage.english:

Yes, "lasagna" is a mass noun, like the names of other pastas.
My point was that it's derived from the Italian singular, not
the plural (like "spaghetti", "vermicelli", "rigatoni",
"tortellini", "ravioli", "farfalle", etc.). It is, however,
sometimes spelled "lasagne", which is the Italian plural.
"Linguine" is the plural of "linguina" (little tongue) in
Italian; it's sometimes spelled "linguini" in English (another
modified spelling of a loan word).

― Priscilla Beaulieu Magnatech (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 02:59 (twenty-two years ago)

From the kitchens of Elvis Telecom:

http://www.quartzcity.net/~chris/images/lasagna1.jpg

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 03:07 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.quartzcity.net/~chris/images/lasagna2.jpg

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 03:07 (twenty-two years ago)

chris, i think i had that stove in my old apartment

― mohammed abba (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 03:08 (twenty-two years ago)

Weirdos, both lasagna and shepherd's pie are fantastic. But I have to say, the fisherman's pie version of shepherd's pie is even more fantastic. President's Choice has an Atlantic Salmon version with mashed potatoes on top that is quite possibly the best thing you can get in a freezer section anywhere, so I can only imagine how good it must be prepared fresh.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 03:13 (twenty-two years ago)

One of ussssss.....

― Matt (Matt), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 09:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Mark: simple Venetian cooking (d)rools every time; we were out last night and the people we drank with were all feeling the Venice love. also it's pretty likely that you'll be eating seafood

Ricotta tends to feature in top-of-the-range TV dinner lasagne and hence in recipe made by my mom (who has like 4 decent dishes in her chefertoire and this one ain't of that number; see also eeeuw spaghetti pie). Who also needs no excuse to whack mozzarella cheese over the top of anything.

I like a nice slim layer of ricotta in my lasagne, but otherwise it's minimalist: pork and beef mince mix like in bolognaise, tomato sauce made sweet by long cooking/finely chopped onions/pinch of sugar/one small clove of crushed garlic but not very much Bechamel. Luckily with the high concentration of Italian grocers nearby, fresh lasagne sheets are easy to get hold of.

― suzy (suzy), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 09:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Lasagna is not as bad as paninis.

― Madchen (Madchen), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 09:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Suzy, it seems we make our tomato sauce in the same way at least :) Obviously lasagne isn't a Venetian dish, so I can't claim trumps on authenticity.

Lasagna is presumably okay if you only use one sheet of lasagna. But it'd also be like eating one spaghetto. Dud.

Arrgh! Paninis! Biscottis! I kill you!!

― Mark C (Mark C), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 10:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Can't argue with you there.

― Matt (Matt), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 10:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Mass-produced café 'panini', eew. I'm waiting to go into one of those nasty sandwich bars to find the prep cook magic-markering 'grill' lines onto the pallid part-baked French stick they inflict on their customers.

It's gone now, but the best stuffed and toasted panino in London came from a café called Battista's on Charing Cross Road which did my favourite, spinach and crispy bacon with huge quantities of mozzarella on foccacia which was then placed in a sandwich press for five minutes until GOOEY and CRISPY at the same time. As it was metres from the Time Out building I used to like telling colleagues on Edgy Style Magazine (our offices were there, now are in Whoreditch) that i was off to collect some roadkill. Sandwich became known at Roadkill Of The Day from then on due to its squooshed quality.

― suzy (suzy), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 10:34 (twenty-two years ago)

two cappuccini, please

― Alan (Alan), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 10:42 (twenty-two years ago)

I love both made veggie (i.e. with quorn rather than just veg) but the all time winner here has to be lasagne, mmm cheesy!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 13:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Both 'cappuccinos' and 'paninos' are acceptable to me because it's just pluralising a singular. I don't know how Mark C feels about that though.

― Madchen (Madchen), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 13:10 (twenty-two years ago)

I went home and made lasagne last night, all coz of this thread - it turned out not bad for my first attempt EVAH!

― smee (smee), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 13:24 (twenty-two years ago)

hooray!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 13:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Only at ilx do lasagne and lasagna go to war. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going out for barbecues.

― dleone (dleone), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 13:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Madchen, that's fine, using the english plural of a singular foreign word works for me.

People who spell queue "que" - ignorant or thrifty?

― Mark C (Mark C), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 14:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Que?

― El Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 14:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Barbequeue vs bbq

― Madchen (Madchen), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 14:09 (twenty-two years ago)

It has just occurred to me that if you say barbeque with a french accent it means beard arse.

― Madchen (Madchen), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 14:10 (twenty-two years ago)

What do you call it when you are simultaneously overjoyed and deeply disturbed and saddened?

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 14:11 (twenty-two years ago)

perryismo

― mohammed abba (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 14:14 (twenty-two years ago)

(Ha, or as I like to call it, "Teusday".)

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 14:15 (twenty-two years ago)

aka spell incorrectly day.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 16:05 (twenty-two years ago)

It rhymes with "Zeusday".

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 17:25 (twenty-two years ago)

You as head of the pantheon would have made for a very interesting ancient Greece.

"We celebrate the Alimpdic Festivals every four years..."

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 17:26 (twenty-two years ago)

i really want some lasagne

http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/challenge/learning/paws/fact6tn.jpg

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 17:33 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm having leftovers later...ye jealous?

― smee (smee), Tuesday, 28 October 2003 17:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Impossibly so....

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Wednesday, 29 October 2003 00:45 (twenty-two years ago)

And the leftovers were magnificent if I do say so myself, who knew home made lasagne taste 10000000 times better on the second day?

― smee (smee), Wednesday, 29 October 2003 12:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh yeah, definitely!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 29 October 2003 12:40 (twenty-two years ago)

For the past two days I have made shepherds pie for my tea and it's been bloody LOVELY if I do say so myself. GUESTS have eaten it and not died (I assume RickyT to thread cough cough)! The special ingredient is lots of GRAVY GRANULES in the meat frying up process! Hurrah hurrah hurrah AND a lamb oxo cube although I forgot this yesterday. Mmm the soft almost melt-in-the-mouth carrots and the buttery potatoes on top HURRAH!

― Sarah (starry), Wednesday, 29 October 2003 12:42 (twenty-two years ago)

who knew home made lasagne taste 10000000 times better on the second day?

this is phenomenally true

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 29 October 2003 12:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Definitely. It's true of loads of minced meat dishes I think, I often cook beef or pork mince for use with tortillas or tacos and I've started cooking it and leaving it for a day, such is the difference in taste.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 29 October 2003 12:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, I'm def gonna do that with my next lasagne.

― smee (smee), Wednesday, 29 October 2003 12:49 (twenty-two years ago)

It's all to do with the mingling of flavours. The same principle works with nextday trifle.

― Madchen (Madchen), Wednesday, 29 October 2003 13:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, but not for breakfast!

― smee (smee), Wednesday, 29 October 2003 13:40 (twenty-two years ago)

Next-day trifle with lots of sherry, mmmmm!

― Lara (Lara), Wednesday, 29 October 2003 22:09 (twenty-two years ago)

OH NO WHERE IS RICKYT SARAH WHAT HAVE YOU DONE????????????????

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 29 October 2003 22:11 (twenty-two years ago)

This thread alongside the how to lose weight thread is killer.

― Lara (Lara), Wednesday, 29 October 2003 22:15 (twenty-two years ago)

eleven months pass...

i've never had REAL PROPER lasagne i suppose but my Aunty made a good one once and I've had it in Northern italy (it was okay but i am figuring they make it much better in the South)

I'm sorry, I missed this the first time round, but stevem you ignoranus! It's a NORTHERN dish and would be made like merda in the south, probably. It's from Emilia Romagna, world cuisine capital, and if this were the 19th Century we'd be duelling by now. Oooh.

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 09:25 (twenty-one years ago)

watch how much i care ;)

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 09:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Do you want me to show you how much you care?

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 09:42 (twenty-one years ago)

i want some lasagne

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 09:45 (twenty-one years ago)

So do I.

We should have A LUNCH-OFF

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 09:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I had a lasagne craving on saturday, Kev was like - "you never eat lasagne!" but I harried him until he took me to Asda. I picked up the first one I came across (microwaveable, £1.49) but he made me buy the slightly better quality 'Best' brand one.

I didn't care, my craving was such that I would happily have guzzled raw the first one I picked up.

― Rumpy Pumpkin (rumpypumpkin), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 09:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Guzzled raw, I think I'll add that to my bedchamber vocabulary.

― Rumpy Pumpkin (rumpypumpkin), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 09:53 (twenty-one years ago)

You are mingin. I think I shall make a lasagne this week...want me to save you some?

― smee (smee), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 09:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Only if it doesn't have giant man-eating 'shrooms in it...

― Rumpy Pumpkin (rumpypumpkin), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 09:57 (twenty-one years ago)

if you guys have a eat off document it on ipso fatso please.

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 10:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Well of all the ungrateful....that's the last meal I make for you!

xpost

― smee (smee), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 10:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Look, I enjoyed it, 'kay? It was challenging. I like a challenge.

― Rumpy Pumpkin (rumpypumpkin), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 10:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Challenging? My cooking is challenging? Who makes lasagne without mushrooms anyway. Mentalist.

― smee (smee), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 10:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Fungi eurgh. Sorry but it's just a no-no for me.

― Rumpy Pumpkin (rumpypumpkin), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 10:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Well you might have mentioned.....did Kev pick them out off his doggy bag too?

― smee (smee), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 11:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Well i made the best veggie shepherds pie the other day, but it comes nowhere near a lasagne.

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 11:04 (twenty-one years ago)

No, he can stomach them.

― Rumpy Pumpkin (rumpypumpkin), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 11:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Veggie shepherds pie? I'd like to try that, but my West of Scotland male wont eat anything without meat in it. Well, he'll eat it and then snack for the rest of the evening as it doesn't count as dinner, apparently....

― smee (smee), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 11:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Ah, the West of Scotland male, that fine omnivorous breed.

― Madchen (Madchen), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 11:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Chris, but I'm just appalled that Britishers would assume that the bog-standard nonsense that masquerades as lasagne in this country is nothing like the heavenly manna I know lasagne could and should be.

this is a year old but.. if you weave through the logic of this sentence, Mark C was actually saying that he was appalled that british people didn't think that the lasagne here were exactly the same as what he thought lasagne could and should be!!!

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 11:21 (twenty-one years ago)

... no you've lost me.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 11:23 (twenty-one years ago)

english is hard. it too me ages too!

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 11:25 (twenty-one years ago)

wahey! TOOK me ages

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 11:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Madchen, you speak from experience I assume?

― smee (smee), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 11:28 (twenty-one years ago)

I haven't made lasagna in ages but it takes a whole day to make.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 12:07 (twenty-one years ago)

My god is it really a year since this thread? Sounds like I'm due to make a fish pie again.

― Matt (Matt), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 12:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Who here cooks the lasagne noodles first? I used to, but now just cook 'em in the dish. I always feel like I'm cheating...
BECAUSE. I make my own sauce. it takes three hours (mostly simmering time) but it is worth it. Ripe tomatos, beef and sausage, a little bit of this and a little bit of that and tons of cheese layered on when the sauce is ready.
Shepherds pie has bad connotations for Americans who went to public school. It can be great, but many people recoil in horror. I like to put potatos as the first layer.

― aimurchie, Tuesday, 12 October 2004 12:25 (twenty-one years ago)

mmm lasagne ramen

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 12:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Who here cooks the lasagne noodles first? I used to, but now just cook 'em in the dish.

Well, it depends what sheets you get, doesn't it? In the past, they all had to be precooked but most ones you get now don't.

― Alba (Alba), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 12:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe i enjoyed torturing myself by cooking the noodles, which broke apart IN the boiling water and then broke apart while being placed in the pan. Yes, indeed. I LIKED burning myself with scalding water. lasagne has not been the same since.

― aimurchie, Tuesday, 12 October 2004 12:41 (twenty-one years ago)

How can you call a sheet a noodle? It's not remotely noodley.

― Alba (Alba), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 12:46 (twenty-one years ago)

mussels and smoked haddock are the combination for fish pie

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 12:47 (twenty-one years ago)

A sheet is something I put on my bed.

― aimurchie, Tuesday, 12 October 2004 12:58 (twenty-one years ago)

do you write on noodles of paper?

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 12:59 (twenty-one years ago)

The lasagne should really have enough liquid in the tomato and bechamel sauces to give the pasta sheets the moisture they need. It can be tricky working out just how much is enough, mind.

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:02 (twenty-one years ago)

mmm lasagne ramen

-- ken c (pykachu100@

You are a sick man.

Plz stop going on about fish pie, people! It is making my tummy rumble!!

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:04 (twenty-one years ago)

The Italian cafe near me used to make a lasagne al forno with spaghetti instead of pasta sheets. It was surprisingly successful.

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:12 (twenty-one years ago)

So, is the bechamal sauce the only thing that differentiates lasagne from bolognese? (apart from the shape of the pasta obv)

― Rumpy Pumpkin (rumpypumpkin), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:16 (twenty-one years ago)

There is a subtle "sheet" commiseration going on here.

― aimurchie, Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:20 (twenty-one years ago)

I think it's the baked aspect Rumpy.

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Mark, that spaghetti remix of lasagne is what my mom makes and calls lasagne because she's too bone-idle to get the sheets.

― suzy (suzy), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay Pink, what if we make spaghetti bolognese, add a dollop of bechamel sauce, some grated cheese and pop it in the oven? Or has this been done?

― Rumpy Pumpkin (rumpypumpkin), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:32 (twenty-one years ago)

I have consulted the bible - Joy of Cooking - and am delighted to report that the recipe states: "These 2-inch wide, rather thick NOODLES often have a wavy ridge along one or both edges."

― aimurchie, Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Well I guess that's what they (mark & suzy) are talking about above.

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:34 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm sure i've had baked spaghetti bolognaise before.

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Ah. As Billy Connelly says of Mexican food, "It's all the same, the only difference is the way it's wrapped"

― Rumpy Pumpkin (rumpypumpkin), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:45 (twenty-one years ago)

My latest issue of Cook's has a recipe for quicker lasagne using no-boil noodles (among other shortcuts)--designed to be good yet save the day spent slaving in the kitchen. I have yet to try it though.

― sgs (sgs), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 13:55 (twenty-one years ago)

This noodle craziness is make my brain bend. Do you noodle people call Penne noodles? Fusilli? All pasta ever?

― RickyT (RickyT), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:00 (twenty-one years ago)

I know what you mean. Noodles?!!! ffs!

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I refer to cars as cars - and then differentiate - a VW is a car. So is a Saab. Noodles are noodles - but we can differentiate. Penne is a noodle. So is fusilli.
Lasagne noodles are not sheets. Penne is not a pillowcase, fettucine is not a bedspread, and fusilli is not a blanket!

― aimurchie, Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:08 (twenty-one years ago)

wtf? it's all pasta!!!!!!

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:11 (twenty-one years ago)

noodle (FOOD)

noun {C usually plural}

a food in the form of long thin strips made from flour or rice, water and often egg, which you cook in boiling liquid:
- egg/rice noodles

- instant/crispy noodles

- chicken noodle soup

again, what do you write on?

― tarquin Lovepuppy, Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:11 (twenty-one years ago)

lasagne sheets are made of wheat, ramen noodles are made of wheat, a VW polo has wheels, a HGV has wheels, a HGV is not a car. it's a truck. a chicken chow mein is not a chicken lasagne, a pad thai is not a thai bolognaise, it's simple.

― ken c (ken c), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Thank you ken!

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Pasta and noodles are clearly different things, what is this mentalism?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Matt DC arrives with the perfect end to this noodle nonsense!

― PinXorchiXoR (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:28 (twenty-one years ago)

I shall continue reading from the bible:
NOODLES, also see pastas
baskets
bean thread or dried cellophane
boiled
casserole, tuna, mushroom soup
cooking
cutting
dish, leftover
dough,to make
dough, white or green fettucine
fried
Good Friday
ham
lasagne
loaf and cheese, quantity
mostaciolli
rings
Romanian and pork casserole
with Welsh rarebit

I think I'm going to read this as spoken word at the next open mic.

― aimurchie, Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Considering their ethnic origins, and a large part of their linguistic heritage, what is it about the word "pasta" that Americans find so hard?

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I fear this might be one of those syrup on bacon things.

― RickyT (RickyT), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:29 (twenty-one years ago)

NOODLES WITH WELSH RAREBIT!!!!????

This bible of yrs is quite clearly a fake bible. Verily, it may even be the work of Satan.

― RickyT (RickyT), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Bbbbut maple syrup and bacon is lovely.

― Liz :x (Liz :x), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:32 (twenty-one years ago)

This thread has gone through insanity and out the other side.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:35 (twenty-one years ago)

NOODLES WITH WELSH RAREBIT!!!!????
This bible of yrs is quite clearly a fake bible. Verily, it may even be the work of Satan.

I am only reading the Word of Joy of Cooking. I can walk through the valley of pasta and climb towards a greater noodle - but like you, I am only a traveller.

― aimurchie, Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:36 (twenty-one years ago)

The pasta vs. noodles argument has taken place here before (of course).

― Paul Eater (eater), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:42 (twenty-one years ago)

The sheets discussion is irrelevant - they're called LASAGNE (like penne are called penne and spaghetti are called spaghetti). Noodles are thin and wiggly.

What's that Greek thing that's a cross between lasagne and moussaka that's made with extra long rigatoni as one of the layers? M&S do one in their cafe culture range in it's one of those thing's that's designed for 2 people to have with a healthy side salad, but you just eat it straight out of the foil container in one go.

(many x-posts: I have more than 4 years' experience of trying to cook for a West of Scotland Man but I'm not complaining because I have recently discovered a new cheese he likes - ricotta - to go with yer mascarpone and Philadelphia with garlic and herbs)

― Madchen (Madchen), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:50 (twenty-one years ago)

That's like discovering he likes taupe to go with pink and peach. Be a man, cookie, eat spores!

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 14:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Is it just me or is the very question of comparing lasagne with shepherds pie a bit far fetched? Shepherds Pie vs. Hachis Parmentier I could understand and, surprisingly, for once I actually prefer the English to the French dish, but lasagne is only vaguely related to either.

― Michael White (Hereward), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 15:37 (twenty-one years ago)

The pasta vs. noodles argument has taken place here before (of course).

I know. I was just making mischief.

― Alba (Alba), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 15:57 (twenty-one years ago)

"Is it just me or is the very question of comparing lasagne with shepherds pie a bit far fetched? Shepherds Pie vs. Hachis Parmentier I could understand and, surprisingly, for once I actually prefer the English to the French dish, but lasagne is only vaguely related to either."

BECAUSE, unlike shepherds pie, lasagne requires noodles.

― aimurchie, Tuesday, 12 October 2004 16:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Pasta, Alison, pasta.

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 12 October 2004 16:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually, if you go back you will see i was never arguing about pasta vs. noodles. i was arguing about noodles vs. sheets re: lasagne. But it has been great fun, and I will now bow down and say pasta yabetcha.

― aimurchie, Tuesday, 12 October 2004 17:09 (twenty-one years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.

taking sides: lasgane vs shepherds pie*

LASAGNE