General Chat

It's weird isn't it, how both a World War and a global pandemic can affect so many people across the world, not just certain countries?

Strange, also, how farmers living in a similar climate, with similar animals, miles apart, can feed them similar food?

:-D

I had rellies in the Channel Islands during occupation - they already knew about starving.

Many foodstuffs which the British eat are also common as animal feedstuffs in winter as supplements eg spouts, turnips, parsnips, carrots ,kale .
Christmas in Britain, regardless of religion, is very much a time when three or four generations of a family will get together, though to be honest (and realistic) those with four generations are limited - no matter where you live, as people are starting families later on in life now.

As with most countries in the world, Britain is feeling the strain of a pandemic. This isn't limited to just one country - everyone's suffering, however, so far, winter isn't as bad as the winter of 1946–47, which was a harsh European winter noted for its impact in the United Kingdom. It caused severe hardships in economic terms and living conditions in a country still recovering from the Second World War. There were massive disruptions of energy supply for homes, offices and factories. People were fined for using electricity at the 'wrong' time.
But still they 'soldiered on' to celebrate Christmas, as only the British can.

A wonderful article about the awful winter in Britain in 46/47

http://www.markvoganweather.com/2015/12/12/a-look-back-winter-of-1946-47/

Sprouts in France are quite often served still on the stalk not something I like.
Many foodstuffs which the French eat are also common as animal feedstuffs in winter as supplements to hay eg spouts, turnips, parsnips, carrots ,kale . Veg not up to fussy French street and supermarket standards always is used thus, a somewhat better idea than digging tonnes of rejected carrots into the ground.

Christmas in France, regardless of religion, is very much a time when three or four generations of a family will get together until after the New Year. Right now the country is extremely depressed. One of my OH rellies who goes back a way says the moral du pay is worse than during the winter of 1945/6 when northern France came close to starving/freezing to death. The Bosch were still in le Havre until late in September leaving a destroyed city.

Vincent Roux is the name, and I served on the trains du Nord
'Till MacArthur's cavalry came and tore up the tracks again
In the winter of '45, we were hungry, just barely alive
In August, Paris it fell, it's a time we remember, oh so well...

George VI liked Brussels sprouts - according to my late Father in law.

The Brussels Sprout has an interesting history:
Brussels sprouts are not native to the UK – they were actually developed from wild cabbage and originate from Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. They weren’t introduced to the British Isles until the late nineteenth century.

The vegetable was named after the capital of Belgium after becoming a popular vegetable back in the sixteenth century.

In the UK, around 40,000 tonnes of Brussels sprouts are eaten every year, this is almost the weight of the Titanic and is equal to the weight of around 44,000 adult male reindeer.

As well as being a Christmas staple, sprouts are also considered a superfood. They contain more vitamin C than an orange and half a pound contain just 80 calories. In addition, they have numerous other health benefits. :-D

I don't think I've ever eaten turkey nameslessone.

Lots of British people don’t eat turkey at Christmas either. Especially if there are only 1 or 2 people for the meal.

That would be 'some' English Rollo, in fact 'some' people.- probably those who leave the bitter outer leaves on and cook them to a mush. A little 'al dente' is the way for me :-)

I was given to very much believe that the French are disgusted by the English habit of eating Brussels sprouts and they grow them as pig food. I too have French rellies.

The English have a visceral and largely unsuccessful relationship with brussels sprouts. It starts around the time children are expected to use a knife and fork at table (in our extended family anyway) and culminates in a turkey fight with sprouts as their own progeny reach six or seven.

Here is another way
https://www.easy-french-food.com/brussel-sprouts-recipes.html

though my OH uses plenty of garlic and no turkey displacing it with a pintade ot two. Sadly this year it will be just the two of us and the cat.

Come off it yer sen Joy! :-P

and yes, I do cook! I just don't cook sprouts for people who don't like them.
Seconds aren't left overs! Everyone who cooks knows that.

You do things your way, I do things my way!

Come off it Island! No seconds in your house then?

Everyone who cooks will cook enough for everyone around the table to have at least one helping. Some will refuse them altogether but you provide for each guest.

B & S and cold meat with a silverskin onion, Luvverly! :-D

How do you get 'left over' sprouts??? :-S

Unless, of course, you cook too many intending to make b&s the next day. Hmm... they wouldn't be left over in that case. :-S

'Leftover Sprouts Sandwich' - sounds like a mouthwatering school lunch.

Weird indeed.

"Please sir - I want some more!"

I know where I get my odd sandwich fillings desire from.

There were never any leftover sprouts when I was young. My Mum used to love cold sprouts squashed into a sandwich. I've tried and they're not bad with salt and pepper added. :-D

That's another of my bad habits :-(

One of these days the police are going to catch me ;-)

It was Allan having a flash in the pan Island :-D :-D

Probably a lot more interesting ;-)

Six degrees of seperation :-D

How did this get from Dermots conversion therapy to sprouts on just one page? :-0 :-D