The Official Pleasing Purchase Thread

[Noggin]

Does it make a much better espresso than a machine? (Only cos I had one similar and it was just a faff - but then espresso isn't my go to, so a machine works pretty well for me!). Although it does look rather lovely!!!

No idea, never had an espresso, mine's just a mug of black coffee, that stove top jobbie is said to be 300ml which is just a smidge shy of a mug full.

Ok so coffee nerd I am not, a nice hot strong mug of black coffee is all I need, with that said.

This thing (6 cup, 300mml) takes 2 scoops of coffee in its basket, which is half of what I would use in an Aeropress and about the same as I would use in a single cup cafetiere, and by crickey it makes a strong cup of coffee.

It's more of a faff than my usual methods, and there is some sludge in the cup (maybe the grind I get is too fine, but it is store bought pre-ground https://skullcrushercoffee.com/products ... g-free-mug ) but yeah I reckon for the one cup I make a week it's worth it.

Absolutely not a coffee nerd here either! Just aim for simplicity, especially at 4am on a Saturday morning!!

I buy coffee from a local torrefacteur (coffee roaster?) and slowly going through options to try and find a couple I like, so far one is good one is ok, the rest a bit "for other people" (am still really a novice coffee drinker )

Anyway - to reduce faff I bought a >Senseo machine a while ago (having used one at work) - the pods you can buy a pretty yuck to me, so I looked into refillable pods. So I found some on Amazon and now have an "at the push of a button" coffee

I'm a Café Allongée girl (Americano?) - I can do espresso if needed cos it's less volume, but that needs a ton of sugar


I know you're happy with yours, only sharing in case anyone else is interested!!

It has three cup sizes and on that you can do single or double (or two singles!!) at a push of a button



The refillable pods are getting cheaper but not everso cheap I guess. Just better coffee than the bought pods!!

[Silly Car]

Does it make a much better espresso than a machine? (Only cos I had one similar and it was just a faff - but then espresso isn't my go to, so a machine works pretty well for me!). Although it does look rather lovely!!!

No idea, never had an espresso, mine's just a mug of black coffee, that stove top jobbie is said to be 300ml which is just a smidge shy of a mug full.

Ok so coffee nerd I am not, a nice hot strong mug of black coffee is all I need, with that said.

This thing (6 cup, 300mml) takes 2 scoops of coffee in its basket, which is half of what I would use in an Aeropress and about the same as I would use in a single cup cafetiere, and by crickey it makes a strong cup of coffee.

It's more of a faff than my usual methods, and there is some sludge in the cup (maybe the grind I get is too fine, but it is store bought pre-ground https://skullcrushercoffee.com/products ... g-free-mug ) but yeah I reckon for the one cup I make a week it's worth it.

In my limited experience of using a Moka pot and from various YouTube tutorials (James Hoffman mainly)

Use slightly coarser grind than espresso
Fill base with boiling water to just below the valve
Fill basket with coffee, 10% weight of coffee of the weight of water
Add an aeropress(or similar) filter paper
Heat gently on stove, I use a diffuser plate with lid open
Remove from / turn off heat source when first sign of froth appears
Decant to mug once frothing stops
Repeat and tweak your own method to your liking

I rely on my Nespresso machine during the week but switch to the moka pot at the weekend when I can sit down and enjoy the results

[MrLongbeard]

Add an aeropress(or similar) filter paper

That might be an idea that needs exploring, mostly because I have 100 of the things doing nothing

[Rockburner]

I'm a Café Allongée girl (Americano?) - I can do espresso if needed cos it's less volume, but that needs a ton of sugar

Allongée is approximately 50% expresso, 50% hot water.

Americano seems to be rougly 5% espresso, 95% hot water (according to pretty much every bought Americano I've ever suffered).

Some coffee nerds will tell you it makes a difference if you add water to espresso, or espress to water.... (and that those are two different drinks) but personally I think that's bollox. Once you've given it a quick stir it makes no difference.

Now, if I want an Allongée (Cafe solo, Long black, whatever) in the UK I just order an espresso (normally a double) and some hot water on the side so I can make my own. I think I've found maybe 3 cafes so far in the UK who can make the equivalent of an Allongée by themselves.

[Rockburner]

Add an aeropress(or similar) filter paper

Where?

[MrLongbeard]

Add an aeropress(or similar) filter paper

Where?

Between the coffee and the metal strainer

[Silly Car]

Add an aeropress(or similar) filter paper

Where?

There on the stair…

[Docca]

Got an annual rail season ticket (including underground) given as a perk. Quite pleased with that tbh. Return is typically £45/day atm

[Noggin]

I don't know if Lidl in the UK does this (this someone said they don't) but out here, when you get to the till in Lidl, there are boxes of "close to out of date" food - not chilled or anything, but veggies or bags of stuff.

So today, I went in specifically for veggies (usually cheaper than most other places!) and found there was an offer on Toulouse Sausages so that was a bonus!

Anyway - at the till there was a queue so that gave me time to have a look at the boxes

I now have excess of carrots, sweet potatoes, grapes and 4 (yes, fcking FOUR) heads of white cabbage!! (I did buy one before I found the decent box!)

All for 2€ !!!


I did buy the white cabbage as found a recipe for Kimchi and thought I'd try it, but I really don't need 4 cabbages! So tomorrow is probably going to be chopping and blanching 3 for the freezer!!

[Ditchfinder]

I don't know if Lidl in the UK does this (this someone said they don't) but out here, when you get to the till in Lidl, there are boxes of "close to out of date" food - not chilled or anything, but veggies or bags of stuff.

So today, I went in specifically for veggies (usually cheaper than most other places!) and found there was an offer on Toulouse Sausages so that was a bonus!

Anyway - at the till there was a queue so that gave me time to have a look at the boxes

I now have excess of carrots, sweet potatoes, grapes and 4 (yes, fcking FOUR) heads of white cabbage!! (I did buy one before I found the decent box!)

All for 2€ !!!


I did buy the white cabbage as found a recipe for Kimchi and thought I'd try it, but I really don't need 4 cabbages! So tomorrow is probably going to be chopping and blanching 3 for the freezer!!

Carrot Bhajis are ace (https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/bak ... ajis-raita) and who doesn't like sauerkraut

[MrLongbeard]

sauerkraut

:barf:

[Count Steer]

I don't know if Lidl in the UK does this (this someone said they don't) but out here, when you get to the till in Lidl, there are boxes of "close to out of date" food - not chilled or anything, but veggies or bags of stuff.

So today, I went in specifically for veggies (usually cheaper than most other places!) and found there was an offer on Toulouse Sausages so that was a bonus!

Anyway - at the till there was a queue so that gave me time to have a look at the boxes

I now have excess of carrots, sweet potatoes, grapes and 4 (yes, fcking FOUR) heads of white cabbage!! (I did buy one before I found the decent box!)

All for 2€ !!!


I did buy the white cabbage as found a recipe for Kimchi and thought I'd try it, but I really don't need 4 cabbages! So tomorrow is probably going to be chopping and blanching 3 for the freezer!!

Carrot Bhajis are ace (https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/bak ... ajis-raita) and who doesn't like sauerkraut

Or, carrots cabbage get some fennel seed and, hey presto! - carrot and fennel sauerkraut.

I found kimchi to be one of those things where, if you can get the first forkful past your nose, the taste grows on you - chilli in it is your friend too.

[Noggin]

I don't know if Lidl in the UK does this (this someone said they don't) but out here, when you get to the till in Lidl, there are boxes of "close to out of date" food - not chilled or anything, but veggies or bags of stuff.

So today, I went in specifically for veggies (usually cheaper than most other places!) and found there was an offer on Toulouse Sausages so that was a bonus!

Anyway - at the till there was a queue so that gave me time to have a look at the boxes

I now have excess of carrots, sweet potatoes, grapes and 4 (yes, fcking FOUR) heads of white cabbage!! (I did buy one before I found the decent box!)

All for 2€ !!!


I did buy the white cabbage as found a recipe for Kimchi and thought I'd try it, but I really don't need 4 cabbages! So tomorrow is probably going to be chopping and blanching 3 for the freezer!!

Carrot Bhajis are ace (https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/bak ... ajis-raita) and who doesn't like sauerkraut

May try that. But I've never tried sauerkraut!!!

Carrot Bhajis are ace (https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/bak ... ajis-raita) and who doesn't like sauerkraut

Or, carrots cabbage get some fennel seed and, hey presto! - carrot and fennel sauerkraut.

I found kimchi to be one of those things where, if you can get the first forkful past your nose, the taste grows on you - chilli in it is your friend too.

I've never had kimchi/sauerkraut ever - and I'm not the biggest fan of chilli

But I figure, from what I've read, that it might be good for me - I've managed to start to like avocados, so maybe I'll learn to like sauerkraut??

[Count Steer]

Fermented foods are supposed to be good for your guts.

If you leave the chilli powder and the fish sauce out of kimchi, you pretty much have....sauerkraut.

[Noggin]

Fermented foods are supposed to be good for your guts.

If you leave the chilli powder and the fish sauce out of kimchi, you pretty much have....sauerkraut.

The recipe I have is for sauerkraut - just couldn't remember the word when I started writing this!! LOL

It's the guts thing I'm going for Just not sure it's something I'll like, but I guess I can try!!!

[Count Steer]

Fermented foods are supposed to be good for your guts.

If you leave the chilli powder and the fish sauce out of kimchi, you pretty much have....sauerkraut.

The recipe I have is for sauerkraut - just couldn't remember the word when I started writing this!! LOL

It's the guts thing I'm going for Just not sure it's something I'll like, but I guess I can try!!!

Before you invest the time and effort (and cabbages!), maybe buy a jar to try it? Beware though, not all sauerkrauts are 'live' as the young lady in the health food shop pointed out when I arrived at the till with some. I was a bit surprised as iirc it was Biona brand which I thought was 'organic to the max'.

It goes surprisingly well on a cheese and tomato sandwich.

[Count Steer]

Oh....and use a kilner type jar or something as strong, leave an air gap at the top and 'burp' it frequently. Don't want any uncontrolled detonations.

[Noggin]

Fermented foods are supposed to be good for your guts.

If you leave the chilli powder and the fish sauce out of kimchi, you pretty much have....sauerkraut.

The recipe I have is for sauerkraut - just couldn't remember the word when I started writing this!! LOL

It's the guts thing I'm going for Just not sure it's something I'll like, but I guess I can try!!!

Before you invest the time and effort (and cabbages!), maybe buy a jar to try it? Beware though, not all sauerkrauts are 'live' as the young lady in the health food shop pointed out when I arrived at the till with some. I was a bit surprised as iirc it was Biona brand which I thought was 'organic to the max'.

It goes surprisingly well on a cheese and tomato sandwich.

I do have some very very good Cheddar in the fridge!!

TBF, I have enough friends around here that will eat it if I don't like it, so I'll probably just give it a go - since I have so much bloody cabbage (it's only white, but I'm sure it will do!!)

Oh....and use a kilner type jar or something as strong, leave an air gap at the top and 'burp' it frequently. Don't want any uncontrolled detonations.

Good call on the burping, that was a question I would have asked because the recette I have is not clear on that!!

[Rockburner]

A new bike jacket for hot weather :



We were looking for gear for my missus, and I happened to try it on - it's comfy, has armour pockets and Aramid weave. No mesh, but the outer cotton material is pretty thin, and has some vents. Should be good for gentle pootling about in the summer, and without the armour (easily removable), makes a nice casual jacket too.

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... gJ-0PD_BwE

[.....]

Saved enough money whilst in hospital to pit down a deposit on a new bike looking at a chineseadvalso lloooking at a cruise to the farceast aswrell