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I agree with Barshedale about people who automatically reach for the salt or pepper. I've seen this so often during my career. But I cured my partner of it, he's a pepper fanatic, I learned very early in our relationship the way he liked things and surprised him one day with a very peppery dish. Then of course when he added more he realised his mistake. His mother was Irish, and they like to have their meat overdone (burnt). He wasn't that keen on steak until I taught him was that steak isn't tough if you cook it rare. But he still likes his sausages incinerated!!!

"Go back to TV shows a decade ago and you never heard this inane comment."


On those shows and in many recipes the term "Season to Taste" was much more common than specific amounts. Apart from Baking of course where the amount is critical.
If I have any criticism at all on the subject, it is those diners that immediately grab the condiments and smother the food without, first tasting and what about those on Low/No Salt Diets?

Thank you for bringing this topic up Barshedale! I notice the comment more and more frequently - but mostly on the British cooking shows. As if there is some sort of perfect level of seasoning. Nonsense. And these restuarants that don't provide a salt shaker or offer ground pepper because the chef has "seasoned it to perfection". This is all very, very recent. Go back to TV shows a decade ago and you never heard this inane comment.

I always add sugar to tomatoes, Freebyrd. Im not a professional cook, but been using this little tip since the late seventies. Not into lo-salt,it always seem to have an aftertaste to me. I do try may of Inas recipes and adapt the salt and fat content, I always use reduced calorie mayo if the recipe calls for a large amount.

I can never understand when on MCGL the comment about "Needs more Seasoning" comes up.
I was always told to under season because you can always add but you can't take away and let's be honest, it's a very personal thing and Chef's idea may not be the same as mine.

Yes, I agree with you about the salt. I'm a chef and at home i use lo-salt for cooking. But then I put iodized sea salt on the table for people to add to their own taste. But I try to under salt things when working, I think most chefs personally prefer more salt. One thing she doesn't do is add a little sugar when you cook with tomatoes, this always brings out the flavour and nutralises the acidity in them.

I totally agree with you Freebyrd about the amount of butter she uses in her food,but what about the amount of salt. I,ve seen her add salt two or three times during the same recipe.

You obviously haven't seen many of her shows. The Paris one was a rarity.
Although she does show you the local area where she lives, but then I've been to that area and it is beautiful. But it's only shown as the reason for the food that she's cooking.
My only knock on her's the amount of butter and other fats she puts into her food. But then a lot of American cooking's like that!!!

She's one TV cook I could watch repeatedly....love her!!!

Oh, Barefoot Contessa. Top entertainment. That women could make Wayne and Waynetta feel better about cooking...
I love the episode when she's in Paris. She goes on to say how she's famed for her picnics. Next thing she's in the market buying some cheese, cured meat, and bread, then sitting next to the Seine with here hubby eating the stuff and lauding over how delicious it is. NOw, I don't disagree with the principle of what she's done, but should it be on a cookery programme!!?

thanks i will try there ;D

are you in Britain? You can get one in House of frazer shops like Debenhams

The prime example of this for me was, when you go into a European supermarket you get 3 or 4 variaties of salad dressing, yet you go into an American supermarket there's a whole line of them. The two main things on my shopping list are Fluff (it's marshmallow in a tub, cost about 75p and great on cakes or with icecream) and maple syrup (a 1/2 gallon costs about the same as a tiny bottle here!!!).

When I visited the States I just could not believe the selections and ranges of everything. I wonder why that doesn't happen here?

We're an island but the seafood in the US is absolutely incredible. And cheap.

A bit depressing really. I just love watching Ina. What a great show.

Lucky you travelling around the world. Look forward to seeing the new episodes of Ina and hopefully we can see more of New Hampshire.

You're so lucky to have family over there - do you think you could give them a shopping list for me..!! I go over to New York a couple of times a year but there's only so much you can bring back in a suitcase. I've been to Boston a few times and absolutely love it - especially at Christmas. Cape Cod/Nantucket are definately the next places I want to visit - love all that fresh seafood. The Hamptons look fabulous in Ina's show and I would be happy to swap lives with her for a day

Thanks Doughnut42, but I don't tend to buy online like that. My family will be visiting New Hampshire in July (my nephew's getting married, he at college in Boston but his parent live in Wyndom, New Hampshire), and then his parents are comming over here after that to celebrate their 25 wedding anniversary. So I'll just give everyone shopping lists for me.

No, I didn't live there, but I visited a lot of America. I used to live in Barbados (and have Bajan nationality), and most of the this that can't be produced on the island are imported from America. When I lived there I sailed around the world 3 times, so I visited most of the southern hemisphere.

There are a few websites that sell american foods but the best is a shop called Redwood Bay that sell loads of American foods - they even sell Barefoot Contessa stuff

Did you live there as well?

Yes, I'd like that too. I'd also like to see more of the area she lives in. I've been there and it's lovely. My sister lives about 50 miles away, in New Hampshire. I also would like to get my hands on a lot of the American products. I miss a lot of things that you can't buy here in England.

I am glad to hear it. I would like Ina to show, her going out more and seeing all her friends. Maybe her going out on hols with Jeffery would be good. Being romantic with Jeffery and pulling his leg more.

That O.K. olive 4, if I hear anymore I'll post it on this message board

Thanks Freebyrd,I,ll keep my eyes peeled.

I hope that someone gets in touch if they know when the new series is starting, please get in touch if anyone knows?? I wish they could have let us know in the newsletter, we dont mind waiting, just dont want to miss any new episodes