Can supermarkets be 'posh' ?
Discussion
One of my favourite dishes that I often do if I've got family or friends staying is Moroccan Lamb, in a saucepan not tagine, and I've tried a few recipe variations over the last few years... I love North African grub (went to Morocco, Algiers and Tunisia when I was a hitch hiking layabout in my yoof 
) Then, around October last year I stumbled across a recipe for Persian lamb... Mmmmm I thought, have to give that a go, however, the ingredients included preserved lemons... Couldn't find any at the time so used fresh lemons.. BIG mistake.. Anyway, I visited a Waitrose about 10 miles from where I live a couple of weeks back, and lo and behold found the preserved lemons that I'd unsuccessfully searched other places for (including an Asian cash and carry in Norwich)..
So, to the point of my post, I've mentioned to a few people that I finally found what I was looking for in Waitrose, and got the same response.. 'Oh, so you've started shopping in the posh supermarket now'.. Is this just something local to me, or is Waitrose generally regarded as a posh place to do your food shopping? Must admit I'd always thought M&S was the posh 'go to' shop for food...
What do you guys think?
) Then, around October last year I stumbled across a recipe for Persian lamb... Mmmmm I thought, have to give that a go, however, the ingredients included preserved lemons... Couldn't find any at the time so used fresh lemons.. BIG mistake.. Anyway, I visited a Waitrose about 10 miles from where I live a couple of weeks back, and lo and behold found the preserved lemons that I'd unsuccessfully searched other places for (including an Asian cash and carry in Norwich)..So, to the point of my post, I've mentioned to a few people that I finally found what I was looking for in Waitrose, and got the same response.. 'Oh, so you've started shopping in the posh supermarket now'.. Is this just something local to me, or is Waitrose generally regarded as a posh place to do your food shopping? Must admit I'd always thought M&S was the posh 'go to' shop for food...
What do you guys think?
Waitrose
M&S
Sainsburys
Tesco
Morrisons
Asda
Lidl/Aldi
Apparently having a waitrose near you can affect your house price
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/li...
M&S
Sainsburys
Tesco
Morrisons
Asda
Lidl/Aldi
Apparently having a waitrose near you can affect your house price
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/li...
Edited by p1stonhead on Thursday 2nd February 15:07
Morrisons well above the other main supermarket for me because I can buy "cheaper" cuts of meat like cheek, trotters, beef ribs etc. without the need to go to a traditional butchers. All the rest just have boring rows of standard cuts of meat, going to a posh restaurant (Michelin star) now is about what a chef can achieve with a cheap cut of meat not about cooking a fillet steak.
Therefore I would put Morrisons on par with Waitrose for being able to buy unusual ingredients even on the surface it's a long way from "posh"
Therefore I would put Morrisons on par with Waitrose for being able to buy unusual ingredients even on the surface it's a long way from "posh"
p1stonhead said:
Harrods
Harvey Nicks
Selfridges
Waitrose
M&S
Sainsburys
Tesco
Morrisons
Asda
Lidl/Aldi
Apparently having a waitrose near you can affect your house price
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/li...
Harvey Nicks
Selfridges
Waitrose
M&S
Sainsburys
Tesco
Morrisons
Asda
Lidl/Aldi
Apparently having a waitrose near you can affect your house price
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/li...
Edited by p1stonhead on Thursday 2nd February 15:07
ChilliWhizz said:
One of my favourite dishes that I often do if I've got family or friends staying is Moroccan Lamb, in a saucepan not tagine, and I've tried a few recipe variations over the last few years... I love North African grub (went to Morocco, Algiers and Tunisia when I was a hitch hiking layabout in my yoof ) Then, around October last year I stumbled across a recipe for Persian lamb... Mmmmm I thought, have to give that a go, however, the ingredients included preserved lemons... Couldn't find any at the time so used fresh lemons.. BIG mistake.. Anyway, I visited a Waitrose about 10 miles from where I live a couple of weeks back, and lo and behold found the preserved lemons that I'd unsuccessfully searched other places for (including an Asian cash and carry in Norwich)..
So, to the point of my post, I've mentioned to a few people that I finally found what I was looking for in Waitrose, and got the same response.. 'Oh, so you've started shopping in the posh supermarket now'.. Is this just something local to me, or is Waitrose generally regarded as a posh place to do your food shopping? Must admit I'd always thought M&S was the posh 'go to' shop for food...
What do you guys think?
Sorry to change the subject but whats the recipe for the lamb? ) Then, around October last year I stumbled across a recipe for Persian lamb... Mmmmm I thought, have to give that a go, however, the ingredients included preserved lemons... Couldn't find any at the time so used fresh lemons.. BIG mistake.. Anyway, I visited a Waitrose about 10 miles from where I live a couple of weeks back, and lo and behold found the preserved lemons that I'd unsuccessfully searched other places for (including an Asian cash and carry in Norwich)..So, to the point of my post, I've mentioned to a few people that I finally found what I was looking for in Waitrose, and got the same response.. 'Oh, so you've started shopping in the posh supermarket now'.. Is this just something local to me, or is Waitrose generally regarded as a posh place to do your food shopping? Must admit I'd always thought M&S was the posh 'go to' shop for food...
What do you guys think?
Gaz3376 said:
Sorry to change the subject but whats the recipe for the lamb?
The Moroccan or the Persian? Let me know and I'll post.... the Persian is easy google will throw it up but there's many different for the Moroccan.. I've also made a few 'upgrades' to the original recipe I used which I'll be happy to share Mammasaid said:
p1stonhead said:
Waitrose/Booths
M&S
Sainsburys
Tesco
Morrisons
Asda
Lidl/Aldi
FTFYM&S
Sainsburys
Tesco
Morrisons
Asda
Lidl/Aldi
ChilliWhizz said:
The Moroccan or the Persian? Let me know and I'll post.... the Persian is easy google will throw it up but there's many different for the Moroccan.. I've also made a few 'upgrades' to the original recipe I used which I'll be happy to share
I'd be interested in both please, I love morrocan and also lebanese food too but never got round trying at home.Silent1 said:
The thing that amazes me about booths is how cheap it is, my mothers side of my family all shop there and as a result I now get sent the hardcover catalogues, i'd love to order more but getting it delivered is a real pita as I'm down south.
I never knew about Booths until we had a holiday op north in the Forest of Bowland. After arriving at our holiday cottage I was dispatched to get food, the blurb with the cottage said nearest supermarkets were Booths in one direction, Tesco in the other. Never heard of Booths thought I, I'll go to Tesco. Later on in the holiday we were passing through the town where the Booths was and needed a few bits so dropped in. Wish I'd gone there rather than Tescos on the first day. Thing that sticks in my mind was the amazing collection they had at the cheese counter, I bought some rather pungent French job that stunk out the fridge for the rest of the hols Isn't Booths just northern Waitrose though, looked very similar inside? If so why not just call it Waitrose or does the brand have a special place up there?Gaz, here's the original Moroccan recipe I use...
Main changes are I supplement (or sometimes replace) the spices with a large dose of Ras El Hanout, and I use the cooking liquid from the squash for the Couscous
I'll find the link for the Persian dish and post it....
[i] Moroccan Lamb & Couscous
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 tbsp Olive Oil
675g/1-1/2lb boned shoulder of Lamb, cut into large cubes
2 Onions, sliced
Water
300g/11oz Dried Apricots
450g/1lb Butternut Squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 5cm/2-inch pieces
90ml/3fl.oz. Honey
90ml/3fl.oz. Orange or Rose Blossom Water (or plain water)
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, saffron , turmeric, pepper, ginger, cayenne (or contents of spice pack No.1 if using) and finely chopped onion until well blended. Add the meat and toss to coat.
2. Heat a large casserole or saucepan over moderately high heat until hot then add the meat and sear on all sides.
3. Add enough water to just cover the meat, bring to boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
4. Add sliced onions, cover and simmer for a further 45 minutes until the meat is very tender.
5. Add the apricots, mix well then raise the heat a little and cook, uncovered, until the sauce is reduced to about 240ml/8fl.oz.
6. Meanwhile, place the squash, honey, orange or rose blossom water and cinnamon sticks (or contents of Spice Pack No. 2) in a saucepan. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
7. Reduce the squash cooking liquor by boiling rapidly until syrupy.
8. Add the squash mixture to the meat mixture, mixing well, then simmer for a further 5 minutes.
9. To serve - sprinkle with the almonds and serve hot with couscous or rice.
Couscous
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 tbsp Olive Oil
2 Shallots, finely diced
225g/8oz Couscous
100g/4oz Sultanas, soaked in hot water until plump
50g/2oz Dried Apricots, chopped
¼ teasp Nutmeg
¼ teasp Ground Cinnamon
240ml/8fl.oz. Strong Vegetable Stock
1 teasp Maple Syrup
Salt and Pepper
1 heaped tbsp Freshly chopped Mint
Instructions
1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the shallots and fry very gently until soft and transparent.
2. Add the couscous and stir well then add the drained sultanas, apricots and spices.
3. Add the stock and maple syrup, stir well then bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Stir in the chopped mint, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately. [/i]
Main changes are I supplement (or sometimes replace) the spices with a large dose of Ras El Hanout, and I use the cooking liquid from the squash for the Couscous
I'll find the link for the Persian dish and post it....
[i] Moroccan Lamb & Couscous
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 teasp Ground Turmeric
- 1/2 teasp Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 teasp Ground Ginger
- 1/2 teasp Cayenne Pepper
675g/1-1/2lb boned shoulder of Lamb, cut into large cubes
2 Onions, sliced
Water
300g/11oz Dried Apricots
450g/1lb Butternut Squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 5cm/2-inch pieces
90ml/3fl.oz. Honey
90ml/3fl.oz. Orange or Rose Blossom Water (or plain water)
- 1 x 2.5cm/1-inch Cinnamon Stick
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, saffron , turmeric, pepper, ginger, cayenne (or contents of spice pack No.1 if using) and finely chopped onion until well blended. Add the meat and toss to coat.
2. Heat a large casserole or saucepan over moderately high heat until hot then add the meat and sear on all sides.
3. Add enough water to just cover the meat, bring to boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
4. Add sliced onions, cover and simmer for a further 45 minutes until the meat is very tender.
5. Add the apricots, mix well then raise the heat a little and cook, uncovered, until the sauce is reduced to about 240ml/8fl.oz.
6. Meanwhile, place the squash, honey, orange or rose blossom water and cinnamon sticks (or contents of Spice Pack No. 2) in a saucepan. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
7. Reduce the squash cooking liquor by boiling rapidly until syrupy.
8. Add the squash mixture to the meat mixture, mixing well, then simmer for a further 5 minutes.
9. To serve - sprinkle with the almonds and serve hot with couscous or rice.
Couscous
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 tbsp Olive Oil
2 Shallots, finely diced
225g/8oz Couscous
100g/4oz Sultanas, soaked in hot water until plump
50g/2oz Dried Apricots, chopped
¼ teasp Nutmeg
¼ teasp Ground Cinnamon
240ml/8fl.oz. Strong Vegetable Stock
1 teasp Maple Syrup
Salt and Pepper
1 heaped tbsp Freshly chopped Mint
Instructions
1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the shallots and fry very gently until soft and transparent.
2. Add the couscous and stir well then add the drained sultanas, apricots and spices.
3. Add the stock and maple syrup, stir well then bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Stir in the chopped mint, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately. [/i]
If yuo go by the clientel who shop at the supermarkets then Waitrose is near the bottom going by all the shell suits in see in my near by one 
I'm certain things like preserved lemons can be down to the local manager. The big Tesco and small Sainsbury near me have always sold them (for the last decade or so anyhow), however the big Sainsbury in my area normally doesn't. Also being North African in origin I'd not expect to be able to find them in Asian or Oriental supermarkets
I'm certain things like preserved lemons can be down to the local manager. The big Tesco and small Sainsbury near me have always sold them (for the last decade or so anyhow), however the big Sainsbury in my area normally doesn't. Also being North African in origin I'd not expect to be able to find them in Asian or Oriental supermarkets
I like that in Waitrose, the cheaper range of stuff they sell ('Essential' - equivalent to white and blue stripe in tescos) is utter rubbish. Sliced bread so dry it sucks the moisture from your mouth. Baguettes so doughy inside you can use them as modelling clay.
I get the feeling they're basically saying "Can't afford to buy the good stuff? Then f
k off, pleb, and never darken my door again"
I also think that Aldi/Lidl are a bit on an enigma, in that it seems equally acceptable for both rich and poor to shop there.
I get the feeling they're basically saying "Can't afford to buy the good stuff? Then f
k off, pleb, and never darken my door again"I also think that Aldi/Lidl are a bit on an enigma, in that it seems equally acceptable for both rich and poor to shop there.
Edited by budgie smuggler on Thursday 2nd February 16:25
Edited by budgie smuggler on Thursday 2nd February 16:25
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