Curry Recipes Online

Curry Chat => Lets Talk Curry => Topic started by: George on January 27, 2007, 02:28 PM

Title: Let's ban all mention of ladle measures!
Post by: George on January 27, 2007, 02:28 PM
I suggest the ladle measure causes more trouble than it's worth. Ladles vary too much in size for there to be a standard.

Some people appear to have a problem grasping measures like tbls (15ml) and tsp (5ml), let alone vague ladle capacities.

Please, please, please state actual volumes, like 125ml or whatever.

Regards
George
Title: Re: Let's ban all mention of ladle measures!
Post by: Chilli Prawn on January 27, 2007, 04:58 PM
Well done George, I think ladles and spoons are a nightmare; its bad enough with pans!! ::)

CP
Title: Re: Let's ban all mention of ladle measures!
Post by: Curry King on January 27, 2007, 06:19 PM
I see where your coming from George but all the BIR chefs I have been lucky enough to watch and talk to always go by sight rather than exact measurments.  I have never managed to get them to break down ingredients to an exact science its always bit of this bit of that.

It's been mentioned before but I would much rather have the receipe as is from the horses mouth rather than someone elses best guess at what it should be.  Obviously this doesn't apply if it's someones own recipe where yes exact measurements should be used.

As for ladles of base I always go by my own opinion when making a curry itself, I know what a vindaloo should look like if you get me. 

Title: Re: Let's ban all mention of ladle measures!
Post by: andy2295 on January 27, 2007, 06:36 PM
Hi
Sorry but we have not got the time to measure like that. I have stated what our ladle sizes are.

Regards
Andy
Title: Re: Let's ban all mention of ladle measures!
Post by: Chilli Prawn on January 28, 2007, 11:37 AM
Its OK Andy, please understand where some of the peeps here are coming from.  I have posted a measurements conversion list in the Hints & Tips Section, which I think a lot of people are missing.  I must update it with your 'Chef's Pinch'  ;D

There are some who are quite happy with generalisations, but they are cooks who have a lot/some of experience and are comfortable with cooking by eye and nose.  The mission as always is to find the (non-existant  ::)) holy grail which is the perfect BIR curry and to do that some prefer the scientific approach to back up their cooking skills.

Keep up the very good positive work.  Everyone is supportive of what you are doing, maybe they sometimes come over the wrong way despite the emoticons. 

Measurements sheet - http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=1255.0 (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=1255.0)

I am keeping the UCB & recipes on the back burner to give Andy a good chance and reduce any confusion folks, but when Andy wants a break I will pick up that thread again.

CP
Title: Re: Let's ban all mention of ladle measures!
Post by: Cory Ander on January 28, 2007, 12:21 PM
I have posted a measurements conversion list in the Hints & Tips Section, which I think a lot of people are missing.  I must update it with your 'Chef's Pinch'

It is great that you have done this CP, but who is to say that your idea of "a ladle" is the same as another person's?  We have seen that there are numerous ladle sizes and each person's opinion, on what "a ladle" means, differs!  And often by a significant amount!  :P

Although it is a useful guide, I believe it is best (and clearer) that the recipe poster clarifies their measuring units in their post.

Quote
There are some who are quite happy with generalisations, but they are cooks who have a lot/some of experience and are comfortable with cooking by eye and nose

With respect CP, I see this as being less about "cooking experince" and more about "clear communication".  If specifying "ladles" is ambiguous (and it clearly is), and specifying volumes (in established and unambiguous units) is clearer (which it unarguably is), then we should rather favour the latter...IMHO.

As I see it, this thread is a general statement about using "ladles" as a measuring unit and not about Andy, nor about any other particular individual, on the forum?

Regards,
Title: Re: Let's ban all mention of ladle measures!
Post by: Mark J on January 28, 2007, 01:16 PM
Where possible this would be ideal but I think we can all agree we will accept inside BIR information in any form.
Title: Re: Let's ban all mention of ladle measures!
Post by: Cory Ander on January 28, 2007, 02:05 PM
Where possible this would be ideal but I think we can all agree we will accept inside BIR information in any form.

So, perhaps we can agree that we should try to encourage people to post recipes with measurements as unambiguous as possible, but this shouldn't hinder people from posting recipes?  Particularly if they have "inside BIR information" (but this would probably fall more appropriately in the "Let's Talk Curry" section anyway?)

Regards,
Title: Re: Let's ban all mention of ladle measures!
Post by: Chilli Prawn on January 28, 2007, 02:09 PM
Right on Cory.  That was my intention; I wasn't having a go at anyone, just trying to clarify the need for precision.  Sorry if I gave the wrong impression - just in a rush as usual and not re-reading my post.

CP
Title: Re: Let's ban all mention of ladle measures!
Post by: Curry King on January 28, 2007, 07:15 PM
So, perhaps we can agree that we should try to encourage people to post recipes with measurements as unambiguous as possible, but this shouldn't hinder people from posting recipes?  Particularly if they have "inside BIR information"

Totaly agree with that!

Title: Re: Let's ban all mention of ladle measures!
Post by: George on January 28, 2007, 08:39 PM
I suggest that each recipe needs to be self-contained with a clear indication of amounts required for the recipe. One shouldn't need to recall that the author mentioned sometime on another thread that when they say 1 tbls they really mean one rounded or heaped tablespoonful, when most people accept 1 tbls as 15 ml. Or that their ladle is 205ml.

If authors can spare hours posting messages and recipes, surely it's worth doing a check that all is clear, otherwise anyone trying the recipe may waste an awful lot of time and money, especially when it comes to industrial scale quantities. Then, if they report back disappointed it shouldn't be because they got the quantities all wrong.

Regards
George