Since the sad demise of the C & B stuff, and I remembered it was burnt sugar on the label I had a go!
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(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t87/ninnyscrops/th_DSCF1070-1.jpg) (http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t87/ninnyscrops/?action=view¤t=DSCF1070-1.jpg)
I then read the following quote about making it - oh so true about opening all the windows :o
"My mum used to make her own years ago. She had an old saucepan she used especially for the purpose. She used to put, say, a cup of sugar into the saucepan with little water to dissolve it and heat it until it burnt. Tar looking. The more you burn it the darker the result will be. It'll smoke and stink the place out, so choose a day when you can open doors and windows. Cool, then add a cup of water, let it soak, stirring occaissionally(sp) with wooden spoon or rubber spatula and hey presto. note the saucepan will never come clean hence a special one, maybe try getting one from a secondhand shop.
It didn't seem to add any flavour to the gravy or stews she used it in"
I didn't use an old saucepan and it was a copper bottomed one so went at twice the speed!
Ninny
This reminds me of the time I decided to copy one of the tv chefs and smoked some chicken using an old wok and lapsang souchong tea. You place the tea in the wok and heat until it starts to smoke :o. you then place the chicken breast over the tea on a trivet and cover with a lid..Well a smoke fog filled the kitchen so thick I could hardly find my way to the cooker. My kitchen still smelled of smokey tea a week later. It looks so easy on tv :-X
But, what did the chicken taste like Duke? Was it worth the smell?
Hello,
You can still get gravy browning down our way. If you have a carribbean shop have a look in there as they use it in their cooking. RR
Thanks for the tip Rosyred.
Ninny
I always have some in but find it hard to estimate how much, I usually manage to get the result too dark. There are a few makes on the market but not every where stocks it. Probably because it lasts so long. Soy sauce is a good alternative for darkening if the gravy can take the salt.
I am so glad Duke said that about the smoking tea in a wok. I have wanted to try that but held off fearing the worst. Maybe it is something I could try out doors with the camping stove we use for brewing up on the lottie some time.
The cooking of fish in a microwave seemed like a good idea too. Then every time I used the microwave for a few days I could smell fish. The smell must hide some where inside because it had been washed out.
Gravy browning - the Co-op sell it. Their own brand. x
The chicken tasted really nice but it wasn't worth the smoke filled kitchen :-X Like Purple Heather I would only do this again outside. .
Duke
Quote from: Hyacinth on May 05, 2010, 07:04:39
Gravy browning - the Co-op sell it. Their own brand. x
I've looked in my local Co-op Lish and not seen it :(
Ninny
I have really panicked after reading this thread, my Mum taught me in the 60's how to make a proper gravy with gravy browning and for over 40 years I have followed her instructions making real gravy 3 or 4 times a week...never used bisto or whatever it is peope use to make alternative gravy in my life.
In fact I made a fabulous onion gravy tonight to slowly cook the braising steak in.
So if they phase out gravy browning I would be scuppered!
Fortunately it still easy available here too, but this thead makes me want to panic buy...lol
Sorry to panic you honeybee :(
We checked with the customer services at Waitrose and they looked on their products list and said the Crosse and Blackwell one was no longer in production.
That's maybe why our Co-op doesn't have any too.
Ninny
PS - I just can't bring myself to use Soy Sauce in a gravy for an English dish, but I do use it lots in homecooked chinese meals
Right! So here are some options to get a bottle of British Gravy Browning restored to its rightful place - back on British pantry shelves 8)
You contact your Caring Sharing Co-Op (Purveyor of the Finest Gravy Browning & Distributor of FREE Black Bukkits) and, from the blurb on the back of my Co-Op Gravy Browning bottle in front of me now, they suggest various ways to so do:-
Phone: FREEPHONE 0800 0686 727 (7 days a week)...today's a day, innit, so wot you waiting for....?
or
Write: Co-op FREEPOST - MR9473, Manchester M4 8BA
Tell them you need Urgent Supplies whizzed over to your nearest store.
Actually, you could just mention that a friend of a friend's given a hint that the Sainted Delia may be going to heavily promote the use of Gravy Browning in her next Christmas Edition as an essential colouring for her New, Suitable for Vegans/Vegetarians Christmas Cake..that'll see every shelf in the country laden with the stuff ;D
Good luck,
Lish X
Quote from: Hyacinth on May 09, 2010, 08:04:08
Right! So here are some options to get a bottle of British Gravy Browning restored to its rightful place - back on British pantry shelves 8)
You contact your Caring Sharing Co-Op (Purveyor of the Finest Gravy Browning & Distributor of FREE Black Bukkits) and, from the blurb on the back of my Co-Op Gravy Browning bottle in front of me now, they suggest various ways to so do:-
Phone: FREEPHONE 0800 0686 727 (7 days a week)...today's a day, innit, so wot you waiting for....?
or
Write: Co-op FREEPOST - MR9473, Manchester M4 8BA
Tell them you need Urgent Supplies whizzed over to your nearest store.
Actually, you could just mention that a friend of a friend's given a hint that the Sainted Delia may be going to heavily promote the use of Gravy Browning in her next Christmas Edition as an essential colouring for her New, Suitable for Vegans/Vegetarians Christmas Cake..that'll see every shelf in the country laden with the stuff ;D
Good luck,
Lish X
What a cunning plan Baldrick, sorry I mean Lish ;D
On the telephone first thing in the morning.
Thank you
Ninny x
PS Edited to say the phone lines close at 8pm!
If you don't want to use soy sauce then there is 'maggi'
I have a bottle of
Burgess Gravey Browning
Greencore Grocery
Barlby Rd
Selby
YO8 5BJ
It is burnt sugar and salt which is similar to the stuff used for the base for creme caramel. I have seen that in bottles in some stores. Since you need very little of it to add colour I don't think the flavour would be noticable.
Black treacle in a tiny quantity like the tip of a teaspoon and then add a little salt will work too.
Problem solved (thank you Lish). I telephoned the Co-op helpline and was told I could get my store manager to order a box (12 x 78p) as long as I agreed to buy the whole box as it was not a listed stock item for them.
He's ordered them and should be in on Thursday.
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Ninny
You've got TWELVE bottles? :o
Your local shop is certainly living to the first part of its slogan of 'Caring', but seems to have forgotten the second part....what's up with them not 'Sharing' by putting the other bottles on the shelves, then and giving them a punt?
Actually, did they offer to tell you your nearest Co-op which sells the stuff, Ninny? When my local S'bugs stopped stocking one of my kitchen essentials the manufacturers gave me a list of other shops in B'ham which took it and in your case we're talking about Co-op own brand...
So....a Result of sorts for you, but far be it for me to make trouble ::) BUT! I'd be inclined to write to the Caring Sharing shop management & express disappointment at the obvious inflexibility of their customer service.
Oh! are you a Member of the Co-Op btw and get their magazine when they publish it? Ask them if they'd like to open a Competition for creative uses of gravy browning. Tell them you'll supply the prizes.............
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Still not arrived in the store >:( the manager said it should now be in on Tuesday and he will ring me to confirm.
Not sure what the brand's going to be Lish, he didn't tell me that bit! So until I have them in my grubby little hands I'll play it their way.
Yes, a Co-op member so might put my oar in after delivery.
Ninny
x
Glad that you don't actually have it (THEM!) yet, cos it gives us time to come up with a Plan 8)...........and, btw, it's Co-op's Own Brand Gravy Browning I've got.
Off now to hatch a Plan,
Lish x
Well they arrived in store today........did mention about the "caring sharing Co-op" to the supervisor and that I really didn't need all 12 bottles, but it's not on their store list so they can't sell them. Best before March 2013 - might end up painting the fence with it ::)
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Ninny
They stock Burgess graving browning in Asdas
Thanks for the info Powerspade, but our nearest Asda is in Crawley which is nearly 13 miles away.
I'm pondering whether to decant some of the bottles into ice cube bags and freezing them, might give me a few more years after the bbf date.
Ninny
I tend to use about two bottles a year, more in winter and less in summer I guess, but dont forget if its BBF then you can still use it after the stated date if its in good condition and if you so desire, wont do you any harm, its the 'use by' dates that we have to oblige by.
So here's a tale for you......
Way back when, I was living in Forrin Parts & came 'home' for a visit...........bout '72-73 I guess. Stocked up with Essentials to take back, which included a bottle of g.b. - can't remember the name;flattish bottle, long neck, began with a 'B' I reckon?...anyway, for the few times I needed it for colouring I used it...
Packing up my kitchen stuff in '79 to return to the UK to live in Glos, gb came with me...
Packing up in '83 in Glos to move to Brum...........yep! same bottle, by now a member of the family :-*
Big leap forward to 2000......................me'n'gb still going strong...........
I think, and praps Tim may recall, cos the subject of the longevity of 'stuff' was being talked about way back then & I was perhaps more precise on dates?......praps my 'original' bottle of g.b. finally died the death bout 2003-4.
And Reader, I'm living to Tell the Tale
;D
(hence my jaw-dropping..............TWELVE bottles?!)
LishkaX
Lishka, your tale sounds like a can of hairspray that lives in our bathroom, but not quite as old and hasn't moved house :). They'll just get an occasional shake then if they last that long!
I remember those flat bottles, that's when my gb career started! Weren't they they the original C & B bottle shape?
Honeybee, I probably use about one and a half bottles a year, do you keep it in a sandwich bag in the cupboard, the number of times I used to prise the bottle off the shelf only to find brown goo underneath, no matter how much I'd cleaned the drips up after using it ::)
Ninny