The Virtual Pub
Come Inside... => The Snug => Topic started by: Grumpmeister on August 04, 2008, 12:56:25 PM
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Wonder what recipie he'll be recommending next? Dandilion and Hemlock perchance... point:
Celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson has apologised after he recommended use of a poisonous plant in recipes.
In a magazine interview about watercress and other wild foods, Mr Worrall Thompson said the weed henbane was "great in salads".
Healthy & Organic Living magazine's website has now issued an urgent warning that "henbane is a very toxic plant and should never be eaten".
The chef had meant to recommend fat hen, which is a wild herb.
Mr Worrall Thompson, currently on holiday in Spain, told the BBC the mix-up was "embarrassing - but one of those genuine mistakes".
Henbane - Hyoscyamus niger - has sticky serrated leaves, yellow, funnel-shaped flowers and a stale scent.
Its name has Anglo-Saxon origins - meaning killer of hens - and it can cause hallucinations, drowsiness and disorientation in humans.
Larger quantities can cause a loss of consciousness, seizures, trembling of the limbs and, in extreme cases, death.
Hawley Harvey Crippen, also known as Dr Crippen, is thought to have used seeds from the henbane plant to kill his wife in 1910.
The television chef said the poisonous weed has a "nasty history".
"Henbane is associated with lots of mythical tales - it's said to turn you black and it's used in witches potions," he said.
But fat hen is perfectly edible.
"You can use the leaves in salads like spinach, make tea and eat the roots," said Mr Worrall Thompson.
He is unsure how the mistake happened.
"It's a bit embarrassing but there have been no reports of any casualties. Please do pass on my apologies."
Healthy & Organic Living magazine's editor Kate Collyns has written to subscribers to apologise.
Her publication's website gives this advice: "As always, check with an expert when foraging or collecting wild plants."
The interview with Mr Worrall Thompson is in the August issue.
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I am currently making a pie. I did, I admit, have a small explosion in the process (oversight), but nothing poisonous
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I am currently making a pie. I did, I admit, have a small explosion in the process (oversight), but nothing poisonous
Small explosion? I can't believe that such a thing would happen to you Nick whistle:
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I am currently making a pie. I did, I admit, have a small explosion in the process (oversight), but nothing poisonous
Small explosion? I can't believe that such a thing would happen to you Nick whistle:
By 'small' he means sub-Megaton.
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An exploding pie? What hapened, did a train hit it? rubschin:
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I had left a cigarette lighter next to the oven. It blew up redface:
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Smoking Kills! point:
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The lghter flew clean across the kitchen leaving a vapour trail! eeek:
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I had left a cigarette lighter next to the oven. It blew up redface:
Were you using Mr Muscle rubschin:
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The lghter flew clean across the kitchen leaving a vapour trail! eeek:
I'm surprised it didn't ignite the curry powder trail en route eeek:
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The curry powder has decayed now, thank you.
Ebrell just called.He is on the way scared2:
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I had left a cigarette lighter next to the oven. It blew up redface:
Were you using "Mr Muscle" rubschin:
Yes, that would have distracted him, but I think Mrs Nick is back now.
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drumroll:
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The curry powder has decayed now, thank you.
Ebrell just called.He is on the way scared2:
I can see the scene now.
"Ebrell heard of Captain Calamity, Ebrell not stupid, Ebrell getting out of here"
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Why do I imagine Ebrell to have one very long eyebrow?
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Ebrell cut down tree. Ebrell quite cheap. Ebrell take tree away in truck. Ebrell's woodpile now bigger.
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Snoopy burns wood at the kennel. Snoopy ordered wood from his usual supplier earlier today. Snoopy not think Ebrell be willing to deliver. Snoopy waited in vain for Ebrell's employer to offer wood if Snoopy able to collect.
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Ebrell do choppy choppy. Ebrell keeps wood. Ebrell does it this way./
(Ebrell has chainsaw) scared2:
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Ebrell charges to cut down tree, Ebrell splits logs, Ebrell puts logs on his wood pile, Ebrell waits for wood to season, Ebrell sells wood to people like Snoopy. Ebrell makes money two ways. Ebrell not stupid.
Snoopy has nephew who does same thing but in Dorset. Too far for Snoopy to benefit from.
Snoopy used to cut own wood but now too infirm so has to pay man to do it.
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Ebrell charges to cut down tree, Ebrell splits logs, Ebrell puts logs on his wood pile, Ebrell waits for wood to season, Ebrell sells wood to people like Snoopy. Ebrell makes money two ways. Ebrell not stupid.
Snoopy has nephew who does same thing but in Dorset. Too far for Snoopy to benefit from.
Snoopy used to cut own wood but now too infirm so has to pay man to do it.
I'm not sure I agree there Snoop. Ebrell is voluntarily using a chainsaw while getting bathed in Nick-o-rays. Who knows what calamity is about to happen.. scared2:
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Ebrell charges to cut down tree, Ebrell splits logs, Ebrell puts logs on his wood pile, Ebrell waits for wood to season, Ebrell sells wood to people like Snoopy. Ebrell makes money two ways. Ebrell not stupid.
Snoopy has nephew who does same thing but in Dorset. Too far for Snoopy to benefit from.
Snoopy used to cut own wood but now too infirm so has to pay man to do it.
I'm not sure I agree there Snoop. Ebrell is voluntarily using a chainsaw while getting bathed in Nick-o-rays. Who knows what calamity is about to happen.. scared2:
rubschin: Good point, well made.
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Anyway, Ebrell not sell wood.Ebrell keep wood for Ebrell's retirement
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Ah Ebrell stocking up for the end of days, given how close he lives to Nick thats a sensible precaution. whistle:
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evil:
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point:
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Anyway, Ebrell not sell wood.Ebrell keep wood for Ebrell's retirement
Any fule know that wood, left in a heap, will rot away. Ebrell also knows this. Ebrell's retirement plan is to convert wood into cash ..... trust me.
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An everyday tale of simple countryfolk.
Fair warms the cockles of my heart. ;)
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Uncle Mort want Ebrell's number?
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Uncle Mort want Ebrell's number?
Ebrell already got Nicks number. ::)
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Uncle Mort want Ebrell's number?
eeek:
Fortunately I had my old trees chopped down some years ago. Left the stumps though.
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Ebrell good with stumps.Nick send him round happy088
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Ebrell good with stumps.Nick send him round happy088
Ebrell love Heather.
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Ebrellmay be responsible for Heather.She did used to visit scared2:
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Uncle Mort want Ebrell's number?
eeek:
Fortunately I had my old trees chopped down some years ago. Left the stumps though.
A local farmer recommends gunpowder but I believe that copper nails hammered into stumps do the trick in time.
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They were a line of six trees running down the side of the garden. Long since disappeared under the shrubbery we planted.
My neighbour was pleased to see them down. They blocked the sunlight on his garden for half the day.