Live webchat with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall - Thursday 15th September 1.30 - 2.30 pm

[RachelMumsnet]

To celebrate the publication of his new book Cottage Veg Every Day and accompanying Channel 4 Series which starts on Thursday 20 October 20. Hugh is joining us this Thursday (15 September) between 1.30pm and 2.30pm for a live webchat. As well as being an award-winning cookery writer and broadcaster and founder of River Cottage, Hugh is also involved in a number of campaigns including Hugh's Fish Fight, Chicken Out and Landshare.

Join us on Thursday to quiz him about his campaigning, cooking veggies and tap into his knowledge of rearing livestock, growing produce and, of course, cooking and baking. If you're unable join us on Thursday, send your advance questions to this thread.

All mumsnetters who send in questions to Hugh will be entered into a draw to win one of five copies of River Cottage Veg Every Day. We'll announce the winners post webchat.

@HorseHairKnickers

Didn't agree with the chicken thing though... Not that I think chickens living in crowded conditions is good ~ I don't, but it's really a matter of cost and budget for a lot of people and even more so in this financial nightmare that most of us find ourselves in.

So, my question is this; If you buy a free range chicken and a caged (not free range) chicken, how is it possible to get more meat from the free range than the caged if they are the same weight?

I don't have a big weekly budget for food (about £30 - £35), so if I want to actually feed my children meat, it's often chicken, but never free range, so I'd be very interested in your answer please.
Thanks Hugh

@Kveta

ooh, thank you! apart from the greengages, that's pretty much our fruit plans (I'm putting blueberries in instead of greegages), and I had been contemplating onions, but glad to see they are more faff that

they are worth :o

would still love to know what the waxy potato was you were talking about this morning!!

Ratte! Strange name lovely texture

What a shame about all this negativity around your veggie time. I for one understood that it was to co-inside with the launch of your book, but its no bad thing to try and encourage people to ease off the meat a little and appreciate the virtues of what is normally considered the underdog of peoples dinner plate. I totally applaude the values you write and make shows about, and take them on board for what they are meant to be - helpful and insightful advice to help the health of a nation and the welfare of its animals. Hearly people trying to pick holes in what you are doing really makes me sad. I stand by being a huge fan, and hope to be cooking your recipes and following your ethos for years to come.

I know it's only supposed to be 1 question per memeber and you've already very kindly answered my first one but I've got another and it's so different to the first I'm hoping MNHQ will let it slide...if not, feel free to ignore

Somehow, I've managed to produce 1 child who eats any veg put in front of him (got excited when the Grocery man delivered Asparagus today and begs for the multicoloured cauliflower pack when we got shopping!) and 1 child who hates veg, even though they were weaned in very similar ways and are fed the same now

Any tips on getting a very reluctant toddler to eat her veggies?

@crispyrolls

Hi Hugh

Where can I find out more about sustainable living and the benefits of Land Value Tax in Wales as I would like to build a sustainable home and small holding

Thanks

Try the Centre for Alternative Technology website; there's also some good magazines now, including I think one called 'Sustainable Living'. There's loads of good info out there now on the internet. You might also want to drop into the River Cottage website and get chatting to our regulars; they've got all sorts of brilliant tips and ideas.

Hello, what is a good polytunnel size?

Hear hear nessa64!

There's a lot to be said for growing and cooking at home, but what about going out. Did you eat purely veggie whenever you ate out? And do you have any recommendations for decent veggie restaurants (I'm in London - if the name didn't give it away already!)

Thanks Hugh! heads off to the kitchen to start cooking....

Thank you Hugh, will try some bream.

@AuntieMonica

I'm a little bit insulted by all the publicity stating you've 'gorn veggie', but in real terms it's looking a bit like a publicity stunt, tbh.

Do you think this might taint your 'wholesome' image at all?

I'm trying to be as clear as possible about what I 've done and why. I've given up meat and fish for the summer in order to become a better vegetable cook and to try and get a better balance in my cooking in the future. Of course you don't have to give up meat to do that but I've enjoyed the total immersion aspect of the experiment and discovered some wonderful new dishes.

@Hennypenny11

Hi Hugh,

I am a forager! I love to take the chilldren out in all seasons to see what we can find to eat. The one thing I am not sure about is mushrooms - especially with the children. Where is the best place to start as it seems a shame, when there are so many edible varietys out there not to use them. Any help greatfully received!

You're right to be cautious, as nobody should ever eat a mushroom unless they are certain what species they have found. But it doesn't take long to build up a confident repertoire of a few worthwhile species. Chanterelles, field mushrooms, woodblewitt, shaggy ink caps and parasols are probably good ones to get your head round. You'll need a book to get started, and obviously the one I would recommend is John Wright's River Cottage handbook. As well as being a brilliant field guide, it's very witty and a great read.

thanks for your reply Hugh will you come back again please?

thanks for your answers, Hugh

it would have been very easy to ignore my (and other's) questions, i appreciate the time you've taken on them

I think your handbooks are great and have got a pile of them.

Hugh, you're an inspiration. Looks like I've found another book for my Christmas list.

I seem to be drowning in herbs, any ideas how to preserve them?

Thanks, Hugh. This year's premature crop of green tomatoes (my hanging tomato plants were pulverised by the wind on Monday) is probably a bit titchy, fruit size wise, to do that recipe justice. I suspect that some of what I have on my kitchen windowsill at the moment is going to end up roasted and thrown in with some rip tomatoes in a pasta sauce, or something. They really do look quite sad after their ordeal.

Glad you and your son are Ok after the Sidmouth lifeboat picked you up the other day

@papworth

Do you hae an exciting idea for runner beans? There always seems to be a glut of them? thanks x

I love cooking them now with garlic and tomatoes into a lovely luscious bean stew. That then keeps for quite a few days in the fridge and is still delicious every time you reheat it . I've also just done a delicious recipe for the new show of runner bean tempura with a sweet and sour chilli dipping sauce.

Hi Hugh, Pleeeeease answer the question I posted about promoting baby-led weaning. So interested to hear your response! bats eyelashes

Thank you Hugh, I shall get a copy just in time for this years season!

@ireallyagreewithyou

Hugh, i dont give a toss about sustainability, organic, vege, anything

persuade me to care...

I've spent a good chunk of my life trying to persuade people to care about these things, so I'm not sure what I can do for you in a few seconds... Saying you don't care about sustainability is the same as saying you don't care about your children's future. Are you really a mum ?

Thanks Hugh, much appreciated

Thank you. I'll definitely try it.

YY Nessa64

Goodbye Mumsnet thanks for having me, it's been lovely chatting with you and let's do it again soon. Meanwhile big up the veg - you know it makes sense.