The Hairy Bikers - Live webchat, TODAY, Monday 17 September, 1-2pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Si and Dave are joining us for a lunchtime webchat on Monday 17 September at 1pm.

A bit of background info: The Hairy Bikers met on the set of a Catherine Cookson drama . Si was Assistant Director and Dave a makeup artist, specialising in prosthetics . On discovering their mutual love of motorbikes and food, The Hairy Bikers were born. Since then food has been their mission, producing several TV series and six books.

In August they embarked on a mission to change their lifestyle and lose two-and-a-half stone, while staying true to their love of great food. The Hairy Dieters gave themselves just three months to complete the mission and simultaneously produce a book, The Hairy Dieters: How to Love Food and Lose Weight which, they say is 'real food for real people, not skinny minnies'.

Kicking off at the end of September 2012, The Hairy Bikers are embarking on a whirlwind tour of the UK. If you send in a question to The Hairy Bikers or join in the webchat, you will be entered into a draw to win a pair of tickets to not only see the Hairy Bikers live at the nearest venue to you, but to join them on stage and be cooked for by them. For more details and tickets, please go to www.hairybikers.com/tour

Chat with the Hairy Bikers at 1pm on Monday, or post a question in advance.

@JammySplodger

My mum can't take wheat, dairy or alcohol and is diabetic.

I can rustle up main meals when they visit but can you suggest what I can make her for desert?

Si's wife and son are both diabetic. They both love the jely recipe in our diet book, made with diet lemonade, Elderflower cordial and fresh berries. it looks like a champagne jelly and it's about 25 calories a time. Dave x

@ExasperatedSigh

On the flipside to UA's question, what utensil or kitchen gadget have you found totally overrated/unnecessary? Will be interested in your answer to this as one of the reasons I love your shows is that they really demystify the cooking process. You look like normal people making everyday food but doing it really well, which is the ultimate in aspirational telly for me

Big fan here, keep up the good work guys :)

Si says: Well, I've never really understood the need for a egg slicer.

Pear and walnut frangipane tart ..... dribble....

@scaree57

Will you be releasing a dvd along side the dieters book?

Funny enough, yes. We're just sorting it out now. I would imagine the BBC will repeat the shows too.
Dave x

@Skoggy

Hello Si and Dave!!!

Oh what I would have given to have been in Grainger Market on your weight in days on your diets shows! I love you guys! (I'm in S.Tyneside).

Anyway, to my question. I'm an avid baker and, having just returned to the UK after living in Sweden for the last 4 years, I've got a passion for Scandinavian baked goods. I loved the Bakeathon show and have your book.

I was wondering: Whats your favourite sweet treat? Mine is a nutty meringue roll called a Budapestrulle (in Swedish) Its gorgeous!

Si says: Creme Caramel - can not wack it

Thank you! That sounds really tasty, will give it a go!

(Can I just quickly say how fab your management company are! 25 minutes from first email to something being put in the post for us. Thank you so much, You guys rock!)

Hi I ran into you at Bowness filming for the dieter shows..thank you for posing pic looks great..I too have now lost 3 stone.. love the shows.. I want to know do you ever get on each others nerves.. lol thank u xx

@Blatherskite

Hi, I've managed to lose 3 stones this year and am determined to keep them off. My problem is that a lot of low calorie recipes up the flavour in otherwise bland recipes with chilli - which I'm allergic to! - what would you recommend as an alternative?

and (sneaky second question) is there a lot of chilli in your book? I really want to get it but am worried that I wouldn't be able to use half of the recipes

I would say just leave the chillis out - the chilli police won't get you. Make sure the food is seasoned properly, maybe use more herbs and steer clear of the spices. And I think you'll find lots of good recipes in our diet book. Dave x

Thanks Dave- feel a bit faint at the thought of her weilding a sharp knife- thank god I won't be there to watch!

Well done on the weight loss too- you're both looking great.

Not really a question as such but just wanted to say that my dh and I loved your baking across europe series-sadly I have developed an obsession with making a perfect Sachertorte so have put on a few pounds-I may have to buy your diet book

Okay I do have a question-do you still eat cakes and whats your favourite? x

@Princesslovelyboo

Hi I have a deaf/blind teenager who really wants to get into cooking, he has just started his GCSE years and has taken food tech. He would really like to specialise in Pastry (goog job really, he is a nightmare with a knife), what basics shoud he master, and what equipment should he never be without? Are there any tips you can give him?

If he's interested in pastry, buy him a marble slab for rolling pastry and the key to great pastry is to handle it as little as possible, prepare the pastry in a cold part of the house and buy him some pastry cutters if he can't handle a knife.

@Chopstheduck

I'm loving the Hairy Dieter's tv series and bought the book with good intentions of losing some weight, but THEN the Mississippi Adventure started on Good Food and the diet has flown straight out the window!!

I sat and watched the game last night with a HUGE Po' Boy filled with salad, remoulade and fried shrimp. I blame you!

My question is, will there ever be a book for the Mississippi recipes? I have the iPad app, but it's just not the same!

I know, can you imagine how tricky it was for us to film that show when we were on the diet! I'm glad you're enjoying the app - we felt it was good to give something away for nothing, to say thank you to everyone. No plans for a book just yet, so you may need to wind up the printer! Dave x

@TheHairyBikers

[quote Princesslovelyboo] Hi I have a deaf/blind teenager who really wants to get into cooking, he has just started his GCSE years and has taken food tech. He would really like to specialise in Pastry (goog job really, he is a nightmare with a knife), what basics shoud he master, and what equipment should he never be without? Are there any tips you can give him?

If he's interested in pastry, buy him a marble slab for rolling pastry and the key to great pastry is to handle it as little as possible, prepare the pastry in a cold part of the house and buy him some pastry cutters if he can't handle a knife.[/quote]

Sorry - Si said that (RachelMumsnet)

@Ciske

Hi guys! I absolutely loved your Bakeation show, and quite a few of your European recipes have become household favourites here. Are you planning to go back on the road?

We're just talking to the BBC now about what we're doing next. We're like kids in a sweetshop deciding where to go next year and we can't wait to hit the road. Lots of great ideas we've come up with and let's see which ones the BBC like best. Dave x

Bier rocks rock! Best recipe in Bakeation!

@LaVitaBellissima

Did you both just give up drinking? I find that's the only way I lose weight

Si says: Yes, we did, but it has to be part of the calorie counting regime. giving up drink alone will lose you weight but isn't sustainable for any sane individual.

Do you ever, you know, get hair in yer food?

YOU'RE NOT COMING TO NOTTINGHAM? Why? Are we not good enough for you? {sobs}

Hello Si and Dave

I was lucky enough to see you both two years ago at Harvest at Jimmy's Farm. Would you like to see more food based festivals in the UK to get more people excited about food and cooking?

We are all huge fans in this house, The Hairy Dieters was brilliant.

@comixminx

Hello! I don't watch much telly normally (though currently am breastfeeding hence am rather chained to the sofa) but when I do catch one of your shows I really enjoy it. I really like the way you are two ordinary northern blokes doing stuff that is typically done by posh southerners .

What would you recommend in the way of an easy cook snack or light meal suitable for someone spending a lot of time on the sofa breastfeeding? Something that it's worth always having around, like toast and jam, but more substantial.

Did you know I was the face of Cumbrian breast feeding a few years ago?......anyway, enough about that campaign... Take a big pot of our low cal minestrone soup and when you feel hungy, stick a mug in the microwave. Healthy satisfaction in every sip! Dave x

I work in food manufacturing (some of my colleagues have met you - I was off that day boo sob wail) - are you planning to launch any more of the Hairy Bikers label food? Si's Mam's Cottage Pie is a huge favourite in this house. I bet it isn't Hairy Dieters friendly though.

Hi guys!

Like most Moms I am a bit short on time and use my slow cooker alot, but it sometimes ends up looking like the same old sludge!
Got any tips or favourite recipes for this???

Thanks!

Ps, I was in a restaurant once having lunch with my mum (Pecks, in Congleton, as it happens) and you rocked up. You were being little darlings. Your producers on the other hand were being all, er, TV and Important.

I've been cooking all your diet recipes on a camping stove, they tastes wonderful but take forever to cook. Is it safe you freeze the recipes? I'm mainly thinking of the curries which are the easest to cook with the camping stove?