[Hirs Ute]

Wilting under the accusation that all but my last 100 posts had been frivolous and ‘chit chatty’ (not that there’s anything wrong with ‘chit chatty’ posts - long may they continue) I felt it important to make my 1,000th post to this forum one of substance. A post that would contribute, significantly, to the well being of all forum members, both new and old, and offer some kind of reassurance to those who may have niggling concerns.

My 1,000th post, dear friends and fellow forum members, concerns the odour that pervades the urine of many people following the consumption of Asparagus. An odour described by some as a filthy and disagreeable but described, by Marcel Proust, as something that “transforms my chamber-pot into a flask of perfume” .

We should all consider whether the sulphurous odour so oft associated with Asparagus is the direct result of the metabolism, in a certain percentage of the populace, of the various constituents resulting in thiols, thioesters and ammonia which, in turn are broken down to produce methyl mercaptan, S-methyl-thioacrylate and S-methyl-3- (methylthio)thiopropionate and, as recently postulated, asparagusic acid .

Alternatively we should consider the alternate olfactory hypothesis, that is gaining momentum, that most of us break down asparagus in the same way (i.e. to produce Methyl Mercapten) BUT that only, about, 40% of us have the genes required to smell the resultant, fragrant, by-product.

Indeed the whole olfactory concept is given a further, enticing, twist in the idea that if one is genetically blessed one may be able to notice the sweet perfume in another but the other will not be able to smell it unto themselves.

Irrelevant of whether your by-product is odorous or otherwise and whether you can determine an odour or not, please rest assured that, in consuming the aphrodisiacal fern you are eating something that contains more folic acid that any other vegetable. It is also high in fibre, potassium and a fistful of other wonderful vitamins and, unless drenched in salted butter, is low in fat and sodium .

In closing, dear friends, I feel it incumbent to offer a simple recipe for the perfect plate of asparagus, despite the season being, nearly, at it’s natural end; onto a red hot griddle pan tip some asparagus which has been lightly anointed with olive oil, salt and pepper and, turning once, let them cook until pleasantly cooked and branded by your pan. Turn onto a plate, drizzle with the best olive oil you can afford and a bijou dachette of pure balsamic vinegar (not that Balsamic de Modena rubbish), top off with a soft poached egg and finally finely slice, using a potato peeler, some Parmesan cheese over your creation.

Once you have consumed your bounty care not whether your wee smells but ask yourself whether others can smell it and whether you care.

[Hirs Ute]

Originally Posted by Barney

The Polyphonic Spree - Section 22 [Running Away]

Hi Barney,and welcome to our gathering of dishevelled, DRM free, music freaks.

The Polyphonic spree is a great band, have you heard "The Fragile army"?

Hope to see you round again soon

[vikulenka]

Hirs Ute, I simply love you.

There aren't enough words to say about how fantastic you are - with or without a silver spoon in your mouth.

Thank you for bringing me back when I quit last year. It was your PM that is singlehandedly responsible for it (I know a few people that will send you death threats now, upon this admission of mine)

Thank you for being 200th MM You know, I might have made more of an effort than had I known that you are quite cute and look nothing like a funky Santa Claus type that I imagined and that your forum name suggests!

And thanks in advance for not poisoning the food when I finally do move to London and come over for dinner!

And remember, my friend, when Solaris does send an army to your house in a jealous rage - feed them scottish beef!

Thanks again for everything.

1000!!!!! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by Hirs Ute

Wilting under the accusation that all but my last 100 posts had been frivolous and ‘chit chatty’ (not that there’s anything wrong with ‘chit chatty’ posts - long may they continue) I felt it important to make my 1,000th post to this forum one of substance. A post that would contribute, significantly, to the well being of all forum members, both new and old, and offer some kind of reassurance to those who may have niggling concerns.

My 1,000th post, dear friends and fellow forum members, concerns the odour that pervades the urine of many people following the consumption of Asparagus. An odour described by some as a filthy and disagreeable but described, by Marcel Proust, as something that “transforms my chamber-pot into a flask of perfume” .

We should all consider whether the sulphurous odour so oft associated with Asparagus is the direct result of the metabolism, in a certain percentage of the populace, of the various constituents resulting in thiols, thioesters and ammonia which, in turn are broken down to produce methyl mercaptan, S-methyl-thioacrylate and S-methyl-3- (methylthio)thiopropionate and, as recently postulated, asparagusic acid .

Alternatively we should consider the alternate olfactory hypothesis, that is gaining momentum, that most of us break down asparagus in the same way (i.e. to produce Methyl Mercapten) BUT that only, about, 40% of us have the genes required to smell the resultant, fragrant, by-product.

Indeed the whole olfactory concept is given a further, enticing, twist in the idea that if one is genetically blessed one may be able to notice the sweet perfume in another but the other will not be able to smell it unto themselves.

Irrelevant of whether your by-product is odorous or otherwise and whether you can determine an odour or not, please rest assured that, in consuming the aphrodisiacal fern you are eating something that contains more folic acid that any other vegetable. It is also high in fibre, potassium and a fistful of other wonderful vitamins and, unless drenched in salted butter, is low in fat and sodium .

In closing, dear friends, I feel it incumbent to offer a simple recipe for the perfect plate of asparagus, despite the season being, nearly, at it’s natural end; onto a red hot griddle pan tip some asparagus which has been lightly anointed with olive oil, salt and pepper and, turning once, let them cook until pleasantly cooked and branded by your pan. Turn onto a plate, drizzle with the best olive oil you can afford and a bijou dachette of pure balsamic vinegar (not that Balsamic de Modena rubbish), top off with a soft poached egg and finally finely slice, using a potato peeler, some Parmesan cheese over your creation.

Once you have consumed your bounty care not whether your wee smells but ask yourself whether others can smell it and whether you care.

Do you plan to feed me that when I come over for dinner? And are you now asking yourself all of the above questions?

[Hirs Ute]

Originally Posted by vikulenka

Hirs Ute, I simply love you.

There aren't enough words to say about how fantastic you are - with or without a silver spoon in your mouth.

Thank you for bringing me back when I quit last year. It was your PM that is singlehandedly responsible for it (I know a few people that will send you death threats now, upon this admission of mine)

Thank you for being 200th MM You know, I might have made more of an effort than had I known that you are quite cute and look nothing like a funky Santa Claus type that I imagined and that your forum name suggests!

And thanks in advance for not poisoning the food when I finally do move to London and come over for dinner!

And remember, my friend, when Solaris does send an army to your house in a jealous rage - feed them scottish beef!

Thanks again for everything.

1000!!!!! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Thank you, dear sweet Vikulenka for your kind words on my 1,000th post. Thank you for your friendship which, despite having been a member of other forums, epitomises the nature of this forum.

......and I hear hulking great Scandinavians whither at the sight of a large plate of Scottish beef with rosemary & garlic potatoes and roasted red peppers on the side .

As to the food, when you come to the UK, I will only be serving ancient British aphrodisiacs

[Hirs Ute]

Originally Posted by vikulenka

Do you plan to feed me that when I come over for dinner? And are you now asking yourself all of the above questions?

Sadly the asparagus season is coming to an end and I wouldn't sully your, undoubted, refined taste buds with the Peruvian facsimile that will take it's place for 10 months. I think we will be able to find something more suitable for the embers of the Summer .

Concerning your other question, I fall into the category of 'don't care'

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by Hirs Ute

Thank you, dear sweet Vikulenka for your kind words on my 1,000th post. Thank you for your friendship which, despite having been a member of other forums, epitomises the nature of this forum.

......and I hear hulking great Scandinavians whither at the sight of a large plate of Scottish beef with rosemary & garlic potatoes and roasted red peppers on the side .

As to the food, when you come to the UK, I will only be serving ancient British aphrodisiacs

Asparagus?

[Hirs Ute]

Originally Posted by vikulenka

Asparagus?

Asparagus will be, sadly, gone when you arrive but we'll find something else suitably aphrodisiacal - tripe maybe

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by Hirs Ute

Sadly the asparagus season is coming to an end and I wouldn't sully your, undoubted, refined taste buds with the Peruvian facsimile that will take it's place for 10 months. I think we will be able to find something more suitable for the embers of the Summer .

Concerning your other question, I fall into the category of 'don't care'

Can you repeat all of the above after removing the silver spoon from your mouth?

[Hirs Ute]

Originally Posted by vikulenka

Can you repeat all of the above after removing the silver spoon from your mouth?

.......