33 replies to this topic

[Lorcryst NySell]

I like potatoes.

It's a Belgian thing.

You cannot be Belgian and not like potatoes, not really.

Stoemps, traditionnal Flemish/Brussels dishes, are made from mashed potatoes and vegetables.

And yes, while "stoemp" is a mix of Flemish, Brusseleir and Wallon, it does have the same meaning as "stomp" in English ...

The tradionnal Belgian way of making fries (chips for those in the UK) is part of our Constitution, including details such as the variety of potato, how to grow them, cut them, cook them and serve them.

On that note, most "friteurs" (a french Belgian term for cooks who specialize in cooking fries) will tell you that a good fry doesn't need salt, or ketchup, or mayo, it should be delicious on its own.

It is actually illegal for restaurants here in Belgium to refuse to offer fries on their menus, even "exotic" ones likes Indian, Morrocan or Japanese/Chinese. Makes for some wierd combos ...

We have a Knightly Order of the Potato, awarded to Chefs and Scientists (!) that make breakthroughs in the art of potato-cooking or that are particularly representative of the traditionnal ways of cooking.

I'm not joking.

So when someone wants to insult me and calls me a potato, I take it as high praise.

[FunkyT]

Potatoes are very versatile. What they end up as solely depends on how the chef treats them.

They are also delicious and full of nutrients.

[- World Eater -]

I eat a sweet potato almost every morning. So delicious

[El Bandito]

Lorcryst NySell, on 09 September 2017 - 05:33 AM, said:

On that note, most "friteurs" (a french Belgian term for cooks who specialize in cooking fries) will tell you that a good fry doesn't need salt, or ketchup, or mayo, it should be delicious on its own.

Good potato tastes delicious on its own but salt will make it better tasting, 100% of the time. Same goes for MWO--salty pugs are the best type of people to crush.

[Appogee]

Call Ireland. Their famine problems are solved!

[AnTi90d]

The potato insult originates from 4chan.

Regular humans have 46 chromosomes.

People with Downs Syndrome have 47 chromosomes.

Potatoes have 48 chromosomes.



So, being called a potato isn't as benign as you believe.

[Lorcryst NySell]

AnTi90d, on 09 September 2017 - 06:49 AM, said:

The potato insult originates from 4chan.

Regular humans have 46 chromosomes.

People with Downs Syndrome have 47 chromosomes.

Potatoes have 48 chromosomes.



So, being called a potato isn't as benign as you believe.

Oh ? I learned something right there ... but well, 4chan has a reputation of being the cesspit of the Internet with sewage everywhere ...

And I know it's intended as an insult, I just choose to ignore it

[Lorcryst NySell]

El Bandito, on 09 September 2017 - 06:20 AM, said:

Good potato tastes delicious on its own but salt will make it better tasting, 100% of the time. Same goes for MWO--salty pugs are the best type of people to crush.

While I'm inclined to agree about salt being the most potent flavor enhancer there is (it's not by chance that it was the main currency in the Antiquity and Medieval times), I had to change my stance of "salt everything" after tasting Belgian Fries made by a 5-stars Chef here in my hometown ... that man can do things to your tastebuds with a simple potato that you could not believe.

In his restaurant, salt tends to mask the flavours of the fries ... best 2 euros I ever spent on food (yes, a portion of fries here range from 1 euro to 3 euros, depending on size, and it's considered a "main course" too).

[nehebkau]

Lorcryst NySell, on 09 September 2017 - 07:00 AM, said:

While I'm inclined to agree about salt being the most potent flavor enhancer there is (it's not by chance that it was the main currency in the Antiquity and Medieval times), I had to change my stance of "salt everything" after tasting Belgian Fries made by a 5-stars Chef here in my hometown ... that man can do things to your tastebuds with a simple potato that you could not believe.

In his restaurant, salt tends to mask the flavours of the fries ... best 2 euros I ever spent on food (yes, a portion of fries here range from 1 euro to 3 euros, depending on size, and it's considered a "main course" too).

So I guess cheese curds and beef gravy as a topping is out? Guess I'll stay in Northern Canuckistan. At least when you throw poutine at the polar bears they will stop chasing you and eat it -- not so sure about plain fries.

[Alkabides]

4:1 ration of potato weight to butter with a little heavy cream, salt and pepper is all you need for heaven in your mouth, it's that simple.

[Lorcryst NySell]

nehebkau, on 09 September 2017 - 07:06 AM, said:

So I guess cheese curds and beef gravy as a topping is out? Guess I'll stay in Northern Canuckistan. At least when you throw poutine at the polar bears they will stop chasing you and eat it -- not so sure about plain fries.

Not out per se, you can put anything you want on them, to your taste. You don't *NEED* toppings to make them good though, that's the whole point of a good product made with quality ingredients and passion.

Honestly, I'm so used to the Belgian way of making fries that when I eat french-made ones (the cooking method is very different) I have to add things on them to get them to my tastes.

And there's a thing here in my town, called "sauce liègoise", that is actually made with beef gravy and "sirop de Liège" (a kind of sugary confection made from apples, pears and dates that is really close to maple syrup) that is usually lathered on top of a fries portion, unique to my town.

It's a favoured student meal here, always a surprise for foreign exchange students in our various cafetarias and snacks.

We don't have polar bears here ... dunno how they would react to Belgian fries ... might be worth it to test !

[GA1NAX]

Spoiler

Edited by GA1NAX, 09 September 2017 - 09:47 AM.

[Ruar]

AnTi90d, on 09 September 2017 - 06:49 AM, said:

The potato insult originates from 4chan.

Regular humans have 46 chromosomes.

People with Downs Syndrome have 47 chromosomes.

Potatoes have 48 chromosomes.



So, being called a potato isn't as benign as you believe.

I thought it was a carry over from WoT where the rating system used colors and lower skilled players are various shades of brown like potatoes.

[GA1NAX]

Ruar, on 09 September 2017 - 09:52 AM, said:

I thought it was a carry over from WoT where the rating system used colors and lower skilled players are various shades of brown like potatoes.

Actually "potato" firstly came from WoT, than to 4chan... and it's not a "skill-meter" why it was called "potato". Just some russians sick sense of humor of an Alpha-Testers Community in WoT, as far as I know also in WoT low-skill players are called "deers".

Edited by GA1NAX, 09 September 2017 - 10:02 AM.

[GA1NAX]

AnTi90d, on 09 September 2017 - 06:49 AM, said:

The potato insult originates from 4chan.

Regular humans have 46 chromosomes.

People with Downs Syndrome have 47 chromosomes.

Potatoes have 48 chromosomes.



So, being called a potato isn't as benign as you believe.

Nope. Mostly from "Allods" and than from WoT, and only than 4chan. It's a Lore. And your explanation is a... TOTAL FAILURE

Edited by GA1NAX, 09 September 2017 - 10:06 AM.

[Ruar]

GA1NAX, on 09 September 2017 - 10:00 AM, said:

Actually "potato" firstly came from WoT, than to 4chan... and it's not a "skill-meter" why it was called "potato". Just some russians sick sense of humor of an Alpha-Testers Community in WoT, as far as I know also in WoT low-skill players are called "deers".

I never saw "deer" being used in three years of playing. I wouldn't be surprised though that the term is some kind of cultural Russian thing. Especially since potatoes make their vodka.

[GA1NAX]

Ruar, on 09 September 2017 - 10:04 AM, said:

I never saw "deer" being used in three years of playing. I wouldn't be surprised though that the term is some kind of cultural Russian thing. Especially since potatoes make their vodka.

Not realy... but I'll try to explain. Mostly OP/TS is nearly there...

Lorcryst NySell, on 09 September 2017 - 05:33 AM, said:

I like potatoes.

It's a Belgian thing.

You cannot be Belgian and not like potatoes, not really.

Stoemps, traditionnal Flemish/Brussels dishes, are made from mashed potatoes and vegetables.

And yes, while "stoemp" is a mix of Flemish, Brusseleir and Wallon, it does have the same meaning as "stomp" in English ...

The tradionnal Belgian way of making fries (chips for those in the UK) is part of our Constitution, including details such as the variety of potato, how to grow them, cut them, cook them and serve them.

On that note, most "friteurs" (a french Belgian term for cooks who specialize in cooking fries) will tell you that a good fry doesn't need salt, or ketchup, or mayo, it should be delicious on its own.

It is actually illegal for restaurants here in Belgium to refuse to offer fries on their menus, even "exotic" ones likes Indian, Morrocan or Japanese/Chinese. Makes for some wierd combos ...

We have a Knightly Order of the Potato, awarded to Chefs and Scientists (!) that make breakthroughs in the art of potato-cooking or that are particularly representative of the traditionnal ways of cooking.

I'm not joking.

So when someone wants to insult me and calls me a potato, I take it as high praise.

You was nearly there...

The Explanation.
Term "Potato" was born long time ago from russian word "kartoshka"(potato .eng) due to origin of "Allods" and "World of Tanks" development company Wargaming.Net country - Belarus. In times when Belarus was one of inner republics of USSR the most important product of agroculture they was growing was - potato, like a Belgium. Since than most of belarusian products are called an "potato" one ore another way.

Origin of term "potato" firstly used by WoT alpha-tester nicknamed - iNuke aka "Railgun"( similar to MWO Deathstar) in 2007 or 2008, also member of WCG and ESL later.

Edited by GA1NAX, 09 September 2017 - 10:19 AM.

[Tier5 Kerensky]

There's nothing delicious about ordinary potatoes I think. But I think it's specially about what kind of local potatoes you have.

I wonder why there is not so much potatoes in murica. Spesially considering they originated from around there. I do understand in US as it's hotter they can grow better stuff like corn, which yields a lot more.

And I never realised how much potatoes can be grown in China. I wonder how much they need irrigation for that.

The picture is taken from wikipedia Potato article.

[Lorcryst NySell]

Teer Kerensky, the key word here is "ordinary".

Here in Belgium, while potatoes were originally from the middle of the American continent (as far as I remember, Aztecs/Mayas cultivated them along with tomatoes), we have done lots of research and cross-breeding to develop special varieties with textures, tastes and colours adapted to the culinary culture of our country, plus some experimental things ...

The "Belgian" potato is a crossbreed called "Bintje" specifically adapted to the nature of our soil, with a firm but flour-y flesh and a slight hazelnut aftertaste.

We also have a variety called "Violette", which has a more soft texture, a slight sugary taste and a purple flesh, engineered quite recently.

But the basic potato, in itself, is quite bland. Nutritious, filling, full of "good" compounds, but nothing special for the tastebuds.

It's the cooking and toppings that make or break a meal.

Yes, I'm in a "food porn" mood ...

[Spheroid]

@Teer: Its possible that is only a commercial growing graphic. I assure you potatoes are commonly eaten and grown on the local and household level as well.

A vast, vast amount come out of Idaho so that graphic maybe giving the false impression of potato scarcity in the United States. I assure you there is none.

Edited by Spheroid, 09 September 2017 - 11:53 AM.