Finally decided to make Dave Smith's Lamb Shanks with Caramelized Onions
today...

Anyhoo, the recipe calls for 1 can of chopped tomatoes... fine. I have
those. I chopped up all the other stuff and then opened the can of
tomatoes. Hmph, as I pulled up the "tab" (it was one of those cans) to
open it, it gave a rather loud "POP!" sound. Gave me such a "fright".
Needless to say I checked the expiry date on the can (which was 2009)
and it didn't have any dents or other damage, and it certainly had not
looked "bloated" before I opened it. Only thing I did notice was that
the contents seemed to be a bit less than normal - so there was some
"air" in there. Wonder if that had anything to do with it? The contents
didn't smell bad per se, but I chucked it anyway, wasn't taking any
chances. Luckily I had another can - which was fine...
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

On 2007-08-01, Chatty Cathy > wrote:

> the contents seemed to be a bit less than normal....

> didn't smell bad per se, but I chucked it anyway....

Good girl! Always toss any canned good that's even remotely suspect.
Bad canned goods are statistically very rare, but they do happen.
I once ran across a can of tomato paste that was blatantly bulging.
Another, years later, that seemed "off" after opening. Tossed them
both without a thought. Life is too short and canned goods too cheap
to risk it.

nb

notbob wrote:

> Life is too short and canned goods too cheap to risk it.

That was my thinking.... haven't had a "bad" can in ages, so this was a
"wake up call". Mind you, I don't buy too many canned goods, I much
prefer fresh (or frozen, if I can't get fresh). In fact, I have never
had a bad can of tomatoes before - which is one of the few canned goods
that I have always thought were fine for certain things like stews and
casseroles, so I keep some in stock...
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

Chatty Cathy wrote:
>
> Finally decided to make Dave Smith's Lamb Shanks with Caramelized Onions
> today...
>
> Anyhoo, the recipe calls for 1 can of chopped tomatoes... fine. I have
> those. I chopped up all the other stuff and then opened the can of
> tomatoes. Hmph, as I pulled up the "tab" (it was one of those cans) to
> open it, it gave a rather loud "POP!" sound. Gave me such a "fright".
> Needless to say I checked the expiry date on the can (which was 2009)
> and it didn't have any dents or other damage, and it certainly had not
> looked "bloated" before I opened it. Only thing I did notice was that
> the contents seemed to be a bit less than normal - so there was some
> "air" in there. Wonder if that had anything to do with it? The contents
> didn't smell bad per se, but I chucked it anyway, wasn't taking any
> chances. Luckily I had another can - which was fine...

Ouch. Better safe than sorry.

I hope that you got to try the recipe. It is fantastic.

Dave Smith wrote:
>
> Chatty Cathy wrote:
>> Finally decided to make Dave Smith's Lamb Shanks with Caramelized Onions
>> today...


>
> I hope that you got to try the recipe. It is fantastic.

I have the shanks simmering on the stove as I type (I had a spare can of
tomatoes)
Smells really good already... will make the caramelized onions shortly -
looking forward to dinner! Thanks for the recipe
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

Chatty Cathy wrote:
>
> That was my thinking.... haven't had a "bad" can in ages, so this was a
> "wake up call". Mind you, I don't buy too many canned goods, I much
> prefer fresh (or frozen, if I can't get fresh). In fact, I have never
> had a bad can of tomatoes before -

I once had a bad can of tomato paste. I think it is funny now when I look
back at it but I wasn't laughing at the time. I needed a small amount of
tomato paste. I grabbed a can of it out of the cupboard. Put the can opener
on the lip of the can, squeezed the handle and the there were a pop of
pressurized air and the stuff sprayed all over..... all over the ceiling,
all over the wall, all over me.


> which is one of the few canned goods
> that I have always thought were fine for certain things like stews and
> casseroles, so I keep some in stock...

Same hear. I don't use many canned goods, but I do keep a few things on
hand in cans; tomatoes, chick peas, black beans and fruits.

Dave Smith wrote:

>
> I once had a bad can of tomato paste. I think it is funny now when I look
> back at it but I wasn't laughing at the time. I needed a small amount of
> tomato paste. I grabbed a can of it out of the cupboard. Put the can opener
> on the lip of the can, squeezed the handle and the there were a pop of
> pressurized air and the stuff sprayed all over..... all over the ceiling,
> all over the wall, all over me.

LOL! (sorry) I can just picture it. But I am sure it was not at all
funny at the time tho' - what a mess you must have had to clean up!

>
> Same hear. I don't use many canned goods, but I do keep a few things on
> hand in cans; tomatoes, chick peas, black beans and fruits.

Yup. Canned peaches or pineapple can be OK too.
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

Chatty Cathy wrote:
>
> Dave Smith wrote:
>
> >
> > I once had a bad can of tomato paste. I think it is funny now when I look
> > back at it but I wasn't laughing at the time. I needed a small amount of
> > tomato paste. I grabbed a can of it out of the cupboard. Put the can opener
> > on the lip of the can, squeezed the handle and the there were a pop of
> > pressurized air and the stuff sprayed all over..... all over the ceiling,
> > all over the wall, all over me.
>
> LOL! (sorry) I can just picture it. But I am sure it was not at all
> funny at the time tho' - what a mess you must have had to clean up!

Hopefully with gloves, mask, goggles and a lot of bleach. Botulism is
bad stuff and a can explosion like that borders on needing a hazmat crew
to decontaminate.

Chatty Cathy wrote:
>
> > Same hear. I don't use many canned goods, but I do keep a few things on
> > hand in cans; tomatoes, chick peas, black beans and fruits.
>
> Yup. Canned peaches or pineapple can be OK too.

I also like canned apricots, and canned pears are nice once in a while. I
also keep a can of sweet cherries on add for Clafouti for when I need a
quick,easy and delicious dessert.

Chatty Cathy said...

> Dave Smith wrote:
>
>>
>> I once had a bad can of tomato paste. I think it is funny now when I
>> look back at it but I wasn't laughing at the time. I needed a small
>> amount of tomato paste. I grabbed a can of it out of the cupboard. Put
>> the can opener on the lip of the can, squeezed the handle and the there
>> were a pop of pressurized air and the stuff sprayed all over..... all
>> over the ceiling, all over the wall, all over me.
>
> LOL! (sorry) I can just picture it. But I am sure it was not at all
> funny at the time tho' - what a mess you must have had to clean up!
>
>>
>> Same hear. I don't use many canned goods, but I do keep a few things on
>> hand in cans; tomatoes, chick peas, black beans and fruits.
>
> Yup. Canned peaches or pineapple can be OK too.


It's because of Dave's tomato paste incident that I open my cans of it out
in the driveway.

A small can of pineapple rings is great on occasion for "Hawaiian" style
burgers, since an entire pineapple is more than I need. The canned
pineapple juice is also good on its own.

The only other canned goods I buy were soups and albacore tuna. More
recently, artichoke bottoms, sliced black olives and water chestnuts for my
Vegelaya.

A can of corn I opened wreaked of tin. The corn probably just needed a good
rinse.

Aside from fresh, the frozen bags of veggies are best, since they're flash
frozen fresh and you can use what you need and put the rest back in the
freezer. YMMV.

Andy

In article >,
Chatty Cathy > wrote:

> Finally decided to make Dave Smith's Lamb Shanks with Caramelized Onions
> today...
>
> Anyhoo, the recipe calls for 1 can of chopped tomatoes... fine. I have
> those. I chopped up all the other stuff and then opened the can of
> tomatoes. Hmph, as I pulled up the "tab" (it was one of those cans) to
> open it, it gave a rather loud "POP!" sound. Gave me such a "fright".
> Needless to say I checked the expiry date on the can (which was 2009)
> and it didn't have any dents or other damage, and it certainly had not
> looked "bloated" before I opened it. Only thing I did notice was that
> the contents seemed to be a bit less than normal - so there was some
> "air" in there. Wonder if that had anything to do with it? The contents
> didn't smell bad per se, but I chucked it anyway, wasn't taking any
> chances. Luckily I had another can - which was fine...

I'd not have risked it either.

Good call.
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

In article >,
notbob > wrote:

> On 2007-08-01, Chatty Cathy > wrote:
>
> > the contents seemed to be a bit less than normal....
>
> > didn't smell bad per se, but I chucked it anyway....
>
> Good girl! Always toss any canned good that's even remotely suspect.
> Bad canned goods are statistically very rare, but they do happen.
> I once ran across a can of tomato paste that was blatantly bulging.
> Another, years later, that seemed "off" after opening. Tossed them
> both without a thought. Life is too short and canned goods too cheap
> to risk it.
>
> nb

I found a 6 year old can of peas in the back of the pantry one day when
I was clearing it out. ;-)

Bulging on both ends...

I tossed it without opening it.

On the up-side, I found a whole canned chicken in there too that I knew
I had not purchased! Had no clu' about it.

I found the phone number of the canning company via google and talked to
a customer service rep and gave them the code on the can. (those really
should be not so mysterious imho!)

They were very nice and were able to give me the packing date. Turns out
the can was less than 6 months old and had a shelf life of 4 years.

Dad had purchased it and forgotten about it. I'll make soup with it
eventually...
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
...
> Chatty Cathy wrote:
>>
>> > Same hear. I don't use many canned goods, but I do keep a few things on
>> > hand in cans; tomatoes, chick peas, black beans and fruits.
>>
>> Yup. Canned peaches or pineapple can be OK too.
>
> I also like canned apricots, and canned pears are nice once in a while. I
> also keep a can of sweet cherries on add for Clafouti for when I need a
> quick,easy and delicious dessert.

Canned tomatoes for me. Most of the rest of the "canned" I buy, I try to
buy in glass jars. Hard to find nowadays.
Oh, but I do buy Kirkland's salmon.
Dee Dee

"Chatty Cathy" > wrote in message
news
> Finally decided to make Dave Smith's Lamb Shanks with Caramelized Onions
> today...
>
> Anyhoo, the recipe calls for 1 can of chopped tomatoes... fine. I have
> those. I chopped up all the other stuff and then opened the can of
> tomatoes. Hmph, as I pulled up the "tab" (it was one of those cans) to
> open it, it gave a rather loud "POP!" sound. Gave me such a "fright".
> Needless to say I checked the expiry date on the can (which was 2009) and
> it didn't have any dents or other damage, and it certainly had not looked
> "bloated" before I opened it. Only thing I did notice was that the
> contents seemed to be a bit less than normal - so there was some "air" in
> there. Wonder if that had anything to do with it? The contents didn't
> smell bad per se, but I chucked it anyway, wasn't taking any chances.
> Luckily I had another can - which was fine...
> --
> Cheers
> Chatty Cathy


Thanks for not mentioning the brand name on that can. This makes your
message almost less than useful.

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

>
>
> Thanks for not mentioning the brand name on that can. This makes your
> message almost less than useful.
>
>
All Gold - does that make it any more useful?

--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

"ChattyCathy" > wrote in message
...
> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Thanks for not mentioning the brand name on that can. This makes your
>> message almost less than useful.
> All Gold - does that make it any more useful?
>
> --
> Cheers
> Chatty Cathy
>

Actually, it does.

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
> "ChattyCathy" > wrote in message
> ...
>> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Thanks for not mentioning the brand name on that can. This makes your
>>> message almost less than useful.
>> All Gold - does that make it any more useful?
>>
>> --
>> Cheers
>> Chatty Cathy
>>
>
> Actually, it does.
>
>
Well, now I can sleep tonight.

--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

ChattyCathy wrote:
> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Thanks for not mentioning the brand name on that can. This makes your
>> message almost less than useful.
>>
Considering she lives in South Africa I'm not sure it really would matter to
most of the U.S. people here.

>>
> All Gold - does that make it any more useful?

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> ChattyCathy wrote:
>> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks for not mentioning the brand name on that can. This makes your
>>> message almost less than useful.
>>>

> Considering she lives in South Africa I'm not sure it really would matter
> to
> most of the U.S. people here.


Less information is always best. Clue: Many overseas brand names belong to
companies from other countries.

On Aug 1, 9:24 am, Chatty Cathy > wrote:
> Finally decided to make Dave Smith's Lamb Shanks with Caramelized Onions
> today...
>
> Anyhoo, the recipe calls for 1 can of chopped tomatoes... fine. I have
> those. I chopped up all the other stuff and then opened the can of
> tomatoes. Hmph, as I pulled up the "tab" (it was one of those cans) to
> open it, it gave a rather loud "POP!" sound. Gave me such a "fright".
> Needless to say I checked the expiry date on the can (which was 2009)
> and it didn't have any dents or other damage, and it certainly had not
> looked "bloated" before I opened it. Only thing I did notice was that
> the contents seemed to be a bit less than normal - so there was some
> "air" in there. Wonder if that had anything to do with it? The contents
> didn't smell bad per se, but I chucked it anyway, wasn't taking any
> chances. Luckily I had another can - which was fine...
> --
> Cheers
> Chatty Cathy

Must be running in a series. Last week I chucked a can of tomato paste
that went pop. It's far too dangerous to use such a can. Botulism
apparently can ruin an entire week-end.

John Kane, Kingston ON Canada

"John Kane" > wrote in message
ps.com...
> On Aug 1, 9:24 am, Chatty Cathy > wrote:
>> Finally decided to make Dave Smith's Lamb Shanks with Caramelized Onions
>> today...
>>
>> Anyhoo, the recipe calls for 1 can of chopped tomatoes... fine. I have
>> those. I chopped up all the other stuff and then opened the can of
>> tomatoes. Hmph, as I pulled up the "tab" (it was one of those cans) to
>> open it, it gave a rather loud "POP!" sound. Gave me such a "fright".
>> Needless to say I checked the expiry date on the can (which was 2009)
>> and it didn't have any dents or other damage, and it certainly had not
>> looked "bloated" before I opened it. Only thing I did notice was that
>> the contents seemed to be a bit less than normal - so there was some
>> "air" in there. Wonder if that had anything to do with it? The contents
>> didn't smell bad per se, but I chucked it anyway, wasn't taking any
>> chances. Luckily I had another can - which was fine...
>> --
>> Cheers
>> Chatty Cathy
>
> Must be running in a series. Last week I chucked a can of tomato paste
> that went pop. It's far too dangerous to use such a can. Botulism
> apparently can ruin an entire week-end.
>
> John Kane, Kingston ON Canada
>

Tomatoes are the least likely product to host botulism, although I'm

******GUESSING******** (quiet, Sheldon)

that it's less acidic than canned tomatoes.

"JoeSpareBedroom" > wrote in message
...
> "John Kane" > wrote in message
> ps.com...
>> On Aug 1, 9:24 am, Chatty Cathy > wrote:
>>> Finally decided to make Dave Smith's Lamb Shanks with Caramelized Onions
>>> today...
>>>
>>> Anyhoo, the recipe calls for 1 can of chopped tomatoes... fine. I have
>>> those. I chopped up all the other stuff and then opened the can of
>>> tomatoes. Hmph, as I pulled up the "tab" (it was one of those cans) to
>>> open it, it gave a rather loud "POP!" sound. Gave me such a "fright".
>>> Needless to say I checked the expiry date on the can (which was 2009)
>>> and it didn't have any dents or other damage, and it certainly had not
>>> looked "bloated" before I opened it. Only thing I did notice was that
>>> the contents seemed to be a bit less than normal - so there was some
>>> "air" in there. Wonder if that had anything to do with it? The contents
>>> didn't smell bad per se, but I chucked it anyway, wasn't taking any
>>> chances. Luckily I had another can - which was fine...
>>> --
>>> Cheers
>>> Chatty Cathy
>>
>> Must be running in a series. Last week I chucked a can of tomato paste
>> that went pop. It's far too dangerous to use such a can. Botulism
>> apparently can ruin an entire week-end.
>>
>> John Kane, Kingston ON Canada
>>
>
> Tomatoes are the least likely product to host botulism, although I'm
>
> ******GUESSING******** (quiet, Sheldon)
>
> that it's less acidic than canned tomatoes.

....and by "it's", I meant tomato paste.

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

>
> Thanks for not mentioning the brand name on that can. This makes your
> message almost less than useful.

Why would it matter? It may have been an old can. Canneries can food under
a variety of labels, so a product with one label could possibly come from
the same batch as cans bearing a different label. It could have just been
one can out of a batch that was improperly sealed.

I think the important message there is that when you open a can and find it
pressurized you are well advised not to use it.
...... regardless of the brand name label on it.

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
...
> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>
>>
>> Thanks for not mentioning the brand name on that can. This makes your
>> message almost less than useful.
>
> Why would it matter? It may have been an old can. Canneries can food under
> a variety of labels, so a product with one label could possibly come from
> the same batch as cans bearing a different label. It could have just been
> one can out of a batch that was improperly sealed.
>
> I think the important message there is that when you open a can and find
> it
> pressurized you are well advised not to use it.
> ..... regardless of the brand name label on it.


Here's a hypothetical news announcement. I suspect the question I ask
afterward will befuddle or perhaps enrage you.

"The FDA announced the recall of 2.5 million cans of olives, after 3 cans
were found to contain botulism. The agency declined to reveal the brand
name, saying it didn't seem important".

Are you OK with that? Sounds like it would be fine with you.

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>
>
> Here's a hypothetical news announcement. I suspect the question I ask
> afterward will befuddle or perhaps enrage you.
>
> "The FDA announced the recall of 2.5 million cans of olives, after 3 cans
> were found to contain botulism. The agency declined to reveal the brand
> name, saying it didn't seem important".
>
> Are you OK with that? Sounds like it would be fine with you.

I am fine with that. I don't eat canned olives :-)

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
...
>
> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>>
>>
>> Here's a hypothetical news announcement. I suspect the question I ask
>> afterward will befuddle or perhaps enrage you.
>>
>> "The FDA announced the recall of 2.5 million cans of olives, after 3 cans
>> were found to contain botulism. The agency declined to reveal the brand
>> name, saying it didn't seem important".
>>
>> Are you OK with that? Sounds like it would be fine with you.
>
> I am fine with that. I don't eat canned olives :-)


You probably believed "fight them there so we don't have to fight them
there".

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>
>
> >
> > I am fine with that. I don't eat canned olives :-)
>
> You probably believed "fight them there so we don't have to fight them
> there".

?????????????????????

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
...
> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>>
>>
>> >
>> > I am fine with that. I don't eat canned olives :-)
>>
>> You probably believed "fight them there so we don't have to fight them
>> there".
>
> ?????????????????????

The bad can of tomatoes in South Africa are George Bush's fault.

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
...
>
> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>>
>>
>> Here's a hypothetical news announcement. I suspect the question I ask
>> afterward will befuddle or perhaps enrage you.
>>
>> "The FDA announced the recall of 2.5 million cans of olives, after 3 cans
>> were found to contain botulism. The agency declined to reveal the brand
>> name, saying it didn't seem important".
>>
>> Are you OK with that? Sounds like it would be fine with you.
>
> I am fine with that. I don't eat canned olives :-)

I eat "jarred" olives. Do you think you can get botulism from 'jarred'?
Pondering,
Dee Dee

Dee Dee wrote:
>
> "Dave Smith" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> Here's a hypothetical news announcement. I suspect the question I
>>> ask afterward will befuddle or perhaps enrage you.
>>>
>>> "The FDA announced the recall of 2.5 million cans of olives, after 3
>>> cans were found to contain botulism. The agency declined to reveal
>>> the brand name, saying it didn't seem important".
>>>
>>> Are you OK with that? Sounds like it would be fine with you.
>>
>> I am fine with that. I don't eat canned olives :-)
>
> I eat "jarred" olives. Do you think you can get botulism from
> 'jarred'? Pondering, Dee Dee

Olives? Olives?! Hey, I just discovered something keen.

http://www.mezzetta.com/Merchant2/me..._Code=10700588

= http://tinyurl.com/38t5oy

Chardonnay "and other aromatic seasonings". A little less sharp; more
flavor. Yummy!

No, I'm not an olive fetishist. I've just started experimenting with
them since discovering the anchovy-stuffed ones a couple months ago,
that were discussed in here.


--
Blinky RLU 297263
Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html

On Aug 1, 3:19 pm, "JoeSpareBedroom" > wrote:
> "Dave Smith" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> > JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>
> >> Thanks for not mentioning the brand name on that can. This makes your
> >> message almost less than useful.
>
> > Why would it matter? It may have been an old can. Canneries can food under
> > a variety of labels, so a product with one label could possibly come from
> > the same batch as cans bearing a different label. It could have just been
> > one can out of a batch that was improperly sealed.
>
> > I think the important message there is that when you open a can and find
> > it
> > pressurized you are well advised not to use it.
> > ..... regardless of the brand name label on it.
>
> Here's a hypothetical news announcement. I suspect the question I ask
> afterward will befuddle or perhaps enrage you.
>
> "The FDA announced the recall of 2.5 million cans of olives, after 3 cans
> were found to contain botulism. The agency declined to reveal the brand
> name, saying it didn't seem important".
>
> Are you OK with that? Sounds like it would be fine with you.

I'm glad that was hypothetical. Canned black olives are one of the
things I buy in cans. I love 'em as a pizza topping.

--Bryan

Bobo Bonobo® wrote:
>
>
> >
> >
> > "The FDA announced the recall of 2.5 million cans of olives, after 3 cans
> > were found to contain botulism. The agency declined to reveal the brand
> > name, saying it didn't seem important".
> >
> > Are you OK with that? Sounds like it would be fine with you.
>
> I'm glad that was hypothetical. Canned black olives are one of the
> things I buy in cans. I love 'em as a pizza topping.

Can you not get black olives from an olive bar. I spent a lot of my life
not liking olives because the things that came in cans and jars were
disgusting. Then I discovered that the olives from the deli counter are
delicious.

> The bad can of tomatoes in South Africa are George Bush's fault.

Of course! After all, he is the can of bad tomatoes
in the White House. :^)

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
941-925-8650
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>

On Aug 1, 7:48 am, notbob > wrote:
> On 2007-08-01, Chatty Cathy > wrote:
>
> > the contents seemed to be a bit less than normal....
> > didn't smell bad per se, but I chucked it anyway....
>
> Good girl! Always toss any canned good that's even remotely suspect.
> Bad canned goods are statistically very rare, but they do happen.
> I once ran across a can of tomato paste that was blatantly bulging.
> Another, years later, that seemed "off" after opening. Tossed them
> both without a thought. Life is too short and canned goods too cheap
> to risk it.

Life could be rendered significantly shorter if one were to ingest
botulinum toxin.
>
> nb

--Bryan