One of my favorite ways to eat in restaurants is to sit in the bar with friends and all of us order 2-3 appetizers each (or 'small-bites' or 'tapas') to share. Sometimes I prefer not getting quite so filled-up, and being able to sample many various tastes this way- versus eating in the dining room and getting stuffed on soup, salad, bread, entree, dessert...
Cathy, I would reserve the canned corned beef for the croquettes recipe I posted at the beginning of this thread.
Canned corned beef is more crumbly than regular, and is more hash-like than whole. For the soup, shredded whole corned beef works better, because you want some tooth from the meat.
What I do is have the deli counter slice the corned beef about 1/4" thick. Two of those should be as near a half pound as to make no never mind. Then I sliver it for the soup.
Alternatively, have the deli slice it so thin it's like shaved ham. Clean off the fat, and then slice through the shavings crossways to create the shredded meat.
Also, watch the size of the toast raft. Too big and it's awkward to get through it with a soon. It's better to have two or three small triangles than one large one.
Canned corned beef is more crumbly than regular, and is more hash-like than whole. For the soup, shredded whole corned beef works better, because you want some tooth from the meat.
What I do is have the deli counter slice the corned beef about 1/4" thick. Two of those should be as near a half pound as to make no never mind. Then I sliver it for the soup.
Alternatively, have the deli slice it so thin it's like shaved ham. Clean off the fat, and then slice through the shavings crossways to create the shredded meat.
Also, watch the size of the toast raft. Too big and it's awkward to get through it with a soon. It's better to have two or three small triangles than one large one.
:rolleyes:Thanks for the info. everyone. I love appetizers. :p Cookie 
In the past, Kevin, I would often order as you describe.
Trouble is, nowadays, that "appetisers" are so large as to be a joke. In actuality, they are merely a la carte versions of the entrees. Two or three of them would be far more than I could eat.
This is, of course, a fundemental problem with the whole small plates movement. In order to justify the high prices, portions are way too big. Even when shared among a number of people you can too easily go overboard.
What I find works, with typical appetisers, is for everybody to order just one (or two if it's a really large group), and then divide them. That way everybody gets a diversity of tastes, but nowbody fills up on just one.
Typical of the appetiser sizes in today's restaurants. We recently took some friends out to celebrate their anniversary. There was a mixed appetizer on the menu that supposedly served two. Friend Wife and I ordered that.
Well, all four of us ate off of it, and left some behind for fear it would spoil our dinner otherwise. I mean we're talking about a lot of food.
This isn't unusual. And I don't understand it. An appetiser---or any small plate, no matter what it's called---is supposed to stimulate the palette, and prepare it for the meal to come. It's not supposed to be a meal on its own.
Another trend that bothers me, re: appetisers. If you order a mixed tray, and the menu says "serves four" why are there five of some items? Is the restaurant looking to start a fight?
Trouble is, nowadays, that "appetisers" are so large as to be a joke. In actuality, they are merely a la carte versions of the entrees. Two or three of them would be far more than I could eat.
This is, of course, a fundemental problem with the whole small plates movement. In order to justify the high prices, portions are way too big. Even when shared among a number of people you can too easily go overboard.
What I find works, with typical appetisers, is for everybody to order just one (or two if it's a really large group), and then divide them. That way everybody gets a diversity of tastes, but nowbody fills up on just one.
Typical of the appetiser sizes in today's restaurants. We recently took some friends out to celebrate their anniversary. There was a mixed appetizer on the menu that supposedly served two. Friend Wife and I ordered that.
Well, all four of us ate off of it, and left some behind for fear it would spoil our dinner otherwise. I mean we're talking about a lot of food.
This isn't unusual. And I don't understand it. An appetiser---or any small plate, no matter what it's called---is supposed to stimulate the palette, and prepare it for the meal to come. It's not supposed to be a meal on its own.
Another trend that bothers me, re: appetisers. If you order a mixed tray, and the menu says "serves four" why are there five of some items? Is the restaurant looking to start a fight?
I see all of the points you make, Brook. Most portion sizes are indeed way too large. And that whole 5 jalapeno poppers for a group of 4 is indeed squirrely!
Several years ago I did the Atkins diet a couple of times- ate very low carbs- went months without eating sweets, or breads, potatoes, pasta, rice. It was difficult, but after a period, though I still found myself craving sweets occasionally- I rarely if ever craved grains- just didn't need them.
Today- all these years later, I order the largest sandwich I can find- cause I simply discard the bun or bread- and I toss the fries to the birds too- if they come with. So, when I order an entree, be it steak, ribs, chicken or fish, I'll ask for a double portion of broccoli rather than a baked potato or rice. Don't know what it is w/ me and carbs these days- I used to LOVE them all- CRAVED them. But not now.
Several years ago I did the Atkins diet a couple of times- ate very low carbs- went months without eating sweets, or breads, potatoes, pasta, rice. It was difficult, but after a period, though I still found myself craving sweets occasionally- I rarely if ever craved grains- just didn't need them.
Today- all these years later, I order the largest sandwich I can find- cause I simply discard the bun or bread- and I toss the fries to the birds too- if they come with. So, when I order an entree, be it steak, ribs, chicken or fish, I'll ask for a double portion of broccoli rather than a baked potato or rice. Don't know what it is w/ me and carbs these days- I used to LOVE them all- CRAVED them. But not now.