Tacos that could break Ankles!

Japanese Inspired:Quick Fire, Ready:

The beginning of a new game . . .

Reviews:

If you kill 2 birds with one stone . . .

...you not only get fried chicken and chicken tacos (occasionally fish, another story another time).

So two entries in one piece - neither totally about  

food, yet so important to a proper meal.

Issue Number 1: Parking in any establishment.

For that matter any instance you are alone and someone sidles you. What is the deal? I mean you arrive early and spot a spot with privacy and some inDUHvidual plops right next to you. Or parks. There is really no control with assigned seating (for a show or) in a restaurant since who knows when neighbors will arrive and depart.

Statistically, what is the probability that in all that space someone lands next to you?

But my concern are the parking spots outside and personal space in say a museum. Why is it in a totally empty lot, someone needs to park next to me? Worse. Why does some dim-wit need to sidle next to you to view a painting? Really, you can't stand 1.5ft behind me and 1ft to the left or right? Couldn't you just wait?

Oh no, not in this culture: Me, Me, and more Me.

Issue Number 2: Phrasing an Order.

How does one express to a wait-person an urgency for water? The dilemma is that the beverage is of no tangible value to the establishment - they're pushing wine and beer. I say dilemma because on multiple occasions now, I've uttered a very rude phrase pinned between to polite niceties.

Response for a beverage: "...oh, I'll have water right now please."

Is there a better way to phrase that without it sounding like a command?

Is this any better: "thanks...water for now."

How is that any better, it seems insincere. No?

Chicken and Peppers - Peppers are the Highlight

Marvelous Marmalade

Simple Meal

Because I'm a Crackpot

A Medley of Goodness
Tis' the season to break out the trusty crockpot . . .

Ingredients:

1. Beef
2. Parsnip
3. Beets
4. Turnip
5. Tomato
6. Beans
7. Garlic
8. Shallot

Seasoning:

1. Salt+Pepper
2. Garlic Powder
3. Olive Oil
4. Fennel Seeds
5. (next time) Coriander Seeds

To Do: Prep (i.e. chop to uniform size) Ingredients and mix with Seasonings.

Finally: Put into the crockpot, turn up the heat and let cook for 1.5 hours (stir) and cook another 1.5 hours.

Results:

Intermission

"Many Hands Make Light Work"

There'Something Happenin' Here . . .

Buffalo Springfield

To christen the new stove (with a dent and soon to be replace, yeah right) - Buffalo Steaks

"No buddy's right, if everyone's Wrong"

But maybe we'll take the "Marrakesh Express" to get some couscous . . .

To Build A Better Sandwich . . .

NOT YOUR ORDINARY GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICH

STOVE IS STILL BROKEN AND SO ITS NOT REALLY GRILLED . . .

What you'll need:

1. Nice Piece of French Bread
2. Ham, nicer the better and tastier
3. Cheese, I used Pepper Jack
4. Homemade Fancy Mayo Spread
• Mayo
• Parmesan Cheese
• Few Drops of Soy Sauce
• Chipotle Powder

First Make the Spread: In a bowl, mix in Mayo + Parmesan Cheese + Soy Sauce + Chipotle Powder

Spread onto the bread, on one side add a little Sriracha


Layer the hame and cheese.



Assembled, now enjoy with a garnish to make the meal complete.

A Classic Sandwhich

The real reason for something so simple, Broken Stove

The key to this sandwich was the bread. I was able to find an individual baquette, perfect for a large sandwich for one. Nice seeds on top and a perfect consistency - not too chewy!

All you need is:

1. 0.5 to 2/3 of a pound of Pastrami (cut thin)
2. Bread
3. Swiss Cheese
4. Optional Tomatoes (note: the tomatoes shown in the photo are straight from my garden - isn't California grand!)
5. Onion (not shown)
6. Mustard to your liking

Then assemble, best to fold and layer the pastrami, and put the cheese on last. This will

result in optimal deliciousness.

As usual, enjoy (really this was just an excuse to show the pictures : )

A classic sandwich, meant to be in B/W

Another shot of the same great thing.

Option 1 or 2?

Tapatio or Sriracha

Mix one sauce with Doritos.

Fun with F-o-o-D

Scrabbled Eggs

Best I could do, oven is still broken . . .

Another Twist on a Sandwich

Mayo and Stuff

This is a topping to make an ordinary ham sandwich a little more exciting:

1. Ham

2. Bread - cut and toast

3. Add into a bowl

a. clove of garlic diced

b. scoop of mayo

c. some parmesan cheese

d. some chili flakes

e. splash of soy sauce

4. stir

5. spread onto the bread w/ ham

6. add optional additions: tomato, onion, cheese, etc

A Yummy Addition

Take This QUiz-nose

So you feel hungry don't you. And Bobby Flay has let you down. Never mind Alton Brown. And dammit put some shoes on, for God's sake!! YOU ARE A CONTESSA.

So here we go:

A sandwhich, but not one you can find in an ordinary eatery. No this is an original, inspired by drunken moments and and hung over Mondays (i.e. similar to a Manic Monday).

What you will need:

1. Do you even know how many you need? If it's you and you meet the description above it's: 2
2. Okay- Croissants
3. Lunch meat or left over BBQ or lots of veggies (get real)
4. Tomato
5. Onion, of the red variety
6. Cheese - we recommend: Gouda and Provolone (I mean Provolone tops Meatball subs-how can you go wrong. Yes that's a statement)
7. Cilantro

This is wha's next:

1. Crank the Broiler to HIGH
2. Slice those Cro-sants
3. Slice those Tomatoes
4. Chop the cilantro
5. Heat a pan and add some Olive Oil
6. Once hot, toss the onions in and let them Sauté
7. While that's cooking, on the bottom Croissant place some Good-AHH
8. Once ready, add the meat or veggies (not tomatoes)
9. When they're looking good (if you don't get it, then dammit check out another site) it's time to top the BOTTOM Croissant with the medley of meat and onions atop the cheese
10. Now top with the Tomatoes, then the Provolone
11. Heat in the Broiler for 1.125 minutes (careful, this is science after all and have i steered you wrong "Babby-bird"?)
12. after 30 seconds add the top of the Croissant to the Broiler (you'll be glad - see pic)
13. When it's ready (after 1.25 minutes) add the Cilantro and Top the Croissant

Remember you can add any other favorites and should GO WILD.

Now aren't you glad you didn't watch that "Chopped" marathon, now turn that TIvo to Jaime Oliver or Top CHef --- Bon Appetite.

Figure 1 - Yeah that's something you can make at home!

Product Recall . . .

CORRECTION

• Mom claims no connection to rice recipe - it's mine ALL mine!!

the END.

The Challenge

Menu Madness!

So here it is: The Rib Challenge or Pork Madness (its regional).

Basics: The following eateries will be reviewed and ranked for ribs (plus service, etc), but mostly food!!!

Current Venues (in No Particular Order)

• Hoppy Brewery
• Chili's
• TGI Fridays
• Black Angus
• Eunice's (on Folsom Blvd and Bradshaw)
• others to be posted . . .

Check back for the rating system.

Road Map

Picture this: Chicken Tonight

Prep, Wait, Cooked, Clean . . .

What the Heck is in THIS???

Rice: My Mom's Way [somehow she won't make it]

1st for every cup of rice, you will need 2 cups of water

Got that.

Now you will need (assuming 1 cup of rice):

• 2 to 3 cloves of fresh garlic - Diced
• hefty pinch of salt {kosher and grasp with all 5 fingers}
• 1/8 cup of onion - Diced/Minced {Free to substitute Dry Onion Flakes}
• Roughly a Tablespoon of Olive Oil {Simply an estimate}

Let's get to Cooking:

• Coat the bottom of the pan you will use with: OLIVE OIL
• Heat the oil
• When Hot, Add:

1. Garlic and Let Sizzle
2. Onions and again let Sizzle
3. Salt
4. Rice

• Use a spoon to stir/coat the rice
• After 2 to 3 minutes, add WATER
• Bring water to a boil and lower to simmer
• Let cook until all liquid is gone (approximately 35 minutes per cup of rice)

Now you are done, serve with meat and veggies; meal complete!

Rising Cost of Food!!

How Much is That Little Doggie in the Window?

Well maybe that cup of fruit. On my way to Joseph (OR) and standing in line at St*rBuc$$ - A man holds up a cup of fruit. Asking for the price - a whopping $4.01 (US). Final Decision (no phone a friend) small coffee and a danish, total $4.01!

For the record - I bought a tall coffee and oatmeal cookie...go figure : )

Pasta Salad

Chicken and Pasta

1. Cook an Amount of Pasta

2. Broil Chicken (see earlier recipe)

3. Slice Amount of Onion

4. Toss Onions and Season w/ Salt, Pepper and Olive Oil

5. Add Pasta + Chopped Chicken

6. Chop Cilantro and Mix All Together

PILAO

With a "~" over the "A"

Steps:

1. Get some.
2. Brew it.
3. Drink it.
4. Savor there is still some left.

Pilao, best coffee ever!