Saturday, October 2, 2010
Hangover Participle
In an effort to boost sales Medea Vodka maker has decided to include a programmable LED display on the bottle of their line of Vodka. This is a novel approach to capture the niche party/club scene markets. At about the same time a new site has gained popularity; www.vodkabottletextsfromlastnight.com.
Source: ENGADGET
Monday, April 5, 2010
Shouldn't your baby be a Bacon Baby?
I love bacon. I LOVE IT! Nothing compares to the overall experience of consuming this wonder-meat. But I've got to draw the line somewhere. J&D whose slogan is "Everything should taste like bacon." have taken the recent baconmania trend a bit too far. I bring to you BACON-FLAVORED INSTANT BABY FORMULA. You could argue that this is a product almost as taboo as candy cigarettes. Get 'em started young and they're hooked for life! However, I don't think there will be large civil suits against the pork producers of the US.
They do make a solid argument for bacon. Research proves the importance of high protein/high fat diets for early stage infant brain development. What's better than bacon? However the product is bacon "flavored" and not simply ground up bacon added to formula. I'm sure parents would be wary of a product which also comes with a disclaimer.
"Based on this and a lot of other research, we developed our newest product, Bacon Baby Infant Formula. It ensures that your infants get the fat, proteins and complex nutrients that they need to excel at an early age, all in a savory, delicious tasting formula. (**Note that we can’t guarantee that your baby will become smarter or more athletic from using this formula, as those particular claims are still undergoing review by the FDA - but we think you'll be pleased!**)"
This could mark a huge change to bacon mania. It could be the beginning of a series of health conscious foods flavored with bacon. I'm sure there's a successful protein shake out there somewhere. There's the diet soda market, and I've always enjoyed the irony of Vegetarian Bacon.
Special thanks to Becca for sharing Bacon Baby with me.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Super Mac 'n Cheese
Founding father/inventor/foodie Thomas Jefferson invented Macaroni & Cheese. Well, he did in the same sense that Vice President Al Gore invented the internet. Rumor has it that Jefferson returned form a trip to Paris with a macaroni mold. His cousin, Mary Randolph (AKA "The Virginia Housewife"), first published the recipe he served in the White House in 1824. While popular in England since the Victorian era, the casserole wasn't a staple of American comfort food until Kraft Foods popularized it as a dried boxed food in war-rationed 1937.
The food has evolved to various forms far beyond what Jefferson could have ever imagined. Besides instant and microwavable incarnations, you can find fried Mac 'n Cheese Bites, and even Mac 'n Cheese colored Crayola Crayons. A sheer mention of the food in the song "If I had $1,000,000" prompts fans of the band Barenaked Ladies to lob boxes upon boxes of Kraft Dinner on stage.
Today I attempted to doctor up a box of Kraft Dinner Macaroni and Cheese. I was pleasantly surprised. Here's the recipe.
Ingredients:
1 Box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Dinner (Family Size)
1 Stick Butter or Margarine
1/2 Cup of Whole Milk
4 Pinches of Iodized Sea Salt
A Splash of Olive Oil
2 Cups of Kraft Cheese Mexican Four Cheese Finely Shredded
1 package Kraft Cheese American Singles - 24 ct
1/2 cup Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
1. Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Prepare box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Dinner per instructions, however add olive oil and sea salt to water once boiling.
3. Stir in 2 cups of Kraft Finely Grated Mexican Shredded Cheese blend, and 1/4 cup of Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
4. Pour into medium sized casserole dish.
5. Cover top of macaroni with Kraft Singles and then remaining Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake until Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese turns golden brown.
Many creamy variations of Mac 'n Cheese involve using flour to make a creme sauce similar to alfredo. For unique flavors, some chefs try using various types of strong cheeses and more daring individuals can even add extra ingredients, like ground beef, ketchup, jalapeños, sliced hot dogs, Spam, Tabasco sauce, ham, bacon, tuna, tomatoes, and other vegetables. Have fun experimenting yourself!
We wouldn't have to eat Kraft Dinner...
Barenaked Ladies, If I had $1,000,000
Barenaked Ladies, If I had $1,000,000
The food has evolved to various forms far beyond what Jefferson could have ever imagined. Besides instant and microwavable incarnations, you can find fried Mac 'n Cheese Bites, and even Mac 'n Cheese colored Crayola Crayons. A sheer mention of the food in the song "If I had $1,000,000" prompts fans of the band Barenaked Ladies to lob boxes upon boxes of Kraft Dinner on stage.
Today I attempted to doctor up a box of Kraft Dinner Macaroni and Cheese. I was pleasantly surprised. Here's the recipe.
Ingredients:
1 Box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Dinner (Family Size)
1 Stick Butter or Margarine
1/2 Cup of Whole Milk
4 Pinches of Iodized Sea Salt
A Splash of Olive Oil
2 Cups of Kraft Cheese Mexican Four Cheese Finely Shredded
1 package Kraft Cheese American Singles - 24 ct
1/2 cup Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
1. Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Prepare box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Dinner per instructions, however add olive oil and sea salt to water once boiling.
3. Stir in 2 cups of Kraft Finely Grated Mexican Shredded Cheese blend, and 1/4 cup of Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
4. Pour into medium sized casserole dish.
5. Cover top of macaroni with Kraft Singles and then remaining Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake until Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese turns golden brown.
Many creamy variations of Mac 'n Cheese involve using flour to make a creme sauce similar to alfredo. For unique flavors, some chefs try using various types of strong cheeses and more daring individuals can even add extra ingredients, like ground beef, ketchup, jalapeños, sliced hot dogs, Spam, Tabasco sauce, ham, bacon, tuna, tomatoes, and other vegetables. Have fun experimenting yourself!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
It's a warzone out there...
To be honest I had no idea we actually had fast food on US bases. We do. It makes sense. To boost morale during war give a solider something familiar from home. Some comfort food for thought. But you've got to agree somewhat with a recent decision to remove fast food from military bases in Afghanistan. In a blog post by Sgt. Maj. Michael T. Hall he discusses changes to morale, welfare and recreation facilities on U.S. bases.
"This is a warzone – not an amusement park."
The situation brings to mind the movie War, Inc.. Here we find a hot sauce shooting John Cusack as a hit man posed trade show producer in the US outsourced military occupation of the fictional country Turaqistan. A theme remnant of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The climax surrounds Cusack's character (Hauser) confronting the Viceroy in a secret location hidden in a Popeyes restaurant. (Don't worry. I haven't given away the ending.)
In reference to an additional change the Sgt. Maj. states they, "will also reduce the amount of canned and bottled goods coming into country." At least he didn't say, "Let them eat SPAM."
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
National Tuna Melt Day!
A strange thing happened today. I posted on facebook that I was making a tuna melt for lunch. To my surprise I quickly received numerous posts from friends that they either had food made with tuna or had even made a tuna melt themselves. I'm sure this can be attributed to pure coincidence but what if it wasn't.
People seek comfort foods for many reasons. For example people eat sweet foods such as ice cream to fight depression. They will eat hot soup to balance out a cold winter's day, or a child gets a box of cookies in the mail to fight homesickness while off at summer camp. I feel strongly that a tuna melt is one of those foods.
A tuna melt strikes a nostalgic chord in me. It takes me back to a simpler time of my childhood when I had the world ahead of me and finding happiness was as easy as getting in the hot lunch line in the school cafeteria. I remember later on in life of so many late night diner sessions where tuna melts provided sustenance after a long day's rehearsal. It is no wonder that on a dreary March afternoon, when I'm barricaded in my living room with my laptop and dog as my closest companions, I want nothing more than a tuna melt to escape.
I'm sure others must feel the same while looking through a menu or opening the fridge. They want something warm, and satisfying that won't break the bank. They think, "I just paid my taxes; maybe I shouldn't spend too much on lunch this year." I can't think of a better food during Lent. They think, "I want something that will make me happy."
For these reasons I declare (because I have the highest authority ;-) ) that today, March 23, be known as National Tuna Melt Day!
To celebrate here are some great tuna melt recipes:
http://www.starkist.com/template.asp?section=recipes/sandwiches/classicmelt.html
http://tunamelt.com
People seek comfort foods for many reasons. For example people eat sweet foods such as ice cream to fight depression. They will eat hot soup to balance out a cold winter's day, or a child gets a box of cookies in the mail to fight homesickness while off at summer camp. I feel strongly that a tuna melt is one of those foods.
A tuna melt strikes a nostalgic chord in me. It takes me back to a simpler time of my childhood when I had the world ahead of me and finding happiness was as easy as getting in the hot lunch line in the school cafeteria. I remember later on in life of so many late night diner sessions where tuna melts provided sustenance after a long day's rehearsal. It is no wonder that on a dreary March afternoon, when I'm barricaded in my living room with my laptop and dog as my closest companions, I want nothing more than a tuna melt to escape.
I'm sure others must feel the same while looking through a menu or opening the fridge. They want something warm, and satisfying that won't break the bank. They think, "I just paid my taxes; maybe I shouldn't spend too much on lunch this year." I can't think of a better food during Lent. They think, "I want something that will make me happy."
For these reasons I declare (because I have the highest authority ;-) ) that today, March 23, be known as National Tuna Melt Day!
To celebrate here are some great tuna melt recipes:
http://www.starkist.com/template.asp?section=recipes/sandwiches/classicmelt.html
http://tunamelt.com
Labels:
comfort food,
lent,
national tuna melt day,
taxes,
tuna,
tuna melt
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Mmm... π.
Today marks Pi Day! A day devoted to honor the mathematical constant π. It also is the day of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade. In celebration of both I will discuss my favorite bars and pies.
10. Lemon Meringue - Meringue is made when egg whites are beaten some the protein's hydrogen bonds break causing the protein to unfold. Potassium bitartrate (cream of tartar) is added to add further stiffness and sugar is added for sweetness. Baking seals the deal. While 'lemon' is the most common meringue there is also the very popular non-pie ice cream dish 'Baked Alaska' (or Bombe Alaska). Often rum is splashed on top of the meringue and set on fire. The meringue acts as an insulator to the ice cream. That's hot!
9. Pecan - While some pies have only hints of flavor, the pecan pie's flavor is unavoidable. Whole pecans adorn the surface of this custard-style pie. A traditional southern U.S. pie it is rumored to be invented by the French after settling New Orleans. My favorite version adds bourbon to the recipe.
8. Key Lime - This is another southern US traditional pie with European origin. The Conch (Bahamians of European descent) developed this dish after settling the Florida Keys. The 'Key limes' gave the characteristic flavoring. Like the lemon it is traditionally prepared with a meringue topping. You'll often find green food coloring added to the pie filling to give a lime-green color.
7. Chicken Pot - I'm finding 'gourmet' versions of this pie on menus more and more these days. This savory pie is the epitome of comfort food and the inexpensive frozen version is a staple of the college student diet. The American style typically has gravy and mixed vegetables (often potatoes, carrots, green beans and peas).
6. Apple - It is easy to assume that apple pie is the most common pie in the U.S.. So much that the phrase "as American as apple pie" is associated with anything being "typically American". However the pie is anything but American in origin. The English and the Dutch were making pies far back into the 14th century, hundreds of years before the 13 colonies were settled. I can't turn down a slice when it is served warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
5. Pumpkin - Have you ever noticed that pumpkin pie rarely tastes like pumpkins? The very fragrant spices of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and ginger often overpower the mild pumpkin. As pumpkins are native to North America, the pumpkin pie is more American in origin than any other pie. The pie is most popular around Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Wherefore there are many seasonal commercial foods that are flavored to resemble pumpkin pie. The Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks and the Post Road Pumpkin Ale by Brooklyn Brewery are two of my favorites.
4. Spanakopita - This is my favorite Greek diner food. A warmed savory pie, it uses buttery flaky phyllo dough to surround chopped spinach and feta (or ricotta) cheese. Phyllo is one of the most difficult doughs to prepare so it is most often store bought. It is either formed to a baking pan or folded over to a triangle similar to an apple turnover.
3. Blueberry & Cherry - You can make most fruit into a delicious sweet pie. Blueberry pie is often favored for pie eating contests probably because it stains a dark purple when you make a mess. Cherry pie continues to be popular thanks to the band Warrant.
2. Banana Cream & Chocolate Pudding - A 'cream' pie is any pie filled with a custard or pudding then topped with a whipped cream topping. A very quick and easy version can be made with a ready-made graham cracker crust, and instant or cook and serve pudding. Canned whipped cream or cool whip is an honorable addition to any pie.
1. Pizza - With the traditional forms of pizza the term 'pie' is used dialectal. However a Chicago style pizza or calzone could directly resemble savory pies and fit the standard definition. I reference it as a 'Pizza Pie' regardless of the style. Like ham & eggs, peas & carrots or coffee & cigarettes, pizza goes hand & hand with my drink of choice beer.
Honorable Mention: Shepherd's Pie - A 'cottage pie' is a savory mincemeat pie with a baked mashed potato crust. When the mince is Lamb it is commonly called Shepherd's pie. In Ireland Shepherd's Pie refers to any version regardless of the type of meat used. I will eat this pie to celebrate the Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade.
To learn more about pie day check out CNN's article on Pi Day!
To learn about more pies check out this quick list from Wikipedia.
Coming soon: hear about my favorite bars...
*Update* OK so I've been slacking on the "Favorite Bars" Posts. Hangovers suck.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
IHOP - JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT
A Florida woman last November thought her fried chicken green salad tasted odd. She couldn't quite put her 'finger' on it. As reported by The Smoking Gun, she was correct in her assumption but it wasn't her finger. Eww...
Quite a shame considering all of the wonderful publicity IHOP and their parent company DineEquity have been getting in the news recently. Their free pancake annual event 'National Pancake Day' has raised $3.25 million to date in support of Children's Miracle Network and other local charities.
However I don't think anyone at IHOP these days is having as much fun as these people in their psychedelic 60's commercial.
Quite a shame considering all of the wonderful publicity IHOP and their parent company DineEquity have been getting in the news recently. Their free pancake annual event 'National Pancake Day' has raised $3.25 million to date in support of Children's Miracle Network and other local charities.
However I don't think anyone at IHOP these days is having as much fun as these people in their psychedelic 60's commercial.
The 2010 Tomato Crisis
A recent freeze has decimated tomato crops in Florida where up to 75% of US consumed tomatoes are grown. With up to 70% of Florida crops destroyed it will take some time before the market can 'ketchup'.
This could mean a great deal for consumers as the spring/summer seasons approach. You should expect an increased cost in tomato based goods such as sauce, ketchup, and soups. Any company which produces food where the main ingredients is the fruit will be forced to import tomatoes from Mexico or other areas. The added shipping cost will be transferred to your dinner table.
An even scarier scenario involves foods where the tomato is not a main ingredient. Here you are seeing a temporary disappearance. Fastfood chains and grocery stores have been open an honest about the problem and the shortage.
A solution for you and your lunch: Check out the farmers market, local farms, or maybe set up a few tomato plants on your back porch. The cost will not nearly be as high and you'll be earning some good food karma.
In my opinion it is not the end of the world. So for the coming months I'll have a B.L. sans 'T' for lunch. I'm just thankful it wasn't the 'B'!
Check out CNNmoney for more details.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
I don't know. Fish sandwich...
"Hey 'sweet thang'... Can I buy you a fish sandwich?"
-Leon Phelps, The Ladies Man (2000)
Very seldom can fast food be a religious experience. However this is the case with the Filet-O-Fish sandwich at McDonald's. Quite literally it was conceived in 1963 out of a need to provide a 'fast' food substitute when a growing decline in sales occurred during the meatless Catholic Fridays of Lent. From that point on the 'holy' (actually hoki or pollock) sandwich took off in popularity and has been a staple of the McDonald's fast food restaurant franchise.
The Filet-O-Fish has survived over 40 years partially due to creative and ingenious advertisement campaigns. For example, in 2009 McDonald's launched an ad campaign in time for lent involving "Frankie the Fish", and electronic mounted fish similar to "Big Mouth Billy Bass". The commercial has become wildly successful sparking Facebook fan groups, knock off online adds, and ring tones. The commercial itself has gone viral on YouTube generating more than 1 million views. You can even purchase a Frankie version of the Big Mouth Billy Bass which sings the commercial.
For all of the criticism McDonald's has gotten over recent years, they have always provided exactly what the consumer needed at that time. I'm curious to see what the next item to join the McDonald's menu is!
Labels:
commercial,
filet-o-fish,
fish,
McDonald's,
sandwich
Sunday, March 7, 2010
GUINNESS BROWNIES
As you could guess from what my previous posts have indicated, St. Patrick's Day is around the corner. I'll be making about 7 lbs. of corned beef for this year's celebrations. Lisa shared this recipe with me. GUINNESS BROWNIES. SWEET!!!
Ingredients:
4 eggs
3/4 cup superfine sugar
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
4 ounces white chocolate, chopped
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1 1/4 cups Guinness stout
confectioners' sugar, for dusting
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Butter an 8-inch-square pan.
3. In an electric mixer, combine the eggs and sugar.
4. Beat until light and fluffy.
5. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the bittersweet chocolate, white chocolate and butter, stirring until smooth.
6. Remove from heat and beat into the egg mixture.
7. Sift the flour and cocoa together and beat into the chocolate mixture.
8. Whisk in the Guinness.
9. Pour into the pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out almost clean.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.
11. To serve, dust the cake with confectioners' sugar and cut into squares.
Ingredients:
4 eggs
3/4 cup superfine sugar
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
4 ounces white chocolate, chopped
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1 1/4 cups Guinness stout
confectioners' sugar, for dusting
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Butter an 8-inch-square pan.
3. In an electric mixer, combine the eggs and sugar.
4. Beat until light and fluffy.
5. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the bittersweet chocolate, white chocolate and butter, stirring until smooth.
6. Remove from heat and beat into the egg mixture.
7. Sift the flour and cocoa together and beat into the chocolate mixture.
8. Whisk in the Guinness.
9. Pour into the pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out almost clean.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.
11. To serve, dust the cake with confectioners' sugar and cut into squares.
Only the vegetarians survive the ZOMBIE APOCOLAPSE
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad-cow disease (MCD), is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease in cattle, that causes a spongy degeneration in the brain and spinal cord. It is believed by most scientists that the disease may be transmitted to human beings who eat the brain or spinal cord of infected carcasses.
EAT BRAINS=GO CRAZY.
A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE is bound to happen sooner or later. If this is true then only the vegetarians will survive. Maybe I should reconsider the prime rib I checked off on that wedding invitation...
Sunday, February 28, 2010
A Quick Bite: Is Heinz Ketchup MURDER?
There are many things in this world I can't explain. Kudos to the vegan Scientologist who can explain this to me.
http://www.heinzketchup.com/
http://www.scientology.org/
More to come.
Labels:
heinz,
ketchup,
scientology,
tomato,
tomatoes
Friday, February 26, 2010
The MacSalad
Bart: Unckie Herb, what advice would you give to a young boy who would most likely become a bum like yourself?
Herb: Discarded pizza boxes are an inexpensive source of cheese.
-The Simpsons episode [8F23] Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?
Everyone can agree eating fast food has its pitfalls. You really don't know what you're getting into when you chow down at your favorite on the go eatery. You don't know what is in that burger and usually eaten on the fly you don't always have at your disposal "fine dining". People eat food in many places. People eat it in their car, a movie theatre, their couch, a sidewalk, and classrooms just to name a few. I even remember hearing as child the local police department would bring the incarcerated criminals an Egg McMuffin and coffee in the morning or a Cheeseburger in the afternoon from McDonald's as their Meals. (Free McDonald's? I wanted to be locked-up!) Rarely do you have any utensils. Don't even think about flatware. At your disposal are usually an abundance of napkins (if they remember to put them in the bag) and the containers/wrappings/bags your food comes served in. When eating a messy or an involved meal this usually results in a recipe for disaster. Throw etiquette out the window when you are in the car as that Taco Bell will end up in your lap. There are environmental hazards.
In some cases the debris from your meal is just as prized as the meal itself. The leftovers are just as cherished and treated as "bonus" food. 'Urban Scavengers' as I'd like to refer to them are those brave few who take no shame in making a meal out of these morsels. "Lettuce" examine a few. Just when you thought you were through, there's more! You'll get desert once you've finished...
1. Bag Fries - The loose fries that have become dislodged from their container and fallen to the bottom of the food bag during transport. They are excellent for stealing. Those unfamiliar with the concept rarely check the bottom of the bag and throw them out. It breaks my heart to hear of all the forsaken bag fries throughout the world. Beware as small wars have been fought over who claims the discarded potatoes. The boys at Five Guys Burgers and Fries have embraced this concept. Here, when ordering fries with your burger, the server will scoop additional fries into the bag nearly filling it to the brim with oily love. They feed the world regardless of the size of the order and there's always enough to go around. Five Guys serves up peace on earth with every satisfied customer.
2. MacSalad - This is a term I have recently defined. It is the remnants of a Big Mac hamburger sandwich from McDonald's left-over after a meal. They may consist of one or more of the following: all-beef patties, special sauce, shredded lettuce, cheese, pickles, finely diced onions, sesame seed bun. Usually found in the box from which the Big Mac was served. I recommend asking for a fork when ordering a Big Mac these days. The special sauce being a thousand island variant is a fantastic dressing. No one should let it go to waste. Who cares if it is only shredded lettuce.
3. 'Sonic the Hedgehog' or 'The Lord of the Rings' - These are the names given to the recipient of the coveted misplaced onion ring often found among fries. This occurs when eating at a fast food restaurant which sells both, more specifically the aptly named Sonic or Burger King. It isn't so much a leftover "hazard" as it is an epic quest.
4. Pizza Crusts (Pizza Bones) - I've been raised with the belief that it is a mortal sin to discard uneaten pizza crusts. This is mostly because where I come from (New Haven, CT) the crusts are often the best part of the Pizza. (I'll save the debate over superior pizza for another time.) What I will say is that just because the pizza crust is "a little burnt" doesn't mean that it tastes bad and should be thrown away. That's the way it is meant to be made 'round these parts. If you're not going to eat 'em pass 'em down!
5. Dumpster Diving - Am I serious? Yes. There are those who take urban scavenging to an extreme. 'Freeganism' is a relatively new movement based on an anti-consumerist lifestyle. One practice involves salvaging discarded, unspoiled food from supermarket dumpsters, known as 'dumpster diving'. 'Freegans' salvage the food for political reasons, rather than out of need, so you and your buds may want to read up on the social theory before 'Freegan' out.
No matter what your motivation is for scavenging, be aware. Pay close attention to the next meal you're having as you might find a treat amongst the used napkins. Be attentive to your leftovers for they could quickly become your buddy's meal. Do you want to change the world? Here's some food for thought: Try, offering up those bag fries, next time you're eating on the run. You're sure to gain a few friends.
Peace!
Herb: Discarded pizza boxes are an inexpensive source of cheese.
-The Simpsons episode [8F23] Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?
Everyone can agree eating fast food has its pitfalls. You really don't know what you're getting into when you chow down at your favorite on the go eatery. You don't know what is in that burger and usually eaten on the fly you don't always have at your disposal "fine dining". People eat food in many places. People eat it in their car, a movie theatre, their couch, a sidewalk, and classrooms just to name a few. I even remember hearing as child the local police department would bring the incarcerated criminals an Egg McMuffin and coffee in the morning or a Cheeseburger in the afternoon from McDonald's as their Meals. (Free McDonald's? I wanted to be locked-up!) Rarely do you have any utensils. Don't even think about flatware. At your disposal are usually an abundance of napkins (if they remember to put them in the bag) and the containers/wrappings/bags your food comes served in. When eating a messy or an involved meal this usually results in a recipe for disaster. Throw etiquette out the window when you are in the car as that Taco Bell will end up in your lap. There are environmental hazards.
In some cases the debris from your meal is just as prized as the meal itself. The leftovers are just as cherished and treated as "bonus" food. 'Urban Scavengers' as I'd like to refer to them are those brave few who take no shame in making a meal out of these morsels. "Lettuce" examine a few. Just when you thought you were through, there's more! You'll get desert once you've finished...
1. Bag Fries - The loose fries that have become dislodged from their container and fallen to the bottom of the food bag during transport. They are excellent for stealing. Those unfamiliar with the concept rarely check the bottom of the bag and throw them out. It breaks my heart to hear of all the forsaken bag fries throughout the world. Beware as small wars have been fought over who claims the discarded potatoes. The boys at Five Guys Burgers and Fries have embraced this concept. Here, when ordering fries with your burger, the server will scoop additional fries into the bag nearly filling it to the brim with oily love. They feed the world regardless of the size of the order and there's always enough to go around. Five Guys serves up peace on earth with every satisfied customer.
2. MacSalad - This is a term I have recently defined. It is the remnants of a Big Mac hamburger sandwich from McDonald's left-over after a meal. They may consist of one or more of the following: all-beef patties, special sauce, shredded lettuce, cheese, pickles, finely diced onions, sesame seed bun. Usually found in the box from which the Big Mac was served. I recommend asking for a fork when ordering a Big Mac these days. The special sauce being a thousand island variant is a fantastic dressing. No one should let it go to waste. Who cares if it is only shredded lettuce.
3. 'Sonic the Hedgehog' or 'The Lord of the Rings' - These are the names given to the recipient of the coveted misplaced onion ring often found among fries. This occurs when eating at a fast food restaurant which sells both, more specifically the aptly named Sonic or Burger King. It isn't so much a leftover "hazard" as it is an epic quest.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them!
-The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R Tolkein
-The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R Tolkein
4. Pizza Crusts (Pizza Bones) - I've been raised with the belief that it is a mortal sin to discard uneaten pizza crusts. This is mostly because where I come from (New Haven, CT) the crusts are often the best part of the Pizza. (I'll save the debate over superior pizza for another time.) What I will say is that just because the pizza crust is "a little burnt" doesn't mean that it tastes bad and should be thrown away. That's the way it is meant to be made 'round these parts. If you're not going to eat 'em pass 'em down!
5. Dumpster Diving - Am I serious? Yes. There are those who take urban scavenging to an extreme. 'Freeganism' is a relatively new movement based on an anti-consumerist lifestyle. One practice involves salvaging discarded, unspoiled food from supermarket dumpsters, known as 'dumpster diving'. 'Freegans' salvage the food for political reasons, rather than out of need, so you and your buds may want to read up on the social theory before 'Freegan' out.
No matter what your motivation is for scavenging, be aware. Pay close attention to the next meal you're having as you might find a treat amongst the used napkins. Be attentive to your leftovers for they could quickly become your buddy's meal. Do you want to change the world? Here's some food for thought: Try, offering up those bag fries, next time you're eating on the run. You're sure to gain a few friends.
Peace!
Labels:
bag fries,
big mac,
burger king,
dumpster diving,
five guys,
freegan,
freeganism,
macsalad,
new haven,
onion rings,
pizza,
pizza crust,
sonic,
tolkein,
urban scavengers
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The Shamrock Shake
Last night after a break from the Olympics and sampling Pennsylvanian beers John and I switched gears to The Simpsons. The episode 'Stop, Or My Dog Will Shoot' featured the following exchange:
Chief Wiggum: “I miss Shamrock Shakes, but they ain’t coming back ’til March.”
Lou: “You know, Chief, Shamrock Shakes are just vanilla shakes colored green.”
Chief Wiggum: “Well, I taste the flavor. It’s a very mild mint.”
Lou: “Well, maybe ’cause it’s a minty color, your mind is fooling your tongue.”
Chief Wiggum: “I know what I taste.”
Eddie: “I gotta go with Chief on this one.”
Lou (sarcastically): “Whoa, there’s a big surprise.”
This resulted in a restless night for me. As usual, there were dreams of new and exciting McDonald's value menu items. There was the McMedallion (a large warm chocolate chip cookie), a series of Hostess snacks, a Sloppy Joe sandwich, and a vegetarian hummus snack wrap. To wash it all down I ordered a medium Shamrock Shake. The next morning the first thing I did was instant message John asking if he would join me on a quest: "The Quest for the Shamrock Shake". Here's how it would have gone down in Arthurian legend:
GOD: This is your quest Jason. The quest for the Shamrock Shake.
JASON: Seriously??? Man, you're setting the bar pretty low for me huh.
GOD: Oh, and could you pick up some MILK while you're out...
JASON: Anything else?
GOD: An ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY ... (there's a cool article on LOST).
JASON: I'm sure.
GOD: ... and DON'T FORGET TO GET YOUR OIL CHANGED!!...
JASON: ...son of a bitch.
To my surprise John had NEVER had a shamrock shake so it was quite the easy sell. The Shamrock Shake served by McDonald's first debuted in 1970 and paved the way for other seasonal marked franchise drinks such as the Starbucks' 'Gingerbread Latte'. Usually appearing mid-late February it is available in select restaurants. As Chief Wiggum describes, "It is a very mild mint" with a green hue. The calorie content can of course vary by size. There is the 440 calorie 12 oz cup up to a whopping 1160 calorie 32 oz. It'll use up all of your weight watcher points in one sip but, hey it only comes 'round once a year right? John quickly found a couple of old, stereotypical, and racist McDonald's commercials on YouTube. "Awww... Even the Asian kid want to kiss the Irish kid after drinking a Shamrock Shake!"
I arrived just before John at the McDonald's down the street from him. I eagerly asked the manager behind the counter if they had Shamrock Shakes. Sadly they didn't. However I wasn't the first to inquire that day about them. I wasn't alone in the universe. Maybe that previous person had watched the Simpson's last night as well. This was going to take some work. I had noticed earlier on shamrockshake.com "Find the Shake", that shakes were sighted all over CT including: North Haven, Milford, and Old Saybrook. They were out there, we just needed to find 'em.
McDonald's has made some great choices as a restaurant franchise. One of which is an iPhone adapted store locator web-page. A few quick gestures on my phone, and I had the phone numbers of all the nearest McDonald's within a 20 mile radius. It is no wonder why they've been top dog in fast food for so long. The first location I tried (my favorite restaurant) returned a number no longer in service message. Google Maps explained that the store had closed. We were going to have to check that out later. The second number, (the highway rest-stop) confirmed that they in-fact had Shamrock Shakes. I don't prefer going to the highway McDonald's. The menus are often reduced, priced much higher (on average 50 cents per item), and for some reason the food quality tends to lack. Perhaps it is because they are more focused on quantity. However, since it was in the direction John and I were eventually both going and we didn't feel like driving all over the state, we agreed that it would do.
We walked in through the doors and right up to the counter (it was after the lunch rush). To our relief there (next to the sundae, apple-pie, and chocolate chip cookies) was a promotional poster for the Shamrock Shake. Success.
McDonald's advertises all their shakes as being "Triple Thick" and "thick" is the first impression you get from the beverage (a term used loosely). It takes some work to drink it and it actually caused the straw to fold in the process. However, in my opinion, it does live up to some of the hype. It is a mild mint, that is less overpowering than a typical spearmint gum. The drink was very creamy, cold and real treat.
John educated me on what other critics have noticed. This is a "new" recipe and many loyalists are disappointed in a lack of quality in this years batch vs. history. There had been groans about McDonald's current milkshake machines, which use syrups mixed with their milkshake base, resulting in inconsistent-poor quality. He had seen pictures of poorly mixed shakes where almost a quarter of the shake at the bottom consisted of the "vanilla" base. I noticed that in some stores it is even being marketed with whipped cream and a cherry (possibly to cover-up the "swirl effect"). To check this John and I opened up our shake cups and found the very green syrup clinging to the walls. Of course we had to try the shake now in its most basic form (it was super sweet).
While those anticipating the ol' Shamrock Shake of yore may be disappointed, I still would venture to McDonald's this St. Patty's day if you're looking for something special. It is closer than a pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow and you don't have to deal with those pesky leprechauns.
Sláinte!
UPDATE: Want to try a new holiday treat? May I suggest adding some Bailey's to you Shamrock Shake? Delicious! Please be aware of public drinking laws if you plan to take you shake on the road.
Chief Wiggum: “I miss Shamrock Shakes, but they ain’t coming back ’til March.”
Lou: “You know, Chief, Shamrock Shakes are just vanilla shakes colored green.”
Chief Wiggum: “Well, I taste the flavor. It’s a very mild mint.”
Lou: “Well, maybe ’cause it’s a minty color, your mind is fooling your tongue.”
Chief Wiggum: “I know what I taste.”
Eddie: “I gotta go with Chief on this one.”
Lou (sarcastically): “Whoa, there’s a big surprise.”
This resulted in a restless night for me. As usual, there were dreams of new and exciting McDonald's value menu items. There was the McMedallion (a large warm chocolate chip cookie), a series of Hostess snacks, a Sloppy Joe sandwich, and a vegetarian hummus snack wrap. To wash it all down I ordered a medium Shamrock Shake. The next morning the first thing I did was instant message John asking if he would join me on a quest: "The Quest for the Shamrock Shake". Here's how it would have gone down in Arthurian legend:
GOD: This is your quest Jason. The quest for the Shamrock Shake.
JASON: Seriously??? Man, you're setting the bar pretty low for me huh.
GOD: Oh, and could you pick up some MILK while you're out...
JASON: Anything else?
GOD: An ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY ... (there's a cool article on LOST).
JASON: I'm sure.
GOD: ... and DON'T FORGET TO GET YOUR OIL CHANGED!!...
JASON: ...son of a bitch.
To my surprise John had NEVER had a shamrock shake so it was quite the easy sell. The Shamrock Shake served by McDonald's first debuted in 1970 and paved the way for other seasonal marked franchise drinks such as the Starbucks' 'Gingerbread Latte'. Usually appearing mid-late February it is available in select restaurants. As Chief Wiggum describes, "It is a very mild mint" with a green hue. The calorie content can of course vary by size. There is the 440 calorie 12 oz cup up to a whopping 1160 calorie 32 oz. It'll use up all of your weight watcher points in one sip but, hey it only comes 'round once a year right? John quickly found a couple of old, stereotypical, and racist McDonald's commercials on YouTube. "Awww... Even the Asian kid want to kiss the Irish kid after drinking a Shamrock Shake!"
I arrived just before John at the McDonald's down the street from him. I eagerly asked the manager behind the counter if they had Shamrock Shakes. Sadly they didn't. However I wasn't the first to inquire that day about them. I wasn't alone in the universe. Maybe that previous person had watched the Simpson's last night as well. This was going to take some work. I had noticed earlier on shamrockshake.com "Find the Shake", that shakes were sighted all over CT including: North Haven, Milford, and Old Saybrook. They were out there, we just needed to find 'em.
McDonald's has made some great choices as a restaurant franchise. One of which is an iPhone adapted store locator web-page. A few quick gestures on my phone, and I had the phone numbers of all the nearest McDonald's within a 20 mile radius. It is no wonder why they've been top dog in fast food for so long. The first location I tried (my favorite restaurant) returned a number no longer in service message. Google Maps explained that the store had closed. We were going to have to check that out later. The second number, (the highway rest-stop) confirmed that they in-fact had Shamrock Shakes. I don't prefer going to the highway McDonald's. The menus are often reduced, priced much higher (on average 50 cents per item), and for some reason the food quality tends to lack. Perhaps it is because they are more focused on quantity. However, since it was in the direction John and I were eventually both going and we didn't feel like driving all over the state, we agreed that it would do.
We walked in through the doors and right up to the counter (it was after the lunch rush). To our relief there (next to the sundae, apple-pie, and chocolate chip cookies) was a promotional poster for the Shamrock Shake. Success.
McDonald's advertises all their shakes as being "Triple Thick" and "thick" is the first impression you get from the beverage (a term used loosely). It takes some work to drink it and it actually caused the straw to fold in the process. However, in my opinion, it does live up to some of the hype. It is a mild mint, that is less overpowering than a typical spearmint gum. The drink was very creamy, cold and real treat.
John educated me on what other critics have noticed. This is a "new" recipe and many loyalists are disappointed in a lack of quality in this years batch vs. history. There had been groans about McDonald's current milkshake machines, which use syrups mixed with their milkshake base, resulting in inconsistent-poor quality. He had seen pictures of poorly mixed shakes where almost a quarter of the shake at the bottom consisted of the "vanilla" base. I noticed that in some stores it is even being marketed with whipped cream and a cherry (possibly to cover-up the "swirl effect"). To check this John and I opened up our shake cups and found the very green syrup clinging to the walls. Of course we had to try the shake now in its most basic form (it was super sweet).
While those anticipating the ol' Shamrock Shake of yore may be disappointed, I still would venture to McDonald's this St. Patty's day if you're looking for something special. It is closer than a pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow and you don't have to deal with those pesky leprechauns.
Sláinte!
UPDATE: Want to try a new holiday treat? May I suggest adding some Bailey's to you Shamrock Shake? Delicious! Please be aware of public drinking laws if you plan to take you shake on the road.
Labels:
Fast Food,
Holiday,
McDonald's,
Milkshake,
Shakes,
Shamrock Shakes,
St. Patrick's Day
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