When you're 6 and the idea of a pizza frit the size of your head is a reasonable feat. When you're 23, and the size is so massive it's not only bigger than your head, but spilling over the plate, it's nearly unfathomable how you will ever finish every bite.
This weekend was the St. Ann's Feast in Norwalk. My grandmother, for I'm not sure how many years, or even decades, was apart of the St. Ann's Club, and the fair was my most anticipated part of my summer. I remember rides, cotton candy, and massive puffy flats of fried dough drowning in sauce.
The smell of the raw dough as it touches the vats of hot oil makes me think of my grandmother in the back. Rolling out dough from an impossibly large batch, carefully frying it up, or saucing it. I'd get so excited when I saw her, waving enthusiastically and calling "Grandma! Grandma!" as she worked with ladies her age who looked familiar, but nameless. Nothing would tear me from that fried dough. Not cotton candy, not rides, not even the promise of going on a ride with my siblings, would make me give up that oily, incredibly messy sauced bread.
Fresh out of the fryer, it would be put on a plate and sent to the table across from it, where it would be powder sugared or sauced to order. Then it would be covered in parm if sauced and brought still screaming hot to my tiny 6 year old hands.
They were always so big. I was amazed at the size they would be able to roll them. It made me dream of my future as a baker.
We'd find a seat at the tables set up under tents, with the plastic table coverings. Usually we'd find an uncle or two, as they were usually milling about with their own fried dough. By the time you sat down, the smell of fried dough and hot oil had been following you into the parking lot, into the grounds, on line, and now, in your hands.
If you weren't hungry when you parked, you were hungry now.
Eating a pizza frit is somewhat of an acquired act. There's no right or wrong way, really, as any method results in requiring a dozen napkins. But no knives and forks allowed. No way. The method I've picked up over time is ripping out the crispy edges (The eye in a rib-eye, if you will), and dipping it in the cheesy sauce. You work your way around, ripping bigger and bigger portions to keep up with the soggy cooling dough.
By the time you reach the saucy center, which by now is most likely soggy and cool, your stomach tells you "I am STUFFED!", and begs for surrender. And your brain tells you "I don't think so. Keep eating."
You push the limits of your stomach with pizza frits. Too much is never enough. As good as it is burning hot and crispy, it is equally appreciated in its cool sog.
This year I am sorry to report that I could not finish my pizza frit. Matthew, who was the least Italian at our table, finished his before anyone. I feel like I barely qualify as Italian as it is, being only 1/4. The other 3/4s being Irish, German, and British (I believe. Perhaps there is a wee bit of French or Hungarian in there somewhere)
I feel like an intruder in my own dead Grandmother's Italian fair. But all cultures eat and are loud, so naturally I must belong. We eat, we drink, we talk, and we eat. A tradition of every culture I am apart of. From my grandpa's southern roots (and pulled pork; a food stuff I can eat in every way imaginable), to my grandmother's Italian ones; where it's really quite impossible to cook pasta sauce for four people or less.
But hearing all the familiar noises, the familiar tents selling Sausage and Peppers, pizza frits, ziti, pastries, and beer. And the tents selling a lot of chotzy stuff with Italian colors and stuff that screams " 'EY YOU! I'M ITALIAN!!!", made me feel at home and reminded me of my Grandmother. I probably have just enough Italian blood in me to pass as one at my local fair.
After we ate and sat with my uncle and his wife, my sister was wondering if the pastry stand had Italian ice, and if I had cash on me. We were in luck, because I did.
My sister, Matthew and I made our way through the hustle and bustle to the pastry stand. They were a simple set up, a drink case filled with pastries, and a large Pepsi tub filled with Italian Ice. An old man, an old lady, and possibly a grandson, no older than 13 were running the stall.
The boy filled the lemon Italian ice in small paper cups, stuffing it as full as he could, compressing the ice crystals to bursting. The tiny waxy paper cup was heavy with ice.
I began to lick at mine, squeezing the cup gently to break up the crystals after each taste. And the effect of the flavor and temperature was instantaneous. It was tart, cold, sweet and deeply refreshing. There were bits of lemon peel and one or two seeds. It was the faintest tint of yellow.
So many foods make up summer for me. Things I truly need to have to feel like I'm experiencing summer. Shaved Italian Ice at my grandmother's old Women's club festival is standard.
Foods like this make me nostalgic. I miss being young. I miss being young and on the rides. I miss eating a pizza frit and not worrying about it. I think above all, I miss being young and with my grandmother, back when she was younger, active, and the best pizza frit fryer the fair had.
Shamleless Plug
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Sesame Chicken
I don't know a single person who doesn't like Asian food.
Matt and I had been craving it for a few days now, and yesterday we decided that it would be okay for us to go out to Fuji, in Darien. They reopened this year after a long renovation. I haven't been there since a surprise birthday party when I was 17, so I had been waiting for Matt to be around so I'd have someone to go with me.
For starters, this place has a sushi bar and a large hibachi area. It has all a large selection of Japanese and Chinese food. Anyone can find something they would enjoy.
At our last trip, I had Wok Seared Steak, while Matt had Tangerine Beef. They gave us this simple but pretty damn perfect bowl of onion soup. Broth and onions. Hot, savory, salty, perfect.
My steak was tender, sweet and savory and very good. A big portion, also. I could have done with more vegetables. But the steak was delicious. Matt's tangerine beef was sweet and crispy. Also a big portion and also could have done with more veggies.
Last night, Matt ordered the Chicken Katzu and I the Sesame Chicken. This time, they gave us Miso soup and an iceburg salad with that orange colored ginger dressing which is just so tasty and delicous, and I wish I knew the exact name and brand they use so that I may go out and buy a vat of it.
The simple Miso was hot and tasty, and served its purpose of waking up my appitite and satisfying Matt's hungry one.
I was getting excited for Sesame Chicken. The fried "Chinese" food is not something I let myself indulge in more than one a month, so when I really want it, I go for the good stuff, the kind in nice, clean and quality restaurants. Places like Fuji. I love the crispy, I love the sauce, I love the sprinkle of sesame seeds. It's addictive. And bad for you.
So when my plate came, piled and mounded high with the saucy crisp stuff, I wanted nothing more than to fall face first in my plate and not come up for air until it was medically necessary.
But I had chopsticks. Which would slow me down considerably, God help me.
As you probably know, I have fairly poor motor skills. So managing chop sticks is something I only get right about 1/3rd of the time. But, if you put it in perspective of weight loss, would slow me down enough so I wouldn't overeat.
I picked up my chopsticks and tried to nab a piece of chicken. My sticks pushed it around the mound before I finally successfully picked up a sauce drenched chicken piece. I actually was able to hold it long enough to make it to my mouth. And it was exactly as it should be: The sauce was thick, sweet, and slightly gingery. The chicken was moist, tender and crispy.
I was stil struggling to use my chopsticks properly. Matt placed my fingers in the right places. but I wasn't able to move my fingers in the right way. The waitress came over and asked if I needed a fork, or "kid's chopsticks" with a laugh. Teasing me in a friendly way, or what I hope was a friendly way. But I had too much pride to ask for a fork, or God forbid, the kid's chopsticks.
I kept eating my chicken slowly, but managing the chopsticks in a way that worked for me.
My rice was in a separate bowl, and easier to eat with chopsticks, bowl close to my face, and scooping with the chopsticks.
Matt's chicken katzu was a large portion, probably two cutlets, piled on top of each other. His rice and sauce was in separate bowls, and somewhere under the pile, was some broccoli.
The chicken was crisp and light; Matt's only complaint was that it was fried in the same fryer as fish probably was.
As we ate, the Hibachi table had a family. The Hibachi table is something I'd like to experience with everyone at work, because the chefs are not only friendly and outgoing (and handy with sharp objects and things that flambe), but also use severely outdated lingo, which is hilarious to me; "Go! Go! Power Rangers!!". "Who let the dogs out!?" "This is the bomb!", etc.
My overall opinion on Fuji is the portions are large when it comes to meat; both times we've eaten there we've both gotten large portions of meat. But if you're like me, who likes copious amounts of vegetables with her Chinese, or like Matthew, who likes a decent portion, I suggest asking for extra vegetables. I'm sure they will be happily accommodating with any such requests.
Overall Info
Matt and I had been craving it for a few days now, and yesterday we decided that it would be okay for us to go out to Fuji, in Darien. They reopened this year after a long renovation. I haven't been there since a surprise birthday party when I was 17, so I had been waiting for Matt to be around so I'd have someone to go with me.
For starters, this place has a sushi bar and a large hibachi area. It has all a large selection of Japanese and Chinese food. Anyone can find something they would enjoy.
At our last trip, I had Wok Seared Steak, while Matt had Tangerine Beef. They gave us this simple but pretty damn perfect bowl of onion soup. Broth and onions. Hot, savory, salty, perfect.
My steak was tender, sweet and savory and very good. A big portion, also. I could have done with more vegetables. But the steak was delicious. Matt's tangerine beef was sweet and crispy. Also a big portion and also could have done with more veggies.
Last night, Matt ordered the Chicken Katzu and I the Sesame Chicken. This time, they gave us Miso soup and an iceburg salad with that orange colored ginger dressing which is just so tasty and delicous, and I wish I knew the exact name and brand they use so that I may go out and buy a vat of it.
The simple Miso was hot and tasty, and served its purpose of waking up my appitite and satisfying Matt's hungry one.
I was getting excited for Sesame Chicken. The fried "Chinese" food is not something I let myself indulge in more than one a month, so when I really want it, I go for the good stuff, the kind in nice, clean and quality restaurants. Places like Fuji. I love the crispy, I love the sauce, I love the sprinkle of sesame seeds. It's addictive. And bad for you.
So when my plate came, piled and mounded high with the saucy crisp stuff, I wanted nothing more than to fall face first in my plate and not come up for air until it was medically necessary.
But I had chopsticks. Which would slow me down considerably, God help me.
As you probably know, I have fairly poor motor skills. So managing chop sticks is something I only get right about 1/3rd of the time. But, if you put it in perspective of weight loss, would slow me down enough so I wouldn't overeat.
I picked up my chopsticks and tried to nab a piece of chicken. My sticks pushed it around the mound before I finally successfully picked up a sauce drenched chicken piece. I actually was able to hold it long enough to make it to my mouth. And it was exactly as it should be: The sauce was thick, sweet, and slightly gingery. The chicken was moist, tender and crispy.
I was stil struggling to use my chopsticks properly. Matt placed my fingers in the right places. but I wasn't able to move my fingers in the right way. The waitress came over and asked if I needed a fork, or "kid's chopsticks" with a laugh. Teasing me in a friendly way, or what I hope was a friendly way. But I had too much pride to ask for a fork, or God forbid, the kid's chopsticks.
I kept eating my chicken slowly, but managing the chopsticks in a way that worked for me.
My rice was in a separate bowl, and easier to eat with chopsticks, bowl close to my face, and scooping with the chopsticks.
Matt's chicken katzu was a large portion, probably two cutlets, piled on top of each other. His rice and sauce was in separate bowls, and somewhere under the pile, was some broccoli.
The chicken was crisp and light; Matt's only complaint was that it was fried in the same fryer as fish probably was.
As we ate, the Hibachi table had a family. The Hibachi table is something I'd like to experience with everyone at work, because the chefs are not only friendly and outgoing (and handy with sharp objects and things that flambe), but also use severely outdated lingo, which is hilarious to me; "Go! Go! Power Rangers!!". "Who let the dogs out!?" "This is the bomb!", etc.
My overall opinion on Fuji is the portions are large when it comes to meat; both times we've eaten there we've both gotten large portions of meat. But if you're like me, who likes copious amounts of vegetables with her Chinese, or like Matthew, who likes a decent portion, I suggest asking for extra vegetables. I'm sure they will be happily accommodating with any such requests.
Overall Info
- Dress Code- Casual/Dressy Casual
- Price Range- Apps- 10+ Entrees 10-25+, Hibatchi 16+
- Menu- Varied; There are many Japanese, Chinese and a few Curry items to choose from
- Service- Good
- Good for anyone; dates, familes, parties
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Dundee
"Give me something to write about."
"Spam." He said. I rolled my eyes.
"No. Try again."
"Lightbulbs. No! Specialization"
I had two beers tonight, and feel like writing while I still feel uninhibited. None of Matt's topics interested me. So I'm writing. About whatever.
But right now I'm going to blog about this beer. Dundee Honey Brown. The honey part had sold me initically. But then I got a good look at the label. A quirky bee, with a band drum, and a pint. In love. I love the 'beat of your own drum" ideal. Then I read the back of the label:
"What's supposed to go in beer? German purity law say you're only allowed four ingredients. But this is America....The land of civil disobedience, and footballs that don't roll like the rest of the world wants them to. So we decided that for Dundee Honey Brown we'd add a fifth~ a touch of pure honey. Granted, that's a little different. But we figure you can be like everyone else or you can be yourself and drink something unique."
Ain't it the truth? This beer, my friends, is me. It's me. From the quirky bee, to the differentness. And I am sold.
I'm looking at the other brews, and am delighted by the quirkyness. I am looking forward to getting a craft sampler this week.
...........
Oh, and the beer is pretty tasty too.
Here's what the site has to say about their wheat beer: "Senator Joseph McCarthy. The Hollow Earth Society. Members of the Spanish Inquisition. All convinced they were blessed with the gift of clarity. And proof that clarity might be overrated."
Am I a little weird to be sold by beer with quirkiness. Maybe. But I think I'm okay with that. But I dig beer that's just mellowed out. Beer that doesn't take itself too seriously. Or too loosely. I'd never drink a Bud, or a Coors, or a Miller, or whatever watered down crap mass America tends to veer to. Mass produced crap isn't my bag.
Something like Dundee speaks to me.
"Spam." He said. I rolled my eyes.
"No. Try again."
"Lightbulbs. No! Specialization"
I had two beers tonight, and feel like writing while I still feel uninhibited. None of Matt's topics interested me. So I'm writing. About whatever.
But right now I'm going to blog about this beer. Dundee Honey Brown. The honey part had sold me initically. But then I got a good look at the label. A quirky bee, with a band drum, and a pint. In love. I love the 'beat of your own drum" ideal. Then I read the back of the label:
"What's supposed to go in beer? German purity law say you're only allowed four ingredients. But this is America....The land of civil disobedience, and footballs that don't roll like the rest of the world wants them to. So we decided that for Dundee Honey Brown we'd add a fifth~ a touch of pure honey. Granted, that's a little different. But we figure you can be like everyone else or you can be yourself and drink something unique."
Ain't it the truth? This beer, my friends, is me. It's me. From the quirky bee, to the differentness. And I am sold.
I'm looking at the other brews, and am delighted by the quirkyness. I am looking forward to getting a craft sampler this week.
...........
Oh, and the beer is pretty tasty too.
Here's what the site has to say about their wheat beer: "Senator Joseph McCarthy. The Hollow Earth Society. Members of the Spanish Inquisition. All convinced they were blessed with the gift of clarity. And proof that clarity might be overrated."
Am I a little weird to be sold by beer with quirkiness. Maybe. But I think I'm okay with that. But I dig beer that's just mellowed out. Beer that doesn't take itself too seriously. Or too loosely. I'd never drink a Bud, or a Coors, or a Miller, or whatever watered down crap mass America tends to veer to. Mass produced crap isn't my bag.
Something like Dundee speaks to me.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Wholefoods Excursion
I woke to a wet and miserable day, but I felt excited with anticipation. Today I was going to Wholefoods.
I finally arrived at about 11, just as it began to drizzle. I nearly tripped on the curb. But I was there. When I walked in, a display right at the entrance caught my eye. For a second, it looked like a cheese rind, and I thought it odd to display cheese (unless it was hard) in such a food safe inappropriate way. But it was just "bulk soap" at 14.99/# Bulk Soap. Bulk. Soap. I've always loved the word "bulk" Bulk candy, especially. The soap smelled wonderful, but I was overwhelmed with colorful fruit and good smells.
Instinctively, I began in the middle, before turning and doublebacking to my right, where one end of the store was. It was prepared foods, the bakery, salad bar, hot food bar, deli, and such. Wonderful smells of foods of different countries of origin wafted to my nose and surrounded me with deep feelings of warmth, comfort, and disarmed willpower.
When I was wandering back to the main part of the store, looking at packaged stuff that I wasn't sure was local, organic, or whatever ("Everyday Marshmallows"? Did you open a bag of Jet Puft anbd put them in a plastic box?). I saw the soup again, and finally saw the types of the day. I saw "Roasted Corn Chowder" and was sold.
I kept wandering aimlessly and shyly, as if I'll be caught: "Hey! She's an impostor! A non vegan isn't allowed to buy SOY NUGGETS! Get her OUT!!"
After wandering isle after isle, I ended up with popcorn cakes, local BBQ sauce, Annie's dressing, soy nuggets (YESSS!!!!), corn, Kashi kid's cereal and my soup.
With my aimless walking, I passed by the Bulk isle several times, and finally stepped into the great mecca of whole food. What first caught my eye was JELLY BEANS! I looked at the ingredients, and they were all natural. What caught my eye second was the price: 7.99/#. Wow, okay, just going to get a sprinkle here. I was a little surprised to see the jelly beans. The night before, I had wondered what I planned on getting at Wholefoods, as I didn't exactly have a list. My reaction was "Jelly beans." And there they were.
Then, I saw diced dried pineapple. at 2.99/#, which seemed pretty reasonable. It then hit me: I can make my own granola mix!!! I got dried papaya, and the highest protein granola I could (something with soy in it.)
When I first walked into the isle, I saw bins of peanuts. For peanut butter, apparently. For people to grind at home? How odd. Then I noticed it was fresh ground peanut butter! Seeing Honey roasted peanuts for grinding, I could not resist.
I flipped on the switch and heard the grinding and peanut butter ooozed out. I ground my OWN peanut butter!! It was insanity. And very tasty: gritty and just a little sweet, and peanutty.
After walking up and down the isle, hoping I didn't miss anything, I decided I was here much to long and headed to the checkout....but first, some crusty bread for my soup? Or perhaps a salad?
I opted for a salad, with a tong of romaine, and a tong of spinach, and a spinkle of mixed greens.
I grabbed one of their big Wholefoods bags and got in line, after I was checked out (being sure to actually pay for said bag) I got into my car a few seconds before it began to pour.
I couldn't wait another second. I found my bag of just a sprinkle of jelly beans and popped one in my mouth.
My reaction was instantanous: The shell was thin and gave away easily. The jelly was sweet, and the flavor tasted like it came from an actual fruit. I can only distingush two or three flavors, but I am sold on these 7.99/# jellybeans. They are very much worth the hefty price tag. Also, they are the small jelly bean sized, so you get more bean for your buck. They taste a little like the gormuet jelly beans we used to get at Easter at Stew Lennords, but all natural.
I drove home in the rain, and heated up my soup, and put my new honey mustard dressing over my salad. The soup was full of corn, potatoes, onions and peppers. It was creamy, warm and delicious on a wet gray day.
All in all I spent about $35, but everything thus far has been tasty and well worth it (well, except for the pop corn cakes, as I was expecting something like rice cakes...but they are tasty when dipped in BBQ sauce). I'm looking forward to another excursion very very soon.
I am considering going back just for the jelly beans Tuesday.
I finally arrived at about 11, just as it began to drizzle. I nearly tripped on the curb. But I was there. When I walked in, a display right at the entrance caught my eye. For a second, it looked like a cheese rind, and I thought it odd to display cheese (unless it was hard) in such a food safe inappropriate way. But it was just "bulk soap" at 14.99/# Bulk Soap. Bulk. Soap. I've always loved the word "bulk" Bulk candy, especially. The soap smelled wonderful, but I was overwhelmed with colorful fruit and good smells.
Instinctively, I began in the middle, before turning and doublebacking to my right, where one end of the store was. It was prepared foods, the bakery, salad bar, hot food bar, deli, and such. Wonderful smells of foods of different countries of origin wafted to my nose and surrounded me with deep feelings of warmth, comfort, and disarmed willpower.
When I was wandering back to the main part of the store, looking at packaged stuff that I wasn't sure was local, organic, or whatever ("Everyday Marshmallows"? Did you open a bag of Jet Puft anbd put them in a plastic box?). I saw the soup again, and finally saw the types of the day. I saw "Roasted Corn Chowder" and was sold.
I kept wandering aimlessly and shyly, as if I'll be caught: "Hey! She's an impostor! A non vegan isn't allowed to buy SOY NUGGETS! Get her OUT!!"
After wandering isle after isle, I ended up with popcorn cakes, local BBQ sauce, Annie's dressing, soy nuggets (YESSS!!!!), corn, Kashi kid's cereal and my soup.
With my aimless walking, I passed by the Bulk isle several times, and finally stepped into the great mecca of whole food. What first caught my eye was JELLY BEANS! I looked at the ingredients, and they were all natural. What caught my eye second was the price: 7.99/#. Wow, okay, just going to get a sprinkle here. I was a little surprised to see the jelly beans. The night before, I had wondered what I planned on getting at Wholefoods, as I didn't exactly have a list. My reaction was "Jelly beans." And there they were.
Then, I saw diced dried pineapple. at 2.99/#, which seemed pretty reasonable. It then hit me: I can make my own granola mix!!! I got dried papaya, and the highest protein granola I could (something with soy in it.)
When I first walked into the isle, I saw bins of peanuts. For peanut butter, apparently. For people to grind at home? How odd. Then I noticed it was fresh ground peanut butter! Seeing Honey roasted peanuts for grinding, I could not resist.
I flipped on the switch and heard the grinding and peanut butter ooozed out. I ground my OWN peanut butter!! It was insanity. And very tasty: gritty and just a little sweet, and peanutty.
After walking up and down the isle, hoping I didn't miss anything, I decided I was here much to long and headed to the checkout....but first, some crusty bread for my soup? Or perhaps a salad?
I opted for a salad, with a tong of romaine, and a tong of spinach, and a spinkle of mixed greens.
I grabbed one of their big Wholefoods bags and got in line, after I was checked out (being sure to actually pay for said bag) I got into my car a few seconds before it began to pour.
I couldn't wait another second. I found my bag of just a sprinkle of jelly beans and popped one in my mouth.
My reaction was instantanous: The shell was thin and gave away easily. The jelly was sweet, and the flavor tasted like it came from an actual fruit. I can only distingush two or three flavors, but I am sold on these 7.99/# jellybeans. They are very much worth the hefty price tag. Also, they are the small jelly bean sized, so you get more bean for your buck. They taste a little like the gormuet jelly beans we used to get at Easter at Stew Lennords, but all natural.
I drove home in the rain, and heated up my soup, and put my new honey mustard dressing over my salad. The soup was full of corn, potatoes, onions and peppers. It was creamy, warm and delicious on a wet gray day.
All in all I spent about $35, but everything thus far has been tasty and well worth it (well, except for the pop corn cakes, as I was expecting something like rice cakes...but they are tasty when dipped in BBQ sauce). I'm looking forward to another excursion very very soon.
I am considering going back just for the jelly beans Tuesday.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Hollow Leg Syndrome
It's the start of a new season. So, of course, as usual, I am starving.
Whenever a new season starts, well, at least the transition from cold to colder and colder to warmer, I feel like I can't consume enough calories.
I'm not scarfing down nearly as much as I usually do. I think when winter started I inhaled hundreds (if not a thousand) of extra calories a day. But it was much different then; Last winter, I was, of course, up to my elbows in overtime. Working a normal day of 12 hours and my longest day being almost 18. So I hardly noticed when I had a second or third (Who am I kidding, how about 'fifth or sixth') chicken finger or some other kind of bad for you, trans fat laden fried food (I remember leaving work at 5:30 pm, after being there since 3 am, and getting several items from Mcdonalds and scarfing it down before I even reached the highway).
But at the same time I could really stand to shed a pound or five. I made the grave mistake of trying on a pair of jeans at Old Navy, and they barely went past my knees! They were my size, but their jeans have never really fit me since I hit puberty and they have so many different styles, a size is never the same size in each style. Still, it made me so depressed I very nearly bought Soy Nuggets at Trader Joes....Which I'm kind of considering getting...Mmmm...soy nuggets with Bbq sauce......Really! They are really quite tasty!
Anyway....I've been eating a lot of jelly beans, and crackers and cookies and I really wish I had better will power. Maybe I should chew gum, drink more water, or do something to control my eating habits. I can't wait for nicer weather, and warm days so I can go for more walks and feel like I'm taking control of my health.
While it may cost a little more, I really ought to invest in foods that are actually sort of good for you, like minimally processed items: preservative free/cane sugar granola bars, grainy cereal, even soy nuggets. The kind of stuff one finds at Trader Joes. And drinking green tea. More salads. Less junk.
I say that. I've said that in I don't know how many posts. But this time, while I may fall of the horse and fail, it's almost summer, and it's going to be a busy one, and if I want to look good and have energy, I need to make changes now.
Whenever a new season starts, well, at least the transition from cold to colder and colder to warmer, I feel like I can't consume enough calories.
I'm not scarfing down nearly as much as I usually do. I think when winter started I inhaled hundreds (if not a thousand) of extra calories a day. But it was much different then; Last winter, I was, of course, up to my elbows in overtime. Working a normal day of 12 hours and my longest day being almost 18. So I hardly noticed when I had a second or third (Who am I kidding, how about 'fifth or sixth') chicken finger or some other kind of bad for you, trans fat laden fried food (I remember leaving work at 5:30 pm, after being there since 3 am, and getting several items from Mcdonalds and scarfing it down before I even reached the highway).
But at the same time I could really stand to shed a pound or five. I made the grave mistake of trying on a pair of jeans at Old Navy, and they barely went past my knees! They were my size, but their jeans have never really fit me since I hit puberty and they have so many different styles, a size is never the same size in each style. Still, it made me so depressed I very nearly bought Soy Nuggets at Trader Joes....Which I'm kind of considering getting...Mmmm...soy nuggets with Bbq sauce......Really! They are really quite tasty!
Anyway....I've been eating a lot of jelly beans, and crackers and cookies and I really wish I had better will power. Maybe I should chew gum, drink more water, or do something to control my eating habits. I can't wait for nicer weather, and warm days so I can go for more walks and feel like I'm taking control of my health.
While it may cost a little more, I really ought to invest in foods that are actually sort of good for you, like minimally processed items: preservative free/cane sugar granola bars, grainy cereal, even soy nuggets. The kind of stuff one finds at Trader Joes. And drinking green tea. More salads. Less junk.
I say that. I've said that in I don't know how many posts. But this time, while I may fall of the horse and fail, it's almost summer, and it's going to be a busy one, and if I want to look good and have energy, I need to make changes now.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Cadbury creme filling fizzle.
Cadbury creme eggs don't hold the same appeal as they used to. I'd buy a dozen and eat one a month till the next Easter (which I might do again this year, just for kicks).
But now I'm nibbling at one, and I don't feel like I love it as much as I did. The ooblecky tacky filling is creamy and thick and sugary, which is tactfully(?) pleasing. The mild milk chocolate that melts with it adds another depth of flavor and sweet.
The orangey yolky center that marbleizes with the rest of the white rouses feelings of nostalgia, and I love the way it melts on my tongue, but it fails to light the fire that burned in my soul for candy like it used to.
Maybe it's because I'm 23, and appreciate the Slow Food Movement, and organic and local and stuff made in small batches, and those small companies (all of the above in certain situations, of course). A Cadbury creme egg that is now owned by Hershey isn't going to do it anymore. I like things like potato chips made by some company in Idaho, or cane soda, or produce from a farmer's market or naked beef from Stew Leonards.
I guess I'm sort of a food snob......... But not really. I just like to eat a variety of delicious things, and a variety of junky food. But if I'm going to eat something that tiny that has 150 calories, I damn sure am going to thoroughly enjoy every mouthful.
.....But I guess I do savor every little bit of that tiny egg. It's chocolate, it's creamy fondant (one of my most favorite things..in the bakeshop there were buckets of it and I would sneak it all the time) and it's seasonal. It was apart of my childhood, and sometimes things like that makes you feel good and happy in a way that nostalgic things do; it satisfies a tiny part of your soul.
But now I'm nibbling at one, and I don't feel like I love it as much as I did. The ooblecky tacky filling is creamy and thick and sugary, which is tactfully(?) pleasing. The mild milk chocolate that melts with it adds another depth of flavor and sweet.
The orangey yolky center that marbleizes with the rest of the white rouses feelings of nostalgia, and I love the way it melts on my tongue, but it fails to light the fire that burned in my soul for candy like it used to.
Maybe it's because I'm 23, and appreciate the Slow Food Movement, and organic and local and stuff made in small batches, and those small companies (all of the above in certain situations, of course). A Cadbury creme egg that is now owned by Hershey isn't going to do it anymore. I like things like potato chips made by some company in Idaho, or cane soda, or produce from a farmer's market or naked beef from Stew Leonards.
I guess I'm sort of a food snob......... But not really. I just like to eat a variety of delicious things, and a variety of junky food. But if I'm going to eat something that tiny that has 150 calories, I damn sure am going to thoroughly enjoy every mouthful.
.....But I guess I do savor every little bit of that tiny egg. It's chocolate, it's creamy fondant (one of my most favorite things..in the bakeshop there were buckets of it and I would sneak it all the time) and it's seasonal. It was apart of my childhood, and sometimes things like that makes you feel good and happy in a way that nostalgic things do; it satisfies a tiny part of your soul.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Breakfast Sausage
I don't think there's a pork product out there as good as breakfast sausage (other than maple bacon, if done properly).
Since I'm not working on my boss's birthday, I went out today and got a smorgasbord of yummy breakfast items: fruit for a salad, orange juice, hash brown patties, bagels/chive cream cheese from a local bagel shop, and pork sausage.
I could have done with cantaloupe, strawberries and grapes that were actually in season, but I'll just have to make due. I think this is one of those times, when the thought counts, even thought the quality isn't where it can be.
The bagels and cream cheese are from a bagel shop in town. I decided to get six, three onion and three everything. I didn't have much more thought to what Kelly would want (since I'm pretty sure the extern likes onion bagels, too) and when I did think of him, I decided not to care. When it was his birthday, I'd make what he likes. Onion bagels and chive cream cheese are one of Michele's favorites, and this bagel shop (Uppercrust Bagels in Darien) have some of the best of both.
The Hashbrown patties are one of my favorites. I cooked them to a nice, perfect crisped deep brown, that will surely still have a crunch when refreshed in the oven tomorrow.
Now, the sausage. I purchased a .72 pounds of ground breakfast sausage. It suddenly occurred to me that there was probably not much else than pork, water, and MSG in it. I was close. Pork, water, msg, corn syrup, spices, salt.
I called Matthew for his advice, and he confirmed to me what I'd already planned to do. Onions (only sweated, first) brown sugar, added into the pot with the onions to melt it, and various spices (opps, forget the dried herbs, sorry Matt).
I diced half a small onion carefully and threw them into sweat with some oil, until they became tender and soft. A tablespoon of brown sugar melted into the pot. I mixed it into the bowl with the pork, and realized I maybe should have added a wee bit of flour, since the meat was wet and doesn't form as nicely as ground beef.
But I managed. I started out by forming five big biscuit sized patties with one small one to sample and plopped it into the hot skillet.
It didn't shrink nearly as much as I expected to, and it smelled wonderful; sweet and savory and oniony like breakfast sausage should. So while it popped and sizzled, I reformed my five patties into twelve mini ones. It made more sense when I saw them anyway. Twelve small sized patties would be generous for the three people who ate meat.
I sampled my tiny pork pattie. I, for one, am a big cooked onion fan. I love them caramelized, fried and in almost everything savory. So for me, biting into the most oniony part of the sausage was a punch in the mouth of delicious. The sweet wasn't overpowering, but brought out the pork, the onions balanced the sweetness. I'm sure this could have done with some oregano, or some other dried herb, or something equally 'fancy' (like the dried fennel seeds Matthew suggested), but I'll have to remember that for the next time. I think from now on I'll be fancying up my own breakfast sausage meat.
.
Since I'm not working on my boss's birthday, I went out today and got a smorgasbord of yummy breakfast items: fruit for a salad, orange juice, hash brown patties, bagels/chive cream cheese from a local bagel shop, and pork sausage.
I could have done with cantaloupe, strawberries and grapes that were actually in season, but I'll just have to make due. I think this is one of those times, when the thought counts, even thought the quality isn't where it can be.
The bagels and cream cheese are from a bagel shop in town. I decided to get six, three onion and three everything. I didn't have much more thought to what Kelly would want (since I'm pretty sure the extern likes onion bagels, too) and when I did think of him, I decided not to care. When it was his birthday, I'd make what he likes. Onion bagels and chive cream cheese are one of Michele's favorites, and this bagel shop (Uppercrust Bagels in Darien) have some of the best of both.
The Hashbrown patties are one of my favorites. I cooked them to a nice, perfect crisped deep brown, that will surely still have a crunch when refreshed in the oven tomorrow.
Now, the sausage. I purchased a .72 pounds of ground breakfast sausage. It suddenly occurred to me that there was probably not much else than pork, water, and MSG in it. I was close. Pork, water, msg, corn syrup, spices, salt.
I called Matthew for his advice, and he confirmed to me what I'd already planned to do. Onions (only sweated, first) brown sugar, added into the pot with the onions to melt it, and various spices (opps, forget the dried herbs, sorry Matt).
I diced half a small onion carefully and threw them into sweat with some oil, until they became tender and soft. A tablespoon of brown sugar melted into the pot. I mixed it into the bowl with the pork, and realized I maybe should have added a wee bit of flour, since the meat was wet and doesn't form as nicely as ground beef.
But I managed. I started out by forming five big biscuit sized patties with one small one to sample and plopped it into the hot skillet.
It didn't shrink nearly as much as I expected to, and it smelled wonderful; sweet and savory and oniony like breakfast sausage should. So while it popped and sizzled, I reformed my five patties into twelve mini ones. It made more sense when I saw them anyway. Twelve small sized patties would be generous for the three people who ate meat.
I sampled my tiny pork pattie. I, for one, am a big cooked onion fan. I love them caramelized, fried and in almost everything savory. So for me, biting into the most oniony part of the sausage was a punch in the mouth of delicious. The sweet wasn't overpowering, but brought out the pork, the onions balanced the sweetness. I'm sure this could have done with some oregano, or some other dried herb, or something equally 'fancy' (like the dried fennel seeds Matthew suggested), but I'll have to remember that for the next time. I think from now on I'll be fancying up my own breakfast sausage meat.
.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Sunday Breakfast
Today I planned on waking up early, making coffee and just enjoy having the first floor to myself before my siblings woke up and my parents came back from being away.
I had decided since I didn't get my sausage biscuit from McDondalds at Matt's Graduation, that would be what I would make.
It took me awhile to settle on this idea. As I would have to run out and get. sausage. But I decided I'd settle on bacon if we had Bisquik. We didn't have any Which meant I'd have to run to Trader Joes. So I might as well get the Morning Star vegan sausage patties there as well, (don't knock it, they look good and their Griller's Vegan tastes like a hamburger) because I've yet to see real sausage patties at Tjs, and it would be an acceptable alternative.
When I got there, I went to the frozen section and located the Morning Star area. They had the burgers (good with chipole mayo), the "buffalo wings" (Why?), the bacon, and the sausage links. But no patties. Surely this was some kind of mistake. I lifted every box, hoping for a stray sausage pattie. But there were none. Given, it was about 5:30 pm, but surely they restock?
I would have been more annoyed, if I weren't so amused by the irony.
I picked up my box of multigrain baking mix and wandered, thinking about my next move.
But after browsing the bacon, and the soy-sauge, I finally left with Baking Mix, Home Browns (the hash brown style found at Mcdonalds), a box of Vanilla cookie Trader Joes Oreos, and Whoopee pies (the last two being a compulsive move). Damn you Trader Joes for enticing me to veer from my list and buy another item!!!
This morning I woke up at 7, my head thick and my vision blurry. I got up and laid on the couch, watching an infomercial for "YOUR BABY CAN READ" because I was too thick with tired to change the channel...even with the remote sitting at my head.
Finally, I willed myself off the couch to prepare a caffinated crystal light packet, which brought me around a little bit, enough to start making my breakfast.
I brushed three hash browns with oil and threw them in the still cold oven, and turned it on. I formed my cold, last night prepared biscuit dough into three rounds and put them aside. After putting the bacon into the oven, I got my eggs ready.
Once the bacon came out, swimming in its own fat (Mmm, bacon fat, could there be any better fat?), I poured a little of the remaining bacon fat into the pan intended for my eggs. This was something Matt always did when we would cook breakfast together on the weekend. But I suppose when you're eating the bacon with the eggs, you can't really tell that the fat is in it, but I like the concept anyway.
My entire breakfast came together nicely. My coffee was pleasant enough, better than at work, but my biscuits rose a bit too much to accommodate eggs, cheese and bacon into an open mouth. The bacon was crispy, and my hash browns crunchy.
I'm still tired, and now very worried, because I just found a letter for myself from I don't know when about my other student loan, which was due YESTERDAY, so I want to run to the post office, but am trying to make myself realize it doesn't matter when I go, because there's no post today anyway.
I don't know what the deal is with people trying to make breakfast fancy. All you need is a little breakfast meat, some bread, a potato product and an egg, and you have a very Americanized breakfast. Fatty, greasy, bad for you, but once in a while it is entirely delicious.
I had decided since I didn't get my sausage biscuit from McDondalds at Matt's Graduation, that would be what I would make.
It took me awhile to settle on this idea. As I would have to run out and get. sausage. But I decided I'd settle on bacon if we had Bisquik. We didn't have any Which meant I'd have to run to Trader Joes. So I might as well get the Morning Star vegan sausage patties there as well, (don't knock it, they look good and their Griller's Vegan tastes like a hamburger) because I've yet to see real sausage patties at Tjs, and it would be an acceptable alternative.
When I got there, I went to the frozen section and located the Morning Star area. They had the burgers (good with chipole mayo), the "buffalo wings" (Why?), the bacon, and the sausage links. But no patties. Surely this was some kind of mistake. I lifted every box, hoping for a stray sausage pattie. But there were none. Given, it was about 5:30 pm, but surely they restock?
I would have been more annoyed, if I weren't so amused by the irony.
I picked up my box of multigrain baking mix and wandered, thinking about my next move.
But after browsing the bacon, and the soy-sauge, I finally left with Baking Mix, Home Browns (the hash brown style found at Mcdonalds), a box of Vanilla cookie Trader Joes Oreos, and Whoopee pies (the last two being a compulsive move). Damn you Trader Joes for enticing me to veer from my list and buy another item!!!
This morning I woke up at 7, my head thick and my vision blurry. I got up and laid on the couch, watching an infomercial for "YOUR BABY CAN READ" because I was too thick with tired to change the channel...even with the remote sitting at my head.
Finally, I willed myself off the couch to prepare a caffinated crystal light packet, which brought me around a little bit, enough to start making my breakfast.
I brushed three hash browns with oil and threw them in the still cold oven, and turned it on. I formed my cold, last night prepared biscuit dough into three rounds and put them aside. After putting the bacon into the oven, I got my eggs ready.
Once the bacon came out, swimming in its own fat (Mmm, bacon fat, could there be any better fat?), I poured a little of the remaining bacon fat into the pan intended for my eggs. This was something Matt always did when we would cook breakfast together on the weekend. But I suppose when you're eating the bacon with the eggs, you can't really tell that the fat is in it, but I like the concept anyway.
My entire breakfast came together nicely. My coffee was pleasant enough, better than at work, but my biscuits rose a bit too much to accommodate eggs, cheese and bacon into an open mouth. The bacon was crispy, and my hash browns crunchy.
I'm still tired, and now very worried, because I just found a letter for myself from I don't know when about my other student loan, which was due YESTERDAY, so I want to run to the post office, but am trying to make myself realize it doesn't matter when I go, because there's no post today anyway.
I don't know what the deal is with people trying to make breakfast fancy. All you need is a little breakfast meat, some bread, a potato product and an egg, and you have a very Americanized breakfast. Fatty, greasy, bad for you, but once in a while it is entirely delicious.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Pop Tarts
The first (and only) rebellious thing I ever did as a college student was buy S'mores pop tarts.
We never were really allowed pop-tarts growing up. The non-frosted fruit ones were barely allowed for breakfast as it was, so chocolate or frosted anything was certainly out of the question. We were strictly a strawberry or blueberry kinda family.
For some illogical reason, in my mother's eyes, the Toaster strudels were a better option, perhaps because there was marginally more fruit filling and they were warm/flaky with a cream cheese icing. But they are essentially the same thing.
I jealously coveted the other flavors, like chocolate, S'mores and the weird berry flavors of the time. Even raspberry frosted with sprinkles was off limits.
I sometimes dreamed of all the food I wasn't allowed to have growing up. All the food I could buy when I was on my own (candy, sugary cereal and possibly Kid tv dinners). I clearly remember when I was very young being in a car with my mother, driving in Rowayton, and saying how I was going to buy bags of candy when I was on my own. "Oh yeah?" She said, "You'll look like this." And puffed her cheeks, which made me laugh.
So, the first week I settled into college, I went shopping with my roommate, or perhaps a new friend. We were wandering down the cereal isle, and packages caught my eye. Pop Tarts! No, wait! S'mores pop tarts!!! I snatched a box, and tried to justify the purchase to whomever I was with, because I felt silly buying food intended for children.
When I got back to the dorm, I opened the box and peeled open the sliver package eagerly. I inhaled the graham crackery scent, the crackly chocolate frosting, and signed contently. It smelled so good. Finally, I took a bite.
It was sweet and different. Vertical stripes of chocolate and what appears to be marshmallows. It was slightly gooey.
It was an affordable luxury, 2/$3. But I didn't buy them again. Being a college student, I worried about money and saving it for school supplies and substantial food.
But now that I am a college graduate with a job, I've found other affordable luxuries. But I still like Pop Tarts.
Recently, I've found Pop-Tarts with whole grains. Shockingly, they come in Chocolate Fudge. Which is a chocolate pastry, with fudge, with chocolate frosting. With whole grains. And Fiber. Surely this counts as a breakfast item when paired with a fruit smoothie. I like these better than the S'mores one, unfortunately, to write this post, I went out and bought a 12 pack of S'mores pop tarts (Always a deal finder, I bought them on sale, they were $1.74!) So, I'm stuck with a lot of Pop-tarts. Which I'm either going to try to be okay with, or maybe unload some on my boyfriend.
We never were really allowed pop-tarts growing up. The non-frosted fruit ones were barely allowed for breakfast as it was, so chocolate or frosted anything was certainly out of the question. We were strictly a strawberry or blueberry kinda family.
For some illogical reason, in my mother's eyes, the Toaster strudels were a better option, perhaps because there was marginally more fruit filling and they were warm/flaky with a cream cheese icing. But they are essentially the same thing.
I jealously coveted the other flavors, like chocolate, S'mores and the weird berry flavors of the time. Even raspberry frosted with sprinkles was off limits.
I sometimes dreamed of all the food I wasn't allowed to have growing up. All the food I could buy when I was on my own (candy, sugary cereal and possibly Kid tv dinners). I clearly remember when I was very young being in a car with my mother, driving in Rowayton, and saying how I was going to buy bags of candy when I was on my own. "Oh yeah?" She said, "You'll look like this." And puffed her cheeks, which made me laugh.
So, the first week I settled into college, I went shopping with my roommate, or perhaps a new friend. We were wandering down the cereal isle, and packages caught my eye. Pop Tarts! No, wait! S'mores pop tarts!!! I snatched a box, and tried to justify the purchase to whomever I was with, because I felt silly buying food intended for children.
When I got back to the dorm, I opened the box and peeled open the sliver package eagerly. I inhaled the graham crackery scent, the crackly chocolate frosting, and signed contently. It smelled so good. Finally, I took a bite.
It was sweet and different. Vertical stripes of chocolate and what appears to be marshmallows. It was slightly gooey.
It was an affordable luxury, 2/$3. But I didn't buy them again. Being a college student, I worried about money and saving it for school supplies and substantial food.
But now that I am a college graduate with a job, I've found other affordable luxuries. But I still like Pop Tarts.
Recently, I've found Pop-Tarts with whole grains. Shockingly, they come in Chocolate Fudge. Which is a chocolate pastry, with fudge, with chocolate frosting. With whole grains. And Fiber. Surely this counts as a breakfast item when paired with a fruit smoothie. I like these better than the S'mores one, unfortunately, to write this post, I went out and bought a 12 pack of S'mores pop tarts (Always a deal finder, I bought them on sale, they were $1.74!) So, I'm stuck with a lot of Pop-tarts. Which I'm either going to try to be okay with, or maybe unload some on my boyfriend.
Friday, February 13, 2009
$6 Budget
I've decided to allot myself between 6-$7 a month for whatever I feel like eating. It could be anything from Mcdonalds, Duchess, diner, Wendys or Chinese. Even those marshmallows at Tj Maxx. Whatever little treat I'd like.
I decided to do this because, I thoroughly enjoy fast food and other takeout, but never really wanted to put forth the effort of procuring it. Also, I thought whatever I spent on it would eventually add up to other, more useful things, like fuel, clothes, and groceries.
But I think a little splurge now and then probably wouldn't hurt. And, if I let myself have a little something now and then would probably keep me focused on being healthier. If I let myself have that little budgetary splurge, I am probably less likely to use it.
I'm allowing myself to spend this money in any amount I like, whether I do it about 5 times at 1.12, or twice a month at about $3.
Or maybe that should be spent on something more splurge worthy. Like candy or all natural shampoo from Trader Joes (I am quite fond of "Christopher's Jellies")
So, we shall see how this works out. I already spent $4 and some change at Wendy's the other week, so I'll have to wait till March to invest a little cash in a little splurge that makes stuff like 4 mile walks, fruit smoothies, and Emergen-C more bearable.
I decided to do this because, I thoroughly enjoy fast food and other takeout, but never really wanted to put forth the effort of procuring it. Also, I thought whatever I spent on it would eventually add up to other, more useful things, like fuel, clothes, and groceries.
But I think a little splurge now and then probably wouldn't hurt. And, if I let myself have a little something now and then would probably keep me focused on being healthier. If I let myself have that little budgetary splurge, I am probably less likely to use it.
I'm allowing myself to spend this money in any amount I like, whether I do it about 5 times at 1.12, or twice a month at about $3.
Or maybe that should be spent on something more splurge worthy. Like candy or all natural shampoo from Trader Joes (I am quite fond of "Christopher's Jellies")
So, we shall see how this works out. I already spent $4 and some change at Wendy's the other week, so I'll have to wait till March to invest a little cash in a little splurge that makes stuff like 4 mile walks, fruit smoothies, and Emergen-C more bearable.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Butterscotch pudding
I had a sudden craving for butterscotch pudding sometime earlier last week. I had seen a top comfort food list on AOL, and butterscotch pudding topped it.
I was a fan of all things pudding growing up, but butterscotch was my favorite. I have vauge memories of sitting on my very old and handed down Whinnie the pooh blanket, Swiss Miss Butterscotch pudding in hand and watching Raffie on Nick Jr, as a very wee one. So when I saw a recipe for it, I was excited.
I remembered the deep butterscotch flavor (which is hard to describe), the brownish orangish color. The smooth consistency. I was craving it enough to go make it that night.
But, I set my expectations too high, I am sorry to say. The recipe was simple, consisting of heavy cream, whole milk, brown sugar, cornstarch, butter and vanilla. It came together well and I like the consistency of the pudding, but the flavor was absolutely lacking.
I'm disappointed. I should have added more vanilla and brown sugar, because, now that I look at the recipe, called for dark brown sugar,and we've been a light brown sugar kinda family. Maybe that was the case. My mother makes her own vanilla, and it's only been sitting for a few months, so maybe I should have added more.
I personally, did not like the pudding. I'd make it again, but modify the recipe for more sugar and vanilla. So let this be a lesson. When something calls for a particular crucial ingredient, you should really use it. Light brown sugar isn't a substitute for dark brown sugar, and next time I'll have to remember that.
I was a fan of all things pudding growing up, but butterscotch was my favorite. I have vauge memories of sitting on my very old and handed down Whinnie the pooh blanket, Swiss Miss Butterscotch pudding in hand and watching Raffie on Nick Jr, as a very wee one. So when I saw a recipe for it, I was excited.
I remembered the deep butterscotch flavor (which is hard to describe), the brownish orangish color. The smooth consistency. I was craving it enough to go make it that night.
But, I set my expectations too high, I am sorry to say. The recipe was simple, consisting of heavy cream, whole milk, brown sugar, cornstarch, butter and vanilla. It came together well and I like the consistency of the pudding, but the flavor was absolutely lacking.
I'm disappointed. I should have added more vanilla and brown sugar, because, now that I look at the recipe, called for dark brown sugar,and we've been a light brown sugar kinda family. Maybe that was the case. My mother makes her own vanilla, and it's only been sitting for a few months, so maybe I should have added more.
I personally, did not like the pudding. I'd make it again, but modify the recipe for more sugar and vanilla. So let this be a lesson. When something calls for a particular crucial ingredient, you should really use it. Light brown sugar isn't a substitute for dark brown sugar, and next time I'll have to remember that.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
S+P Oyster Company, or "Top Ten Meals of My Life (so far)"
When Matt and I walked out of the planetarium at Mystic Seaport, it was snowing. Which wasn't at all a big deal, I wasn't altogether concerned about it until I began to drive in it. I realized later on I'd be driving in it, and hoped the plow would have gone through by the time we went out to eat.
Matt and I weren't sure where we'd go for dinner. He had seen a nice looking place up on a hill we'd try out. By the time we were ready to go, it was still snowing, and wet and a little icy.
I got into the car and stated that I was nervous about driving. Here I was, in an unfamiliar town, in the dark, in the snow, in heels. And I didn't exactly know where I was going. Ookay! We slowly made our way to the alleged restaurant on the hill. It turned out to be a restaurant at the Mystic Inn, which appeared to be closed. I went up the windy, snow covered hill to discover this.
Now where do we go? I'd sooner eat takeout from a fast food place than grace the presence of the "Ground Round" at the hotel. We decided to drive around a bit, I was sure something would turn up in this cute town.
Out of the dark snowy night, I saw twinkle lights on a housey building on the water (like a beacon from God!). A restaurant! Quick decision! I turned in.
It was the S+P Oyster Co.! We parked and glanced at the menu next to the door. It looked good, I barely needed to read it to find a few things I'd like. We made our way in and got a table. It was a little quiet, but full. Dim, but not too dark. The atmosphere was comfortable. The menu was full of seafood, meats and pasta.
Our server, Robin, came to us and wrote her name on the white paper covered table with a pen. Which I thought was an interesting way to get your name across.
Matt and I ordered wine (Sav Blanc, Root one) while we looked at our menus (I was seriously considering a drink drink, but then decided I'd probably be better off with wine). I finally decided on pork tenderloin medallions with apples and rosemary, mashed potatoes and green beans. Matt got a broiled seafood plate. I can't really comment on that, since I am not one for shellfish. Sorry, New England.
My wine was summer. Peachy, crisp. It was summer in a snowstorm.
When our meals came, I had to take a picture. I begged Matt for his camera, and finally he obliged . I picked up my fork and cut a small sample of the pork. And was lost in a food daze. I put down my fork.
This is too good to eat." I gushed. So, I picked up a crayon and began taking notes. Shamelessly. I took short worded notes, that are illegible to me now. I ate slower than I ever have, savoring and experiencing every tender bite of my meal. I gushed and was completely absorbed in my meal. I could barely talk to Matthew or even acknowledging that he was even eating with me, until I suddenly snapped back into reality and asked him how his meal was. He said he liked it, and pointed out a few things ideas he liked and wanted to remember to borrow them when he opened his own restaurant at some point in his life after graduation. (Ooh! I forgot to mention the bread with an olive oil balasmic dip; an idea he wants to borrow, along with a few other things...that I don't remember)
He also gave a look around. "You know," he said "I can see a few reasons why this is a great restaurant."
"How?" I asked, so enamored with my meal I wasn't aware of anything past my plate and glass of wine (which was- and I'm quoting myself "A pair so perfect not even God could wish for anything better"...But maybe I just have low standards when it comes to wine pairing. If I don't shudder at every sip, I consider it a good pair...Actually, I fall in love pretty easily with any crisp Sav Blanc)
"Well, it's snowing, the economy is terrible, it's the slow season and there's only three or four empty tables." He said. I looked. It was true. The restaurant only had a few tables open. And more people kept coming in.
I nodded, commenting how this is a great restaurant and how glad I was that we happened upon it (and really, isn't that how you find the best places to eat? The stuff blogs are made of) Then I went back to my meal.
I was agonizing over what was in the sauces. I knew one was garlic and possibly shallots, and the other was bright orange, sweet and slightly citrusy. Matt figured it was oranges, but I wasn't sure. All those different flavors on one plate? I had no idea what it was, only that somehow, it went with everything. My greenbeans were crisp and cooked just how I like them. My potatoes were dense and tender, the pork, sweet and savory, perfectly cooked and balanced in flavors. (I was worried there'd be too much rosemary, an herb I've come to dislike with my mother's overzealous use in past meals)
It was surely the best meal I have had in a long time. Probably top ten meals of my life (at this point in time). I was engrossed and enamored in it.
I still needed to know what was in the mashed potatoes! It had this sweet to them that I could not put my finger on. When Robin came by to see how everything was, I asked her what was in them. She replied quite smartly with the standard ingredients (half and half, butter, milk, salt, pepper) and "something else they wont tell us" Lies!! You know you know whats in them! I'm sure it's apples. I'm sure it is. It's something I wouldn't expect, yet logical. I also loved the fact that she told me they piped them. Because I already knew that. I wanted to say "I swear I'm not an insane foodie! My boyfriend and I have degrees from the CIA and I swear I'm not that nuts!!!" But I didn't.
I finished my last few bites and sipped the last of my wine. Matt asked me if I wanted dessert.
"Do you want dessert?" I replied, knowing the answer.
We got dessert. He got bread pudding and I got Tiramisu.
I wasn't disappointed. It was mousse like: creamy, airy, light, but full bodied in flavor. I began to gush again. I can barely put this into words. Usually I gulp down food and dessert. But this meal made me stop and slowly savor each and every bite.
It took me an hour and a half to eat two courses. I barely was aware of time. I was barely aware of anyone. I was aware enough of my boyfriend to have conversations, but it was mostly me gushing over my meal.
Apparently, the bread pudding was quite tasty as well, in case you were wondering. The bread appeared to be processed into breadcrumbs, and lended itself to a more pudding like texture. I'm not one for bread pudding, but if I was, I'd probably prefer it made this way.
So, after an hour and a half of gastronomical pleasure, we left. I carefully ripped my notes off the table and stuffed them in my purse. Matt teased me, saying if I wanted to be a writer of such things, I'd need to learn how to remember everything. But personally, if there are in fact crayons and paper on the table, I'm sure as hell going to use them.
I was so glad we happened upon this restaurant. I couldn't dream of a better meal or a better place to go with my boyfriend. I know not many people read this blog who are also happening to go to Mystic, but if you are in Mystic, you have to have a meal here. I can't say much more than that.
S+P Oyster Company
Dress: Casual/dressy casual (But I wore a dress and heels, and I didn't feel out of place in them)
Price: Moderate, with entrees starting at about $12.95 up to about $30.
Food: Excellent
Service: Also quite excellent. I liked that Robin, our server, knew some locals who sat near us and asked if they wanted their usual. (I dig that stuff)
Menu Selection: for a seafood place, great. Enough for seafood affectionato, but a land lover would have plenty to choose from.
Right on the water, so it's very pleasant and pretty, especially when its snowing
See the perfect cookedness of the pork? The color of the red potatoes? (AH-HA!!! Could it possibly be CHICKEN STOCK!!!? Edit: Matt told me probably not.) The Apples!!? Perfection on a plate. OOh! Oooh! And I got a green bean surprise under the pork. It made me happy. =)
Matt and I weren't sure where we'd go for dinner. He had seen a nice looking place up on a hill we'd try out. By the time we were ready to go, it was still snowing, and wet and a little icy.
I got into the car and stated that I was nervous about driving. Here I was, in an unfamiliar town, in the dark, in the snow, in heels. And I didn't exactly know where I was going. Ookay! We slowly made our way to the alleged restaurant on the hill. It turned out to be a restaurant at the Mystic Inn, which appeared to be closed. I went up the windy, snow covered hill to discover this.
Now where do we go? I'd sooner eat takeout from a fast food place than grace the presence of the "Ground Round" at the hotel. We decided to drive around a bit, I was sure something would turn up in this cute town.
Out of the dark snowy night, I saw twinkle lights on a housey building on the water (like a beacon from God!). A restaurant! Quick decision! I turned in.
It was the S+P Oyster Co.! We parked and glanced at the menu next to the door. It looked good, I barely needed to read it to find a few things I'd like. We made our way in and got a table. It was a little quiet, but full. Dim, but not too dark. The atmosphere was comfortable. The menu was full of seafood, meats and pasta.
Our server, Robin, came to us and wrote her name on the white paper covered table with a pen. Which I thought was an interesting way to get your name across.
Matt and I ordered wine (Sav Blanc, Root one) while we looked at our menus (I was seriously considering a drink drink, but then decided I'd probably be better off with wine). I finally decided on pork tenderloin medallions with apples and rosemary, mashed potatoes and green beans. Matt got a broiled seafood plate. I can't really comment on that, since I am not one for shellfish. Sorry, New England.
My wine was summer. Peachy, crisp. It was summer in a snowstorm.
When our meals came, I had to take a picture. I begged Matt for his camera, and finally he obliged . I picked up my fork and cut a small sample of the pork. And was lost in a food daze. I put down my fork.
This is too good to eat." I gushed. So, I picked up a crayon and began taking notes. Shamelessly. I took short worded notes, that are illegible to me now. I ate slower than I ever have, savoring and experiencing every tender bite of my meal. I gushed and was completely absorbed in my meal. I could barely talk to Matthew or even acknowledging that he was even eating with me, until I suddenly snapped back into reality and asked him how his meal was. He said he liked it, and pointed out a few things ideas he liked and wanted to remember to borrow them when he opened his own restaurant at some point in his life after graduation. (Ooh! I forgot to mention the bread with an olive oil balasmic dip; an idea he wants to borrow, along with a few other things...that I don't remember)
He also gave a look around. "You know," he said "I can see a few reasons why this is a great restaurant."
"How?" I asked, so enamored with my meal I wasn't aware of anything past my plate and glass of wine (which was- and I'm quoting myself "A pair so perfect not even God could wish for anything better"...But maybe I just have low standards when it comes to wine pairing. If I don't shudder at every sip, I consider it a good pair...Actually, I fall in love pretty easily with any crisp Sav Blanc)
"Well, it's snowing, the economy is terrible, it's the slow season and there's only three or four empty tables." He said. I looked. It was true. The restaurant only had a few tables open. And more people kept coming in.
I nodded, commenting how this is a great restaurant and how glad I was that we happened upon it (and really, isn't that how you find the best places to eat? The stuff blogs are made of) Then I went back to my meal.
I was agonizing over what was in the sauces. I knew one was garlic and possibly shallots, and the other was bright orange, sweet and slightly citrusy. Matt figured it was oranges, but I wasn't sure. All those different flavors on one plate? I had no idea what it was, only that somehow, it went with everything. My greenbeans were crisp and cooked just how I like them. My potatoes were dense and tender, the pork, sweet and savory, perfectly cooked and balanced in flavors. (I was worried there'd be too much rosemary, an herb I've come to dislike with my mother's overzealous use in past meals)
It was surely the best meal I have had in a long time. Probably top ten meals of my life (at this point in time). I was engrossed and enamored in it.
I still needed to know what was in the mashed potatoes! It had this sweet to them that I could not put my finger on. When Robin came by to see how everything was, I asked her what was in them. She replied quite smartly with the standard ingredients (half and half, butter, milk, salt, pepper) and "something else they wont tell us" Lies!! You know you know whats in them! I'm sure it's apples. I'm sure it is. It's something I wouldn't expect, yet logical. I also loved the fact that she told me they piped them. Because I already knew that. I wanted to say "I swear I'm not an insane foodie! My boyfriend and I have degrees from the CIA and I swear I'm not that nuts!!!" But I didn't.
I finished my last few bites and sipped the last of my wine. Matt asked me if I wanted dessert.
"Do you want dessert?" I replied, knowing the answer.
We got dessert. He got bread pudding and I got Tiramisu.
I wasn't disappointed. It was mousse like: creamy, airy, light, but full bodied in flavor. I began to gush again. I can barely put this into words. Usually I gulp down food and dessert. But this meal made me stop and slowly savor each and every bite.
It took me an hour and a half to eat two courses. I barely was aware of time. I was barely aware of anyone. I was aware enough of my boyfriend to have conversations, but it was mostly me gushing over my meal.
Apparently, the bread pudding was quite tasty as well, in case you were wondering. The bread appeared to be processed into breadcrumbs, and lended itself to a more pudding like texture. I'm not one for bread pudding, but if I was, I'd probably prefer it made this way.
So, after an hour and a half of gastronomical pleasure, we left. I carefully ripped my notes off the table and stuffed them in my purse. Matt teased me, saying if I wanted to be a writer of such things, I'd need to learn how to remember everything. But personally, if there are in fact crayons and paper on the table, I'm sure as hell going to use them.
I was so glad we happened upon this restaurant. I couldn't dream of a better meal or a better place to go with my boyfriend. I know not many people read this blog who are also happening to go to Mystic, but if you are in Mystic, you have to have a meal here. I can't say much more than that.
S+P Oyster Company
Dress: Casual/dressy casual (But I wore a dress and heels, and I didn't feel out of place in them)
Price: Moderate, with entrees starting at about $12.95 up to about $30.
Food: Excellent
Service: Also quite excellent. I liked that Robin, our server, knew some locals who sat near us and asked if they wanted their usual. (I dig that stuff)
Menu Selection: for a seafood place, great. Enough for seafood affectionato, but a land lover would have plenty to choose from.
Right on the water, so it's very pleasant and pretty, especially when its snowing
See the perfect cookedness of the pork? The color of the red potatoes? (AH-HA!!! Could it possibly be CHICKEN STOCK!!!? Edit: Matt told me probably not.) The Apples!!? Perfection on a plate. OOh! Oooh! And I got a green bean surprise under the pork. It made me happy. =)
Monday, January 12, 2009
Mystic, and S+P Oyster Co
Went to Mystic with the boyfriend, more on that and the best meal I have had in QUITE awhile coming up later.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Oy vey and Mamma mia!
I haven't anything interesting to say today. It's Christmas, and I'm going to need something strong to get through the day with relatives (EDIT> My brother, after reading a similar comment on facebook, went and made me a very pleasant mixed drink of Buddah's hand vodka and peach juice.) . I'm working tomorrow, so that puts a mild damper on things. I feel anti-social, because I can't sit still and I don't really feel like watching Mamma Mia with a bunch of women who can't stop commenting on the movie. My cousin would sing every line and laugh at odd moments, I pretty much had it by five minutes into the movie. (A bellini isn't gonna cut it)
So I'm here, doing exactly what I want to be doing: sitting quietly in my room and catching up on blogs that I frequent, and others I'm just starting to read. Work has kept me busy and tired and irritated, so I'd prefer to be alone for a bit.
We weren't as busy as Thanksgiving, but for some reason it felt twice as stressful and obnoxious. We never fully recovered from our stint on Good Morning America, all the press and Thanksgiving, so we were all tired, overworked and getting sick of eachother- The AM shift and the PM shift, at least. Silly unresolved issues.
I feel like a Scrooge. All I want to do is be in the quiet of my room. I just can't tolerate people commenting on movies. My tolerance for things in general is stretched as it is today. Personally, I'd love it if I could just sit and eat all day. I cooked Michele and I delicious egg sandwiches yesterday that consisted of rolls, provolone cheese, and fried ham. It was probably one of the most substantial things either of us had eaten in two weeks. Anyway, moving on.
Christmas was uneventful. I now have a very nice jacket, purse, shirt and opal earrings, and am going to do a little more shopping after work to get stuff for stockings.
I got my brother in secret santa and did a year long "Hot Sauce of the Month Club" for him, which I knew he'd like, since I don't think there's a hot sauce too hot for him. And it's legitimate sized, two bottles of hot sauce a month. And something else which hasn't come yet but I'm sure it'll be good, too. But I also decided I'm not doing nearly as much as I could be doing for other people, so I'm looking into various worthwhile causes, too. Because it's a nice thing to good things for other people, and in this current society (which is so focused on celebrities, "celebrities"-Paris Hilton and reality TV sluts, fashion and other unworthwhile things), not much of that is happening. Whatever happened to that kid inside you who felt invincible and felt they could change the world? The kid in me needs to feel like she's contributing to society somehow.
This place currently seems most worthwhile and best to me, and here, too. Whatever your opinion on the war, Bush, or current events in general (like any of you can REALLY find most of the middle east countries on a map, ANYWAY), soldiers are really just doing their job and trying to make things better for people, and it's shitty that they aren't getting as much support as they should be getting. I don't exactly know anyone in the services, but why should that make any bit of difference?
And why should Christmas make me wanna do this anyway? I'm as stupid as any other American out there if I feel like I should do this now. I should do this every month, all year.
So maybe that will be my New Year's Resolution (which I wrote about last year). I really want to make more of an effort to do something good for other people. So if anyone has any worthwhile suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
There's my clustered view of things right now. Flightly as always, but some important underlying messages. You all should listen to me. You know I'm always right.
Hope you're having a nice holiday season regardless of my crotchety mood.
So I'm here, doing exactly what I want to be doing: sitting quietly in my room and catching up on blogs that I frequent, and others I'm just starting to read. Work has kept me busy and tired and irritated, so I'd prefer to be alone for a bit.
We weren't as busy as Thanksgiving, but for some reason it felt twice as stressful and obnoxious. We never fully recovered from our stint on Good Morning America, all the press and Thanksgiving, so we were all tired, overworked and getting sick of eachother- The AM shift and the PM shift, at least. Silly unresolved issues.
I feel like a Scrooge. All I want to do is be in the quiet of my room. I just can't tolerate people commenting on movies. My tolerance for things in general is stretched as it is today. Personally, I'd love it if I could just sit and eat all day. I cooked Michele and I delicious egg sandwiches yesterday that consisted of rolls, provolone cheese, and fried ham. It was probably one of the most substantial things either of us had eaten in two weeks. Anyway, moving on.
Christmas was uneventful. I now have a very nice jacket, purse, shirt and opal earrings, and am going to do a little more shopping after work to get stuff for stockings.
I got my brother in secret santa and did a year long "Hot Sauce of the Month Club" for him, which I knew he'd like, since I don't think there's a hot sauce too hot for him. And it's legitimate sized, two bottles of hot sauce a month. And something else which hasn't come yet but I'm sure it'll be good, too. But I also decided I'm not doing nearly as much as I could be doing for other people, so I'm looking into various worthwhile causes, too. Because it's a nice thing to good things for other people, and in this current society (which is so focused on celebrities, "celebrities"-Paris Hilton and reality TV sluts, fashion and other unworthwhile things), not much of that is happening. Whatever happened to that kid inside you who felt invincible and felt they could change the world? The kid in me needs to feel like she's contributing to society somehow.
This place currently seems most worthwhile and best to me, and here, too. Whatever your opinion on the war, Bush, or current events in general (like any of you can REALLY find most of the middle east countries on a map, ANYWAY), soldiers are really just doing their job and trying to make things better for people, and it's shitty that they aren't getting as much support as they should be getting. I don't exactly know anyone in the services, but why should that make any bit of difference?
And why should Christmas make me wanna do this anyway? I'm as stupid as any other American out there if I feel like I should do this now. I should do this every month, all year.
So maybe that will be my New Year's Resolution (which I wrote about last year). I really want to make more of an effort to do something good for other people. So if anyone has any worthwhile suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
There's my clustered view of things right now. Flightly as always, but some important underlying messages. You all should listen to me. You know I'm always right.
Hope you're having a nice holiday season regardless of my crotchety mood.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Here's to
Here's to hope, change, and the dream of a better future. Here's to being apart of an amazing part of history. Here's to the safety of the new president elect. Here's to closed minds being opened, and here's to the dream of America becoming a better place than yesterday.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Saltines
Saltines hold a special place in my palette. Cheap, crispy, bland and available everywhere. I wasn't one for Ramon noodles, so saltines became my cheap source of sustenance my last year or two of college. I'd buy boxes of them and eat sleeves at a time with store brand root beer or a water bottle filled with juice pilfered from the dining hall.
I don't know what their appeal is. They are a simple carbohydrate with a nice salty and crackery flavor. They have a slight flake in their layers and are drier than most crackers. The only real appeal is cheapness and saltiness. Nothing but soup goes particularly well with them, can't really serve it at parties and they crumble.
But I like them. When I pick up my mother from work (Admin of a elderly living facility) I'll head straight for the kitchen and shamelessly pick a few small packages of saltines from the massive box. I get this uncontrollable craving for carbs. I start off with two or three, and then all of the sudden I'm on my fourth and fifth package and drinking cranberry juice and shoving handfulls of garlicky croutons in my mouth as well. I like this brand of saltiness in the kitchen; they have this slight cheese taste that I can't exactly identify.
Maybe I shouldn't be investing in a few boxes right now. I've been going on eating binges as of late (McDonald's double cheeseburgers, bags of candy and the aforementioned Saltines).
When I went to Shaws today I got Nature Valley crunchy oat bars, baby carrots, cukes and honey mustard dressing, so hopefully that, and developing a taste for bananas (or at least getting to the point where I don't deeply gag when I eat one), will make me feel healthier and not feel like a big fat Tina.
I don't know what their appeal is. They are a simple carbohydrate with a nice salty and crackery flavor. They have a slight flake in their layers and are drier than most crackers. The only real appeal is cheapness and saltiness. Nothing but soup goes particularly well with them, can't really serve it at parties and they crumble.
But I like them. When I pick up my mother from work (Admin of a elderly living facility) I'll head straight for the kitchen and shamelessly pick a few small packages of saltines from the massive box. I get this uncontrollable craving for carbs. I start off with two or three, and then all of the sudden I'm on my fourth and fifth package and drinking cranberry juice and shoving handfulls of garlicky croutons in my mouth as well. I like this brand of saltiness in the kitchen; they have this slight cheese taste that I can't exactly identify.
Maybe I shouldn't be investing in a few boxes right now. I've been going on eating binges as of late (McDonald's double cheeseburgers, bags of candy and the aforementioned Saltines).
When I went to Shaws today I got Nature Valley crunchy oat bars, baby carrots, cukes and honey mustard dressing, so hopefully that, and developing a taste for bananas (or at least getting to the point where I don't deeply gag when I eat one), will make me feel healthier and not feel like a big fat Tina.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Broccoli Stir Fry, Take Two
A few weeks ago I tried to make my own broccoli lunch. I went out and got all these Asian sauces with high hopes that it would be delicious as the take out stuff. And much, much cheaper.
But it was a disaster.
The sauce was god awful (bean sauce which was thick and smelled funny) and my broccoli was undercooked.
So this weekend I decided I'd have another go at it. I would buy a standard Teryaki this time and make it right.
I ended up buying Ken's Steakhouse Sesame and Ginger Asian Salad dressing. Which smelled amazing. I reduced it a little and after I steamed my broccoli, I added it to the pan with the sauce in it to let it coat and reduce.
What I got was overcooked broccoli in deeply acidic sauce. Very disappointing. I could only eat a few bites before I couldnt' eat anymore.
Next time I'm going to buy the sauce my boyfriend and I used when we used to cook stir-frys. It's bright red and mostly full of fake stuff, but at least it's sweet and tasty.
But it was a disaster.
The sauce was god awful (bean sauce which was thick and smelled funny) and my broccoli was undercooked.
So this weekend I decided I'd have another go at it. I would buy a standard Teryaki this time and make it right.
I ended up buying Ken's Steakhouse Sesame and Ginger Asian Salad dressing. Which smelled amazing. I reduced it a little and after I steamed my broccoli, I added it to the pan with the sauce in it to let it coat and reduce.
What I got was overcooked broccoli in deeply acidic sauce. Very disappointing. I could only eat a few bites before I couldnt' eat anymore.
Next time I'm going to buy the sauce my boyfriend and I used when we used to cook stir-frys. It's bright red and mostly full of fake stuff, but at least it's sweet and tasty.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Gimmie a break!
I'm a little addicted to Kit-Kat bars. I don't eat them very often, but when I do, I could eat twenty of those wafer sticks coated in chocolate and it wouldn't be enough.
I bought about 9 bucks worth of candy at CVS today (I had a $7 Extra Care Cash coupon, and thought 'What the hell?'). Two bags of fun sized Kit-Kats, a bag of Rolos and a bag of Yorks.
And I plan on buying more.
I think I've eaten half the bag of Kit-Kats already. You only get two sticks per wrapper, which no longer accommodates my 23-year old sized mouth (as a child, those fun size bars or candy in general took ages to savor). Two sticks can be stuffed in my mouth and gone in 30 seconds. (Damn American who doesn't enjoy her food! In Russia, we don't even have food!)
Kit-Kats are another of the extremely palette pleasuring foods. We all adore that mouth feel of opposite textures (and flavors), and Kit-Kat combines creamy with crispy. Genius.
I'm a big fan of crispy. Any kind of crispy. Chicken, fries, onion rings, veggies, candy. I'd be interested to see if that's some very deep Caveman instinct (much like gaining weight in winter and avoiding bitter tastes), or just because it's so damn pleasurable. I can barely describe it.
"Crispy" is associated with "Deep fried, golden brown and delicious", another one of my favorite things. But is that the real reason why I so love it? Deep fat fried crispy goodness of well done fries? But I love Nestle Crunch Bars, too. And Butterfingers. And anything else with layers of wafers or otherwise.
But why? I'm baffled as to why all these mouth feels bring such pleasure. We love creamy, crunchy, gooey, soft, hard, tender, crispy, smooth, sandy....Do they spark feelings of nostalgia? Do they release Happy Chemicals to your brain?
I think eating in general makes you feel happy inside. Especially good food. Or things you love to eat despite its quality (like my weird eating habits post). I don't think it matters if it's crispy like a Kit-Kat, creamy like Risotto, tender like a steak, or gooey like a Valo-Milk. I think pleasure from eating is one of those Ancestorial instincts that came about when humans realized that some foods tasted good and made you feel good.
There's no real reason for it. I think food just makes us happy.
I bought about 9 bucks worth of candy at CVS today (I had a $7 Extra Care Cash coupon, and thought 'What the hell?'). Two bags of fun sized Kit-Kats, a bag of Rolos and a bag of Yorks.
And I plan on buying more.
I think I've eaten half the bag of Kit-Kats already. You only get two sticks per wrapper, which no longer accommodates my 23-year old sized mouth (as a child, those fun size bars or candy in general took ages to savor). Two sticks can be stuffed in my mouth and gone in 30 seconds. (Damn American who doesn't enjoy her food! In Russia, we don't even have food!)
Kit-Kats are another of the extremely palette pleasuring foods. We all adore that mouth feel of opposite textures (and flavors), and Kit-Kat combines creamy with crispy. Genius.
I'm a big fan of crispy. Any kind of crispy. Chicken, fries, onion rings, veggies, candy. I'd be interested to see if that's some very deep Caveman instinct (much like gaining weight in winter and avoiding bitter tastes), or just because it's so damn pleasurable. I can barely describe it.
"Crispy" is associated with "Deep fried, golden brown and delicious", another one of my favorite things. But is that the real reason why I so love it? Deep fat fried crispy goodness of well done fries? But I love Nestle Crunch Bars, too. And Butterfingers. And anything else with layers of wafers or otherwise.
But why? I'm baffled as to why all these mouth feels bring such pleasure. We love creamy, crunchy, gooey, soft, hard, tender, crispy, smooth, sandy....Do they spark feelings of nostalgia? Do they release Happy Chemicals to your brain?
I think eating in general makes you feel happy inside. Especially good food. Or things you love to eat despite its quality (like my weird eating habits post). I don't think it matters if it's crispy like a Kit-Kat, creamy like Risotto, tender like a steak, or gooey like a Valo-Milk. I think pleasure from eating is one of those Ancestorial instincts that came about when humans realized that some foods tasted good and made you feel good.
There's no real reason for it. I think food just makes us happy.
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Dis-sheviled pumpkin story
Well, I couldn't slink away from them forever. Monday was another pumpkin day at work.
I came in at 7, and set up like a normal day, really not knowing what to expect. When everyone else lumbered in after, and much much after 7, Kelly, the co-owner, had me help him start on the most pressing matter: breakfast.
We scrambled a bunch of eggs, cooked polish sausage and piled it all in a sheet of puff dough with cheese, which was then wrapped up and baked. Who was I to argue? (PS- It was quite an amazing combination of various fats and flavor. I could have eaten the whole thing by myself.)
After that was taken care of, Kelly broke out the band-saw and it began, quite suddenly, with no fanfare. Pretty soon, we had a half rack of sheetpans full of halved pumpkins, and I dug in with gusto and a spoon. I dug into the seedy fleshy bits with energy and relish, because I knew if I thought about the masses we had to get through, I would go mad. Getting through something with cheer and excitement, despite logic and common sense can be a good coping method.
Less than an hour into it, I looked at Greg: "This is crazy." I said, matter of factly. Kathryn and Greg laughed in mutual understanding. "We aren't even half way through the steps yet." he said.
Once my other co-worker arrived, after 9:30, after being stuck in traffic since 6:30, I was moved from scooping to peeling the pumpkins after they'd come out of the oven or steamer.
At first, they were difficult. Not only were they screaming hot, the skins were being difficult. It would be too easy for them to slip out of their skins like peaches in August.
We used spoons and knives and eventually got a system going. The best pumpkins were the ones with hard shells and the flesh could be dumped and scraped.
I know this doesn't sound too exciting. But...well....it wasn't.....It was just a lot of work. We had four people scraping pumpkins, one person using the band saw, another person scrubbing pumpkins outside, another person getting the pumpkins ready to be pressed in an ancient looking wine press/steaming-roasting the pumpkins, another two people downstairs pureeing, filling and sealing the food saver bags, and us peeling pumpkins. There's more activity than it sounds, trust me. And it wasn't even chaotic. There was this amazing flow of organized activity. Something that rarely happens here at Michele's Pies. Well, not "Activity" just the organized part. We're good about getting stuff done, though. Most days. (Still lovin' the job though! I'm not going anywhere anytime soon) Just saying this seemed choreographed it was so flowed.
It was quite a site to be had. There was pumpkin EVERYWHERE. Puree on the walls, chunks on the floor, seeds scattered, on my shirt, pants, hat, shoes, outside, downstairs. On faucets and towels.
Truly, this was insane.
I helped peel pumpkins for a little over two hours. We broke for lunch (Dan kept giving me a hard time because I forgot to ask him what he'd like to order for lunch. Honestly, I forgot he was even there! But I think he was okay about it, but just felt like teasing me in a non mean way) and I went back and forth, splitting my time helping pumpkins get peeled, and then I was moved downstairs to assist Michele and Neal. It was messy. And loud. Michele had four food processors going at once, and then dumped each into a bowl to be filled. Which was messy! I had to fill a cup to a little more than 6 cups, fold the small food saver bag over and dump/scrape the puree into it, and then bring it to Neal for sealing. I finally figured out a cleaner method 20 minutes before I left, which was nothing exciting. Just constant wiping of my hands on a wet towel.
We chatted over the noise: Michele and I about pumpkin pies and products. And Michele, Neal and I about random stuff: drinking, the holidays, jobs, insurance, injuries.
It wasn't a bad day (At first I typed "The day wasn't fun" and wondered if I had made a Freudian slip?). I kept reminding myself I was moving quickly now, doing all I can now, so we can do more next Monday, so that I might have the following Monday to myself, and my boyfriend. Also, I'm working a long, long, long week. I switched with my co-worker for Sundays. So now I'm working this Sunday (day after my birthday. Which I'm also working on, but I'm okay with that), the following Monday through Saturday. The things you do for love. I think he's worth it. I hardly get to see him as it is, and when I do, I want the time focused on him, and not tired from work/work. We only get to see each other two days and two half days at one time.
I had to leave at 3 for a surgeon's appointment (which I arrived at ten minutes early, paid a $20 co-pay and probably a $100+ later on) just to wait over 45 minutes to have a one minute meeting for her to tell me what I already knew (My wound is fully closed and healed and I can go back to normal activity [which I had been doing since I got back to work anyway....opps])
This was for sure an interesting day. I'm just not sure I'm ready to do it anytime soon.
-To be edited and cleaned up once the author has regained some mental capacity-
I came in at 7, and set up like a normal day, really not knowing what to expect. When everyone else lumbered in after, and much much after 7, Kelly, the co-owner, had me help him start on the most pressing matter: breakfast.
We scrambled a bunch of eggs, cooked polish sausage and piled it all in a sheet of puff dough with cheese, which was then wrapped up and baked. Who was I to argue? (PS- It was quite an amazing combination of various fats and flavor. I could have eaten the whole thing by myself.)
After that was taken care of, Kelly broke out the band-saw and it began, quite suddenly, with no fanfare. Pretty soon, we had a half rack of sheetpans full of halved pumpkins, and I dug in with gusto and a spoon. I dug into the seedy fleshy bits with energy and relish, because I knew if I thought about the masses we had to get through, I would go mad. Getting through something with cheer and excitement, despite logic and common sense can be a good coping method.
Less than an hour into it, I looked at Greg: "This is crazy." I said, matter of factly. Kathryn and Greg laughed in mutual understanding. "We aren't even half way through the steps yet." he said.
Once my other co-worker arrived, after 9:30, after being stuck in traffic since 6:30, I was moved from scooping to peeling the pumpkins after they'd come out of the oven or steamer.
At first, they were difficult. Not only were they screaming hot, the skins were being difficult. It would be too easy for them to slip out of their skins like peaches in August.
We used spoons and knives and eventually got a system going. The best pumpkins were the ones with hard shells and the flesh could be dumped and scraped.
I know this doesn't sound too exciting. But...well....it wasn't.....It was just a lot of work. We had four people scraping pumpkins, one person using the band saw, another person scrubbing pumpkins outside, another person getting the pumpkins ready to be pressed in an ancient looking wine press/steaming-roasting the pumpkins, another two people downstairs pureeing, filling and sealing the food saver bags, and us peeling pumpkins. There's more activity than it sounds, trust me. And it wasn't even chaotic. There was this amazing flow of organized activity. Something that rarely happens here at Michele's Pies. Well, not "Activity" just the organized part. We're good about getting stuff done, though. Most days. (Still lovin' the job though! I'm not going anywhere anytime soon) Just saying this seemed choreographed it was so flowed.
It was quite a site to be had. There was pumpkin EVERYWHERE. Puree on the walls, chunks on the floor, seeds scattered, on my shirt, pants, hat, shoes, outside, downstairs. On faucets and towels.
Truly, this was insane.
I helped peel pumpkins for a little over two hours. We broke for lunch (Dan kept giving me a hard time because I forgot to ask him what he'd like to order for lunch. Honestly, I forgot he was even there! But I think he was okay about it, but just felt like teasing me in a non mean way) and I went back and forth, splitting my time helping pumpkins get peeled, and then I was moved downstairs to assist Michele and Neal. It was messy. And loud. Michele had four food processors going at once, and then dumped each into a bowl to be filled. Which was messy! I had to fill a cup to a little more than 6 cups, fold the small food saver bag over and dump/scrape the puree into it, and then bring it to Neal for sealing. I finally figured out a cleaner method 20 minutes before I left, which was nothing exciting. Just constant wiping of my hands on a wet towel.
We chatted over the noise: Michele and I about pumpkin pies and products. And Michele, Neal and I about random stuff: drinking, the holidays, jobs, insurance, injuries.
It wasn't a bad day (At first I typed "The day wasn't fun" and wondered if I had made a Freudian slip?). I kept reminding myself I was moving quickly now, doing all I can now, so we can do more next Monday, so that I might have the following Monday to myself, and my boyfriend. Also, I'm working a long, long, long week. I switched with my co-worker for Sundays. So now I'm working this Sunday (day after my birthday. Which I'm also working on, but I'm okay with that), the following Monday through Saturday. The things you do for love. I think he's worth it. I hardly get to see him as it is, and when I do, I want the time focused on him, and not tired from work/work. We only get to see each other two days and two half days at one time.
I had to leave at 3 for a surgeon's appointment (which I arrived at ten minutes early, paid a $20 co-pay and probably a $100+ later on) just to wait over 45 minutes to have a one minute meeting for her to tell me what I already knew (My wound is fully closed and healed and I can go back to normal activity [which I had been doing since I got back to work anyway....opps])
This was for sure an interesting day. I'm just not sure I'm ready to do it anytime soon.
-To be edited and cleaned up once the author has regained some mental capacity-
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
91st post (!!!)
Post 91!? Really!? Wow. I'm kinda impressed with myself.
So, I brought my smoothie to work today. But I left it in the car, and by the time I realized it, it was down pouring rain outside. But I wanted it!! So I ran out there, splashing in puddles and getting damp rapidly and then back to the bakery, rain dripping from my hat.
My smoothie actually came out pretty good. I used almost all frozen fruit: blueberries, a few mango chunks, a little pineapple, and a fresh banana. I added orange juice and in the morning I put in some Instant Breakfast. Since I didn't feel like getting a blast of fruit at 5 am, I ate one of those Fiber One toaster pastries (they were tasty, better than a normal pop-tart)
All I could really taste was pineapple, with a little banana in the background, as well as something I could only identify as tropical.
Although I probably got in about three servings of fruit, a packet of instant breakfast (full of good stuff) AND a multivitamin, all before 8 o'clock, I sabotaged myself throughout the day: A bite of the new trick o'treat pie (which I will describe later), a small snickers bar, a blt for lunch, a few swallows of Pepsi and eating one of the new cookies I had made today (pumpkin with cream cheese icing[which are delicious]), also, when I returned home I ate a a small package of cheese and crackers.
But I'm kind of okay with that. I'll make another smoothie tomorrow. Maybe every day. It would keep me on track: fruit smoothie, multivitamin. My mother brought home a very nice looking stationary bike that I'll try to use a few times a week, and that'll help too.
I'm not really looking to loose weight. Since I began working (which goes doubly when I hit the 9 hour+ mark), I eat what I want. For the most part. I don't (usually) inhale fast food, chips, soda and other fried foods, I do that once in a while. But if I want a cookie, a burger, a few chips or something, I eat it. I'm on my feet not eating for so many hours, I think it balances out.
I'm just looking to feel healthier. Not so tired. Not so cranky or short tempered. Not so easily susceptible to getting sick. Just a general feeling of betterness. So we'll see what happens.
The Trick O' Treat Pie
Is amazing.
Oreo crust. Marshmallows, snickers, brownie and peanut butter cups layered under chocolate cream pie, topped with whipped cream and decorated with m&ms and candy corn. And drizzled with hot fudge. You can't forget the hot fudge.
It. Is. Fantastic. Okay, just a tad bit sweet for me, and when I took a bite, I nearly passed out with tooth pain from the cold of everything, seeping into my gums, but it's pretty good. A guaranteed novelty Halloween pie.
I personally think it'd look better if we used the "Trick Or Treat!" stencil with coco powder, but we'll see what happens. The office who is in love with our peach pie was quite thrilled with it.
PS- I'll be 23 in ten days. Just throwing it out there. =) I REALLY hope I'm not working the day after my birthday, but I'll just have to wait and see, and possibly negotiate something with a
co-worker.
[Update: I am going to end up working my birthday. We're probably going to be pureeing pumpkins two Mondays in a row- this coming Monday and the 13th. And I'm on for the 19th. There really is no point for the boyfriend to come allll the way down for that. So I plan on switching with someone, which means I'll be working the 12th, and the 13th, but not the weekend my boyfriend is coming, so I don't mind.]
So, I brought my smoothie to work today. But I left it in the car, and by the time I realized it, it was down pouring rain outside. But I wanted it!! So I ran out there, splashing in puddles and getting damp rapidly and then back to the bakery, rain dripping from my hat.
My smoothie actually came out pretty good. I used almost all frozen fruit: blueberries, a few mango chunks, a little pineapple, and a fresh banana. I added orange juice and in the morning I put in some Instant Breakfast. Since I didn't feel like getting a blast of fruit at 5 am, I ate one of those Fiber One toaster pastries (they were tasty, better than a normal pop-tart)
All I could really taste was pineapple, with a little banana in the background, as well as something I could only identify as tropical.
Although I probably got in about three servings of fruit, a packet of instant breakfast (full of good stuff) AND a multivitamin, all before 8 o'clock, I sabotaged myself throughout the day: A bite of the new trick o'treat pie (which I will describe later), a small snickers bar, a blt for lunch, a few swallows of Pepsi and eating one of the new cookies I had made today (pumpkin with cream cheese icing[which are delicious]), also, when I returned home I ate a a small package of cheese and crackers.
But I'm kind of okay with that. I'll make another smoothie tomorrow. Maybe every day. It would keep me on track: fruit smoothie, multivitamin. My mother brought home a very nice looking stationary bike that I'll try to use a few times a week, and that'll help too.
I'm not really looking to loose weight. Since I began working (which goes doubly when I hit the 9 hour+ mark), I eat what I want. For the most part. I don't (usually) inhale fast food, chips, soda and other fried foods, I do that once in a while. But if I want a cookie, a burger, a few chips or something, I eat it. I'm on my feet not eating for so many hours, I think it balances out.
I'm just looking to feel healthier. Not so tired. Not so cranky or short tempered. Not so easily susceptible to getting sick. Just a general feeling of betterness. So we'll see what happens.
The Trick O' Treat Pie
Is amazing.
Oreo crust. Marshmallows, snickers, brownie and peanut butter cups layered under chocolate cream pie, topped with whipped cream and decorated with m&ms and candy corn. And drizzled with hot fudge. You can't forget the hot fudge.
It. Is. Fantastic. Okay, just a tad bit sweet for me, and when I took a bite, I nearly passed out with tooth pain from the cold of everything, seeping into my gums, but it's pretty good. A guaranteed novelty Halloween pie.
I personally think it'd look better if we used the "Trick Or Treat!" stencil with coco powder, but we'll see what happens. The office who is in love with our peach pie was quite thrilled with it.
PS- I'll be 23 in ten days. Just throwing it out there. =) I REALLY hope I'm not working the day after my birthday, but I'll just have to wait and see, and possibly negotiate something with a
co-worker.
[Update: I am going to end up working my birthday. We're probably going to be pureeing pumpkins two Mondays in a row- this coming Monday and the 13th. And I'm on for the 19th. There really is no point for the boyfriend to come allll the way down for that. So I plan on switching with someone, which means I'll be working the 12th, and the 13th, but not the weekend my boyfriend is coming, so I don't mind.]
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Being Healthy Re-revisited
I need to be eating better. I pretty much eat crappy most of the time. I know if I even hope to scrape by this holiday season, I'm going to need to build up my body now. I have to stop eating bad processed food and bad frozen food, and switch to better processed food.
I decided my main problem is breakfast, where I try to eat whatever the hell I can scrounge up to keep me somewhat fueled until I get the chance to eat again. Usually this entails leftovers, mac and cheese, burgers, pizza or some other fatty thing.
This is going to get me nowhere fast.
Usually I make something the night before (chicken cutlets, or something), but I always knew that I could make something healthier.
So today I did. I ended up making a smoothie. Tomorrow I'm gonna add some Instant Breakfast.
You need to pick your battles with most things in life. Checks and balances, maybe? It's like the environment. You probably can't wire solar panels on your roof, but can buy those reusable bags, recycle, and turn off lights.
I think being healthy is the same thing too. You can't get 5-8 servings of fruit, on top of whole grains, drinking water, getting calcium and vitamins and minerals and fiber, exercise, sleep. Low Cal, Low Fat, Low Carb, High Fiber, Vegatarian, Vegan. On top of eating organic sustainable AND LOCAL and....it's just too much!!!!!
But you can make a reasonable effort. Drink a smoothie, trade soda for water/milk, eat an apple instead of chips. Take a multi-vitamin. Fast food/fried food once in a long while. Go to a Farmer's Market. Walk around the block. I think it helps.
I can't always eat healthy. But I'm going to make a reasonable effort. Today I made a smoothie, but I also bought peanut butter crackers and cheese crackers in little packages for work for around the time at about 8 o'clock, when I'm famished and my only options are day old bread toast or a cookie. In that case, I think I'm better off with the packages of crackers. But I also bought "Whole Grain, High fiber" toaster pastries (I didn't even know they MADE those!). They're from that Fiber One brand, and I think that helps too. It makes me feel like I'm doing something halfway decent for myself.
I think getting three servings of fruit is better than no servings of fruit. And 20% of my daily need for fiber or calcium is better than none, too. I think doctors and nutritionists would agree with me, too.
It's impossible to get 100% of every SINGLE NEED in your dietary life. You'd be eating ALL DAY and that isn't healthy either.
Every time I think about what I need and how much of it I get and how much of it I don't, I tend to panic a little and feel overwhelmed, but to avoid ending this on a doom and gloom note, I offer you this: winning tiny battles in your war of good intentions is better than nothing. Buying reusable bags does help a little bit. Taking a multi-vitamin helps a little bit. Drinking water over soda helps a little bit.
So I guess I can't get so hard on myself. And you have my permission to not be so hard on yourself too.
I decided my main problem is breakfast, where I try to eat whatever the hell I can scrounge up to keep me somewhat fueled until I get the chance to eat again. Usually this entails leftovers, mac and cheese, burgers, pizza or some other fatty thing.
This is going to get me nowhere fast.
Usually I make something the night before (chicken cutlets, or something), but I always knew that I could make something healthier.
So today I did. I ended up making a smoothie. Tomorrow I'm gonna add some Instant Breakfast.
You need to pick your battles with most things in life. Checks and balances, maybe? It's like the environment. You probably can't wire solar panels on your roof, but can buy those reusable bags, recycle, and turn off lights.
I think being healthy is the same thing too. You can't get 5-8 servings of fruit, on top of whole grains, drinking water, getting calcium and vitamins and minerals and fiber, exercise, sleep. Low Cal, Low Fat, Low Carb, High Fiber, Vegatarian, Vegan. On top of eating organic sustainable AND LOCAL and....it's just too much!!!!!
But you can make a reasonable effort. Drink a smoothie, trade soda for water/milk, eat an apple instead of chips. Take a multi-vitamin. Fast food/fried food once in a long while. Go to a Farmer's Market. Walk around the block. I think it helps.
I can't always eat healthy. But I'm going to make a reasonable effort. Today I made a smoothie, but I also bought peanut butter crackers and cheese crackers in little packages for work for around the time at about 8 o'clock, when I'm famished and my only options are day old bread toast or a cookie. In that case, I think I'm better off with the packages of crackers. But I also bought "Whole Grain, High fiber" toaster pastries (I didn't even know they MADE those!). They're from that Fiber One brand, and I think that helps too. It makes me feel like I'm doing something halfway decent for myself.
I think getting three servings of fruit is better than no servings of fruit. And 20% of my daily need for fiber or calcium is better than none, too. I think doctors and nutritionists would agree with me, too.
It's impossible to get 100% of every SINGLE NEED in your dietary life. You'd be eating ALL DAY and that isn't healthy either.
Every time I think about what I need and how much of it I get and how much of it I don't, I tend to panic a little and feel overwhelmed, but to avoid ending this on a doom and gloom note, I offer you this: winning tiny battles in your war of good intentions is better than nothing. Buying reusable bags does help a little bit. Taking a multi-vitamin helps a little bit. Drinking water over soda helps a little bit.
So I guess I can't get so hard on myself. And you have my permission to not be so hard on yourself too.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Marshmallow Fiend
For those who don't know me, and for perhaps some of you who do, I am a marshmallow junkie. Anything with marshmallows in it, from Mallowmars to Peeps to homemade to those tacky marshmallow filled cones, catches my eye. From the cheap bag of store brand marshmallows for the $5 for a package of 16 at Trader Joes, I'm thoroughly hooked on the spongey white stuff.
I don't think I'm a full flegded addict yet; I don't rush to buy peeps on holidays, or anything that I see with marshmallows. To tell you the truth, I think I've grown out of peeps (unless they are stale).
I went to Tj Maxx today, with the intention of buying a bag for work (one to accommodate a travel mug, lunch, snacks, a hat, my wallet, and a reliable place to put my work key), and ended up wandering there for almost an hour, debating bathrobes, fleeces and work pants.
It was the clearance table that caught my eye near the home goods section. A whole table of clearance food items. I browsed it with no intent to buy anytihng, when I saw a package of what I could identify as marshmallows.
They were novel and brightly colored. Shaped into squares and ropes. The tiny label said "The Marshmallow Castle" And upon further search, I saw another package of triangle marshmallows.
I snatched up the quirky package of marshmallows skewered on plastic kabobs immediately, after seeing the $1 price tag. The novelty of colored marshmallows on a skewer was well worth the price that I would usually pay for a bag of regular marshmallows.
No sooner had I stepped off the curb (with only a travel mug, said marshmallows and a purse) did I dig out the package and rip open the crinkly plastic with my teeth, tear off the white/pink/ and blue roped marshmallow off and pop it into my mouth. It's very chewy, like there's too much gelatin- which I suppose, if you're making a marshmallow castle, you'd need a strong, chewy foundation.
Before I even start my car I've eaten 4 of them. And decide to save the rest to display here. But even that didn't last long. I managed to eat about half the package before I arrived home.
The flavor of these marshmallows of pink, green and blue are the artificial 'vanilla' I've come to expect from marshmallows. But it was different than the conventional brands, it's deeper and more distinct. But it isn't vanilla. It's 'vanilla'. It's a bit like how when you eat fruit flavored candy, you can identify 'cherry', 'gra
pe', 'strawberry' and 'watermelon', as such, but it really isn't like biting into the fresh fruit. Vanilla in every candy is no different. I know what real vanilla tastes like, as does probably most level-headed people do. But real vanilla and 'vanilla' cater to two totally different things.
I'm considering going back to Tj Maxx this week, to buy more of these marshmallows.
I don't think I'm a full flegded addict yet; I don't rush to buy peeps on holidays, or anything that I see with marshmallows. To tell you the truth, I think I've grown out of peeps (unless they are stale).
I went to Tj Maxx today, with the intention of buying a bag for work (one to accommodate a travel mug, lunch, snacks, a hat, my wallet, and a reliable place to put my work key), and ended up wandering there for almost an hour, debating bathrobes, fleeces and work pants.
It was the clearance table that caught my eye near the home goods section. A whole table of clearance food items. I browsed it with no intent to buy anytihng, when I saw a package of what I could identify as marshmallows.
They were novel and brightly colored. Shaped into squares and ropes. The tiny label said "The Marshmallow Castle" And upon further search, I saw another package of triangle marshmallows.
I snatched up the quirky package of marshmallows skewered on plastic kabobs immediately, after seeing the $1 price tag. The novelty of colored marshmallows on a skewer was well worth the price that I would usually pay for a bag of regular marshmallows.
No sooner had I stepped off the curb (with only a travel mug, said marshmallows and a purse) did I dig out the package and rip open the crinkly plastic with my teeth, tear off the white/pink/ and blue roped marshmallow off and pop it into my mouth. It's very chewy, like there's too much gelatin- which I suppose, if you're making a marshmallow castle, you'd need a strong, chewy foundation.
Before I even start my car I've eaten 4 of them. And decide to save the rest to display here. But even that didn't last long. I managed to eat about half the package before I arrived home.
The flavor of these marshmallows of pink, green and blue are the artificial 'vanilla' I've come to expect from marshmallows. But it was different than the conventional brands, it's deeper and more distinct. But it isn't vanilla. It's 'vanilla'. It's a bit like how when you eat fruit flavored candy, you can identify 'cherry', 'gra
pe', 'strawberry' and 'watermelon', as such, but it really isn't like biting into the fresh fruit. Vanilla in every candy is no different. I know what real vanilla tastes like, as does probably most level-headed people do. But real vanilla and 'vanilla' cater to two totally different things.I'm considering going back to Tj Maxx this week, to buy more of these marshmallows.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
My Dirty Little Eating Secret
You know how the food you eat as a child don't always taste as good when you get older? Some stuff is like that for me: Chicken Mcnuggets, Cadbury Creme eggs....other things I can't recall. I remind you of my shameful little secret here .
Yes. I did make my rice bowl. My mother had made Crispy chicken, my top ten in favorite foods, for dinner on Monday....But we were low on ketchup.
The chicken was great, and I was thinking about leftovers. Then it hit me. My dirty little secret eating habit: Rice, corn, chicken and ketchup. How would I hide this, you wonder?
Kelly would be in Albany all that week. Which meant Michele would have to take Dakota, Kelly's (ADORABLE) son, to kindergarten. Which meant I'd have an hour alone in the store before Sarah would come. The puzzle fell into place. My wheels clicked. I would bring my rice bowl to work, add a bit of ketchup, and wolf it down, before I had to get to work.
How perfect a solution! So I did just that. I made my rice, stirring it constantly to get that wonderful, gluey glutenous consistency, cubed my chicken, and added in the corn. I could not wait to go to bed to get up the next day and eat my childhood memory.
The next day, I went to work a few minutes early to allow time to quickly eat. I heated up the tubberwear, eagerly waiting,wondering if it would taste as good as it used to.
Let me tell you....it did. With that first mouthful, it was as good as I remember it. My palette was not above eating weird dishes of my childhood. I scarfed it down, torn between 'enjoying' and 'getting to work before too much time went by'
So my readers, some things really ARE as good as you remember. So I encourage you to eat that weird food combination so loved by yourself as a child that has been
Yes. I did make my rice bowl. My mother had made Crispy chicken, my top ten in favorite foods, for dinner on Monday....But we were low on ketchup.
The chicken was great, and I was thinking about leftovers. Then it hit me. My dirty little secret eating habit: Rice, corn, chicken and ketchup. How would I hide this, you wonder?
Kelly would be in Albany all that week. Which meant Michele would have to take Dakota, Kelly's (ADORABLE) son, to kindergarten. Which meant I'd have an hour alone in the store before Sarah would come. The puzzle fell into place. My wheels clicked. I would bring my rice bowl to work, add a bit of ketchup, and wolf it down, before I had to get to work.
How perfect a solution! So I did just that. I made my rice, stirring it constantly to get that wonderful, gluey glutenous consistency, cubed my chicken, and added in the corn. I could not wait to go to bed to get up the next day and eat my childhood memory.
The next day, I went to work a few minutes early to allow time to quickly eat. I heated up the tubberwear, eagerly waiting,wondering if it would taste as good as it used to.
Let me tell you....it did. With that first mouthful, it was as good as I remember it. My palette was not above eating weird dishes of my childhood. I scarfed it down, torn between 'enjoying' and 'getting to work before too much time went by'
So my readers, some things really ARE as good as you remember. So I encourage you to eat that weird food combination so loved by yourself as a child that has been
Friday, September 19, 2008
Blog
My blog is disorganized. I know. I'll work on it when I have the time. I'm back at work, and we've been BUSY! So I'm tired. I'll fix this soon for the 4 people who read this blog (which I deeply appreciate, even if it is only a few of you)
~~~~~~
Just wanted to say sorry if this blog doesn't meet your expectations (and that came out sounding rude, so I'm sorry again). I promise one day I will be much more precise and careful about how I type. If you'd like a list of REAL blogs (since mine is pathetically amateur), here they are. I read these daily and I find something of value in all of them, in their own special ways. =)
~~~~~~
Just wanted to say sorry if this blog doesn't meet your expectations (and that came out sounding rude, so I'm sorry again). I promise one day I will be much more precise and careful about how I type. If you'd like a list of REAL blogs (since mine is pathetically amateur), here they are. I read these daily and I find something of value in all of them, in their own special ways. =)
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