January 23, 2009

Four Foods on Friday #64

It’s Friday night, but Val hasn’t posted a roundup post for Four Foods on Friday yet, so I’m taking a chance and posting, hoping that she will still kindly allow me to be included. Val’s a nice gal, so she probably will. This week she’s asking about oddities.

#1. What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever made with bread?

We used to make bread beads and bread figurines when I was a kid. You mold your piece, allow it to dry, then coat it with shellac and it lasts forever, kind of like fruitcake.

#2. What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever done with mac and cheese or pasta?

Can’t think of a thing, other than pasta pictures in first grade. Does that count?

#3. Is there a food you eat other then it is intended?

I like raisins in my cottage cheese. I don’t suppose that’s the intended use for either ingredient, but it works for me.

#4. What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever seen?

Squid chopped up in stews and salad-like dishes. There’s something very disconcerting about seeing those sucker-covered tentacles and knowing that people are actually going to eat them. People other than me, I mean. The mere sight of squid is better than the best diet pills at curbing my appetite. I use squid (ika in the local jargon) for fishing bait and have never been tempted to cook one up or pop it into my mouth.

[tags]food, food oddities, meme[/tags]

January 16, 2009

Four Foods on Friday #63

I probably shouldn’t play Four Foods on Friday this week. It’s all about Chinese food, which I don’t eat very often. Maybe I should have a paternity test to determine if I’m actually a member of the family that raised me, because all of them love Chinese. I eat Asian foods often, but prefer Korean and Thai. I’ll give FFoF my best shot, though.

#1. Do you prefer to eat Chinese food in the restaurant or to have it delivered?

I eat out. Mom used to have Chinese delivered on a fairly frequent basis, but I don’t think it’s something I’ve ever done.

#2. Do you prefer wonton or egg drop soup?

I’ve never had either.

#3. What flavor fried rice is your favorite?

It’s a local thing: Portugese sausage fried rice.

#4. Describe your favorite item on the Chinese food menu.

That would be an appetizer called Crispy Gau Gee. I don’t eat it often because - well, follow that link and you’ll know why. That’s Crispy Gau Gee in the picture above. It’s a pork sausage meatball wrapped in pastry and deep friend and it’s oh-so-good!

[tags]Chinese food, food, meme[/tags]

January 8, 2009

Four Foods on Friday #62

It’s time for the first Four Foods on Friday for 2009. This week Val is being nosey about breakfast foods. You like breakfast, right? Come join us! Copy the four quesitons below onto your blog and post your answers. Make sure you include the link above in your post. Copy your post link to the comments for the original FFoF post and wait for the fun. Val will link us all up in a new post and give her astute observations about our answers. Everyone gets a little linky-lovin and we get to talk about the most important meal of the day!

#1. Waffles. Do you usually eat frozen or homemade?

Alas, I have no waffle iron, so it’s toaster waffles or a trip to the diner for me.

#2. Eggs. Do you buy brown, white, or it doesn’t matter?

I rarely see brown eggs in my markets, but the stuff inside the shells is the same anyway, so I don’t suppose it matters.

#3. Oatmeal. Do you usually make instant or cooked?

I prefer to cook my own. I’ve been using up the supplies in my evac kit, though, so I’ve had instant every morning lately. I just ate the last pack today & don’t want to add to my pantry before I move, so I won’t be having oatmeal for a while.

#4. Bacon. Share instructions or a recipe that you use bacon in.

Oh, I cannot resist reprising one of my most popular posts! Make sure you read the comment chain following my Grilled Cheese and Bacon Sandwich recipe. I also posted an illustrated version of the recipe if you need pictures, but I think the original post was more fun.

[tags]food, grilled cheese and bacon sandwich, meme, recipe[/tags]

December 26, 2008

Four Foods on Friday #61

I just realized that today is Friday. I can’t seem to keep up with what day it is lately, something that is no surprise to those of you who visit regularly. I haven’t needed daily consultations with a date book the last few months, so that’s my excuse. However, excuses or no, time marches on and I’m late to participate in Four Foods on Friday this week. Since it is still Friday, here are my answers to Val’s questions:

#1. Do you prefer cooking with electric or gas?

Gas! I demand instant gratification when I want to adjust the temperature while cooking. I always scorched things when I had an electric stove because I’d turn the burner down but it would remain too hot for too long.

#2. How many times a month do you order out?

I don’t. I think I’ve had one pizza delivered in the last year, and that was because it was what a guest wanted.

#3. How do you like your ice - cubed or crushed?

Cubed. Crushed melts too fast.

#4. Share a Christmas recipe.

I haven’t tried this yet, but heard it on the radio a few days ago and it sounds yummy. Take some big, old-fashioned pretzels and dip them in melted chocolate. Before the chocolate sets, rolls in crushed peppermint candy. Doesn’t that sound delish? I’d like to try it with dark, semi-sweet chocolate. I really like a good sweet/salty combo and I’m thinking this would fit the bill!

[tags]food, meme, snacks[/tags]

December 19, 2008

Four Foods on Friday #60

Val sent me a Four Foods on Friday reminder this week and I’ve still managed to be late, but at least I’m showing up. There’s still time fo ryou to play if you get the lead out. Just copy the four question below and answer them on your blog. Then link to Val’s post and watch for her new post, where she’ll comment on all of our answers.

#1. What’s your favorite crunchy food?

Cold ceral. I can’t do really hard, crunchy stuff anymore because my malabsorption problems have done too much damage to my teeth. If not for that my answer would be peanut brittle - the kind with ribbons of coconut in it.

#2. How often do you try new recipes?

I always mean to try interesting recipes that I stumble across (I’ve gotten some great ones through FFoF!) but hardly ever think of them at the right time. Most of what I cook is from “new recipes,” though, because I make stuff up as I go along and whatever I cook is new and different each time.

#3. Name a food that you almost always have in the house.

Cheese! I almost always have boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pasta, potatoes and peanut butter, but cheese is the one thing I just can’t bear to be without!

#4. What kind of food do you leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve?

Cookies and milk, of course! I’m a traditionalist!

[tags]food, food discussion, meme[/tags]

December 4, 2008

Four Foods on Friday #58

Yay! It’s only Thursday and I remembered Four Foods on Friday! If you’re not familiar with it, here’s how it works: copy the four questions below and answer them on your blog. Then go to the link above and put a link to your post in the comments. Val will do a new post soon discussing all of our answers. It’s fun and interesting to see how different our answers are. For maximum benefit, visit each of the other participants and discuss their answers with them. Easy as pie, right?

#1. Does your family usually eat meals in the kitchen or somewhere else?

I have a “modern” kitchen with no room in it for a table. I’d be really happy to have an old-fashioned country kitchen, though - maybe I’ll have one after I move. Right now I usually eat on the couch in front of the TV. I know that’s just terrible, but I live alone, so I don’t see it making any difference. When my son lived here we sometimes at in the living room, sometimes at the dining room table.

#2. Who usually does the dishes in your house?

Let’s see! There’s just me and the beagle these days. Wanna guess who doesn’t haul his weight?

#3. What’s your favorite small appliance or tool in the kitchen?

Oh, tough one! I love kitchen gadgets, but I guess my favorite appliance is my coffee maker. If I had one of those marvelous stand mixers, though, that would definitely be my favorite!

#4. This one’s for my son. Share a recipe for chili.

Ah, I hate to disappoint him, but I’ve never made chili. I remember my mom making chili just once. She bought the meat - probably a roast, I think - and had the butcher grind it coursely with suet. That’s pretty much all I remember about it. That being said, you don’t need DNA testing to know that I come from Southern stock. Just take a good look at some of my favorite foods instead. I’m looking forward to enjoying a big, thick, steaming bowl of Wolf Brand Chili when I get back to Texas. It originated in the little town I was born in and family members used to send me a few cans from time to time. It’s been much too long since they’ve done that!

[tags]food, memes[/tags]

November 19, 2008

Four Foods on Friday #56

Well lookie here! I’m doing a Four Foods on Friday post on time for the first time in ages. I’m so early that my post can serve as a reminder for you to join in the fun. Answer the four questions below on your blog, being sure to include the link above to Val’s post. We’ll have some fun visiting each other and comparing our culinary opinions when she writes her roundup post on Friday or thereabouts.

#1. What’s the worst tasting food you’ve ever eaten?

This is tough because I don’t eat foods that don’t appeal to me. I’m trying to remember the last time I ate something nasty out of politeness to a proud cook and I’m coming up blank. Cabbage is nasty. So is okra. My mother used to try to make us eat things that we didn’t really want (usually by dressing them up in something we did like) but that was far enough in the past that I don’t remember specifics - probably okra and cabbage.

#2. Share a funny or embarassing story about a meal you’re made.

It wasn’t a meal, but it sure broke my heart. A year or so ago I decided to make pralines to give to friends at Christmas. The first batch came out perfectly, but I ran in to a problem the next day. As I was spooning the syrupy goodness onto waxed paper to set up I noticed a crack in my candy thermometer. The level of mercury in the thermometer looked right, so I decided that none had escaped and kept right on spooning. After they cooled I wrapped each in a little waxed paper square and used holiday ribbon to tie them into bundles of three or four pralines each. Oh, they were so lovely and smelled heavenly, but in the end I knew there was a remote possibility that there might be mercury in them and - alas - tipped them all into the rubbish bin.

#3. What food do you burn or have problems cooking most often?

Again, drawing a blank. I can’t rememer the last time I burned food. I do burn my tea pan from time to time. Usually I put the water on to boil and set the timer on the stove for fifteen minutes, the amount of time it needs to come to a full boil. Every now and then I forget the timer, get busy doing something and end up boiling it dry. I’m due for a replacement tea pan now, as my current one has been burned a few times too many. I use an enamel saucepan for tea - always have - and KMart is the only place I found that stocks them, so I’ll be going there soon to get a nice new tea pan.

#4. Name two foods you’ll be eating on this Thanksgiving.

My cabinets are ripped out and most of my cookware is already packed away for shipping. I expected to be gone from Hawaii before Thanksgiving, but that’s not happening. I bought a Jenny O turkey roll and some chicken giblets a few days ago and will be add whatever fresh veggies I can find, along with a mushroom and brown rice dressing. (My baking pans aren’t available, so I can’t bake the cornbread and biscuits I ususally use.) I’ve checked several stores for a frozen pumpkin pie, but no luck so far. Hopefully someone will re-stock before Thanksgiving!

[tags]cookiing, food, food blogs, memes[/tags]

October 31, 2008

Four Foods on Friday #53

It’s been about a month since I’ve participated in Four Foods on Friday. Sorry about that. My whole life is in upheaval right now. I’ll try to do better in the future. Here are the four questions for this week, along with my answers:

#1. What kind of pretzels are your favorite?

I haven’t had a pretzel in years, but if there were a place nearby that had those big, soft ones I’d probably have at least one a day.

#2. What’s your favorite way to eat pancakes?

Ah! Now we’re talking! I love coconut pancakes. Mix up your regular batter, throw in a good-sized handful of shredded coconut and a splash of coconut extract. When they’re done sprinkle with toasted coconut and, of course, serve with coconut syrup. Delish!

#3. Do you make garlic bread from scratch or buy frozen?

If it’s just me (it usually is) I use the frozen kind that takes all the work out of it. If I’m serving guests I make from scratch.

#4. Share a recipe that calls for mozzarella cheese.

Ack! Dont have one. I like mozzerella sticks for snacking. The recipe is easy - follow the directions on the package. I’m thinking it would be fun to try to make them from scratch though: season some panko breadcrumbs, add a little flour for stick-to-itness, roll mozzerella sticks in them and toast. That sounds about right, don’t you think? Serve with several kinds of dipping sauce - I like ranch, marinara and barbecue.

[tags]food, meme[/tags]

September 25, 2008

Four Foods on Friday 48

I’ve been late the last couple of weeks, but I remembered on time this week to answer Val’s questions for Four Food on Friday. You’re welcome to join us if you like. Write a post on your blog answering the questions, then go to the link above and let Val know you’ve participated.

#1. Melon. What’s your favorite kind?

Watermelon. The taste always takes me back to picnics and fairs when I was a child.

#2. Orange citrus. What’s your favorite - oranges, nectarines, navel oranges, tangerines, etc.

No citrus for me, ever - extreme allergy!

#3. Oreos. What kind is your favorite? (Don’t eat Oreos? What about olives?)

Love the originals. I’ve never seen any reason to try the varieties that have come out in recent years. Why mess with perfection?

#4. Pot pie. Share a recipe. (No pot pie recipe? What about a casserole or some other hot meal you bake?)

I’ve never made a pot pie. How’s about a pork roast instead? A well-trimmed pork butt will not have much fat, so it makes a good, nutritious meal that won’t make you feel like you need prescription weight loss pills.

Select a pork butt of sufficient size for the crowd you plan on feeding. I like root vegetables with a roast, so I most often use carrots, potatoes and onions, but go with your preference - zuccinnni or other squash, peppers, leeks, turnips - whatever is in season and appeals to your pallet. If you have a cast iron dutch oven, now is the time to use it.

Brown the roast in a little olive oil over high heat. Sear the sides as well as the top and bottom. Remove from pot. Add a little extra oil if needed, turn the flame down to medium and dump prepared (peeled and chopped) vegetables in. Cook those until brown, then return the roast to the pot. Add seasonings. My preferences: marjorum, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper. Pour about a cup of water or broth over it all, cover and cook in a 350 degree oven for about forty-five to fifty minutes per pound. Check when about halfway through cooking and add more liquid if needed (I like to add a little red wine at this point.) The internal temperature should be 160 degrees F when done. Allow the roast to rest about ten minutes before slicing and serving. A crisp salad and bread are all that’s needed to round out the meal.

[tags]food, meme, recipe, roast pork[/tags]

September 21, 2008

Farmer’s Market fun

The last time I went to the Farmer’s Market I arrived late in the morning. I had a good time, but there was very little fresh produce available. I’ve been meaning to go back and finally managed it today. This time I went at around ten in the morning and found an abundance of beautiful fruit and vegetables on display.

Many things that are availabe only seasonally in other areas grow year-round in Hawaii. The fall root vegetables are some of my favorites and were featured today, but were by no means the only selections on display to choose from.

Locally grown bananas, papayas and mangoes were displayed alongside farm-fresh eggs. Most of our eggs are shipped over from the mainland and may be two weeks old before they appear in stores, but there are several egg farms here on the Waianae Coast. The difference in taste is remakable.

I bought some honey a few days ago. Local honey contains local pollens and can help build resistance to allergies, so I consume a lot of it. Even though I didn’t need any today, it was nice to see that a bee-keeper from Molokai is now selling his honey here.

Despite the early hour it was quite warm and bubble drinks and other cool beverages sold well today. There were seveal orchid vendors on hand, too.

I don’t generally eat early in the day, but omelette breakfasts were sold in addition to plate lunches this time.

Music is a part of every gathering, of course. Danny remembered me from last month. He spotted me in the crowd, announced to one and all that the next song was for his mistress and proceeded to sing Daytime Friends and Nightime Lovers for me. What a tease!

I remembered to bring my mesh green bag this time. I packed it with beets, some honeycomb and a package of butter mochi. I grew up eating honeycomb, but have never found it in Hawaii before, so I’m looking forward to enjoying this taste treat from the past. I’m also looking forward to finding whatever surprises show up next time the Farmer’s Market comes to the Waianae Coast.

[tags]farmer’s market, fresh produce, Hawaii, Waianae Coast[/tags]