Sunkist orange soda has 41 mg of caffeine, which is more than Coke and Pepsi! This is really great news, as I love orange soda find it (unfortunately) necessary to be awake at work - where we have Sunkist in the vending machine.
Also in caffeine news, Swiss Miss has powdered hot chocolate with as much caffeine as a cup of coffee! We can all finally stop pretending to like mochas.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
vegan taco!
image from freewilliamsburg.com
last night, p and i went to taco chulo - a "taco bar and margarita lounge" in williamsburg. their ingredients are very fresh, and you are able to make many crucial choices: which salsa you want, rice or potatoes, etc. i actually used to live on the same block (grand between marcy and havemeyer), but i always walked the extra few feet to lodge. mistake!
let's start with the drinks. p was good with his 32 oz. bottle of tecate, which was really entertaining to watch him drink. i had a couple of the house strawberry margaritas. now for my taco chulo margarita rant:
last time i ate at taco chulo, i had three frozen margaritas and didn't feel a thing. i asked the waitress about this, and she said that frozen margaritas are 90% water and that being much less alcoholic is their nature. while i'm not sure that i believe this completely (i've gotten drunk at chili's guys), and even though i really prefer frozen, i went ahead and ordered them unfrozen. it was delicious and obviously made with fresh strawberries. next time, i might try a beer cocktail. they have a lot of them, and they all sound pretty delicious.
now for the food. oh, the food. vegan mexican fare is hard to find, unless you customize a taco or a burrito to the point where it's just beans and lettuce. taco chulo has two vegan options, and is kind enough to mark them as such on the menu. i had a conejo taco, which was $4.50 and contained the following: whole beans, cabbage, salad mix, guacamole, rice, pico salsa, tofu sour cream. it came as a heaping pile of ingredients atop a couple tortillas, which i prefer as you're able to experience it as more of a salad before it becomes a taco. it was incredible, and the tofu sour cream (which i've always been curious about) was unobtrusive but necessary. all in all i'd give this taco a rating of mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. and for the omnivore's info: p had a chorizo taco and smacked his lips many, many times, so i'm pretty sure he loved it.
the only real problem with taco chulo is waitstaff. the service was very good in the beginning, but quickly went downhill. our waitress completely forgot about our order of chips and salsa, so it didn't come out until after the tacos. kind of awkward. it also took a very long time for us to get our check, which is one of my serious pet peeves. i don't mind if the food is slow to come out, but i get antsy if the check takes a long time.
as annoying as the service was, i really don't think it would prevent me from coming back for another conejo taco! delicious. i'd like to go back and try the other vegan taco soon if any other SPFs are interested!
The Better Omelette
What a breakfast I had this morning, everybody. While omelettes have become a Sunday staple here at the stoop, today we really outdid ourselves.
This particular omelette involved potatoes, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, and, naturally, eggs. The mozrraella was a new thing for us, and it worked out really well. We also have never used mushrooms before, because I don't like mushrooms, but I digress.
We also made sweet ass Italian sausage with maple syrup, which really satisfied a craving that I was unaware of having. Baby arugula, toast, and coffee rounded it out.
There are like, years of leftovers if anyone wants to comeover and eat and keep me entertained during all the football. All the damn football. Oh Sunday.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Sweet Potato Dreams
k:Blossom Greens ~ 9/13
Mixed greens, sweet cherry tomatoes, cucumber, jicama, carrot, tamari-toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds in a ginger teriyaki lime dressing.
Our Chef’s preparation of fresh vegetables: roasted fennel, haricot verts, portobello and sundried tomato rolatini, sweet potato puree, sautéed kale, marinated zucchini, carrots, and yellow squash, accompanied by spiced quinoa.
mwr: oh that is too much
that is just toooo much
it can't be a recipe
it has to be something someone is making
KENDALL
k: its a platter
mwr: I WANT IT
k: IT'S THE CHEF'S FUCKING PLATTER
mwr: K HOW DO I GET IT
K.
k: GET RICH AND EAT AT BLOSSOM
mwr: GET IT IN ME.
AHAHAH
it would be awesome if SPF disbanded for 5 years
while we each made our fortune
and we could only re-enter if we had over a million dollars.
Then we just ate out every other night at some fancy-ass place
until we had spent our million dollars
and then we went back to being normal people
k: hahahahaha
yes
!!!!
and our posts would just be like
:
pedestrian food
i wouldn't let my DOG eat this
and then when we were poor again we'd eat at pommes frites
and $3 falafel
and write rave reviews
mwr: god
why don't my imagined lives and reality coincide
k: :(
for real.
Mixed greens, sweet cherry tomatoes, cucumber, jicama, carrot, tamari-toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds in a ginger teriyaki lime dressing.
Our Chef’s preparation of fresh vegetables: roasted fennel, haricot verts, portobello and sundried tomato rolatini, sweet potato puree, sautéed kale, marinated zucchini, carrots, and yellow squash, accompanied by spiced quinoa.
mwr: oh that is too much
that is just toooo much
it can't be a recipe
it has to be something someone is making
KENDALL
k: its a platter
mwr: I WANT IT
k: IT'S THE CHEF'S FUCKING PLATTER
mwr: K HOW DO I GET IT
K.
k: GET RICH AND EAT AT BLOSSOM
mwr: GET IT IN ME.
AHAHAH
it would be awesome if SPF disbanded for 5 years
while we each made our fortune
and we could only re-enter if we had over a million dollars.
Then we just ate out every other night at some fancy-ass place
until we had spent our million dollars
and then we went back to being normal people
k: hahahahaha
yes
!!!!
and our posts would just be like
:
pedestrian food
i wouldn't let my DOG eat this
and then when we were poor again we'd eat at pommes frites
and $3 falafel
and write rave reviews
mwr: god
why don't my imagined lives and reality coincide
k: :(
for real.
break the silence
Hi guys. I've been a little quiet on here for a while. I'll give three excuses, and then quit pussing out and make a post.
1. I've been pretty good about my whole 'try new things' resolution which a careful reader will notice does not necessarily entail that I have been good about trying new good things. Much of my new has been new experiments at home which have been nothing to write home about unless you're trying to make yourself sound pathetic so that your parents will give you money. For example I tried, again, to make potatoes as good as the mojo potatoes *omg delicious!* I had with k at some weird bar in Williamsburg. This time I tried to 'take a clue' from Lodge, whose onion rings had a little cinnamon in them --also delicious!. (Incidentally, did you know that cinnamon, which used to be used in a lot of medicines, is a really healthy spice? http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=68#nutritionalprofile) It did not translate very well given the rest of the meal and the other spices on the home pots. I do think, though, that with a little work these could turn into something great. I'll keep working on 'em.
2. I am more poor than I've been since I moved to NY. This will change if&when I get paid from last summer, but right now I have been in debt to myself several thousand dollars for quite some time and I am starting to feel very uncomfortable any time I spend money on anything.
3. I am sick right now...which brings me to the topic of todays post: comfort foods for the ill.
Whenever I am sick I complain a lot. Food helps me not complain (unless I have a nose that won't let me smell how good the food around me is ... then I think I am insufferable), if I like it. It also helps me not be sick if it's healthy (or if I think it is, because maybe I am psychosomatic a lot of the time). I try to combine these as much as I can when I'm sick, so when I am no ordering Pizza Hut I make this awesome spicy chicken soup. It turned out well again, and always does, so I will explain it here!
So, there isn't really a recipe ... just some basic guidelines. Here are the ingredients I can remember now, or that I used this time. They change, but the deliciousness never does.
1 box chicken broth.
1 box veggie broth (I mixed the two this time and I was happy with the results. Next time I might try it exclusively with veggie broth. This might seem stupid ... why would you care if you're going to put chicken in it anyway ... (sorry Case, I know you hate that) but boxes of things that were made with animals kind of weird me out less than boxes of things made with plants. I don't know if that is sane or not).
1 bell pepper -- whichever color you like best
a lot of garlic
1 onion -- whatever sort strikes your fancy or is around the house
about a pound or a pound and a half of chicken breast
1 can black beans (please drain the shit out of these. As you do, you'll notice all of these weird bubbles form. They would form in your intestines if you didn't, and that is gross!)
1 jar salsa (hot!)
a bunch of spices.
Okay so step 1. Cut everything up. The chix should be in small enough pieces that as you scoop it up with a spoon you still have broth and other veggies to have a delicious mouthful. Keep in mind that it will shrink a little when you cook, so don't fret over this too much.
step 2. heat up spices in the pot for a very little bit. Until they start to smell good. Some Indian woman on a message board I was reading said that you should do this because it releases the tastes more. I mainly do it because it makes the kitchen delicious and I am more excited to eat what I'll be eating. Here are the spices I use (assume it is a lot if not noted): cayenne, turmeric *just a little, it's healthy and I use it more for the color than anything else*, chili powder, cumin, and then whatever other stuff you like. You can add more later to taste if you want.
3. pour some oil in and simmer the onions for a few.
3.5 add garlic for only a minute.
4. throw the chicken in. make sure it is cooked all the way. No pink!!! If you don't know how to cook chicken do it with someone who does first, or overcook it to make sure that you don't get sick. But, try not to overcook it... it'll still be cooking in the soup for a while and if it's too try it is less delicious. It'll still be good, though, because all of the juices and fat that chickens have that make your body fight disease will be in the rest of the soup. Oh! also, try to get some of the spices on the chicken. It's fun.
5. add the broths, beans, and salsa. Stir it all up real good and let it boil. When it's started boiling cover and simmer. Do this for 40 min. Make sure it's a light simmer though, otherwise the chicken will get too dry. You can stir occasionally and halfway through add whatever other spices you want.
6. Serve and enjoy. If you are super fancy you can add some cheese and broken up tortilla chips to it (they are easy to make at home and really good if homemade ... otherwise you should get those kind they sell around here for tostadas. They are better than your run of the mill tortilla chips and a little cheaper, and you get to break them apart with your hands!)
Okay, I am going to go play tetris attack and forget that I am sick. I will see you all soon I hope!!!
PS another coffee post is on it's way.
1. I've been pretty good about my whole 'try new things' resolution which a careful reader will notice does not necessarily entail that I have been good about trying new good things. Much of my new has been new experiments at home which have been nothing to write home about unless you're trying to make yourself sound pathetic so that your parents will give you money. For example I tried, again, to make potatoes as good as the mojo potatoes *omg delicious!* I had with k at some weird bar in Williamsburg. This time I tried to 'take a clue' from Lodge, whose onion rings had a little cinnamon in them --also delicious!. (Incidentally, did you know that cinnamon, which used to be used in a lot of medicines, is a really healthy spice? http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=68#nutritionalprofile) It did not translate very well given the rest of the meal and the other spices on the home pots. I do think, though, that with a little work these could turn into something great. I'll keep working on 'em.
2. I am more poor than I've been since I moved to NY. This will change if&when I get paid from last summer, but right now I have been in debt to myself several thousand dollars for quite some time and I am starting to feel very uncomfortable any time I spend money on anything.
3. I am sick right now...which brings me to the topic of todays post: comfort foods for the ill.
Whenever I am sick I complain a lot. Food helps me not complain (unless I have a nose that won't let me smell how good the food around me is ... then I think I am insufferable), if I like it. It also helps me not be sick if it's healthy (or if I think it is, because maybe I am psychosomatic a lot of the time). I try to combine these as much as I can when I'm sick, so when I am no ordering Pizza Hut I make this awesome spicy chicken soup. It turned out well again, and always does, so I will explain it here!
So, there isn't really a recipe ... just some basic guidelines. Here are the ingredients I can remember now, or that I used this time. They change, but the deliciousness never does.
1 box chicken broth.
1 box veggie broth (I mixed the two this time and I was happy with the results. Next time I might try it exclusively with veggie broth. This might seem stupid ... why would you care if you're going to put chicken in it anyway ... (sorry Case, I know you hate that) but boxes of things that were made with animals kind of weird me out less than boxes of things made with plants. I don't know if that is sane or not).
1 bell pepper -- whichever color you like best
a lot of garlic
1 onion -- whatever sort strikes your fancy or is around the house
about a pound or a pound and a half of chicken breast
1 can black beans (please drain the shit out of these. As you do, you'll notice all of these weird bubbles form. They would form in your intestines if you didn't, and that is gross!)
1 jar salsa (hot!)
a bunch of spices.
Okay so step 1. Cut everything up. The chix should be in small enough pieces that as you scoop it up with a spoon you still have broth and other veggies to have a delicious mouthful. Keep in mind that it will shrink a little when you cook, so don't fret over this too much.
step 2. heat up spices in the pot for a very little bit. Until they start to smell good. Some Indian woman on a message board I was reading said that you should do this because it releases the tastes more. I mainly do it because it makes the kitchen delicious and I am more excited to eat what I'll be eating. Here are the spices I use (assume it is a lot if not noted): cayenne, turmeric *just a little, it's healthy and I use it more for the color than anything else*, chili powder, cumin, and then whatever other stuff you like. You can add more later to taste if you want.
3. pour some oil in and simmer the onions for a few.
3.5 add garlic for only a minute.
4. throw the chicken in. make sure it is cooked all the way. No pink!!! If you don't know how to cook chicken do it with someone who does first, or overcook it to make sure that you don't get sick. But, try not to overcook it... it'll still be cooking in the soup for a while and if it's too try it is less delicious. It'll still be good, though, because all of the juices and fat that chickens have that make your body fight disease will be in the rest of the soup. Oh! also, try to get some of the spices on the chicken. It's fun.
5. add the broths, beans, and salsa. Stir it all up real good and let it boil. When it's started boiling cover and simmer. Do this for 40 min. Make sure it's a light simmer though, otherwise the chicken will get too dry. You can stir occasionally and halfway through add whatever other spices you want.
6. Serve and enjoy. If you are super fancy you can add some cheese and broken up tortilla chips to it (they are easy to make at home and really good if homemade ... otherwise you should get those kind they sell around here for tostadas. They are better than your run of the mill tortilla chips and a little cheaper, and you get to break them apart with your hands!)
Okay, I am going to go play tetris attack and forget that I am sick. I will see you all soon I hope!!!
PS another coffee post is on it's way.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
on sunday night, after mwr had been researching what one should put in one's body for the majority of the day, we made a healthy meal.
this is the recipe that we used.
after a long period of wanting to try quinoa, we finally did it. unfortunately, we did not follow the recipe exactly and i think the flavor really suffered. three things we neglected to do:
1) cook the quinoa in broth instead of water. (bushwick hates vegetable broth)
2) add the beans until the very, very end. i think this was a bigger mistake than we realized; there was no time for the flavors to mix together.
3) cook the vegetables for the suggested cooking time. we would be really bad at hell's kitchen because we failed to have everything ready when it was supposed to be ready. i think with this recipe, it's really important to not overcook the onions and peppers so that they still have bite after you bake them.
luckily some salt, pepper, and hot sauce did the trick.
while the stuffed bell peppers were baking, we had also made a delicious side of collard greens with garlic and onions. this was my favorite part of the meal.
mmm, healthy dinner!
vegan update: it's been nine days and, despite the fact that i have probably accidentally cheated a couple of times, i am really enjoying it. by having to think about my meals more than i was before, i am able to make infinitely better decisions. yay!
this is the recipe that we used.
after a long period of wanting to try quinoa, we finally did it. unfortunately, we did not follow the recipe exactly and i think the flavor really suffered. three things we neglected to do:
1) cook the quinoa in broth instead of water. (bushwick hates vegetable broth)
2) add the beans until the very, very end. i think this was a bigger mistake than we realized; there was no time for the flavors to mix together.
3) cook the vegetables for the suggested cooking time. we would be really bad at hell's kitchen because we failed to have everything ready when it was supposed to be ready. i think with this recipe, it's really important to not overcook the onions and peppers so that they still have bite after you bake them.
luckily some salt, pepper, and hot sauce did the trick.
while the stuffed bell peppers were baking, we had also made a delicious side of collard greens with garlic and onions. this was my favorite part of the meal.
mmm, healthy dinner!
vegan update: it's been nine days and, despite the fact that i have probably accidentally cheated a couple of times, i am really enjoying it. by having to think about my meals more than i was before, i am able to make infinitely better decisions. yay!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Someday
Mark Bittman at the the New York Times walks us through how to be better at life, and I now find it really distressing that I don't have a quarter pound of prosciutto in the house at all times.
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