hummingbirdkiss

yes the maltball recipe that could be it!!!

some kind of milk with some kind of soda or something??? but then it looks dry so I have no idea!!!

"Again with the ten foot pole!!.....is there magic in a ten foot pole when it comes to mobilized taco vendors??? Would I use a ten foot shaft to avoid, say, bad Italian food? Or a ten foot cylinder to keep Macdonalds burgers at bay?? Or, if I can't find a ten foot pole, would a 6 foot swede or a five foot Estonian work?? Just wondering. " Chefsteban awesome words!!!! Words are the most important thing in life and how they are used is even more important! I have been to Huston and had tacos (as well as other great food) from the taco trucks there ..fantastic tacos ...along with other foods that are of the day... an entire meal for $3! come on... when traveling how can not beat that with a 10 foot poll? ...no reek I am not sure what you are smelling or seeing .....just very good ..very fast food ..not to mention some great conversations and advice on where to go ..get this ..to buy and eat wonderful food in the city! If there is a line at a taco truck you are bound to see me in it as well! I adore menudo and posole sometimes on Saturday these trucks have a pot of it going and there may not even be a sign so ask ..and for sure ...count me in for a bowl with all the topings!!! does a 10 foot poll keep you safe I wonder? I have worked in high end places that dumped bleach water on food and called it fresh...always astounding to me that someone will dunk an old chicken in bleach water then cook it up and serve it ..then charge an arm and a leg... personally some of my best recipes have come from these places and I have learned to cook things I would have never known existed if I kept myself 10 feet away from people I like being close up ...you learn so much, are nurtured and get fed so very well ...if you take your barriers down ....

I love peanut butter on celery! but even more so on a nice crisp juicy jicama! very good

Adams Chunky on chocolate ice cream

People come to my house eat my food and are astounded at the herbs and spices all over my kitchen ..I have two huge cabinets one for savory cooking one for baking and a very large curry drawer ... I have extracts of every type ..but nothing gets my friends like my collection of bullion cubes! comments like "there is no way you collect bullion cubes!!!" "you are so wierd" "why?" ect... when people travel and say "do you want me to bring you anything from (insert place or country here) " my answer is always "can you stop at a grocery store and get me any unusual bullion cubes? the answer is generally similar to this "only you would want bullion cubes from my trip to Egypt!!!" I get so excited when they come through!!! I think it is an easy request takes no room in the suitcase and costs so little that it is a perfect souvenir when I travel! but somehow when I have brought them back for others it did not go over too big... I love Knorr or Star cubes especially because they are so varried ..I have cubes from Vietnam, Thailand, Chinese cubes..Middle Eastern cubes..Eastern Europe (Hungarian ham, and garlic cubes are my favorite) , Italy, Spain, all kinds of Latin American cubitos..I am astounded at the variety of regional cubes there are I dont know if there is a thread on bullion cubes but I figured if there wasn't you folks would not think I was nuts for asking about them our outing myself as a bullion cube collector... Does anyone else love world wide cubes? do you have any favorite kinds that you love to use? I used to buy a Curry Cube made my Knorr in a tiny Middle Eastern Market in LA and have not found them in a couple of years anywhere if anyone knows where I can get some I would be thrilled.. I have no favorites actually ...well maybe the Italian style porccini cube for stock enhancement or a Knorr Italian fish cube for marinara...I dont know ...depends on what I am cooking... I used them for pilaf, pasta sauces, curries, to enhance soup, to repair soup...for stews ...alll kinds of things ..they are just so fun to have on hand! there are a million Asian style cubes I love the Chinese Ham one from Knorr even Pho' cubes but I have not tried those yet even the boxes are cool that they come in ...I just love bullion cubes ... maybe you could call me a cubist but I would love to talk about what is out there that maybe I am missing, how you use cubes? any recipes to share?

Orangina or any natural style orange soda goes great as a marinade and to roast Cornish hens orangeina, olive oil, garlic oregano salt and pepper I think that is it then grill slowly over a smokey grill

"....What a fun day. " now that what it is all about!!!! how fun to read this the food looks so wonderful!!! you did salmon proud!!! congratulations!!!

I am feelling better about my shoelessness now thanks for piping up you guys ... I never knew bare feet bugged people to see ..if they are not well kept feet maybe and if they are in danger really maybe but like mentioned above the quick "jump back" seems to work well I do leave a pile of fluffy fleece sock balls by the door in a basket ...because I would not want anyone to have cold feet in my house! ....as mentioned ..I dont have a "no shoe"s policy but it seems to be catchy if your shoes are at the door pther people seem to just take theirs off... ...the problem is my friends love those socks so much they leave with them! I dont like wearing shoes in the house ..I think of all the crap you can drag in from outside and since the floor is where we flop so often why sit in that? (no matter they come on bulk and are very cheap!)

here you go! ...not a peeve to me but funny anyway! I had about 12 bulky uneven sized items at the store yesterday...and no container to put them in....not even a purse! and the cashier asked me "would you like a bag to carry those in?" I must have looked at her in shock or something ..because she started cracking up.....we both started laughing so hard we could not move and I am sure really "peeved" the people in line behind me!!!! she gave me two bags and packed my groceries perfectly!!!

I agree use an espresso shot ..short of that some reall strong brewed bananas and coffee great idea together ... let us know how it turns out!

thanks Suzy I am eating my heart out ok??? here is my theory about these things since the dough is really similar to my Portuguese sweet bread recipe... someone was making a batch of Portuguese sweetbread ...and one day they could not shape the dough too wet to sticky got stuck all over their hands (as it did mine!) ...so ...the person making this began to get pissed off and rather than tossing all the ingredients into the garbage...began to toss globs of this sticky dough into hot oil just to see what would happen...voila' they puffed up ..were tossed in sugar and they named them Mal Asada!!!! yes bad cooking!!! they are good cooking actually and very good .. they must be good and worth it sinde with only one cup of coffee so far I have been up 2 hours early for work to make them for my coworkers we better have a good day today!

Kitchenmage valuable info thank you so much! I use the bags of grounds my son brought me from his breif stint in a coffee shop! great idea ..I had been dumping them by the azalias my plums are all bursting from the sudden rain ..very depressing!!! the figs look fine so does everything else! but the few plums I nurtured all split bummer!!!

I should have thought about making a custard filling omg that sounds freaking fantastic!!! but there is only so much I can do in the morning prior to a 12 hour shift so I think I will just hold off and save that for another time that kind of looks like an unfilled jelly donut now that I look at it ..but trust me ..it is sooo much better!!! hmmmm though some guava jam inside?

the only time I have anxiety about seafood is when I can not find any!

I agree Anna and forgive all foibles even more so now that I am aware of how many things I do daily and are part of me that get on peoples nerves ! ...I just never realized before folks looked for them as guests in my homei.. One thingI have to say you are banging your head on the wall if you think people learn by your doing for them ..personally if you cleaned up " for me" I would be grateful ...but never think you were actually trying to change my behavior! I would say thank you..give you a huge hug ... and have you over more often but still be messy!!! one note ...I have great floors no nails sticking out ...as far as the rest knives hot grease whatever, my feet are in no more danger than the rest of my body in the kitchen .. my feet pretty much stay out of the way of the actual cooking! yes I could drop a knife on my toes ..but I could cut off a finger as well (and have come close many times) I really think my poor scar covered hands take the brunt of what I do in the kitchen I was not upset ..just a bit sad and surprised...and wanted to point out that I never knew people cared that much .. as far as the water ..I am ashamed of myself for the waste when others are going with out... and will be much more careful but the rest I am content in my skin and can not imagine being any other way than how I am ...my food is pretty damn good ... and I was not serious that I would not want you to come to my house..I would be thrilled..I am just not sure how thrilled others here would be with how I live ...

Malasadas yay I can finally make them exactly the way I wanted them to be! I am so excited I am posting this picture twice

I am so excited!!!!!! I could not wait until tomorrow to try this ..what if it failed and I had a tantrum before work...never good! ... this is exactly how I wanted them to come out!! ..they are wonderful melt in your mouth deep fried puffy dough with eggy good flavor!!! I used the recipe above but reduced the fry heat to 350 instead of the 375 I was afraid to burn them and have nothing but goo inside ..I used the parchment bench rising combo from your rec above ..and just dumped them parchment and all into the hot oil ..you guys if you love to make donuts or fry bread or any fried dough ..this is a perfect trick! The only thing I would change in the recipe is to use more salt they need it ..other than that they are perfect! here is my photo montage if you were all here I would give you a paper towel and a warm malasada with a fresh cup of Kona coffee ...enjoy

I am a child of the 70's and being so one of my favorite ways to preserve the summers bounty of fruits and later pumpking and squash is to make fruit leathers ... when the weather is sunny I spread out my dehydrator shelves.. covered in plastic wrap all over patio and then cover them with a fine netting (keeps bugs out for the most part ) and let it dry there... otherwise ..I have a big husband made dehydrator box made from Mother Earth News plans years ago..very vintage!!! my purees are thick and seedless and I do add some sugar as well as home made applesauce (store bought is fine!) to the berry purees especially to give them a thicker more curable texture ..the applesauce just stays in the background and the berries stand out when the puree dries out ...even blueberries will retain their flavor ...but I love to use huckleberries instead because they are much more intense I think. I also like to harvest my apples early in the sour stage and make dried sour apple slices that would kick any Sour Patch Kid's ass! I love dried fruits and leathers easy portable food! pumpkin and winter squash makes great leather and it is also very good blanched and dried in strips .. If you have never made leather before ..try it..it is easy to make and since you make it right on the plastic wrap..when it is dry you just roll it up and put it in a zippy bag for storage in a cool dark dry place ...then when you want some open it up and peel it off the plastic and enjoy! my kids used to love home made berry leather rolled up with cream cheese spread and sliced ..fruit spirals look pretty and great tasting snack

I know Himalayan blackberries are a noxious weed here but I love them so much and they grow sweet juicy berries the size of small plums ..well at least the tiny area I have hidden in the back of my garden and prune well to contain ..does...please do not tell my neighbors they would have me evicted if they knew I was actually letting them grow in my yard! also I have the Evergreen blackberries wild but not noxious as far as I know my gooseberries were just enough to make a fantastic sauce with coconut milk and dijon mustart (I know it sounds off the wall but it was fantastic! ) maybe next year they will do better I am moving them to another spot the plant is just not thriving where they are .. on the other hand my current bush was loaded and is huge and healthy .. I would love to plant another one I love the way the leaves smell I have not done well with blueberries sadly ..maybe next year I will try again

I dont like the term "shady" either, It is not a nice thing to say in my opinion while the taco trucks, the tiny Taqueria's and the little Mom and Pop restaurants...are in low rent buildings or step vans ..."shady" sounds criminal or bad.....such a wrong word to use for a place usually run by families who put their heart, soul and sometimes an entire family's income .nto these places hoping to make it here! They support themselves and family that live here... and many folks send money home to support another family on what they earn here...and they do this by selling great homemade fast food at really low prices! So you may have to travel out of your "comfort zone" to get there but it is well worth it! it is like any place ..even the upscale joints..if it is sullen and empty day after day...if the food does not move ..don't eat there ..but if it is cheerful, busy and the food is moving ..in spite of the run down appearance of the building ..step inside and see what a score you just found! . ..people come here ...use what they have to build what they can and then turn out amazing food for such great prices...there are great "ethnic" food joints constantly popping up in tiny spaces...or some (like the Salvadoran place where I plan to eat today) that have been there and overlooked by people who are not aware..that do a wonderful business seelling good quality food at very low prices... ...where most people would never see a restaurant never happening..other people see a dream and plenty of room .. they may be squeezed into cubbies in very low rent areas..but dont be concerned just go and check them out! there is some good cooking going on in these places ..buy people who actually eat it! much better to have someone cooking great food in a tiny kitchen....and selling it to you for a terrific price ...than getting less food for more money from a person who could care less about what you are eating selling you manufactured "product" at a fast food chain that is for sure! sorry for the rant ...who let me post today anyway?

I think of food as "American" when its origin encompasses all of North America... Canadian foods ...Mexican Foods .. regions of the Caribbean ..all part of the "American" food experience ..in my mind anyway... When I think of US food I think of things that are indigenous creations from just the 50 United States ... am I wrong or right in this? I just always thought this way but am not sure what most people think now?

I must have always been an Egulleter because 21 years ago with absolutely no money, no jobs, no friends, no family (other than husband and kids) no plans or any other reason I moved me and mine to this area simply for the food!

When I read through this I get kind of sad thinking I could never have any of you over to my house for a meal! ...I can only tell you about myself honestly...and as I mentioned before when I go to someones house.. all I care about is that they invited me and how much fun I am having ..aside from one horrifying tuna casserole I mentioned in another thread..I am thrilled when anyone wants to cook for me ..and the condition of thier house or the habits they have in life to get food to the table ..well I live with me and mine not them and theirs so who am I to judge? ..I honestly never knew people looked so closely at other peoples behavior when they were visiting! maybe because I dont hear what they say when they leave? ..but folks keep coming back... while I have always considered myself a very sanitary cook as I read through here I feel kind of like a heathen here! you guys are so immaculate! ..I am sure most of you would come unglued with what I do in the kitchen I mentioned a few things above but you sparked me to add more as I have found more commonalities with the people who do the things you say annoy you... and I was oblivious to my own behavior until I read this thread! I dont think I will change anything as what works for me ..does work for me! I cook barefoot..fact is.. I do everything at home barefoot ..I like my feet and they are functional so why not? I do not wear shoes in my house so why put them on in the kitchen? .in fact most everyone I know takes their shoes off when they come into my house ..the pile of shoes at the door may make them think this is my policy but really I just was taught to take my shoes off and leave them at the door when I come in so I do it still ....and I would do it at your house as well ..with out even thinking about it ... why bring the outside stuff in? one of the best reasons for shoes off is that I like sitting on the floor! in all rooms of the house ..but especially to make food ..I am very short so the floor is most comfortable ..and it is very clean (because I dont wear shoes!) so I will spread everything out on this foot high Korean table I have and I sit cross legged down there doing my prep on my little table ..it works perfectly and is very comfortable... yes I leave my meat on the counter to thaw (but my kitchen is never hot) or in the sink ..it is just easier to take it out in the morning and have it thawed by the early afternoon ready to go...I was taught to always bring meat to room temp before cooking ..so why not? Yes my trash can is open! how is that gross when you line it with a bag and dump it out frequently and several times a week bleach it? a lid is in the way of my trash tossing and if you dont have foot thing to open it how on earth do you keep your hands clean if you keep taking a lid off ? I tend to leave water running in my sink ..while I am doing things like washing veggies or whatever...I live in a place where there is no water shortage and it is thoughtless I know so to those who do I am sorry ..when I lived in Panama and had water delivered by truck I was not so careless but now it is cheap and plentiful and yes I am wasteful so I will work on that I promise ... I use the sleeves of my shirt (I wear my husband s flannel shirts to cook he hates me doing this) or clean socks as post holders (whatever I can find that is clean actually) I never judge anyone who helps me clean up after dinner and how they wash dishes ...my God they have helped me ..why judge them the intent is more important than anything else! sometimes my dishwasher leaves crap on the dishes so if I pull a dirty feeling glass down I dont freak out I just wash it and use it .. I put everything I can fit into the dishwasher and I can fit a lot ..I CRAM it full ..wooden spoons knives whatever ...my husband sharpens my knife is a big knife person and has never said a word ..he tosses the kitchen knives in as well .. I leave dishes in the sink while I am cooking ..but not in water ..I have even when I ran out or counter space stacked big dirty pots neatly by the sink on a towel on the floor until I get to them when the floor gets dirty during cooking I just take the sprayer from the kitchen sink spray the floor toss some bleach on then I walk around on a towel to light mop the floor after I toss cleaner on it ..one towel to wash one to dry then toss them down the stairs to the laundry room (they are not bath towels mind you but they are towels) I HATE MOPPING! I also dry pans on my stove (my friend thinks something awful will happen to my stove from the water dripping there) my dog is not allowed in the kitchen but she sits at the door waiting because as I am cutting veggies I toss her pieces across the room into her mouth I am a very very messy cook! and can trash a kitchen making scrambled eggs ..so my husband who adores my food will usually clean up after me...and he does a fantastic job...he also put pocket doors on both sides of my kitchen ..so when company is here and we are ready to eat I can just close the door and be blind to it until the meal is over I do however .pull my hair back ..wear clean clothing (when I start cooking) .wash my hands cutting boards and knives while I am cooking with soap all the freaking time while I am cooking ..I also use bleach water constantly on the counters and the floor on the fridge door anywhere my hands may have carried germs gets a whipe down.. ...and over all have impeccable personal hygiene .. you are all welcome in my house anytime for food but please do not judge me harshly if you do accept my invite