Toliver

Smithfield is a brand name. Like Cook's, etc. I buy them at Walmart. From your description, they're not a country ham (though Smithfield may sell those, too. I don't know their product line). I get the Smithfield spiral sliced ham and it's quite good.

Attention, Floridians: "Lean Culinary Services, LLC Recalls Ready To Eat Chicken Salad Products due to Possible Listeria Contamination" The article states that the recalled products were shipped in Florida, only. The article lists the specific products being recalled.

It was in my daily BookBub email. Speaking of which...from this morning's BookBub email: Giada De Laurentiis' "Giada's Family Dinners" Kindle Edition $1.99US Use the "Look Inside" feature to see the list of recipes. I am a US Prime member and the price you see may vary.

Coming completely out of left field: Endorsed by George R. R. Martin himself, "A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Game of Thrones Companion Cookbook" Kindle Edition $2.99US Lots of good reviews. I am a US Prime member and the price you see may vary.

My Neighborhood Walmart Grocery Store carries sun dried tomatoes in a pouch, which surprised the heck outta me. I keep them on hand for when I run our of TJ's julienned sun dried tomatoes.

I watch two YouTubers: Buon-A-Petitti - an Italian grandmother who makes Italian food and Souped Up Recipes - a young woman who makes Chinese/Asian food. She makes it look simple and mis en place is everything.

You, sir, are correct. Del Taco's french fries are crinkle cut and, IMHO, are quite good. I've never seen their chicken sandwich on a menu. Do they still make it? I still remember the jingle: Der Wienerschnitzel, Wienerschnitzel This must be the place. Just drive right up and get a great big hot dog in your face.

Yes, Arby still offers potato cakes/triangles. They sell them per piece and I think they're quite pricey. Ore-Ida used to sell potato cakes/triangles in grocery stores but not anymore. I keep trawling through non-California based grocery stores, like Win Co, in hopes the brands they carry might still manufacture the triangles. But so far...no go. You are correct, sir. I am a lifetime left coaster and have grown up with all of those restaurants (though Jollibees are relatively new to the state and are sparse at the moment). Del Taco used to be looked upon as a poor man's Taco Bell (which isn't saying much). Del Taco serves hamburgers, as well as Mexican-ish food. When you order a combo of their Mexican-ish food, you get fries in the combo so I think you get a little more value than at other restaurants. They have fish tacos now and yes, their french fries are quite good. Taco Bell is late to the game with their Nacho Fries (their seasoning makes them). And I have never heard of Krystal and my life must be lacking because I have never had a White Castle hamburger (no restaurants out this way).

"Wienerschnitzel" used to be called "Der Wienerschnitzel" but they've dropped the "Der" which sounds like a punchline. It has always been a hot dog fast food chain. Their name makes no sense considering what they sell. It's one of the few fast food joints that serve a polish dog (on bread with pickles) and most in my area have combined with "Tasty Freeze" so you can have soft serve treats with your hot dogs. Once a year, they feature pastrami on their dogs, fries and as a sandwich. I have fond memories as a child of my Dad bringing home their mustard dogs for a family treat (meaning my mom wasn't home to do the cooking). Jollibee is a popular Filipino chain. I believe one will be built in Delano, just up the freeway from here, which has one of the largest Filipino populations outside of the Philippines. And yes, I think the Del Taco french fries are pretty darn good. Jack-in-the-Box is evil. Their french fries suck but if you want their Curly Fries, which taste far better, they charge you more! A pox on their stock price for that! And poor Rally's...their french fries are actually battered fries. They have some sort of seasoned flour coating on them which makes them a very different animal than normal fries. Personally, I like them. And you're an idiot if you order french fries at Sonic. They are one of the few fast food restaurants that serve tater tot-like tots. Very potato-ey. Much better than their fries. If you go to Sonic, say "yes' to the tots!

The latest "health" article making the rounds: "Avoid these 'ultraprocessed' foods and you might live longer" I think their list of "bad" foods is BS. Methinks someone tacked on some food items just to throw them under the proverbial bus, so to speak. Sausages? Burgers? Hot Dogs? Really? Those are "ultraprocessed" foods? If I can make them at home from scratch, how are they "ultraprocessed"? I suppose I could add "Cookies, pastries and cakes" from the list, as well, if I make them at home from scratch. And many eG'ers make beautiful confections from scratch, as well. Articles like this irk the hell outta me. But I suppose the fact that people are talking about it is a good thing if you look at the Big Picture. Still...

It's that time of year again: "McDonald's is ready for St. Patrick's Day with the limited return of Shamrock Shakes"

@Jim D., I'd suggest PM-ing / DM-ing eG member @andiesenji. She has made many a fruitcake and often mentioned her dried fruit online sources.

From this morning's BookBub email: Rick Bayless' "Mexican Everyday" Kindle Edition $2.99US Yes!...if you use the "Look Inside" feature you can see the list of recipes in the cookbook. This is one of Rick's other cookbooks that has been on sale before and is on sale again: Rick Bayless' "Authentic Mexican: Regional Cooking from the Heart of Mexico" Kindle Edition $2.99US This has been on sale in the past. I am reposting it in case anyone missed it the first time: Winner, IACP Awards 2013- Baking: Savory or Sweet Winner, James Beard Foundation Award 2013 -Baking and Dessert Ken Forkish's "Flour Water Salt Yeast: The Fundamentals of Artisan Bread and Pizza" Kindle Edition $2.99US This one is new to this on-sale discussion: Ali Maffucci's "Inspiralize Everything: An Apples-to-Zucchini Encyclopedia of Spiralizing" Kindle Edition $1.99US Generally well reviewed, there is one less enthusiastic review that says some of the recipes are "off". The author has other Spiralize-themed cookbooks (that are not currently on sale) which you can view on her Amazon author's page. I am a US Prime member and the price you see may vary.

"In-N-Out Burger Just Took a BIG Step Toward Opening in This New State" The quick answer is: Colorado. This last bit intrigues me. I could have sworn that Texas was going to get a patty production facility, as well, especially since it's so far away from California.

Two odd fellows this evening: This cookbook has been on sale before - I am reposting due to the Top Chef connection - Former Top Chef contestant "Kristen Kish Cooking: Recipes and Techniques" Kindle Edition $1.99US For this next one, a little background...I fell down a Google/Pinterest rabbit hole trying to find recipes for Chef Paul Prudhomme's spice mixes. In his later cookbooks his recipes call for some of his Magic Seasoning mixes, without telling you what the ingredients/spices were. I didn't want to invest time or money in trying to find/buy all of his spice blends. Turns out that in his earlier cookbooks he posted the recipes for his seasoning mixes with each recipe! This cookbook is one of the early ones that contain the seasoning recipes. You can use the "Look Inside" feature to see this in a couple of the recipes in the cookbook. No brickbats please...I'm forewarning you it's not really an "on-sale" cookbook as you will see from the price. But knowing the recipes for his spice mixes might make it worth it. "Chef Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Tastes: Exciting Flavors from the State that Cooks" Kindle Edition $6.99US I am a US Prime member and the price you see may vary.

Well, that didn't last long: "Amazon Slashed Prices at Whole Foods. Now They’re Climbing Back Up." Welcome back to "Whole Paycheck".

It was previously on sale last August. You probably picked it up back then.

Two from this afternoon: Curtis Stone's "Good Food, Good Life: 130 Simple Recipes You'll Love to Make and Eat: A Cookbook" Kindle Edition $2.99US No list of recipes but if you use the "Look Inside" feature and scroll all the way down you can see a couple of recipes from the book. Suzanne Lenzer's "Graze: Inspiration for Small Plates and Meandering Meals" Kindle Edition $1.99US I am a US Prime member and the you see may vary.

Wasn't sure where to post this... "Costco is selling a 24-pound wedding 'cake' made entirely of cheese" Edited to add, yes, it's a "cheese" cake.

"McDonald’s adds Donut Sticks to breakfast menu"

Good idea to buy multiple packages....in case the zombies ever take over the world, you're set. My problem is I can't find the dark chocolate Oreos at my local Walmart grocery store. I have to go to Vons instead (meaning they're much more expensive) in order to buy them. #FirstWorldProblem.

I demolished them. The dark chocolate cream inside somehow combined with the chocolate cookie outside for a really nice flavor. I would buy these again in a heartbeat.

Some interesting discoveries this afternoon: Known for her cooking school in France, it's Anne Willan's "The Country Cooking of France" Kindle Edition $2.40US No listing of recipes but if you use the "Look Inside" feature you can see some recipes if you scroll down. He's the winner of 6 James Beard awards...James Peterson's "Kitchen Simple: Essential Recipes for Everyday Cooking" Kindle Edition $1.99US Use the "Look Inside" feature to see the recipes. Texas food writer Robb Walsh's "The Tex-Mex Cookbook: A History in Recipes and Photos" Kindle Edition $1.99US Domenica Marchetti's "The Glorious Pasta of Italy" Kindle Edition $1.80US Use the "Look Inside" feature to see the recipes. Molly Gilbert's "One Pan & Done: Hassle-Free Meals from the Oven to Your Table" Kindle Edition $2.99US Surprisingly nice photos (seen by using the "Look Inside" feature). I am a US Prime member and the price you see may vary.

I doubt they would venture into metal attachments since the plastic are probably cheaper to produce and maximize their profits. Anyone else have an opinion?

This morning, one cookbook from my BookBub email and two others that may have been posted before: Françoise Branget's "French Country Cooking: Authentic Recipes from Every Region" Kindle Edition $1.99US Use the "Look Inside" feature to see the list of recipes. A negative review mentioned the cookbook seemed so very authentic that the ingredients (e.g., eel) were difficult to source. These two may have been posted in the the past: Andrea Nguyen's "The Banh Mi Handbook: Recipes for Crazy-Delicious Vietnamese Sandwiches" Kindle Edition $2.99US For some reason, I had trouble getting the Amazon link to post properly. In case my linking doesn't work correctly, the ASIN number is B00HTMCABO. Use the "Look Inside" feature to see the list of recipes. Desmond Tan and Kate Leahy's "Burma Superstar: Addictive Recipes from the Crossroads of Southeast Asia" Kindle Edition $2.99US Use the "Look Inside" feature to see the list of recipes. I am a US Prime member and the price you see may vary.