tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32606738769025650512024-02-07T06:07:30.320-08:00From the Islands of Japan to an Island in the ChesapeakeLive in suburban Washington, D.C. and spend weekends on an island in the Chesapeake Bay that was once the retreat of Presidents, Senators, and leaders of industry. Things are a bit less glamorous these days. I cook a lot, quite often Japanese. Here's a blog about the food, the island, and a few other things as well.....Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-84509222334226603262010-03-04T12:52:00.000-08:002010-03-08T15:51:09.404-08:00Renata on RenatuaOkay, this one came together perfectly in the way that only great art, er, blog posts can. Dr. Terry gave me a bag of Renatua candies. My co-worker right next to me, coincidentally, is named Renata. I know, I know, this post is gonna write itself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cub9_DokVVyeNjxK6WqEFCqibzgIbetbRvxXz9mcFcZveRuspQQiXC-HGr9-0uXE-pJaTSubQm1JP-xSuga8D4gBCwjHR2Hga6Bpxo_wvguGU2x2Hsl2HH6-y1Y8CQf0D2od5MpN5xTp/s1600-h/IMG_1898.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cub9_DokVVyeNjxK6WqEFCqibzgIbetbRvxXz9mcFcZveRuspQQiXC-HGr9-0uXE-pJaTSubQm1JP-xSuga8D4gBCwjHR2Hga6Bpxo_wvguGU2x2Hsl2HH6-y1Y8CQf0D2od5MpN5xTp/s320/IMG_1898.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446409018082301938" border="0" /></a>Right then, this candy is supposedly, get this, "Aloe Yogurt" flavored. Aloe yogurt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCgSydMbdCMyUEvkzQzHaXP-cTKhI2YtyBBDdpI-CpVpg7K7mtLFUxA7Ph5RE32_TpGIZ7UE95103lcKvmWAvNEi4n_jvxVxNkLM0C_BArjnSNnNsiMRBc82tHeXln88GvTb8wus17jxR/s1600-h/IMG_1899.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCgSydMbdCMyUEvkzQzHaXP-cTKhI2YtyBBDdpI-CpVpg7K7mtLFUxA7Ph5RE32_TpGIZ7UE95103lcKvmWAvNEi4n_jvxVxNkLM0C_BArjnSNnNsiMRBc82tHeXln88GvTb8wus17jxR/s320/IMG_1899.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446409018713328514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Judging from the really quite elegant package, the aloe part is contained in the green center. I mean, I guess it is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAXwVEaj6TLDKmGvn_woZn_nIySGHSX3To25-0bh1SwXdeHtd6rWTRzw_GWTT0s_NLKnhWr5fbAxpJFarymU76-EvpBIo13YKl6jwYHpvOPQBEW11y3w1iAuV54bvzy5dYr6_eAVv812j/s1600-h/IMG_1900.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAXwVEaj6TLDKmGvn_woZn_nIySGHSX3To25-0bh1SwXdeHtd6rWTRzw_GWTT0s_NLKnhWr5fbAxpJFarymU76-EvpBIo13YKl6jwYHpvOPQBEW11y3w1iAuV54bvzy5dYr6_eAVv812j/s320/IMG_1900.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446409009534224418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />True to form, the candies are cutely individually wrapped. Weird Japanese Snack #14 looks on with jealousy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRrnQxuBzxb-IrqqySTZL6sO-H_g9er-zSAo_jBFcSuhki_nokKUAKfGHzz4v6iJdc1SmUEzyal5K0ooh507d2YDCm_JZyfM2r5yAkZJCrETNqbVl5Gk1W7DibL-4BpncoK2HIxu5QS4H/s1600-h/IMG_1901.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRrnQxuBzxb-IrqqySTZL6sO-H_g9er-zSAo_jBFcSuhki_nokKUAKfGHzz4v6iJdc1SmUEzyal5K0ooh507d2YDCm_JZyfM2r5yAkZJCrETNqbVl5Gk1W7DibL-4BpncoK2HIxu5QS4H/s320/IMG_1901.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446409001912304114" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, time to taste these aloe yogurt flavored candies. Below, my co-taster and guest reviewer, Renata. She had a diet Coke chaser on hand just in case they, uh, sucked. Sorry, puns are my weakness.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYrCmjIp8m2bzFBHxjFwbmtshffPFqPRnICQadxMNYMuFMPTpIRLVsVkIVxZZJ2E6WUfJZ3d7a93-4d5cZbOPj5SHR2NvWTRUjcz746yaiKVbDOA7V_eUjWipryeDk6WyPitpiF6Ry8pM/s1600-h/IMG_1902.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYrCmjIp8m2bzFBHxjFwbmtshffPFqPRnICQadxMNYMuFMPTpIRLVsVkIVxZZJ2E6WUfJZ3d7a93-4d5cZbOPj5SHR2NvWTRUjcz746yaiKVbDOA7V_eUjWipryeDk6WyPitpiF6Ry8pM/s320/IMG_1902.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446408996088930050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />"Right off the bat I'm getting some high, grassy notes with maybe a slight, almost chocolatey finish." I said.<br />"Really?"<br />"No, I'm just trying to sound like some pretentious sommelier."<br />"Oh, I get it.." She rolled the candy around in her mouth for a moment, "I'm getting hints of rhubarb and wood."<br />"Now it's like a chorus of small, citrus angels with lemon zest harps....."<br />"It's like a cloud of elusive nectars chasing one another..." Renata opined.<br />"Maybe they're trying to find the aloe goddess at the center of their world..."<br />"Seriously, it is sort of a melon flavor," said Renata suddenly taking a rather stern tone.<br />"Now it's like a young maiden reflected in a dapple of light by a Venetian canal..." I went on.<br />"No seriously, it's kind of melon or maybe pear."<br />"All right. Yeah, melon and pear. It's good." At that my candy broke through to the aloe center. Renata, having suffered years of malnutrition throughout her entire life, has very soft teeth and had to continue to teethe away on her candy while I was able to begin describing its' aloey core goodness.<br />"The center is really good. It's gummy and bright and, I wouldn't say aloe, more grapefruit maybe. With a bit of mint or something..."<br />At this point Renata caught back up.<br />"Yeah, citrusy definitely. It's very good."<br />"I agree."<br />Dr. Terry then entered and chimed in, "I didn't really like it that much. I liked the shell but the inside was too flowery. You know? Like when they put too much hops in beer." We use alcohol analogies a lot in our office.<br />"Too pefumey." I offered.<br />"Yes. The outer shell was perfect though. Did you say yogurt?"Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-73781684432600832192010-02-28T12:56:00.001-08:002010-02-28T13:01:12.064-08:00Weird Japanese Snack #14 Gummy FishThe English label on the back simply says sweet candy. I was really hoping this was going to have a gummy bear sort of flavor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_GJjCrlu4UwHXhpy2qUJKyI4NaURdHAP7XwNiLkUv8GczjV77Fx2OBBcZP8FJltMM8Vm4HD1hkR-vBa3SFm2i75VwGJ2FMDZGRox0mOEDDwa72tf9UhVNqI0s06ulq6j4tYtk44kNmrH/s1600-h/IMG_0545.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_GJjCrlu4UwHXhpy2qUJKyI4NaURdHAP7XwNiLkUv8GczjV77Fx2OBBcZP8FJltMM8Vm4HD1hkR-vBa3SFm2i75VwGJ2FMDZGRox0mOEDDwa72tf9UhVNqI0s06ulq6j4tYtk44kNmrH/s320/IMG_0545.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443401342581232610" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bad photo.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidd71talosdYTAZarFRXVPEtqngdlmbgvFAHiVqIRvFvYZrhHiqH4jetTG5ZsA3MRuZIffEWe9GLLYoUpiWnfhJm5RL4LfKCj0Hvr0ZOg6Q5pTMeSyhCmf62qCTi7l3sY18Ixtpflfgyas/s1600-h/IMG_0547.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidd71talosdYTAZarFRXVPEtqngdlmbgvFAHiVqIRvFvYZrhHiqH4jetTG5ZsA3MRuZIffEWe9GLLYoUpiWnfhJm5RL4LfKCj0Hvr0ZOg6Q5pTMeSyhCmf62qCTi7l3sY18Ixtpflfgyas/s320/IMG_0547.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443401353396024130" border="0" /></a><br />Better photo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrEXW8DTjA9l0SXoC2G6AAPV1UQYRgYRGGbPIthZcihJmr9HZXqfxy4jM-0bDlR-HGKG4Fl6xdN2XW_qg4rBhZn8EolWykrm5xoAT7G21F8cYi5h5k8m2ifl3L49LD862Tfmg_9YJd7pz/s1600-h/IMG_0546.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrEXW8DTjA9l0SXoC2G6AAPV1UQYRgYRGGbPIthZcihJmr9HZXqfxy4jM-0bDlR-HGKG4Fl6xdN2XW_qg4rBhZn8EolWykrm5xoAT7G21F8cYi5h5k8m2ifl3L49LD862Tfmg_9YJd7pz/s320/IMG_0546.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443401347248788082" border="0" /></a>Verdict? Not good. The consistency was like gummy bears but the flavor was pretty unappealing. It was almost a vanilla, marshmellow flavor. I checked the ingredients and milk is one of them. Yih. This is one fish I'm trowin' back!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_GJjCrlu4UwHXhpy2qUJKyI4NaURdHAP7XwNiLkUv8GczjV77Fx2OBBcZP8FJltMM8Vm4HD1hkR-vBa3SFm2i75VwGJ2FMDZGRox0mOEDDwa72tf9UhVNqI0s06ulq6j4tYtk44kNmrH/s1600-h/IMG_0545.jpg"><br /></a>Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-47051142608657294952010-02-28T12:46:00.000-08:002010-02-28T12:55:40.312-08:00Temari CafeOkay, I really have to learn. Went to Temari Cafe which is right down the street. I ordered a bowl of tuna donburi with avocado. It was awesome. So awesome that its' gravitational pull dragged me into it before I could take a picture. Below, pre-game beer and rice crackers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyCWObLSHy54Y9iPwccls4VnVwvtPAswxLO8QJCLMrnbxYxNFJlbyes7O_epiCDdiF3RCQHdOmPsW6epP2p122bvnB69C1x5Ll462MvyOXQ17v2YkPWHzQArnURBzv2248XoWFx6wPYfr/s1600-h/IMG_1867.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyCWObLSHy54Y9iPwccls4VnVwvtPAswxLO8QJCLMrnbxYxNFJlbyes7O_epiCDdiF3RCQHdOmPsW6epP2p122bvnB69C1x5Ll462MvyOXQ17v2YkPWHzQArnURBzv2248XoWFx6wPYfr/s320/IMG_1867.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443398881971063138" border="0" /></a><br />They have a very clever gimmick of running authentic Japanese food themed shows to whet your appetite. A lot of them have Japanese celebrities on them. Naturally, I have no idea what they're saying but the food looks delicious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L0LgOlURBSPRWUdRN2UGiGE0KhDXZph0H__4lao-85axI0AHQuLIbIkH1iCefNe814Ic8HJ1y-nBBMujwDji1c08CigDBrr-AR8EgkcDARHBBA4flEtLbzUU16ntckqY04-dhXKd0bFT/s1600-h/IMG_1870.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L0LgOlURBSPRWUdRN2UGiGE0KhDXZph0H__4lao-85axI0AHQuLIbIkH1iCefNe814Ic8HJ1y-nBBMujwDji1c08CigDBrr-AR8EgkcDARHBBA4flEtLbzUU16ntckqY04-dhXKd0bFT/s320/IMG_1870.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443398893347448418" border="0" /></a><br />The simple soy sauce dressing they make is amazing. I wonder if I could get the recipe.....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HkFqV7G8fx7S2DkcKL4chUR1-rZRk4tMDmMm2QAdtT91iz9bWDWQdRjxaLtc3__ehXf7yP2i9e6j2abEFHgRDALpOavPF5WYIz_5EtRd7nZmnac_q5cjJvqFnpgKQDEtIkYZx9o3QuB0/s1600-h/IMG_1869.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HkFqV7G8fx7S2DkcKL4chUR1-rZRk4tMDmMm2QAdtT91iz9bWDWQdRjxaLtc3__ehXf7yP2i9e6j2abEFHgRDALpOavPF5WYIz_5EtRd7nZmnac_q5cjJvqFnpgKQDEtIkYZx9o3QuB0/s320/IMG_1869.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443398891222322066" border="0" /></a><br />This place is a true izakaya; a small, casual watering hole that serves drinks and offers a simple menu. This place is popular with Japanese who live in the area. He makes all sorts of classic Japanese comfort foods like Wafu Hamburg Steak, curry, and omlettes (I know I spelled that wrong). There's the good luck kitty waving people into the restaurant. I bumped into Senator Inoue here once.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2at2M0Fj489vXVcN_b6cx4eY6cAVNeoyc8cKXUh3ntrKnQHdkfN3bTcUUf1KHjM19H7SPtHcqYK0pyZl8O3jfPcFhaa2dpBAgEEUqiYbfWpCHo_YeLeVQ3iaNdKNhNiS7JWVRjVgh3VLi/s1600-h/IMG_1868.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2at2M0Fj489vXVcN_b6cx4eY6cAVNeoyc8cKXUh3ntrKnQHdkfN3bTcUUf1KHjM19H7SPtHcqYK0pyZl8O3jfPcFhaa2dpBAgEEUqiYbfWpCHo_YeLeVQ3iaNdKNhNiS7JWVRjVgh3VLi/s320/IMG_1868.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443398885373784514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyCWObLSHy54Y9iPwccls4VnVwvtPAswxLO8QJCLMrnbxYxNFJlbyes7O_epiCDdiF3RCQHdOmPsW6epP2p122bvnB69C1x5Ll462MvyOXQ17v2YkPWHzQArnURBzv2248XoWFx6wPYfr/s1600-h/IMG_1867.jpg"><br /></a>Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-6918060281202412332010-02-28T12:42:00.000-08:002010-02-28T12:45:52.123-08:00Noodles for LunchFor lunch the other day I had one of my standard go-to bowls of cup noodles. Have no idea what the writing says.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEWbmuFDwe-WL7UHBO-p1wpnpNoB3pqzwCFbxse9RdH74EdbbQ_uWWFxJLBDhQjkdGP5pT4JW_cp03qRT_xvt0R5xLxtuoykErzxJ831c3kTbdlEASOLXtZt7pL7eF2_EECgAfWouKiDp/s1600-h/IMG_1893.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEWbmuFDwe-WL7UHBO-p1wpnpNoB3pqzwCFbxse9RdH74EdbbQ_uWWFxJLBDhQjkdGP5pT4JW_cp03qRT_xvt0R5xLxtuoykErzxJ831c3kTbdlEASOLXtZt7pL7eF2_EECgAfWouKiDp/s320/IMG_1893.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443397748775460754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Below the tempura cracker that adds a nice, mushy savory element. Naruto and Sakura look on with envy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5LuJa8hRPOzRHYbC97J9lDlRgVZAHKY1zZNry_fVSXIQ15uVM-a36_fjnauew8-ckLWBKe-dK9OFhWppGU6udTQB3CQp7IuDA0VwPqn4FaFAXybXkSagxuUepDRHlEHiphdNNHkOcHwd/s1600-h/IMG_1895.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5LuJa8hRPOzRHYbC97J9lDlRgVZAHKY1zZNry_fVSXIQ15uVM-a36_fjnauew8-ckLWBKe-dK9OFhWppGU6udTQB3CQp7IuDA0VwPqn4FaFAXybXkSagxuUepDRHlEHiphdNNHkOcHwd/s320/IMG_1895.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443397746216141602" border="0" /></a><br />Stop staring! Itadakimasu!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCoA-c3-f6Su7p3NkciEC_Tp8y4UpdPsdzYldRF1vCva12pacBVynrfLZzNLEmvsquA40_jPbjr0OsyIoi4FsYOi8WHbaWY6xvGE_Xlpxxme3JR_OBlocf4oX9nzzc6kVgPz6Kerw_3zP/s1600-h/IMG_1896.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCoA-c3-f6Su7p3NkciEC_Tp8y4UpdPsdzYldRF1vCva12pacBVynrfLZzNLEmvsquA40_jPbjr0OsyIoi4FsYOi8WHbaWY6xvGE_Xlpxxme3JR_OBlocf4oX9nzzc6kVgPz6Kerw_3zP/s320/IMG_1896.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443397739878966194" border="0" /></a>Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-68725954894111358632010-02-28T12:20:00.000-08:002010-02-28T12:42:01.146-08:00Hinode SushiWent out for sushi with my pal Pete last week. Sadly, when our sushi arrived I neglected to take a picture. Below a lame shot of the restaurant.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczUxhwLAgJbPGF3Rv5E-aE542X1NjQh_LBmdXftoExC85inYwrAqpvWPoC-tvC1tPHzUGi7hRq1va8pEGML_4ZsTYZ2Y6wJxLPQJ6gIdEArVLn0vtuAb_pGiI0oVQqc6eh2c2OLeUwD6a/s1600-h/IMG_1889.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczUxhwLAgJbPGF3Rv5E-aE542X1NjQh_LBmdXftoExC85inYwrAqpvWPoC-tvC1tPHzUGi7hRq1va8pEGML_4ZsTYZ2Y6wJxLPQJ6gIdEArVLn0vtuAb_pGiI0oVQqc6eh2c2OLeUwD6a/s320/IMG_1889.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443395623959601426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Some shrimp and whitefish sushi for someone else.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58mktUXG2rEsCJ5d9RLh0tPkMNGlQrYP8RN6trUlBgXMtXtmX9ChGbH8cnIPZ1JewDVTTx-LiAFZyPDxXnckZLZkv_lZEXjIX2Szx158u8B2uvqO01tLCXt0KWA5rpTkCvnIlelq4elwe/s1600-h/IMG_1892.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58mktUXG2rEsCJ5d9RLh0tPkMNGlQrYP8RN6trUlBgXMtXtmX9ChGbH8cnIPZ1JewDVTTx-LiAFZyPDxXnckZLZkv_lZEXjIX2Szx158u8B2uvqO01tLCXt0KWA5rpTkCvnIlelq4elwe/s320/IMG_1892.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443395617698911378" border="0" /></a><br />Below, Pete! In the lower right of the photo you can see a corner of a piece of o-toro sushi. That night they had 0-toro sushi for $10 for two pieces and chu-toro for $6. We decided to compare. To be honest, they were both really luscious and rich and the extra $4 to upgrade to the o-toro was not necessary. They gave us a free appetizer of some seared salmon. It was awesome. No pic of course.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutMHV_BwHiDFxuYMnmKoy01X9HThMDqMkh_zU7xnWNUbqOb5lVdqRPno_4kxDBQMSTtctX6VHxHyz2qzmBqjuDCnGZ1SRxmcAd2ljG3OTO3QSH2PA_h934QNe2Ogxwm83n2FkrZdG8rFS/s1600-h/IMG_1891.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutMHV_BwHiDFxuYMnmKoy01X9HThMDqMkh_zU7xnWNUbqOb5lVdqRPno_4kxDBQMSTtctX6VHxHyz2qzmBqjuDCnGZ1SRxmcAd2ljG3OTO3QSH2PA_h934QNe2Ogxwm83n2FkrZdG8rFS/s320/IMG_1891.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443395615328549522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimD8SKspywfjOeN2WWh7SchlQFTz1BLD1iB_yMoy5KmfrYwmPgoaiLVHXe9JqAC1wRU9a_aT_4PZ1Cr6faOelhHijBBIoLB-ZdyhJ0Tnf_Si8O8yOlniB8Pb6omlzMcz8T8ed4EVEWTRMj/s1600-h/IMG_1889.jpg"><br /></a>Below the whimsical desert the chef made for us from an orange.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yWmVg_uYNQzzBTlyTVHiAkGdj7w8jeNlhayvVrhDJUoJS_uuyQET1hXnAke4aoQIQwkNx-yHKSYfQRuCpvju42MHuL35pJ46gsFlZ_yclqOOhJAqdgldNqtR9Uq3b5vy8s14wb_lALHc/s1600-h/IMG_1888.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yWmVg_uYNQzzBTlyTVHiAkGdj7w8jeNlhayvVrhDJUoJS_uuyQET1hXnAke4aoQIQwkNx-yHKSYfQRuCpvju42MHuL35pJ46gsFlZ_yclqOOhJAqdgldNqtR9Uq3b5vy8s14wb_lALHc/s320/IMG_1888.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443395604977285778" border="0" /></a>Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-83372191623578010492010-02-25T07:32:00.000-08:002010-02-25T08:58:43.739-08:00Um, I stand corrected.....Apparently, my review of <a href="http://islandeating.blogspot.com/2010/02/weird-japanese-snack-12.html">Weird Japanese Snack #12</a> invoked the ire of my easily irritated friend Scot. Below, the email I received yesterday.<br /><br />"Jeez, I just read your blog entry on the snack I brought you. Thanks for all those nice things you said about my trip! Fyi: The meeting was in Jakarta, not Bali, and that place is no picnic. Huge, crowded, polluted, 24 hour traffic, and periodic bombings so everything is behind security barriers and armed guards. It wasn't a boondogle conference. We sat with a dozen AID and Indonesian counterparts and hashed out 5-year work plans that we had spent the previous 8 months trying to negotiate on line. For once I would agree that the only way to get it done properly was face to face. Sound fun? The meeting went on for four days with a weekend in between. During that weekend I flew to Bali on my own expense. The lucky overnight layover was on the way in. I liked the mention of us Gaijin being shooed out of the first restaurant we tried, that's true. On the way back I had a ~7 hour layover at the airport and I spent 5 hours in a tiny hotel room. It was great. Just before my flight I went to a sushi bar, which to be honest was better than the two places I went to outside the airport. I got your snack just before catching the flight home. I thought for sure that you'd mention "Mr. Sparkle" from the Simpsons. The image on the package looks just like it and that's the whole reason I got it for you!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T-Y1Bj7wdj7ZIOCI8flXVWZvcUu6Mv_TJqnw1Nawo7V8b4u1N36ipTBf6SZ6PUtOuook4fil9WZRzw3rFg1gBfIxHJ-NAbmj7aeFdDfTwBiXOG1pebAiTyx5wIbhUt7fn7N48UNU5fF0/s1600-h/mrsparkle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442205855119846786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T-Y1Bj7wdj7ZIOCI8flXVWZvcUu6Mv_TJqnw1Nawo7V8b4u1N36ipTBf6SZ6PUtOuook4fil9WZRzw3rFg1gBfIxHJ-NAbmj7aeFdDfTwBiXOG1pebAiTyx5wIbhUt7fn7N48UNU5fF0/s320/mrsparkle.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I think your blog is stupid<br />I still have another packet of those snacks. You want them?" <div><br /><br /><div>Ain't he a sweetie! Luvit. Thanks Scot. That was priceless. And yeah, I'll take those snacks. The neighbor's cat loves 'em. </div><div> </div><div>He just sent this: "Man, that guy's an ass! One last caveat is that my comment on the tiny hotel room sounds like sarcasm but it really WAS great and part of the whole Japan experience. "</div></div>Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-3742354407873058702010-02-15T11:24:00.000-08:002010-02-15T17:13:14.900-08:00Weird Japanese, no, Taiwanese Snack #14 Lychee Gels!Okay, robust bag of Fruit Gels from Taiwan. Thanks Doctor Terry.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Vrl0t6GpoTcmZq5o1el0qDEAtLayeGjkQX9PLJMp1Cbya7tn9nJ6O7-1o1WmTSHDUwrpQ_ykVR7DhI7xWwXhYhBJKzQK4T1ow6tDEDlUVaU_rMCtx5jAV4aMJlOD6tPXO21N-M_hyMna/s1600-h/IMG_0535.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Vrl0t6GpoTcmZq5o1el0qDEAtLayeGjkQX9PLJMp1Cbya7tn9nJ6O7-1o1WmTSHDUwrpQ_ykVR7DhI7xWwXhYhBJKzQK4T1ow6tDEDlUVaU_rMCtx5jAV4aMJlOD6tPXO21N-M_hyMna/s320/IMG_0535.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438553815933343282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There's about a dozen of these guys in the bag.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJFgvL08Snszq76bmqDoiVHN_WV2LK1-1ZHESCW3Ma0XIkJsx22oy4VvIKkhgKfwuztmj0dkSfhhvlYGApn0_MYLYXCEESQrU2pwikmm0LY2eLre7ecHBgtoZpBnIM2UleJg3TfZ7w91n/s1600-h/IMG_0539.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJFgvL08Snszq76bmqDoiVHN_WV2LK1-1ZHESCW3Ma0XIkJsx22oy4VvIKkhgKfwuztmj0dkSfhhvlYGApn0_MYLYXCEESQrU2pwikmm0LY2eLre7ecHBgtoZpBnIM2UleJg3TfZ7w91n/s320/IMG_0539.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438553807896461058" border="0" /></a><br />Lychees are these weird sort of, I dunno, fruit I guess, from Asia. They look sort of like a nut but that is just the outside. It's kind of like a paper/bark covering. Once you peel that off there is a sort of almost pear-like fruit wrapped around a pit. The flavor too is reminiscent of pear but there's a sweet grapey quality too. I like 'em. Below, the little tub.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KQEHXqdWvctrVpqxoBEnt9NwCMgNtUbWAnGrQ3m-HkygPlSddQt5t2Px_x4wRh9aHmzZoxZksFx6SQ-3IsipdnWqpnKcDrK2tKT_p9nRVo4TH1qHX50RyAVJsHwgoGXL2R10X6114Y-8/s1600-h/IMG_0540.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KQEHXqdWvctrVpqxoBEnt9NwCMgNtUbWAnGrQ3m-HkygPlSddQt5t2Px_x4wRh9aHmzZoxZksFx6SQ-3IsipdnWqpnKcDrK2tKT_p9nRVo4TH1qHX50RyAVJsHwgoGXL2R10X6114Y-8/s320/IMG_0540.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438553801189447330" border="0" /></a><br />Translucent gel. The tub has sort of a wobbly heart shape to it. Is that to give this snack an aura of vulnerability?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgST9IjZfcUNCEVqIg2vWNr9QqYHhOKqrgtzghyphenhyphen7JY_5hfstNTk87nSwUGhlOJhw7JnTz3q2e_weoX8sCnzqV2n8yV8FcRy1ZMrBF0qU2ypPVvpKEuaxV4_EouizDjZ-_OTELzINE95GNYl/s1600-h/IMG_0541.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgST9IjZfcUNCEVqIg2vWNr9QqYHhOKqrgtzghyphenhyphen7JY_5hfstNTk87nSwUGhlOJhw7JnTz3q2e_weoX8sCnzqV2n8yV8FcRy1ZMrBF0qU2ypPVvpKEuaxV4_EouizDjZ-_OTELzINE95GNYl/s320/IMG_0541.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438553798899775682" border="0" /></a><br />These taste exactly like a fresh lychee. I, as a rule, am not a big fan of jams, jellies, etc., so I can't see ever buying these again but, you know, not bad. Not bad at all.Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-33969798284057296222010-02-15T11:07:00.000-08:002010-02-15T17:16:11.612-08:00Gyudon and Noritamago FurikakeToday is Presidents Day so I don't have to work. Dropped off the car to get the brakes fixed. I feel like a patient waiting for the doctor to come into the examination room and give me the results of my tests. I waited way too long with those things. Anyway, to take the edge off of my anxiety I made some gyudon (beef and onions on rice) with a side of seasoned rice. Below the gyudon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakvaaB1cwukAMxW5UJXHiSeTmptBrTvyUxdoylj8sL48gSbJ_s4brSaZ9eQKs5lwIvYwFmGVNsrcdtESvaROrQvSm1Lii7pbzpNPZr9948qEFX3IR43MNN7oX6W54XbQ9Eja3rzFcHUsP/s1600-h/IMG_0530.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakvaaB1cwukAMxW5UJXHiSeTmptBrTvyUxdoylj8sL48gSbJ_s4brSaZ9eQKs5lwIvYwFmGVNsrcdtESvaROrQvSm1Lii7pbzpNPZr9948qEFX3IR43MNN7oX6W54XbQ9Eja3rzFcHUsP/s320/IMG_0530.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438550144519937042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This stuff is easy and tasty. You simply put it in a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes and your good. My rice cooker, Shingo, cooked the rice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOhDCwijBhBqZNFcAiKOEBt5okN8PqkcMLdZ8cRexVJvJM44q6Ym_M9SgeuCn5uLvX0sjVxB47f150KV4eEjukRu71T0-wrpsmGO1N5HsyVN1c4IK4zd2n7m49FaxuGAbj7ASf-gLeQ5N/s1600-h/IMG_0531.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOhDCwijBhBqZNFcAiKOEBt5okN8PqkcMLdZ8cRexVJvJM44q6Ym_M9SgeuCn5uLvX0sjVxB47f150KV4eEjukRu71T0-wrpsmGO1N5HsyVN1c4IK4zd2n7m49FaxuGAbj7ASf-gLeQ5N/s320/IMG_0531.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438550157707162642" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Below is the jar of Noritamago Furikake. I know enough Japanese to know that the first word is referring to the seaweed and egg bits. Have no idea about the second. This was recommended to me by my pal Tetsu at the Maruichi market.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkub1PSOE2w7GvIT-oqKv6wxBTqmmP_WKUIcHt77QCHyYaTBw88xrjogjJYmj-mGpBH12n4Ca3FwCf2qc8GpZrkdd8uXayiQdS0i-Ajoe5zVx0tG53jZlogOchKykQ9Ybke9YDucpXDxpL/s1600-h/IMG_0529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkub1PSOE2w7GvIT-oqKv6wxBTqmmP_WKUIcHt77QCHyYaTBw88xrjogjJYmj-mGpBH12n4Ca3FwCf2qc8GpZrkdd8uXayiQdS0i-Ajoe5zVx0tG53jZlogOchKykQ9Ybke9YDucpXDxpL/s320/IMG_0529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438550133860625506" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As I understand it, you just sprinkle it on and mix it in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNqw2B12YUOkPS0s9khVe8IAz-9jBPo8ClKuhZhfp2ukPvRhNIpXt2OiCkqwJ1GUEaocAUnE6nxS-gr2y43YrT2mgsDxTK7za1Q9BkDeywKBVk02GXFX4ro7WnX1Mdwja_WD_99jD1RBT/s1600-h/IMG_0534.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNqw2B12YUOkPS0s9khVe8IAz-9jBPo8ClKuhZhfp2ukPvRhNIpXt2OiCkqwJ1GUEaocAUnE6nxS-gr2y43YrT2mgsDxTK7za1Q9BkDeywKBVk02GXFX4ro7WnX1Mdwja_WD_99jD1RBT/s320/IMG_0534.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438550148910911074" border="0" /></a><br />The gyudon was great. Tetsu, what were you thinking? That noritamago stuff is horrible! I thought <a href="http://islandeating.blogspot.com/2010/02/weird-japanese-snack-12.html">Scot's</a> fish snacks had an unbearable fishy flavor. They can't hold a candle to this stuff. Honestly, it tastes like licking a dock that had dead fish on it for a week, then the seagulls came, then the cormorants. Gross. Gross like Napoleon Dynamite says it. Was this a joke Tetsu?Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-22726750184954138592010-02-11T12:05:00.000-08:002010-02-11T12:11:08.905-08:00Weird Japanese Snack #13The little English label on this just said "Japanese Cookie" and beneath that "Kuri Boro". I think they are supposed to resemble little acorns. I do know their main ingredient is white beans, whatever the hell those are.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJvtBza9mfUgnjkhbQBgfDzagQwE2K78CUqBDIXBzyMA0ApW_mNFdicvEINzTcxWLpn1rUewhQrS9MoR_7fePzRdZ7xoiZwif_DSnLLnUutvmKVGy8dH9TNTKMb_jI6z8_GSNcPDqp125/s1600-h/IMG_0523.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJvtBza9mfUgnjkhbQBgfDzagQwE2K78CUqBDIXBzyMA0ApW_mNFdicvEINzTcxWLpn1rUewhQrS9MoR_7fePzRdZ7xoiZwif_DSnLLnUutvmKVGy8dH9TNTKMb_jI6z8_GSNcPDqp125/s320/IMG_0523.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437079835710306578" border="0" /></a><br />They came in a little plastic tub.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdNYP7LUDvpDLjR8vop0fPju7nJSUPhi-0xn0kGGLIr-6lHwSWQrTVuXgor8NmC05AiX-Z2kosEc8XTKDJGKqpzKI4nSRzz_1icmWHq998UBvNzgt2BRkvev6Z-Ss9Oy0IWlbHqX-IydI/s1600-h/IMG_0525.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdNYP7LUDvpDLjR8vop0fPju7nJSUPhi-0xn0kGGLIr-6lHwSWQrTVuXgor8NmC05AiX-Z2kosEc8XTKDJGKqpzKI4nSRzz_1icmWHq998UBvNzgt2BRkvev6Z-Ss9Oy0IWlbHqX-IydI/s320/IMG_0525.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437079830209590850" border="0" /></a><br />Lousy close-up. My camera is terrible with anything closer than, say, 12 inches.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4L1-TCYWoRLA1KMMYdyg-RhS7wws854Y1qABJAljirmMV52gum8zQrzYSHkqVQ5AN4tD6pRKDKq5rprrdS_DxUtrw0p4qAK1L5PQIQVR_tfEbTT79O0OtECzKwqj38I5iXOOGuwhUTtX5/s1600-h/IMG_0526.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4L1-TCYWoRLA1KMMYdyg-RhS7wws854Y1qABJAljirmMV52gum8zQrzYSHkqVQ5AN4tD6pRKDKq5rprrdS_DxUtrw0p4qAK1L5PQIQVR_tfEbTT79O0OtECzKwqj38I5iXOOGuwhUTtX5/s320/IMG_0526.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437079827211848498" border="0" /></a><br />And a bite.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgjx2tbMhgeXsRYxDbyCc1JDkSXvXcCNhVBu06sAOrrbnX2jjwkXkt3LeoElURkZwShyGzkZfeHjSP1G4itSi5wGbVmKNE342q9TFqIeHEoHwic1fH1HHmCEzovXbY605ahy-33ZD2OL8/s1600-h/IMG_0527.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgjx2tbMhgeXsRYxDbyCc1JDkSXvXcCNhVBu06sAOrrbnX2jjwkXkt3LeoElURkZwShyGzkZfeHjSP1G4itSi5wGbVmKNE342q9TFqIeHEoHwic1fH1HHmCEzovXbY605ahy-33ZD2OL8/s320/IMG_0527.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437079823891789010" border="0" /></a><br />Verdict? Pretty good. The cookie is a little soft, something I am not usually a fan of but it works with these. The flavor is very mild and lightly sweet, almost a vanilla flavor. Will go very well with a cup of coffee. Cheers!Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-87191603020037730132010-02-11T11:48:00.000-08:002010-02-11T12:13:01.098-08:00A Real BlizzardRound 2! Alrighty, we had the biggest snowfall ever <a href="http://islandeating.blogspot.com/2010/02/snow-storm.html">last weekend</a>. Then on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week we got another foot of snow and a proper blizzard, with wind gusts to 60 mph! My car is to the left of the light pole. Was getting cabin fever so went out yesterday afternoon for a couple of hours anyway. This was the gnarliest week of storms I have been in since I was a kid in upstate New York.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSquM3TShASgomPIdSVFTgQGfmCcvkZRYglhzaVHTKGSBQ1csPkLDYHBUoIHQIrs_f85tiZ1NcNPsiSezgnkCexmEB2mifDkgT2TdIXSIMT7DuqhE9peokd102hcBub4u0MSqIKk-7QtF/s1600-h/IMG_1843.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b5iizNbN5e8Dqv-q-7aV1IhVjitb2oxWGgkBGTmK4AtjBpRUT2Sb7s4pDknpc5eiMbyVRyd616CQf__kH8F4NkwSOCPWM4wrAYEQIurg7LYx7p-qN1OVQGHQDI84EB0aEWM0t2WfIsrY/s1600-h/IMG_1847.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b5iizNbN5e8Dqv-q-7aV1IhVjitb2oxWGgkBGTmK4AtjBpRUT2Sb7s4pDknpc5eiMbyVRyd616CQf__kH8F4NkwSOCPWM4wrAYEQIurg7LYx7p-qN1OVQGHQDI84EB0aEWM0t2WfIsrY/s320/IMG_1847.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437078193369638226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaMEZ1lJxnA_SLWATgvheotfH8-LE3UTVW_8MNfBwHKV9LVFm4f5tH1uWzncZyIDvXuYYQhusA2tY8liIn6Rwx__AUstgTN7biT3D0rISJdZQ0Lgjzo3PQsUAVLbdV7rMp1wC3oZlMkZT/s1600-h/IMG_1845.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaMEZ1lJxnA_SLWATgvheotfH8-LE3UTVW_8MNfBwHKV9LVFm4f5tH1uWzncZyIDvXuYYQhusA2tY8liIn6Rwx__AUstgTN7biT3D0rISJdZQ0Lgjzo3PQsUAVLbdV7rMp1wC3oZlMkZT/s320/IMG_1845.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437078186907076066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The view from the bar at the Marriott in White Flint. They were the only place open.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUuyMIXtWXsrNSBOMRZO8xq6FXeYu9y8YIcLoTS1n9CHdnRPGIqPB-VmaVkXnezgm9x7pxoBBPYUDBdjAihe5Kez_MCcbuUynbPeuTN1tMFjJ56ypQIP7hYPl-xp1zLGT3hUtMUPkbPPv/s1600-h/IMG_1848.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUuyMIXtWXsrNSBOMRZO8xq6FXeYu9y8YIcLoTS1n9CHdnRPGIqPB-VmaVkXnezgm9x7pxoBBPYUDBdjAihe5Kez_MCcbuUynbPeuTN1tMFjJ56ypQIP7hYPl-xp1zLGT3hUtMUPkbPPv/s320/IMG_1848.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437078188981140866" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Below are a couple of shots from my living room window during what felt like the height of the storm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsr28YJescsxqJ0z1z9tQ0I_XFaXf1I_DDasbnsuxaFSqtJLO0tCES9P2kFVaPeYGiBvecqQjXNZ2KSsp_m-8xo-PNRtY1u1fX1CHvz1YFTUaJozmKFpUZJAdU1Xjke36pzt4ZEc8aCNcR/s1600-h/IMG_0521.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsr28YJescsxqJ0z1z9tQ0I_XFaXf1I_DDasbnsuxaFSqtJLO0tCES9P2kFVaPeYGiBvecqQjXNZ2KSsp_m-8xo-PNRtY1u1fX1CHvz1YFTUaJozmKFpUZJAdU1Xjke36pzt4ZEc8aCNcR/s320/IMG_0521.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437075933047862594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREY9BEXcB11Q5asIqBjhchHAPFRojXeYpMl-TNgwGpXybA3p1EQj1m3RULhBUSg3tEMPG1dcdPVU3IVfjzkztsbLCrb2ref7zFrGO3l71zqDcL8HfjU91el0w3IjfvVAs0ZVXUkpev7o1/s1600-h/IMG_0517.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREY9BEXcB11Q5asIqBjhchHAPFRojXeYpMl-TNgwGpXybA3p1EQj1m3RULhBUSg3tEMPG1dcdPVU3IVfjzkztsbLCrb2ref7zFrGO3l71zqDcL8HfjU91el0w3IjfvVAs0ZVXUkpev7o1/s320/IMG_0517.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437075928811676178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A sense of humor is a must.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSquM3TShASgomPIdSVFTgQGfmCcvkZRYglhzaVHTKGSBQ1csPkLDYHBUoIHQIrs_f85tiZ1NcNPsiSezgnkCexmEB2mifDkgT2TdIXSIMT7DuqhE9peokd102hcBub4u0MSqIKk-7QtF/s1600-h/IMG_1843.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSquM3TShASgomPIdSVFTgQGfmCcvkZRYglhzaVHTKGSBQ1csPkLDYHBUoIHQIrs_f85tiZ1NcNPsiSezgnkCexmEB2mifDkgT2TdIXSIMT7DuqhE9peokd102hcBub4u0MSqIKk-7QtF/s320/IMG_1843.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437078203853762098" border="0" /></a>Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-17631234560697643052010-02-11T11:40:00.000-08:002010-02-11T11:48:41.198-08:00A Quick SnackMost salmon is farm raised, which is not good. They frequently contain PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). My office does a lot of work on PCBs. I took organic chemistry recently, I am very proud to say that I can draw a PCB. At any rate, they're a carcinogen and you should avoid eating them. That being said, farmed salmon is soooooo delicious. My pal Tetsu at the <a href="http://islandeating.blogspot.com/2009/10/maruichi-market.html">Maruichi Market</a> was selling little filets of salmon so I grabbed a pack. Made a great snack for some Wii bowling.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIfadFmRG_TlgrHa2P-MgqyIdmD7dSpcBwjAYKRwXgQ5j2_j7JOMBka_oEIkNCwSte_4TzxD2Z0u_-4V_j9BQTGDdYsGQaChMCy2_hjqRh9yPRHmQqN83BjVfGrPXT7clU_R0rL1pzpJR/s1600-h/IMG_0513.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIfadFmRG_TlgrHa2P-MgqyIdmD7dSpcBwjAYKRwXgQ5j2_j7JOMBka_oEIkNCwSte_4TzxD2Z0u_-4V_j9BQTGDdYsGQaChMCy2_hjqRh9yPRHmQqN83BjVfGrPXT7clU_R0rL1pzpJR/s320/IMG_0513.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437074565977428050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />No wasabi, no rice, just a little soy sauce. Oishi!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEaXmruVz-IfYtxok9XI_M3HpRBt3g7QW17lX4P0OCAB3KAXwvED6SH78xaYeuhdVlIcK9usgTvaoyM7dI95DrfGSIq-P2wPC7eRIsmg07SEECVM516jH22dYTXs-6ootYmaWNkj0gA3Y/s1600-h/IMG_0514.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEaXmruVz-IfYtxok9XI_M3HpRBt3g7QW17lX4P0OCAB3KAXwvED6SH78xaYeuhdVlIcK9usgTvaoyM7dI95DrfGSIq-P2wPC7eRIsmg07SEECVM516jH22dYTXs-6ootYmaWNkj0gA3Y/s320/IMG_0514.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437074575163349298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIfadFmRG_TlgrHa2P-MgqyIdmD7dSpcBwjAYKRwXgQ5j2_j7JOMBka_oEIkNCwSte_4TzxD2Z0u_-4V_j9BQTGDdYsGQaChMCy2_hjqRh9yPRHmQqN83BjVfGrPXT7clU_R0rL1pzpJR/s1600-h/IMG_0513.jpg"><br /></a>Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-83879122545414491182010-02-07T13:39:00.000-08:002010-02-07T13:50:42.050-08:00RandomIguana in Fort Lauderdale giving me the stink eye while I go for a run.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmbS48bBEtqU7rVIR7Ddq30g0a1hx4VZecSFU9AELDKCWmY0qQgVJ_dPUbqxOeD0DyFsT_Ghjdw3DigW780Bji0tYJ0e3K0QFr4fpuyZ91agSa2XfIRZi1yiK3kXguVojn6YcsTnTfTCx/s1600-h/IMG_1790.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmbS48bBEtqU7rVIR7Ddq30g0a1hx4VZecSFU9AELDKCWmY0qQgVJ_dPUbqxOeD0DyFsT_Ghjdw3DigW780Bji0tYJ0e3K0QFr4fpuyZ91agSa2XfIRZi1yiK3kXguVojn6YcsTnTfTCx/s320/IMG_1790.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435620383846545490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Man O' War jellyfish on the beach in Fort Lauderdale. I got a single strand of one of these babies across my leg years ago in Miami and it felt like a red hot piece of wire. These guys regularly send people to the hospital. Pretty color though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwIgvDkUaMmCXhwIBUw7-em7iwxtAZ9VRPojBiMZPIwsjiyLP3GGZkmyGLNykXGwL6JlKAiahXgGm3T23Ze6nHjn2sT5VaeMurY31Dl6rekfeHmI2MH3uBI2zMMvLzz3jDP3IZAubykYN/s1600-h/IMG_1795.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwIgvDkUaMmCXhwIBUw7-em7iwxtAZ9VRPojBiMZPIwsjiyLP3GGZkmyGLNykXGwL6JlKAiahXgGm3T23Ze6nHjn2sT5VaeMurY31Dl6rekfeHmI2MH3uBI2zMMvLzz3jDP3IZAubykYN/s320/IMG_1795.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435620378011459106" border="0" /></a><br />Mynah birds begging at the Checkers hamburger joint. They're originally from south Asia. They're better talkers than gray parrots but since they're kind of dull looking not many people keep them as pets. My aunt Mickey had one when we were little kids. His name was Dagwood and he could talk, imitate sounds from around the house, whistle, etc. One day he got out of his cage and flew out an open window. Big mistake. They lived in Rhode Island.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2nk0srsXi-rd_rZyBsROTBwifmvZdsh2G0kZIcYDXl50Tvo_2M4qbGz_YNijsJZ20hDAYyVFRzGOpAM67uly6uuaMA5xEfsneRQ3bmftm_5MOYE5zWdI0k0oWlKqngdSIhDzfPILvg06/s1600-h/IMG_1675.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2nk0srsXi-rd_rZyBsROTBwifmvZdsh2G0kZIcYDXl50Tvo_2M4qbGz_YNijsJZ20hDAYyVFRzGOpAM67uly6uuaMA5xEfsneRQ3bmftm_5MOYE5zWdI0k0oWlKqngdSIhDzfPILvg06/s320/IMG_1675.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435620376879603010" border="0" /></a><br />Shot from the 8th floor of my office building. I used the tilt shift app on my iPhone and made it look like a toy. I swear, that's not a model.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplUsYTnk0m5-mfthBPpanT0WXuGaauQL6KMjpbZ8YZUeQadNO1aFpvbkrHSUORu1AC_Wuc622eGBTLsy11U8Tu2SIg09Ip8XX_9tNgSSnX-Ahs_Bj6ls3Nnsb8zPNfDr0-bR7eG7g7DDj/s1600-h/IMG_1646.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplUsYTnk0m5-mfthBPpanT0WXuGaauQL6KMjpbZ8YZUeQadNO1aFpvbkrHSUORu1AC_Wuc622eGBTLsy11U8Tu2SIg09Ip8XX_9tNgSSnX-Ahs_Bj6ls3Nnsb8zPNfDr0-bR7eG7g7DDj/s320/IMG_1646.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435620376397701906" border="0" /></a>Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-13045884273103734572010-02-07T12:09:00.001-08:002010-02-25T07:58:04.354-08:00Snow StormWe had the fourth largest snowfall on record yesterday. Obligatory cliched photos of the snow below. The first is the walkway to my condo last night just after the snow stopped.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n35NDmMkJdlkCbnmF5cE7g-fq2qTqpJbDgwPQ3FMgV8QLetc7yXOW9__uQF2tAx6lSZzoqXgZc_9WpCo9Zh_NSAcF-1azOEzoY-Y8xzbWGfsrtARnwo2fk985LCYLlxkXkk5T2S_8pwX/s1600-h/IMG_1833.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435614937379803538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n35NDmMkJdlkCbnmF5cE7g-fq2qTqpJbDgwPQ3FMgV8QLetc7yXOW9__uQF2tAx6lSZzoqXgZc_9WpCo9Zh_NSAcF-1azOEzoY-Y8xzbWGfsrtARnwo2fk985LCYLlxkXkk5T2S_8pwX/s320/IMG_1833.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We got 30 inches. Um, that's about 75 centimeters.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4HbV8jKQXVGoFtkV8PXQsBLxnbflwXzX5-o-_Ivw0ivEHDUhyYjJC_OwOEmA1xqC-yUaThIRAJi3Zirh5QvWqNEFRJl3c_5_WrwhCITdZXGlFP5GK4zR63onkkEuA2XQelxbKJ8gzp6z/s1600-h/IMG_1831.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435614933793517026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4HbV8jKQXVGoFtkV8PXQsBLxnbflwXzX5-o-_Ivw0ivEHDUhyYjJC_OwOEmA1xqC-yUaThIRAJi3Zirh5QvWqNEFRJl3c_5_WrwhCITdZXGlFP5GK4zR63onkkEuA2XQelxbKJ8gzp6z/s320/IMG_1831.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I left my car in the parking lot down the hill. The plow guys skillfully plowed around it. When I was digging it out today a guy from the restaurant that it was parked in front of came out and took my picture with his cell phone. I turned around in time to see him lowering his phone and turning around and walking away. He looked annoyed...... Maybe they want that space clear for the hundreds of people who are going to show up for their Super Bowl party tonight (not).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZWygAjTNB_luhXfWVnVI_0CQVn035f7zqCA-08ksbxKTw7aJIlpl2PoZq5_ySiU5OMGPJrcjP5ePuf-095u_n1ECm2yxseQH4dRD1lPAQK4yyUpVmzkgvgRulCxjGm07f6VPgRRF7FdU/s1600-h/IMG_1823.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435614739813674866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZWygAjTNB_luhXfWVnVI_0CQVn035f7zqCA-08ksbxKTw7aJIlpl2PoZq5_ySiU5OMGPJrcjP5ePuf-095u_n1ECm2yxseQH4dRD1lPAQK4yyUpVmzkgvgRulCxjGm07f6VPgRRF7FdU/s320/IMG_1823.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />So I was digging it out a little while ago and a guy who looked like <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0893965/">Ben Vareen</a> came running over to me and told me to just back it out. He lived in North Dakota for five years and prided himself on his snow skills. He was really friendly and insisted he was not going anywhere until I got that car out of that snow so I had to go back up to the condo and retrieve my key.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXv3VQg3JNPuvcJL0n77nqiqAoJyVAZFKdkiaCiW02J0K0PxXKsAxev3DU6riCWUnodqV04BUXtL_MVbzqx1Irt-KXBmAmOMqBB2WZ_wkuBQcFDkIDE_m9JlcAN5V7pBg_52sL0ck7ZO6/s1600-h/IMG_1820.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435614733346732626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXv3VQg3JNPuvcJL0n77nqiqAoJyVAZFKdkiaCiW02J0K0PxXKsAxev3DU6riCWUnodqV04BUXtL_MVbzqx1Irt-KXBmAmOMqBB2WZ_wkuBQcFDkIDE_m9JlcAN5V7pBg_52sL0ck7ZO6/s320/IMG_1820.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Sure enough, when I returned he was still there. He even helped me scrape my windows. I got the car out and shook his hand, "Thanks so much. I'm Kevin." He replied, "Penter". "Peter?" I said. "No, Peanut. When you say your prayers tonight say a prayer for Peanut! I'm your angel!" At that he got in his car and waved and drove off. I then hiked back up the hill and dug out my elderly neighbor lady's car.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSITv-jsKYFQR1PAaIF39vfMbEUQHQz0Evwc_mM2sSH23Yqw33DZL5M5Hz0qWdbFLa79uZS2-lDGf5KFVWfn-AiIA5UebtbGob1dk9HX6u79QdDO21jnG3M5UNR0jq67DYi_ClR-JngLo/s1600-h/IMG_0512.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435614731526614498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSITv-jsKYFQR1PAaIF39vfMbEUQHQz0Evwc_mM2sSH23Yqw33DZL5M5Hz0qWdbFLa79uZS2-lDGf5KFVWfn-AiIA5UebtbGob1dk9HX6u79QdDO21jnG3M5UNR0jq67DYi_ClR-JngLo/s320/IMG_0512.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetfXclTcoUk8Q54pH0NHOrjCsNttIc8SOugDO7Wic3F9G6lyPo_VE8cuurQdk-rxYYmohW2zgsYlcssKWwECoxeeRISh2JlsBIcE_Q46DsSQ_MOPLNn6MLWuu8IxdUvGPV0bdNMc9HV_0/s1600-h/IMG_0511.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435614725146166530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetfXclTcoUk8Q54pH0NHOrjCsNttIc8SOugDO7Wic3F9G6lyPo_VE8cuurQdk-rxYYmohW2zgsYlcssKWwECoxeeRISh2JlsBIcE_Q46DsSQ_MOPLNn6MLWuu8IxdUvGPV0bdNMc9HV_0/s320/IMG_0511.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQL36Gx9Cfwm7eoQnerxX8iUda7Qx_sLmNg-hVkHhdfidoFZrNDVEGcK2KtFDyZ06BaQ0-w7FBM1YY1PlRMJndJGsC5pI4y49P_-7gUAGibLvCV0W2WAQrD6IL3pL44jcsvX90KYcXR4D/s1600-h/IMG_0510.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435614725389353186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQL36Gx9Cfwm7eoQnerxX8iUda7Qx_sLmNg-hVkHhdfidoFZrNDVEGcK2KtFDyZ06BaQ0-w7FBM1YY1PlRMJndJGsC5pI4y49P_-7gUAGibLvCV0W2WAQrD6IL3pL44jcsvX90KYcXR4D/s320/IMG_0510.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />There's a bushel basket under there......<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIf4qDsyuaoRG9bdkxdF-DlFiMC9yyeSq5xwtYOqCgT5RoRpA9ECZfbY2HrTgJL8chpCUb_2vc8G6TGYChK79rQ_fStuD50ewJcEN8y84F9W7g8blA3GhOnrV-PLackaOZt5i_QjwMYWd/s1600-h/IMG_0509.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435614428367748626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIf4qDsyuaoRG9bdkxdF-DlFiMC9yyeSq5xwtYOqCgT5RoRpA9ECZfbY2HrTgJL8chpCUb_2vc8G6TGYChK79rQ_fStuD50ewJcEN8y84F9W7g8blA3GhOnrV-PLackaOZt5i_QjwMYWd/s320/IMG_0509.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It used to contain these......<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsYGs3dO3Fl-80O_vDg5kvMCx36K66rjgLVug2iRJUhBaDw8F1FRoJJHJvTyRlzgK1jAX-rUWyCL9OtHZ9ks6OPnMifUIpfZ1ND9oSlXdu8EPzYQkcL-2Fmzy-VIYN59t_5u8UMTsCmh1/s1600-h/IMG_0459.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435617815555130114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsYGs3dO3Fl-80O_vDg5kvMCx36K66rjgLVug2iRJUhBaDw8F1FRoJJHJvTyRlzgK1jAX-rUWyCL9OtHZ9ks6OPnMifUIpfZ1ND9oSlXdu8EPzYQkcL-2Fmzy-VIYN59t_5u8UMTsCmh1/s320/IMG_0459.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />View out the living room window, through the fence, down to the golf course.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwX5p5jtLqmP8k5lb6-AVW9MBWJmToi6xdPh3ujYEfwEgJHQlcxV9DHgABOQ7QEEvvZg_JZkwQ0ZJ4MY-94KIKUHXayitEzP-JJuvzwiwf33i7pnMXGvjFho4y_wufkwJfmImA8PUUuxxw/s1600-h/IMG_0508.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435614426385893122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwX5p5jtLqmP8k5lb6-AVW9MBWJmToi6xdPh3ujYEfwEgJHQlcxV9DHgABOQ7QEEvvZg_JZkwQ0ZJ4MY-94KIKUHXayitEzP-JJuvzwiwf33i7pnMXGvjFho4y_wufkwJfmImA8PUUuxxw/s320/IMG_0508.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9Wvt_-piIlwWZCwYRJHsm1fyX89HQAnmJ60ra_BIyLYcA_xxIvGDP8_K27cIIVX2zOjrRiaSXM-SyEYCpVqLOyTRi3Xf3oActTBJIUEfVtho2cfJzHDgJS5H71L0wmnyT5K9dxCLi0IQ/s1600-h/IMG_0507.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435614420033570962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9Wvt_-piIlwWZCwYRJHsm1fyX89HQAnmJ60ra_BIyLYcA_xxIvGDP8_K27cIIVX2zOjrRiaSXM-SyEYCpVqLOyTRi3Xf3oActTBJIUEfVtho2cfJzHDgJS5H71L0wmnyT5K9dxCLi0IQ/s320/IMG_0507.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5RVzM3BYg0w1HB1P0wySDIYLAy2jeiZPRpd1DiKl1SGm6kvHFXFAPk3u_JYh6j5fXPOpTHjYrdQbfMQ6j4yrjYGpjrfBAV0OTNJPe4MAIBsIjmF7FSvapFm4s0aUyMxvES36433SI3P3/s1600-h/IMG_0506.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435614417510353954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5RVzM3BYg0w1HB1P0wySDIYLAy2jeiZPRpd1DiKl1SGm6kvHFXFAPk3u_JYh6j5fXPOpTHjYrdQbfMQ6j4yrjYGpjrfBAV0OTNJPe4MAIBsIjmF7FSvapFm4s0aUyMxvES36433SI3P3/s320/IMG_0506.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQu7L_wjsoqA9lekMep0rNwrn0y0_Rx_rUFRzlLcU33YhjR1WijlNgK7IHP-hWMEeFrHLn9LGnRZxI_T_nlSZcDwgY0Ni0A-A6ISIZYYl3amcQA_y-ZgPFbruDWIytVKx4vOczHq8q3ky/s1600-h/IMG_0505.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435614413253662930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQu7L_wjsoqA9lekMep0rNwrn0y0_Rx_rUFRzlLcU33YhjR1WijlNgK7IHP-hWMEeFrHLn9LGnRZxI_T_nlSZcDwgY0Ni0A-A6ISIZYYl3amcQA_y-ZgPFbruDWIytVKx4vOczHq8q3ky/s320/IMG_0505.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's to the Blizzard of '10! (And yes, I know, a blizzard is about blowing snow not snow depth, it just sounds good).Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-24659164454038883622010-02-07T11:34:00.000-08:002010-02-25T09:01:06.561-08:00Weird Japanese Snack #12In November my good buddy Scot had to go to a conference about, I dunno, marine spatial planning or something like that. The conference, of course, had to take place in Bali. It was only, like, for two days, and everything could have just as easily been done if everyone stayed in their respective offices around the world and simply made video conference calls. Thankfully, when you work for our office that sort of rational stuff doesn't happen and boondoggles are the order of the day. At any rate, Scot got a one night layover in Tokyo on the way back. He told me about how he and a couple of other conference attendees returning home all stayed at the same hotel by the airport. Once they checked-in, they hacked their way to a local sushi restaurant only to be practically pushed back out the door by the proprietor. Scot said they were the only foreigners, or "gaijin", in the place and they were obviously not welcome. They shrugged it off with a chuckle and found another restaurant nearby that gladly took their yen. He made it down to Tsukiji fish market the next day, something I've dreamed of doing.<br /><br />Scot, bless his heart, was all checked in and waiting for his flight the next day when he realized he still had some yen in his wallet. Remembering my blog, he got me the string of snacks below. You can't really make it out but they cost 250 yen = $2.50. There were 5 packets in all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YXlQgABlz3-m_a0MaUHiFR4eNdqNeY2V4M1g06WxJpVjzbxl943GabG1uOBUigYwlvt3Dk-GT0A2dwZUJQN6m_941ugkyaPI8FTE7iwil4EftfV5rE314zjWdOkjLo4DMdjs2X03tHf-/s1600-h/IMG_0498.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435587874974023506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YXlQgABlz3-m_a0MaUHiFR4eNdqNeY2V4M1g06WxJpVjzbxl943GabG1uOBUigYwlvt3Dk-GT0A2dwZUJQN6m_941ugkyaPI8FTE7iwil4EftfV5rE314zjWdOkjLo4DMdjs2X03tHf-/s320/IMG_0498.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have no idea what the colors mean. The little beans holding up the calcium and magnesium symbols are the same on all of them. In the one below he's carrying a shoulder bag.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0r_qg8nDNpb9IMluSAorPdQ2T_o5TQtkzC3_-W4Jwt8HfbtOjRu9Dh8QCddQB1bVGC0rrcjfvK6VfRDU_NkbLQvCwmE-BSCwDI6kh325rIb5W5WNbMPCeWhnsHJ5oQ4fn3qsJQ8EBaC6/s1600-h/IMG_0501.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435587885841507746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0r_qg8nDNpb9IMluSAorPdQ2T_o5TQtkzC3_-W4Jwt8HfbtOjRu9Dh8QCddQB1bVGC0rrcjfvK6VfRDU_NkbLQvCwmE-BSCwDI6kh325rIb5W5WNbMPCeWhnsHJ5oQ4fn3qsJQ8EBaC6/s320/IMG_0501.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Now the bag's gone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHj5l60n9xps1s-R6vVP_6VUvcVvdnfwzir8mclWSz_xqHFN6JCWbaBGPhtfDL6m_S6yXXQqqD1u_aanb_RSkkt3MbbXXEI7BxJ6GlO94FSSpOHSoPgsEd8mE6RrG3C1UxAmcCUuQPndnW/s1600-h/IMG_0500.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435587881153594450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHj5l60n9xps1s-R6vVP_6VUvcVvdnfwzir8mclWSz_xqHFN6JCWbaBGPhtfDL6m_S6yXXQqqD1u_aanb_RSkkt3MbbXXEI7BxJ6GlO94FSSpOHSoPgsEd8mE6RrG3C1UxAmcCUuQPndnW/s320/IMG_0500.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In the picture below, you can't quite make it out but he's got on a hat and is carrying golf clubs. Makes sense.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHApy7o-lKGc6_D-6kK34gmQaV9-Yy9M0o9qGucrKRXveHF2FAPtT6cLwzSPgDaEs-etP4Ysi85kB4m1n2uuZrUndxeNFAlq4YpbypzR5pRnJ1CMbDrtbmaKxxwA-fnqmzXp2EATF8c7s_/s1600-h/IMG_0499.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435587881104998322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHApy7o-lKGc6_D-6kK34gmQaV9-Yy9M0o9qGucrKRXveHF2FAPtT6cLwzSPgDaEs-etP4Ysi85kB4m1n2uuZrUndxeNFAlq4YpbypzR5pRnJ1CMbDrtbmaKxxwA-fnqmzXp2EATF8c7s_/s320/IMG_0499.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, the moment of truth. The contents in my palm are about half the bag. There's an almond, five pieces of peanut, and six fish.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YXlQgABlz3-m_a0MaUHiFR4eNdqNeY2V4M1g06WxJpVjzbxl943GabG1uOBUigYwlvt3Dk-GT0A2dwZUJQN6m_941ugkyaPI8FTE7iwil4EftfV5rE314zjWdOkjLo4DMdjs2X03tHf-/s1600-h/IMG_0498.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2p_NcE-dVEq8C9bDfniBkO-ijiLxMemea6KFpSzagh1g7wVn0VEzKYhAdUNM0v0FUS4iLkqwEEDxnT-mw-SZzO80WUC9xAVCZRYCYhh7K8d8NaU8KmT4iFQ9aqYa8pHi9LMh2HzipaZg/s1600-h/IMG_0503.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435588063506916114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2p_NcE-dVEq8C9bDfniBkO-ijiLxMemea6KFpSzagh1g7wVn0VEzKYhAdUNM0v0FUS4iLkqwEEDxnT-mw-SZzO80WUC9xAVCZRYCYhh7K8d8NaU8KmT4iFQ9aqYa8pHi9LMh2HzipaZg/s320/IMG_0503.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here they are on my Apple laptop so they can be better studied. The bit on the upper left is a fish head. This is not my <a href="http://islandeating.blogspot.com/2009/12/weird-japanese-snack-7.html">first encounter</a> with the Japanese insistence on using small, freeze-dried fish as snack food. Unlike Weird Japanese Snack #7, these guys bring it. The fish are not an afterthought, they are center stage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFQqlMIEn4p-GtwE9unCusGNBI8hmlNMNIFsbPKd5rW7fVdsOZ_exGrprWmYPcoH2-PG-HZ09hq4cezqo6MHRGrH8AkhnoLu46_k2ssnnFaq5kNlRqpGMtKQ2zfWifsTUKHYda3NCU_JM/s1600-h/IMG_0504.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435588066458795570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFQqlMIEn4p-GtwE9unCusGNBI8hmlNMNIFsbPKd5rW7fVdsOZ_exGrprWmYPcoH2-PG-HZ09hq4cezqo6MHRGrH8AkhnoLu46_k2ssnnFaq5kNlRqpGMtKQ2zfWifsTUKHYda3NCU_JM/s320/IMG_0504.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I gotta tell ya, in the other snack you couldn't really taste the fish. Here it was completely different. In fact I made a point of eating the biggest one I could find. You know what? They're awful.<br /><br />Really awful. Sweet coating, slightly oily, fishy, funky. Home run Scot!!Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-7877847804213374412010-01-24T09:54:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:05:03.741-08:00Weird Japanese Snack #11. Still More Crackers!These are actually from Taiwan. It's kind of strange because I'm pretty sure that's Japanese kanji on the package which doesn't make sense unless it's made in Tawan and sold in Japan. Hmmm....that must be it. No, hold on a sec. I just looked at the packaging. These crackers are made in Taiwan, look deceptively authentically Japanese what with the clumsy English, but are actually for the U.S. market.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oZhrfKaKbuBmCPH8eAkVbokwFG-yTiaakrliFmNm-KxQ3jIjZ9IZrvi93deY10JRlwRO5olKxiSjwKUIz2DMYYzA36zLpkFWCWi9n2iLMXk-tLke7-KnYEeTABzwqeDOdGSpORhOnH0s/s1600-h/IMG_0477.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oZhrfKaKbuBmCPH8eAkVbokwFG-yTiaakrliFmNm-KxQ3jIjZ9IZrvi93deY10JRlwRO5olKxiSjwKUIz2DMYYzA36zLpkFWCWi9n2iLMXk-tLke7-KnYEeTABzwqeDOdGSpORhOnH0s/s320/IMG_0477.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430366766512091394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5s22PXkvbgFFcB9cX-co0qEJ3KArFDkY2sKaYCm690lhl1bs9YIfYDv0MP_M_B34ENKhs3J1fKEiOMv2T9qW1E1r_1hPwkvq8dUxJKBsPyz5Kez8rITj4fLMxBVVS_Kks7nFHqE09YdL/s1600-h/IMG_0478.jpg"><br /></a>She doesn't look too happy. Maybe she's not too happy shilling for this imposter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrJh3EU5RqV5MxqITqJZ2W4YhtlENPTKF_NJ4j9icOG4HtLnVQG9hCkkjiG3bkIBQK3GCoPkccGkLMYjxa5r-vUmj4oIkgjXAEfsW1pp1FXcsI4BrqGcbhu1RmlpJI36q0daqjDjmFTUn/s1600-h/IMG_0480.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrJh3EU5RqV5MxqITqJZ2W4YhtlENPTKF_NJ4j9icOG4HtLnVQG9hCkkjiG3bkIBQK3GCoPkccGkLMYjxa5r-vUmj4oIkgjXAEfsW1pp1FXcsI4BrqGcbhu1RmlpJI36q0daqjDjmFTUn/s320/IMG_0480.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430366777067143538" border="0" /></a><br />Um, they're trying to mimic little ramen noodle cakes. They were teeny, about the size of my thumbnail. They had a salty, soy sauce kind of flavor. Not too bad, I could see munching on these with a beer. They in no way compare to Weird Japanese Snack #10. Those things are awesome.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkioPfZNlbcjDHY6H_6DxnS3cYL10Sl7M1w6C9SmJ9sBHOFLZFOLs1kXtob4ukC5U4F09GselV16R_PdvHVE5TyAV-F9v9qCbt40-0NEFlCmVvcpMChukcN6MVeJhWkDZxeBR51nYifMG/s1600-h/IMG_0482.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkioPfZNlbcjDHY6H_6DxnS3cYL10Sl7M1w6C9SmJ9sBHOFLZFOLs1kXtob4ukC5U4F09GselV16R_PdvHVE5TyAV-F9v9qCbt40-0NEFlCmVvcpMChukcN6MVeJhWkDZxeBR51nYifMG/s320/IMG_0482.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430366775834276066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oZhrfKaKbuBmCPH8eAkVbokwFG-yTiaakrliFmNm-KxQ3jIjZ9IZrvi93deY10JRlwRO5olKxiSjwKUIz2DMYYzA36zLpkFWCWi9n2iLMXk-tLke7-KnYEeTABzwqeDOdGSpORhOnH0s/s1600-h/IMG_0477.jpg"><br /></a>Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-46264805544115482532010-01-24T09:06:00.000-08:002010-01-24T17:34:53.048-08:00Spicy TunaEvery once in a while you'll see "sashimi grade" tuna for sale. To be honest, there is no such thing as "sashimi grade". That was made up by the industry to try and hustle their premium grade fish. However, fresh, quality tuna even from the grocery store is fine for sushi. In fact, it's perfect for spicy tuna. The recipe is simple and takes even questionable tuna to another level. I got this recipe from my pal Tetsu at the <a href="http://islandeating.blogspot.com/2009/10/maruichi-market.html">Maruichi Market</a>. You need Japanese mayonnaise, scallions, soy sauce and Japanese chili paste (see lame photo below).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y78UGWNSUxTJEYjCXf6MvsYensfyG-WQQEfqxpI6JvOms0OQt94AIiDkawAmlscTdi3gPWjlF5WP2fkkX1yNe9BTgQq9HFuwy1Nk8DZPTAOjyIanNaLkuLv1cnXPcO2w22eJVPqu97gu/s1600-h/IMG_0474.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y78UGWNSUxTJEYjCXf6MvsYensfyG-WQQEfqxpI6JvOms0OQt94AIiDkawAmlscTdi3gPWjlF5WP2fkkX1yNe9BTgQq9HFuwy1Nk8DZPTAOjyIanNaLkuLv1cnXPcO2w22eJVPqu97gu/s320/IMG_0474.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430354300558483954" border="0" /></a>Put about a 1/4 cup of mayonnaise in a bowl. Slice the white part of about 4 scallions as thinly as you can, and, obviously, put them in. Add about a teaspoon of the chili paste and a dash of soy sauce. Mix together and add 3/4 pound chopped tuna to the mix. You can make hand rolls with this or simply serve it donburi style on top of a bowl of seasoned rice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilo4ha5kG_i__wRuffZDFu01J2_7d5dXtqG8mDO4IA7MhhrEbnF3PTvbE51AZqHxGxdFetHh44fevNBMSi1SK7EMdaDtHJm-R2VTp5KCAE1m1bHXyXvtuGRyZuwwjnuiUR1GWWdrxYGtcm/s1600-h/IMG_0457.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilo4ha5kG_i__wRuffZDFu01J2_7d5dXtqG8mDO4IA7MhhrEbnF3PTvbE51AZqHxGxdFetHh44fevNBMSi1SK7EMdaDtHJm-R2VTp5KCAE1m1bHXyXvtuGRyZuwwjnuiUR1GWWdrxYGtcm/s320/IMG_0457.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430354432848886274" border="0" /></a><br />My trusty rice cooker. I think I'm going to name it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waAsEQ6PQOo">Shingo</a> after my favorite member of the Japanese entertainment juggernaut <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzg9MyDA-ZM">SMAP</a>. Those guys have been around for, like, 20 years and are all over the Japanese entertainment scene. They have tv shows, they do commercials for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8c-GdFXZKg">Softbank </a>and anyone else who'll pay them. Their clunky name means, get this, "Sports Music Assemble People". You can't make this stuff up. Below, Shingo. Um, you should totally click on all of those links. Trust me, if you like quirky Japanese stuff and also suspect you have no idea what they have going on over there the SMAP stuff is for you......<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zOZcw0irFU01PTPaUXdeTmuoUErF0FZ0ft_QlnBT2TD_glBkaZmTD6mAzLx8PfBqgqTgMYyL_PXJVeaCu85sjA1Xgcor4mFGAlxHlSc2vktn9zyw_hIWL33t9QLZPmGOv8wEHaU0m9Fu/s1600-h/IMG_0458.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zOZcw0irFU01PTPaUXdeTmuoUErF0FZ0ft_QlnBT2TD_glBkaZmTD6mAzLx8PfBqgqTgMYyL_PXJVeaCu85sjA1Xgcor4mFGAlxHlSc2vktn9zyw_hIWL33t9QLZPmGOv8wEHaU0m9Fu/s320/IMG_0458.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430354312230396290" border="0" /></a><br />I augmented my spicy tuna with some salmon that I grabbed at Maruichi. It was really, really rich and creamy and great and, well, you get the idea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqmmBPC89U9sOreGkdtbD92y61oOWlBQ1ksLhab8pUm2k7vu-aM5m4bJXoXBsyA1TTRay4N_dyuSo9fFTfRFZtHX7O14XIlVDQprJHdQUhjq48sIgyx0zn-pJmB_vcl6mvyMEpLZ-_zv7/s1600-h/IMG_0456.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqmmBPC89U9sOreGkdtbD92y61oOWlBQ1ksLhab8pUm2k7vu-aM5m4bJXoXBsyA1TTRay4N_dyuSo9fFTfRFZtHX7O14XIlVDQprJHdQUhjq48sIgyx0zn-pJmB_vcl6mvyMEpLZ-_zv7/s320/IMG_0456.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430354306388059010" border="0" /></a><br />Again, I did not bother to take a photo of my dinner when it was already to go and simply tucked in. One day I'll learn.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y78UGWNSUxTJEYjCXf6MvsYensfyG-WQQEfqxpI6JvOms0OQt94AIiDkawAmlscTdi3gPWjlF5WP2fkkX1yNe9BTgQq9HFuwy1Nk8DZPTAOjyIanNaLkuLv1cnXPcO2w22eJVPqu97gu/s1600-h/IMG_0474.jpg"><br /></a>Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-71020636310307631052010-01-24T08:47:00.000-08:002010-01-24T09:04:25.536-08:00Mahi Mahi: A Failed Mission.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfF6ttb5Xkl0fcgLoOfJugKlejMVzV-VNrH-ZcouIq9Dj4YOdLmP5dk_aUQMYLd5AL27KzqG-J4Y9h4Iv97uOgEA5xkd9fYPd6nvWcq9xQVyxYWiaSdnNNoX1VsaMg_rIb7BscbKFdOv4/s1600-h/IMG_0453.jpg"><br /></a><br />Love my <a href="http://islandeating.blogspot.com/2009/10/harris-teeter.html">Harris Teeter</a>. They have a great seafood department. Sadly, the mahi mahi usually doesn't look all that great. The other day, however, it did. Nice, bright, clean filets. Oh yeah, they were on sale too!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL79u02z0gQdSzSo0OGvfSaNJ2m2NrlwndsiRgC88RUQmFVEEZFNv2ep7jKBr5_H0b7gymZWiu2dvukIraTX6ccP4OlsxHD2w04Z7cr4_fsEyF_ZVLM83caWvq1Lw3TY7KX2budbhtms9M/s1600-h/IMG_0448.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL79u02z0gQdSzSo0OGvfSaNJ2m2NrlwndsiRgC88RUQmFVEEZFNv2ep7jKBr5_H0b7gymZWiu2dvukIraTX6ccP4OlsxHD2w04Z7cr4_fsEyF_ZVLM83caWvq1Lw3TY7KX2budbhtms9M/s320/IMG_0448.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430349417917229554" border="0" /></a><br />Geez, I cooked these a couple of weeks ago and I have already forgotten the recipe. I got it off the Food Network site. If I don't feel like printing out the recipe, I simply pull it up on the Dell Mini and put it on the counter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pKE9Z_FAIZkt_IWeXreHMwamGcTHQ3pxwSvi8PxuzLCGXN113wcU08i2rMHU2Gfepp7RxpXGC39lmkSgA4zPMHkQ1eLwT4bnpt96rIyHk-gilWYQkA1yNCK9yCC4MLVczYdCeIy-Rrlf/s1600-h/IMG_0447.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pKE9Z_FAIZkt_IWeXreHMwamGcTHQ3pxwSvi8PxuzLCGXN113wcU08i2rMHU2Gfepp7RxpXGC39lmkSgA4zPMHkQ1eLwT4bnpt96rIyHk-gilWYQkA1yNCK9yCC4MLVczYdCeIy-Rrlf/s320/IMG_0447.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430349415315162114" border="0" /></a><br />Hmmm...... I know there was garlic, white wine and lemon involved.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsaRj38qGCaCAu2_18yaHsxQTvihAuwB9msHqmqIlfvba0hVbJVLKD1EKkEcIq2BTMVMfz07xo0nPpUHXLloFobSxBgqo_cJPHSLoXFYoMTttQkrxdqWEA6kT72N8afoyLAOU9W5WUnBYU/s1600-h/IMG_0451.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsaRj38qGCaCAu2_18yaHsxQTvihAuwB9msHqmqIlfvba0hVbJVLKD1EKkEcIq2BTMVMfz07xo0nPpUHXLloFobSxBgqo_cJPHSLoXFYoMTttQkrxdqWEA6kT72N8afoyLAOU9W5WUnBYU/s320/IMG_0451.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430349428138123954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtaXEh1RORxzNE764S0lu7nXykefP6A78agSTMy3Qjk_e6Brn3qo2wfI2DZGEP-muR94c9jJu6PQMQ1kLD6b-53rk5ZXReqHWU1INMvzOS488Tg4HM0ILqaVKbYvPpsmugZOLoeX3Yt-J/s1600-h/IMG_0449.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtaXEh1RORxzNE764S0lu7nXykefP6A78agSTMy3Qjk_e6Brn3qo2wfI2DZGEP-muR94c9jJu6PQMQ1kLD6b-53rk5ZXReqHWU1INMvzOS488Tg4HM0ILqaVKbYvPpsmugZOLoeX3Yt-J/s320/IMG_0449.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430349425278879826" border="0" /></a><br />Here they are browning in the pan. Unfortunately, when they were done and plated and tantalizing instead of reaching for the camera I went straight for the fork.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfF6ttb5Xkl0fcgLoOfJugKlejMVzV-VNrH-ZcouIq9Dj4YOdLmP5dk_aUQMYLd5AL27KzqG-J4Y9h4Iv97uOgEA5xkd9fYPd6nvWcq9xQVyxYWiaSdnNNoX1VsaMg_rIb7BscbKFdOv4/s1600-h/IMG_0453.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfF6ttb5Xkl0fcgLoOfJugKlejMVzV-VNrH-ZcouIq9Dj4YOdLmP5dk_aUQMYLd5AL27KzqG-J4Y9h4Iv97uOgEA5xkd9fYPd6nvWcq9xQVyxYWiaSdnNNoX1VsaMg_rIb7BscbKFdOv4/s320/IMG_0453.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430350905018069554" border="0" /></a><br />They looked good though, I can vouch for that. Golden, crispy crust. Oh, and delicious. That's some good fish. I caught a bunch of mahi (formerly known as dolphin) down in the keys years ago. It was a blast. We spotted a school underneath a mat of seaweed. Our guide could see them racing out to the lure we were trolling. Right on cue one hit and we were off. The technique is to always keep one fish on the line while you cast for the others. There are a couple of theories as to why the fish will stick around their ensnared buddy. One is that the smell of blood coming from the hooked fish keeps them around. The other is that the hooked fish's behavior excites them. At any rate, we kept one in the water the whole time and limited out in no time. They were fun to catch, beautiful to look at and awesome on the plate.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pKE9Z_FAIZkt_IWeXreHMwamGcTHQ3pxwSvi8PxuzLCGXN113wcU08i2rMHU2Gfepp7RxpXGC39lmkSgA4zPMHkQ1eLwT4bnpt96rIyHk-gilWYQkA1yNCK9yCC4MLVczYdCeIy-Rrlf/s1600-h/IMG_0447.jpg"><br /></a>Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-33118097978250836642010-01-24T08:14:00.001-08:002010-01-24T08:28:42.555-08:00Weird Japanese Snack #10Kameda Age Ichiban Rice Crackers! A substantial, festive bag of what looks like toasted balls of rice. I thought I'd try these as I needed something to take the edge off my appetite while I prepared some oysters casino. You can see the pepper and onion browning in the saucepan to the upper left.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9ecQNK-b2N9RsC5tLSNQ6WQD0kUBCiw8yd3GsZ9R7zqQKRoyu9gQTEkeoXHiZFRreGUomdyYmrtVhUK1neoNKpNTPny9iM2MWehtC7lg3kjHH7haMvmBrR7NL8MeLrboHnU0az8hQMhz/s1600-h/IMG_0460.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9ecQNK-b2N9RsC5tLSNQ6WQD0kUBCiw8yd3GsZ9R7zqQKRoyu9gQTEkeoXHiZFRreGUomdyYmrtVhUK1neoNKpNTPny9iM2MWehtC7lg3kjHH7haMvmBrR7NL8MeLrboHnU0az8hQMhz/s320/IMG_0460.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430340876023495026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg9mu7-0rB4BLELNBtAlIgweXw9-R3RpgXH06kyslCnwE2KIjRncm1SHjuEikGdc3PZylGzWG37XPd1uN8FTU8thAh66X8gUiCP9CktIh82sPLFEV0UN7swDHcbTK5riMWIYVBA8JNOQg/s1600-h/IMG_0462.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg9mu7-0rB4BLELNBtAlIgweXw9-R3RpgXH06kyslCnwE2KIjRncm1SHjuEikGdc3PZylGzWG37XPd1uN8FTU8thAh66X8gUiCP9CktIh82sPLFEV0UN7swDHcbTK5riMWIYVBA8JNOQg/s320/IMG_0462.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430340881402918210" border="0" /></a><br />First surprise, they're individually wrapped. The Japanese are regularly accused of excessive, pointless over-packaging. Guilty!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyttmRFXTnFUBDql1j5sYOwunFOG_elIgiVcHRcreJUDvOvfWYyspXIRKTjXB_CWNIE6moibFtgIMwMjlC8ervlTefL73YgJb6oyjGuxcEnIZUWHJaxrfdhy3ctVQDhNB1aRnfFv2jl_rj/s1600-h/IMG_0467.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpMUdipfZQBSoUvP8C11muK5CsTliBSwA_tmCBim2KXYVbKHtZenaae4rN6yZm_k2sSdRlAUOJ3uTPP8mhJXJzJoUMGTrq5G-NvLi-dwMqlbU70WQhySqsRhBvwYrvqA-oKev7A3AcIxe/s1600-h/IMG_0463.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpMUdipfZQBSoUvP8C11muK5CsTliBSwA_tmCBim2KXYVbKHtZenaae4rN6yZm_k2sSdRlAUOJ3uTPP8mhJXJzJoUMGTrq5G-NvLi-dwMqlbU70WQhySqsRhBvwYrvqA-oKev7A3AcIxe/s320/IMG_0463.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430340887018943714" border="0" /></a><br />They're convex little saucers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyttmRFXTnFUBDql1j5sYOwunFOG_elIgiVcHRcreJUDvOvfWYyspXIRKTjXB_CWNIE6moibFtgIMwMjlC8ervlTefL73YgJb6oyjGuxcEnIZUWHJaxrfdhy3ctVQDhNB1aRnfFv2jl_rj/s1600-h/IMG_0467.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyttmRFXTnFUBDql1j5sYOwunFOG_elIgiVcHRcreJUDvOvfWYyspXIRKTjXB_CWNIE6moibFtgIMwMjlC8ervlTefL73YgJb6oyjGuxcEnIZUWHJaxrfdhy3ctVQDhNB1aRnfFv2jl_rj/s320/IMG_0467.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430340889513752850" border="0" /></a><br />Time for a bite.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvLcr5MleQtDLomDGgEu7p-BkSkY935R193ie2i1HqbiUT0wf_3Xiw-6Y1LQY8l6apfl6ID0vCTkDrcEHuCyq99q91h6zV5r0ooSnLGZfJhbRTh7ialf_Nqpdsep8_YY29Q7SKDyJ4zrP/s1600-h/IMG_0468.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvLcr5MleQtDLomDGgEu7p-BkSkY935R193ie2i1HqbiUT0wf_3Xiw-6Y1LQY8l6apfl6ID0vCTkDrcEHuCyq99q91h6zV5r0ooSnLGZfJhbRTh7ialf_Nqpdsep8_YY29Q7SKDyJ4zrP/s320/IMG_0468.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430340889854173426" border="0" /></a><br />You know what? These are great! They have a really appealing light, crunchy texture with a slightly sweet, slightly savory flavor. Had to resist the urge to eat the entire bag. Well done Kameda!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg9mu7-0rB4BLELNBtAlIgweXw9-R3RpgXH06kyslCnwE2KIjRncm1SHjuEikGdc3PZylGzWG37XPd1uN8FTU8thAh66X8gUiCP9CktIh82sPLFEV0UN7swDHcbTK5riMWIYVBA8JNOQg/s1600-h/IMG_0462.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9ecQNK-b2N9RsC5tLSNQ6WQD0kUBCiw8yd3GsZ9R7zqQKRoyu9gQTEkeoXHiZFRreGUomdyYmrtVhUK1neoNKpNTPny9iM2MWehtC7lg3kjHH7haMvmBrR7NL8MeLrboHnU0az8hQMhz/s1600-h/IMG_0460.jpg"><br /></a>Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-74890630298616870462010-01-03T12:55:00.000-08:002010-01-03T13:17:08.456-08:00Japanese CurryIn an earlier post (click <a href="http://islandeating.blogspot.com/2009/10/maruichi-market.html">here</a>) about the Maruichi Market I showed the Japanese curry mixes. Curry from Japan is a bit different from curry from India. It is a bit sweeter and, well, savory. It is very popular in Japan and I, rather sheepishly, have to admit I had never tried it. That changed last week. Finally got new batteries for my camera so the story can be told......<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Kyh5rf2gIrFldovR6lcCAuF4qUQyd6Vrv2BQhdMYh4bBtOq6h0-a2V6PxaldhdM_31NqBZCkoGQMTh8K70EVdjAPAH29V6ydls1rGpxu7RVrn4dpnd_KxdQV4dFtkPyddNAwe_IiIzc1/s1600-h/IMG_0440.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Kyh5rf2gIrFldovR6lcCAuF4qUQyd6Vrv2BQhdMYh4bBtOq6h0-a2V6PxaldhdM_31NqBZCkoGQMTh8K70EVdjAPAH29V6ydls1rGpxu7RVrn4dpnd_KxdQV4dFtkPyddNAwe_IiIzc1/s320/IMG_0440.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422621199175274530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I chose medium hot, see blurry photos below, and, to be honest, it wasn't hot at all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtsAqIHvmGMGfrvDBdvWqsxDmX_k-izdiXYZ9Vs8iAAlD2J0wm4qCN1gagG74nWU_yD1u4d3GPTe-poWSmun3X6UnD_RDTMIf4ZlL7mrRjCuWZ60brtzG4hexzWRYT1Bq-qD4rY-0lR9o/s1600-h/IMG_0442.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtsAqIHvmGMGfrvDBdvWqsxDmX_k-izdiXYZ9Vs8iAAlD2J0wm4qCN1gagG74nWU_yD1u4d3GPTe-poWSmun3X6UnD_RDTMIf4ZlL7mrRjCuWZ60brtzG4hexzWRYT1Bq-qD4rY-0lR9o/s320/IMG_0442.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422621206890564562" border="0" /></a><br />I had given the ingredients a cursory review and thought I only needed a pound of beef. Got home and realized I need two....quick trip to the grocery store. I used a pound of chuck and a pound of sirloin tip, I think.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFJTBAdI3p003S5oYgZ2zgQD9_OlqB9H5q7-Eq4318-bfDzG6fbD_gL6G2zwcpMx_3oea9VhFos9_ka6sc0XnfVy0WKkjW-lybdwz4fFsicNMRY94jv6hsiuMrzEDTMYzu6Z7o7inJxCP/s1600-h/IMG_0444.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFJTBAdI3p003S5oYgZ2zgQD9_OlqB9H5q7-Eq4318-bfDzG6fbD_gL6G2zwcpMx_3oea9VhFos9_ka6sc0XnfVy0WKkjW-lybdwz4fFsicNMRY94jv6hsiuMrzEDTMYzu6Z7o7inJxCP/s320/IMG_0444.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422621211695402322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Cubed and ready to be browned.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoXODHcXapLLj7dt8ZoFRsDUQyvI_AmHt1b_4BTdyGNSSDruvqsDYWmXQ12qhmpg5UCGeq5SJ-zJ1BScx8k19SV7orM3OLm7y9fF0-slBfpw0Hc5vM76NZv0OOI_OUVfqdC4mzJbh1fR6/s1600-h/IMG_0445.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoXODHcXapLLj7dt8ZoFRsDUQyvI_AmHt1b_4BTdyGNSSDruvqsDYWmXQ12qhmpg5UCGeq5SJ-zJ1BScx8k19SV7orM3OLm7y9fF0-slBfpw0Hc5vM76NZv0OOI_OUVfqdC4mzJbh1fR6/s320/IMG_0445.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422621215987919666" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's where the phone died. iPhone photos from here on out. Peas were my little tweak on this recipe.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKySdunS3xacMN-Cw2rktQAPiafjhyphenhyphenfYIRPdVKxiFxTiSW5vinLB7CHL3_9qtV78m6ADd6sMNCRGGRGAD9wIPNfRtDfSqBdqYWdBBjmJjsCYAcxnT7st6B2CHCIvbG9uvwK_0w-G3NmBb/s1600-h/veg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKySdunS3xacMN-Cw2rktQAPiafjhyphenhyphenfYIRPdVKxiFxTiSW5vinLB7CHL3_9qtV78m6ADd6sMNCRGGRGAD9wIPNfRtDfSqBdqYWdBBjmJjsCYAcxnT7st6B2CHCIvbG9uvwK_0w-G3NmBb/s320/veg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422622897416771490" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, following the directions on the back (natch), the recipe called for six, yes six, cups of water! I soon discovered that I could have made only half this much and still would have enough curry for a week. Below you will see that there are two containers for the curry base. For some reason, the manufacturers want you to burn through both packages the first time you make this as I can't see anyone ever making the full, double barrel recipe again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzRln4nLVXQhi5eglDDE_tG1krxkA4KhLsviIcRl0B3rGQjWNWbdegsJVU51A-hDKbv0cYtZkn_JrMhFf79q8LVB_bNhwvaFbySeOdXYc22RZePPRJ1IS-mKh2iqReQ12Ib6KJKJP90iW/s1600-h/package.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzRln4nLVXQhi5eglDDE_tG1krxkA4KhLsviIcRl0B3rGQjWNWbdegsJVU51A-hDKbv0cYtZkn_JrMhFf79q8LVB_bNhwvaFbySeOdXYc22RZePPRJ1IS-mKh2iqReQ12Ib6KJKJP90iW/s320/package.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422622892849729954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The curry base looked a lot like, no, exactly like milk chocolate.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozWNfms8wdOdx1LBTbOoR1oXxCTnDHE9sToe7anqv__2dF3YftJKFpzQ2RrUzGKSKiY5g8Q5yH-u6HmwaMXDyigiljjV1qHjpcT-vpdzH6R-M_klyKUQ-K8nOvd0BgroiVy2I1ZRJsfKO/s1600-h/justlikechocolate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozWNfms8wdOdx1LBTbOoR1oXxCTnDHE9sToe7anqv__2dF3YftJKFpzQ2RrUzGKSKiY5g8Q5yH-u6HmwaMXDyigiljjV1qHjpcT-vpdzH6R-M_klyKUQ-K8nOvd0BgroiVy2I1ZRJsfKO/s320/justlikechocolate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422622889963525586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Browning the beef and the veg........<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQXlqJOmh45eS5z47iQ8GwEuIG2_FO-xGVW8yg34QK8FmhgV5hStwt0tI-p7dYnX-Y3lluNQf82nUwUqum9V_U-kdgC4nIjRztVtHjwn3V0mW8jQy4Mi98zCPUiu-bGKutDSR9gn3HT-L/s1600-h/inthepot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQXlqJOmh45eS5z47iQ8GwEuIG2_FO-xGVW8yg34QK8FmhgV5hStwt0tI-p7dYnX-Y3lluNQf82nUwUqum9V_U-kdgC4nIjRztVtHjwn3V0mW8jQy4Mi98zCPUiu-bGKutDSR9gn3HT-L/s320/inthepot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422622885279755810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Below, the finished curry presented with a big side of basmati rice. Compare to the cover. Pretty close, huh? At any rate, this stuff rocked. Next time I'm getting the hot though....good, good, good. Highly recommend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpirUqa62J8sywD6iYpIAnvPnWm3jGZBGMjsO6xXHoYMr2l1C4xSBSZ9qDLlEkeIT4TQRHUHXKF0KJa8j_5hyphenhyphen7Tc9yIzvAUihemNNS_v7NedQhXI0y9zBr__rjVthEj36YAXgHZ6JYxpa/s1600-h/bowlofcurry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpirUqa62J8sywD6iYpIAnvPnWm3jGZBGMjsO6xXHoYMr2l1C4xSBSZ9qDLlEkeIT4TQRHUHXKF0KJa8j_5hyphenhyphen7Tc9yIzvAUihemNNS_v7NedQhXI0y9zBr__rjVthEj36YAXgHZ6JYxpa/s320/bowlofcurry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422622878896056370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Kyh5rf2gIrFldovR6lcCAuF4qUQyd6Vrv2BQhdMYh4bBtOq6h0-a2V6PxaldhdM_31NqBZCkoGQMTh8K70EVdjAPAH29V6ydls1rGpxu7RVrn4dpnd_KxdQV4dFtkPyddNAwe_IiIzc1/s1600-h/IMG_0440.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Kyh5rf2gIrFldovR6lcCAuF4qUQyd6Vrv2BQhdMYh4bBtOq6h0-a2V6PxaldhdM_31NqBZCkoGQMTh8K70EVdjAPAH29V6ydls1rGpxu7RVrn4dpnd_KxdQV4dFtkPyddNAwe_IiIzc1/s320/IMG_0440.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422621199175274530" border="0" /></a>Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-26604897329974943172009-12-12T13:15:00.000-08:002009-12-13T09:52:58.739-08:00Weird Japanese, wait, Korean Snack #9I had finished my lunch yesterday when I felt like having some potato chips. Specifically salt and vinegar. Well, the thought of getting up and taking the elevator down to the convenience store was daunting. Only one elevator was working so the possibility of getting stuck with someone I'd have to make work-related small talk with was uninviting. Then I remembered the Weird Japanese Snack larder right next to me. Jack pot! These, as you may or may not be able to tell are from Korea, Japan's closest rival in the off-the-wall snacks stakes. Kankuro looks on in anticipation......<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyoCHMSHbboZ4I1MpRvjbk7rIRzEdayo-gRvOC6pHz2BesgzgjtBrBDyU-WKHCPtt9TDC_WMYCGrnaXDTgzUdo4x2ybPROe3ziHu05AEuZT0tGa5DcGiCMFJBI3tY1sRLHTH6Fr8hV9qW/s1600-h/IMG_0436.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyoCHMSHbboZ4I1MpRvjbk7rIRzEdayo-gRvOC6pHz2BesgzgjtBrBDyU-WKHCPtt9TDC_WMYCGrnaXDTgzUdo4x2ybPROe3ziHu05AEuZT0tGa5DcGiCMFJBI3tY1sRLHTH6Fr8hV9qW/s320/IMG_0436.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414461984737620674" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These only cost 1,000 won. Wow, pretty cheap! Or really expensive. I have no idea how much a won is worth....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6f3fQMWT9GLM0SFax6W1clLctKXnI9EsRO1ZcLzBkJWHzC7KDvyke2YI42KBYuVlWg7NEYxt4n9SMY3QFXO3Bd_Dfv_hKo_Ed1CeTAAQfqUB_1gSP4vC3cVDkhw0rfrEepCKbCvc-_P26/s1600-h/IMG_0437.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6f3fQMWT9GLM0SFax6W1clLctKXnI9EsRO1ZcLzBkJWHzC7KDvyke2YI42KBYuVlWg7NEYxt4n9SMY3QFXO3Bd_Dfv_hKo_Ed1CeTAAQfqUB_1gSP4vC3cVDkhw0rfrEepCKbCvc-_P26/s320/IMG_0437.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414461976713448098" border="0" /></a><br />They listed mackerel powder as one of the ingredients. Last time I had a <a href="http://islandeating.blogspot.com/2009/11/blog-post.html">Korean snack</a> things didn't turn out so well. Upon opening this bag, however, unlike last time, there was only a mild fishy smell. Not appalling but not appealing either. Kankuro is transfixed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpHkvQMr2nyWf__Jst5GjDaofxwpTc-lM4JGxIMl39p6hKloFkzG1IKjtRcnfhcogiSqamI0kUB3dCvVPxAJg3PlaOjmvrGwVm0_gvMsFRUAGQTCSh0tjyyZnLzIUpKHID0cu1tXRLPtZ/s1600-h/IMG_0438.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpHkvQMr2nyWf__Jst5GjDaofxwpTc-lM4JGxIMl39p6hKloFkzG1IKjtRcnfhcogiSqamI0kUB3dCvVPxAJg3PlaOjmvrGwVm0_gvMsFRUAGQTCSh0tjyyZnLzIUpKHID0cu1tXRLPtZ/s320/IMG_0438.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414461975555347346" border="0" /></a><br />Screw it, I'm goin' in...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJ2UOZqofMb-Q5MQmcsBkDO5k7L_FwFekZjML4qfivbBL8aHJl-K_LAspMhNAlfVyaWxyos1TGSkXvbo1AQepJfPJxuWuHprNa5kNmZi-plqm-yfuZkgmkx-XE3atTYmCMuFKiFhe5X5F/s1600-h/IMG_0439.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJ2UOZqofMb-Q5MQmcsBkDO5k7L_FwFekZjML4qfivbBL8aHJl-K_LAspMhNAlfVyaWxyos1TGSkXvbo1AQepJfPJxuWuHprNa5kNmZi-plqm-yfuZkgmkx-XE3atTYmCMuFKiFhe5X5F/s320/IMG_0439.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414461968032612818" border="0" /></a><br />They came in these completely weird but, apparently, symbolic shapes. My best guess? Upper left: squid. Center top: fish. Upper right: whale. Lower left: Gary from Spongebob? Bottom center: starfish. Bottom right: that's either a puffer fish, lips, or a distorted fish shape from top center. The flavor? A slightly sweet coating, which seems to be real common with these, and a not unpleasant, slightly seafoody taste. I actually plowed through a goodly part of the bag. Nice one. This goes in the win column.......Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-72732961261285892662009-12-12T12:25:00.000-08:002009-12-13T10:00:59.518-08:00A man and his blog.On my trip to <a href="http://islandeating.blogspot.com/2009/10/fort-lauderdale.html">Florida</a> in August, one of my fellow travelers was old high school buddy Craig. Below, you can see him as he studies the selection of deli meats at the Publix in Coral Ridge Mall. (See Craig, I'm respecting your anonymity....)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VMMzXH38vgt-04qce4oVhtFrY8BmbnyoSAb7Gc3V-gjFV0U4IcDBwGDAikbRzdUD1yzlwZL03jDtM7C_-3Y_NXgvBIFXbvDK2NeOJ-5l6gO8qXkEFGxjNR-CfFA5cF5-FNP7UIsqW_kT/s1600-h/IMG_0108.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VMMzXH38vgt-04qce4oVhtFrY8BmbnyoSAb7Gc3V-gjFV0U4IcDBwGDAikbRzdUD1yzlwZL03jDtM7C_-3Y_NXgvBIFXbvDK2NeOJ-5l6gO8qXkEFGxjNR-CfFA5cF5-FNP7UIsqW_kT/s320/IMG_0108.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414449794639906162" border="0" /></a><br />And another. Craig rented the van and was insistent that he drive it. That suited the rest of us as, well, after a visit to the beach bar Craig, (a comparatively light drinker) would have been the logical choice anyways. He actually likes driving. Me, um, no. One of the gang, Luther I think it was, wanted to rent a convertible. Firstly, six grown men aren't going to fit in a Chrysler Sebring. Secondly, Sebring's are dorky. And thirdly, even if we did fit and even if a Sebring in some alternate reality was cool, we'd still look like the stars of a commercial for men with prostate problems......<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dVmYcTgmoD_uKvWkDZGSvWt2EhZ_2I7RPIh569ZLo5PRuptHY4fvbH0yY_NLGRIumfwpkJd5Mr_Es5wjK9vph-ZGLN3baoRubHPKvzbckEYAfTUErbt0JXwcE1ayD08U9ke0kh69SiZB/s1600-h/IMG_0103.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dVmYcTgmoD_uKvWkDZGSvWt2EhZ_2I7RPIh569ZLo5PRuptHY4fvbH0yY_NLGRIumfwpkJd5Mr_Es5wjK9vph-ZGLN3baoRubHPKvzbckEYAfTUErbt0JXwcE1ayD08U9ke0kh69SiZB/s320/IMG_0103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414449790214802802" border="0" /></a><br />I know many, many funny people. Craig, when he's on, which is often, rockets to the top of the list. He's also extremely and entertainingly sanctimonious. One rule with Craig is, "Respect my meal times or there's gonna be trouble.." As a result, whenever possible, we completely disrespect his meal times.<br /><br />He has gotten several letters to the Washington Post published over the last few years. To us, that pretty much makes him a published author. As a result of these successes, Craig began a blog self-reverently named "<a href="http://makessensetocraig.blogspot.com/">Makes Sense to Craig</a>". You can see his cherubic face there. His latest entry on the well worn topic of the commercialization of Christmas is pretty darn funny. If you can't experience him live, this is the next best thing......<br /><br />Craig was in the Navy for nigh on two decades. Amongst the many stories and characters he's told us about over the years, the lady of the evening in Naples, Italy known as "Humpty Dumpty" (She used to sit on a wall. Get it?) being a personal fave, there's a story involving the Sapporo beer garden in Tokyo, plumbing, clothing, and Mongolian hot pot that I would dearly love to recount. However, I don't want my blog pulled for inappropriate content. Here's to you Super!Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-24724585306190715642009-12-12T11:43:00.001-08:002009-12-13T10:02:22.734-08:00Weird Japanese Snack #8Alrighty, slightly better pictures as I brought me camera to work...... This one is kind of confusing. It looks like it's going to be, well, maybe like a milk ball. The stuff on the right is brown sugar apparently. Coffee locked and loaded in case this lends itself to that sort of combo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wttbK1vqnvT_Py90L_AFw9vAWg60dG28KeeFpVfsKaqpU7LFbTpMceDbzT9SmAtZWkWj6M-7V2aIW3cC3aazzy5RTcPzbm5tAx19ydCBEm9iuqymM1C-RW2bjihKzGbo9V8rjZF_BX8u/s1600-h/IMG_0427.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wttbK1vqnvT_Py90L_AFw9vAWg60dG28KeeFpVfsKaqpU7LFbTpMceDbzT9SmAtZWkWj6M-7V2aIW3cC3aazzy5RTcPzbm5tAx19ydCBEm9iuqymM1C-RW2bjihKzGbo9V8rjZF_BX8u/s320/IMG_0427.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414438166675908626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />You can see there is an inner honeycomb sort of structure, thus the milk ball suspicion.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMI4Krd4vVnNisNv5K6vNSJxHPIjuSJeiRKdXTlhIR4qq7XWNYeVI5fuARFsculM0c3hz8SmFpxoXkFcksf4UOOCb2bUo_xdhp1rrO1pwnt2Zwq9rZMywjOpFFLbFI5KmsAY5RYNeiBMpj/s1600-h/IMG_0428.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMI4Krd4vVnNisNv5K6vNSJxHPIjuSJeiRKdXTlhIR4qq7XWNYeVI5fuARFsculM0c3hz8SmFpxoXkFcksf4UOOCb2bUo_xdhp1rrO1pwnt2Zwq9rZMywjOpFFLbFI5KmsAY5RYNeiBMpj/s320/IMG_0428.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414438170721088978" border="0" /></a><br />See, they even have it again on the back. Apparently this is the big sell for this sweet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DCCi4_1qdBLSn6ZXQaiZucXiyWYIbvApluvE1Jy5lnU6ezd0pFBbcRj5785sAS-LR_RBCyQT6uZSqKL0a28Z7__NUkSEUZkr7am2Y5ksaurUmz0j913VaGHpjnfNwzXbTisJzS89Iloh/s1600-h/IMG_0432.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DCCi4_1qdBLSn6ZXQaiZucXiyWYIbvApluvE1Jy5lnU6ezd0pFBbcRj5785sAS-LR_RBCyQT6uZSqKL0a28Z7__NUkSEUZkr7am2Y5ksaurUmz0j913VaGHpjnfNwzXbTisJzS89Iloh/s320/IMG_0432.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414438177479455714" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, first surprise, they're individually wrapped.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwecAhN1mrgR9Jf5pgSepjHk5Sd3MsDTLIQzn6LIds2Bp5jnJUCENFDkHfldnqLim9HX6Z-xV3vsvvOCNGjRquv2r0nteKFvm7wwSNayiwUPt17zNkW0E03Kt4Kf17sNrqGrS3R07-IuxD/s1600-h/IMG_0434.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwecAhN1mrgR9Jf5pgSepjHk5Sd3MsDTLIQzn6LIds2Bp5jnJUCENFDkHfldnqLim9HX6Z-xV3vsvvOCNGjRquv2r0nteKFvm7wwSNayiwUPt17zNkW0E03Kt4Kf17sNrqGrS3R07-IuxD/s320/IMG_0434.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414438178498302450" border="0" /></a><br />Well, it turns out they are hard candies, not unlike cough drops.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzqtwoXYStxLdIM4Nx7f9l9F8S4zbed_OYc7Edyry0_AHWc_5e0xLR9E-P-HYCLdl_kPWGBl5_dQmAO4GCgEWNqULFnZlWd-6gH4rrGmLk-htgWhRIFz8GZdIxqRVnd4Yx7AZPCY7sGu2/s1600-h/IMG_0435.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzqtwoXYStxLdIM4Nx7f9l9F8S4zbed_OYc7Edyry0_AHWc_5e0xLR9E-P-HYCLdl_kPWGBl5_dQmAO4GCgEWNqULFnZlWd-6gH4rrGmLk-htgWhRIFz8GZdIxqRVnd4Yx7AZPCY7sGu2/s320/IMG_0435.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414438190583821346" border="0" /></a><br />Dr. Terry described the taste as "molasses-like". That pretty much described it. Almost a hint of licorice. There was a center of some brown sugar. Not very imaginative, to be honest. The packaging promised something a little more kooky. Still, not bad if you're a hard candy fan. I'm not.Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-18678494617822344832009-12-08T18:11:00.000-08:002009-12-08T18:47:14.238-08:00Ichiraku Ramen!That was another nerdy Naruto reference. What's worse is I don't even think I have the name of the ramen shop right. Anyway....ramen is a great autumn food, obviously. I had some pork loin I had seared and roasted earlier in the week. The glaze was simply coarse ground French mustard and vinegar. Works a treat. Perfect. Anyway, slivers of that, some tofu, some scallions, some dumplings...well, you get the idea. Loverly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddrLbVJ-azzpdF-CdgjAk__rklGkd0JQND5Pe_sOJaHBTWMTNF1d6QHreUz9SQLqxagFf8JcBXhd1vuvdb6pn4br7C22I0Q40pjzWSm2MUtpgvRW3_aWPOyh1OmXPC2DiNQOgBJkqGhrz/s1600-h/IMG_0417.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddrLbVJ-azzpdF-CdgjAk__rklGkd0JQND5Pe_sOJaHBTWMTNF1d6QHreUz9SQLqxagFf8JcBXhd1vuvdb6pn4br7C22I0Q40pjzWSm2MUtpgvRW3_aWPOyh1OmXPC2DiNQOgBJkqGhrz/s320/IMG_0417.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413054527715384178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yeah, those look a little past their prime. However, they are of the onion family and, as we all know, peeling them back.....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfy37RRgzNgyUM4X-36W_7M-6kOyQAVcNTH3DLlJxkdNjHlQDxRhprqF1qxRpJ-k3pbYqYTPToe7gaPmaKxNoHpeYLJMtmXm-qAgq7ZBGeGFF0wgSb2yqLNNfTc9E64XEBxp06y4OcG_u/s1600-h/IMG_0418.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfy37RRgzNgyUM4X-36W_7M-6kOyQAVcNTH3DLlJxkdNjHlQDxRhprqF1qxRpJ-k3pbYqYTPToe7gaPmaKxNoHpeYLJMtmXm-qAgq7ZBGeGFF0wgSb2yqLNNfTc9E64XEBxp06y4OcG_u/s320/IMG_0418.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413054528897960850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tofu chunks! Tofu is so strangely great that, well, I dunno Google it. I know everyone knows what tofu is but, read on.... (not here, on what you get when you Google)....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vzrYNeemNpvUftSIXBa9_dTSJeRR2w22U56efpO97Bhyb5YWF-NdpKq8FAW-rUm9gyybiZZjGO1jKWvvLdpsE0BiS__fjMlxtNE2DU3PydoUtFoGSFt5LiQRDDyuYFJ_EjRoJtmvRX9K/s1600-h/IMG_0413.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vzrYNeemNpvUftSIXBa9_dTSJeRR2w22U56efpO97Bhyb5YWF-NdpKq8FAW-rUm9gyybiZZjGO1jKWvvLdpsE0BiS__fjMlxtNE2DU3PydoUtFoGSFt5LiQRDDyuYFJ_EjRoJtmvRX9K/s320/IMG_0413.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413054274573035202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Health, health, health.....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBtn1NYhZQccyanNzkwv4ChwZ-KxVf-06DyseyiSMeallPC14iacN72KvV0AnavdwFjvn6CrqkMR8aMUIjXTwmpweEBYaAjI0np9BQhxd09oa2YyG-SpM5Z6oal06baby6FeQB5wX7TCZ/s1600-h/IMG_0414.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBtn1NYhZQccyanNzkwv4ChwZ-KxVf-06DyseyiSMeallPC14iacN72KvV0AnavdwFjvn6CrqkMR8aMUIjXTwmpweEBYaAjI0np9BQhxd09oa2YyG-SpM5Z6oal06baby6FeQB5wX7TCZ/s320/IMG_0414.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413054282872102802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Super chunky........<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aAOsOmd2gMESgwpvCudXsanip0o6NI2nHO38GnUyGelaqxBdGWFOpLjGYcthUuLj62rm3GVWeO3v9-rxNFAK4gFBbnWTP6l5O7ZomwxoFADQ9CIz2zQ-9vRiyiL6L4euaTC-WA9aKTPs/s1600-h/IMG_0415.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aAOsOmd2gMESgwpvCudXsanip0o6NI2nHO38GnUyGelaqxBdGWFOpLjGYcthUuLj62rm3GVWeO3v9-rxNFAK4gFBbnWTP6l5O7ZomwxoFADQ9CIz2zQ-9vRiyiL6L4euaTC-WA9aKTPs/s320/IMG_0415.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413054284955713378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Alrighty, here comes the meat......<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_JaNMonWDh7x5OeaVegg8VwHsP2J2uitVwI17OBeCM4NN5o0eOLiEP3S_p7_vLx_VkoDywYkjTt3E03GhPK44J6ITgvZPFDoFjtSrOkAzR2lJQ_ttbDErfWRiaFKfdyLJtCuCJDSczA5/s1600-h/IMG_0422.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_JaNMonWDh7x5OeaVegg8VwHsP2J2uitVwI17OBeCM4NN5o0eOLiEP3S_p7_vLx_VkoDywYkjTt3E03GhPK44J6ITgvZPFDoFjtSrOkAzR2lJQ_ttbDErfWRiaFKfdyLJtCuCJDSczA5/s320/IMG_0422.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413054532551062994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Below the gyoza. I think there was a thing in Japan last year where this brand, which is sourced from China on the other side of the Pacific, had some weird, gulp, pesticide issue.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyDfnMYnJiCXx59hsUinaPI-Ae3W44t38I9A_VFLwRZPNaQ57JYoJRvgun35yzFdEUXdt_qnUplMXbSq2Yb9QgMKLFV-rvw_g7Rbu3o8CZsJ-8uH9mF35nyycC4oHTUn8nlzztiR42vnI/s1600-h/IMG_0416.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyDfnMYnJiCXx59hsUinaPI-Ae3W44t38I9A_VFLwRZPNaQ57JYoJRvgun35yzFdEUXdt_qnUplMXbSq2Yb9QgMKLFV-rvw_g7Rbu3o8CZsJ-8uH9mF35nyycC4oHTUn8nlzztiR42vnI/s320/IMG_0416.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413054517866914434" border="0" /></a><br />Yeah, they look like slugs. Tasty, tasty slugs.....filled with pork....and preservatives....and let us not forget.....love.......Oh. Okay. Below, the cast for my evening floor show. Asahi (more on that in a moment), big awesome bowl from Maruichi, dumplings, noodles, pork, etc. Places everyone, places!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vl_qdcY4ec-4S0KXj73SkUOUVGgrXqiMJgeeu9V_4x-42qusHGYCFiQwoxA7zIkF7-t4vToiTWkYwKzoNJnXZRqLJabXVwxb6JxYzRilGZLrPkEOb5Hn9hmkJBpAEIr3X9q0TlDWGrxq/s1600-h/IMG_0425.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vl_qdcY4ec-4S0KXj73SkUOUVGgrXqiMJgeeu9V_4x-42qusHGYCFiQwoxA7zIkF7-t4vToiTWkYwKzoNJnXZRqLJabXVwxb6JxYzRilGZLrPkEOb5Hn9hmkJBpAEIr3X9q0TlDWGrxq/s320/IMG_0425.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413054537620816354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQP0YcGSbhQ6U5b9ykNXiPHUuKdOdrV1cfJ4FOSTmGEER4lEEhhNK8t07vMy_2v_VSkhhZ4Pe1p-HqX82lOa2B4086y3-YlPGgFfWvdwltQlvoRZ0XESbF2qoLrJiz6NTG2-UJtS0sO5cV/s1600-h/IMG_0412.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQP0YcGSbhQ6U5b9ykNXiPHUuKdOdrV1cfJ4FOSTmGEER4lEEhhNK8t07vMy_2v_VSkhhZ4Pe1p-HqX82lOa2B4086y3-YlPGgFfWvdwltQlvoRZ0XESbF2qoLrJiz6NTG2-UJtS0sO5cV/s320/IMG_0412.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413054262915914850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Scot F. if you are reading....yes it was sooooo good. Not as good as the sushi place in Sunrise Plaza in Lauderdale, etc.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMhP3e5rp_29fkEmXaZ-i7Q9lxIURVdeozL_2f_4aHRngK0X_IvxUURjjbDnV4iRfHAfPRUEFi90lAfc1mxgthfOvcAKGhV_WKfmFhQmkbfhFZFvVJJ1hWlCY7DWIdWtZ-Qry4Oz7CaDO/s1600-h/IMG_0411.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMhP3e5rp_29fkEmXaZ-i7Q9lxIURVdeozL_2f_4aHRngK0X_IvxUURjjbDnV4iRfHAfPRUEFi90lAfc1mxgthfOvcAKGhV_WKfmFhQmkbfhFZFvVJJ1hWlCY7DWIdWtZ-Qry4Oz7CaDO/s320/IMG_0411.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413054269297752434" border="0" /></a><br />This close up isn't so bad. Lovely broth. I bolstered it with some dashi and soy sauce. Slept well that night, for a change.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1gwEZy8Kbsz1JE4BmXBLMZQH0-PCosmkX1XR6TJPBS9SMx5u0uAFLdUE1zzm_g5suB_F7w5soepRjxQYwRJzEqYPlsPo72xwuRZGDLBa4042Z4fe0Fxb11oAUDUkbCEUQqBwKL4UaDD8/s1600-h/IMG_0426.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1gwEZy8Kbsz1JE4BmXBLMZQH0-PCosmkX1XR6TJPBS9SMx5u0uAFLdUE1zzm_g5suB_F7w5soepRjxQYwRJzEqYPlsPo72xwuRZGDLBa4042Z4fe0Fxb11oAUDUkbCEUQqBwKL4UaDD8/s320/IMG_0426.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413059978099237138" border="0" /></a><br />Love Asahi beer. Well, the original is from the Far East. They cleverly got Molson Brewery up in the 51'st state (Canada) to contract and brew for them. If you're not careful you won't catch that your Asahi and Kirin are IMPORTED and covered with what looks like straight from Japan stuff. Sorry mates, brewed in Toronto. That's why they can advertise "Imported" so boldly. I, as a rule, buy Sapporo, all of their brew comes straight from Japan......Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-60127788724872691692009-12-05T13:13:00.000-08:002009-12-31T09:17:10.497-08:00Samosa follow-up...Okay, in an earlier post (you can find it <a href="http://islandeating.blogspot.com/2009/11/samosas.html">here</a>) I showed you the very tasty samosas I made. I neglected to show the rather tricky preparation, however, not this time! Lots of chopped ginger and onion. This picture was taken with the camera on the little "heart" symbol. Not too good.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnbQhHi7w-aqrZM01btM0tVIaE9gwRP5wzdPDgm24V1uq9LMJnW5HdaQLvpR9hduVZcgk7GqVCqzIWEyCxi8_X687OlqwUWBsrosvFkmTHq9-BlbnutuhqhP8CAL3tZE0Qta5ndK0HmwY/s1600-h/IMG_0317.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411864431002459170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnbQhHi7w-aqrZM01btM0tVIaE9gwRP5wzdPDgm24V1uq9LMJnW5HdaQLvpR9hduVZcgk7GqVCqzIWEyCxi8_X687OlqwUWBsrosvFkmTHq9-BlbnutuhqhP8CAL3tZE0Qta5ndK0HmwY/s320/IMG_0317.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Below, the ground chicken, onions and ginger softening up. This was taken with the camera on the "lampshade" setting. Maybe I should stick to that one.....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf11WcGfF6gUEKNPa2D_gDRsU8H0Ik2ejg0EztmuRGerS3tu5oeGr-oW07hYqZ35LnQ1og1WJD7HqXjd40DzzXBeGR7zw7MpndWz6yYsDjs_et5VaEEZ-l5byBOF_fptd05edFt_G6Sfn9/s1600-h/IMG_0318.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411864435554405874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf11WcGfF6gUEKNPa2D_gDRsU8H0Ik2ejg0EztmuRGerS3tu5oeGr-oW07hYqZ35LnQ1og1WJD7HqXjd40DzzXBeGR7zw7MpndWz6yYsDjs_et5VaEEZ-l5byBOF_fptd05edFt_G6Sfn9/s320/IMG_0318.jpg" border="0" /> </a><br />Here is the filling now with the spinach and chick peas added. I modified it ever so slightly and threw in some peas. Samosas without peas just doesn't seem right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-G-eeGxNbnmHADo6KoIZPxbkGAkIE4_mc8eRoAD8zWWdVhZM1lrYMzOXW-9AJhySgG6LABgAvETkyX_Xx-x-9lmm7u-WG950SzSX6EPWT8um562lkv6UhfGok9h6_JrctVnxF5XgdhCd/s1600-h/IMG_0319.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411864437247661714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-G-eeGxNbnmHADo6KoIZPxbkGAkIE4_mc8eRoAD8zWWdVhZM1lrYMzOXW-9AJhySgG6LABgAvETkyX_Xx-x-9lmm7u-WG950SzSX6EPWT8um562lkv6UhfGok9h6_JrctVnxF5XgdhCd/s320/IMG_0319.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />On to the dough. This is really, really easy to make and yet, I had some difficulty! Two cups of flour, six tablespoons of oil, and a teaspoon of salt. Put this in a food processor and then slowly add about six tablespoons of warm water until it balls up. Better to have a little too much water rather than not enough. I was a little flinty with the water and the dough was a little too tight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKUKqH0Oln3ecZU72TztlpxMK8Pk0BMrtteYIHHSDj6J4ivFvP9kZXnQuVUAzTXcrwZ9swSdxnRwnX7O3K7J689WOx-qLOyGNqlf_2VOWB6dkhWraDt7IzZC6IAn-ZI7BtPvDO9lWY5jf/s1600-h/IMG_0320.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411864425789354178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKUKqH0Oln3ecZU72TztlpxMK8Pk0BMrtteYIHHSDj6J4ivFvP9kZXnQuVUAzTXcrwZ9swSdxnRwnX7O3K7J689WOx-qLOyGNqlf_2VOWB6dkhWraDt7IzZC6IAn-ZI7BtPvDO9lWY5jf/s320/IMG_0320.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Cut the ball in half and then cut those in half again. Turn that little blob into another ball. Roll it out into something that resembles a circle...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhKiGTXznK-cvXiKdNUMyFmQCaFpf_1XLnxJUDCxb2JGxgknBJ3Hy-mMI4UHDK4LtAmMT7iVriHMIuQcNP8S1ctj5jbLdi9z4BqE0BOBNAX7y48lodZWTT6gb9YIr-7YU-AXm2Ir66qJE/s1600-h/IMG_0324.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411864253363027666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhKiGTXznK-cvXiKdNUMyFmQCaFpf_1XLnxJUDCxb2JGxgknBJ3Hy-mMI4UHDK4LtAmMT7iVriHMIuQcNP8S1ctj5jbLdi9z4BqE0BOBNAX7y48lodZWTT6gb9YIr-7YU-AXm2Ir66qJE/s320/IMG_0324.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Slice down the middle.....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixszZltHbj3srPHAEK_MgBHQRnIhxwErDXW4nqoKg269c8ITkUnRqQ6ggLTXk5Gq2NyRwrsOMP-knkYWzgqIHXpXaUsa68njx9Ijg_44YyRGuv5mP14Yh4emzGOiu61LNPH1b8lODIQYaZ/s1600-h/IMG_0321.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411864248710634370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixszZltHbj3srPHAEK_MgBHQRnIhxwErDXW4nqoKg269c8ITkUnRqQ6ggLTXk5Gq2NyRwrsOMP-knkYWzgqIHXpXaUsa68njx9Ijg_44YyRGuv5mP14Yh4emzGOiu61LNPH1b8lODIQYaZ/s320/IMG_0321.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's the tricky part. That reminds me of this goofy Fig Newtons commercial from the 70's. A guy is in a Fig Newton outfit singing some song about, obviously, Fig Newtons. As he's coming to the end, he says "Here's the tricky part!" and he sticks one leg out behind him and finishes the song. Funny. Come to think of it, Fig Newton is a weird name. I mean consider it on it's own. Fig Newton.<br /><br />Fig Newton.<br /><br />Fig<br /><br />Newton.<br /><br />Newton.<br /><br />Fig.<br /><br />fignewton<br /><br />Anyway, got side-tracked. Here's the little snow cone sort of thing you stuff with the filling.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDdcm0vlAPIxv6S9NH7Hd0Xqjhb-dG-AvIse8_LS6KWJmn57qhQp4WrfBj2DgqlBghwom3q4Xc7ft7J-Vj29WyJYFPk_uYEpVUm-So3F55y-o02vp6LMuTHJouzALki2XIX4PhdYwKKED/s1600-h/IMG_0322.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411864243337458130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDdcm0vlAPIxv6S9NH7Hd0Xqjhb-dG-AvIse8_LS6KWJmn57qhQp4WrfBj2DgqlBghwom3q4Xc7ft7J-Vj29WyJYFPk_uYEpVUm-So3F55y-o02vp6LMuTHJouzALki2XIX4PhdYwKKED/s320/IMG_0322.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, the dough in the background pulled focus. But you get the idea. Again, I left the setting the same as the better, I won't say good, photos above. Operator error, I know, but what?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGdPaj75I4i1NqvnjU_ZOdi7V_ATl-0gh2myKNWWARJC_w-dw8NKY0s7Rtddd9sZ7WLeXLeZjwEIy-faCVoGDp6kH29ebQSxAbbcXzas1b75dbz_lV_SFaql4k2et5VMaiIKjrdLMdJFn/s1600-h/IMG_0323.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411864241980173394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGdPaj75I4i1NqvnjU_ZOdi7V_ATl-0gh2myKNWWARJC_w-dw8NKY0s7Rtddd9sZ7WLeXLeZjwEIy-faCVoGDp6kH29ebQSxAbbcXzas1b75dbz_lV_SFaql4k2et5VMaiIKjrdLMdJFn/s320/IMG_0323.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Deep fry and you have an extremely satisfying, albeit, highly caloric treat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0q4RO2Mn6nAmkUdmzMLw2FLpDDvZ1yX5sVHFi0AZ_SJGYX8t6eCDWmm8qv8If7ZySGcwjY4uAccfQUC1FKYT2gXM905Mr36MEFgM27-xGM0cl4xuXx97V2z9Q0wR502rsjIYDXZNFWpv/s1600-h/IMG_0325.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411864235130850866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0q4RO2Mn6nAmkUdmzMLw2FLpDDvZ1yX5sVHFi0AZ_SJGYX8t6eCDWmm8qv8If7ZySGcwjY4uAccfQUC1FKYT2gXM905Mr36MEFgM27-xGM0cl4xuXx97V2z9Q0wR502rsjIYDXZNFWpv/s320/IMG_0325.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a title="Samosas on Foodista" href="http://www.foodista.com/recipe/62YSWW6G/samosas"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 300px; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; HEIGHT: 175px" alt="Samosas on Foodista" src="http://dyn.foodista.com/content/embed/b2_62YSWW6G_22864a006d5c3b1fc02312a378723b32b1533917.png?foodista_widget_7N4QHV7Q" /></a>Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3260673876902565051.post-55655283250224141472009-12-05T12:58:00.000-08:002009-12-05T13:11:33.342-08:00Weird Japanese Snack #7I'm way behind on these. Good Dr. Terry has been dutifully stocking my weird Japanese Snack larder and I have flagged. What's worse, I had a bunch I was gonna bring home and review this weekend (many with small, dried fish) but in my haste to flee the office yesterday (I was in a big hurry to rush out into traffic and sit still) I left them on my desk. However, I did have one that I tried week before last. Pretty standard strange snack.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnqAVjE6PC5iu6-5c3isYq1NQ85oGqDsnbi16ofQmBVKL1FZ7VBUtipoW7A9y2ia6WjH713v1OZXXxHgm589_Rc4wZEPYGBrphRD6UGJaEWFaDZGZ1RaKiHdrUmt0qLg2d4ISuPCW2TTf/s1600-h/IMG_0326.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnqAVjE6PC5iu6-5c3isYq1NQ85oGqDsnbi16ofQmBVKL1FZ7VBUtipoW7A9y2ia6WjH713v1OZXXxHgm589_Rc4wZEPYGBrphRD6UGJaEWFaDZGZ1RaKiHdrUmt0qLg2d4ISuPCW2TTf/s320/IMG_0326.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411860602199497858" border="0" /></a><br />Replete with loads of little dried fish....see photo...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pWnqOhz6fpk01cpJN1g-Wl-QIO3wl6gW3qxDf6HF8q2y_jpwmNAvKy7Gf4M_J172tJWZ9cqvZyIeh29QR4DbtRxnUER3pRkbRmh1z-xzZgloRjcydZ_XCH2SJXB33Ihq7fIX1M6FV9tE/s1600-h/IMG_0327.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pWnqOhz6fpk01cpJN1g-Wl-QIO3wl6gW3qxDf6HF8q2y_jpwmNAvKy7Gf4M_J172tJWZ9cqvZyIeh29QR4DbtRxnUER3pRkbRmh1z-xzZgloRjcydZ_XCH2SJXB33Ihq7fIX1M6FV9tE/s320/IMG_0327.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411860612773140178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I really have no business posting blurry photos. My camera has about 97 different settings all of them represented by symbols that have absolutely no meaning to me. I mean, what setting does three horizontal wavy lines mean? Or a heart? Or lampshade? Anyway, I don't know if you can see it but I was pretty let down by the paucity of little feeshes. The other bits were just sort of puffed rice shaped into little balls, some with pretend sea weed bands, peas, rice crackers, etc.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvSIKfA25rX3P3PVRwjMq-Ku3hF4L1XgnGA2VgoyClcPuIiktnbXGdxKlVidShHaa2pHHPAIWzyeWkwpDbYP0e9NBYxKMJuz_op-U_0LW-Uf22_rUsnePpNVOzeemU9yzuJH7RvHTSh3M/s1600-h/IMG_0328.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvSIKfA25rX3P3PVRwjMq-Ku3hF4L1XgnGA2VgoyClcPuIiktnbXGdxKlVidShHaa2pHHPAIWzyeWkwpDbYP0e9NBYxKMJuz_op-U_0LW-Uf22_rUsnePpNVOzeemU9yzuJH7RvHTSh3M/s320/IMG_0328.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411860611509011618" border="0" /></a><br />I went straight for a fish. They were very few and, to be honest, had very little flavor. Maybe the teensiest tang of the sea but that's it. Actually, the whole thing was pretty good tasting. Thumbs up for this one....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTG4WM6n2HimVy4JvUuje97N8w9lSNvYM8nSMYyfWfzPqM5vNgiydNdnd6SSQssyxovo95kL94NjKE26UK-Z-7tSLDdTduuF6mPyDrpL42Hk44KUpvHuK_gbEXWgSrcBJ50Xc8A8JO1o9/s1600-h/IMG_0329.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTG4WM6n2HimVy4JvUuje97N8w9lSNvYM8nSMYyfWfzPqM5vNgiydNdnd6SSQssyxovo95kL94NjKE26UK-Z-7tSLDdTduuF6mPyDrpL42Hk44KUpvHuK_gbEXWgSrcBJ50Xc8A8JO1o9/s320/IMG_0329.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411860621815659074" border="0" /></a>Kevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07901262867567970029noreply@blogger.com0