This Makes No Sense
I'm watching college hoops on CBS this afternoon and an ad for McDonalds wedges its way into one of the game's interstices. It seems that they're offering the "fillet-o-fish" sammich for 99¢. That's got to be a loss leader. If you really dislike the fast food giant, go there and order several of them. You'll cost 'em for each I imagine. That's just a side light though.
I remember as a lad, and a chubby cheeked, hale yute I was, that McDonalds was the franchise in fast food. My mother was quite fond of their fries and really, who wasn't? I thought the Big Mac, when it came out, was the best thing going in burgers (until I found the Whopper of course) and the fillet-o-fish was something unusual and good. O tempora! O mores! Times have changed. I have, at times when McD's was doing special promotions, ordered both the Big Mac and the FoF only to be sorely disappointed. Those things that were so wonderful when I was young are just nasty now. That's right, I said it: nasty.
Which leaves me with mixed emotions. First, good. I really (really!) don't need to be eating either of those menu items. I don't really need to be eating anything from that menu actually but we'll leave that aside as we contemplate the other side of the coin. It's sad because a fond memory of growing up has been perverted. (Sigh.) Ah well. If we live long enough, I suppose our dreams and memories will all be lost by the wayside.
One final though on the fillet-o-fish promotion. You can get a sandwich for a buck less a cent. And you can get a "meal" including medium fries and a drink for $3.99. So is a medium drink and fries really worth $3.00? Why not just get 3 of the damn sandwiches and have more food for less money?
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, June 05, 2009
New Stuff
My continuing quest to drain Amazon.com of all its goods continues apace. This week's edition: kitchen stuff. To wit: two half sheet pans. One sold by ReStockIt for about half the cost of the other from Next Day Gourmet. They are nominally not the same size which may be a plus as they nest together perfectly. They are also not nominally the same gauge but I recall that the shipping invoices (which I don't have in front of me) actually have them both as 13 gauge. The significant difference on first inspection is that the more expensive pan has its edge completely rolled over on itself. I can see that this will make a stronger pan. But I felt compelled to follow the dictum of my dear, departed father who said more than once, "If one is good, two are better." He wasn't a cook but he liked gadgets. Very much a guy that way.
All that being said, and I add at this point that up to this point I have had no cookie sheets on which to .... I was going to say "bake cookies" but it seemed too easy.
If anyone wonders why I opt for sheet pans instead of cookie sheets per se, I point the finger in the direction of the great Cook's Illustrated magazine which has determined that sheet pans are superior in performance to thin, warping cookie sheets. When the weather starts to chill down and I'm not running the AC, I'll start baking cookies of many kinds and really put that to the test. I remember my mother making an oatmeal raisin cookie which was mixed together in a Tupperware cake holder (upside down) as the mix had to absorb the oil that was used before the cookies could be made. I'd love to find that recipe in the mass of kitchen papers. And in later years we got a recipe for hermit cookies from a family friend. The link goes to recipes but I don't vouch for them; they're by way of illustration. I do believe that the hermits took first place in my cookie pantheon. I'm sure that recipe is in the stack. Definitely going to make those.
Oh, I also got a wire rack insert for the half sheet pan. It seems just so like something I've seen Alton Brown use on "Good Eats." How could I resist?
UPDATE: Please don't miss the potato chip cookie recipe in the comments. I realize my mistake in assaying anything about baking in the ken of the XMBD NMSE who, along with her mother are two of the world's finest non-professional bakers. But I am not such an old dog that I can't learn some new tricks.
My continuing quest to drain Amazon.com of all its goods continues apace. This week's edition: kitchen stuff. To wit: two half sheet pans. One sold by ReStockIt for about half the cost of the other from Next Day Gourmet. They are nominally not the same size which may be a plus as they nest together perfectly. They are also not nominally the same gauge but I recall that the shipping invoices (which I don't have in front of me) actually have them both as 13 gauge. The significant difference on first inspection is that the more expensive pan has its edge completely rolled over on itself. I can see that this will make a stronger pan. But I felt compelled to follow the dictum of my dear, departed father who said more than once, "If one is good, two are better." He wasn't a cook but he liked gadgets. Very much a guy that way.
All that being said, and I add at this point that up to this point I have had no cookie sheets on which to .... I was going to say "bake cookies" but it seemed too easy.
If anyone wonders why I opt for sheet pans instead of cookie sheets per se, I point the finger in the direction of the great Cook's Illustrated magazine which has determined that sheet pans are superior in performance to thin, warping cookie sheets. When the weather starts to chill down and I'm not running the AC, I'll start baking cookies of many kinds and really put that to the test. I remember my mother making an oatmeal raisin cookie which was mixed together in a Tupperware cake holder (upside down) as the mix had to absorb the oil that was used before the cookies could be made. I'd love to find that recipe in the mass of kitchen papers. And in later years we got a recipe for hermit cookies from a family friend. The link goes to recipes but I don't vouch for them; they're by way of illustration. I do believe that the hermits took first place in my cookie pantheon. I'm sure that recipe is in the stack. Definitely going to make those.
Oh, I also got a wire rack insert for the half sheet pan. It seems just so like something I've seen Alton Brown use on "Good Eats." How could I resist?
UPDATE: Please don't miss the potato chip cookie recipe in the comments. I realize my mistake in assaying anything about baking in the ken of the XMBD NMSE who, along with her mother are two of the world's finest non-professional bakers. But I am not such an old dog that I can't learn some new tricks.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Bloggy Shout Out
I'm remiss by a couple of days in mentioning Joe Sherlock's five year blogiversary. I'm darn glad you decided to take up the keyboard that half decade ago, Joe. We've had much of a richness of commentary on the auto industry, memories of Philadelphia (for all its problems, still a fascinating city), humor and generally interesting reading from the estimable Mr. Sherlock. In point of fact today's post over on TVTTW regarding the auto industry is very interesting. If you don't get what's happening, read Joe. He does.
Oh, and that "Happy Birthday" image - hubba, hubba!
Taking a page from Joe and his restaurant reviews, I recently had lunch at the Chart House in Olde Towne Alexandriae, VAe. Sorry. The 'e's started and then ran amok. The restaurant is on the Potomac at the city dock area so the view is delightful. I don't recall the last time I was there, but it's a beautiful facility, spacious, well appointed and our server, though eight months pregnant (yes, I asked, but with concern not prying), was reasonably attentive and very pleasant. We started with calamari which was very good although a second to my favorite version served at Clyde's restaurants. I then had fish and chips to which I must give full marks. I should have asked if they had malt vinegar but I just didn't think of it at the time. A dab of a slaw salad on the side was the first thing on the plate I ate. I really liked the red onion therein but it was, as all slaw seems to be these day, overdressed. The fish was, in a word, superb. Brilliant white flesh, with a light, puffy batter. I'd go back just to have it again. Wonderful lunch.
I'm remiss by a couple of days in mentioning Joe Sherlock's five year blogiversary. I'm darn glad you decided to take up the keyboard that half decade ago, Joe. We've had much of a richness of commentary on the auto industry, memories of Philadelphia (for all its problems, still a fascinating city), humor and generally interesting reading from the estimable Mr. Sherlock. In point of fact today's post over on TVTTW regarding the auto industry is very interesting. If you don't get what's happening, read Joe. He does.
Oh, and that "Happy Birthday" image - hubba, hubba!
Taking a page from Joe and his restaurant reviews, I recently had lunch at the Chart House in Olde Towne Alexandriae, VAe. Sorry. The 'e's started and then ran amok. The restaurant is on the Potomac at the city dock area so the view is delightful. I don't recall the last time I was there, but it's a beautiful facility, spacious, well appointed and our server, though eight months pregnant (yes, I asked, but with concern not prying), was reasonably attentive and very pleasant. We started with calamari which was very good although a second to my favorite version served at Clyde's restaurants. I then had fish and chips to which I must give full marks. I should have asked if they had malt vinegar but I just didn't think of it at the time. A dab of a slaw salad on the side was the first thing on the plate I ate. I really liked the red onion therein but it was, as all slaw seems to be these day, overdressed. The fish was, in a word, superb. Brilliant white flesh, with a light, puffy batter. I'd go back just to have it again. Wonderful lunch.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Passing Along A Deal
A little love from the Bargainist website: A sale on chockies at Amazon. Here's the scoopage, scooped directly from the Bargainist:
A little love from the Bargainist website: A sale on chockies at Amazon. Here's the scoopage, scooped directly from the Bargainist:
Amazon - Extra 50% off select chocolateThe Dagoba Lemon Ginger chocolate bar looks particular toothsome to a confirmed ginger-holic.
In one of the best grocery sales we've seen at Amazon, they're cutting select chocolate items by 50%. Use coupon code CHAWCLAT at checkout. Some of the eligible products include Nestle Toll House Semi Sweet Chocolate Chunk Morsels, Hershey's Sticks Filled with Carmel, M&M Mars Milkyway Miniatures, and many more. Offer good while supplies last.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Whoof!
It was a foodie weekend. I so grotesquely over-indulged that I should be ashamed of myself. Yet I am strangely happy with all that I managed to tamp down my craw. First, Saturday night dinner at the Serbian Crown restaurant. (warning - link loads with music and a voiceover) A plate of their "Russian appetizers" consumed with a test tube (OK - not really - but that gives you an idea of the glass) of raspberry vodka, Chateaubriand for the main course, cooked exactly right and served with scalloped potaoes, a parmesan grilled tomato and cauliflower all perfectly delicious and that is coming from one who is not fond of tomatoes! A glass of cabernet sauvignon with the main course was just the right thing. And then a slice of Charlotte for dessert. Ah, and a glass of the peach vodka which is not as good as the raspberry unfortunately.
Then Sunday brunch at a secret location onto which the Enigmatic Misanthrope put me. Oh my dear Lord! It's not that I spend every Sunday seeking out brunch locations but I've been to a few in my dissipated life and I have never, ever had the brunch I had yesterday. Five different kinds of smoked salmon, smoked trout, gloriously big shrimp, duck, petite filet. I didn't even bother with the waffles, the omelet station or the carving station. Though I did take from the dessert table.
I admit to overeating this weekend but I offer a couple of things in my defense: First, the food I ate was glorious. Second, I can recall instances in my past where I ate much more than I did these last couple of days and the quality of that food was not even close to what I just had. And finally, in a highly unusual move, I ate nothing on Sunday after the brunch. In fact, I'm just starting to feel hungry enough to have lunch today. Can't even face breakfast.
It was a foodie weekend. I so grotesquely over-indulged that I should be ashamed of myself. Yet I am strangely happy with all that I managed to tamp down my craw. First, Saturday night dinner at the Serbian Crown restaurant. (warning - link loads with music and a voiceover) A plate of their "Russian appetizers" consumed with a test tube (OK - not really - but that gives you an idea of the glass) of raspberry vodka, Chateaubriand for the main course, cooked exactly right and served with scalloped potaoes, a parmesan grilled tomato and cauliflower all perfectly delicious and that is coming from one who is not fond of tomatoes! A glass of cabernet sauvignon with the main course was just the right thing. And then a slice of Charlotte for dessert. Ah, and a glass of the peach vodka which is not as good as the raspberry unfortunately.
Then Sunday brunch at a secret location onto which the Enigmatic Misanthrope put me. Oh my dear Lord! It's not that I spend every Sunday seeking out brunch locations but I've been to a few in my dissipated life and I have never, ever had the brunch I had yesterday. Five different kinds of smoked salmon, smoked trout, gloriously big shrimp, duck, petite filet. I didn't even bother with the waffles, the omelet station or the carving station. Though I did take from the dessert table.
I admit to overeating this weekend but I offer a couple of things in my defense: First, the food I ate was glorious. Second, I can recall instances in my past where I ate much more than I did these last couple of days and the quality of that food was not even close to what I just had. And finally, in a highly unusual move, I ate nothing on Sunday after the brunch. In fact, I'm just starting to feel hungry enough to have lunch today. Can't even face breakfast.
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