MINUTE RICE, The Ninth Wonder of the World. (In Progress)

These used to be known as "the Recipe from the back of the box" but as time marches on they are now mainly known as "the online Recipe" sure there are still Recipes on the back of the box but my box of Minute Rice was adorned with a Chugginton Chugasonic Maze (Explorer Koko) on its back and lower down taking up 1/8th of the packaging graphics is a BBQ Cheeseburger and Rice Skillet Recipe, I suppose the kids need a maze to do while they wait one minute for their Rice to get done, aah the wonders of the modern atomic kitchen.

The time honored tradition of cooking Rice in Chicken Broth is tried and true and quite possibly the basis of Rice-A-Roni and there have been variations over the decades. One of these variations is using a can of condensed "Cream Of" Soup with a little water for a Creamy Sauce and it was high time I made one. And so it passed that in my middle age years that I bought my first box of Minute Rice, this is also known as "Instant Rice" as the kernels are cooked by steaming causing cracks in the Rice then dehydrated only to be rehydrated rapidly once added to Hot water.

I am extremely fussy about my Rice and this was just fine, maybe a little softish but better soft than too hard or underdone. Minute Rice is just fine in my book and its just what the Recipe called for (see link below) which came out perfectly on my first try.

20 MINUTE PARMESAN CHICKEN & RICE DINNER

VITAMIN WATER

I have always been a fan of Vitamin Water and have recently decided to try all the Flavors I could get my hands on, these are not Syrupy Sweet like Soda hence the Water in the products name and there are Vitamins in the drink. Below is a list of the Names and Flavors and my personal opinions, I will not be listing the Vitamin content but they all include "Electrolyte Sources" and are produced using "Reverse Osmosis Water". Pretty cool, one of my favorite bands has always been the Electrolyte Orchestra.

XXX - acai-blueberry-pomegranate - So far this is my favorite, I do recall really enjoying the "Sparks" one as well but not sure if that is still being produced but I digress. mmm, Very Blueberry

Power-C - dragonfruit - Also Very good, citrus overtones abound.

(ZERO) Power-C - dragonfruit - OK, right away do I taste an artificial sweetener, I dare wonder what it may be with a product like this that seemingly has at least a pretend good reputation. Hmmmm, I don't see anything within my grasp, there is something called Erythritol, wonder if that is it. Anyways I do not like it, No more ZERO for me.

Defense - raspberry-apple - Quite Appley with a Raspberry tang or zip to it, not as tart as I would like but remember the key Ingredient here is Water, none of these should or are Bursting with Flavor, it is a mild experience as it should be.

Essential - orange-orange - Spying Orange twice on the Flavor label I am expecting a very plain tasting item, lets see. Tastes like an Orangeade Vitamin Water with a slight Orange Juice overtone, not a favorite, nothing wrong with it but its just okay.

Revive - fruit punch - Mild Fruit Punch Flavor, Cherry Overtones. Good

Focus - kiwi-strawberry - A Tasty little number, a little heavier on the Kiwi side. Maybe a little too Sweet, not on the tongue but on the yearning for more afterwards, I kept getting out of bed for another slug. Leaves the Tang in the back of your throat like all Kiwi-Strawberry Drinks do.

Energy - tropical citrus - Very good, I think I am Tasting some Peach in there. There will be no problem finishing this one.

Refresh - tropical mango - Excellent and Tangy with a zip. One of the better ones and a new addition to the Vitamin Water family.

VITAMIN WATER ONLINE

PROSCIUTTO BALLS - LIONI'S

And there are No Apologies forthcoming for Any of the quotes presented on the sign, If You Aint Lived it Then ,.... ummm you aint lived it. I wonder if the people who painted the sign lived it.

Either way Lioni's remains one of The Great Spots.

The Vanity Photo, Lets get some Proscuitto Balls and Fresh Mozzarella in one photo along with the catering Menu, Bless Them, Oh wait I took the photo, Bless their ever Influential Jedi Cheese ways.

I did indeed Multitask and bought the Best of the Best sofar as the Prosciutto Balls were concerned, I added a Fresh Bagel from my corner store and some Cream Cheese I had waiting in the fridge for my Original Sandwich of Yore, of which I created back in the "Yore" days back in the 1980's. 

It does not get simpler than this and I implore you ALL try one so long as it is a Proper Prosciutto Ball.

Bagel (of your liking) with Cream Cheese, Place 1 or 2 Heated Prosciutto Balls on the Cream Cheese Sandwich, SQUISH accordingly (not too much). Enjoy.

The Storefront, Oh Yes.

Some of the Prepared Foods on offer aside from the vast selection of Hero Sammiches.

The Prosciutto Ball Plate is lowered in quantity as I had ordered six from it and another customer did the same before me, more Prosciutto Balls will fill that space shortly.

Lioni's makes their own Fresh Mozzarella keeping the cost down for us the consumer and keeping the Quality up also for us the consumer, As Fresh as can be.

The Olive Bar at Lioni's.

Had to catch this pic of the "certificate of appreciation" due to Lioni's donation to P.S. 128, I hope the teachers got some. I Mean Food.

This photo was taken after Lunch Hour so not many Breads remained, we can look at the labels and dream though can't we ?

Prosciutto Balls in all their Glory.

To me this appears to be a much older Sandwich Menu plated to these hallowed walls yet it tells the Complete story. They misspelled Jalapeño, or maybe they didn't.

I have always championed the prepared Food Shop but the Meat Market next store is even possibly held in greater reverence.

My Thumb is not for sale but check out the Meat Market facade.

Below is a link to 150 Sandwiches on Lioni's most formidable Hero Menu, This list continues to grow by leaps and bounds here and there so keep checking back on their Official Site.  

It perplexes me that they never came up with a "Tony Soprano" or "James Gandolfini" Sandwich but who am I to ask questions.

150 LIONI'S HERO SANDWICH MENU

A PANCAKE EXCURSION (EXODUS TO PANCAKES) 6/16/14 New Dyker Diner - Brooklyn, New York

Yesterday was Father's Day and not being one I was quite envious of all the Dad's out there having their Pancake Treat, I also have Pancakes maybe once a year when left to my own devices. 

Thanks to Kristine and Ellen for letting me know I was Indeed a dad since I have a "little one" here that I care for, namely my cat. 

My feline is not so adept at the griddle so I had to make a plan. 

I awoke way too early so I bided my time and after a few hours made way to the local Diner to treat myself to some Warm Griddle Cakes with a side of Sausage, it was difficult not to go the Bacon route but I pondered this for a few hours prior. I have Never had Ham with my Pancakes (Ham, Bacon or Sausage are the common sides on offer) and maybe that will be the next frontier.

Going to a Diner solo is a peaceful and an introverted (in the positive sense) experience, of course it is always better with a friend but without I tend to hone in on the conversations going on around me. 

Today the conversations were all in the espanol mexicano language, but I don't speak or understand Spanish, so much for honed conversations, oh well.

I placed my order and literally in 2 minutes there they were. 

I must applaud New Dyker Diner on some small details here, a majority of Diners serve portion control cups of Butter and Syrup in little plastic tubs that are hermetically sealed which is fine but make for waste in the trash bin and also do not allow instant free reign of your plate which is best especially in the realm of Syrup. Here is a medium sized Cup of Butter and an actual baby Syrup container, I was so confused it took me 10 seconds to figure out how to open the darn Syrup.

Skipped the Coffee which I regret now but was served a Three Stack of Pancakes with Two healthy sized Breakfast Sausages which were halved and Grilled to perfection ($7.00).

Step one for most is to Butter and Syrup each layer, of course if this was a Seuss like tower of proportion then all bets are off but this was not. These were prepared magnificently and I have no complaints.

This is a "Realism" photo. 

And She Is Done. 

To the left of me the Counter, To the right of me, Injuns. Oh thats just my reflection, Phew.

Diners should be around for a Long, Long time but they are becoming scarcer.

Bless The American Diner and Good Old American Dining.

Do you know how hard it was for me NOT to order a Cheeseburger Deluxe.

ADDENDUMB - I did pass New Dyker Diner 2 days later and glanced at the Breakfast Special Menu in the window and the price did jive with my experience, it said Pancakes with Ham, Bacon or Sausage - $ 8.00 (my order was a dollar less because I skipped the coffee). Breakfast Specials used to be so cheap, then again the years have passed so quickly.

THE HISTORY OF PANCAKES (NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC)

MCU PARK/CITIFIELD (Summer 2014) - Coney Island/Queens, New York (in progress)

6/12/14 - Nathan's Fries, Tyson Chicken and of course the Dipping Sauces ($8.00).

6/26/14 - Pastrami (Fresko's) and a Pepsi at the Kosher stand.

6/28/14 - The Most Cheese Sauce (Gehl's) I ever saw in one place, I was in Awe. This is what Nathan's uses.

6/30/14 - The Corn Dog, What can go wrong, It's a Corn Dog.

7/2/14 - A Chili Cheese Dog of my own creation. Just Fantastic, Nathans Cheese Sauce (Gehl's), Chili and a Doggie done to perfection, nice Buns too.

7/2/14 - The Knish (Gabila's) by a brand name you can trust.

7/5/14 - Buffalo Tater Tots.

7/5/14 - Not so much a Food but it was brought to my attention today as I watched the Chef's turn out a batch of Buffalo Tater Tots, This is not the Frank's Hot Sauce we know from home use, This baby is thickerer. Need to buy some for the house if I can even find it on the Supermarket shelves..

7/6/14 - The Classic King Dog ($7.50). Named after the Classic King Henry, A King I am proud to call a friend.

6/27/14 - Riding With Two Kings.

7/7/14 - Bavarian Pretzel ($4.25) with Cheese Sauce on the side. Simple yet Elegant.

7/8/14 - Finally got to try The King Dog, I felt Cheese Sauce was the perfect Topping to compliment the Bacon and it was. 

All Hail The King.

7/17/14 - NACHOS, Need I Say More.

7/27/14 (maybe) - Salted Pretzel ($4.00). I replaced my pic of a lone Pretzel with a bunch I had just Salted myself for the very first time I ever Salted Pretzels, I think I did a nice job too if I may say so. 

7/19/14 - Gabila's Knish ($3.50) with Gold's Mustard right out of the Oven.

7/25/14 - King Dogs, Ready To Go.

7/25/14 - Bacon On A Stick. Complimentary with much thanks to PIG GUY, NYC.

7/30/14 - Fresko's Signature Tuna Salad Wrap ($10.00) from the Kosher portable at which I was honored to be working at.

8/21/14 - I have been spying this Delicious looking Lemonade ($4.50) for weeks now. It comes in a clear plastic cup with the Lemon floating in it and looks so good, due to their companies policy I had to supply my own cup so a bit of the sheen has worn off but when you taste Lemonade this good the sheen goes out the window, Really Delicious 

8/24/14 - Veggie Burger, Totally Delicious except whenever I have a Veggie Burger I realize how much more I like a Burger Burger. This photo was taken in high glare, so much so that I literally "point and shot" with my iPhone due to the fact that the view screen was invisible to me and this is why my shadow eclipses almost three fourths of the Patty.

8/24/14 - I finally got my Soft Serve, at the end of the day we were offered this as the Ice Cream cart (portable) had so much leftover which was just going to go to waste, Ironically earlier in the day I was seeking Ice Cream but it wasn't ready yet and then I became deeply involved with Salting Pretzels at the Kosher cart with my friend Ori and then the park opened, so much for Ice Cream BUT you see how things work out, it was Delicious of course.

8/27/14 - Beneath the Pickle Chip, Tomato Slice, Chopped Onion and Lettuce Slivers is indeed a Burger Patty covered with a Slice of Cheese and of this I have been waiting these few months to sample. Delicious indeed, not a Huge 8 Ounce Burger and rather paltry in size, was I satisfied ? Indeed and of course the Nathan's Fries added to this culinary experience.

8/29/14 - CITIFIELD - Working at a Sausage and Peppers portable is not the easiest undertaking especially as you keep eyeing those Peppers and Onions Caramelizing. Quite Good Sausage by Premio but the Peppers and Onions won the battle ($8.50).

8/30/14 - CITIFIELD - Behold The Nachos with Beef and Chicken on them which is unavailable to your average customer even though I am sure it can be done. What made the Beef and Chicken Scrumptious was that they were Shredded "Pulled Pork" Style and in Gravy, Just Fantastic, some lovely Salsa, Fresh Jalapeños, Cheese Sauce and Beans adorned this, Unfortunately by the time I was able to sample this the Crispy Nachos had gone limp, Well work does come first.

8/31/14 - Lipton Citrus Green Tea indeed gets a worthwhile mention, first of all I can't find it at any Deli or even Supermarket but I recall trying it years ago and Loving it, this was available at the "Healthy Cart" at MCU. Still Delicious and there even flecks of Tea pirouetting inside the Bottle.

This photo was taken from the Kosher cart at MCU.

9/26/14 - CITIFIELD - A rare occasion, a few of us were waylaid after we had clocked in so we were invited to the Citifield Employee Cafeteria for a Beverage and we made for the Chow Line, I thought this was Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes which is my Favorite but it was Steak and Mashed Potatoes, Another Favorite. Instead of getting a "Full" helping I took Claudia's lead and grabbed a smaller Salad Bowl so as just to get a taste, Delicious.

9/26/14 - CITIFIELD - The Gehl's Cheese Sauce Dispenser in all her Glory.