INSTANT RAMEN

Of course after having real Ramen there is not even a contest or comparable likeness aside from the Noodles technically being Instant Ramen Noodles. The Maruchan Instant Lunch had me intrigued since it has been decades since I had rehydrated Corn in my Broth, also of note the "Hot & Spicy" moniker on the packaging is not a falsity, of course you can always make it hotter but I believe some people might find this Too Hot.

As is always the case between myself and Instant Noodles I do grow tired after a few forkfuls but this is a good product insofar as Instant Noodles, the Corn adds a nice touch and is on the sweet side.

CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR ONE IS A LOT OF FUN

Actually, Chrismas Dinner for one is quite depressing but if you view my previous entry concerning last night that made up for it in spades.

This is a very simple Meal of (clockwise from 9) Pepper Steak, Pillsbury Croissant, Seabrook Farms Creamed Spinach and Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes with Heinz Savory Beef Gravy garnished with Parsley Flakes.

FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES/TWELVE BELLS

The Lone Crustacean.

Thanks to Jennie & Joe for inviting me to their annual Feast of Seven Fishes gathering of the tribes on Christmas Eve. Pace myself I did with the Drinks and the Delicacies and still could not fathom ever eating again. The family spirit and the Christmas spirit was indeed in the air, Wouldja pass me a slice of Prosciutto, NONONO.

BURP.

Excuse Moi.

Chick Pea Salad and Celery Salad.

The Appetizer portion of the evening. Fresh Mozz, Pepperonicini, Various Cheeses, Apricots, Prosciutto, Cappaciola, Mortadella and everyone went NUTS as in bowl of Nuts.

My plate of Appetizers.

Prosciutto, Cappaciola, Blue Cheese, Fresh Mozz and a good Hunka Hunka of Italian Bread.

Fried Boneless Smelt a la Marco.

First plate of Baccala, Scungilli, Smelt & Celery Salad flanked by my Drink based upon Pear Vodka and Lime but only a nice glass of Vino goes with a Meal so I procured my first of the night before I tucked in.

And the tables are set.

A Huge Bowl of Scungilli (Conch).

Whole Buncha Shrimp & Baccala

Baccala a la Nick

Roast Loin of Pork a la Caroline.

Linguini in Clam Sauce a la Joe.

Escarole a la Nick.

Delicious Stuffed Calamari a la Jennie.

The Desserts Table prior to the onslaught but one slice of Cake down.

FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES ON WIKIPEDIA

A BUCK IS A BUCK - 2 BROS PIZZA

On my way to class I pass 2 Bros Pizza and thought nothing of it really but when I read that their flagship location in the village shut its doors I decided to sample a one dollar slice which they are famous for.

Well the one dollar slice was worth about a dollar and was quite bland so do not let it be said that this Blog only contains positive reviews.

RAMEN SUMMIT - IVAN'S RAMEN/MOMOFUKU

My friend Yasuo was in town for two days and he graciously and generously invited me to Lunch at not one but two highly rated Ramen establishments. 

Now Yasuo certainly knows the deal when it comes to Ramen being a highly experienced Gourmand in the way of the Noodle and Broth so I was fortunate to receive training from The King Of Ramen himself.

Saturday's Lunch was at the "hot spot" Momofuku and we arrived one hour prior to opening in case a line formed outside and that is exactly what happened.

Pictured above is "Momofuku Ramen" which consists of Pork Belly, Pork Shoulder, Poached Egg, Soy Dashi Pork/Chicken Broth, two sheets of Nori and of course Ramen Noodles, the swirly discs are a type of fishcake.

The photos and Food descriptions in this entry are courtesy of Yasuo since frankly he takes better Food pics than I do and I am rather experienced myself.

Brisket Bun - Pickled Red Onion, Horseradish, Lettuce & Cucumber on a Bun.

This I enjoyed greatly but was almost full like a little girly man after just one, Absolutely Delicious yet still gearing up for the Ramen (pictured above).

Chicken Wings - Smoked Chicken Wings, Pickled Chili, Garlic & Scallions. 

These were Delicious and I took the leftovers "to go" even not being a "wing" guy.

Sunday's Lunch was at Ivan's Ramen and what an Outstanding experience this was, This Food was just Outstanding and when I say Outstanding I do mean Outstanding.

Amongst the Appetizer section sampled is and was as seen above "Kewpie Ebi" which is Fried Whole Prawns smothered in Kewpie Mayo, Smoked Chili and Lemon on a bed of Watercress, Oh My Gosh, Delicious.

Roast Pork Musubi - Roast Pork, Salted Plum Wasabi, Roasted Tomato, on Toasted Nori.

This was Just Oh My God, Delicious.

Tokyo Shoyu Ramen, Soy Sauce, Doshi, Chicken Broth, Char Siu, Egg, Enoki Mushroom Supplement, Rye Noodle in Broth with Umami.

In deep respect for my Ramen Sensei

Yasuo I already knew I was going to follow his lead in these proceedings but perusing the menu on the Ivan Ramen website the evening before Sunday Lunch I did spy this little item which intrigued me to no end so I swayed to the Bacon side of the Force and this was indeed Delicious, I was already "stuffed" from the little Appetizers but made sure to take the remainders to go.

BLT Mazemen - less broth, thicker Ramen Noodles, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Kewpie Mayo, Dashi & Whole Wheat Noodles.

Hitachino Nest Red Rice Beer - Belgian style Ale from Ibaraki, Japan.

Delicious.

Jedi Yasuo Kenobi and Padawan Spike selfie taken at Mos Eisley.

Yasuo's empty bowl, I am yet to learn but am grateful for the lessons I have learned.

Darth Yasuo's ratings.

Momofuku - 8/10

Ivan's Ramen 10/10

IVAN RAMEN ONLINE

MOMOFUKU NOODLE BAR ONLINE

JOE'S LINGUINI CARBONARAESQUE

This being a Food Blog I try to keep things impersonal but a bad day I did have and my good friend Joe invited me over and made me a Delicious Dinner in what can barely but technically be called "Fusion" dining. Mind you this was not the Mahavishnu Orchestra but for the Palate it was.

Joe made it a good day for me after all.

Carbonara Sauce containing Butter, Peas, Shallots, Parsley, Heavy Cream, Grated Cheese and to make it "Fusion" some Shredded Cappaciola. Help me out Joe, I may have missed some ingredients.

This was tossed with Linguini and Tempered Egg, of course there was a prepared Salad to compliment and enhance the Culinary experience.

The Delicious Salad consisted of Kale, Grape Tomato, Fennel and Pepperonicini but I don't remember the Pepperonicini (I am going from notes here folks).

For Appetizer, Smoked Mozz and Italian Bread.

OATMEAL

Looks like a big bowl of slop, maybe because it is a big bowl of slop but its extremely healthy slop.

1/8/15 - Maple & Brown Sugar - This looks extremely promising, almost a completely different animal, not nearly as soupy and smells Delicious.

THIS I can eat, still not my favorite thing this oatmeal is but going to get some at the Supermarket soon to continue my health regimen. Mapley and Brown Sugary just like a Pancake Should.

RICE-A-RONI - Beef Fried Rice (Chop-A-Roni)

My friend Dianne asked for this easiest of Recipes since it sounded good to her and YES IT IS.

This has since been added to the RICE-A-RONI "back of the box" MAKE IT A MEAL recipe corner but "L" introduced me to this first and it has remained a bi-annual staple of my diet.

Christina calls this Chop-A-Roni.

Jalapeños give this melange a nice kick but I like to add mine uncooked and after the fact. Also if the Peppers are on the HOT side which is often hard to detect aside from a Taste test I would not want the Spiciness to permeate the entire Dish concerning those who might be sharing with a milder palate.

RECIPE -Dice Onions and Sauté over medium heat in Butter/Oil till tender (clear translucency).

Brown one pound Ground Beef (or meat of choice) in same pan (add Diced Garlic and/or Spices to taste during cooking) and drain well. If adding Diced Fresh Garlic be sure to briefly brown it but do not overcook, Garlic Powder on the other hand can be utilized at any time and needs no "cooking directions".

Remove Ground Beef mixture and place aside. Some Including myself have done it in one go (Add the Roni to an pan of Ground Meat) but undercooked Rice can happen.

Prepare Rice-A-Roni as directed on package and Combine Both Ingredients (meat/onions, Roni), Simmer briefly over heat stirring occasionally.

Seeding and Skinning the Jalapeño.

The Garlic in the photo above had been Frozen and Thawed, while this works I do recommend Fresh Garlic.

3/20/17 - A Simplest Congregation of two (4 ?) Food items together, but does it work ? 

Yes indeed it does. This is Comfort Food VS. Fancy Food. 

Comfort Wins.

And Of Course add whatever Condiment suits you. I like Trappey's Hot Sauce or Soy Sauce myself.

PIZZERIA UNO 12/6/14 Brooklyn, New York

I have been wanting to try Pizzeria Uno for years specifically because they make the Chicago style Deep Dish Pizza but after viewing Jon Stewart's "Rant" on New York Versus Chicago Style Pizza It only escalated my interest. 

Well, Jon was completely right in my opinion insofar as a "Deep Dish" does not conquer a "Slice" but now I know for myself. 

The Deep Dish was Great, actually kind of like a Sicilian square but in a Pie form, no complaints at all and I only conquered one Slice as it was preceded by the Sliders pictured below but I do have four slices in my Fridge A La Leftovers. This was the first time in my life that I actually had to Eat Pizza with a fork and a knife.

Nuovo Deep Dish Italiano (pictured above) - Italian Sausage, Roasted Vegetables and Chunky Tomato Sauce topped with Mozzarella, Ricotta and Fresh Basil just like the menu says, Did I like this ? Yes I did.

Guac, Chips & Dip - Well as the Menu says this is exactly what this appetizer is, Basically it is Guacamole, Chips and Dip consisting of Creamy Guacamole, multi-colored Tortilla Chips and Spicy Salsa Dip, exactly the type of thing you cannot stop picking at even realizing that the real Food is coming to your table shortly.

Burger Sliders - Cheddar Cheese topped mini Burgers served with "Ultimate Burger Sauce" but where was the Sauce ? it certainly passed me by but on the other hand I was too busy chowing down to notice even though I was in anticipation on trying said sauce as touted on the menu. 

Served with a Pickle.

OK, Who buys a Burger for the Sauce,... these were quite good.

Chicago Classic - Crumbled Sausage, Chunky Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella & Romano.

UNO ONLINE

OTHER PEOPLE'S FOOD - CEVICHE - GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR

The Plate Map courtesy of Maria

My friend Frank and his girlfriend Maria had some authentic Ceviche in the country that makes it the best and boy do I wish I could try this and someday I most certainly hope to. 

Pictured above is a smattering of various other dishes of the republic and boy do I hope to try these as well someday.

A glimpse of the Menu.

The storefront window I take it. This I am told is an out of the way place and as is the case with the best Foods available in any country this is the way to do it.

Ceviche On Parade, Just looking at that Shrimp makes my mouth water.

Ceviche is purportedly a Peruvian dish based on Seafood cured in Citrus Juice.

Ceviche flanked by Plantain Chips and Fresh Plantains.

I will have one of each please.

Let us hear from Frank who took these photos and lived the experience.

- On my last trip to Ecuador Maria and I had the pleasure of stopping at one of the best Cevicheria's in Guayaquil, "Aqui Esta Marcelo's"

The Ceviche was especially good, the place was packed. The walls were open to the street and I could see and hear downtown Guayaquil as I ate my Lunch. One thing that caught my attention was that I was the only "gringo" in the place... a good sign I was eating the best local Ceviche made by Ecuadorians for Ecuadorians who know good Ceviche. The Shrimp Ceviche I had was perfect. Not too tart, not bitter, and not too sweet. The Onions were Delicious and in perfect proportion to the rest of the dish, I could hardly taste them, adding only a fresh squeezed Lime and about 1 teaspoon of Ketchup. Perfect ...

SI CLARO