December 15, 2015

HOSPITAL FOOD - IT CURES WHAT AILS YA'


It would be easy for me to start knocking "Hospital" Food but realistically why would I, they are only trying to help nurse you back to health with three square meals a day, I find the midnight Snack sorely lacking but I suppose you could smuggle some Fruit Roll-Ups in or something.

My current theory is that the Food is sub-par for the most part so as to frighten us back into good health to escape back to the outside world where the "Good Food" is. After all we don't want people maiming themselves to be admitted to the local medical facility to get at that Scrumptious Filet Mignon in Mushroom Gravy or Delectable Pheasant under Glass on offer.

I did not take exact notes on the Foods pictured but above is the "Tuna Platter". The Veggies were of decent quality and the Tuna Salad was quite good and I am picky about my Tuna Salad, the lemon kind of perplexes me as there is Mayo in the Tuna but whatever.


This is the "Burger Deluxe"

I was rather excited to check this off on the Menu as my Lunch choice the day prior as to me what makes a Burger "Deluxe" is French Fries, They must have been hiding somewhere. 

What did make this humorous was under the plastic dome which covers the main dish was this paltry little Salisbury Steak style Burger and that was that. Akin to one guppy in the entire Atlantic Ocean.


This photo must have been taken on one of my lost days as I was heavily sedated for a few and I do not recall the Crispy Rice (Rice Krispies) at all but the Gevina Yogurt is definitely a winner to me.


Typical Breakfast fare usually served at Breakfast (ingenious, huh).

Tea, Yogurt, Cereal of choice (in this case fake Raisin Bran but then this enters the realm of quantum physics), Banana, small Corn Muffin (as opposed to JUMBO) of which only a small amount (one Patty) of Butter is provided to enhance it. The cup in the back had some type of Sweetened Milk that while I appreciate the effort can only be described as appalling.


Pot Roast, Oh Yes Pot Roast. 

Unfortunately the "skin" as it were was quite fatty so I ate inside and around that, Veggies of the canned kind (I can live with that) and actually quite good (not powdered) Mashed Potatoes, all that was missing was the Gravy.


Turkey Meatballs and Pasta (Spaghetti in this case).

This was actually pretty great and I could have not done better myself. Just the right amount of Pasta (Al Dente), as a matter of fact there was some Meatball left after the Pasta was finished and I balance my plate always. It would only have been "weird" if they were not touted as Turkey Meatballs but they were, I have had better Turkey Meatballs but for hospital fare I could have had a second serving easily.


OK, Found this on one of my 4 a.m. trips to the Pantry "Nutrition Center" and it was the only one on the shelf and it espouses Nectar Consistency and it is water in one of those pokeyourstrawthroughitlittleplasticcups and it also contains Phenylalanine (whatever that is but sounds close enough to Penny Lane).

Unfortunately it was not very good but I tried.

I thank my local medical institution for keeping me alive and strangely fed for over a week, the staff was great and the food was,... well Foodish.


November 26, 2015

THANKSGIVING 2015


Caroline did a Fantastic job preparing a Thanksgiving Dinner all by herself but this has been the case for many years so she has indeed had practice so frankly I am not surprised. Pictured above is my "Plate".

Clockwise from 9. Chestnut Sausage Stuffing, Roast Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes & Turkey Basted Carrots.

This was indeed Delicious 


Appetizers consisting of Raw Veggie Platter (with Dipping Sauce) and Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp Cheddar & Vermont White Cheddar accompanied by Triscuits & Carr's Water Crackers.


EVERYBODY KNOWS THE BIRD'S THE WORD.


And to Drink, White Sangria, Martini & Rossi Asti Spumanti, Becks Beer & Yellowtail Pinot Grigio.


Carving The Cooper.


Sean-Luc Ponty serenading the Dinner table.


"I'm Lucky, You're Lucky, We're All Lucky !!!"



One of my friends Sean trying for the first time an electric knife.
Posted by Caroline Santos on Thursday, November 26, 2015

OTHER PEOPLES FOOD - THANKSGIVING 2015


Wendy's Plate.


Andi's Plate.


Melissa's Plate.


Jim's Plate.


Claudia's Plate.


Claudia's Key Lime Banana Pie.


Charlie's Plate (Leftovers).


Pamster Plate.



November 21, 2015

CAMPBELL'S SOUPS ll


"Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky"

And Campbell's.




11/21/15 - Southwest Style Bean & Barley - Heavy on the Barley & Bean with Diced Tomato and Corn thrown in for good measure. Pleasant enough But let me add some Grated Cheese for effect.

November 20, 2015

IN A PINCH - IT'S A JAR SAUCE THING, YOU WOULD'NT UNDERSTAND


I grabbed these three guys on sale at Waldbaum's to sample them and frankly am not sure if I will ever go out of my way to prepare these "exotic" Flavor's at home on my own. While I am sure they are simple to concoct I am a Crushed Tomato Bolognese or Marinara Sauce guy in the kitchen when making a homeade Sauce. 

11/20/15 - The Creamy Mozzarella was pretty much completely lacking in Flavor, I mean it was there but that is where it began and ended. Edible Yes but "meh"


12/28/15 - I can only describe this as Chef Boyardee Sauce in a jar with the Cheese mixed with Tomato Flavor, better than the Creamy Mozzarella described above but looks like the RAGU people aren't impressing me as of yet.

But do you really expect much from a Jar Sauce.



November 14, 2015

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE - Brooklyn, New York


The Gorgeous 
 "Blooming Onion" ($ 8.99)

Practically a staple of the Outback Steakhouse Menu and where else are you going to get one of these fella's. I will surmise that they did not invent it but maybe they did.

My friend Roy gifted me fifty bucks of gift cards quite a few years back and I am thankful so my bill was minimal but the Food was Wonderful as was my companion.

I attended on my fiftieth birthday week and had a BLAST.

Service was Good.
Food was Great.
Companion was Awesome.


Firecracker Salmon - Topped with Fresh Mango Salsa & in this case a Baked Sweet Potato ($19.99).

I only had a teeny Bite as this was Christina's plate but my Mouth Watered. a good sign.


Signature Chop Steak - Ground Steak atop Sauteed Mushrooms & Grilled Onions, served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Veggies ($11.99)

They did not ask me to which Temperage I would like the Burger (which is basically what I ordered) should be prepared but heck this is OUTBACK STEAK HOUSE and they know how to do it and they did it well. 

I could not discern Garlic in the Mashed Potatoes.

Christina and I soloed the Potatoes and there was indeed Garlic.


The Gratuitous Bread & Butter Appetizer.
Very Good.

YES, I Stole A Ramiken but maybe not on purpose, Maybe.


Some Guy.


As I pontificated, It Is A Staple. 

As a Leftover, Always prepare in the Oven & NOT the Microwave. Good rule of thumb with Everything.



November 7, 2015

LA BELLA - Brooklyn, New York


The Wonderous Fried Eggplant & Tomato Sandwich as devised by Christina and of her creation.


This cute little Cookie was purchased by me after Christina gave it a second look (Cheese plate & knife) and at $3.99 was a steal as the Cheese itself was worth that alone. 

Pesto Cheese, Peppercorn Cheese and Whatever Cheese but all from Tuscanny, Italy and most formidable and mouth wateringly outstanding.


Prepared Foods I do shy away from as the price is escalated and why not make it homeade, but this is done just right and a joy it was.