Digest entry--English Breakfast
Posted by: j_john
I wrote about satisfying my craving for the Traditional English Breakfast on Digest.
From: July 23 | Comments (0) | Permalink
Lager, Cerveza, Ale
Posted by: j_john
One of the neat things about being in North Carolina for Thanksgiving is ordering a traditional lager, like the USA's oldest Yuengling. Sure it tastes like PBR, but this stuff has been around forever and outlasts any trend.
However, my cousin and her fiancé opted for more exotic flavors.
From: July 23 | Comments (0) | Permalink
British Breakfast at the Brass
Posted by: j_john
Had a great time at the Horse Brass yesterday, hanging out with friends both old and new (man of the morning Josh Berezin falls into both catergories), watching English Premier League (Crystal Palace tied Arsenal 1-1) and eating the most delicious of breakfasts, the "Homestyle English." We should post a review on Digest...
From: July 23 | Comments (0) | Permalink
open bottles
Posted by: j_john
A couple of recent photos capture some drinks of choice for Portland's elite:
From: July 23 | Comments (1) | Permalink
In the Kitchen
Posted by: j_john
I'm finally following through with one of my "New Year's Projects", having cracked open the new cookbooks and made a "Cold Asian Noodle in Peanut Butter Sauce" dish, and just this morning, Toast Francais (thanks to J. Roberts for helping me get started). In case anyone wants to know, here's the Peanut Noodle recipe that seemed to prove edible to both Dennis and Andrew:
1/2 ound raw spaghetti
1 green onion
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon chili oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
All you do is mix all the ingredients in a bowl and combine it with the pasta...I used a bit more chili oil to give it some kick. Oh, and that French Toast stuff is easy! Next up will be a spicy coleslaw and some soups...
From: July 23 | Comments (0) | Permalink
Hand to Mouth Transfer Speed
Posted by: j_john
A great article appeared in the NY Times about eating contests.
I especially enjoyed the factual information provided about stomach capacity and the quote about Kobayashi talking to his stomach. Then they bring in the amazing female competitor storyline--her average daily meal is a "one-pound burger, two large orders of French fries, a large order of onion rings, a 15-piece serving of chicken tenders and a shake." What a combination.
From: July 23 | Comments (0) | Permalink
Next Up, a Dozen?
Posted by: j_john
I'd been waiting to post something about my doughnut street-eating contest accomplishments until I had some new photos to link to, but seeing as I don't know when that will happen I better get this down before important details are forgotten.
About a month and a half ago 4 Portland residents and one vistor from L.A. decided to test out the new all-night doughnut shop in downtown--Voodoo Doughnuts. Male bravado or just a healthy appetite caused K. Mikey Merrill to proclaim his ability and desire to consume a dozen of their sugary treats. After bowing out with only 7 doughnuts consumed, I stepped in and put 8 in my belly. Check out the photos here.
Jumping ahead one sweaty month later, I was called upon to defend my title. It seemed a group of people had gathered to celebrate Cabel's birthday, and after a few drinks the topic of our streeteating contest came up. Possibly fueled by their alcohol consumption a couple of challengers stepped up, claiming their ability to easily defeat and dethrone me. When one of the newcomers quit early in the competition it became a two-man gluttonous showdown. Despite the best efforts of my friends and amused onlookers to throw me off of my game (not to mention that the pre-chosen concoctions included some interesting combinations--chocolate and parmesan cheese anyone?), I was able to shut out the noise and zone in with a zen-like concentration on the task at hand--eating those doughnuts!
One of my challengers bested my record of 8 doughnuts consumed on a downtown street corner, so I calmly continued my mission with a renewed purpose--I knew I would not fail. Sure enough, a few minutes later I was placing the last marshmallowy, chocolaty, super-sugary sweet bits of doughnut number 10 into my overly dry mouth (and mister "9" doughnuts was ridding himself of the contents of his belly). I regained my title and gladly accepted a complimentary bottle of water.
Oh, and a few days later I stepped on a scale and I had lost 2 pounds from the previous week!
From: July 23 | Comments (0) | Permalink
Life as a Soda Outcast
Posted by: j_john
Okay, so pretty much everyone I know says that when it comes to a carbinated cola beverage, they prefer the taste of Coke over Pepsi. I, however, prefer the sweet, sweet taste of Pepsi cola. This seemingly small acknowledgment has made me an outcast and has forced me to endure a tremendous amount of ridicule from my Coke drinking friends. What is it about the Coke beverage that makes people so hostile? Perhaps it is the tremendous marketing job that Coca-Cola has implimented, making them the most recognizable brand in the entire world. As soda drinkers, it seems we are led to believe that there is only one choice to be made--you must drink Coke. Apparently I have decided to defy those odds with my Pepsi preference. Am I a deviant? I think not. Am I an original? Perhaps. The truth remains, I like my Pepsi, and anyone who can't handle that can go stuff their face with a warm Caffeine Free Diet Coke.
Anyway, the impetus for my soda themed post is the introduction of Pepsi Vanilla. Upon entering my local Target store on Wednesday I was amazed and overjoyed to see the brilliant new bottles of this vanilla-flavored soda proudly displayed for all to see. I took a couple 2-liters to the checkout counter and asked the young Target employee when they had started selling them. He was perlexed at my inquiry, shrugging and unable to offer any adequate response. A teenage girl behind me interjected, saying that it had been "out for a long time." Ha! I think not, young lady--after getting home and spending time on the Interweb I soon discovered that I was one of the lucky few to sample the brand new beverage in it's initial shipment. After finding a suitable glass and ice-cubes, I poured myself a generous amount, immediately appreciating the vanilla aroma. I slowly sipped the cola, and not surprisingly, found it to be an amazing treat for my taste buds. What wonder! I thought that my mild enjoyment of Vanilla Coke had ended my fascination with new cola combinations...yet I was wrong---behold the savior, it's name is Pepsi Vanilla!!!!!!
Check out some legit words from a Pepsi exec:
Pepsi Bottlers Meet in Las Vegas: " Pepsi Vanilla logo (photo) shows word 'Pepsi' in white; 'Vanilla' in cream color. Below Pepsi globe icon are words: 'Smooth Vanilla Cola.' BD estimates Pepsi Vanilla regular/diet volume in 2003 will be 30 mil cases. Executive. 'With Pepsi Vanilla, we'll reclaim our fair share of the cola category -- and then some. We deserve it, and we plan to take it -- with no regrets,' declares Pepsi North America senior vp/chief marketing officer Dave Burwick. Adds: 'We've run some fantastic test markets for Coke. We've shown them the way in bottled water, in lemon cola ... It's about time they returned the favor.' Adds re Pepsi Vanilla, 'it's a smoother, better-balanced vanilla, with a directional win against Vanilla Coke.'
From: July 23 | Comments (0) | Permalink
