For all of us, this is hard, nearly impossible. But think of those glorious food moments and capture one bite of the moment. For me, I might think about family reunions in North Carolina, and the one bite would be this. Real southern hushpuppies. As I bite into this recently fried, perfectly bready southern delight, the smells of frying catfish fill the air, the hushpuppy so fresh that my tongue feels slightly splattered with hot oil. I can hear my Aunt Muriel's deep southern drawl as she lets out, "I'll declare, them is some good hushpuppies."
Describe your bite and the scene.
Have fun...and prepare to be hungry. Writing and reading about food makes me want to eat...
The best single bite of food I have ever tasted would had to occur on the wintry night of Christmas Eve at my grandmas house. My Grandma's genuine Mexican Posole. As I pick up the spoon I can smell the warmth of the tasty hominy and the mouth watering pork. As soon as the handy utensil enters my yearning mouth I can feel my taste buds becoming anxious to come in contact with the traditional Mexican stew. Soon as I bite into the tangy pork and hamony it brought memories of when my Grand-mother would carry me in her small scaled arms and feed me this delicious soup, that was prepared by hands that were exhausted from picking grapes all day.
ReplyDeleteI have never had the pleasure of having this dish, but I love Mexican food, and stew type meals. This sounds delicious! I loved the way you described the meal. It really helped me visualize and almost understand what the dish would taste like. I love that meals can make us think back to a time in our life that we will never forget.
DeleteI have just recently had Mexican Posole and it was amazing. I must say for the past three years I have been a vegetarian, so this was a big step for me. I can only imagine how great your grandmothers dish was. To say the least I can only wish that I could try some!
DeleteWhat kind of posole does your grandmother make, chicken, beef, or pork? My grandma makes chile rojo (red chile) pork posole. While my mom makes chile verde (green chile) chicken posole. I must say I do not have a preference. They are equally delicious.
DeleteHi Rich! Your explanation makes me want to run out and try a bowl right now! I'm not sure if Posole is the same as or similar to Menudo but if so, I know I'd love it. I remember having my first bowl of Menudo when I was in Jr. High School and I feel in love with it. It's one of my favorite dishes when we go to a Sunday brunch at places like Don Pericos and El Torito. Great stuff!
DeleteI would have to say that Mexican posole is a comfort food for many of us latinos. I can remember growing up and dreading how long it took to cook. Especially when the whole house smelled delicious and I was starving but the it was always worth it in the end.
DeleteI absolutely LOVE posole thanks in large part to my husband. As anyone of Mexican/Latin descent knows that menudo is a fairly common but posole is not. I detest menudo because of the tripe but love the hominy. Posole is the best of both worlds. Thanks for the great idea for this weekends menu.
DeleteAs a person who eats a lot and tastes different types of food, I have to say that the best single bite of food I have ever tasted has been of Mexican food. Probably, for most people the best bite of food for them has occurred during a specific celebration, but I experience that sensation every time I eat Mexican tamales. We do not need a special event to make tamales. Any type of celebration or reunion will be enough to wait impatiently for the home made of my mom.
ReplyDeleteFrom the moments we are still making the tamales, I can hardly wait to put my hand on as many of them as I can. The smell of the dough mixed with the meat just makes me crazy as it fills the kitchen, rooms, and my nostrils with smells that easily turn into flavors inside my mouth as if it was the real thing. As I grab each tamale, I can feel its soft but firm texture through the wrap. Their texture is perfect because they don’t crumble as I take them to my mouth piece by piece. Their wonderful taste not only reminds me of the family, but also reminds me who I am and where I come from. Even if only my parents and my brothers and sisters are present, I feel like we, the whole family is there with us
I absolutely love tamales. During Christmas time, my boyfriend's family makes tamales. His mom throws a huge Christmas Eve party and the dinner involves tamales and enchiladas made by his grandmother. It is one of my favorite times of year. She makes the best tamales and I always crave the semi-cruchiness of the masa mixed with the perfect amount of spiced meat. We always have left overs and every time I have one I always think of her.
DeleteI love tamales as well! I haven't had any in a really long time but my friend's mom makes and sales them throughout the year so I'm sure I'll be eating some soon! I missed her Christmas sale though. Tamales seem really easy to make but I have no clue how to do so? Would you mind explaining to me how they are made?
DeleteHello Miranda. I really liked your phrase about the "semi-crunchiness of the masa". I was looking for the words to say that but I could not find them. And yes, they are really popular during Christmas eve, but wouldn't it be nice to eat more of them any other day of the year. They are awesome.
DeleteHi Nandi. Yes, it is easy to make them. I think the most difficult thing to find would be the dried cornhusks. Basically, all you need is to mix some corn flour with water, lard and baking powder until it is a bit soft. Then you spread some of the dough in the dried cornhusk and fill them with anything you want such as chicken, pork or beef. Then you wrap the tamales making sure the fillings stays in place and you put them in a steamer.
DeleteOh okay. That sounds simple. What is cornhusks? Is the lard necessary to make them or can it be substituted with something else?
DeleteCorn husk is the coating of the corn. Lard is not necessary, it just gives the dough texture and flavor. I think you can use shortening instead of the lard.
DeleteRodrigo, I though "semi-crunchiness" was a good word to use, thank you! I was trying to explain the crunchy yet extremely soft delightfully part of the tamale. And I agree, tamales other then Christmas is a great idea! They are most definitely awesome!
DeleteHave you ever tasted or made sweet tamales? My abuelita makes sweet ones by adding raisins and peanuts to the masa instead of meet. She also makes tamales of all masa with pineapple, strawberry, and sweet potato. If you haven't tasted sweet ones, you are definitely missing out!I must say tamales are in my top five favorite foods.
DeleteYUM! Tamales! I love tamales. I couldn't agree with you anymore. Aside from the fact that they are very good, anytime my mom makes them it feels like a celebration even if the only people present are my sister, brother, mom, dad, and myself. It is great to know that you experience a similar effect! I believe the reason for this is because it is alot of work to make tamales and it can bring people together to make them and even better to eat them. At our house we love making Champurrado to accompany the tamales. If you haven't yet had them with Champurrado definitely do!
DeleteMmmm tamales is definitely a favorite of mine. My friend and her family make tamales every year around Christmas time as well and I always buy a bundle of them. They include mild, spicy, and sweet tamales. They are delicious!
DeleteI can't say tamales and me have ever gotten along. Maybe it's just the ones that I've had, but they don't strike me as good. I will just have to wait until someone makes me a good one.
DeleteMy grandma's sopes would be the best the single bite I've experienced. She never needs a special occasion to make these, she just has to be craving them. My grandma usually serves me three sopes, my mouth waters as the plate sits right in front of me. Its three palm sized circle pieces of masa( corn dough); the dough has been toasted and deep fried on the stove. On top of the masa a layer of refried beans is smeared, over the beans is mountain combination of; mashed potatoes, shredded beef, and a spicy tomato sauce. I add a handful of lettuce and a dab of sour cream to each sope. The sopes are finally complete when I add a spoonful of salty dry cheese and spoonful of the spicy salsa. As I take the first bite I can taste the crunchiness of the masa; and each layer of beans, potatoes, meat, lettuce, cheese, and salsa is equally proportional so that you can taste everything. The bite is just so creamy, spicy, salty and delicious. As I finish the last sope, my grandma ask me, "Quieres otro"(Would you like another one?), and although I am stuffed I take another.
ReplyDeleteI have never had the chance of tasting this dish, but is sounds so good! I love spicy foods and this seems like I would enjoy it. I am the same way you are, even when I'm full, I have to have more of my favorite bite to eat. It is so hard to stop eating something that you crave so much. I love that we can relate foods to memories that we will keep forever.
DeleteI had totally forgotten about sopes. I haven't eat them in a while. Just from reading your description I felt like I was eating them right now. What I like about sopes is all the ingredients you can put on them. And if you don't like any of those ingredients, you can add your own. All the flavors you get just in one bite is just amazing. Thank you for sharing this with us.
DeleteI love Sopes too!
DeleteIn particular my moms sopes. My mom makes them a little different than your grandma with the toppings and meat but reading your paragraph just reminded me about how I haven't eaten them in a long time. Also the way your grandma makes them sounds really delicious. I might even add some of those toppings to mine the next time i have some and see how they please my taste buds. I am hungry now.
Hi Miranda,
DeleteI really recommend eating sopes, just be prepared to over eat.
After reading your entry I would love to try them! They sound so good, and over eating is always a must when it comes to good food! Even though your sick afterwards, its worth it!
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ReplyDeleteMy dad's beans and cornbread would have to be the best single bite of food i've experienced. Family dinners are very important to me and the rest of my family(mom, dad, and younger sister). My dad is a firefighter, therefore he is home every other night. We cherish the nights my dad is home by making sure we are all home for dinner.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I walk into the house, I can smell the spicy scents of my dads beans on the stove and the sweet scent of the corn bread in the oven. I watch my dad as he adds spices and ground beef to the pot of beans. The smell of the meat begins to make my mouth water. It seems like hours go by before its done, I crave it more and more every minute. Once the beans are finally done cooking, and the corn bread starts to turn golden brown, its time to eat. My mom slices the corn bread and gives us each a slice while my dad fills our bowls full of beans. Steam rolls off the full bowls. I grab my bowl and drop my corn bread into it. As I chop my corn bread into pieces, my taste buds begin to dance. I can't help but think of the country life style my family has raised me in. The meal fits us perfectly. I try to wait for my beans to cool down before taking my first bite, but I can never wait long enough. My first bite always consist of burning my tongue, my taste buds cannot wait any long. As the spoon enters my mouth I taste the perfectly spiced mixture of beans, peppers, ground beef, and a little sweetness form the corn bread. It's as if I can taste every individual spice. This is a meal I never want to end. I always make myself sick trying to finish every drop. Writing this has made my mouth water. I know what I'm asking for dinner tomorrow night!
I must say, this week I shall be gaining a few extra pounds due to the endless stories of delicious food and cravings. Dang it, just when I was starting to do so well on my diet.
DeleteYou put cornbread into your beans? That's original! I'm going to have to try that sometime. Was it sweet beans? Chili beans? I don't think I've ever came across spicy beans.
DeleteFrank! I would have to agree with you. Everything time I read these I feel like a snack!
DeleteLOL I'm curious to try that now. Thanks for sharing
Deleteposole, tamale, sope, and now beans and cornbread! You people are making my hungry! I say we do a class pot luck!
ReplyDeleteAlthough Mexican and American food seem to be the hot topic on the agenda, I would like to introduce my cultures infamous, mouth-watering BBQ. As a person of great hunger and appetite, I must call upon a feast for every meal, except that would cost a lot. But, with that said, nothing usually satisfies my taste buds, unless, it involves Korean BBQ. From beef briskets to short ribs to pork bellies, and many other types of meat, nothing ever tasted so rich and flavorful as Korean BBQs.
ReplyDeleteOn a cold New Years Eve, hours before the clock struck midnight, our family prepares dinner for our guests. I stand outside in the backyard waiting by the grill, feeling the warmth of the hot coals and listening to the resonating sound of meat sizzling. Just before I alert my family and guest that the meat was ready, I secretly snuck a piece of galbi (short rib) onto a plate and watched the seasoning and sauce sizzle right before my eyes. Waiting for the meat to cool down, I took a slow and steady breathe. Once the marinating sauce filled my nostrils with delight, my mouth followed, pumping saliva from my glands and drooling. I quickly picked up the meat, ignoring the scorching hot ribs and took my first bite. The rich and sweet marinating sauce and seasoning were perfectly blended, just as was the juiciness of the meat was cooked spot on. The mixture overpowered my senses and all I could think about was the succulent galbi and childhood memories of my parents making galbi for my brother and I.
As I come to my closing, I just want to thank Dr. Schmoll for making me realize that I had just finished a whole bag of peanut butter filled pretzels while writing this paragraph. Well, time to go exercise. Again!
Galbee.. and kimchi... ! Perfect!
DeleteFrank, how many minutes of exercise counteracts a whole bag of those pretzels? That's what, 18 hours on the treadmill, right? Good luck and thanks for the great description of Korean bbq!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have never had Korean BBQ it sounds wonderful! I would love to try it. I hope I handle all of that meat! Sounds like a coronary waiting to happen. I agree about those pretzels! I will eat them for entire meals sometimes! That is the only way I can justify eating as many as I do!
DeleteIt sounds delicious. It would be awesome to try other styles of BBQ other than Mexican and American. What kind of seasonings do you use?
DeleteMost of the seasoning contain sugar, garlic powder, sesame oil and black pepper. It's delicious!
DeleteOne of my most favorite things in life is desert! Particularly pie, apricot pie with a nice flaky crust all homemade by my aunt. I can feel my mouth start to water just as soon as I know that the apricots have started to ripen for the year. Everything about the pie starts with the wonderfully sweet and tangy fruit. There is nothing like a home grown apricot from the family tree. Next begins the long drawn out process of all the butter and well more butter that goes into the crust. When you combine the perfectly orange ripe and juicy apricots with the buttery crust and bake it. It turns into perfection with a little sugar on top! The first bite is so overwhelming that I can’t help but finish with the biggest grin. With the slight crunch of the pie dough with the soft texture of the fruit is a combination that does not disappoint. Starting with the first bite of pie each mouthful after it just gets better and better. From time to time you add a spoon full of vanilla ice cream that is slightly melted because of the warm pie filling. This turns the pie into a sweet creamy buttery flavor that hooks you in for a second or third piece. Just in case you get thirsty from all of the wonderful flavors that fill your mouth you could have a cup of coffee to give your taste buds a break. Also to add to the goodness of the pie is the love of your family around you, as we shared the pie and a game of cards.
ReplyDeleteYou woke the all powerful sweet tooth in me. I will have no choice but to bow down to it and fullfill its request to eat something sweet now.
DeleteIve never tried apricot pie. I love apricots... and I love pie... surprised Ive never made one before. I will rectify this appalling situation as soon as humanly possible! Thanks Kelly!
Just like you love Apricot pie, I absolutely love Dutch Apple Pie. When I read this I thought about the last time that I ate pie with vanilla ice cream. It is one of my all time favorite desserts and I couldn't agree more with you about loving the flaky crust, softness, and crisp of it.
DeleteNow that I have read this I am getting an appetite for some delicious sweet pie.
I think you hit the nail on the head when it comes to me and deserts! I'm not a huge sweets guy, but I simply can't turn away a good pie. My all time favorite would have to be a good ole apple pie as long as it doesn't have any nuts. I would have agree with Diana and say that Dutch Apple takes the cake! I recently had the chance to enjoy a piece of my soon to be father in laws homemade apple pie, I it was close to being the best I have ever tasted. I am pretty good at tasting certain components of different foods and he seems to be amused by this skill so he is always trying to find new ways to stump me or see what I think about how it was prepared. His latest attempt was to thicken the bottom of the crust to see if I would notice a difference. :) It would appear that he found my kryptonite with pies. The thick crust was a welcome change to an seemingly ordinary pie!
DeleteAs a dessert lover I have tasted many pies but have never tasted an apricot pie. Your description really makes me want to try one now!
DeleteI am so glad for all of you desert loving people. Also that I made some of you want to try apricot pie or at least eat something sweet! I know that this assignment made me crave some homemade pie! I hope you all get to have some apricot pie sometime in the near future!
DeleteLike you I adore deserts, especially pies of all different sorts. Fresh fruit pies are by far one of my favorite summer treats but I have yet to try an apricot pie. Thanks for your insight and brilliant descriptions as it has me longing for a piece myself.
DeleteI liked how you described the process making of the apricot pie, and it sounds delicious! I definitely think you know how to make this pie, the way that you described the making process. I will try to make a similar pie as the one that you’ve described one of these days.
DeleteThat sounds delicious! I am a dessert fan as well :) I am a Cheesecake fan mostly, and I have tried so many kinds and places that serve it. I think of myself as a Cheesecake expert at this point. I have not had apricot pie before but it sure sounds amazing!
DeleteKelly- Mmmm! You made that sound so delicious and I don't even really like pie! I agree with Brittany though, I'm more of a cheesecake fan. Dessert has to be my absolute favorite type of food. It's actually a problem. I eat way too many sweets and sometimes I feel like I'm addicted to them. So lately I've been trying my hardest to stay away from them. Your lovely description made want to towards something sweet rather than from it.
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ReplyDeleteDuring this past summer, I was involved in a program called Youth Rush. For the three months that I was there I was on a vegan diet. It was hard but I loved a lot of the food, I even decided to become vegetarian when I went back home (vegan was a little too much for me). When Youth Rush was over I went to visit my mom and I explained to her how and why I became vegetarian. She thought it would be funny to cook my absolute favorite meal- corn bread, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and greens. I believe that day was when I experienced the most glorious bite of food!
ReplyDeleteDinner was finished. I had it set in my mind that I was going to eat everything except that once breathing piece of chicken. And I was okay with that. I just had to continuously remind myself, “No meat Nandi. You’re a vegetarian now.” I knew danger was heading my way when my mom and my little sister plopped on the couch beside me with their hot, chicken infested plates. I quickly turned my head so I wouldn’t be tempted to grab a possibly salmonella poisoned drumstick. But then suddenly, a savory fragrant breezed past my un-expectant nostrils. I was stuck. The next thing I remember is I was gazing at the innocent little drumstick in my hand and I hurriedly took a big bite out of it. I don’t know what came over me. But that first bite was so hot and flavorful. My mouth watered around the warmth of the brown, crispy bite that lingered in my mouth before I began to chew. I had gone three long months without digging my teeth into the tenderness of a fresh piece of meat. How would you have expected me to act? With little thought of the air it once breathed, I closed my eyes and enjoyed that innocent and perfectly seasoned little drumstick.
I tried the vegan thing for almost a month. A friend of mine told me to watch a video and unbeknownst to me it was about the cruelty animals go through at the worst places. I know now that they are not ALL treated this way, and it is actually rare to find the cruelty I saw in this video... but at the time, I watched it in pure horror and vowed to never touch anything that came from an animal again. I love fruits and vegitables but Im not a huge fan of pasta, so it was tough at first. and EW @ tofu. Ive been told I didnt know how to cook it correctly and thats why I didnt like it, but I just think I am a meat lover at heart and thats why I didnt like it!
DeleteI can empathize with that first bite of meat though after so long of an abscence from it. MMmmmm
Have you gone back to being a vegetarian, or have you succumbed to the gloriousness that is meat?
Nandi I give you credit for at least trying to be a vegetarian. I could never do it, I love meat to much to give it up. At least you got to eat your favorite food again!
DeleteNandi I give you credit for trying to be vegetarian also. I could never ever ever EVER do it! I have grown up hunting and have eaten many different kinds of animals in my house. I would never be able to go without eating so kind of meat. But luckily you got to have your favorite food again. Woohoo!
DeleteI love how you described the drumstick as "innocent." Chicken is the best meat out there right? I eat chicken every now and then to keep my meat digesting enzymes active (I do not remember the name). PS. Soy milk has been linked to ovarian cancer. (In case you drink soy milk) Almond milk tastes pungent, so now I'm afraid I'm out of options.
DeleteMishabc- I enjoyed being vegan mainly because during that time I was fed some amazing vegan meals by people who had been vegan either all or most of their lives! I didn't know how to make all that good stuff when I went home so that's why I just was vegetarian instead. It was easier to cook for myself! I used to think tofu was the most disgusting thing on earth but then I learned that it really does depend on how you cook it! It naturally doesn't have a flavor. I've made "bbq ribs" out of tofu and they tasted so yummy!
DeleteI've seen videos like the one you mentioned! I think that is so terrible what people to do animals but that is not the reason why I became vegetarian. I do agree that not all animals are treated that way. I actually have relatives who have raise their own animals and I'm pretty sure they're not torturing them!
Mishabc- I am still a vegetarian but after that first bit of chicken I described above, I had two more meals with chicken! But besides that I have been doing pretty good.
DeleteAbigail and Miranda- Thanks! It's not that bad once you get used to it. I hardly ever miss it anymore!
DeleteSarah- Yes!! Chicken is the best meat! But I don't eat it anymore. But if I were to eat any meat it would definitely be chicken. I don't care for soy milk actually, it's too thin for me. I love almond milk though. Yummy! But to tell you the truth, I still drink regular milk with red cap on it!
DeleteAs I am as far from a foodie as one could get, this was a hard memory to try and bring back to the forefront on my mind. One that I was thankfully reminded of by my husband was a rewarding trip to Eureka Burger. My husband was overseas and as a surprise to him, I underwent a grueling diet and exercise regimin to get me in ultimate shape for a photoshoot I was doing for him. After months of eating nothing but ground turkey or chicken and steamed broccoli, I did the shoot and was released from the strict lifestyle. My friends afterwards, who had been telling me I was too skinny, was also thankful that it was over. They immediately came to my house, threw me in the car and drove me to Eureka Burger. I was excited to eat something other than the bland foods I had lived on for so long, but I was also scared wondering how my stomach would handle such a shift. The smells and ambience made my heart smile as I am more accustomed to the social life surroundings. The music, the hum of the crowd in coversations with one another, the dim lighting at the bar.... I was getting more and more excited. I ordered a beer from the long line of taps on the wall at the suggestion of the all smiling bar tender. "Oh sweet succulent hops... its been too long" I said to my new best friend as it drenched my tongue (I could go on with just this sip of beer, but it is just a sip, not a bite so I'll continue). I searched the slick menu for something with the least amount of fat in it, yielding to the inner fear that anything too fattening will make me sick. But as I suggested the oven roasted chicken sandwhich (or something like that) my friends in unison said "No! Burger!" So I continued my searched. One of my friends took the menu from me knowing I wouldnt be able to order for myself and ordered me a Pearl Burger. Once this behemoth of a burger came in front of me, the smell of mouthwatering beef enter my olfactory center and my fear vanished! I felt the seritonin being released from my brain even at the mear sight and smell of such a glorious burger. I picked the monster up with both hands and my friends and I cheersed with our burgers. My jaw unhooked to allow for a bigger bite than what is "publicably acceptable" and devoured that burger. The meat, sauteed onions, cheese and sauces all mingled together to form a small heaven in my mouth. I felt fireworks in my mouth as if my tasebuds were celebrating the end of the diet I put them through. The juices slid down my throat like warm silk. Ive never tasted anything so magnificent, so full of so many different flavors and textures. I could feel the effects of that bite go down my arms and legs like my body was passing the awesomeness down for my whole body to experience. I washed that first bite down with help from my new best friend and I instantly felt high. The seritonin overflowing now gave me a more powerful permagrin than any man made drug could do.
ReplyDeleteIve been back a few times since this instant and though the burger are amazing, they have never been able to compare to that particular burger/bite.
** side note..... I totally felt sick afterwards! But it was totally worth it.
That burger sounds so great! Also sounds like a great beer to go with it! I will have to try that next time I'm feeling like being sick as well! Red meet gets me every time!
DeleteI love Eureka Burger. Their burgers are amazing! I love that you can order one of the burgers they have thought up or you have just order the original Eureka and add whatever you please to it. If you love turkey, try a turkey patty instead of a regular burger. I feel they don't make you feel as greasy as a regular burger. Plus, the spices they add to the turkey is amazing.
DeleteCheyenne, I have tried that and youre right it isnt as hard on the stomach. I usually cut mine in half (cause theyre huge) and have their amazign onion rings with it. If I leave it whole, Id eat the whole thing.
DeleteSince the Dr. Schmoll told us about this assignment, cinnamon roll by Cinnabon came up in my mind. It is a warm and fresh swirly dough dripping with cinnamon, brown sugar, and cream-cheese frosting. It’s heaven! I am imagining myself eating this sinfully delicious roll at home and watching my husband doing his Insanity exercise, I will feel like a hero! The smell of its cinnamon always reminds me to my home town, Bali – Indonesia. It reminds me to the busy morning of a small town where my grandparents lived. My grandma always bought us some local snacks with cinnamon sprinkled on top every morning before she went to the farm where she grew coffee, cloves, and vanilla plants. I feel like I want to eat one now, the fresh one! Cut the cinnamon roll through an outside that is mildly crusty and giving way to the softer in the middle. Deep inside the bun, it is hot. The excess cream-cheese and the brown sugar are melting and covering the warm bun, it makes me want to put my finger to the frosting and lick it. Take the first bite of the roll, it is warm, and taste the buttery flavor of it. The texture is light and fluffy. Delicious! Sinfully delicious! The smell of the cinnamon is so fresh.. as fresh as the morning in my grandparents’ hometown. The sensation of the mixed of the buttery flavor and sweetness are overwhelming. The multiple sensations of happiness as the feel of missing home has been fulfilled. No, don’t remind me to the 800 calories in it. I might not listen to it. After I take the last bite and the cinnamon roll is gone, only the clam-shell box that is spilled with a mash of brown sugar and cream cheese left, …. I feel like I just win a battle…and …I am missing home.
ReplyDeleteAnother comment on sweets. Sweet heaven I will be restarting my diet again on Monday. I despise the mall, but Cinnabon is one of the very few positive things about it. Instead of going and getting one from the mall... maybe I'll try to make one here. I have all the fixins.... I doubt it will be as good, but Im sure it will satisfy the craving, and maybe... just maybe... with less calories :-)
DeleteTry making some homemade..... filling the house with the glorious scent should stop your husband in his sweaty tracks. Bravo for indulging in the delicousness while the hubby does insanity. lol :)
Thanks! I am glad that our mall has Cinnabon.I don't know whether Cinnabon will still taste good if they make the ingredients lighter. However, to me, all that homemade are always good.
DeleteCinnabons are amazing. Have you tried slicing a cinnabon from a Pillsbury can and cook it as a waffle?
DeleteHoly Moly Sarah, that sounds awesome! I know what Im making my kids for breakfast Sunday morning :-)
DeleteArina I liked how you traced back the smell of cinnamon to your past memory of your grandparents. I really liked the descriptive words that you used to describe the small busy town and the overall atmosphere that you had seen. I truly could imagine all the descriptions that you had mentioned in the blog. By the time I finished reading your blog, I found myself eating a cinnamon bun.
DeleteSarah... wow.. that's awesome! I will try it! Thank you!
DeleteRavita.. Thanks!.. I grew up in a big and polluted city.. so every time I went to my grandparents' hometown, it was just different.. clean, fresh, humble...and the smell of spices were so good.. make you want to go back..
Arina! I love CINNABON! That is my absolute favorite mall treat! Absolutely tastes great. Amazing job referencing back to your traditional roots. I too have memories that have that similar effect on me.
DeleteIt's lunch time and I am stuck at the library and reading all of the mouth watery descriptions made me so hungry! As a Latina I would say my favorite dish would be rice with mash patatoes and cheese blended holded together by egg whites to sustain the mixture and deep fried. We call them gorditas, but I heard other names for this dish as well. Just thinking about it makes my mouth watery. As soon as I see my mother boil the patatoes I know she will making my favorite dish. First is to boil the patatoes and after that add cheese to it and smash them together. In my opinion the cheesier the better. During this time the oil is drizziling waiting for the gordita to be ready. I help my mother make them, and put a palm size into our hands and shape them flat.The combination of patatoes and cheese fill the entire house and my stomache. Just as the skillet is waiting for it, my mouth will be second to touch it. As the first one goes in the skillet, I hear the sizzling sound and it's like music to my ears knowing I would soon eat it. Sometimes I go a little overboard on the cheese and that makes a louder sizzle but its ok, I know that the gorditas will be nice and cheesy as I like them. Im patiently waiting for the gorditas to be golden brown and fluffy, what seems a few minutes makes it seems like a long while. Once I check side hitting the oil is nice and glolden then I carefully turn it to the other side and wait unitl its fluffy and golden. I savor every bite like if it is the first time I am eating it.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! As I read your paragraph my mouth began to water. I am going to have to try this. My mom makes gorditas too, however, they are like thick homemade tortillas. We stuff them with meet, cheese, lettuce, and salsa. They are similar to a soupe. What else do they call your favorite food?
DeleteHi Delia, I honestly forgot what other name other people call it but I heard another name for it. Do you mean like the Salvordrean popusas? Those are soooo delicious!
Deleteomgshhh! oops, I ment to call them popusas, i don't know why i called them gorditas. Yes, you're right they are absolutely delicious!
DeleteMy mom’s Carne Asada (steak) tacos are the best single bite of food I have ever tasted! Usually when my mom makes tacos, we have them for dinner. While my mom prepares the meat by chopping it up, seasoning it, and adding lemon to the meat I begin to smell the aromas of the flavors coming together. As she adds the meat into a pan frying it with some oil, I hear the sizzling steak beginning to cook. The smell begins to work its way into the living room and through the hallways causing my Dad and siblings to come out to the kitchen and see what is cooking. As I help my mom make green salsa, guacamole, and chop up toppings for the tacos such as the cilantro and onions my mouth begins to water. While the meat is cooking we begin to make the tortillas and cook them. Once they are done I grab 2 tortillas place them on my plate and add the Carne Asada on top of them. I add a little bit of onions, cilantro, salsa, and my favorite guacamole. As I take my first bite I get a burst of flavors in my mouth, the steak is tender, juicy while containing some crisp on the outside. Then all of the toppings in my mouth begin to settle and the tacos taste amazing! The creamy guacamole and its citrus flavor of lemon on my taste buds make me take another bite before finishing my previous one. Two tacos down and then I go for 2 more mouthwatering delicious tacos.
ReplyDeleteCarne Asada tacos are amazing! I could eat them all the time, it's comfort food for me. It is a dish that is simple to make and just always taste good.
DeleteThis too made my feel like I wanted to have a carne asada taco. They are to die for! I love traditional food dishes and this is definitely one that tastes amazing when well perfected!
DeleteFor me, this was a difficult prompt to finish. I am pretty much a food lover. I thoroughly enjoy trying new foods and things that are out of the ordinary or my everyday norm of food choices. I would like to be able to say that I have tried tons and tons of things, but with not having much traveling experience under my belt, I have had to make due with what has been available to me. When I do travel, I always try to find a local place that has something I have never tried before. Of all these places, I can not seem to forget the first time I traveled to Arizona. Visiting with my family and enjoying our time together were the moments I lived for, and food could only make these times better. We all decided that sea food was the food of choice and my sister had heard of local place that was all the rave at the time. When we got there, I was fascinated with one item on the menu in particular. I can still remember receiving the dish and the explosion of my taste buds when I smelt the scolding batter for the first time. It had all the smells one would expect for this type of dish, a fantastic blend of herbs and spices that wasn't lost in the batter or the frying process. When I bit into the golden nugget shaped piece of meat, it reminded me of a regular chicken nugget with an amazing new burst of flavor. When dipped in the accompanying creole sauce, the fried alligator was a taste I had never experienced before. The familiar consistency of chicken, it was a wave of taste confusion on my palate that I welcomed with piece after piece. I will never forget the first time I tasted alligator and I can't wait to find another experience that matches it.
ReplyDeleteSome friends of mine just got back from Arizona and their youngest daughter tried rattle snake! They posted pics of it and they all couldnt quite put their finger on the right word to describe it (though they did say it was good). Guess I gotta take a trip to Arizona.
DeleteI have had alligator before, but it just didn't taste or feel right. I mean, how could I eat my favorite animal like that? I forgave myself shortly after due to being intoxicated while doing so.
DeleteI would conclude that I am definitely a foodie, however to describe a single bite, my bite would be that of my grandmothers best dish: Chile Verde. In a traditional Mexican household, chile verde is the average dish one would consume. However, my grandmother made such a dish that would dance on your tongue. With first bite, the snap of pepper, slight tang of lemon; the combination of green chile. These flavors would combine to make something fierce and fiery. The sauce she would make had hints of chile, salt, lemon, light seasonings I couldn't truly describe. I cannot do this sauce any justice towards the description. It is simply that good. Pork complimented the sauce, not the other way around. She would slow cook the pork in the chile sauce, creating this type of tender, juicy meat that would break apart as soon as it hit your mouth. It shredded ever slightly, letting the sauce really soak onto your tongue, slightly giving you something to cry over. The spiciness of the sauce would cause a priest to curse with how savory and strong it is. My grandmother knows how to make chile verde, and if I did not go into heart palpitations every time I ate it, I would probably live off the stuff.
ReplyDeleteJoey.. this makes me feel so hungry! I love Chile Verde!
DeleteHaha thank you Arina. It made me rather hungry as I typed out the description as well...
DeleteThe best bite of food I have ever experienced would have to be a bite out of a Sweet Surrender red velvet cupcake. I have the biggest sweet tooth and have tasted many desserts, but nothing can compare to this cupcake. Presentation and taste are everything to me and this cupcake has it all. The red tinted chocolate bread is topped with a swirl of white creamy frosting, on top the frosting sit 3 chocolate chips. You peel away the cupcake liner at one end and expose the bread layer at the bottom, the smell of freshly baked bread instantly overwhelms you, then you go in for the bite. You first experience the texture of the bread, how moist it is, it just melts in your mouth leaving behind a subtle taste of chocolate. The taste of the frosting hits you next and your mouth is overwhelmed by the taste of sweet creamy frosting and chocolate bread, the chocolate chips add a crunch to this otherwise smooth perfection. By far one of my favorite desserts and a bucket list item for all dessert lovers out there!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you, I love Sweet Surrender! They truly have they best cupcakes in town. They are so delightful. My favorite is the red velvet and pink champagne. They are both amazing. I always have such a hard time deciding between the two. Their cupcakes always look beautifully presented and tasteful.
Deleteoh my gosh! i am so hungry right now. I am really caving for some dessert. A chocolate bread? i am absolutely speechless. i want me some
DeleteSweet Surrender Red Velvet Cupcakes are to die for. Speaking of this sweetness, I must go get one today with the family.
DeleteThey are by far my favorite cupcakes! I came across that little bakery by accident and have never regretted it!
DeleteThis assignment is interesting to say the least. I love food and to have to choose one item is a hard assignment. Overall I enjoy real Mexican food; recently I had carne asada with grilled onions. I had refused to try grilled onions because they did not look very appetizing, I also am not a fan of onions. However, my brother always eats about 10 of them and he savors them so much that I just had to try them. Just to clarify, the onions I am going to describe are small with a long green stem and when they are grilled they are very good. I grabbed the onion, hesitant and scared to take a bite, and began to smell it. It smelled sweet and the smell made my mouth water. I take a bite of this grilled onion and as I bite it the onion is very juicy, crunchy and sweet. These onions must be eaten fresh of the grill because as they cool down they are not as juicy and savory. The taste of the grilled onion is well complemented with the carne asada. If any of you haven't tried these grilled onions I recommend you to do so. I usually drink a Pepsi when I eat carne asada, but since the onions are so juicy that wasn't necessary. When I bite into the onion after eating some meat and rice it quenches my thirst. This description has my mouth watering and I am now planning to have this to eat this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI love onions, grilled onions especially! When I was younger I used to eat onions like apples. True story. I'm glad that you seem to have changed your opinion on them!
DeleteThe scene of the place I took this amazing bite of food was a small restaurant that has dimmed lighting, modern chairs, and modern decorations. This place is downtown and is called Enzo. They serve sushi there and I absolutley love sushi. The roll I had ordered is called Crazy Dream. It is baked salmon on top, with shrimp, crab, cucumber, and cream cheese inside. These was one of the best bites I've ever had in my life. I love seafood and cream cheese. Especially cream cheese, even though it is extremely fattening. The bite tasted like a heaven if heaven had a taste. It was warm, and creamy. The salmon was baked to perfection. The crab and shrimp delightful, while the cream cheese topped it off. If anyone loves sushi and needs to turn their frown upside down, definately get this roll. I'm not sure why this roll has the name it has, but I agree with the Dream in the name. My taste buds felt like they were in a dream once I tasted the flavors of the roll. This roll was so perfect and tasteful in my mouth, I'm so distracted thinking about how much I want one that I can't think how to describe it. Words cannot describe this roll, if you love sushi, just go try it!
ReplyDeleteEnzo's is my favorite sushi place in town! I love the atmosphere and they carry my favorite roll! I don't know if I have tried the roll you described but if you haven't tried the Crunchy Sexy roll then try it! I'm not really a cream cheese person, but I'd give what you had a shot!
DeleteI have never been a big fan of sushi but this sounds incredible. I must say that I also love cream cheese, it is one of my guilty pleasures. Like you said it is fattening, but the creamy goodness is so versatile that it works well with so many things, my favorite at the moment is jalapeno poppers.
DeleteMonica,
DeleteI have tried that roll, I love the crunchy pieces they put on top! I definately wish they would put that on top of my favorite roll also. I might have to ask next time! Give my roll a try, it's not overly done with cream cheese.
Camille,
It is, if you aren't a big sushi lover, try a deep fried roll first. It helps you adjust to what sushi is like and if you are willing to try raw roll next. Yes cream cheese is seriously pretty good on anything.
Most people think Latin Americans eat solely rice, beans, and salsa. That's deemed true. Those are the Latin American staples. But what happens when the rice is added to the beans and then stir fried? We get a juicy Peruvian dish.
ReplyDeleteOn the first day of class, I was awoken by the smell of garlic clove. I opened my door and a wave of garlic-tainted air rushed into my room. I headed to the kitchen. The morning was too cold to walk on tile without socks. My mom greeted me by telling me she'd seen a dish on TV called Tacu Tacu. ** Tacu Tacu was a slave dish. It was an "economic" way for slaves to make a nutritious meal. She set my plate. I peered over, and it looked like a mess. The kind of mess when you know a dish is going wrong, and it's so much easier to mix it and call it stew.
I threw out my wannabe connoisseur demeanor, my skepticism, and sense of self and shoveled a spoonful of the Tacu Tacu. The first thought that came to mind was Popeye's rice and beans. After the Popeye's episode came the mushroom with extra pico de gallo. Then came the salad flavored of romaine, corn, and sour cream. All of this is wrapped with tiny pieces of scrambled egg warmed my heart this morning, and I no longer felt the winter cold. Slave-made food or not, this fried salad, rice and bean, pizza pie played my favorite song. Well done Peru.
is amazing how food can make one feel. slave food? it sounds really delicious
DeleteThat sounds delicious. What kind of beans do they use for this dish?
DeleteSometimes looks really can be deceiving. My mom makes lot of dishes that look like she just threw whatever she found in the pot, and they are all delicious. This Tacu Tacu sounds awesome, I love when a dish surprises you.
DeleteThe most single bite of food i have ever tasted would have to be when my friend Joseph came to town. It was seventy-five degree in Los Angeles that day, the sky was perfect, cloudless blue. I remembered this day because we just came from the beach and we are starving. So he decided to take me to one of his favorite restaurant in Beverly hills. The chef was known for his famous octopus dish and considering i had never has an octopus dish before, i was in for a treat. As the waitress brought the dishes, the smell only made my mouth watery, and not kidding, i was drooling. The sight of the dish looked delightfully delicious, with sliced elegant octopus sashimi into a salad with the radish, cucumber, finger limes, micro popcorn shoots and fried micro shiso in a peppery vinaigrette. The dish was tangy and refreshing. I had the waitress write down everything about the dish. Just one bite and i felt liking melting. Yep, the dish was that delicious.
ReplyDeleteYou are very brave to have such a dish. I love sea food and octopus looks good but I have never tried it. I am weird about the texture of my foods and I cannot eat slimy items. Maybe one day I will have the courage to try it because it is very tempting at times. I enjoyed reading your entry. It was very unique!
DeleteYour descriptions are reminding me of another good writing idea: smell of food. I think that fajitas were designed to enliven the senses of everyone else in the restaurant or at least to cause jealousy and regret in diners. How many times have you already ordered something else and then the fajitas go wafting by and you think, oh man, I should have ordered fajitas!?
ReplyDeleteKeep your great descriptions going!
That is so funny, I had never really been aware of it before, but I think you are correct. What about the sizzling sound they make? That is the prelude to the wonderful aroma, such a unique characteristic of fajitas.
DeleteWhen my mother asked me what I wanted to eat for my birthday, the answer was simple, enchiladas de papa en el disco (enchiladas filled with mash potatoes cooked in a disc). It is very simple meal but there are a lot of steps to prepare it. Which can make the wait very agonizing. Boiling the potatoes and making the sauce is the most time consuming. When the red chilies are done boiling and blended together with the various spices the odor is incredibly strong and fills the house. The chili aroma in the air stings my eyes a little. As I start coughing, I know this sauce is going to be very spicy, just the way I like it. Although a little painful, my burning eyes and coughing are expected and welcomed. It’s a sign the food is almost ready. The tortilla is drenched in the hot chili sauce and is then dropped in disc. The hot oil pops and the sizzling sound rings in my ears. I always make my own special filling, mash potatoes, cheddar, and green onions. Once the filling is in, the tortilla is shut and shaped like a crescent moon. The smell is incredible and by then my mouth is watering. I like my enchiladas semi-crunchy so I leave them longer than most, by doing so I give the cheese time to properly melt into creamy, gooey, cheesy goodness. As I get my plate, I am overly excited to begin eating. My dad puts three enchiladas on my plate; I then add my condiments lettuce, sour cream, salsa, cheso fresco, onions, and habanero chilies. As I walk outside, I realize it is extremely warm for late October. I see my family talking, laughing, eating and enjoying each other’s company. I finally sit down to devour these three enchiladas. The first bite of the enchilada was heaven. I felt the crunchiness of the tortilla, the soft and gooey mash potatoes, the cold lettuce and sour cream, and the explosion of spicy hot sauce towards the end. My taste buds were dancing together in harmony. It was worth the wait. They are extremely delicious and never disappoint. Due to this writing assignment, we are having some for dinner. YUM! I cannot wait. It is definitely a must try, if you haven’t already.
ReplyDeleteYour description made me crave enchiladas now. I never heard of enchiladas being cooked in a disco. What is the difference between being cooked in a disco and in the stove?
DeleteThey give the enchiladas a different texture than the ones made on the stove. When you cook them in the disc the outside of the tortilla gets hard and crunchy, while the inside of the tortilla is soft.
DeleteChicken, dead or alive I love it. I was a proud devote to chicken, preferably Albertson's, Hodel's, KFC etc. Up to this day, I tolerate rotisserie chicken, as for I can shred it and make some groovy chicken tacos loaded with avocado and lemon, but it isn't my favorite. I would have to have preferred Albertson's chicken above all other competitors due to the fact that they were good and it was at a fair price! Who knew my loyalty towards Alberston's was bound to change once I was introduced to Popeye's 2 piece deal composed of two mild pieces, a biscuit, a side, (which I substitute with another biscuit), and a drink. It was shortly before this semester began that my friend suggested we go to this "Popeye's." I was a bit flustered and was somewhat against it because in my ignorant self's thought, Albertson's already had my heart...when it came to chicken that is. Although my friend claimed it was better, I refused to believe such foolishness. What I first ordered, and what is my order up to this day, was that which I mentioned above. Once I picked up the first piece of chicken and took that glorious first bite, I knew. I knew this is what love felt like. Popeye's had stolen my heart! That chicken was just perfect, crispy on the outside, well cooked on the inside, yet soft and juicy, tender in all the right places. This was only before the cajun sparkle was added... Cajun sparkle has to be the best thing that has come into my life when related to the fast food industry. When added to a piece of heavenly chicken, it gives it some kick! Some pizazz is well given with this mixture of seasoning, pepper and whatever else helps compose this concoction! That first bite was knowing what real chicken should taste like. The biscuits, those were just the definition of what perfection is. Some amateurs might claim they have tasted real biscuits that their mothers make with "love" or that other places carry, but they are all wrong, unless they are referring to Popeye's! They are not super flaky, not powdery, not too salty or sweet, but just right! They are worth substituting the side with! Needless to say, I ended what I had with Albertson's. If you all want to know what happiness and perfection taste like, you all should eat some Popeye's right now.
ReplyDeleteI like most love to eat with the greatest exception being that I do not particularly like to cook. This is not to say that I cannot cook, on the contrary I can follow directions on recipes like a pro. However, most meals or dishes I prepare are done mainly by memory and depend on special requests, time limits or simply by the mood I’m in. Sometimes it’s that first bite that can change my mood or outlook for that moment in time. Anytime that I am a little melancholy I always find the time to make my favorite dish that is simply referred to as “enchilada stack”. This dish is a hybrid version of enchilada’s and chilaquiles. The dish itself takes less than twenty minutes to prepare, twenty five minutes in the oven and ten minutes maximum to cool down to eating temperature. This means that in less than an hour I can take that first bite into instant warmth and comfort. The layers of corn tortillas, ground beef and cheese in a gooey messy concoction that looks abdominal and nearly inedible; yet, it is somehow the perfect blend of traditional Mexican cuisine that has been Americanized and made mom-friendly. My first forkful to an outsider resembles a bulldozer breaking ground as I attempt to get the largest amount of food to stay put on the fork long enough to reach my mouth. As I get that first taste of spicy sauce, meat, tortillas and melted cheese it is orgasmic! I am instantly looking to refill my fork while I chew meticulously, slowly enjoying each and every flavor bursting within my mouth that is overly full with food that is barely at a temperature borderline scalding hot. After nearly burning my mouth with that first bite I am a glutton for punishment, I go back for another bite with anticipation of a repeat performance of bliss.
ReplyDeleteThe best single bite of food that I can recall lately right at this moment would be the time when I ate a Samosa made by my mom. A samosa is a North Indian snack food. The best day to eat a samosa is on a cold and rainy day with some hot Chai (Indian tea). The road was as wet as it could get, hearing the sound of the rain drops tip tap against the roof, with a little bit of crisp breeze coming through the kitchen window made it the perfect weather to eat a samosa. Basically a samosa’s outer structure is made of fresh dough and the inner part is stuffed with fresh spicy potato stuffing with Indian spices. After the samosa is stuffed with the spicy potato stuffing, then you fry it in oil until it’s golden brown. Then you eat it!
ReplyDeleteGoing back to the story. My stomach was growling like I hadn’t eaten for days, literally. As I saw my mom straining the ever so perfect and triangular samosa from the frying pan, my lips got dry and my mouth started to water up. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I rushed to grab myself a plate, and as I took the first bite it tasted so soft yet so crunchy. I could taste the spicy potato stuffing melting in my mouth like butter. The cool wind breeze made the smell of the samosa roam through the whole house. This made me think that this is it, nothing gets better than this. I could taste all of the aromatic spices that were in the potato stuffing in my mouth, and it simply tasted delightful!
I had my first samosa about a year ago and now i'm hooked! My friend Angelica brought them for a pot luck when we were in nursing school. Now, every time her family makes them i get an invite over. They are delicious, I love the spices with the potatoes. You are lucky your mom knows how to make them, I need to learn:)
ReplyDeleteAll of your entries sound amazing. I’m all for Dr. Schmolls’ idea of having a class pot luck after reading about all your meals. If no pot luck, maybe we can exchange some recipes in another blog. For myself, the best single bite of food I have ever tasted would have to be Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden. My first encounter with this this delicious soup happened my senior year of high school. A friend and I went to Olive Garden for lunch and she ordered this soup. When are meals came out I could smell her soup. It was like something I have never smelled before. It smelt so good, but looked gross. She offered me a bite and said I had to taste it. I can’t believe I almost passed it up based off of its appearance. I leaned over the table towards the spoon full of uncertainty and opened my mouth. As soon as it hit my mouth I was hooked. I had just tasted the best food ever. I ordered myself a bowl of heaven and ate it all without any hesitation. They also have perfect combination of warm, soft, salty and buttery breadsticks. I personally like to dip these 140 calorie sticks of goodness into my Zuppa Toscana. I never knew what exactly was in the soup and I was always craving it. So, I looked up the recipe and made it myself at home. Mine isn’t as good as Olive Garden but it comes close. This soup consists of many different flavors. You get your spicy kick from the Italian sausage and red pepper flakes. The sweetness comes from the potatoes, onion, bacon and Kale mixed together. And the all-around mouthwatering yummy taste from it all combined together. Next time you go to Olive Garden I highly recommend you order a bowl.
ReplyDeleteI also love the Zuppa Toscana at olive Garden. It is probably the best soup I have ever had. I especially enjoy the crunchy kale with the soft potatoes, they compliment each other perfectly.
DeleteI am a major sweets fan. I love chocolate, sweet fruits, and cakes or pies. Every year for Valentines Day, I make chocolate covered strawberries for friends and family. They absolutely love them! So this year I wanted to try something a little different. I wanted to combine my favorite sweets together. This last weekend I decided to have a trial run because I like to taste my new creations before I serve them, and now I don't think I will make these strawberries any other way. This year I have decided to core out the strawberries and fill them with a Cheesecake filling, then cover them in milk chocolate. Just the ingredients alone sound heavenly. However, the taste is what will send you into a dream of sweet serenity. After letting the newly milk chocolate dipped strawberries cool in the fridge overnight, I was finally able to try my new little experiment. As I took my first bite, my teeth cracked through the sweet milk chocolate shell which melted as soon as it hit my tongue. I continued to bite into the layer of the tart and tangy strawberry. It was perfectly ripe, fresh, and juicy. The first two tastes complimented each other perfectly and then I reached the deliciously sweet cheesecake filling. It was smooth, rich and creamy.These three foods would be satisfying enough by themselves, but together they make the perfect dessert, leaving my taste-buds in a tantalizing frenzy. I am guilty of eating 6 of those amazing Chococheesecakeberries :)
ReplyDeleteYour creation sounds so amazing! How do you fill in the strawberry?By the way I love the name of you gave for your creation!
DeleteI wasn’t drunk, but I had been drinking. I was working for a company that specialized in large pyrotechnic displays, and I jumped at the opportunity to go with them to do an event in Las Vegas. The event was the Motocross championship, and we were there to set up what seemed like miles and miles of wires across the field in preparation for the fireworks finale to follow the race. When the time came, the sky lit up and the ground shook as if it would open up and swallow us all. After the event, we went to the Bellagio Hotel and Casino for dinner at their five star buffet. As soon as I walked in, I was immediately captivated by the sight of so much food. Seafood, Chinese food, sushi, Mexican food, Italian food, cooked to order steaks; I honestly did not know where to start. After a marathon session of eating, what seemed like hours of trying to at least sample a little of all the different foods, I decided that if I were going to have any dessert, it would have to be soon, as I had already eaten more food than ever before in my life. The dessert section had all of the usual dishes one would expect to see; an assortment of pies, cakes, cheesecakes, cupcakes, and ice cream. In that moment, I decided that I could not handle more than one dessert, and that I would like my one dessert to be something different and exotic. That was when I noticed the little white ramekins filled with some cream colored custard. I noticed the top of each cup was burned, as if the chef had cooked it too long, but this could not be the case, as all were in the same condition. The sign above called the food crème brulee, and I grabbed one and sat back down. As the spoon pierced the crunchy burnt sugar on top into the custard underneath, I wondered if perhaps I had made a mistake in choosing this dish as my solitary dessert for the night, but when I tasted the stuff, I know that could not have been further from the truth. It tasted sweet, something like caramel, but not cloyingly so. The faint scent of burnt sugar was the only scent it had, which seemed ironic given its wonderful flavor. The texture of the soft custard paired with the crunchy sugar was pleasant, and before I knew what had happened, my little ramekin was empty, so I went back for another, which disappeared just as quickly. As I went back for my third, I had the fleeting thought that perhaps I was going overboard, but I pushed this thought aside. The flavor was intoxicating, the perfect amount of sweetness. I couldn’t eat another bite, but I knew I would probably never taste anything this amazing again, so I went back for my fourth and final crème brulee. As I walked back to my hotel room, I was in physical pain from eating entirely too much, but it was entirely worth it.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am a total foodie and love trying new foods and different places, therefore it is extremely difficult for me to narrow down my food experiences to one single bite. However I have always had a special love for desserts, especially baked goods, so it is not all that surprising that the best bite of food I have ever had was a brownie. I know it seems like a simple thing and one can find brownies everywhere these days, but these are no ordinary brownies. They are made from a recipe which has been passed down through my family for four at least four generations, and every time I bite into one it feels like home. I bite into soft chocolate I can taste vanilla and walnuts, and I am a child again. I can see my mother and grandmother standing in our kitchen doing the Christmas baking. The brownie is chewy but has a slight crust on the top that provides a unique texture that cannot be found in commercial brownies. The taste is also far less rich that normal brownies and is best enjoyed with an ice cold glass of milk which makes the experience complete. While I have had these brownies hundreds of times as a child, and now make them myself at home, they always remind me of those happy times gathered in my kitchen “just us girls” as my mom would say. They have passed on numerous recipes to me, but this one is the most sacred and most sought after. It’s been over twenty years since I first learned to make grandma Genevieve's brownies, but every time I do it feels like the first time.
ReplyDeleteI have got to say that the best food I have ever had the enormous pleasure of eating would be sushi. Yeah, the idea of eating raw fish sounds unappetizing at first, but the sheer ecstasy that overcame my mouth after biting into my very first sushi roll, the spider roll was perhaps the defining moment of my food life. A little, sweet and crunchy soft shell crab mixed with some tuna, rice, seaweed, avocado and wasabi sauce made by my dad, which spices everything up to the point of it firing out your nose and making you cry, just made my life in one a single moment. There we were, just the two of us, sitting at the bar in Love Sushi as part of our usual lunch together. The place was packed, there were kids crying, people talking over one another, the TV playing some random sports network that neither of us cared for (it was probably NFL or something), and we were watching the chefs prepare the food and just talking to each other about pretty much anything. I will remember that day forever as it changed my perspective on how i view new food and its ability to satisfy.
ReplyDelete