Innie or Outie

Hubby was in the mood to cook something a little less complicated, Papa’s Yakisoba:

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Stir-fried spam, carrot, onion, bell pepper, and soba noodles in sesame oil with ketchup, white pepper, and soy sauce added for seasoning.

In the late Spring, sometimes a light but filling quickie meal is all one really needs to calm those hunger pangs. This is a sandwich I came-up with to meet those needs. Toasted Tomato-Tuna-Avocado Sandwich:

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Mix together some Sea Chicken Spread (or you own favorite tuna salad spread). Quickly saut̩ some tomato slices in olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped fresh basil. Remove the tomatoes and toast bread slices in the remaining oil. Place lettuce, avocado slices, and the saut̩ed tomatoes to one slice of toasted bread. And tuna spread to the other slice of toasted bread. I chose New England clam chowder (shame on me Рcanned) as the accompaniment for the sandwich.

Today’s meal is some of the take-out choices available from an island Mexican food themed eatery:

Mexican Tacos

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These consisted of ground meat, lettuce, tomato, onions, cheese, and a side of salsa in a soft shell.

Burrito Deluxe

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Although this is called a “burrito”, I think most people from the Southwest would consider this as similar to the taco salad – perhaps Burrito Salad? It consisted of ground meat, refried beans, onions, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, and avocado (or a very mild guacamole) in an edible deep-fried tortilla bowl with a side of salsa.

Onion Rings

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I don’t know where the food item originated, but when someone says Mexican food I doubt that onion rings would pop into many people’s minds. (Not that it isn’t a part of the cuisine. It seems to be a part of most cuisines in one form or another.) These came with a side of ketchup.

Hubby’s back in the kitchen and this is what he came up with for a birthday surprise for our two year old dog (Jaco), Papa’s Rosemary Pork with Tuna-Lemon Sauce Dinner:

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The Rosemary Pork recipe came from this Japanese foodie site. (Our dog really got down on a little of this as a special birthday treat.) For the side dish, Hubby blanched the veggies. Then he sautéed the veggies in sesame oil and topped with warm sesame thousand island dressing.

This tasty take-out bento option is less busy in the food selection and the flavors are more reminiscent of local island cuisine.

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It seems in the world of hotdogs, frankfurters, weiners – or whatever one may call them – there is little limitation on the imagination worldwide to find the perfect way to cook and warm the ever popular food item. And the prices can range from a few dollars to thousands of dollars. Here are some of the contraptions I found in my internet window shopping ventures.

(Last Updated 30 Sep 2009)

Home Kitchen

Countertop Mini-Designs

Nostalgia Stand

Countertop Toaster

Hot Diggity Dogger (white)

Non-Traditional Appliances

On the Go Steamer/Bun Warmers

Max Burton (can use in car)

Countertop Antique/Retro Cookers

Star “Spicy Steamro Red Hots” Hot Dog Cooker

’50s/’60s Design Presto

International Countertop Designs

China

4-in1 Steamer/Bun Warmer

Steamer/Corn Popper/Frying Pan

Czechoslavakia

2 Prong

Germany

Steamer/1 Prong Bun Warmer (white)

Switzerland

Various Design Concepts

How Hot Dog Got It’s Name

Snopes’ Urban Legends

A simple and refreshing side dish salad that makes good use of leftover dipping sauces, Honey/Mustard-Almond/Mint Coleslaw:

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1/2 head medium cabbage
1 small carrot
1/2 small onion
1/4 cup Honey/Mustard sauce
1/4 cup Almond/Mint sauce
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Grated toasted sesame seeds

Chop cabbage, carrot, and onion into medium chunks and grate in a food processor. Place the mixture in a container then mix in the two sauces, mayomnaise, pepper, and vinegar. Refrigerate for at least one hour.

Place in serving bowl and top with sesame seeds.

Here is a simple, cool, and refreshing hot weather snack, Minty Fruit Mini-Kabobs:

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Simply dice fresh fruit into 1/2 inch cubes and alternate with fresh mint pieces. I used honeydew, cantalope, pineapple, and spearmint.

NOTE: This is one snack that tastes best when you slide the whole thing in your mouth at one time. So go ahead…be a glutton!!! 😉

Here is another bento that features goya (bitter melon) chanpuru. This version also included rice, pickled plum, kamaboko, mini-meatball, fish, pork, and crab rolled in scrambled egg.

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This is a hearty curry hubby made where the sauce is a different color than what is usually expected, Chunky Chicken White Curry:

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For the curry hubby used chunky chicken, yellow bell pepper, potato, onion and carrot pieces.