Some random thoughts and recommendations on foods

Lately, I have been addicted to those french-fried onions that come in a can. You know, the ones you buy to put on green bean casserole at Thanksgiving. I have been eating handfuls of these are crispy, salty snacks, and I love them. They must be incredibly unhealthy, though.

Speaking of unhealthy salty foods, Lay’s just came out with these Kettle Chips that are the best potato chips I’ve ever had. The jalapeno ones in particular are delicious, strong and crunchy, with lots of potato flavor, and a lot less greasy than the regular thin Lay’s. You also aren’t left with half a bag of crumbs at the end, since they don’t shatter as easily. If you like Krunchers or Zapp’s or any other kettle-style potato chips, I highly recommend these.

Horchata, a delicious creamy beverage you sometimes find at Mexican restaurants. It is made with milk and sugar and rice and cinnamon, and it is perfectly sweet and soothing when you’re eating spicy food. On Friday, I found Rose’s Horchata in little glass bottles at the Super Target, a new product with a display stand near the cash registers, on sale for 89 cents each. I couldn’t pass that up, so I bought one of each: original (the vanilla/cinnamon flavor), melon, and strawberry. These are unbelievably good served ice-cold on a hot day, and even better with your favorite Mexican meal.

Prosciutto. Is there a finer salted, cured meat? I think not. I love this stuff so much, I usually end up eating it alone, plain, slice by slice, when I indulge in this rare deli treat. I know it goes very well with melon, though, and I’m sure it jazzes up some pasta dishes or Italian subs. But with me, I never seem to make it past the planning stage when there is prosciutto to be had.

Archer Farms salsa, the Target store brand. Comes in several varieties, much cheaper than the name brands, and always excellent, thick and chunky and perfect for dipping. My personal favorite is the medium-hot tropical fruit salsa, with pineapple, mango, and perhaps peach as well. I like my salsa chilled in the fridge, and I always dip Ritz crackers in it because, despite what I’ve mentioned above, I do try to avoid chips.

Hostess Fruit Pies. I miss those. Haven’t seen them for sale for the better part of a decade, even though you can still find Twinkies and other Hostess products around. Do they still make them? I also miss those illustrated Hostess ads in comic books that had Spider-Man or Batman or even obscure superheroes like Red Tornado defeating their enemies using delicious Hostess baked goods.

Supermarkets make much better fried chicken than chains, particularly KFC, which is almost always dried-out. Albertson’s makes awesome fried chicken, and usually has a deal where you get 8 pieces for $3.99, or some other ridiculous offers like that. I don’t indulge often – maybe every other month, and usually if we’re having company – but it is so good! The people behind the deli counter know me because I’m always so polite, so they always hook me up with extra breasts or thighs.

I do my best grocery shopping when I’m really hungry. That way, I’m willing to try more things and experiment with unknown and exciting-looking foods. But as a bachelor, I most often decide what to purchase by whatever is on sale that week.

Who else has anything they want to add about food?

Proscuitto - yum. Just made my first proscuitto based recipe, and it was pretty damn easy. Wanna see it?

Four red bell peppers, sliced in half and de-seeded. Rub the insides with a little olive oil and then rub with a whole clove of garlic. Broil for 3 minutes or so, just until they start to soften a bit. Mix 4 oz. sliced or chopped proscuitto, 2 minced garlic cloves, a large handful of fresh chopped basil, and 8 oz. of grated fontinella cheese. Stuff the pepper halves. Broil again for 5 minutes or until the cheesy goodness is melted.

Salty food heaven. With the sweetness of red bell peppers. Joy!

Sam’s Club’s rotisserie chickens are twice the size of the supermarkets’, and only around $5. Pair with an amazingly easy bag o’ baby greens ($3 for 3 pounds at Sam’s!), and a package of easy make risotto. Just discovered risotto. Damn! Why did no one tell me about this stuff? Easy as rice, but 1000X tastier!

Easiest pasta ever: pasta of your choice, olive oil and shredded parmesan cheese. Add some fresh basil and/or fresh chopped tomato if you’re being really overachievery.

Salad bars at the store are great for pre-cut toppings if you’re rushed for time. But no way am I spending $5.99 per pound on lettuce. I’ll take some of the best looking toppings and put them on my own lettuce, thank you. Also good for small amounts of ingredients you only need for a special recipe.

BBVL, those french fried onion things are great as a salad topping. I have to exercise restraint to keep from eating them out of the can too. So greasy! So oniony!

They still make fruit pies, I think. I let the kids buy one every now and then, although those could be generic.

WhyNot, your bell pepper recipe looks great!

I go in food cycles, where I’ll love one thing for a while and then shift to another. Lately it’s rib-eye steaks seasoned with Penzey’s 4/S seasoned salt, cooked to medium rare on the grill, with grilled asparagus or zucchini (olive oil and kosher salt on either please) and a side of mushrooms sauteed in balsamic vinegar (the cheap stuff - the good stuff is condiment, not lubricant.)

And I’m addicted to the Parmesan Goldfish. Salty, crunchy, and small!