What can you expect in the Food Thread on PF?

[Borek]

I like the idea of using them unpeeled, I love the lazy recipes. They fit my character.

 

[turbo]

I like the idea of using them unpeeled, I love the lazy recipes. They fit my character.

That's why I love New England boiled dinners. Easy to make, and flavorful.

 

[Ms Music]

That's why I love New England boiled dinners. Easy to make, and flavorful.

The thought of boiled makes me cringe, but I know you well enough to trust you so I know it MUST be delicious. But I think I need to prove it to myself. Post your favorite recipe? Please?

I am all for easy.

 

[turbo]

I am a free-style cook, Here's how it goes, though. Rub a cheap chuck roast with salt and pepper and sear the living hell out of it in peanut oil until every surface is browned. Remove the roast and simmer the juices out of the pot in cheap wine until the browned stuff is lifted. Put the roast back in along with potatoes, onions, turnip, carrots, cabbage, etc, and simmer for hours.

It's hard to get better food than this.

 

[Astronuc]

When It Comes To Falafel, The Flavors Of Home Can Vary
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/20...comes-to-falafel-the-flavors-of-home-can-vary

Falafel — those crispy, filling fried balls of mashed beans, herbs and spices — is found in cafes and homes all over the Middle East and parts of Africa. It's like a common language shared among sometimes fractious nations.

There are many ways to make falafel.

Tonight I made home fries. I sliced the potatoes and sauteed the chips (fries) in olive oil with garlic, leeks and some other seasonings. I set them aside for cooking later.

I then put diced some turnips added them to the sautee. I then added some sausage, which I cooked, then sliced. I added carrots and let them cook with the turnips and sausage. I added some water, and then through in some Swiss chard and kale. I added the kale first since it take a bit longer than chard to get tender. While that was slowly cooking, I cooked the fries in the oven at 400 F, for about 40 minutes. They probably could have gone another 5 minutes.

 

[Monique]

I love falafel in pita bread filled with pickled vegetables salad and garlic or coriander sauce. Do you know Moaz take-away restaurant? http://www.maozusa.com/about/our-story Really delicious!

Yesterday I made sushi: hosomaki, uramaki, nigiri, inarizushi, tamagoyaki, what a work! Rice was sticking everwhere and the nigiri was quite fragile, the inarizushi was a bit dodgy, but the uramaki was delicious: a new specialty

 

[Monique]

I did it: made my own Maoz salad bar! It made for a wonderful evening of stuffing and lots of spilling

We took pita breads, inserted a leaf of romaine lettuce, feta cheese slices, falafel balls, then filled the bread up with freshly made toppings and sauces:

Sauces:
* Coriander salsa (whizz up coriander, garlic, jalapeno pepper, olive oil, water, lime juice)
* Tomato salsa (heat olive oil, red onion, garlic, tomato, jalapeno pepper for 15 min, cool)

Toppings
* olives (green, black)
* carrots (boiled slices, dressed with olive oil and parsley)
* beet (steamed cubes, with parsley)
* tomato salad (cubed tomato, cucumber, red onion, parsley)
* cucumber pickle (slices in brine)

All salted to taste of course.

Inspiration: http://www.seriouseats.com/2012/02/...l-everything-in-the-salad-bar-slideshow.html# (slideshow)

On the side were some oven-baked french fries, but we never touched them.

 

[drizzle]

I did it: made my own Maoz salad bar! It made for a wonderful evening of stuffing and lots of spilling

We took pita breads, inserted a leaf of romaine lettuce, feta cheese slices, falafel balls, then filled the bread up with freshly made toppings and sauces:

Sauces:
* Coriander salsa (whizz up coriander, garlic, olive oil, water, lime juice)
* Tomato salsa (heat olive oil, red onion, garlic, tomato for 15 min, cool)

Toppings
* olives (green, black)
* carrots (boiled slices, dressed with olive oil and parsley)
* beet (steamed cubes, with parsley)
* tomato salad (cubed tomato, cucumber, red onion)
* cucumber pickle (slices in brine)

Inspiration: http://www.seriouseats.com/2012/02/...l-everything-in-the-salad-bar-slideshow.html# (slideshow)

On the side were some oven-baked french fries, but we never touched them.

That sounds delicious.

 

[Andre]

I did it: made my own Maoz salad bar! ...

Personally I would also have added rucola with sun dried tomatoes in olive oil and pine nuts.

 

[Evo]

Monique, that sounds wonderful!

I also wanted to ask you about your suhsi bar, but I've been so busy.

 

[Monique]

That sounds delicious.

It was! And there was enough left over for a breakfast feast

Personally I would also have added rucola with sun dried tomatoes in olive oil and pine nuts.

Then it wouldn't be a Maoz bread, but of course anything can be added. I wouldn't add it though. I did miss the Israeli pickled red baby eggplant, but I couldn't find a recipe for it.

Monique, that sounds wonderful!

I also wanted to ask you about your suhsi bar, but I've been so busy.

What did you want to ask?

 

[Monique]

Nobody's cooking? After the kale "superfood" discussion in the biology forum I decided to try out a different recipe from the traditional hotchpot.

I made a thick pancake batter with kale, 'bacon' and a shallot. The batter was cooked into small thick pancakes, which were topped with chili beans, yoghurt and shredded cheese upon serving.

Inspiration:

Tonight I'll be trying out spinach-carrot cake:

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

Porterhouse steak.

Today the supermarket was selling porterhouse steaks at $5.99 a pound instead of the usual $10.99 so I bought one. It was cut more than an inch thick, and the tenderloin portion was generous. The total weight was 1.5 lbs and was just right for our family of 4. I never cooked such a thick one before so I looked up on the web how to do it. Unfortunately, the information I got was wrong. They told me that for medium rare, I should wait until the internal temperature was 130F, and so I did. However, it was too rare.

1 porterhouse steak.
2 large baking potatoes.
1 yam
1 bunch of asparagus

Preheat the oven to 375F.

Wrap the potatoes and yam in plastic wrap and nuke for 2 minutes. Then remove the plastic wrap and wrap with foil and place in the oven.

Rub the steak with salt and pepper and vegetable oil on both sides or use your favorite rub. I used olive oil because my wife told me to, but the website said don't use olive oil because it tends to burn at high temps.

A half hour after the potatoes went into the oven, put the steak in the oven. When the internal temp of the steak is 130F for rare Add 5 degrees for each category medium rare, medium, medium well, and well. Note that these temps are 5 degrees warmer than what I read on the web site, not the result of experience. You will need to do some trial and error and perhaps ruin a steak or two before you find your favorite temp.

Rub salt, pepper and oil onto the asparagus.

When the steak is ready, take it out to rest for 10 minutes at room temp. Put the asparagus into the oven for 12 minutes.

Take out the potatoes, the asparagus and serve with the steak. I had a glass of Burgundy, very red and rich.

 

[Astronuc]

Creamed Spinach with Spiced Bread Crumbs
http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/creamed-spinach-spiced-bread-crumbs-230200772.html

Some sides for Thanksgiving
http://www.saveur.com/gallery/Super-Simple-Thanksgiving-Sides/1

 

[Evo]

I've been watching Thanksgiving turkey shows every day since Nov 1st. What I don't get is that out of probably over 200 shows, not one made giblet gravy. I've always made giblet gravy. Instead, they talk about how difficult it is to make gravy because it has to be made at the last minute after the turkey has finished cooking and you have the grease from the pan. My gravy has no grease.

I'm wondering, how many members do giblet gravy and how many make regular drippings gravy for Thanksgiving?

I don't really have a "recipe" for giblet gravy. I save the neck, heart and gizzard from the turkey and as soon as the turkey goes in the oven, I throw them into a small saucepan covered with ~2 inches of water, and a 2-3 chicken boullion cubes or use chicken stock, I add half a finely chopped onion, bring to a boil, then simmer until the meat is falling off the neck bone. Remove the meat to a plate to cool, then take meat off neck and dice the giblets. In a small cup, make a slurry of ~1 tbs of cornstarch and 2 tbs cold water, whisk into broth bringing to boil, adjust thickness by adding more slurry or water until the gravy is the thickness you like. Add the diced meat to gravy. A boyfriend's mother had a weird but delicious addition, she adds a chopped hardboiled egg to the gravy, that's now how I make it.

 

[turbo]

Mmmm! Gravy. We reserve the drippings and re-heat them in a sauce-pot, then stir in flour/water mixture slowly until the mix thickens up. To make the flour/water mixture, start with cool water, and gradually add flour, whisking it in until it's fairly thick. Whisk again, when adding that mix to the drippings.

Everything in the paper bag goes into into the gravy. Liver, heart, and gizzard - all finely chopped. The neck is eaten separately, a little at a time. Gravy is a must, especially if you're going to have mashed potatoes or squash.

 

[Evo]

Mmmm! Gravy. We reserve the drippings and re-heat them in a sauce-pot, then stir in flour/water mixture slowly until the mix thickens up. To make the flour/water mixture, start with cool water, and gradually add flour, whisking it in until it's fairly thick. Whisk again, when adding that mix to the drippings.

Everything in the paper bag goes into into the gravy. Liver, heart, and gizzard - all finely chopped. The neck is eaten separately, a little at a time. Gravy is a must, especially if you're going to have mashed potatoes or squash.

I stopped adding the liver because some people don't like the taste & texture, so it has become a thanksgiving dog treat.

So you do giblet gravy with drippings, sounds good.

 

[turbo]

I stopped adding the liver because some people don't like the taste & texture, so it has become a thanksgiving dog treat.

So you do giblet gravy with drippings, sounds good.

Must have gravy from drippings! If the liver is finely chopped, I don't think anybody will notice it, much less be turned off by the texture. Liver adds an essential tang to the gravy, IMO. I loved being allowed to make the gravy when I was a kid - it was one of the first "cooking" skills that I got, apart from grilling fish and corn and steaming vegetables. I was pretty proud when sitting around with the extended family for Thanksgiving and my mother got compliments on the gravy. She always deflected the compliments to me, and some of my aunts, etc, were shocked.

 

[turbo]

Considering how essential good gravy was to our Thanksgiving meals, it might seem a bit crazy to trust its preparation to a 10-year-old boy, but my mother was always right there for guidance/questions. After a couple of times (T-day, Xmas) there was no question that I could do a decent job. Then she could tend to other stuff.

 

[Evo]

So starts the 20 days of turkey leftovers. I already know most of the breast is going into turkey salad for sandwiches.

 

[turbo]

We roasted a medium-sized chicken instead of a turkey, so there is a big pot of chicken-vegetable soup on the stove simmering.

 

[dlgoff]

I smoked a 13 lb turkey for my daughter, her friend, and myself. Just about the right size with the only leftovers being the two legs; everyone wanted the white meat. What would be good to prepare with these goodies? Soup is a possibility.

 

[Evo]

So, what's better classic good food, or foo foo fads?

I was watching a show yesterday with Anthony Bourdain and they were talking about all of the great traditional restaurants were going out of business due to the trend of fly by night "trendy" eateries, that come and go, and what a shame it is.

Sometimes new great foods are introduced. But I'll never believe that foie gras FOAM and olive oil POWDER sprikled on a plate over a smear of ham juice for $100 is right. It's not uncommon to pay $200-300 per person in these places, without beverages.

Thoughts? Are restuarants purely entertainment or food? Seems like the younger generation just wants to be "wowed". They eat their food after they leave the restaurant. This is killing good classic restaurants. I'd hate to see them go, the economy is such that people spend their money on entertainment before dining out, and that seems to include entertainment *fooderies*.

 

[Evo]

Another "I don't get it", I see on tv cooking shows that they use these cheap $20 plastic mandolines that have to be held with one hand. There are professional metal mandolines that have legs, that don't require holding, and they have adjustable settings, and they aren't slipping and sliding and falling. There was a chef on one show that brought a professional mandoline and they were all in awe.

Seriously? My mother had a professional mandoline, so I grew up assuming it was an essential piece of kitchen equipment. Are these tv shows paid to use these cheap difficult to use pieces of crap with no settings? I don't get it. Do new chefs not get trained on kitchen equipment? These things are like ginsu knives.

 

[turbo]

Our mandoline has fold-out locking metal legs with rubber feet. The depth of cut is quite adjustable (with a hand-screw) and it came with a variety of vertical cutters, so you can switch up between very fine shreds, anywhere up to hefty steak-fries. It can save a lot of work and generate consistently-sized vegetable pieces all ready for cooking. A minute or less with that tool can save hours of prep-time with knives on a cutting board.

Edit: Plus, the uniformity of the pieces makes cooking a breeze.

 

[ChiralWaltz]

all of the great traditional restaurants were going out of business due to the trend of fly by night "trendy" eateries

Classical and traditional restaurants aren't going anywhere. The "younger" generations love to throw their money at flashy pursuits. If there comes a time when the youth have more money than their elders, we would probably see an increase in flashy markets and more trendy eateries.

When I eat out, I usually go to eat most of all. Other factors such as atmosphere, drinks and views do come into play. I'd really have to go to these trendy eateries if I were to be able to make an assessment of the situation. I don't feel that the story is complete from television.

The Magic Time Machine- This place rocks. I used to go here as a kid. They have themed tables like the Batmobile, Sherwood Forest, a tepee among other settings. Themed menus. The waiters are also "in" character and well spirited. Great place.

 

[Evo]

Classical and traditional restaurants aren't going anywhere. The "younger" generations love to throw their money at flashy pursuits. If there comes a time when the youth have more money than their elders, we would probably see an increase in flashy markets and more trendy eateries.

When I eat out, I usually go to eat most of all. Other factors such as atmosphere, drinks and views do come into play. I'd really have to go to these trendy eateries if I were to be able to make an assessment of the situation. I don't feel that the story is complete from television.

The Magic Time Machine- This place rocks. I used to go here as a kid. They have themed tables like the Batmobile, Sherwood Forest, a tepee among other settings. Themed menus. The waiters are also "in" character and well spirited. Great place.

That's great if they actually serve food and not "foam" and "steam', and powder" of once was food.

 

[julcab12]

That's great if they actually serve food and not "foam" and "steam', and powder" of once was food.

Visit Japan! Some my call it trendy and innovative but really darn weird.. Weirder than dark restaurant. I call it "WDH" place and "WDH" food... Quite expensive also.

 

[Evo]

So Bon Apetit magazine has found a new marketing tool, they give food awards to entice the manufacturers to add the Bon Apetit logo to the products, giving Bon Apetit advertising.

Anyway, I agree with the products they've listed, that I am familiar with. The salt, that's not cooking salt, if you notice, they're using it as, what froufrou foodies call "finishing salt".

Also, you've got to be crazy to pay $5.50 a pound for dried beans.

Hunt's is my all time favorite all-purpose canned tomato, but it's because I like the level of acidity and the sauce the tomatoes are in. For soups, stews, etc... it can't be beat, IMO. I have not tried that brand of tomatoes, so I can't say if I like it or not.

I agree with the Hellman's, best pre-made mayonaise I've ever tasted. I know turbo will agree with them on the King Arthur flour.

Anyway, here is their list.

http://shopping.yahoo.com/news/50-essential-ingredients-we-can%E2%80%99t-cook-without-and-neither-should-you-224923462.html

 

[turbo]

I can agree with Heinz ketchup, Kraft cream cheese, Domino sugar, and King Arthur flour. All are staples in our house.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

So Bon Apetit magazine has found a new marketing tool, they give food awards to entice the manufacturers to add the Bon Apetit logo to the products, giving Bon Apetit advertising.

That was the idea behind the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

 

[Evo]

That was the idea behind the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

Yes, I had the same thought. So if everyone gives out awards, will labels have to be fold outs?

 

[turbo]

Got a catalog in the mail today. It is titled Chefs, and it is chock-full of ridiculously overpriced cooking tools, pots and pans, chopping blocks, knives, etc.

I don't mind paying high prices for very high quality tools, like Thiers-Issard hand-forged knives, but the crazy prices they want for Wusthoff knives, sharpeners, etc are nuts. I saved the catalog, knowing that my wife would like browsing it, and would not even think about ordering any of that stuff. She tossed it. We both love cooking, but there are limits.

 

[Evo]

Got a catalog in the mail today. It is titled Chefs, and it is chock-full of ridiculously overpriced cooking tools, pots and pans, chopping blocks, knives, etc.

I don't mind paying high prices for very high quality tools, like Thiers-Issard hand-forged knives, but the crazy prices they want for Wusthoff knives, sharpeners, etc are nuts. I saved the catalog, knowing that my wife would like browsing it, and would not even think about ordering any of that stuff. She tossed it. We both love cooking, but there are limits.

I :!) Wusthoff! Expensive. but unless you lose one, they'll last longer than you will, their handles seem perfect for my hands, so the size and strength of your hands is a factor in selecting kinves. I will never pay $5,000 for a sushi knife though.

 

[turbo]

I :!) Wusthoff! Expensive. but unless you lose one, they'll last longer than you will, their handles seem perfect for my hands, so the size and strength of your hands is a factor in selecting kinves. I will never pay $5,000 for a sushi knife though.

Visit Chefscatalog.com and see what you think. I'm pretty much stuck on hand-forged French cutlery, but Chefs doesn't offer them. They do, however, offer a 10 qt sauce pot for $229.95!

My wife and I were floored by the prices. Our kitchen is well-stocked with tools of all kinds, though we'd be hard pressed to re-stock at these prices if our house burned down. Some tools, like our antique cast-iron pans would be irreplaceable, anyway. I bought some of those pans at garage-sales over 30 years ago.

 

[Evo]

Visit Chefscatalog.com and see what you think. I'm pretty much stuck on hand-forged French cutlery, but Chefs doesn't offer them. They do, however, offer a 10 qt sauce pot for $229.95!

My wife and I were floored by the prices. Our kitchen is well-stocked with tools of all kinds, though we'd be hard pressed to re-stock at these prices if our house burned down. Some tools, like our antique cast-iron pans would be irreplaceable, anyway. I bought some of those pans at garage-sales over 30 years ago.

That's why I don't buy from places that cater to people with more money than sense. I buy good pieces, but I do "shop around" for a good price.

I love where Anthony Bourdain goes into a store that caters to chefs and he picks up a sautee pan for $11 and says "this is what professional chefs use, you'll find these in every professional kitchen, they're quality and they last". Love it. Wish I knew what they were.

 

[turbo]

That's why I don't buy from places that cater to people with more money than sense. I buy good pieces, but I do "shop around" for a good price.

I love where Anthony Bourdain goes into a store that caters to chefs and he picks up a sautee pan for $11 and says "this is what professional chefs use, you'll find these in every professional kitchen, they're quality and they last". Love it. Wish I knew what they were.

That's the kind of shopping that I do. It's not so much hands-on these days, but still one's kitchen should be stocked with tools that are inexpensive (not cheap) and are durable and functional. I splurge on cutlery, but not on sauce-pots, frying pans, etc. I shouldn't say that I "splurge" on knives. We only have 3 hand-forged Thiers-Issard knives, but they get used over and over while the rest of the knives in the block just sit there. Every time my wife picks up that 3" paring knife, she says "This is the best knife EVER." I have to admit it is a very versatile knife, and it sees a lot of use. Our other small kitchen knives get very little (or no) use. Knives on the lawn sale next summer...

 

[Evo]

This website cracked me up, notice the "Nutrition Information"

One serving of cornbread is 5,099.7 calories, or 6,000 calories.

http://www.food.com/recipe/ina-gartens-jalapeno-cheddar-cornbread-barefoot-contessa-267002

 

[Hygeio]

Let's talk about cooking or food.

Hi everyone, I am new here and just contributing to the abyss that is the internet. :)

I'm a pretty decent cook, specifically, in the Peruvian cuisine area. So, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

My favorite food is called in spanish "Arroz con Pato" translated is Rice with Duck.

My favorite dish to cook will have to be roasted chicken on a bed of root vegetables, mainly rutabaga, turnip, carrots.

What's yours?

 

[Evo]

Welcome to the forum Hygeio!

A few of us love to discuss food. Care to share some Peruvian recipes? We'd love to hear them.

 

[Astronuc]

My father's "baby sister" used to make the most delicious rum-soaked mincemeat pie for Thanksgiving. The alcohol was all cooked out, of course, but the savvy adults used the rum as an excuse to try to steer us kids to the fruit pies, cakes, etc, so they could have the mincemeat pie to themselves.

I can't believe this is the only post on mincemeat pie. We need more recipes.

I just took a bite of pie made with a filling of raisins, grated 'Granny Smith' apple, dried cranberry, walnut, orange zest (rind) and orange juice. It reminded me of mincemeat pie, which I normally eat with vanilla ice cream or heavy whipped cream.

 

[turbo]

My father and the other male adults would "stake claim" to those mincemeat pies ASAP. His baby sister played along because she was so flattered by the attention. If you were a kid, you were out of luck.

 

[lisab]

Hi everyone, I am new here and just contributing to the abyss that is the internet. :)

I'm a pretty decent cook, specifically, in the Peruvian cuisine area. So, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

My favorite food is called in spanish "Arroz con Pato" translated is Rice with Duck.

My favorite dish to cook will have to be roasted chicken on a bed of root vegetables, mainly rutabaga, turnip, carrots.

What's yours?

Oooo, I'd like to try that. Here in the US we have a lot of adulterated Mexican recipes. One of my favorites is Arroz con Pollo. The veggies are carrots, celery, onion, and chilies. And lots of cheese! Does Arroz con Pato have cheese? I've never heard of duck with cheese, now that I think about it.

 

[Astronuc]

Oooo, I'd like to try that. Here in the US we have a lot of adulterated Mexican recipes. One of my favorites is Arroz con Pollo. The veggies are carrots, celery, onion, and chilies. And lots of cheese! Does Arroz con Pato have cheese? I've never heard of duck with cheese, now that I think about it.

There is still time to make "Arroz con Turquía"! or Rice with Turkey!

 

[Hygeio]

Oooo, I'd like to try that. Here in the US we have a lot of adulterated Mexican recipes. One of my favorites is Arroz con Pollo. The veggies are carrots, celery, onion, and chilies. And lots of cheese! Does Arroz con Pato have cheese? I've never heard of duck with cheese, now that I think about it.

it does not have cheese. it uses onion, garlic, 'aji amarillo' and cilantro as its base. then 'chicha de jora' and a black lager beer as the 'water'. as for vegetables it uses green peas, shredded carrots, red pepper.

-hygeio.

 

[fluidistic]

My current favorite food are sorrentinos (Argentine pasta, similar to ravioli but bigger) filled with butternut squash and mozzarella. A pure pleasure.
Back in 2005 I made a trip to Peru and I've eaten so much and so many things (including a Guinea Pig). Gastronomically it's an unbelievable country, very rich if not the richest by far. I ate a lot of rice (arroz) as it seems to be popular. May I mention the famous ceviche. I'll never forget that day when we (the people I was living in their house and I) went to the restaurant and ordered ceviche; I started it by eating the red chili on the top of the raw fish. I've got "burned" so badly that I could not eat anything for some hours so I did not eat the ceviche that day.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

My current favorite food are sorrentinos (Argentine pasta, similar to ravioli but bigger) filled with butternut squash and mozzarella. A pure pleasure.
Back in 2005 I made a trip to Peru and I've eaten so much and so many things (including a Guinea Pig). Gastronomically it's an unbelievable country, very rich if not the richest by far. I ate a lot of rice (arroz) as it seems to be popular. May I mention the famous ceviche. I'll never forget that day when we (the people I was living in their house and I) went to the restaurant and ordered ceviche; I started it by eating the red chili on the top of the raw fish. I've got "burned" so badly that I could not eat anything for some hours so I did not eat the ceviche that day.

I spent a couple of weeks in Peru and it was amazing! What I left with most of all was a sense of music. Hard to describe, but it was something I felt the entire time I was there... this constant sense of music. The place can really get under your skin.

One day I was served what I thought was cake for dessert. It looked just like a white cake with white icing and sprinkles on top. Much to my surprise, it was made of potatoes!

I was there for work and spent a lot of time in a factory. I was treated as a special guest and sat with the president and upper management for lunch. We got meat for lunch, but only our table got meat. No one else did. And what we got was terrible! Then I made the mistake of inviting a mid-level manager to eat with us one day. BIG mistake. When he sat down the entire table fell silent and no one would speak until he got up and left the table. Whoops! I didn't realize until that moment just how class-based the culture is.

But eating at the hotel at night was a gastronomical delight to be sure. What a wonderful trip that was! Of the 300K airmiles I traveled over a period of a few years, that trip was the best. Less the part where upon landing we were held hostage at gunpoint at a miltary base for eight hours, with no food, water, or toilets, it was a great trip!

On another note, yesterday a friend informed me that he likes to make chocolate-covered bacon.

 

[fluidistic]

I spent a couple of weeks in Peru and it was amazing! What I left with most of all was a sense of music. Hard to describe, but it was something I felt the entire time I was there... this constant sense of music. The place can really get under your skin.

I also had an amazing trip. When I was in Lima I stayed in a very poor house near Pachacamac's ruins (quite far from the center of the city). This is where I've been introduced to salsa music (all day and night long, everywhere). Very special experience yes.

One day I was served what I thought was cake for dessert. It looked just like a white cake with white icing and sprinkles on top. Much to my surprise, it was made of potatoes!

Wow. I really liked what they call "camote" which is a potato with a sweet taste.
Also I've eaten some cucumber salad that was astonishing, it was watered with the juice of small lemons.

I was there for work and spent a lot of time in a factory. I was treated as a special guest and sat with the president and upper management for lunch. We got meat for lunch, but only our table got meat. No one else did. And what we got was terrible! Then I made the mistake of inviting a mid-level manager to eat with us one day. BIG mistake. When he sat down the entire table fell silent and no one would speak until he got up and left the table. Whoops! I didn't realize until that moment just how class-based the culture is.

That is funny!

But eating at the hotel at night was a gastronomical delight to be sure. What a wonderful trip that was! Of the 300K airmiles I traveled over a period of a few years, that trip was the best. Less the part where upon landing we were held hostage at gunpoint at a miltary base for eight hours, with no food, water, or toilets, it was a great trip!

Wow, how did the landing happen that way?!

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I also had an amazing trip. When I was in Lima I stayed in a very poor house near Pachacamac's ruins (quite far from the center of the city). This is where I've been introduced to salsa music (all day and night long, everywhere). Very special experience yes.

IIRC I was about 30 miles outside of Lima. But I didn't mean that I always heard music... lot of that too though. And earthquakes almost every day. Funny thing too, it rained while I was there. They only get about a half to two inches a year. Us Oregonian just can't escape the rain no matter where we go!

Wow, how did the landing happen that way?!

On the flight down, Lima was fogged in. So we circled until we were low on fuel. Finally we had to fly about 500 miles North to a military base for refueling. When we landed, we were surrounded by soldiers with automatic weapons and forced to sit in the 100 degree heat with no ac, and as I said, with no other ammenities. We were not allowed to deplane. Before long the toilets were full and the the plane started to smell. We were all tired, hungry, thirsty, and some people started threatening violence. Worst of all, for the longest time we didn't know what the heck was going on. Turns out we were being held as long as Delta could stand it [joke]. The Peruvians were basically extorting Delta for some outrageous price for fuel. So they all let us sit there for about eight hours... like I said, as long as THEY could stand it.

In total we were on that plane for something like 24 hours. Long flight!

 

[fluidistic]

IIRC I was about 30 miles outside of Lima. But I didn't mean that I always heard music... lot of that too though. And earthquakes almost every day. Funny thing too, it rained while I was there. They only get about a half to two inches a year. Us Oregonian just can't escape the rain no matter where we go!

Ah, I did not notice the earthquakes. About the rain, I only remember a very very thin "rain" and that they told me that that's basically the most rain they usuall get which is indeed quite funny.

On the flight down, Lima was fogged in. So we circled until we were low on fuel. Finally we had to fly about 500 miles North to a military base for refueling. When we landed, we were surrounded by soldiers with automatic weapons and forced to sit in the 100 degree heat with no ac, and as I said, with no other ammenities. We were not allowed to deplane. Before long the toilets were full and the the plane started to smell. We were all tired, hungry, thirsty, and some people started threatening violence. Worst of all, for the longest time we didn't know what the heck was going on. Turns out we were being held as long as Delta could stand it [joke]. The Peruvians were basically extorting Delta for some outrageous price for fuel. So they all let us sit there for about eight hours... like I said, as long as THEY could stand it.

In total we were on that plane for something like 24 hours. Long flight!

Wow, not a good experience for sure. About the fog, did you go there in their winter (i.e. summer in the USA)? I think Lima is permanently fogged in winter.