Food and other such holidays

[Mike Sixel]

Whoa, I am drinking a cappuccino!

[Mike Sixel]

100 pages....never thought this thread would be that popular!

[Vanimal46]

Happy Thursday! Not sure about you, but I'm feeling better this morning now that the sun is shining for the first time in 6 days... 

Today is National Vanilla Cupcake Day! I'm a big fan of cupcakes.... cake's little sibling. Though vanilla is a little bland. Chocolate or Red Velvet >>>> Vanilla. The frosting is what makes the cupcake IMO. Cream cheese frosting only please! 

Today is also National Forget-Me-Not Day! A day to remember the sacrifices returning soldiers have made of mind, body, blood and limb. The Wounded Warriors Foundation is a great cause to get behind for this particular day, or any day of the year. 

 

Today is also the birthday for the United States Marine Corps! They turn 241 years old... And they don't look a day over 25! Every Marine I've met is a total badass. 

Finally, on this day in 1969, "Sesame Street" made its' debut on Public Broadcast Television! Best Sesame Street characters, ranked:

- Cookie Monster - the fact that he eats vegetables instead of cookies now is a crime against our childhoods.

- Elmo - Though tickle me Elmo toys should be burned... 
- Oscar the Grouch - reminds me of Twins Daily  
- Big Bird - first character of Sesame Street. Who doesn't love big fluffy birds?

- Count - Very love-able character 

- Kermit the Frog 

http://www.watchmyfoodgrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/oscar_the_grouch_from_sesame_street.png

 

[Craig Arko]

I'd be a little cautious with Wounded Warriors. The VFW and American Legion have pretty decent track records.

 

http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/wwp-overhaul-programs-staff-cuts

 

[biggentleben]

Cookie monster is back to eating cookies.

[Vanimal46]

 

Cookie monster is back to eating cookies.

Then all is right with the world again... Saw clips of him eating carrots, broccoli, and other veggies before. It just wasn't the same. 

[Vanimal46]

So it's finally soup season down here in Austin as the temps fall into the low 70s.... 

I made this chicken tortilla soup recipe in the slow cooker yesterday that turned out to be very good. 

Any soup recipes that could be made in a slow cooker that you recommend?

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

So it's finally soup season down here in Austin as the temps fall into the low 70s.... 

I made this chicken tortilla soup recipe in the slow cooker yesterday that turned out to be very good. 

Any soup recipes that could be made in a slow cooker that you recommend?

I'm going to make a crap load of chili tomorrow and eat it all weekend. My secret's in the beans. Butterbeans and ceci. Way better than boring old kidney beans. 

[Squirrel]

 

So it's finally soup season down here in Austin as the temps fall into the low 70s.... 

I made this chicken tortilla soup recipe in the slow cooker yesterday that turned out to be very good. 

Any soup recipes that could be made in a slow cooker that you recommend?

Do you actually make your own tortilla chips, too? Or do you use <gasp> store bought?

[Squirrel]

 

 

Any soup recipes that could be made in a slow cooker that you recommend?

I have a slow cooker and have used it once ... but when I'm looking for recipes for other things, I try all kinds of online recipe websites and forums. Most of them have ratings and reviews, which I recommend reading before trying any recipe because sometimes there are some useful hints. And if something works particularly well, I make sure to bookmark it in my created 'Recipes' folder.

[Vanimal46]

Do you actually make your own tortilla chips, too? Or do you use <gasp> store bought?

Haha just some tostitos chips that were in the pantry!

[Squirrel]

 

Haha just some tostitos chips that were in the pantry!

Heh, actually I would do the same.

[biggentleben]

I got some stew meat today as I had a desire for some beef stew. Basic recipe - stew meat of preference (pork, chicken, beef, turkey, whatever), onion soup mix packet or two (depending on size of your slow cooker), tons of veggies, mushrooms. Many prefer to have cream of mushroom soup, though it's not my personal preference. Lots of potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and mushrooms for mine. I usually get about 6-7 meals worth out of one slow cooker.

[Vanimal46]

 

I'm going to make a crap load of chili tomorrow and eat it all weekend. My secret's in the beans. Butterbeans and ceci. Way better than boring old kidney beans. 

I'm with you that beans belong in chili.... If you ask any Texan, they will battle to the death that beans do not belong in chili. 

[Vanimal46]

 

I have a slow cooker and have used it once ... but when I'm looking for recipes for other things, I try all kinds of online recipe websites and forums. Most of them have ratings and reviews, which I recommend reading before trying any recipe because sometimes there are some useful hints. And if something works particularly well, I make sure to bookmark it in my created 'Recipes' folder.

I use the slow cooker on a weekly basis. It's an easy way to have dinner ready when you get home from work! Also just got a lodge cast iron skillet so I can grill in the house! 

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

I'm with you that beans belong in chili.... If you ask any Texan, they will battle to the death that beans do not belong in chili. 

I mainly agree. But, it's a little more complicated than that. If it's chili for chili's sake, then there needs to be some kind of bean in there. If it's chili for Coney Island hot dogs, no beans allowed. 

[Vanimal46]

SCORCHING hot microwave popcorn take:

It's safe to say I've used a microwave for going on 16 years of my life. Probably microwaved over 500 bags of popcorn during those 16 years. NEVER had a perfect bag of popcorn. I'm talking every kernel popped, no kernels burned, a literal perfectly popped bag of popcorn. 

Thought I nailed it this afternoon in the office kitchen. 2 minutes 26 seconds. Still had a dozen or so kernels unaffected by the microwave. 

IS there such a thing as a perfect bag of popcorn? Is it more difficult to accomplish that than a perfect game in baseball?

[Craig Arko]

 

SCORCHING hot microwave popcorn take:

It's safe to say I've used a microwave for going on 16 years of my life. Probably microwaved over 500 bags of popcorn during those 16 years. NEVER had a perfect bag of popcorn. I'm talking every kernel popped, no kernels burned, a literal perfectly popped bag of popcorn. 

Thought I nailed it this afternoon in the office kitchen. 2 minutes 26 seconds. Still had a dozen or so kernels unaffected by the microwave. 

IS there such a thing as a perfect bag of popcorn? Is it more difficult to accomplish that than a perfect game in baseball?

No, the kernels have regressed to the mean.

[twinsnorth49]

I mainly agree. But, it's a little more complicated than that. If it's chili for chili's sake, then there needs to be some kind of bean in there. If it's chili for Coney Island hot dogs, no beans allowed.

This

[twinsnorth49]

SCORCHING hot microwave popcorn take:

 

It's safe to say I've used a microwave for going on 16 years of my life. Probably microwaved over 500 bags of popcorn during those 16 years. NEVER had a perfect bag of popcorn. I'm talking every kernel popped, no kernels burned, a literal perfectly popped bag of popcorn.

 

Thought I nailed it this afternoon in the office kitchen. 2 minutes 26 seconds. Still had a dozen or so kernels unaffected by the microwave.

 

IS there such a thing as a perfect bag of popcorn? Is it more difficult to accomplish that than a perfect game in baseball?

A perfect bag of popcorn would be one filled after cooking the popcorn in hot oil.

 

A microwave disqualifies it from being popcorn.

[twinsnorth49]

My wife makes fantastic pea soup, as well as an amazing beef and barley.

 

Also a great hamburger soup.......no, it's not chili

[Craig Arko]

First, sincere thanks to all those who have served. Let's all take better care of the veterans who need some help.

 

Second, Happy Armistice Day.

[Mike Sixel]

 

SCORCHING hot microwave popcorn take:

It's safe to say I've used a microwave for going on 16 years of my life. Probably microwaved over 500 bags of popcorn during those 16 years. NEVER had a perfect bag of popcorn. I'm talking every kernel popped, no kernels burned, a literal perfectly popped bag of popcorn. 

Thought I nailed it this afternoon in the office kitchen. 2 minutes 26 seconds. Still had a dozen or so kernels unaffected by the microwave. 

IS there such a thing as a perfect bag of popcorn? Is it more difficult to accomplish that than a perfect game in baseball?

 

No, it is an atrocity on the beauty of popcorn. A travesty. It should only be eaten as a last resort.

 

It takes virtually no effort to make good popcorn on a stove top.

 

Damn lazy millenials...and gen y

[Mike Sixel]

Admittedly, the office is one spot it is ok to have microwave popcorn.

[Vanimal46]

 

No, it is an atrocity on the beauty of popcorn. A travesty. It should only be eaten as a last resort.

 

It takes virtually no effort to make good popcorn on a stove top.

 

Damn lazy millenials...and gen y

If there was a stove in our office kitchen, maybe I would go to the effort of making popcorn that way... Unfortunately all we have is a microwave. It was good kettle corn though! 

[Mike Sixel]

 

If there was a stove in our office kitchen, maybe I would go to the effort of making popcorn that way... Unfortunately all we have is a microwave. It was good kettle corn though! 

 

I added another post about office popcorn...

[biggentleben]

 

If there was a stove in our office kitchen, maybe I would go to the effort of making popcorn that way... Unfortunately all we have is a microwave. It was good kettle corn though! 

 

Buy a popper for the office. You will be a hero among men, plus the smell of popcorn will be ever present.

 

Also, when you buy a popcorn maker, it's surprising how the corporate overlords that rule us all suddenly decide a few bucks worth of oil and popping corn is an expense that they're willing to pay for.

[biggentleben]

This is the one my wife and I got for our wedding, along with about six different types of popcorn. We've still got popcorn left, and that popper gets used very frequently. Greatest smell ever!!

 

For about $75, you'd have a popper and lots of popcorn, oil, and that special coconut butter flavoring that makes it so tasty!

 

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/nostalgia-trade-electrics-39-50s-style-stir-popper/1040487939?Keyword=popcorn

[Squirrel]

 

Admittedly, the office is one spot it is ok to have microwave popcorn.

Uh, no it's not. I'll take the Garrett's just up the street, please.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Uh, no it's not. I'll take the Garrett's just up the street, please.

 

Not everyone lives and works in the city....