#i want a burger and a hot dog and some baked beans and some chips and watermelon and :(

[ranger-kellyn]

got the windows open and i can smell one of my neighbors grilling and i want a burger so fucking BAD now :(

[theworldoffostering]

Food while Camping

DH and I use an app called AnyList for menu planning and grocery lists. There’s an annual fee, but it is pretty low (maybe $10?/year). We used that to meal plan and grocery shop while camping just like we use it at home.

When tenting (and in a travel trailer too), you have limited space to store food. We had a cooler and then a bin labeled for food as well as two kitchen bins with camping supplies for cooking.

We would grocery shop locally and load up before going into a park for however many nights we were going to be there. For example, we were only in Yellowstone for two nights, so before we left Cody, WY, we hit up the Walmart there and bought enough for those two days. On the way to Glacier, we stopped in Kalispell, MT to get groceries for the 5-6 nights were were going to be in the park.

Typical dinner meals for us: Turkey burgers with buns, baked beans, strawberries; campfire nachos and rice, quesadillas with tomatoes, canned corn, black beans, and cheese (we used basically the same toppings plus ground Turkey on the nachos) and Caesar salad, French dip sandwiches (SO good!), tuna helper with salad and garlic knots.

Lunches may have been grilled cheese and ramen; cold cut sandwiches, apple slices, and chips; mac and cheese and hot dogs.

Breakfast was oatmeal (instant or regular), pancakes, or eggs and sausage.

We had a camp stove with us and some things we cooked over the fire. It really wasn’t that bad. Food storage was the most challenging because of the bears and our lack of space in the van, but they had bear boxes in the national parkas so we just threw all of our groceries in that once we arrived.

@predictablyunpredictablelife and @deepdeepjoyandpain—also probably more than either of you wanted to know. 😆

[love-takes-work]

I’ve recreated every food in Steven Universe

OKAY I THINK I FINALLY DID IT

I FINALLY RECREATED EVERY RECIPE FROM THE SHOW

Sooooo . . . what did I miss?

Now it’s your turn to help me be sure I got them all. Your mission, should you choose to accept it:

Reblog this post suggesting a food from the show (with or without screencap; just enough so I can recognize it). The weirder the better.

I will respond to you with my photo of when I made that food.

If I can’t deliver, I will like send you $10 or draw you a SU fanart or something. (We’ll negotiate.)

I will accept asks instead of reblogs if you prefer.

It’s fine if you have a fairly common or easy suggestion and you just wanna see it. ;)

I’m offering this incentive because I really want some help combing the show for foods I might have forgotten! Your help is appreciated!

Edit: Adding responses. :D 

Dog-Nut (Pilot!)

Classic Hot Dog (Intro)

Fry Bits (2 - “Laser Light Cannon” & others)

Together Breakfast (4 - “Together Breakfast”)

Popcorn for Onion (7 - “Bubble Buddies”)

Giant Strawberry (8 - “Serious Steven” & others)

Large Pizza, Extra Fishy (10 - “Steven’s Lion”)

Cereal to stop the Foot (11 - “Arcade Mania”)

Aqua Mexican Burrito (13 - “So Many Birthdays”)

Movie Snacks (17 - “Lion 2: The Movie”)

Crystal Lizards (17 - “Lion 2: The Movie”)

Hot Dogs & Hamburgers (18 - “Beach Party”)

Lars’s Lunch (20 - “Coach Steven”)

Fire Salt & Fire Salt Donuts (21 - “Joking Victim”)

Big Fat Zucchini with Linguine (22 - “Steven and the Stevens”)

Chaaaaps (23 - “Monster Buddies”)

Mi Torta (23 - “Monster Buddies”)

Durian Juice (24 - “An Indirect Kiss”)

Fish Kebabs & Giant Fish (30 - “Island Adventure”)

Cheeseball Cake (32 - “Fusion Cuisine”)

Breadsticks (32 - “Fusion Cuisine”)

Shrimp Appetizer (32 - “Fusion Cuisine”)

Onion Rings (33 - “Garnet’s Universe”)

Baby Melon (34 - “Watermelon Steven”)

Nice Spicey Pretzels (35 - “Lion 3: Straight to Video”)

Mama Sadie Lunch (35 - “Lion 3: Straight to Video”)

Garnet’s Chocolate Chip Cookies (37 - “Warp Tour”)

Mayo Sandwich (39 - “Future Vision”)

Bindle Lunches (40 - “On the Run”)

Marshmallows (42 - “Winter Forecast”)

Waffle Egg Sandwich (42 - “Winter Forecast”)

Caprese Salad (47 - “Shirt Club”)

Three-Way Sub (55 - “Say Uncle”)

Pizza Steve (55 - “Say Uncle”)

Tea and Cookies (55 - “Say Uncle”)

Pile of Food (57 - “Reformed”)

Snack Sushi (Season 2 Short - “Cooking With Lion”)

Biscuits & Jam (58 - “Sworn to the Sword”)

Smoothie & Orange Slices (58 - “Sworn to the Sword”)

Best Breakfast in the World (64 - “Keystone Motel”)

Noodles and Butter (65 - “Onion Friend”)

Potato Steven (65 - “Onion Friend”)

Lion Lickers (68 - “Nightmare Hospital”)

Amethyst’s Hoagie (79 - “Super Watermelon Island”)

Fresh Big Donut Donuts (84 - “Steven Floats”)

Guacola (85 - “Drop Beat Dad”)

Pepe’s Burgers (86 - “Mr. Greg”)

The Finest Steak and Brie (86 - “Mr. Greg”)

Corndogs (87 - “Too Short to Ride”)

Pizza Bagel & Fantastic Fries (90 - “Restaurant Wars”)

Fancy Orange Juice (93 - “Alone at Sea”)

PROTES Protein Bars (95 - “Gem Hunt”)

Pine Needle Tea (95 - ”Gem Hunt”)

Sugar Shock Shut Down (109 - “Last One Out of Beach City”)

Apple Sidra (109 - “Last One Out of Beach City”)

Gem Harvest & Wedding Cake (111-112 “Gem Harvest”)

Korean Lunch (114 - “Steven’s Dream”)

Zoo Fruit (117 - “The Zoo”)

Pumpkin-Shaped Pumpkin Bread (126 - “The Good Lars”)

Ube Roll (126 - “The Good Lars”)

Cool Kids Potluck (126 - “The Good Lars”)

Jungle Moon Alien Carcass (140 - “Jungle Moon”)

Meal for Stranded Humans (144 - “Lars’ Head”)

Everything Pizza (148 - “What’s Your Problem”)

Together Breakfast Wedding Cake (151-152- “Reunited”)

Bixbite’s Pizzas (SUF 2 - “Guidance”)

Snow Cones (SUF 2 - “Guidance”)

Crystal Drinks (SUF 3 - “Rose Buds”)

Carrot Bean Meal (SUF 3 - “Rose Buds”)

Tomato Soup on the Go (SUF 5 - “Bluebird”)

Clams, Peanut Butter, & a side of fresh-cut grass (SUF 5 - “Bluebird”)

Bluebird’s Cake (SUF 5 - “Bluebird”)

Fried Eggs (on Amethyst’s face) (SUF 7 - “Snow Day”)

Protein Shake (SUF 7 - “Snow Day”)

Spicy Chili (SUF 11 - “In Dreams”)

Together Forever Cake (SUF 13 - “Together Forever”)

Cookie Cat Ice Cream (SUF 14 - “Growing Pains”)

Cocoa (SUF 14 - “Growing Pains”)

Ice Cream a La Pie (SUF 15 - “Mr. Universe”)

Caveats and Rules (read if participating):

It counts as a recipe for the show only if it is eaten or to be eaten by a character (onscreen or implied to have been) or otherwise prominently featured. (e.g., Together Breakfast would count even though it was not eaten, but random food sitting around incidentally in a fridge or bake case does not count as a recipe.)

Food items that are only mentioned but not pictured don’t count.

Food items that are part of the background art don’t count unless they are significant or interacted with at some point. This includes mentioned or pictured items on restaurant menus.

Note: I HAVE actually made some things that have only been mentioned or pictured on menus! So feel free to suggest them if you really want to see if I made them! But for purposes of qualifying for a reward, I can’t commit to making the entire bake case, pizza joint menu, Spacetries display, or commercial cooler full of food if they’re more scenery than snacks.

If I have made an item once and it recurs, it doesn’t count as a different recipe if it appears in a different configuration in a later episode. (e.g., if I made an ube roll for “The Good Lars,” I don’t have to make a new one for Steven Universe: The Movie.)

Non-food items eaten by animals, monsters, and Amethyst do not count as recipes. (e.g., I do not consider it a recipe when the Big Bird from “Giant Woman” ate a goat and Steven. I do not consider it a recipe when Amethyst eats wrappers or garbage. Weird food she eats is OK. As long as it is food.)

YES, I count all qualifying food in Steven Universe, Steven Universe: The Movie, Steven Universe Future, and any official shorts as fair game.

NO, I do not count food in the comics, the video games, the official or tie-in books, Ronaldo’s blog, or the Crewniverse’s celebratory food as recipes I have to make.

There is a lot of generic popcorn, chips, and soda in this show. I don’t count it as a new recipe every time someone munches one of these as an incidental snack.

Very minor variations on common snacks don’t count as new recipes. (e.g., I don’t have to make every donut or flavor of Chaaaaps anyone was ever seen eating. Including variation options in my recipe is enough.)

Random messes made with food do not have to be recreated as recipes. (e.g., Onion smearing condiments all over the kitchen is not a recipe; pizzas that get destroyed or thrown around are not new recipes; Greg and Steven scattering food leavings around their Empire City hotel is not a recipe; a seagull with a banana peel on its head carrying pizza does not count; Steven scattering the contents of his kitchen on the floor while making Together Breakfast is not a recipe, etc.)

Yes, the foods will be prepared/arranged by me. In most cases they are homemade creations but in some cases store-bought elements will be used and that is also OK. 

Food-shaped items that aren’t actually food are not recipes. (e.g., game controllers shaped like ham do not count. Crying Breakfast Friends are characters, not food.)

Things made out of food do not count unless they are eaten. (e.g., Fish Stew Pizza is required; Jenny made out out of pizza in Kiki’s dream is not.)

Vegetarian alternatives, facsimiles designed to look but not taste like certain foods, and ingredient substitutes are permissible. (e.g., vegetarian pepperoni on a pizza that was REAL pepperoni in the show is allowed; a non-fish substitute for a real dead fish is OK; dishes representing disgusting food that are secretly delicious are all right, etc.)

Thanks for your help. :)

[disneylandguru]

Healthiest Customizations Possible While at Disneyland Resort. 

If you aren’t necessarily vegan, gluten-free, or soy-free, but are watching what you eat and want to make a lighter, more nutrient-rich meal, here are my customization suggestions:

at Rancho del Zocalo

Tostada Salad, but instead of refried beans and rice, substitute extra black bean corn salsa and extra veggies (this is no additional charge to substitute), and with no sour cream.

Citrus Fire-Grilled Chicken, instead of rice and refried beans substitute black bean corn salsa and veggies. OR you can substitute brown rice for one of the sides.

Vegan Street Tacos with only veggies and tomatillo sauce

Any of the kids meals

Baked Fish tacos with different sides (black bean corn salsa, brown rice, or veggies)

Additional Tips

At Rancho del Zocalo, you can substitute any side for veggies, black bean corn salsa, or brown rice! These are my go-to in making any meal at this restaurant feel less heavy in your stomach.

And when eating at ANY Disneyland restaurant, don’t be shy to ask a cast member what menu options they have available to fit your dietary requests. I highly recommend asking a cast member who is at the front of the restaurant greeting guests, as opposed to those dishing up your meal, since they are often in a hurry and can occasionally forget some options to offer you due to the kitchen rush.

Bengal Barbecue 

in Adventureland are unbelievably delicious, diet or not. The food is among the best Disneyland food and drinks under $5, and the restaurant has recently expanded their seating and menu a bit to keep up with popular demand. It is now a must-stop location for us, whether we want one skewer as a protein snack or a couple of skewers as a meal. The hummus trio comes with crunchy veggies, and a cast member claims it’s the healthiest food item in the park, made fresh each day. (You can also skip the line and quickly grab a hummus trio at Tropical Imports next door.) The spicy Banyan Beef Skewer is tender and so flavorful. The Outback vegetable skewer helps you achieve that serving of vegetables. You can get asparagus wrapped in bacon and while bacon is not on most diets, at least some of the bad is being canceled out by the asparagus. 

Salads 

There are a number of places to pick up a salad around the parks from Redd Rocket’s Pizza Port at Disneyland and Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta in Disney California Adventure to various quick service and table service restaurants. You may be surprised to learn that you can customize the salads even if you see only pre-made salads at a cafeteria-style restaurant. Just ask and a cast member will accommodate your needs. I like to customize my toppings, make my own dressing and add a small side of protein, such as chicken. French Market in New Orleans offers freshly made hand tossed salads as well as other good choices like roasted chicken. While there are salads at Plaza Inn, we were surprised to find glazed salmon with rice and vegetables as well. You can find more seafood choices at the table service restaurants.

and more 

They say that the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest eating styles. You can eat like a Greek at the Paradise Garden Grill for most of the year, although the menu does vary seasonally with different cultural festival foods taking over for Holiday Time, Lunar New Year and the Food & Wine Festival. Its regular menu offers Greek Salad, Lemon Oregano Chicken and other tasty foods, as well as vegetarian grilled vegetable and tofu.

You might think of the Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland as a place to get a burger, but they have a veggie wrap and a chopped salad. Greek yogurt can be substituted for French fries. So don’t automatically dismiss a burger or hotdog restaurant. They might have some healthier options. For example, the Award Weiners hot dog location in Disney California Adventure also has a Portobello Mushroom Philly. 

Quick Tips for Eating Healthy at Disneyland

Ask for carrots and apples (or sometimes Greek yogurt) instead of French fries

Order off the Mickey Check section of the kid’s menu

Snack from the fruit carts (you can find whole fruit, sliced fruit, pickles, veggies, hummus and more chilled in ice and ready to go)

Don’t be afraid to ask for substitutions

Order a burger or sandwich wrapped in lettuce if you are cutting carbs (gluten-free choices are always available)

Bring foods from home/hotel for convenient budget-friendly snacking

Drink water (you can always get free water from restaurants)

Watch for hidden sugar in salad dressings—you can order dressing on the side or make your own by asking for olive oil, red wine vinegar, some salt and a mustard packet from the condiment section.

Ask questions about what comes on food before you order. Sometimes not all ingredients are listed on a menu, such as tortilla chips and sour cream on a fajita salad at Cocina Cucamonga. 

[swiftpng]

❥ — taylor swift’s summer essentials // a glimpse of her.

Summer is Taylor’s favorite season, so she’s always prepared when she’s out having a pool/beach day. She’s always got to have some kind of book, whether it’s poetry, a biography, or a good ole YA. In her beach bag, she carries around her phone, a Polaroid camera to document the day, a speaker that plays music, little things like hair-ties, a hair brush, sunglasses, waterproof red lipstick for touch ups ( she loves sticking to her signature red lips ), and Cetaphil lotion. She also must have long lasting deodorant and sunscreen, because she doesn’t want to be that person. When she’s feeling hungry, her favorite meal would have to be a hot dog, salty potato chips, and a cold brew. Blue Moon is one of her favorite beers. Cookies and cream ice cream and fruit Popsicles are her favorite cooling mechanisms. Skittles and watermelon are her top picks for snacks, along with having a good glass of lemonade or ice cold water. Taylor will also have a deck of cards, in case anyone wants to play a card game. If you need anything to make your summer day great, Taylor’s the one to go to!

first things first, how do you feel about the summertime?

Summer is actually my favorite season for a couple of reasons. One being that I am able to wear a dress almost every single day. I just really enjoy having beach days, gardening with my mom, and being able to take advantage of the warm weather.

would you say that you’re more of an enjoy the outdoors, or enjoy the AC type of person?

Definitely both. I love taking a long hike, but I also enjoy reading a book, with the cats cuddled up on my couch and the AC on, blasting cool air.  

think back to childhood… what was your favorite part of summer?

Not being in school was a highlight. I would have all the time in the world to do whatever my heart desired and it let my creative juices flow. I once wrote an entire novel during the summer when I was younger.

now that you’re an adult, has that favorite part of summer changed?

Usually in the summer, I’m either on tour or planning my next album, so I try to cherish any free time I have. Also, not being in school is still the best.

are there any summertime rituals that you have to do? putting away winter clothes, readying the yard, breaking out the grill, etc.?

To get into the summertime spirit, I always change up the way my house looks. Home decor is really important to me in terms of the way I view the seasons. Getting the grill out is also a big indicator that it’s summer to me. If you’re interested in having a big steak with baked potatoes and green beans, I’m your girl!

do you prefer to do a lot of traveling during the summer, or hang at home and enjoy the time off?

I only like to travel to places where I know I won’t be seen. Paparazzi taking pictures of me when I’m trying to relax is a mood killer, but over time, I’ve learned that I only get one life to live and I shouldn’t worry too much about people looking at every move I make. If there’s a day where my anxiety is heightened, I usually just stay home. I keep myself busy by making a new recipe I found on Pinterest, or by watching one of my favorite episodes of Friends.

whether it be from childhood or adulthood – what’s your favorite summer trip that you’ve ever taken?

From the time I was two to fourteen, my family and I would spend summers at the Jersey Shore. We had a beach front house in Stone Harbor, and I remember every summer being a magical time.

what is your ultimate summer trip destination from your bucket list?

I would love to go to the Maldives or Bali!

do you have a pool at your place? if not, is there a particular place in town you go to cool off? maybe a friend’s, or the public pool?

I do have a pool at my place, and it’s one of my favorite things about my house. Laying out in the pool while relaxing on a pool float is one of my summer staples.

when you’re in the swimming pool, are you more about relaxing, or do you do a little rough housing?

If I’m alone, I’m all about relaxing and enjoying the sun, but when I have friends or family over then I’m all in on some rough housing. Don’t let me break out the pool volleyball net, because you’re gonna get the worst out of me. I love a little competition, and I can be brutal when I want to win!

ladies: bikini or one piece? and gents: shirts on or off by the pool?

I’m into both. Although I do enjoy mixing and matching bikini tops and bottoms.

you’re laying by the pool, drink in hand, sunglasses on – what song is playing that makes you think it’s summertime?

Not to self promo or anything, but my new single You Need To Calm Down is my summer jam. But, anything by Lana Del Rey gets me in the summertime mood as well.

any summer movie favorites that you can’t miss out on? whether it be an epic beach romance or a hot, sweaty heist film?

I love a good romance film, but I love watching classic teen films like Mean Girls, Clueless, and 10 Things I Hate About You.

it’s a beach day! do you spend more time on the sand, or in the water?

The little kid in me still loves making sandcastles and building extravagant pieces. I do go into the water, but I have a deep fear of sea urchins.

are there any special things that you like to do while at the beach? surfing, building castles, hunting for shells…?

Building at least one sandcastle is a must for me. Also, I have a tendency to bring home sea shells since I have a small collection of them at my place. I once was a cafe getting ready to pay when a whole bunch of sea sells fell out of my bag and the lady at the cash register told me that they only accepted cash, so there’s that.

do you tan easily, or burn? and are you always as diligent with the sunscreen as you should be?

I don’t know if I tan easily, but I rarely get sun burned. I try to use as much sunscreen as I need so I can avoid the harmful effects of the sun.

easy one… do you freckle in the sun?

I don’t, unfortunately! My best friend Abigail does, and she looks really beautiful when all of her freckles come out.

what are some activities or hobbies that you pick up during the summertime? anything you look forward to doing the most?

Hosting pool parties, trying out new recipes with vegetables I’ve grown from my garden, and taking long hikes are some of my favorite summer activities. I really want to learn more Spanish before we head to Spain, so that’s going to be something I’m going to focus on in the next few days.

you’re loading up the grill for a summer barbecue… what’s going on it?

Hot dogs, burgers, and chicken wings. Those are the three meats I’m pretty much set on making every summer. I always try to make veggie options as well, so I really love making corn on the cob, stuffed peppers filled with rice, and a variety of smoked vegetables. 

and finally… favorite hot weather treat to cool off?

Cookies and cream ice cream with a pretzel cone. So, so good.

[imnoexpertblog]

Carbs - I'll Eat Them While I Can

5/14/18

Its Monday! I ate the worst that I have eaten in months over the weekend. Granted, I had two birthday gatherings for my 22nd so it makes sense. But I am still regretful. I feel bloated and I can’t wait to get my free bag of detox tea this week. It was also Mother’s Day weekend which means we had a couple of get-togethers for that as well. Baby and Nugget got me a card with a gift certificate for my first professional massage! Baby also made me my own Mother’s Day brunch at home! It was an omelet with everything I love; mushrooms, onion, cheese, salsa, bacon, sausage. Mmmm, so good. It was really sweet of Baby to get me something for Mother’s Day. I would not expect anything, considering we are not married and I am obviously not Nugget’s mother. They both know I love and treat him as if he is my own though and it was just really nice to be recognized as a motherly role in this life. Baby’s family also wished me a Happy Mother’s Day, along with mine. I wasn’t expecting so many people to say that to me! It was very new to me and honestly very exciting. I do everything with my two men in mind so this was a great day to be appreciated a little extra. I’m just happy everyone can see how much I love these two. I hope your Mother’s Day was as great as mine, whether you’re a mother or not. Now let’s talk about some food!

Baby is going Keto. I know very little about it, other than the fact that it’s a high fat and low carb diet, which is great for him because he is definitely a meat-eater. I am sure that once I consume the food that he cannot eat that we still have in the house, I will most likely give it a shot too. It’s really hard to change something so large in your lifestyle, like your diet. It’s even harder when the person you live with has a completely opposite outlook or mindset. I wouldn’t want to be stuck eating something less appetizing while I watch my partner down my favorite snacks that I can no longer have. Baby has learned quite a bit about the Keto diet and I am eager the find more out, as well. He lost about six pounds in eight days, I believe he said. One of my best friends at work, Ryan, has been on his Keto diet for about five or six weeks now and has lost over 15 pounds and kept it off. Good for them! I wouldn’t do it do lose weight, I have already lost 30 pounds since late July of 2017. I would do it for health purposes and to see if I feel better without all the carbs I usually take in. I will get more into it once I actually learn about it. Baby is making me watch the Keto-related The Magic Pill documentary on Netflix tomorrow so I will have to let you all know how that knows and what I think about it. As much as I think it would suck to have to give up carbs, there’s still so much you get to eat. Baby said it’s the most enjoyable diet he’s ever tried. We will see!

Straight from Keto to Carbs. I wanted to tell you about overnight oats. I have wanted to give these a whirl for years but just tried them this weekend. Emily, also featured in my last food blog, told me to try these for work! I love them and I will for sure be eating these until my ingredients are all gone (and I will have to try Keto). Using a mason jar (the standard size, I’m pretty sure), layer approximately ½ cup rolled oats, 1 tbsp chia seeds, whatever fruit you like, and a bit of brown sugar or vanilla extract. An awesome flavor combo is peanut butter and banana. After all that, pour in 2/3 cup of your choice of milk; 2%, almond, coconut, etc. I also add in about 1/3 cup of Greek yogurt to thicken it up. Pop it in the fridge overnight and you’ll have your quick and easy breakfast in the morning! The chia seeds offer a great complex carb to provide long-lasting energy without having to take in a bunch of calories. The fruit you’re getting from this meal is also a great way to start the day. “Chocolate covered strawberry” could have strawberries and chocolate chips in it. Peanut butter and honey is super good. “Cinnamon apple” would be delicious. “Peaches and cream” could consist of peach slices and sweet cream! For “raspberry cheesecake,” add cream cheese and raspberries. To make it chocolate based, add cocoa powder. This sky is the limit! Grab come mason jars next time you’re out and give these a go.

Okay, not everything we eat is going to be very good for us. So, let me tell you about my jalapeno popper burgers. Yes. They are as good as they sound. Of course, I will tell you how to make them, but I don’t always measure everything, so forgive me if I leave out measurements. 1) Beef. Get 2 pounds of it. Season it. Onion salt, garlic powder, pepper, cumin. Mix that up. 2) The jalapeno popper filling. Mix 6 oz. of cream cheese, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 2 minced jalapenos (I don’t always include all the seeds), and garlic powder. 3) Shape the burgers into 8 thin patties to make four stuffed burgers. 5) Spoon filling onto four of them, and place the other four on top of them. Pinch the sides of the patties together. Cook in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes each side. You will want to bake them in oven at about 350 degrees because these can be pretty thick. 5 minutes will keep them at medium, bake for longer for a more well-done burger. I serve these with pepper jack cheese and lettuce on toasted buns. I also put the lettuce underneath the patty to catch the grease, that way your bottom bun is not soggy. Add any condiment you like or slap some extra filling on top of the patty if you end up with any! Cook times will vary depending on the size and thickness of the burger. Adjust whatever you need in order to make these perfect for you. I love these with sweet potato fries.

Wow, I want those burgers so badly now. Baby and I have been on a burger kick lately. I have probably eaten 10 in the last couple weeks. No complaints from me, though. Burgers are my favorite. We actually have gotten Nugget to eat burgers now! A little backstory, Nugget would only eat about three things when I met him and his father. He’d eat chicken nuggets, pizza, and pb&j sandwiches. I also saw him eat the frosting off a donut once. In the last 8-9 months, Baby and I have gotten him to start eating hot dogs, corn, burgers, spaghetti, green beans, eggs, yogurt, ravioli, baked beans, a ton of fruit, cereals, just a bunch of stuff. This is a continuous adventure with him and it’s going really well as of about four months ago. It used to be very hard to have him open up to some things but he just ate a sloppy joe for the first time (I am pretty sure) tonight! I grew up with the option to eat what everyone was eating, or nothing at all. Eating nothing at all was barely even an option, but my mother never served me what she wouldn’t eat herself. She never pushed brussel sprouts or peas on me, for example. I always ask Nugget to try something before he thinks he doesn’t like it. I also try not to tell him that I don’t like something before he tries it. He has discovered he likes peas and I hate peas. I just won’t tell him that. I also know to be sensitive with him when it comes to texture; I can tell he has a hard time with the texture of some foods rather than the taste. But getting him to eat more foods has been a big success in our household these past few months! Is it hard to get your kids to eat? Do you have any tricks? Comment below! We will chat health and beauty soon. I hope your Monday isn’t too rough on ya!

[copperbadge]

A Mostly Accurate Guide To Chicago by Sam Starbuck

I realized recently that this guide was still housed on LJ, where I don’t really hang out anymore and where there are Ads. So I have migrated it over to Tumblr. 

This post was last updated in October of 2017. If you're reading this in the distant future, you should check the original post, and you might drop me a line and ask if it's still accurate, as things do sometimes change. You should also check with google/yelp to make sure places mentioned here have not closed or moved, since I don’t do QA checks on the post.

This is not a comprehensive guide. I know, basically, three areas of Chicago very well: the downtown "Loop" and area just south of it, Gold Coast/Streeterville just north of the Loop, and Wrigleyville. I don't claim to be an expert, but I am pretty good at providing info for people who don't know where to start. So this is Sam's Very Limited Guide To Chicago For Visitors. 

There is a readmore below! Read more!

Where to stay: if you want to stay downtown, the two options that best meet at the axis of "inexpensive" and "quality" are the La Quinta in the west loop and the Hampton Inn just north of the loop. These are both convenient to a lot of things. 

There are some very good luxury hotels in the northern end of the Gold Coast, if you have the money to splurge; you can't really go wrong anywhere around Water Tower Place. If you're looking outside the downtown area, check Yelp before you make a reservation; the hotels in Wrigleyville, for example, are mostly the kind of place that offer hourly rates. Chicago also has a bedbug issue so check the bedbug report. I really recommend staying in the downtown area; it's central and you'll just get a better hotel, generally speaking. I have been told to avoid Club Quarters at all costs. There is a fantastic, safe, and fairly inexpensive hostel downtown; it's about $35 a night, run by Hostelling International. It's convenient to a lot of stuff, including the big downtown library down the block. What to eat: I don't like deep dish pizza, but if you want to try it or if you like it, there are two places that are infamous for it, Gino's East and Pizzeria Uno, both in Gold Coast. Giordano’s does a good deep dish along with a lot of other great food, and has some of the highest food-hygiene marks in Chicago (yes, I did a data dive on food hygiene). I know that Exchequer, in the loop, also does really good deep dish. Plus it's rumoured to be owned by the Russian mob, adding a sense of excitement to any meal. For my money, a far more authentic Chicago cuisine is the Italian Beef sandwich. An Italian Beef is marinated, slow-cooked beef, sliced thinly (shredded, really) and piled on a crusty sub sandwich roll. You can have peppers added (I never do) and usually you have a choice of sweet peppers or hot peppers. Then the entire sandwich is dipped in the au jus that's been keeping the beef warm, wrapped in waxed paper and tinfoil, and handed over for your eating delight. If you want you can order an Italian Beef "dry" (no dipping) but half the delight is the bread soaked in flavorful marinade. You can order an Italian Beef at most "greek diners" (so named because they are stereotypically owned by people of Greek descent); the two most easily accessible in the loop are Al's and Max's. Some people will tell you not to go to Portillo's, that it's a tourist trap, but Portillo's does an entirely decent Italian Beef, so don't be ashamed if Portillo's is what you can get to. One of my favorite places to eat is Weber Kettle Grill, at Grand and State just north of the loop. They do a great rare burger, their barbecue is fantastic, and I've never had bad service there. That area has a ton of really good restaurants: there's Oysy for sushi, Shaw's Crab House for seafood (pricey though), and a PF Chang's and a Chili's (I understand the Chili’s is now closed) if you're looking for something a little more chain-restaurant familiar. Even if you're not going to the Art Institute Museum, it has three great places to eat: the cafeteria, with all locally-sourced food, McCormick Terrace in the summer, which does pricey but great small plates on an open patio around a fountain, and Terzo Piano, which is the fancy expensive restaurant -- quality is variable, I’ve had GREAT meals there and so-so meals there. Macy's, in the loop, has a basement food court and a 7th floor food court (only open for lunch), both of which do a variety of excellent food, as well as their fancy eatery, the Walnut Room. Also, if you pass a Garrett Popcorn store, of which there are many in the loop, grab yourself some "mix" -- cheddar popcorn and caramel popcorn mixed together. It's a classic Chicago snack, and tastes better than it sounds. If you're near Wow Bao -- there are several, so check their website for the closest one -- they serve amazing stuffed steamed buns for pretty cheap; two buns are a reasonably filling lunch. Their rice bowls are delightful and they do pretty good potstickers. If you don't like spicy food, get a chocolate stuffed bun as a sweet snack. 

If you’re in Chinatown and want some dim sum, Phoenix, on the second floor of a building on Archer across from the shopping center, is both very reasonably priced and also delicious. There’s also a Little Sheep hot pot restaurant on Wentworth which is deservedly very popular. 

There are many places in the loop and Gold Coast areas to get cupcakes, such as Sprinkles or Sugar Bliss. If you go to Sprinkles, they have a CUPCAKE ATM where you can buy a cupcake without ever seeing a person, but for my money Sugar Bliss has better cupcakes. If you have access to a place to cook -- microwave or oven -- you should stop by The Meatloaf Bakery on Clark near Lincoln Park. Meatloaf Bakery is now closed, but near its former location are still a lot of good places to eat. One is Molly's Cupcakes, who do some of the best cupcakes around. I particularly like the salted-caramel. Lito's Empanadas, just north of Molly's, does delightful savory pastries. If you find yourself in Wrigleyville, do yourself a favor and stop by Byron's for some onion straws (the hot dogs, burgers, italian beef, and gyros are also really good). Byron's is a grab-and-go kind of place. In the same area, around the Sheridan El stop, you also can't go wrong with Tac Quick Thai Kitchen, which is consistently voted one of the top thirty places to eat in Chicago (Tac Quick recently moved but is still in the area, I believe). Kitchenette on Clark does the best sushi on the north side. A great place to get a sandwich anywhere in the city is Potbelly's, a Chicago-born chain -- get a bag of the mini oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, oh my god. I used to recommend Panera as another good chain but they’ve gone somewhat downhill.   AVOID CORNER BAKERY. AVOID THEM ALL. Never, ever eat there. Trust me on this. Their sandwiches are dreadful and I've had food poisoning from them several times, including from their baked goods. Even their beverages are gross. What to see: My first instinct is always to recommend the Art Institute Museum. It's centrally located, it's huge, and it always has interesting exhibits. If you have kids or if you like miniatures, particularly check out the Thorne Miniature Rooms in the basement. Check the website before you go, there's usually one day a week that's free. If there's a line out the door at the front of the museum (where the lions are) walk past the lions (keep the museum on your right), turn right at the corner past the little sculpture garden, and walk uphill until you have passed under the pedestrian footbridge and you see the entrance to the Modern Wing on your right. Usually the lines are much shorter at the Modern Wing entrance. Just north of the Art Museum -- if you leave through the Modern Wing you'll be literally across the street from it -- is Millennium Park, a huge complex of gardens, performance spaces, and outdoor art. If you're coming there in the summer, stop and soak your feet in the foot-soaking creek in Lurie Gardens in the park. The Bean, aka the Cloud Gate, is also in the park and worth a visit. If you like shopping, WELCOME TO CHICAGO. Macy's in the loop is fun, though it's also huge and confusing. There's some good shopping in the Gold Coast north of the loop. Water Tower Place is a good place to shop and has the anchor American Girls store, so if you have kids who like dolls (or if you like dolls!) you can't go wrong. Water Tower used to have a Lush store, but I understand the Lush there moved to an independent storefront on Michigan Avenue; they do still have the Lego Store. And if you like architecture, welcome even more to Chicago! You shouldn't miss the chance to stroll across one of our lovely bridges over the river; if you take the DuSable bridge, which joins two halves of Michigan Avenue, you'll end up on Pioneer Plaza, with the Wrigley Building to your left and the Tribune Tower ahead and to the right -- the Tribune Tower is a great building to gawp at, and has bits of other buildings incorporated into the exterior walls. Get right up close and see stones from a Roman Bath, a Buddhist Temple, the Alamo, and other famous buildings from all over the world.    The river itself boasts multiple architectural boat tours and several water taxi companies; these only operate spring-to-autumn but taking a water taxi is a great way to ride on the river for relatively cheap (I prefer Shoreline Sightseeing's water taxis, but really you can't go wrong with any of them). Shoreline Sightseeing and the Architectural Foundation both offer architectural river tours; SeaDog does too, but don't use them, they're not as good. Shoreline's tour boards from Navy Pier and the Architectural Foundation's tour boards from just below the DuSable bridge. In the Loop, down by the Board of Trade (which has a cafeteria in the basement that's known for its excellent fries) there's a building called the Rookery. On Wednesdays they give a killer tour of this old, historic building, including a behind-the-scenes stroll where you can see the kind of structural issues buildings in Chicago had before the invention of the grillage. Strongly recommended for architecture, art deco, or history buffs, and not too pricey. Nearby is the Chicago Fed, which has a money museum that's well worth checking out, it's small and strange but a lot of fun. Chicago has a lot of great museums. I've already mentioned the Art Institute Museum; we also have the "Museum Campus" (which you can get to via water taxi!) that contains the Planetarium, Aquarium, and Field Museum. The Aquarium is pretty fun for an afternoon; you can buy an $8 "just the fishes" ticket at the door, or there are more expensive packages available online. The Planetarium is good if you're particularly into space and such, but in the basement it has the Historic Atwood Sphere, which is worth the extra cost. The Field Museum is...confusing, and old, and it shows, but I do usually have a good time when I go. They do have Sue the T-Rex (if you're into dinosaurs, after you go to see Sue, go up the stairs behind her to see her real head. It was too heavy to put on her body, so they put a replica on the body and the real head is housed elsewhere). It has a lot of neat animal dioramas, too. 

If you are going to the Field, Shedd, or Adler and looking for a good lunch spot, check out Pita Heaven (on Michigan south of Roosevelt). Also there's a good Potbelly's on Roosevelt just west of Michigan. Don't go to Eleven City Diner -- they are not careful in their food prep, and I've had poor experiences there with food and service. Further south, the Museum of Science and Industry is a lot of fun, though more fun with kids, I think. Don't miss the egg incubator, where they usually have chicks hatching, or the giant train table with its scale models of Chicago and Seattle. Also in that area, on the UChicago campus, are the Smart Museum of Art (always free; mostly contemporary art, way better than the Museum of Contemporary Art up north) and the Oriental Institute Museum (free but donation recommended) which has the most amazing collection of beautiful antiquities. Down 57th Street you'll also find 57th Street Books, a fantastic indy bookstore. Further down 57th Street is Medici, a great place with atmosphere to spare that does really good burgers and pizza. Try the fizzy lemonade, it's outstanding. If you want to see great live Chicago Blues, Kingston Mines is the place to go on the north side, or Buddy Guy’s Legends in the loop -- Buddy Guy’s has a cover in the evenings but if you go for lunch you’ll get good Chicago blues and no cover, plus their lunch menu is pretty great. There are a ton of blues clubs on the south side, but I can't make recommendations there, as I'm less familiar with the south side. Hell, ask someone at Kingston Mines, they'll tell you where to go. :) I am not familiar with bars and clubs in Chicago, since it's not really my scene. If you pick up a Chicago Reader free newspaper, both will have all kinds of ads for various hip nightspots. Theatre is very dear to my heart and for my money the best theatre in Chicago is done by Victory Gardens at the Biograph. The building itself is a work of art, and the theatre is great and not too expensive. Victory Gardens also owns the Greenhouse, which hosts four or five different companies who usually do good work. Goodman in the Loop and Steppenwolf north of the Loop are also good places to catch a show; the quality of Lookingglass Theatre in Gold Coast varies, but is usually worth the cost. If you want small, gritty theatre, check out stuff playing at Stage Left, a tiny little northside theatre that rents out to various small companies in the area. Avoid Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. They cost too much, their shows are generally mediocre (except when they have other performing companies visit), and they are absolute shits to their staff; even the actors hate the management there. Chicago Shakes is located on Navy Pier, and Navy Pier is one of Chicago's great contradictions. An entertainment complex stretching out into Lake Michigan, it's a great place for a stroll, because you get pretty far out on the lake by the end of the pier. They have an amazing museum of stained glass windows (note: I’ve heard this may have moved, but haven’t confirmed it yet). They have a FANTASTIC FERRIS WHEEL that you should definitely go on if you are not afraid of heights, and a very nice IMAX. The pier itself is free, no charge for access. But it's also very, very touristy. The food is expensive and subpar, the shopping is very kitschy, and in the summer it's incredibly crowded. If you do go to Navy Pier, find the McDonald's and go inside. Look around, especially in the area right opposite from where people place their orders. IT IS THE APOCALYPTIC MCDONALD'S. It's covered in murals depicting Chicago ruined and underwater. It's horrifying and surreal and amazing. They painted over the murals. I cried a little. Chicago is known for its parks; our motto is Urbs In Horto, the City in the Garden. Garfield Park Conservatory is a bit out of the way (though easily accessible by the Green Line), but it has extensive greenhouses and a lovely outdoor park and pond. If you like plants, it's a fun place to go. Likewise, Lincoln Park Zoo is a really excellent zoo and it's in the middle of a wonderful park. If you're into graveyards, I would like to recommend Graceland Cemetery, two blocks west of the Sheridan El stop. It has many historic and beautiful markers, lots of lovely mausoleums, and it's a really nice walk. Rosehill Cemetery to the north is older, but less accessible and less pleasant, I think. And if you go to Graceland you can stop at Byron's on your way back! Transit: If you like riding trains or if you need to get to some distant places in Chicago, the El is pretty awesome. You can buy one day, three day, week, and month passes at most stations. The only caveat I have regarding the El is that it is not very Accessible; many of the stations have either nonfunctional elevators or none at all. Some don't even have escalators, so Expect Stairs.  The Metra is mainly a commuter rail, but also gets you places the El can't. Weekend passes are eight bucks which is pretty reasonable. I've not ridden the Metra a lot, so I can't talk too much about them. One place that's worth the Metra ride is the Lizzadro Lapidary Museum in Elmhurst, but you have to be a hardcore museum geek or really into lapidary to really appreciate it. I don't like buses, but Chicago has a pretty good bus system that I use extensively. If you look on Google Maps, all the bus lines in Chicago are integrated into it, so if you zoom in far enough you can find the nearest bus or train stop to your destination. Google Maps will even give you directions by public transit, if you click the "bus" icon after asking for directions. I don't recommend driving if you can avoid it. Downtown Chicago traffic is INSANE, the parking is exorbitant, and our highway system is horrific. You are better off taking public transit or taxis.   Both airports have El trains that will go to downtown -- the blue line from O'Hare or the orange line from Midway. The Blue Line train from O’Hare I believe charges extra for entry ($5 instead of the usual $2-something) so be aware of that when buying an El pass. Incidentally I recommend flying into/out of Midway if at all possible. It doesn't service many airlines, but it's much more reliable and comfortable than O'Hare, and there are far, far fewer delays. Remember that Chicago is a grid: almost every street, with a few exceptions, runs either north-south or east-west. And the lake is always East. Attitude: Chicago is a big, busy, urban place, but it is also a very Midwestern town, and a city of immigrants who were once new to the city too. We're by and large extremely friendly people here and we like to help out and show off how well we know the city. If you get lost, don't be shy -- go into a store or stop someone on the street and ask for directions. And that's my city! Or at least, a tiny slice of it. I hope this proves helpful and not incredibly overwhelming. 

Did you enjoy or use this guide? Consider a donation to my Ko-Fi or via my Paypal! 

[foodtheywrote]

food+drink from IT’S NOT ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE by Terry McMillan

(these are all Kindle highlights. please let me know in the comments if you have other mentions of food and/ or drink in this book.)

1. buffet of fried chicken, BBQ ribs, baked beans, au gratin potatoes, some kind of salad, collard greens, and cornbread.

2. chocolate cake

3. angel hair pasta with prawns, some garlic bread, and a good salad

4. We could have some raspberry sorbet and not too many glasses of wine so that we still have energy...

5. glass of water with a slice of cucumber resting between tiny ice cubes.

6. ...a large plate of figs, squares of dark and white chocolate, green grapes, and four or five different types of cheese. Beige crackers are spread out like cards on a blackjack table.

7. ...all kinds of casseroles and bowls of fried chicken and a honey-baked ham and macaroni and cheese on the table, and all four burners had pots with steam bursting out of the tops of them. I saw squares of yellow cornbread and collard greens and sweet potatoes in chafing dishes.

8. ...two glass pitchers of lemonade and iced tea.

9. We both laughed, and I remember throwing a piece of French bread at him and missing. B. B. King—who still was very quick at the time—grabbed it in his mouth and took off. Carl was lucky I didn’t grab a handful of my delicious spaghetti and meatballs, or he’d have been covered in it!

10. ...candied yam.

11. ... fried chicken and collard greens. Lucky also had macaroni and cheese, which I passed on.

12. She then bit off a big piece of honey cornbread. “Neither one of us should even be in here,” I said as I looked down at my plate. The chicken was fried. I could see the ham in the collard greens. The candied yams had brown sugar and butter oozing out of them. And then there was my beautiful cornbread. Did I really need to eat all this?

13. ...double cheeseburger, some soft fries, a diet Coke, and three farewell Twizzlers.

14. “I made lasagna and a salad and as you can see, French bread and steamed asparagus.”

15. When I went to put my registration back inside the glove compartment, staring at me was a brand-new package of Twizzlers.

16. “I’ll have the pizza with ground beef, but with no beans, no sour cream, and no avocado.” “Anything else?” “I would like to try the fried ice cream.” “To drink?” “I’ll have a virgin margarita.” “What kind, sir?” “A normal one.” I winked at her, so she knew I wanted my regular: combination chicken tacos and chicken enchiladas with sour cream. All the combos come with beans and rice and I almost always end up taking something home. I ate guacamole and chips and Kwame drank what was really just lemonade...

17.  I grabbed the tasteless granola, some raspberries, and low-fat milk...

18.  ...string beans and that stuff with the scrambled eggs in it again?”

19. ...pot stickers and various types of chow fun

20. ...the white boxes that we knew were pot stickers and brown and white rice, and the fortune cookies, at least ten of them.

21. But I ordered a low-fat mocha latte with no sugar instead.

22.  I just made a strong pot of Peet’s Sumatra and I baked a delicious apple pie for Joe.

23.  I could hardly eat the stroganoff, which was terrible, and also because I had snuck a hamburger (not cheeseburger) with small fries before I came over...

24. “I got lasagna and sourdough bread, and a Caesar salad and asparagus for you...

25. Kwame lifted the wide lasagna noodles and let them fall back on top of the red meat sauce. Then he pulled on the cheese to form a string...

26. ...from about eight different salads, we chose four and a bowl of chunky homemade vegetable soup.

27.  ...red miso short ribs, Thai chicken meatballs, and shredded jerk chicken floating in thick golden sauce...

28. We had to order the seasoned rice and bread. At checkout, we decided to get the salad and soup to go and bought two of those little round macaroon cookies that come from France. I ordered watermelon mint lemonade...

29. ....finest halibut for you along with baked sweet potatoes and a salad and brown rice.

30. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to have a drumstick and a wing on hand for a late-night snack.

31. ...last two kosher hot dogs and a few French fries and a half hour later, I scraped the vanilla out of the ice cream sandwich and put it on a saucer...

32. ...sweet potato pies, peach cobbler, bread pudding, and apple pies—

33. ...I sliced apples. I opened ten cans of peaches. I boiled sweet potatoes and mashed them with cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, eggs, vanilla flavor, and a drop of bourbon. I made bread pudding that was so fluffy it almost floated out of the little baking dishes I bought. The peach juice boiled onto the aluminum foil I knew to put under the cobbler because it happens every year.

34. lobster tails with butter and baked potatoes with chives, sour cream, and butter and a salad and sourdough bread

35.  I did not want to go out for cake and ice cream.

36. I was overdue for a cheeseburger and fries. I had been good. I could count how many I’d had since I got back from Las Vegas, which was almost two months ago: five. I could also count how many times I went to Carol’s and had their French toast with bacon: three.

37. ...once she had it, she would have to pretend fried chicken and candied yams and honey cornbread would kill her.

38. “Yes, I would like to have a double cheeseburger with a purple onion and a small order of fries.” “What kind of cheese would you like on that burger?” the voice said. “Cheddar. Oh, and can you also put pickles on it?” “You got it. Any of our delicious desserts strike your eye? Our apple pie is killer and our ice cream sundaes are made with the best chocolate syrup. And there’s a new flavor of ice cream to choose: strawberry cheesecake.”

39. ...two thick pieces of French toast with butter, drenched with maple syrup, two strips of bacon, a glass of orange juice, and a cup of coffee. With two packets of Splenda.

40. We’re having marinated rib-eyes, steamed brown rice, no bread, a salad with oil and vinegar, and sparkling water for me and Loretha, right, Lo?”

41.  “And for dessert?” Sadie asked suspiciously. “Fruit salad. Take it or leave it.”

42. ...bought a slice of pepperoni pizza, a salad, a Diet Coke, and a chocolate chip cookie.

43. ...cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, a small piece of chicken breast, and a peach that she was already cutting.

44. I took a long sip of my detoxifying apple-cucumber-celery-spinach-cranberry-pomegranate drink, and then stared at my steel-cut oatmeal with no raisins and definitely no brown sugar.

45. ...that Hawaiian French toast with the rum-battered Kona-coffee whipped cream and pineapple marmalade

46. I ate an apple. And half of a whole wheat English muffin that I toasted and spread this stuff called ghee that Jonas told me to buy instead of butter. It tasted like butter but better. I wanted a glass of orange juice so bad

47. ...chocolate chip cookie or a juicy cheeseburger with fries and a vanilla shake.

48. ...did not put any sugar in my coffee but I did put in cream. I was starting to get used to it. And instead of eating French toast or pancakes topped with bananas and hot syrup or waffles with hot syrup or eggs and bacon with hash browns and toast with butter and jelly, I had plain yogurt with berries and whole wheat toast.

49. ...salad with a thousand different vegetables and cooked prawns and then chunks of chicken and oil and vinegar dressing. I did eat a breadstick.

50. ...baked chicken. Brown rice. A salad. Steamed vegetables. I passed on the sourdough bread and butter.

51. Jonas has made an amazing tofu stir-fry if you’d like to have dinner with us.” “No thanks.” “It’s also got ginger, carrots, string beans, and garlic, and a little soy sauce. You won’t even know it’s good for you.”

52. ...chipotle grilled pork tenderloin with strawberry-avocado salsa. And this is spicy brown rice. That’s spinach and onion couscous. Those are salmon fishcakes. And the salad is spinach, feta, and goat cheese.

53. ...triangle turkey sandwich...

54. ...eat the savory teriyaki beef I ordered along with a cup of hot water and lemon

55.  purple sweet potato, almond milk, and ginger smoothies

[cashnaew526-blog]

CAMPING COOKWARE Works Just Under These Conditions

"When you consider family camping journeys, the enjoyable of spending time together with your family members and nature can sometimes be dampened by the mundane thoughts of survival cookware ""exactly how and also what am I going to feed them?"". You do not want to bring a lots of food as well as spend the whole weekend break food preparation however yet meals over the campfire are a big part of the camping experience. To stabilize these needs of simpleness, area, and enjoyable, our household has a fundamental checklist of must-have family members camping foods.

Our essential household outdoor camping foods listing contains:

Bisquick

Milk in 1/2 gallon containers

Eggs

Cheese

Orange juice in plastic container

Bacon - thick cut

Syrup

Butter in plastic tubs

Cereal

Bread

Lunchmeat in resealable bundles

Fruit - canister and strong fresh

Chips in tubes

Bags of mini carrots

Peanut butter

Jelly or jam

Containers of water

Snack bars (granola, path mix, etc).

Potatoes.

Steak.

Onions.

Eco-friendly beans - tinned.

Hotdogs.

Hot dog buns.

Baked beans.

Marshmallows.

Graham crackers.

Hershey bars.

Pie loading.

Diced pickles.

Catsup.

Mustard.

Mayo.

Sugar.

Cinnamon.

From this list of foods, we can produce a weekend filled with dishes. A lot of the things on the listing can be used in making greater than one meal. And otherwise, the product is still needed for the complete outdoor camping experience!

The opening night is always hot dogs, baked beans, chips, as well as s' mores. This is the very first dish my children desire. It's quick, easy and also has the enjoyable variable of them being able to cook the majority of it themselves. Great for when you are attempting to get camp set up as well as cleared up but yet they are shouting to consume.

The very first morning meal is usually pancakes as well as thick-cut bacon. We take thick-cut bacon since it often tends to not melt as quickly. You can have some eggs with it if you like however eggs are typically the star of an additional morning meal. Cook some added bacon for usage for dinner tonight. If you remain in a rush have cereal and also milk rather.

Lunch tends to be a quicker, simpler, no-cook meal for us. We are normally quickly to get back to what we were doing or on to the following fun thing. Cold meat sandwiches or peanut butter and jelly with fruit as well as mini-carrots fit the healthy however fast requirements that we want for this camp meal.

Dinner the second night is usually a bigger deal. After a day of fun in the outdoors, we are generally hungry as well as all set to sit down and also unwind with an excellent dish. Our household outdoor camping dish of choice for this night is steaks cooked exactly on the grate over the campfire; potatoes double covered in durable light weight aluminum foil with butter as well as slices of onion stuck in slits in the potatoes and prepared in the coals; as well as eco-friendly beans with left-over bacon from morning meal cooking in a pot on the campfire grate. Yum! For dessert this evening (if we have area and the children constantly do) we make hobo fruit pies. We save these for the 2nd night since, in order to not shed them, they call for a slower, a lot more patient food preparation. On the opening night of outdoor camping, the children are as well delighted about being there and they do not have the persistence to cook slowly.

Make sure you conserve any of the leftover steak, potatoes, and onions from this dish.

If it is just a weekend break outdoor camping trip, the following early morning is generally our grand finale morning meal. It is generally a little later in the early morning than the initial day. We are all tired from the fun-filled prior day, rested well and also are not nervous to begin packing up to head house.

In this dish, we attempt to use up what we can. Much less to re-pack! We typically have eggs clambered with the remaining steak, potatoes, and also onions from the evening before. If there isn't any leftover steak, scramble the eggs with some leftover bacon. Cook up a couple of even more potatoes and onions to contribute to your egg combination for an outstanding skillet breakfast. Use any type of leftover bread from sandwiches as well as hobo pies for salute. Top your toast with butter, jelly, cinnamon or sugar that were used in previous meals and drain partial jugs of milk and also orange juice.

The charm of this basic list of must-have family outdoor camping foods is that it is easy to prolong if you will certainly be on a much longer journey. We have actually located that just by including some extra canned vegetables and fruits, container tuna and chicken, hamburgers, burger buns, BBQ sauce, skinless hen, oat meal and also maybe pasta and also sauce, we can get a wide variety of meals that will maintain us satisfied for at the very least a week or even more.

Relying on the length of time you plan to be gone you might require to take a larger quantity of these things or you may want to plan a quick grocery run during your journey. Remember nevertheless that if you are camping near a traveler area or far away from a shop that a mid-trip grocery run may not be economical or extremely easy."

[milopvhw636-blog]

Must-Have Family Members Outdoor Camping Foods

"When you think about family outdoor camping journeys, the enjoyable of spending time together with your family members and nature can often be moistened by the mundane thoughts of ""exactly how as well as what am I mosting likely to feed them?"". You do not wish to bring a lots of food and spend the whole weekend break cooking however yet dishes over the campfire are a large part of the outdoor camping experience. To balance these needs of simpleness, space, as well as fun, our family members has a standard list of essential family members camping foods.

Our essential family camping foods list consists of:

Bisquick

Milk in 1/2 gallon jugs

Eggs

Cheese

Orange juice in plastic jug

Bacon - thick cut

Syrup

Butter in plastic tubs

Grain

Bread

Lunchmeat in resealable packages

Fruit - canned as well as strong fresh

Chips in tubes

Bags of mini carrots

Peanut butter

Jelly or jam

Containers of water

Sandwich shop (granola, path mix, etc).

Potatoes.

Steak.

Onions.

Eco-friendly beans - canned.

Hot dogs.

Hot dog buns.

Baked beans.

Marshmallows.

Graham crackers.

Hershey bars.

Pie loading.

Diced pickles.

Catsup.

Mustard.

Mayonnaise.

Sugar.

Cinnamon.

From this listing of foods, we can create a weekend filled with dishes. Much of the products on the list can be utilized in making more than one meal. And otherwise, the product is still necessary for the total outdoor camping experience!

The opening night is always hotdogs, baked beans, chips, and s' mores. This is the very first dish my youngsters want. It's quick, easy and also has the enjoyable variable of them being able to prepare a lot of it themselves. Great for when you are trying to get camp established and also cleared up but yet they are shouting to consume.

The initial morning meal is typically pancakes and thick-cut bacon. We take thick-cut bacon given that it often tends to not melt as easily. You can have some eggs with it if you like however eggs are normally the star of an additional morning meal. Prepare some extra bacon for usage for dinner tonight. If you are in a hurry have cereal as well as milk instead.

Lunch often tends to be a quicker, less complex, no-cook dish for us. We are typically in a hurry to get back to what we were doing or on to the following enjoyable thing. Cold meat sandwiches or peanut butter and jelly with fruit and mini-carrots fit the healthy however quick standards that we want for this camp meal.

Dinner the second night is typically a bigger bargain. After a day of fun in the outdoors, we are usually hungry and ready to take a seat as well as loosen up with a great meal. Our household camping meal of option for this night is steaks prepared precisely the grate over the campfire; potatoes dual covered in durable light weight aluminum foil with butter and also slices of onion embeded slits in the potatoes and also cooked in the coals; as well as environment-friendly beans with left-over bacon from morning meal food preparation in a pot on the campfire grate. Yum! For dessert this evening (if we have space and the youngsters always do) we make hobo fruit pies. We conserve these for the second night due to the fact that, in order to not shed them, they need a slower, much more patient food preparation. On the first night of camping, the youngsters are too delighted concerning existing as well as they do not have the persistence to prepare gradually.

Ensure you conserve any one of the leftover steak, potatoes, as well as onions from this meal.

If it is simply a weekend break outdoor camping trip, the following early morning is usually our grand finale breakfast. It is generally a little later in the early morning than the very first day. We are all tired from the fun prior day, slept well and are not nervous to start evacuating to head house.

In this meal, we attempt to use up what we can. Less to re-pack! We normally have eggs rushed with the remaining steak, potatoes, as well as onions from the night before. If there isn't any remaining steak, clamber the eggs with some remaining bacon. Prepare a couple of even more potatoes and also onions to include in your egg mix for an exceptional frying pan morning meal. Use any type of leftover bread from sandwiches and also hobo pies for salute. Top your toast with butter, jelly, cinnamon or sugar that were used in previous meals and also drink up partial containers of milk and also orange juice.

The elegance of this fundamental listing of must-have family members outdoor camping foods is that it is easy to expand if you will certainly get on a much longer journey. We have located that just by including some added canned vegetables and also fruits, container tuna as well as chicken, burgers, hamburger buns, BARBEQUE sauce, skinless chicken, oat meal and also maybe pasta and sauce, we can get a variety of meals that will maintain us happy for at least a week or more.

Depending upon the length of time you intend to be gone you might need to take a bigger amount of these things or you might wish to prepare a quick grocery run throughout survival cookware your trip. Keep in mind however that if you are camping near a vacationer location or far away from a shop that a mid-trip grocery store run might not be economical or very simple."

[titusswxp326-blog]

Find A Quick Way To CAMPING COOKING EQUIPMENT

"When you think about family outdoor camping journeys, the enjoyable of spending time together with your family as well as nature can sometimes be dampened by the ordinary ideas of ""exactly how and what am I mosting likely to feed them?"". You don't intend to bring a lots of food and spend the whole weekend food preparation however yet meals over the campfire are a huge part of the outdoor camping experience. To balance these demands of simpleness, room, as well as fun, our family has a fundamental list of essential household outdoor camping foods.

Our essential family members outdoor camping foods list contains:

Bisquick

Milk in 1/2 gallon containers

Eggs

Cheese

Orange juice in plastic jug

Bacon - thick cut

Syrup

Butter in plastic bathtubs

Cereal

Bread

Lunchmeat in resealable plans

Fruit - canned as well as sturdy fresh

Chips in tubes

Bags of mini carrots

Peanut butter

Jelly or jam

Containers of water

Sandwich shop (granola, route mix, etc).

Potatoes.

Steak.

Onions.

Green beans - tinned.

Hotdogs.

Hot dog buns.

Baked beans.

Marshmallows.

Graham biscuits.

Hershey bars.

Pie filling up.

Diced pickles.

Catsup.

Mustard.

Mayo.

Sugar.

Cinnamon.

From this listing of foods, we can create a weekend filled with dishes. Much of the things on the listing can be utilized in making greater than one meal. And otherwise, the thing is still necessary for the total outdoor camping experience!

The opening night is always hotdogs, baked beans, chips, as well as s' mores. This is the first dish my youngsters want. It's quick, simple as well as has the enjoyable variable of them being able to cook most of it themselves. Great for when you are attempting to obtain camp established and settled but yet they are shouting to eat.

The initial breakfast is typically pancakes and thick-cut bacon. We take thick-cut bacon considering that it tends to not burn as quickly. You can have some eggs with it if you like however eggs are typically the celebrity of one more breakfast. Cook some additional bacon for use for supper tonight. If you remain in a rush have cereal as well as milk rather.

Lunch has a tendency to be a quicker, easier, no-cook meal for us. We are usually in a hurry to get back to what we were doing or on to the next enjoyable point. Cold meat sandwiches or peanut butter as well as jelly with fruit as well as mini-carrots fit the healthy and balanced yet quick requirements that we desire for this camp dish.

Dinner the second evening is typically a bigger offer. After a day of enjoyable in the outdoors, we are generally starving and ready survival cookware to take a seat and kick back with a good dish. Our family outdoor camping dish of selection for this evening is steaks cooked right on the grate over the campfire; potatoes double wrapped in sturdy aluminum foil with butter and pieces of onion stuck in slits in the potatoes as well as prepared in the coals; and green beans with left-over bacon from morning meal cooking in a pot on the campfire grate. Yum! For treat this night (if we have room and also the children always do) we make hobo fruit pies. We conserve these for the 2nd night since, in order to not shed them, they call for a slower, more patient food preparation. On the opening night of camping, the kids are as well excited concerning existing as well as they do not have the patience to prepare slowly.

Ensure you save any of the remaining steak, potatoes, as well as onions from this meal.

If it is just a weekend outdoor camping trip, the following early morning is usually our grand ending morning meal. It is normally a little later in the morning than the first day. We are all tired from the fun prior day, slept well and are not distressed to begin packing up to head house.

In this dish, we attempt to consume what we can. Less to re-pack! We usually have eggs clambered with the leftover steak, potatoes, and also onions from the night prior to. If there isn't any type of leftover steak, clamber the eggs with some leftover bacon. Formulate a couple of more potatoes and also onions to include in your egg blend for an outstanding frying pan morning meal. Use any type of leftover bread from sandwiches as well as hobo pies for salute. Leading your toast with butter, jelly, cinnamon or sugar that were utilized in previous meals and drain partial containers of milk and orange juice.

The charm of this fundamental checklist of must-have household camping foods is that it is simple to expand if you will be on a longer journey. We have actually discovered that simply by including some extra canned veggies and also fruits, canister tuna and poultry, burgers, burger buns, BARBEQUE sauce, skinless poultry, oatmeal and perhaps pasta and also sauce, we can obtain a wide array of meals that will keep us pleased for at the very least a week or even more.

Depending on the length of time you plan to be gone you might need to take a larger amount of these things or you may intend to plan a fast grocery run during your trip. Keep in mind nonetheless that if you are camping near a visitor location or far away from a store that a mid-trip grocery run might not be economical or extremely easy."

[landenbhlt626-blog]

10 Points You Have In Common With OUTDOOR CAMPING KITCHENWARE

"When you think of family members outdoor camping journeys, the enjoyable of spending time together with your household as well as nature can in some cases be moistened by the mundane thoughts of ""just how and what am I mosting likely to feed them?"". You don't want to bring a ton of food and also invest the entire weekend break food preparation however yet meals over the campfire are a big part of the camping experience. To balance these requirements of simplicity, space, and also fun, our household has a standard listing of must-have family members camping foods.

Our must-have household outdoor camping foods checklist includes:

Bisquick

Milk in 1/2 gallon jugs

Eggs

Cheese

Orange juice in plastic jug

Bacon - thick cut

Syrup

Butter in plastic tubs

Grain

Bread

Lunchmeat in resealable bundles

Fruit - canister and tough fresh

Chips in tubes

Bags of mini carrots

Peanut butter

Jelly or jam

Containers of water

Sandwich shop (granola, trail mix, etc).

Potatoes.

Steak.

Onions.

Environment-friendly beans - tinned.

Hotdogs.

Hot dog buns.

Baked beans.

Marshmallows.

Graham crackers.

Hershey bars.

Pie filling up.

Diced pickles.

Catsup.

Mustard.

Mayo.

Sugar.

Cinnamon.

From this list of foods, we can produce a weekend packed with meals. Many of the items on the list can be utilized in making more than one meal. And if not, the item is still needed for the total outdoor camping experience!

The opening night is always hotdogs, baked beans, chips, as well as s' mores. This is the first meal my youngsters want. It's quick, easy and also has the fun element of them being able to prepare the majority of it themselves. Great for when you are attempting to obtain camp set up and also worked out but yet they are shouting to eat.

The initial morning meal is normally pancakes and also thick-cut bacon. We take thick-cut bacon given that it tends to not melt as easily. You can have some eggs with it if you like but eggs are typically the star of another breakfast. Cook some added bacon for usage for dinner tonight. If you remain in a rush have cereal and milk rather.

Lunch often tends to be a quicker, simpler, no-cook meal for us. We are typically in a hurry to get back to what we were doing or on the following enjoyable thing. Cold meat sandwiches or peanut butter as well as jelly with fruit and mini-carrots fit the healthy and balanced however fast criteria that we desire for this camp meal.

Dinner the second evening is usually a larger bargain. After a day of enjoyable in the outdoors, we are typically starving and also ready to take a seat and also kick back with an excellent meal. Our family members outdoor camping meal of choice for this night is steaks prepared precisely the grate over the campfire; potatoes dual covered in sturdy light weight aluminum foil with butter as well as pieces of onion stuck in slits in the potatoes as well as cooked in the coals; and environment-friendly beans with left-over bacon from breakfast food preparation in a pot on the campfire grate. Yum! For treat this evening (if we have area and the children constantly do) we make hobo fruit pies. We conserve these for the second night due to the fact that, in order to not melt them, they call for a slower, extra patient cooking. On the opening night of outdoor camping, the kids are also excited regarding existing and they do not have the persistence to cook slowly.

See to it you conserve any of the leftover steak, potatoes, and also onions from this dish.

If it is simply a weekend outdoor camping journey, the next early morning is usually our grand finale breakfast. It is usually a little later in the early morning than the first day. We are all tired from survival cookware the exciting prior day, rested well and also are not distressed to start evacuating to head residence.

In this meal, we attempt to consume what we can. Much less to re-pack! We typically have eggs clambered with the remaining steak, potatoes, and onions from the evening before. If there isn't any remaining steak, rush the eggs with some leftover bacon. Cook up a couple of even more potatoes as well as onions to contribute to your egg combination for an outstanding frying pan morning meal. Utilize any kind of remaining bread from sandwiches and hobo pies for toast. Top your toast with butter, jelly, cinnamon or sugar that were made use of in previous meals and also drink up partial jugs of milk and also orange juice.

The beauty of this basic list of must-have family members outdoor camping foods is that it is easy to extend if you will certainly be on a much longer trip. We have found that simply by adding some added canned veggies as well as fruits, container tuna and poultry, burgers, burger buns, BARBEQUE sauce, skinless hen, oat meal and also perhaps pasta and sauce, we can get a wide range of meals that will maintain us delighted for at least a week or more.

Relying on the length of time you prepare to be gone you might require to take a bigger quantity of these things or you may want to plan a quick grocery run throughout your journey. Remember nonetheless that if you are camping near a visitor area or away from a store that a mid-trip grocery run may not be economical or extremely easy."

[sky-on-blog]

1. What’s the last thing you ate? Ice cream, I think, last night.

2. What’s your favourite cheese? Pepper jack.

3. What’s your favourite fish? Salmon.

4. What’s your favourite fruit? Pineapple, even though it hurts my mouth to eat it raw.

5. When, if ever, did you start liking olives? I’m pretty sure I’ve always liked olives -- at least, the black ones. I used to take them from salad bars and eat them by themselves when I was little. Green olives are okay. I dislike Kalamata olives, though.

6. When, if ever, did you start liking beer? Probably like, after I turned 21. I disliked it for a long time until I tried things other than my mother’s Coors Light.

7. When, if ever, did you start liking shellfish? I’m pretty sure I’ve always liked shellfish, too. I don’t understand how people can not like crabs?

8. What was the best thing your mom/dad/guardian used to make? Uh. Nothing, really. My parents are pretty terrible cooks. Do cookies count? Because I can make those, too.

9. What’s the native specialty of your hometown? I don’t know. Scrapple? Delaware doesn’t have a lot of “native specialties.” Apparently muskrat is a thing that people eat there, even though I lived there until I was 24 and never once encountered it (thankfully).

10. What’s your comfort food? Goldfish, or peanut butter Captain Crunch. Also peanut butter M&Ms. And Reese’s.

11. What’s your favourite type of chocolate? Milk. 12. How do you like your steak? Medium rare. I thought I didn’t like steak for basically my entire life because I only ever had it more well done.

13. How do you like your burger? Medium, I guess? I’ve never really compared.

14. How do you like your eggs? Over easy, and preferably atop hash browns.

15. How do you like your potatoes? Fried and crispy. Mashed potatoes are good, too, though.

16. How do you take your coffee? With flavored creamer, or cream and sugar if it’s just regular cream.

17. How do you take your tea? Depends on the kind of tea. I like iced green tea, but only if it isn’t bitter -- so like, not from a teabag. And hot tea is okay, but I mostly just drink that to help with my throat or to relax; I don’t really love the taste, or anything. When I do drink it, though, I just drink it plain -- with the exception of some honey if I feel really bad, but again, that’s less for the taste and more for the effects. 

18. What’s your favourite mug? A fox-shaped one that I got as a gift.

19. What’s your biscuit or cookie of choice? Peanut butter chocolate chip.

20. What’s your ideal breakfast? Uhh. Depends on my mood, I guess. But there’s a place in Haines City that has these apple cinnamon waffles that are pretty amazing. 

21. What’s your ideal sandwich? Those Italian, oven-baked sandwiches from Domino’s. They are amazing. Turkey clubs are great, too.

22. What’s your ideal pizza: Light sauce with pineapple and jalapeno. Red Baron’s frozen Mexican pizza is awesome, as well.

23. What’s your ideal pie (sweet or savoury)? Pumpkin -- sweet. I wholly prefer sweet pie to savory.

24. What’s your ideal salad? The one you get at Olive Garden. That’s the only salad I can actually get excited about. Oh, or black bean and corn salad, oh my god. 

25. What food do you always like to have in the fridge? Something easily accessible. It’s not a “food,” but I always like to have soda. And onions, preferably red.

26. What food do you always like to have in the freezer? Again, something easy to make. Oh, and burgers.

27. What food do you always like to have in the cupboard? Goldfish, cereal, candy, coffee.

28. What spices can you not live without? Salt is the only one I could probably actually not go without, but cilantro and cayenne are pretty excellent, too.

29. What sauces can you not live without? Eh. I can live without most sauce -- I prefer things to be more dry. Does salsa count as sauce? I tend to miss that when I don’t have it. 

30. Where do you buy most of your food? Walmart. It’s right across the street, and it’s cheap. But we also go to Publix pretty often, too. 

31. How often do you go food shopping? Usually about once a week, but it depends on when Jeremy’s and my schedules line up and when we start to run out of food.

33. What’s the most expensive piece of kitchen equipment you own? ...I’m drawing a blank. Jeremy’s dad got us a frappuccino maker that we’ve never used in the pantry. Oh, there’s a Keurig in the closet, but it doesn’t work. Does that count? I mean, we have a microwave and an oven, but we don’t own those. Maybe the toaster oven?

34. What’s the last piece of equipment you bought for your kitchen? A coffee maker, when the Keurig stopped working.

35. What piece of kitchen equipment could you not live without? The microwave, without a doubt.

36. How many times a week/month do you cook from raw ingredients? Me personally, never. Jeremy, for both of us to eat...probably a few times a month.

37. What’s the last thing you cooked from raw ingredients? Chicken enchilada casserole. It wasn’t very good, which is why I don’t cook.

38. What meats have you eaten besides cow, pig and poultry? Lamb and deer are the only two I can think of. They have a lot of alligator down here in Florida, though, and I’ve been meaning to try that. Oh, I tried frog once, and it was awful -- but granted, it was at a pretty awful restaurant.

39. What’s the last time you ate something that had fallen on the floor? Yesterday, a walnut fell onto the kitchen counter and I still put it in my ice cream. I probably ate something off the floor yesterday, too. It happens.

40. What’s the last time you ate something you’d picked in the wild? Years and years ago, when my friends and I went cherry-picking.

41. Arrange the following in order of preference: Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Sushi – Sushi, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Italian, Indian. Although, I’ve only ever had Indian food once, and nothing there was very good except the naan. So maybe that place just wasn’t very good.

42. Arrange the following in order of preference: Vodka, Whiskey, Brandy, Rum – I haven’t had brandy in a while and I don’t really remember what it tastes like, so I’m going to leave that out of the equation. But probably rum, whiskey, vodka, although I like all three pretty well.

43. Arrange the following in order of preference: Garlic, Basil, Caramel, Lime, Mint, Ginger, Aniseed – I’ve never had aniseed. But otherwise -- lime, garlic, ginger, mint (as long as it’s in dessert), basil, caramel. If the mint is in something savory, then it goes at the very bottom; I really hate mint in savory things.

44. Arrange the following in order of preference: Pineapple, Orange, Apple, Strawberry, Cherry, Watermelon, Banana. – Pineapple, orange, strawberry, apple, banana, cherry, watermelon.

45. Bread and spread: What? Like, my favorites? I like pumpernickel bread, and...I don’t know. Mayonnaise? That chili spread -- the famous one with the rooster -- is pretty good, too.

46. What’s your fast food restaurant of choice, and what do you usually order? Probably Popeye’s -- spicy chicken, usually tenders, with red beans and rice. 

47. Pick a city. What are the best dining experiences you’ve had in that city? Uh. Newark, in Delaware, has this pretty great Japanese buffet.

48. What’s your choice of tipple at the end of a long day? What’s a tipple?

49. What’s the next thing you’ll eat? I’m not sure. I might eat some cereal or Goldfish or something before work.

50. Are you hungry now? Sort of, but I don’t know what I want.

51. Do you eat your breakfast everyday? No. I’m never hungry when I wake up; I have to force myself to eat, like, a granola bar when I go to work. 

52. At what time do you have breakfast? Whenever I get up and feel like it. 

53. At what time do you have lunch? Whenever they give it to me at work, or just...whenever Jeremy and I get hungry.

54. What do you have for lunch? Different stuff. Usually burgers, hot dogs, fries -- something easy.

55. At what time do you have dinner? When I get home from work, so usually around 9:30-10.

56. What do you have for dinner? Again, different stuff.

57. Do you light candles during dinner? No.

58. How many chairs are there in your dining room and who sits in the main chair? There isn’t a dining room in our apartment, but there’s a table in the corner with four chairs. There isn’t a “main” chair; they’re all the same.

59. Do you eat and drink using your right hand or the left one? Right, usually.

61. Mention the veggies that you like most: Pickles, onions, jalapenos, tomatoes. 

62. What fruit and vegetable do you like the least? Cantaloupe is my absolute least favorite fruit -- I can’t stand the taste. And my least favorite vegetable...probably Brussels sprouts.

63. You like your fruit salad to have more: Uhh. I haven’t had fruit salad in a long time. I guess strawberries?

64. You prefer your vegetable salad to contain more: Tomatoes.

65. What’s your favourite sandwich spread? Oh, I answered this earlier -- mayo or that chili spread. Admittedly, though, I haven’t had very many sandwich spreads.

66. What’s your favourite chocolate bar? Crunch. 

67. What’s your favourite dessert? Peanut butter brownie sundaes.

68. What’s your favourite drink? I don’t know. I’ve been in a weird drink place lately where I don’t know what I want. Margaritas are pretty great, though.

69. What’s your favourite snack? Goldfish.

70. What’s your favourite bubble gum flavour? Just like, wintergreen, probably, or spearmint. I like lemony ones, too. They used to have a strawberry lemonade one that was really good -- I don’t know if it still exists. But I’m not a big fan of gum, and my teeth have like, no enamel, so I never chew it. Oh, I used to like Juicy Fruit a lot when I was little.

71. What’s your favourite ice cream flavour? Green tea. I can only ever find it from Haagen-Dazs at some Publix. Oh, and brown sugar. Baskin Robbins has one that has brown sugar in it and it’s fucking incredible, but I’m pretty sure it’s seasonal. 

72. What’s your favourite potato chip flavour? Sour cream and onion, or just regular.

73. What’s your favourite soup? Chicken tortilla.

74. What’s your favourite pizza? Jalapeno and pineapple. 

75. What’s your favourite type of dish? Sushi, or Mexican.

76. What food do you hate? Cantaloupe. Peas. Brussels sprouts. Oatmeal. Applesauce. Anything mushy like that. Oh, and oysters/clams. And frog.

77. What’s your favourite restaurant? Hibachi.

78. Do you eat homemade food, food delivered from outside? I eat both, but I prefer food that’s not homemade, usually.

80. Who cooks at home? Jeremy.

81. What kind of diet (e.g. low-fat, high-fiber, high-carbohydrate, balanced diet etc.) do you have? Uh. A really unhealthy, salty, fattening one.

82. How do you keep yourself fit? I don’t.

[ciaossu-imagines]

And, in characters I just selfishly picked because I love them, Verde is next on the list for this cute little meme here!

1: Milk, dark, or white chocolate?

Verde doesn’t actually really care for chocolate overly much, as he doesn’t really care for much that’s sweet. However, if he is going to indulge in chocolate, it’s almost always going to be dark chocolate and often will have chili peppers or something of that type added to it. 

2: What do they get on their pizza?

Verde’s a picky eater, especially when it comes to pizza. He prefers it to be mostly meat, extra sauce, extra cheese but with olives and onions added to it. 

3: How well do they handle alcohol?

Verde is a bad drunk. He was before becoming an Arcobaleno and he is even worse after becoming one. He was always a bit of a cheap drunk, along with being a mean one, but his baby body cannot process alcohol at all and he’s drunk within the space of a drink. 

4: What would be their ideal birthday cake?

No cake at all. Verde hates celebrating his birthday. He doesn’t see what’s the point of celebrating a day in the year that holds only the basest social significance. He doesn’t enjoy birthday parties or cake and doesn’t want either one, thank you very much.

5: Coffee or tea?

Verde prefers coffee, though too much caffeine after suppertime keeps him awake all night and he has to switch to decaf after supper. He drinks more coffee than anything else too, since he hates drinking water.

6: Burgers or hot dogs?

Verde would take a burger any day. He’s very ambivalent towards hot dogs. What even are they? Are they actually a food? What is in them?

7: How do they feel about vegetables?

Verde has no issues with vegetables. At least, no more so than he has towards other foods. He’s a picky eater and there’s a lot of vegetables he won’t eat but there’s some that he will. He likes onions, raw or cooked and peppers, always cooked. He enjoys carrots and celery though both have to be raw. 

8: What's their favorite kind of cookie?

Verde prefers less sweet cookies so he prefers digestives, arrowroot cookies or animal crackers. He especially likes animal crackers since he can cackle before he bites the heads off of the poor, defenseless (fake) animals, though he’s always annoyed by animal crackers since he always gets that old Shirley Temple song stuck in his head.

9: What's their favorite of the five tastes?

Of the five basic tastes, Verde prefers sour foods or savoury foods. Both are an equal tie. He likes lemon especially of the sour foods and will often suck on a lemon while working on something or will drink just hot water and lemon. He likes a lot of savory foods though, preferring to eat them more often than anything else.

10: What's their favorite fruit?

As said above, Verde really likes lemons. He’s also quite fond of kiwi’s but only if they’re peeled. He hates the fuzzy texture of the skin and can’t handle the feel of it in his mouth.

11: Do they prefer hot or cold food?

Verde would rather eat hot food than cold, though he’s really not too fond of either. He doesn’t want to burn his tongue but he’s easily susceptible to brain freeze. He prefers his food warm to room temperature.

12: Are they a big eater, or do they tend not to eat much?

Verde tends to eat like a bird. He’s so used to going without eating, since he tends to forget to eat whenever he’s working on a project. However, if he goes too long without eating, he becomes a big eater and will eat at least three to four portions of whatever’s sitting in front of him before he begins to feel full.

13: What's their favorite drink?

As said above, Verde drinks more coffee than anything else. He easily drinks at least ten to twelve large mugs of coffee a day, though many of those are decaf. He enjoys the taste and how easily changeable coffee is simply by adding this or that element to it. 

14: Ice cream or popsicles?

Verde prefers popsicles. They’re often healthier and less sweet than ice cream, which often has a lot of added sugar or added sweets into the ice cream. He especially likes just plain cherry popsicles.

15: Do they spell it "doughnut" or "donut"?

Verde spells it the logical way, the way it’s pronounced - dough-nut not do-nut.

16: How are they at cooking?

Verde can barely cook for himself. He can make food but it’s not going to be the tastiest food and honestly, is often something he can eat raw or something he can microwave. He’s really too busy to worry about cooking anything that takes more than a minute or two.

17: From best to worst, how would they rank the Starburst flavors (cherry, lemon, orange, and strawberry)?

From best to worst it would be lemon, orange, cherry, then strawberry though Verde hates Starburst. To him, they feel like nothing more than chemically flavored plastic in his mouth.

18: How do they feel about spicy food?

Honestly, Verde can take it or leave it. He does like spicy foods well enough and will eat some spicy foods with no complaints but it’s far from being his favourite thing to eat. 

19: Do they have any strange eating habits?

Verde hates black pepper and refuses to eat anything if it’s even been next to something with black pepper on it.

20: How do they take their steaks?

Cooked. As in all the way through, no pink, not burned but cooked. It frustrates him to no end how many people cannot seem to comprehend that and burn his steak to a crisp when he asks for it to be cooked. He just doesn’t believe in eating half-raw cow - that’s just a bacterial infection waiting to happen.

21: What do they get on a burger?

Verde doesn’t like mustard or cheese, so he normally asks for the burger to have mayo, onions, tomato and just the tiniest bit of ketchup on it. 

22: Do they watch cooking shows at all?

No. Verde wouldn’t ever think to watch a cooking show but then again, Verde watches very little television. He’s a bit of a workaholic and his spare time is normally spent sleeping, not watching television!

23: What's their favorite snack?

Nuts of any kind is something Verde does enjoy. He really likes walnuts but hates the tedious process of shelling them so he often just sticks with pre-shelled peanuts or raw almonds.

24: What's their favorite ice cream flavor?

If Verde absolutely had to eat ice cream, he sticks with a flavour most would think of as boring, just plain vanilla. It’s not too sweet, not too rich, just up his alley.

25: What's their favorite meal of the day?

Snacks are Verde’s favourite meal of the day. He prefers to snack throughout the day, about seven to eight very small snacks, instead of eating three square meals a day.

26: Pancakes or waffles?

Pancakes, really crisp on the outside but fluffy and soft on the inside, with baked beans on top of them is actually a favourite breakfast food for Verde.

27: What's a food they find particularly comforting?

Verde has a small hidden food stash of these really sour candies that he used to eat all the time when he was a child the first time called Warheads. He only eats one every couple weeks, sometimes even only once a month or less, but he keeps them around for when he needs a little something special.

28: Do they put marshmallows in their hot chocolate?

Verde doesn’t drink hot chocolate. He really doesn’t like it and would hate adding marshmallows to it even more, finding it cloyingly sweet.

29: If they were a food, what food would they be?

Verde would be coffee and biscuits, classic breakfast food staples - a little boring but easily changeable, a little bitter and plain but easily spruced up. 

30: What kind of foods do they hate?

Really, Verde’s never going to be much for sweets. He also really dislikes a lot of foods, like black pepper, tabasco sauce, flavoured crisps or chips, and a lot of synthetic foods that he’s not even sure qualifies as foods. 

31: Soup or salad?

Salad. Lettuce, radishes, carrots, onions, cucumbers, and maybe some crumpled up bacon or a sliced up egg for protein. That’s a pretty big meal for him though and something he’d eat quite rarely.

32: Cupcakes or muffins?

Verde doesn’t like cupcakes. The frosting on them is too sweet. However, he doesn’t mind carrot muffins or bran muffins. He can sometimes even be persuaded to eat fruit in his muffins, like blueberry or morning glory muffins.

33: Do they spend all year waiting for pumpkin spice lattes to come back?

No. Verde doesn’t get the big deal about pumpkin spiced anything really. They’re decent but it’s not like they’re the greatest thing in the world.

34: Do they eat food even after it's been dropped on the floor?

No. That’s very unhygienic and Verde could honestly probably tell you how many thousands of germs are on it, even if you follow the five second rule.

35: How do they feel about food touching other food on the plate?

It’s a touchy subject. If the food isn’t meant to be mixed together, such as it would need to be in a salad, then Verde doesn’t want it to touch. But sometimes it needs to, like oatmeal and berries or things along that vein.

36: What would they do if someone took a bite out of their food?

Verde would be pissed. That was his. Do not touch his things. Also, you’ve now rendered his food entirely inedible to anyone but yourself. It’s selfish and gross. He can’t eat that now. And he was likely hungry if he was actually bothering to eat.

37: What do they like on their toast?

Verde actually is an oddball who eats his bread either not toasted or his toast as warm bread, with nothing on it at all.

38: Do they prefer their noodles al dente, or do they like them softer?

Verde prefers softer noodles. He figures pasta shouldn’t still crunch. If it was meant to, people wouldn’t be cooking it but simply eating it out of the box as was.

39: How do they feel about bacon's explosive popularity?

Verde is confused. Bacon is fine as an occasional treat but he couldn’t imagine having it more than that - it’s hard to cook properly, greasy as anything, fatty and really bad for you.

40: What's their favorite kind of candy?

Verde doesn’t eat much candy but he does prefer sour candies. He likes Warheads and lemon drops and sometimes he will eat Sour Patch Kids or sour gummies, though that’s very rare.

41: Do they eat everything they make, or do they tend to save leftovers?

Verde eats until he’s full and nothing more. If there’s food left over, he just throws it out. He doesn’t like left-overs. He forgets about them and then ends up throwing them out anyway. He’s not starving or poor and doesn’t see the issue with wasting the little bit of food he does waste.

42: Do they chew gum at all?

Verde used to chew gum all the time before he became an Arcobaleno. However, with his baby body he can no longer comfortably chew gum, a habit he sorely misses. He sometimes substitutes the minty taste of his former gum with breath spray or by chewing on those tiny disposable toothbrushes but it’s never the same, not by a long shot.

43: Have they ever eaten something that wasn't edible?

No. Not that he remembers anyway. He might have taken a bite out of wax fruit once while very drunk.

44: How much cheese-in-a-can would they put on a cracker?

Cheese in a can is not food and Verde would not eat it. That is crap, artery clogging crap and he scoffs at it.

45: When it comes to Oreos, do they prefer the cookie or the cream? 

It has to be both. Verde is the type to leave the cookie intact, dip it into the milk for just the right amount of time and then bite it in half without ever separating the cookie from the cream.

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53+ Delicious Gluten Free Foods for Going Gluten Free

New blog post! Going gluten free can seem very challenging at first, and I remember struggling initially after my celiac diagnosis because there were so many gluten free brands to choose from and I had no idea which to try first. So as another post with the goal of making every month feel like Celiac Awareness Month, I thought I’d share a list of gluten free foods that breaks down all of my favorite brands and gluten free substitutes.

Whether you’re looking for gluten free substitutes for bread, gluten free alternative flour or delicious gluten free desserts, this round up has a product for you! If you’re just going gluten free, I hope this gives you some guidance during your first shopping trips. And if you’ve been gluten free for a while, hopefully this list will give you some ideas of new gluten free products to try!

Gluten Free Substitutes for Bread

Canyon Bakehouse - this is hands down my family’s favorite gluten free bread substitute. Their sandwich bread is amazing, as well as their bagels.

BFree Foods - if you’re looking for gluten free and vegan bread, this is my favorite brand. They also have gluten free pita bread and pizza crusts that are out of this world!

Schar - my family doesn’t love all of their products but their gluten free ciabatta rules are a common sight in our pantry.

My Bread Bakery - if you’re looking for gluten free and vegan bread to be delivered right to your door, this is a delicious online bakery that ships. They were kind enough to send me a few samples last year, and I fell in love with their flatbread, breadsticks and bread rolls.

Gluten Free Breakfast Substitutes

Buckwheat and/or Rice Flakes from Bob's Red Mill - if you need an alternative to oatmeal, I love mixing these buckwheat and rice flakes together into a gluten free porridge.

Birch Bender's Gluten Free Pancake Mix - this gluten free pancake mix can also be made into muffins, bread and cookies! 

Bisquick Pancake Mix - this is my family’s go-to gluten free pancake mix, especially with applesauce or mashed banana added to the batter.

Van’s Gluten Free Waffles - if you need a pre-made gluten free waffle, these taste amazing.

So Delicious Coconut Yogurt, Unsweetened Vanilla - for all those looking for a gluten free and vegan yogurt alternative, this is my favorite without a doubt. Creamy and subtly sweet without being sugary.

Sunbutter - this nut butter is actually nut free and made from sunflower seeds. They come in many flavors and are all delicious.

Julie’s Real Nut Butter - if you can tolerate almonds and cashews, these are some of my favorite nut butters ever. The flavors (like Cinnamon Vanilla and Cacao Espresso) are just too tasty. I am an ambassador of theirs and you can get 20% off using the code "collegeceliackcJR20."

Gluten Free Pasta Alternative Options

Jovial Foods - this gluten free pasta is rice-based and my family’s favorite in terms of texture and flavor.

Tinkyada - this is another rice-based pasta and a close second.

Banza - if you want extra vegan protein, this chickpea-based pasta is delicious and tender.

Gluten Free Meat Alternatives:

The Jackfruit Company’s BBQ Jackfruit - this is my favorite flavor of their pre-made jackfruit and it tastes just like pulled pork.

Beans, lentils and quinoa that are marked “gluten free” or don’t have any allergen warnings.

Foster Farms chicken nuggets - these are tender and taste just like regular chicken nuggets. Foster Farms also has gluten free corn dogs that taste too sweet for me but I know many others enjoy them!

Hilary’s Veggie Burgers - I’ve tried a lot of gluten free veggie burgers and these have the best flavor and stay crispy when cooked!

Gluten Free Alternative Flour

King Arthur Measure-for-Measure Gluten Free Flour

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour

Pereg Gourmet Banana Flour - this is a great alternative gluten free flour for baked goods and mug cakes

Anthony's Goods Coconut Flour - another gluten free alternative flour that I love using in cookies, mug cakes and sweet recipes. Coconut flour cannot be subbed for many other flours.

Self-ground or pre-made Quinoa Flour, Rice Flour or Buckwheat Flour - these are my go-to gluten free flours for many of my sweet and savory baking projects. You can grind the grains in a high-speed blender or a coffee grinder to make your own gluten free flour.

Gluten Free Comfort Foods

Real Good Foods Pizza - their gluten free pizza actually has cauliflower in the crust but you don’t even taste it!

Feel Good Foods Egg Rolls - for when you’re craving gluten free takeout and want a safe, certified gluten free option.

Blake’s All Natural Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie - this gluten free freezer meal is my mom’s favorite weekly treat. Just make sure you buy the gluten free version!

Mikey's Hot Pockets - these are hands down my 2020 addiction. My favorite flavors are ham and (dairy free) cheese, cheese pizza and pepperoni pizza. And since I'm a new ambassador for Mikey's, you can get 10% off with the code, "CASEY10."

Gluten Free Snacks

Enjoy Life Foods Snack Bars - all of the snack bars are oat free and free of 14 food allergens. They are sweet and come in a variety of delicious flavors.

Bare Snacks Fruit Chips - for when you want something sweet but don’t want a lot of added sugar, these fruit chips are delicious.

Foods Alive Trail Mix - this is another company I’m an ambassador for and I love this mix of goji berries, peanuts and cacao nibs.

Annie’s Double Chocolate Chip Granola Bars - these are my mom’s favorite gluten free granola bars. They do contain oats but are certified gluten free.

Lara Bar - simple, naturally gluten free and delicious.  

Grain Free Granola: BeeFree, Julie’s Real, Nutsola, Grandy Oats - all of these brands are equally tasty and perfect granola options when avoiding even gluten free oats.

Gluten Free Dessert Alternatives

So Delicious Ice Cream - they offer a variety of gluten free and dairy free ice creams, with their cashew-based line being my favorite.

Coconut Bliss Ice Cream - besides selling gluten free and dairy free ice cream, they also offer gluten free and vegan ice cream sandwiches!

Tate's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies - if you love thin, crunchy cookies, these will be your favorite.

Glutino's Gluten Free Cookies - for all those looking for gluten free Oreos, these are a delicious gluten free substitute!

Pamela's Chocolate Cake Mix - my entire family loves this gluten free cake mix so much that even the gluten-eaters request it for their birthdays.

Julie’s Real Paleo Brownie and Blondie Mix - if you eat a paleo diet or just want a healthier gluten free dessert, these mixes are so tasty. You can also make them vegan using my recipe here. And you can get 20% off using the code "collegeceliackcJR20" at checkout. 

Chocolate: Enjoy Life Foods, Pascha Chocolate, NibMor, Taza Chocolate, Endangered Species Chocolate - you can probably tell that I’m a big fan of chocolate, and these are some of my favorite gluten free chocolate brands. Many are dairy free and vegan as well.

Going Gluten Free: A List of Gluten Free Foods to Try!

It can take some time to adjust to going gluten free and find gluten free brands that taste delicious to you. However, all of the brands I’ve listed above are absolute favorites of mine, and you can find even more gluten free product reviews and inspiration in the following posts:

A Celiac's Favorite Gluten Free Healthy Snacks for Working From Home

31+ Healthy Junk Food Alternatives for the New Year

A College Celiac's Favorite Gluten Free Frozen Meals

A Celiac's Favorite Gluten Free Dairy Alternatives

A Celiac's Favorite Sweet and Salty Snacks for Summer Travel

15 Healthier Gluten Free Desserts for Summer

Favorite Gluten Free Companies Every Celiac Should Know

...plus many more, if you search through my blog's archives!

I’d love to hear what YOUR gluten free favorites are or what foods you’re still trying to find yummy gluten free alternatives for.

So tell me in the comments and I hope this list helps you enjoy a delicious gluten free meal or snack sometime soon! via Blogger https://ift.tt/2MCG4lJ

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Mincemeat is great stuff, dear friends – it’s unbelievable all the things you can do with it! You can, of course, create lovely oven dishes with it; I’ve already told you about some of those, like lasagne and moussaka, in a previous post:

https://romanceloversite.com/2020/05/10/robertas-recipes-all-things-al-forno/

You can also do simpler, quicker things with it, though, if you haven’t got too much time or appetite for cooking. Some of the recipes I’ve put together here are actually VERY quick and easy; further down you’ll find some more intricate ones from all over the world. Enjoy cooking and eating! Ingredients are for 4.

  Steak tartare and salad

500g mincemeat, 4 egg yolks, salt, pepper, paprika, parsley, 1 dash Worcestershire sauce, ½ lettuce, 2 tomatoes, 1 cucumber, mayonnaise or salad cream

This recipe doesn’t involve any cooking! Because it’s made with raw mincemeat… I know, many people object to eating raw meat, but you should give it a go, dear friends; it’s enormously healthy, too. I’ve already told you about tartare in one of my sandwich posts; it’s extremely easy to do:

Mix the mincemeat, the egg yolks, salt, pepper, paprika, parsley and Worcestershire sauce (if you haven’t got any you can use vinegar instead) in a bowl with a fork and spoon until it’s a nice, smooth mixture. Cut the lettuce and the tomatoes, slice the cucumber.

Arrange a quarter each of the mincemeat mix on four plates and decorate them nicely with the salad topped with mayonnaise or salad cream. P.S.: The posh way of serving a steak tartare is to not add the egg yolk beforehand, but to put it on top of the mincemeat mixture on the plate instead…

  Cheeseburgers and chips

400g mincemeat, 4 hamburger buns, 400g frozen chips, 1 onion, 200g breadcrumbs, 2 eggs, 4 slices cheese, 50g grated cheese, salt, pepper, parsley, oil, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard

This one’s a cinch, as every fan of Sponge Bob Square Pants knows! Both kids and grown-ups love it, and it’s done without any problems in a quarter of an hour – just as long as the chips take in the oven.

Bake your chips in the oven according to the instructions on the packet. Meanwhile, grate the onion and mix it with your hands in a bowl with the mincemeat, the breadcrumbs, the eggs, the grated cheese, salt and pepper and parsley.

Form patties from the mixture about 7-8cm in diameter, and fry them in a big pan with oil for 5-6 minutes; turn them around a couple of times to see whether they’ve turned a nice brown colour.

Spread the sliced hamburger buns with some mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard, put the cheese slices on them and top with the hot patties. You can also add some gherkins or a slice of tomato and/or a leaf of lettuce! Serve with the chips and ketchup.

  Coney Island Dog

400g mincemeat, 4 big sandwich buns, 4 frankfurter sausages, 400g grated cheese (the sort that melts easily, like cheddar, gouda or mozzarella), salt, pepper, chili powder, 2-3tsp ketchup, oil

This has been my favourite hot dog ever since I discovered it in my first American cookery book as a teenager – it’s just so delicious! And it’s not difficult to do, either:

Fry the mincemeat in oil, season with salt, pepper, chili powder and ketchup; meanwhile, cook the sausages in water for 5 minutes. Preheat the oven to 220°C.

Cut open the sandwich buns, put the sausages in, top with the mincemeat and then the cheese. Just grill in the oven for 4-5 minutes until the cheese is starting to melt – ready! Serve with chips and some more ketchup and a salad.

Note: you should always be ready to improvise, dear friends, especially in these strange days – so, if like me the other day, you’re not able to get any sandwich buns, you can also do it with burger buns!

  Meatballs with raisins

500g mincemeat, 300g breadcrumbs, 1 onion, 100g grated cheese, 2 eggs, 200g raisins, 1tsp lemon juice, 3-4tsp olive oil, salt, pepper, parsley, mint, flour

I’ve done a lot of meatballs in my time in Greece (where they’re called ‘keftedakia’), but I got this special tip from a TV programme by the wonderful Hairy Bikers: meatballs with raisins! So, let’s add this exotic feature to an ordinary mincemeat recipe:

Put all the ingredients (the onion chopped finely, of course, or even better grated) except the flour in a bowl and mix thoroughly with your hands until the mixture is smooth. Form balls about 3cm in size, roll them in flour on a plate, and then fry them in a pan with a LOT of olive oil (they should be at least halfway covered in oil). You can re-use the oil next time by filling it into a bottle with the help of a funnel! And you can also use a deep fryer instead of the pan if you’ve got one.

When they’re golden brown, take them out and put them on a plate with kitchen paper to absorb the surplus oil. You can serve them hot with chips, rice or whichever side dish you prefer, or cold as a snack. And another tip: in order to add even more of an exotic flavour, when I first tried this meatball recipe I did it with a gravy with mixed peppers, mango and pineapple!

  Cannelloni

250g cannelloni, 250g mincemeat, 500g baby spinach, 250ml passata, 1 tomato, 2 eggs, 50g breadcrumbs, 250g grated cheese, 2-3 cloves garlic (or garlic powder), salt, pepper, oregano, oil

I’ve already told you about the two most popular Italian pasta dishes with mincemeat, lasagne and spaghetti bolognaise; but there’s another very famous one that’s not difficult to do, either – all you need are canelloni rolls which you’ll find in the pasta section in your supermarket!

Fry the mincemeat with the spinach and the grated garlic cloves, season with salt, pepper and oregano, then add the eggs, the passata and the breadcrumbs and simmer for 5 minutes. Preheat the oven to 220°C.

Fill the cannelloni rolls with the mixture and put them in a large oiled baking tin, pour some oil over them and top with the cheese; bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes.

  Chili con carne

500g mincemeat, 50g butter, ½ beef stock cube, 3 tomatoes, 250ml passata, 1 onion, 2-3 cloves garlic (or garlic powder), 1 red bell pepper, 2 tins kidney beans, chili powder, salt

This famous Mexican recipe can be done with mincemeat just as well as with cubed meat; and it’s a lot quicker, too! Chop the onion and the bell pepper and fry them with the mincemeat in butter; chop the tomatoes and add them with the passata, the grated garlic, 150ml water, the stock cube, salt and chili powder. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Add the beans and heat up again, simmer for a couple of minutes, and serve piping hot with some fresh white bread!

  Enchiladas

500g mincemeat, 4 eggs, 3 tomatoes, 250ml passata, 1 onion, 2-3 cloves garlic (or garlic powder), 220g corn flour, 2tbsp flour, 250g grated cheese, 500ml milk, 30g butter, 250ml passata, 3tbsp ketchup, 1tsp sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, parsley, oil

Another lovely recipe from Mexico, incredibly tasty and very nutritious! If you’re in a real hurry, you can get a ready enchilada kit from the supermarket; but it’s not really that difficult to do the tortillas and the sauce yourself!

In a bowl, mix the corn flour, 3 eggs, 300ml milk and a dash of salt. If the batter isn’t liquid enough, add some more milk. One by one, make four thin pancakes (tortillas) with the batter in a big pan and put them aside.

Chop the onion and the garlic and fry with the mincemeat in oil; chop the tomatoes and add them with the passata, the other egg, 50g cheese and the spices and the sugar. Simmer for 7-8 minutes.

In a medium pot, heat up the butter, add the flour and then 200ml milk while whisking; season with salt, pepper and chili powder, add an egg and 50g cheese and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 220°C.

Distribute the mincemeat mixture on the tortillas and roll them up; put them in an oiled baking tin (or one laid out with baking foil) and top with the milk sauce and the ketchup, and finally the rest of the cheese. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes.

  Soutzoukakia

500g mincemeat, 1 egg, 2 onions, 3 tomatoes, 250ml passata, 100ml white wine, 100g breadcrumbs, 50g flour, 3 cloves garlic (or garlic powder), salt, pepper, parsley, paprika, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, sugar, olive oil

A famous recipe from Asia Minor, Turkish in origin (sucuk in Turkish is sausage), soutzoukakia are very popular in Greece and an expensive treat for tourists; you can do them at home, though, any time, it’s not that difficult! The original recipe is to put the sausages topped with the sauce in the oven and bake for 30 minutes; but I find that just finishing off the meal in the pan is easier, quicker and just as tasty.

For the sausages, put the mincemeat, the breadcrumbs, the egg, one finely chopped onion, the chopped garlic, parsley, salt, pepper and 100ml water in a bowl and mix well with your hands – it’s fun, you’ll see! Make sausages from the mixture about 8-9cm long and 2cm thick. Roll then in flour and then fry them in a pan with oil. Take them out when they’re a nice light brown and put them on a plate.

For the sauce, chop the tomatoes and the other onion, fry them in the same pan for 5 minutes, then add the passata, the wine, salt and a little sugar, pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika and cinnamon. Simmer for 15-20 minutes; you might want to add a little water now and then, and don’t forget to keep stirring!

Put the sausages back into the pan with the sauce, heat up once more, and serve with rice or cooked or fried potatoes.

  Cevapcici

500 mincemeat (mixed, pork and beef), 1 egg, 3-4 cloves garlic (grated), 1tbsp flour, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, 1tbsp olive oil

Cevapcici are a grilled variant of kebab; they’re the national dish of most part of former Yugoslavia. They’re ideally done on a grill, but if you haven’t got one you can do them either in the oven or in a pan, whichever you prefer.

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl with your hands; when the mixture is smooth, put the bowl in the fridge and let it rest for 1 hour. Then, form sausages about 7-8cm long and 2-3cm thick. Put them either in a frying pan with oil and fry for 8-10 minutes, or grill them in your oven at 220°C for 10-15 minutes.

Serve with rice and fried and slices tomatoes, onions and bell peppers!

  Lebanese mincemeat stuffed pitas

500g mincemeat (lamb), 4 pita breads, 1 aubergine, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 100g sliced beetroot, ½ lettuce, 100g yoghurt, ½ chicken stock cube, 100ml passata, 100g raisins, 100g pine nuts, olive oil

This special sort of filled pita is called arayes in Lebanon; you can do it with Greek pita breads just as well, which you’re probably more likely to find at the supermarket.

Chop the onions and fry them in oil with the mincemeat; chop the aubergine and add it, then add 150ml water and the stock cube, the raisins and the passata; simmer for 10 minutes, then add the pine nuts and simmer for another 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, chop the lettuce and grate the carrot, and heat up the pita breads in a Teflon pan one by one (no oil needed for that).

Put the mixture on the pita breads, roll them up and top with the beetroot slices, the carrot and lettuce and the yoghurt.

  Enjoy your mincemeat experiments, dear friends, and let me know about your own mincemeat specialities!

  Roberta’s Recipes: Mincemeat marvels Mincemeat is great stuff, dear friends – it’s unbelievable all the things you can do with it!