socalfood:

Macaroons vs. Macarons: A Primer

A few weeks ago, we were alerted to the fact that it was National Macaroon Day. That news put some giddy-up in our collective step, seeing as we’re always on the look-out for those International Food Days of Wonder since they give us an excuse to make up a gallery of the most delectable shots around. So we took to the Internets, scoured to find the most appetizing macaroon photos around, and put one together. Problem was, we ended up with a whole bunch of “macaron” shots instead, because sometimes we’re idiots.

But instead of just killing the post and moving on, we thought it’d be nice to create a bit of a primer/lesson when it comes to macaroons vs. macarons. Maybe this will save you some embarrassment/score you some points the next time you happen upon a dessert-based conversation at a networking event. Or maybe this will just make you want to run out to the store this afternoon and try them both for yourself. Either one’s an acceptable outcome.

So, then. Let’s begin. 

Learn more here.

SOOO important.

(Source: kcetliving)

socalfood:

Extreme Hot Dogging at Dodger Stadium

There’s no way to look “cool” while ordering five hot dogs for yourself.

Even with, say, hair freshly-greased back, the leatherest of leather jackets on your shoulders, and placing your request whilst sitting in a classroom chair that’s been flipped backwards as if you’re about to “rap” to the kids like a hip substitute teacher, you do not feel a high level of self-worth while asking for five dogs, all the fixins, a bottle of water to wash ‘em down.

But such is the price that comes with hardcore no-holds-barred investigative journalism.

Hot dogs are not meant to be eaten five-at-a-time unless your name is Kobayashi and you’re in Coney Island. Yet, that’s what I’m trying to accomplish here at Dodger Stadium. It’s all part of an ill-advised and second-guessed-as-soon-as-I-pitched-the-idea taste test of the stadium’s five new “Extreme Loaded Dogs,” a turn of phrase which, honestly, doesn’t bring up the most appetizing of sentiments.

For $7.50 a pop, customers get to choose from:

(1) The Heater, a normal Dodger Dog topped with Buffalo wing sauce and blue cheese slaw; 
(2) The Frito Pie Dog, topped with chili, cheese and Fritos; 
(3) the Big Kid Dog, a mess of Fritos and “gooey” Mac and Cheese; 
(4) the Doyer Dog, a vaguely racist-sounding variety with nacho cheese, jalapenos, tomatoes and onions; 
(5) the Tailgate Dog, a Frankenstonian monstrosity which buries the hot dog under a pile of beans, BBQ sauce, and potato salad.

Read about the gustatory adventure here!

Yes! Just saw these last weekend. This summer is going to be AWESOME!

(Source: kcetliving)

socalfood:

Recipe: Malo’s Ground Beef and Pickle Tacos

Great food sometimes comes from a mix of kitchen confidence and creative improvisation.

For example, take the alleged origins of modern day mayonnaise. As one story is told, when the Mediterranean island port-city of Mahón was captured in 1756, a celebration meal was in order. A traditional sauce was usually made of cream and eggs, but the chef in charge had no cream and substituted olive oil. The sauce was eventually tweaked into what is known today as mayonnaise.

Keeping with a theme: during his wife’s pregnancy, in which she lost her appetite, Alfredo di Lelio in 1914 headed to the kitchen and created the eponymous sauce that these days is a pasta menu staple.

Now fast forward to a rainy day in 1982. A young Robert Luna is sitting the kitchen of his East L.A. home, savoring his mom’s burger: ground sirloin, cheddar cheese, kosher dill pickles, a spread of sour cream and mayonnaise and serve it on wheat bread. But there’s one problem: no bread.

See the recipe here!

I love Malo, and I love these tacos. Now can they please give us the burnt habenero salsa recipe, too?

(Source: kcetliving)

reviewofmycat:

Cat: Coco

Owners: Molly & Sean

Appearance: A

Coco is a long-haired tortoise shell cat. She is mostly dark brown and black with spots of orange, including one over her right eye that has perfect tabby markings. She also has a tuxedo marking on her chest. She has beautiful green eyes and a huge bushy tail that she flicks around to show you what kind of mood she’s in.

Sociability: A

When people come to visit or stay with us, Coco will be all over them and/or their suitcases. She is very talkative and will chirp and purr and roll over when anyone addresses her. Actually, she’s kind of a flirt. Human gender does not matter—she will flirt with anyone. 

Usefulness: F

I consulted Sean, my husband, on this category and he said “zero.” I informed him that the lowest the scale goes is one, so we compromised on that number. I guess she is good if you want your chest warmed, but otherwise she is pretty useless. She also is in love with Sean and sleeps next to him, sits on his lap, etc. which annoys me because I LOVE HER MORE THAN HE DOES. And once she got fleas and then gave them to the dog, which is not useful at all. So maybe there should be a zero. 

Huggability: C

Coco doesn’t necessarily enjoy being picked up, but she will tolerate it (especially if you are Sean). We can cradle her like a baby for a few minutes, but she is happier napping on your lap or next to you on the couch or bed. 

Overall Grade: C+

Sounds nice, considering adopting one of these.

thedailywhat:

First Look of the Day: Apparently this print of Korra — the female protagonist of Nickelodeon’s Avatar sequel — and her yet-unnamed Animal Guide/Spirit Animal — a “polar bear dog” — is being sold at the Nick booth at Comic-Con.

The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra is set to premiere in 2012.

[ontd.]

Yeti?

(Source: thedailywhat)

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
Bloomberg & Vanity Fair cocktail reception following the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner (2011)

Should we say 9:00 and mean 9:30?

(via rewbog)

iknowchicago:

This is my favorite local Chicago landmark…The Shit Fountain.  It is both a pile of shit and a fountain.  Makes total sense to me.  Wolcott north of Augusta in the West Town, Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village neighborhood (depending on who you ask).  Summer sightseeing!

Follow on Facebook + Twitter too

I love Chicago.

sometimes at work we have banana splits for lunch.

thedailywhat:

Loldwell.