Humans are curious, inquisitive animals. Even before we developed the linguistic capabilities required to form actual questions, we investigated our surroundings and ourselves with a creative, experimental spirit afforded to us by our large, complex brains and opposable thumbs. And perhaps no question has led to such meaningful answers, such fruitful results, and such educational errors as this:
What happens when I smash it repeatedly with a heavy, blunt object?
Here are a few recipes I came up with for the Kitakyushu JET Christmas party this weekend (thanks for having us, Mash!). People seemed to like them (unless they were just lying to be nice to me), so if you’re pressed for something to cook next weekend, these are pretty easy and fun to make. Actually, the lobster stock wasn’t that easy… but it was good. I would also recommend serving the lobster stock at a more “formal,” “sit-down”-type gathering as opposed to a potluck-type event, because it can be difficult to serve and keep warm at the latter, and the greens tend to lose their structure and aroma if they’re kept in the broth for too long.
Note: Measurements are completely approximated (be careful), and all herbs and spices are to taste.
Meatballs with Fruit and Spice Sauce
“No MSG.” This self-congratulatory proclamation adorns countless food packages around the Anglosphere. We’ve all seen it, on bags of potato chips or Chinese takeout menus, on instant noodles or those “just add meat and sour cream” Mexican meal kits. Oh thank heavens, we think when we spot it. This food is safe. This food is [...]
This is another article for FukuokaJET.com. Each establishment’s address, phone number, and opening hours can be found at the very end of the post. Please leave a comment if you need directions! In response to comments graciously informing of new beer developments in Fukuoka, I have updated this article on September 23, 2009. Kyushu is [...]
On my recent, brief trip to New York to visit family and friends, I had a checklist of specific foods I wanted to eat there; I wanted nothing but good food experiences – nothing mediocre, nothing mundane. To these ends, the trip was beyond satisfactory. Fork-tender Greek-style grilled octopus, colorful piles of Ethiopian curries on [...]
This is an article I’ve been working on for FukuokaJET.com, a resource website made for JETs living in Fukuoka prefecture, especially new recruits. The information here focuses on Fukuoka, but I think it’s a fairly good survey of the major ramen styles for anybody who’s interested. Tonkotsu (Pork Bone) 豚骨・とんこつ Tonkotsu ramen is the richest [...]
The other day at one of the middle schools where I work, a certain poster caught my eye. It advocated “balance” in your daily diet and featured a graphic that reminded me an awful lot of the USDA’s food pyramid:
