All this talk about delicious food, and I have very bland and disgusting chicken stroganoff.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-05T13:54:52-05:00
@Zem, I might check that album out! I only listened to the one song, king without a crown, and I thought it was decent, better than just ok anyways. ;)
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-05T13:56:46-05:00
@GM, I've never had any kind of a mushroom/cream sauce combo that I did like tbh. The best stroganoff would still be less than desirable to me.
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-05T14:19:43-05:00
@GM: How well can you cook? Won't you need to do that when you finally move into the condo?
@BaKHan: The beef stroganoff that we usually have is delicious, but the chicken(mostly because my parents NEVER season the food when they are cooking...) is just bland and tastes like boiled chicken(they don't even sear the chicken first to give it any colour/flavour that way)
@Geist: I'm a fairly decent cook, just normally when I get home throughout the week dinner is already made, and on weekends(since I eat when I'm hungry 99% of the time) my parents cook dinner anyways because I wouldn't start until I'm getting hungry...which they would probably be starving by that time.
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-12-05T14:57:42-05:00
Haha, GM, I kinda know what that's like. I can't cook here, but I do often just not feel hungry until just after the dining hall closed, so I'll make some popcorn, or ramen if I'm feeling particularly adventurous or hungry.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-05T15:22:06-05:00
@GM, NEVER season the food when they are cooking. Sorry, but I can't even comprehend that. Season everything, always. Thats my motto anyways. There are some things that are best when simple or very lightly seasoned, but meat is not one of those things... imo. ;) My mother in law does the same thing. I watched her ruin $60 of salmon once, not even salt and pepper, no lemon, no olive oil rub, nothing. Just baked it in the oven until it was super overdone. SMH!
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-05T16:24:35-05:00
Marinated beef. Then grilled until medium rare. Served with fries and a small salad. *drools*
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-05T16:51:29-05:00
Or some seasoned fried catfish with hushpuppies. Heaven!
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-12-05T23:23:44-05:00
Aw man, I ordered a new lighter/watch, but it was stopped when I got it today, so I'll have to try to see if they'll be kind enough to refund me or let me get a new one. It's just kind of annoying, and whatever transpires, it has to arrive before I leave for Germany. That's about a month so it shouldn't be tough but for Christmastime shipping hassle.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-06T10:16:30-05:00
Morning kittens!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-06T10:17:56-05:00
@Zem, I hope you get sorted before you have to go, but then, I'm sure you could find something whilst you're overseas. Even though Germany is way, way, way down on my list of places to visit, I'm excited for you! I really hope you learn a lot and have a good time!
I personally find the best way to prepare catfish is to open the windows, stand back 2-3 feet, and launch it into the next neighbourhood to never be seen again. But that could just be my allergies speaking.
Lord Zombitten 2017-12-06T17:19:37-05:00
Probably. Though, I will say that I don't care for fried catfish. To me, it tastes like lake muck.
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-12-06T17:49:12-05:00
I love fried catfish, but I may be biased in that I don't have allergies and there're plenty of catfish around here to eat, so I'm used to that muckiness and love it. Though I can totally relate, I definitely know what you mean by muckiness.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-06T17:52:52-05:00
RE: catfish, I watched a show where they would catch the catfish, and then put them in a clean water source to flush out for a week or two, they said it dramatically improved the flavor. I've only had catfish once, and it was ok, but to be fair, I don't like much fish. I was raised in the prairies and other than trout, you don't get much thats actually fresh here. We're too far from the coast. Obviously for GM, this wouldn't make a difference! ;)
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-07T04:02:41-05:00
Morning kittens! Sorry for the radio silence but with the new girl out "sick" earlier this week, I pulled in a 12 shift and yesterday I was dog tired. I will be so damn glad when this week is over so that I can get back to organizing my own life.
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-07T04:04:12-05:00
@LZ: Really? I love fried catfish. It does't taste mucky to me at all. I guess that makes two things that I like to eat and you don't. Speaking of which, I have some oven baked squash that I've been munching on for lunch this week. Mmmmmmmmmmm...good.
@Geist, it could also be entirely environmental. The way things taste is entirely dependent on what they eat. For example, deer meat in Utah is really bad. The deer out here eat a lot of sage brush and pine needles/bark. They're the gamiest creatures ever. My brother lives in Oklahoma, where the deer eat grasses and corn. He says the deer out there taste far and away better than the deer here. It could very well be the same with catfish. The catfish I've eaten have all come out of water that's so gross you can only see a few inches into it. One came out of the heavily polluted Utah lake. I was going to throw it back, but my friend insisted that we kept it because that's the only fish his wife likes.
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-12-07T21:44:55-05:00
BaKhan, it's no different for me. Any seafood has to travel at least well over 1000 miles to get to me. We have some stuff in the rivers here, but I haven't had it much.
However, I'm okay with the trade-off in having legitimately some of the best beef in the world raised all around me. A great full steak dinner (made yourself) can cost like $15 here, and it's always super fresh! I don't know a whole lot of people not from here that can say they've eaten a steak within 24 hours of it being alive.
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-12-07T21:46:45-05:00
LZ, of course, you are what you eat. Most of the water around here is cleaner, so it makes sense that it might taste better. Same with deer here, they just eat grasses and stuff, and it tastes super good.
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-08T07:19:35-05:00
Morning kittens.
This has been a brutal week. I've been exhausted nearly everyday and yesterday I pulled in 13 hours. I'm spent and will be leaving work promptly at 1:30. I need to get some much needed rest.
@LZ: I believe you are right. The catfish I've been eating have probably been from fresher waters. They are bottom feeders which is one of the reasons why some people don't like eating them. I've not had much deer meat. Not much call for it in D.C. The farmers market sell bison. Haven't tried to bring any home to cook with.
I love snapper. I remember being sent to the fish market by my great aunt and bringing a few pounds home so that we can fry them up on Fridays. The flesh is delish and light. Unlike salmon which always taste tough to me. Like fish trying to have the texture of meat.
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-12-08T09:52:58-05:00
Official last day of classes!
`
Geist, ooh, they sell bison meat? You should definitely make bison burgers! Those are so good. I love bison, it's just like beef, but a bit more flavorful and different enough that it's a whole different experience.
"Salmon... like fish trying to have the texture of meat."
Haha, I totally see what you mean, but that may be one of the reasons I love it so much. That and the ways my parents cooked it, they're pretty good with salmon.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-08T10:02:52-05:00
Morning kittens!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-08T10:06:12-05:00
@Zem, I totally know what you mean! Although, I do like my steaks aged longer than 24 hours... just saying. ;) Alberta has some of the very best beef in the world, its above AAA, its rated as sterling. Last time my in laws were in town I cooked up a sterling rib roast... it cost almost $90, but the flavour! So friken good! ;)
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-08T10:11:30-05:00
Mmmmmmm...rib roast. Or am I thinking prime rib?
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-08T10:14:06-05:00
@Geist, I'm sorry you have to work so hard right now! I'm hoping by the new year, you'll have some more time to yourself, you deserve it! I've decided, that you've never had salmon the way its supposed to be made! Tough? I don't think so, missy! I'm going to ceder plank one the next time you're up. If you don't like that, then you can officially say you don't like salmon, but get ready to eat those words, and delicious salmon as well! ;) The natives in BC learned how to cook it that way hundreds of years ago, and haven't had to change a thing since then! ;) I'll also try and get some venison and if I can find some bison as well. Wild game is so much more delicious than store bought meats. Prepared properly, you'll have a hard time wanting anything else. My father and his friends used to hunt quite a bit, and there was always deer meat, sausage, jerky, etc around. I was a lucky kid that way. ;) Have you ever had German strudels before? They are almost like a denser dumpling, and typically served with venison in a rich gravy sauce. Damn, I want some right now! ;)
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-08T10:14:49-05:00
@Geist, in this particular case, yes. Much like the one I made up for you last year!
I had a bacon alfredo pasta from the little Italian shop just below the office...it was good...but I should have gotten the large rather than the regular...still hungry.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-08T15:15:47-05:00
Mmmmm alfredo! I made an alfredo like sauce once, but instead of parm I used smoked gouda... oh gods, so good! I had it on fettuccine noodles, with roasted fennel and pan seared butternut squash, with roasted chicken. Oh man, I may have to do that one again soon! ;)
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-08T15:16:13-05:00
@LZ, lol, thats what happens when you get a bunch of foodies talking... ;)
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-08T18:05:50-05:00
Bacon alfredo pasta! Now THAT but using BaKhan's suggestion of the gouda substitute would sound like the ultimate dinner. Minus crappy cold, of course.
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-11T05:04:04-05:00
Morning kittens.
We had snow on Saturday. Nothing major. A half inch but it didn't stick to the roads or turn into ice, just was bitter cold. The thing that freaked everyone out was that it has been decades since we've gotten snow in December. That has people thinking that we are in for a major snow storm next month the likes of which will probably shut the city down for a week or more. I'm going to have to start making some stews and other food stuff to put in the freezer and cabinet so that I'm not without if that happens. Trust me, you don't want to be in the grocery store when the weather man says that a storm will hit. Long lines, rows of food stuffs that are empty and grumpy people.
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-12-11T07:23:47-05:00
Man, even you've had snow!
I guess we've had snow twice already this year, but neither time did it even last 24 hours. Though I've also heard we're supposed to have a sucky winter. Hope it's not too true for either here or for you, Geist, because I'll get jealous when I'm gone and you'll have a terrible time while you're here.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-11T10:04:34-05:00
Morning kittens!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-11T10:05:42-05:00
Its actually been very warm here the last couple of weeks. Above freezing everyday actually! I was outside for a couple of hours yesterday only wearying a hoodie! I'll take it! ;)
So in booze news, I was just given a 26 of Glenfiddich 12 year scotch. Thats like a $50 bottle, and even though I'll never drink it, I'm sure some of my company will enjoy that a lot!
@GM, well next time you're over, remind me, and I'll get you a glass! Thats the main reason why I still take them, well that and any kind of appreciation is nice... ;)
@BaKhan: Wait...they give you things in appreciation other than a kick in the ass and 3x the workload?...Wish they would do something like that for us. >.>
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-11T13:52:42-05:00
@BaKhan: Funny you should mention booze. I finally got to use the Bolivian brandy I purchased at their embassy months back. I made a concoction called "Spanish Fly". It's made with Unholy Grape brandy, ginger ale, lemon juice and ginger honey. I had to heat the honey and steep some ginger root I had in the apartment because I couldn't get out to the specialty store to get pre made ginger honey but the result was nothing short of spectacular. Even though I poured 3/4 of the bottle of brandy into the half gallon container I was using, you could barely taste the booze but BOY could you feel the effects. Best part? No hangover in the morning. I have GOT to bring some of this to Kitten Con 3 next year.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-11T13:54:33-05:00
@GM, oh not the company, the customers. The company used to give us $50 safeway gift certificate, then $30, now its nothing I believe, I haven't' heard any thing yet this year. We'll see. ;)
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-11T13:56:55-05:00
@BaKhan: Speaking of KC 3, I was thinking of trying something a little different. I want to make a dish for the party. Nothing complicated. I came across a recipe a kick ass chicken appetizer and I'd love to try it out on your friends. I'm going to make it for a card game I'm going to the night before New Year's eve. If it gets a good reception, I would love to make it for your friends.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-11T13:57:12-05:00
@Geist, that sounds pretty tasty! Depending on how long it needs to mellow, you could probably just bring the fancy booze and I can supply the rest, I 'd hate to see you make something up like that and then have an issue at the boarder!
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-11T13:57:43-05:00
And for the record, I don't like scotch. Drinking it straight is gross.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-11T13:58:49-05:00
@Geist, that sounds great! We will need to plan that out in advance though, so we can time things, as I only have that one tiny oven. But yeah, I would defo be into that!
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-11T13:58:50-05:00
they give you things in appreciation other than a kick in the ass and 3x the workload?
Funny. That is what my company calls a bonus.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-11T14:00:34-05:00
I don't care for scotch either tbh, and I've got the scottish roots. Its probably a crime of some sort, but to me scotch tastes like farms smell. Yes I'm a city boy... ;)
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-11T14:03:03-05:00
@BaKhan: I will defiantly bring this booze. It was so darn tasty! They have another drink called "Say Uncle" but that involves mixing the booze with tequila and triple sec and strawberry puree. Sounds way stronger than the Spanish Fly and I don't want any of the guess to strip and run starkers in the street. ;-)
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-11T14:04:18-05:00
@BaKhan: you might get dinged a few points from the Scots but that's OK. I get dinged from my peeps for not putting hot sauce on everything. Ewww. No thank you.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-11T15:39:53-05:00
@Geist, too bad you didn't like scotch! We could trade off... ;) That "say uncle" sounds like a beefed up daiquiri, sorta.
Lord Zombitten 2017-12-11T16:03:43-05:00
It's okay, Geist, I do put hot sauce on practically everything, so I can be a proxy for you so you don't get dinged. I can't help BaKhan, though, sorry
Lord Zombitten 2017-12-11T16:05:22-05:00
A coworker made a bunch of anise candy canes. He put "too much" anise oil in them. To me, they're just right!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-11T16:05:44-05:00
@LZ, sadly no one can brother... no one can... ;) I've been told there's no help for me... ;)
@BaKhan: I will gladly enjoy your share of the scotch. ;)
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-12-11T18:00:40-05:00
So, BaKhan... would you be available tomorrow for me to visit? And try some whisky? ;)
`
Tastes like farms smell? No, it tastes like smoke. Farms would definitely be Saison beer, or really most dutch beers for that matter. Alot of them taste like hay! I love it.
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-12-11T18:04:43-05:00
My dad got a bottle of Yamazaki 12 as a gift from the father of a former Japanese exchange student when they visited Japan. I've tried a little bit of that whiskey, but my dad doesn't really let anyone taste it too much, or even have much himself! It's super high-quality, super expensive, and super good!
I believe it, or a different age version, won best whiskey in the world 2 years straight!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-11T18:05:23-05:00
@GM, acckkk, when the clan calls, I'll let you know laddy! ;)
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-11T18:11:31-05:00
@Zem, it would seem like our idea of farms is quite different. To me, it tastes like you got gut punched really hard, while in a stable and while you're down on the ground sucking wind, various hay, horse apples, etc., wind up in you mouth. Like that... ;) Actually, I'd say that scotch tastes like what danish tilsit cheese would, if it were alcohol... ;) (which to me is what a barnyard would taste like).
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-11T18:32:16-05:00
Horse apples! LOL
I'm going to remember that the next time I'm on a farm.
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-12-12T00:23:58-05:00
Really? To me, farms are mostly the smell of fields, hay, and dirty animals. Maybe some country road thrown in there. The saison has the hay, dirt, and animal parts down, yet somehow tastes really good.
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-12T07:04:56-05:00
Morning kittens.
Amazon is pissing me off. I ordered 4 things last Friday and the one from the Amazon company itself is giving me the most problems. Seems that they use a delivery company called "Amazon Logistics" and getting your package from them is a nightmare. Now I don't know if I will get my stuff on time for the Christmas party.
@Geist, yeah getting things delivered by anyone this time of year is super sketchy. I hope it works out!
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-12T13:25:42-05:00
@BaKhan: What makes me mad is that the first delivery was at 10:30 pm on a Sunday. I am most likely in bed by then. Why in the world would you deliver it that late? And then yesterday they said that they couldn't deliver the package at 4:45 pm because the place was closed. Well UPS PO boxes are handled different. They will sign for a package and send you a notification. That is why I pay $262 per year for this box. No matter where I move, I can rely on getting my packages.
I hope Jeff Bezos chokes on his billions.
Lord Zombitten 2017-12-12T13:41:27-05:00
Just got word that the food truck coming today will be serving poutine! I'm so excited! I've never had poutine before.
Lord Zombitten 2017-12-12T13:45:14-05:00
Geist, that sounds super frustrating! The Amazon Logistics thing, from what I can tell, is random people driving their own, unmarked vehicles, delivering the packages when they can. I've never had one deliver the packages during such odd hours before. I don't think they do a good enough job training them about UPS store boxes, etc. It seems to me that they just say, "Here's the package, here's the address. Take a pic with your phone so we know it was delivered." And that's it.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-12T13:51:02-05:00
@LZ, before you buy the poutine, make sure they are using real cheeze curds, not just shredded cheese, it makes a huge difference! Best of luck bro! ;)
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-12T13:53:05-05:00
@Geist, that just sounds way too crazy! 10:30pm for a delivery? I think not! Also, if the po box people can sign for you, then what the heck is the problem? If I were a delivery guy, I'd be looking to get rid of the stuff just as fast as I could!
Lord Zombitten 2017-12-12T14:07:59-05:00
They're real curds, and it's fantastic!
Lord Zombitten 2017-12-12T15:09:06-05:00
It's a day of culinary firsts for me. Later on, I'll be making spaghetti alla puttanesca. I hope it's as good as the poutine was.
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-12-12T15:09:17-05:00
Yeah, I was going to reorder something, but then I realized for the next 2 weeks, having anything shipped is just a pure shitstorm, so I'll wait.
`
One down! One German final out of the way, of 3 exams total. Done for the day.
Wait a minute, I thought I posted this like 3 hours ago! I apparently stopped just after "3 exams total, and", and when I just came back, I had no clue what was going to go after "and", but I guess I never finished the comment!
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-12-12T15:12:29-05:00
"spaghetti alla puttanesca"? Is that spaghetti poutine style? ;)
You're so lucky! I love poutine so much, and there's only one place around me that makes it at all. I'm still baffled that it's not everywhere in America, considering how it's fries, gravy, and cheese curds; that's like the most American thing I could imagine!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-12T15:16:39-05:00
@LZ, lol, so I had to google it... literally "spaghetti in the style of a whore". Too funny! Make sure you triple bag your taste buds... ;p
Glad you liked the poutine! I try to limit myself to twice a month... the struggle is real!
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-13T08:41:53-05:00
Morning kittens.
Called Amazon last night. LZ was right. The drivers that they hired are over burdened with over 300 packages that they are told they HAVE to deliver within a certain timespan. So now I feel like a shit for calling about my one little book. So I won't be ordering anything else online unless I can order it and then pick it up at the store.
This is what pisses me off about major retailers: they abuse the staff and think they have the right to do it. This is why I prefer to shop at independent stores. And ship using the postal service since they are hurting for money at the moment.
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-13T08:42:48-05:00
I'm heard of puttenesca sauce. I like it.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-13T10:03:15-05:00
Morning kittens!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-13T10:06:39-05:00
@Geist, I wouldn't feel too bad if I were you. Knowing you, and how you talk to people, I would find it very hard to believe you were rude, pushy, or nasty in any way. Also, much like your own over burdened work load, those people have chosen those jobs, maybe not their first (second or third) choice, but still, they are aware of the demands, and choose to accept them. I know that none of us like being over worked, but at the end of the day, we could be working at gas stations or something. ;) Your compassion, is a part of what makes you as awesome as you are!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-13T10:08:06-05:00
Oh, I've heard of puttanesca sauce before, just was curious as to what it meant. Mostly because all I know of Italian is (other than names of food) is curse words! ;p
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-13T10:30:27-05:00
@BaKhan: I really try not to take my frustrations out on call center operators. It's not their fault if some of the rules set in place by the CEO are stupid. I just couldn't fathom why the driver was saying that he couldn't deliver the package at 4:45pm. Turns out he didn't know that my PO box is in a UPS store. He was expecting it to look like a home or regular business. If I couldn't get this sorted last night, I was going to cancel the order and just go to the local bookstore and see if I could pick up these particular books.
As a consumer, I can vote with my wallet when it comes to shopping. It's the reason why I don't shop at Wal-Mart. Not that my small pennies mean a damn to that company but I refuse to shop there on a regular bases.
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-12-13T10:30:58-05:00
Cursing in another language is fun!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-13T10:38:50-05:00
Cursing in another language is fun!
Lol! I make it a practice to use at least one every day... ;)
Lord Zombitten 2017-12-13T15:48:32-05:00
So the puttanesca was amazing. It tasted like something you'd get at an authentic Italian restaurant.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-12-13T15:53:10-05:00
@LZ, thats awesome! Congrats on another culinary masterpiece! ;)
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-12-13T15:57:56-05:00
So unrelated note, I've been inspired to make spaghetti alla Poutinesca.
Ooh, all this talk about deliciousness, you guys are lucky it's lunchtime right now!
All this talk about delicious food, and I have very bland and disgusting chicken stroganoff.
@Zem, I might check that album out! I only listened to the one song, king without a crown, and I thought it was decent, better than just ok anyways. ;)
@GM, I've never had any kind of a mushroom/cream sauce combo that I did like tbh. The best stroganoff would still be less than desirable to me.
@GM: How well can you cook? Won't you need to do that when you finally move into the condo?
@BaKHan: The beef stroganoff that we usually have is delicious, but the chicken(mostly because my parents NEVER season the food when they are cooking...) is just bland and tastes like boiled chicken(they don't even sear the chicken first to give it any colour/flavour that way)
@Geist: I'm a fairly decent cook, just normally when I get home throughout the week dinner is already made, and on weekends(since I eat when I'm hungry 99% of the time) my parents cook dinner anyways because I wouldn't start until I'm getting hungry...which they would probably be starving by that time.
Haha, GM, I kinda know what that's like. I can't cook here, but I do often just not feel hungry until just after the dining hall closed, so I'll make some popcorn, or ramen if I'm feeling particularly adventurous or hungry.
@GM, NEVER season the food when they are cooking. Sorry, but I can't even comprehend that. Season everything, always. Thats my motto anyways. There are some things that are best when simple or very lightly seasoned, but meat is not one of those things... imo. ;) My mother in law does the same thing. I watched her ruin $60 of salmon once, not even salt and pepper, no lemon, no olive oil rub, nothing. Just baked it in the oven until it was super overdone. SMH!
Marinated beef. Then grilled until medium rare. Served with fries and a small salad. *drools*
Or some seasoned fried catfish with hushpuppies. Heaven!
Aw man, I ordered a new lighter/watch, but it was stopped when I got it today, so I'll have to try to see if they'll be kind enough to refund me or let me get a new one. It's just kind of annoying, and whatever transpires, it has to arrive before I leave for Germany. That's about a month so it shouldn't be tough but for Christmastime shipping hassle.
Morning kittens!
@Zem, I hope you get sorted before you have to go, but then, I'm sure you could find something whilst you're overseas. Even though Germany is way, way, way down on my list of places to visit, I'm excited for you! I really hope you learn a lot and have a good time!
Morning kittens.
Morning, all! It's been a rough few days, but I made it through!
The best way to prepare catfish is to marinate it and then smoke it. The earthiness of the smoke disguises the mucky flavor catfish tend to have.
I personally find the best way to prepare catfish is to open the windows, stand back 2-3 feet, and launch it into the next neighbourhood to never be seen again. But that could just be my allergies speaking.
Probably. Though, I will say that I don't care for fried catfish. To me, it tastes like lake muck.
I love fried catfish, but I may be biased in that I don't have allergies and there're plenty of catfish around here to eat, so I'm used to that muckiness and love it. Though I can totally relate, I definitely know what you mean by muckiness.
RE: catfish, I watched a show where they would catch the catfish, and then put them in a clean water source to flush out for a week or two, they said it dramatically improved the flavor. I've only had catfish once, and it was ok, but to be fair, I don't like much fish. I was raised in the prairies and other than trout, you don't get much thats actually fresh here. We're too far from the coast. Obviously for GM, this wouldn't make a difference! ;)
Morning kittens! Sorry for the radio silence but with the new girl out "sick" earlier this week, I pulled in a 12 shift and yesterday I was dog tired. I will be so damn glad when this week is over so that I can get back to organizing my own life.
@LZ: Really? I love fried catfish. It does't taste mucky to me at all. I guess that makes two things that I like to eat and you don't. Speaking of which, I have some oven baked squash that I've been munching on for lunch this week. Mmmmmmmmmmm...good.
Morning kittens!
Morning kittens.
@Geist, it could also be entirely environmental. The way things taste is entirely dependent on what they eat. For example, deer meat in Utah is really bad. The deer out here eat a lot of sage brush and pine needles/bark. They're the gamiest creatures ever. My brother lives in Oklahoma, where the deer eat grasses and corn. He says the deer out there taste far and away better than the deer here. It could very well be the same with catfish. The catfish I've eaten have all come out of water that's so gross you can only see a few inches into it. One came out of the heavily polluted Utah lake. I was going to throw it back, but my friend insisted that we kept it because that's the only fish his wife likes.
BaKhan, it's no different for me. Any seafood has to travel at least well over 1000 miles to get to me. We have some stuff in the rivers here, but I haven't had it much.
However, I'm okay with the trade-off in having legitimately some of the best beef in the world raised all around me. A great full steak dinner (made yourself) can cost like $15 here, and it's always super fresh! I don't know a whole lot of people not from here that can say they've eaten a steak within 24 hours of it being alive.
LZ, of course, you are what you eat. Most of the water around here is cleaner, so it makes sense that it might taste better. Same with deer here, they just eat grasses and stuff, and it tastes super good.
Morning kittens.
This has been a brutal week. I've been exhausted nearly everyday and yesterday I pulled in 13 hours. I'm spent and will be leaving work promptly at 1:30. I need to get some much needed rest.
@LZ: I believe you are right. The catfish I've been eating have probably been from fresher waters. They are bottom feeders which is one of the reasons why some people don't like eating them. I've not had much deer meat. Not much call for it in D.C. The farmers market sell bison. Haven't tried to bring any home to cook with.
I love snapper. I remember being sent to the fish market by my great aunt and bringing a few pounds home so that we can fry them up on Fridays. The flesh is delish and light. Unlike salmon which always taste tough to me. Like fish trying to have the texture of meat.
Official last day of classes!
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Geist, ooh, they sell bison meat? You should definitely make bison burgers! Those are so good. I love bison, it's just like beef, but a bit more flavorful and different enough that it's a whole different experience.
"Salmon... like fish trying to have the texture of meat."
Haha, I totally see what you mean, but that may be one of the reasons I love it so much. That and the ways my parents cooked it, they're pretty good with salmon.
Morning kittens!
@Zem, I totally know what you mean! Although, I do like my steaks aged longer than 24 hours... just saying. ;) Alberta has some of the very best beef in the world, its above AAA, its rated as sterling. Last time my in laws were in town I cooked up a sterling rib roast... it cost almost $90, but the flavour! So friken good! ;)
Mmmmmmm...rib roast. Or am I thinking prime rib?
@Geist, I'm sorry you have to work so hard right now! I'm hoping by the new year, you'll have some more time to yourself, you deserve it! I've decided, that you've never had salmon the way its supposed to be made! Tough? I don't think so, missy! I'm going to ceder plank one the next time you're up. If you don't like that, then you can officially say you don't like salmon, but get ready to eat those words, and delicious salmon as well! ;) The natives in BC learned how to cook it that way hundreds of years ago, and haven't had to change a thing since then! ;) I'll also try and get some venison and if I can find some bison as well. Wild game is so much more delicious than store bought meats. Prepared properly, you'll have a hard time wanting anything else. My father and his friends used to hunt quite a bit, and there was always deer meat, sausage, jerky, etc around. I was a lucky kid that way. ;) Have you ever had German strudels before? They are almost like a denser dumpling, and typically served with venison in a rich gravy sauce. Damn, I want some right now! ;)
@Geist, in this particular case, yes. Much like the one I made up for you last year!
Morning kittens.
German strudel sounds so heavenly. Is there anything better than tender meat and gravy? Sop it up with a biscuit and some good beer! *drools*
Y'all're making me hungry! I'm waiting for lunch to be delivered; and it's taking far too long!
I had a bacon alfredo pasta from the little Italian shop just below the office...it was good...but I should have gotten the large rather than the regular...still hungry.
Mmmmm alfredo! I made an alfredo like sauce once, but instead of parm I used smoked gouda... oh gods, so good! I had it on fettuccine noodles, with roasted fennel and pan seared butternut squash, with roasted chicken. Oh man, I may have to do that one again soon! ;)
@LZ, lol, thats what happens when you get a bunch of foodies talking... ;)
Bacon alfredo pasta! Now THAT but using BaKhan's suggestion of the gouda substitute would sound like the ultimate dinner. Minus crappy cold, of course.
Morning kittens.
We had snow on Saturday. Nothing major. A half inch but it didn't stick to the roads or turn into ice, just was bitter cold. The thing that freaked everyone out was that it has been decades since we've gotten snow in December. That has people thinking that we are in for a major snow storm next month the likes of which will probably shut the city down for a week or more. I'm going to have to start making some stews and other food stuff to put in the freezer and cabinet so that I'm not without if that happens. Trust me, you don't want to be in the grocery store when the weather man says that a storm will hit. Long lines, rows of food stuffs that are empty and grumpy people.
Man, even you've had snow!
I guess we've had snow twice already this year, but neither time did it even last 24 hours. Though I've also heard we're supposed to have a sucky winter. Hope it's not too true for either here or for you, Geist, because I'll get jealous when I'm gone and you'll have a terrible time while you're here.
Morning kittens!
Its actually been very warm here the last couple of weeks. Above freezing everyday actually! I was outside for a couple of hours yesterday only wearying a hoodie! I'll take it! ;)
or wearing... ;)
Morning kittens.
So in booze news, I was just given a 26 of Glenfiddich 12 year scotch. Thats like a $50 bottle, and even though I'll never drink it, I'm sure some of my company will enjoy that a lot!
@BaKhan: That's a good scotch right there.
@GM, well next time you're over, remind me, and I'll get you a glass! Thats the main reason why I still take them, well that and any kind of appreciation is nice... ;)
@BaKhan: Wait...they give you things in appreciation other than a kick in the ass and 3x the workload?...Wish they would do something like that for us. >.>
@BaKhan: Funny you should mention booze. I finally got to use the Bolivian brandy I purchased at their embassy months back. I made a concoction called "Spanish Fly". It's made with Unholy Grape brandy, ginger ale, lemon juice and ginger honey. I had to heat the honey and steep some ginger root I had in the apartment because I couldn't get out to the specialty store to get pre made ginger honey but the result was nothing short of spectacular. Even though I poured 3/4 of the bottle of brandy into the half gallon container I was using, you could barely taste the booze but BOY could you feel the effects. Best part? No hangover in the morning. I have GOT to bring some of this to Kitten Con 3 next year.
@GM, oh not the company, the customers. The company used to give us $50 safeway gift certificate, then $30, now its nothing I believe, I haven't' heard any thing yet this year. We'll see. ;)
@BaKhan: Speaking of KC 3, I was thinking of trying something a little different. I want to make a dish for the party. Nothing complicated. I came across a recipe a kick ass chicken appetizer and I'd love to try it out on your friends. I'm going to make it for a card game I'm going to the night before New Year's eve. If it gets a good reception, I would love to make it for your friends.
@Geist, that sounds pretty tasty! Depending on how long it needs to mellow, you could probably just bring the fancy booze and I can supply the rest, I 'd hate to see you make something up like that and then have an issue at the boarder!
And for the record, I don't like scotch. Drinking it straight is gross.
@Geist, that sounds great! We will need to plan that out in advance though, so we can time things, as I only have that one tiny oven. But yeah, I would defo be into that!
they give you things in appreciation other than a kick in the ass and 3x the workload?
Funny. That is what my company calls a bonus.
I don't care for scotch either tbh, and I've got the scottish roots. Its probably a crime of some sort, but to me scotch tastes like farms smell. Yes I'm a city boy... ;)
@BaKhan: I will defiantly bring this booze. It was so darn tasty! They have another drink called "Say Uncle" but that involves mixing the booze with tequila and triple sec and strawberry puree. Sounds way stronger than the Spanish Fly and I don't want any of the guess to strip and run starkers in the street. ;-)
@BaKhan: you might get dinged a few points from the Scots but that's OK. I get dinged from my peeps for not putting hot sauce on everything. Ewww. No thank you.
@Geist, too bad you didn't like scotch! We could trade off... ;) That "say uncle" sounds like a beefed up daiquiri, sorta.
It's okay, Geist, I do put hot sauce on practically everything, so I can be a proxy for you so you don't get dinged. I can't help BaKhan, though, sorry
A coworker made a bunch of anise candy canes. He put "too much" anise oil in them. To me, they're just right!
@LZ, sadly no one can brother... no one can... ;) I've been told there's no help for me... ;)
@LZ, wow, those sound amazing!
@BaKhan: I will gladly enjoy your share of the scotch. ;)
So, BaKhan... would you be available tomorrow for me to visit? And try some whisky? ;)
`
Tastes like farms smell? No, it tastes like smoke. Farms would definitely be Saison beer, or really most dutch beers for that matter. Alot of them taste like hay! I love it.
My dad got a bottle of Yamazaki 12 as a gift from the father of a former Japanese exchange student when they visited Japan. I've tried a little bit of that whiskey, but my dad doesn't really let anyone taste it too much, or even have much himself! It's super high-quality, super expensive, and super good!
I believe it, or a different age version, won best whiskey in the world 2 years straight!
@GM, acckkk, when the clan calls, I'll let you know laddy! ;)
@Zem, it would seem like our idea of farms is quite different. To me, it tastes like you got gut punched really hard, while in a stable and while you're down on the ground sucking wind, various hay, horse apples, etc., wind up in you mouth. Like that... ;) Actually, I'd say that scotch tastes like what danish tilsit cheese would, if it were alcohol... ;) (which to me is what a barnyard would taste like).
Horse apples! LOL
I'm going to remember that the next time I'm on a farm.
Really? To me, farms are mostly the smell of fields, hay, and dirty animals. Maybe some country road thrown in there. The saison has the hay, dirt, and animal parts down, yet somehow tastes really good.
Morning kittens.
Amazon is pissing me off. I ordered 4 things last Friday and the one from the Amazon company itself is giving me the most problems. Seems that they use a delivery company called "Amazon Logistics" and getting your package from them is a nightmare. Now I don't know if I will get my stuff on time for the Christmas party.
Morning kittens.
Morning kittens!
@Geist, yeah getting things delivered by anyone this time of year is super sketchy. I hope it works out!
@BaKhan: What makes me mad is that the first delivery was at 10:30 pm on a Sunday. I am most likely in bed by then. Why in the world would you deliver it that late? And then yesterday they said that they couldn't deliver the package at 4:45 pm because the place was closed. Well UPS PO boxes are handled different. They will sign for a package and send you a notification. That is why I pay $262 per year for this box. No matter where I move, I can rely on getting my packages.
I hope Jeff Bezos chokes on his billions.
Just got word that the food truck coming today will be serving poutine! I'm so excited! I've never had poutine before.
Geist, that sounds super frustrating! The Amazon Logistics thing, from what I can tell, is random people driving their own, unmarked vehicles, delivering the packages when they can. I've never had one deliver the packages during such odd hours before. I don't think they do a good enough job training them about UPS store boxes, etc. It seems to me that they just say, "Here's the package, here's the address. Take a pic with your phone so we know it was delivered." And that's it.
@LZ, before you buy the poutine, make sure they are using real cheeze curds, not just shredded cheese, it makes a huge difference! Best of luck bro! ;)
@Geist, that just sounds way too crazy! 10:30pm for a delivery? I think not! Also, if the po box people can sign for you, then what the heck is the problem? If I were a delivery guy, I'd be looking to get rid of the stuff just as fast as I could!
They're real curds, and it's fantastic!
It's a day of culinary firsts for me. Later on, I'll be making spaghetti alla puttanesca. I hope it's as good as the poutine was.
Yeah, I was going to reorder something, but then I realized for the next 2 weeks, having anything shipped is just a pure shitstorm, so I'll wait.
`
One down! One German final out of the way, of 3 exams total. Done for the day.
Wait a minute, I thought I posted this like 3 hours ago! I apparently stopped just after "3 exams total, and", and when I just came back, I had no clue what was going to go after "and", but I guess I never finished the comment!
"spaghetti alla puttanesca"? Is that spaghetti poutine style? ;)
You're so lucky! I love poutine so much, and there's only one place around me that makes it at all. I'm still baffled that it's not everywhere in America, considering how it's fries, gravy, and cheese curds; that's like the most American thing I could imagine!
@LZ, lol, so I had to google it... literally "spaghetti in the style of a whore". Too funny! Make sure you triple bag your taste buds... ;p
Glad you liked the poutine! I try to limit myself to twice a month... the struggle is real!
Morning kittens.
Called Amazon last night. LZ was right. The drivers that they hired are over burdened with over 300 packages that they are told they HAVE to deliver within a certain timespan. So now I feel like a shit for calling about my one little book. So I won't be ordering anything else online unless I can order it and then pick it up at the store.
This is what pisses me off about major retailers: they abuse the staff and think they have the right to do it. This is why I prefer to shop at independent stores. And ship using the postal service since they are hurting for money at the moment.
I'm heard of puttenesca sauce. I like it.
Morning kittens!
@Geist, I wouldn't feel too bad if I were you. Knowing you, and how you talk to people, I would find it very hard to believe you were rude, pushy, or nasty in any way. Also, much like your own over burdened work load, those people have chosen those jobs, maybe not their first (second or third) choice, but still, they are aware of the demands, and choose to accept them. I know that none of us like being over worked, but at the end of the day, we could be working at gas stations or something. ;) Your compassion, is a part of what makes you as awesome as you are!
Oh, I've heard of puttanesca sauce before, just was curious as to what it meant. Mostly because all I know of Italian is (other than names of food) is curse words! ;p
Morning kittens.
@BaKhan: I really try not to take my frustrations out on call center operators. It's not their fault if some of the rules set in place by the CEO are stupid. I just couldn't fathom why the driver was saying that he couldn't deliver the package at 4:45pm. Turns out he didn't know that my PO box is in a UPS store. He was expecting it to look like a home or regular business. If I couldn't get this sorted last night, I was going to cancel the order and just go to the local bookstore and see if I could pick up these particular books.
As a consumer, I can vote with my wallet when it comes to shopping. It's the reason why I don't shop at Wal-Mart. Not that my small pennies mean a damn to that company but I refuse to shop there on a regular bases.
Cursing in another language is fun!
Cursing in another language is fun!
Lol! I make it a practice to use at least one every day... ;)
So the puttanesca was amazing. It tasted like something you'd get at an authentic Italian restaurant.
@LZ, thats awesome! Congrats on another culinary masterpiece! ;)
So unrelated note, I've been inspired to make spaghetti alla Poutinesca.
Let us know how that works out, Zem