Spam: The Original Canned Meat — now in nut form
Spam with rice and eggs is fine, classic pairing. Macadamia nuts with Spam flavoring is something new altogether.
I’ve been obsessing about where I can find myself a can of Spam-flavored macadamia nuts after I saw them available late last year. They couldn’t be ordered online until just recently. When they were finally available, I ordered up a few cans. Funny thing was that JustJenn had gone to Hawaii later that same week and sent me a can when she returned to Los Angeles. It was like she was reading my mind.
I love fried Spam with white rice and scrambled eggs, but Spam used as a flavoring for macadamia nuts is a bit of Spam overload. Much like how you need white as a side to fried Spam, the macadamia nut helps to counter the saltiness of the Spam flavor. It only kind of works. They are extremely salty and if it has the same shelf life as its hammy namesake, will come in handy when the year 3000 rolls around. Or maybe I’ll just integrate them into a Spam-flavored macadamia musubi.
You can order your own can here.
When a person recalls the good old days, he’s really thinking about his bad, young days
I was a horrible kid growing up. As the oldest child, I remember getting into a load of trouble by either cutting my hair, getting reprimanded for talking too much in class and one day instead of going straight to the babysitter’s house right after summer school, headed across the street for 15 cent ice cream at Thrifty’s. My parents were livid. My youngest brother had passed away earlier that year and put the kabosh on any adventurous spirit I had left in me.
Looking back at it, the best ice cream wasn’t at Thrifty’s. It was at Oasis Ice Cream Parlor which was housed in the same shopping center.
Not much has changed in the shopping center. Thrifty’s is now gone replaced by Rite-Aid, and the Safeway is now an Albertson’s. But 30 years later the ice cream at Oasis is still homemade and the flavors are still delicious and unique. Corn and rice ice cream? Sure, I’ll try it.
For people looking for something fancy, this is not the place. Ice cream is served in plain white styrofoam cups. Instead you get luscious ice cream at reasonable prices. On any given weekend, the place has a constant stream of business which is always a good thing for any small, family-owned shop.
A single scoop of ice cream is $1.35 up to $4.00 for four scoops. Did I say it was homemade? Other unique ice cream flavors are trail mix, walnut, and cucumber with chile. But the standouts are the paletas, the Spanish version of popcicles.
Oasis’ paletas are priced according to whether they are cream ($1.65) or fruit paletas ($1.55) and individually wrapped in a small plastic bag. Cream flavors include chocolate chip, rice, strawberry — reflecting a lot of the same flavors as their homemade ice cream. The natural bars are more unique: guava, tamarindo and cantaloupe. Everything is made “Michoacan-style” meaning that all the ingredients are fresh. So strawberry ice cream comes from actual strawberry fruit and no fake fruit flavoring.
An added benefit? These bars are dense. While other bar tend to have a lot of air mixed into them, these last a long time. Popsicle biters like me have nothing to worry about because these paletas survive past five bites.
Making the trip to Oasis is a bit of a trek — approximately 20 miles from downtown San Diego. But if you take in a movie afterwards at one of the county’s drive-in movie theaters, the trip can be well worth it. I hear that drive-in movie theaters are the next big thing…
Oasis Ice Cream Parlor
1832 Coronado Avenue
Imperial Beach, CA 92154
619.429.8980
Sitting on the dock of the bay
Having lived in San Diego for a majority of my life, I don’t visit the ocean as much as I should. While the thought of living far from any body of water is out of the question for me, the thought of having the ocean nearby is soothing. Just as long as I don’t have to go into the water.
For the first part of my life, I lived near Imperial Beach. It was “the place” to go after Tijuana drinking binges in college. And parking was always easy compared to the more popular beaches in San Diego County. But Imperial Beach also has its share of flack. After big rain storms, there was always a warning swimming due to ocean contamination due to Tijuana’s overflowing sewers. Not a pleasant idea but that’s the reality of being the most southern beach in San Diego.
During the drier seasons, Imperial Beach Pier is packed with people hoping to hook one of the many varieties of fish available: yellowtail, seabass, herring, etc. I’ve heard stories of people pulling in sharks.
For those of us less inclined to reel in their own fish, the very end of the pier is The Tin Fish.
There are two Tin Fish locations in San Diego. Aside from Imperial Beach which opened in 2000, the second location is in the heart of Gaslamp opened a year later in 2001. There is no denying the difference between the two locations: one serves the convention going tourists with views of the Petco Park and incoming trolleys while it’s southern counterpart is more homely. But the view? The ocean.
On any given day, people can view seals, dolphins right off the pier. Free entertainment while fishing and eating. The sea creatures must know something because the fish is fresh. Not fresh-off-the-pier-fresh, but still noticeable.
Several varieties of seafood plates are available as well as hamburgers. For the earlier risers raring to get the day’s catch, breakfast is also served. But the thing to get is their plates.
The shrimp and fish plates are both served with waffle fries and their coleslaw — actually the best coleslaw in the county in my humble opinion. It’s slightly sweetened as opposed to the vinegar-tinged variety at Point Loma Seafood.
Their plates are available either fried or grilled — a nice healthy option and both a little over $10. The basic fish plate with North Atlantic cod is served with 5-6 portions. Other fish options are halibut, salmon and swordfish the price creeping upward for each one.
The shrimp plate on the other hand, while delicious with it’s light bread coating is disappointing with only 8 pieces of shrimp, both medium-sized. It’s best just to stick to the fish plate or upgrade to a combo plate that includes shrimp if you must have it or have a hearty appetite.
But if you prefer to fish for yourself and eat it as fresh as possible, the pier does not permit open fires.
The Tin Fish
910 Seacoast Dr
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
619.628-8414
Lost San Diego – Dr Pepper and Hires Root Beer Bottling Co.
Despite the movement towards new, shinier things especially technology — have I mentioned how much I adore my iPad? — I still have an affinity for the old (vintage ads, old typography and pre-depression architecture). When I recently saw this building sign near Kettner and West A Street in downtown San Diego, I had to photograph it in case another building pops up in front of it, hiding it for another 50 years or so. Or even worse, being demolished forever in place of something newer. This sign especially resonates with me because it’s my drink of choice as a carbonated beverage after tasting it’s delicious cherry-vanilla undertones. The sign shows a clock with the hands pointing to 10, 2 and 4 o’clock — supposedly the times to drink it to keep you “regular,” according to popular legend.
My favorite photo is the old bottling company building with the newer, shiny Pacific Western Bank building in the back. A mash up of both old and new.
When I think Louisiana, I think Hurricane Katrina, “True Blood” on HBO each Sunday, and Popeyes (its proper name is “Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen,” but who really calls it that?). Yesterday I pulled into the drive-thru and skimmed over their menu. Although I couldn’t find it, I knew they had a catfish sandwich, so I ordered one. The guy who took my order asked if I wanted the combo, and I said no — just the sandwich, please. He read me back my order and the total. Clearly he misheard me, as the total must’ve been for a combo. I said, “JUST the sandwich, please. No combo.” He said, “Yes. Sandwich only. $5.43 at the second window, please.”
$5.43 for a catfish deluxe sandwich??
That’s a “catfish” sandwich, right? Not “arctic char?” Not “Australian barramundi?” Not “insert name of endangered fish species here?” Catfish. So what makes this a “deluxe” sandwich? For the price, I wondered if it was stuffed with the roe of a beluga sturgeon. I guess “deluxe” means “shoe-sized,” because this sandwich needed two hands to operate.
The sandwich itself was as follows: Two cajun-seasoned breaded filets in a catcher’s mitt of bread, with chopped lettuce, a couple spicy pickle slices and some tartar sauce. I’d thought there were come pepperocinis in there but the heat I experienced was actually from the pickles.
Before I finished the sandwich, I took a big bite of the catfish sans accompaniments. The fish itself was a little hardier than the cod of other fast-food establishments, and the cajun seasoning was relatively mild, which my tender tummy appreciated.
I wondered how many calories and fat grams I was taking in (I usually don’t, but I’ve been logging that info for previous fish sandwiches). I pored over their official website but didn’t find the sandwich anywhere. In fact, they don’t mention catfish anywhere whatsoever. Come to think of it, I didn’t see it on the drive-up menu. MAYBE THE GUY AT POPEYES MADE IT UP (and its price) ON THE FLY!
How does it stack up against the other fish sandwiches out there? Well, it’s pretty huge… but it’s also it’s the most expensive. For the same satisfaction, I’d do a Carl’s Jr. and save a buck. And Wendy’s still has the most distinctive flavor. In this competitive market, Popeyes would do well with knocking the price down 15-20%, and maybe adding it to their “official” menus.
Advertising is the art of convincing people to spend money they don’t have for something they don’t need
Sometimes ads make you stop and look. I’ve had a long-standing guff against the hyper-sexy female robots. While the “Messin With Sasquatch” television ads always made Paul stop what he was doing — exactly what an ad should make you do.
But this recent print ad for Pam cooking spray had me studying it a while. While I get the concept that removing chicken from the grill is a big problem, it’s also disturbing. First, the chicken is almost the size of a human body when compared to the size of the woman. And the chainsaw only emphasizes what she’s going to do to that hunk of meat. When removing the spray bottle and only seeing the words ‘Pam helps you pull it off,” it can be suggested that Pam is the woman with the chainsaw… and what Pam is “pulling off” is the CRIME OF THE CENTURY!
My coworker was equally disturbed by the ad and pointed out: at least she’s wearing heels.
One of my biggest fears that I have yet to conquer is making my own dough from scratch. Between the flour getting everywhere, the kneading and time for the dough to rise, it gets bit too involved with my busy schedule. I won’t lie and say I make my own dough. I usually go out and buy the prepared prepackaged stuff for either pies or pizza and fill in the rest of the dish with my own ingredients. So until I master my own fear, I’ve been mastering the art of pizza using commercially prepared dough.
The usual pizza we make is sausage, mushrooms and black olives. I’m usually game for the the more adventurous pizza toppings but this combo seems to please everyone’s palate here at home.
One part of the secret to homemade pizza is the sauce. This simple sauce starts off with tomato paste with some seasoning added in. When available, I toss in fresh herbs instead of dried. I replace 1/3 of the water with white wine if I have a bottle open.
Pizza Sauce
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
3/4 cup water
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 dried oregano
1/8 cayenne pepper
In a sauce pan, turn heat to medium low and combine all ingredients breaking up cheese clumps. Allow sauce to heat for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Taste sauce adding salt to taste. Spread over pizza dough and use desired toppings.
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Leave a comment by August 31 with your favorite pizza toppings and I’ll randomly chose one person to receive a coupon for a free package of Johnsonville Italian sausages and bratwursts!
The journey of a thousand pounds begins with a single burger
Among the many food sites I’ve read earlier this year, I saw a bracket for the best chain hamburger. It happened to run in conjunction with March Madness, and since I know almost nothing about basketball I had more interest in this bracket than who was in the Final Four.
Back to the burgers, the Burger Chain Bracket included Carl’s Jr., Sonic, Jack in the Box, Burger King and Whataburger. The only chains I was not familiar with were Krystal, Culver’s, Steak ‘N Shake and Five Guys. But Five Guys stood out to me because ultimately they won the Chain Burger Bracket beating In-N-Out early in the process. As a In-N-Out devotee, I was shocked. In-N-Out losing to Five Guys? Who were these guys and what made their burger better than In-N-Out?
Luckily for me, Five Guys Burgers and Fries recently opened up a new franchise in Liberty Station this past July.
Reminiscent of old school dinners and especially In-N-Out, the interior of Five Guys is red and white. On a personal level, a white color scheme paired with any color says “hey, we like to keep things clean here” and not hide anything behind dark wood paneling. You are welcomed right away with sacks of potatoes and boxes of peanuts (in the shell) you can help yourself to.
According to Wikipedia, Five Guys is headquartered in Lorton, Virginia and has been around since 1986. There are currently two locations in San Diego: this one in Liberty Station right by Trader Joe’s, and another one on the North Island Naval Station.
The burgers are available as little hamburgers ($3.59) or a regular hamburger ($4.99). The difference between the two is the number of patties; little burger has one patty. There are also cheeseburgers ($4.19-$5.59), bacon burgers ($4.39-$5.79) and bacon cheeseburgers ($4.99-$6.39). Unlike In-N-Out, there is no secret menu that I’m aware of. Instead, you can choose from a slew of free toppings.
Toppings include mayo, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, ketchup and mustard. There is also relish, onions (I suspect raw, sliced onions), jalapeno peppers, green peppers, A-1 sauce, bar-b-que sauce and hot sauce. When ordering the burger with “everything” or “all the way” indicates the all the primary toppings. On our first initial visit with this presentation of toppings, we both got a little greedy and went crazy with the toppings. Bad planning. I recommend being judicious unless you really enjoy handling a sloppy burger.
The burger comes wrapped in foil, allowing a steaming effect to the sesame-seeded bun adding to the sloppy factor to the whole eating experience. This is the one burger you cannot put down, lest all the layers fall apart. Even Paul — a big burger fan — admitted that two patties was too much for him. Unlike In-N-Out, the burger patties are thick. A foil-wrapped burger with two patties weighs in at nearly a pound. But the wide variety of no-added-cost condiments makes it an enjoyable burger.
They also have the veggie sandwich — a choice of condiments, grilled and slapped on a bun sans meat patty, with or without cheese — for $2.39-$2.99. I tried a kosher-style bacon hot dog (which was split and grilled) with a bunch of the toppings.
I was least impressed with the french fries. They come either in Five Guys style — simply seasoned with salt — or cajun-style, which did not pack the punch I was hoping. The fries are freshly cut at the restaurant like In-N-Out’s fries, but they’re larger and in my opinion mushier. I would like them in the fryer a bit longer for a crispier crunch. A regular order is more than enough to feed two people with average appetites. (Mark Evanier feels the same way about their french fry portion.) With such a big meal, something sweet like a shake would have been a nice finishing touch but they don’t serve shakes.
Despite the slew of toppings, In-N-Out burger is still tops in my book. And much like the fans of losing teams for this year’s March Madness, I remain true to the home team.
Another San Diego Comic-Con has ended. Like many conventions, it’s been enjoyable to catch up with fellow exhibitors who have also become friends over the years, talking to many people who read Paul’s comic strip that have filtered over to my food blog and making new friends. It’s always sad when it’s finally over.
I attended all four days of the convention, including the 3 hours of preview night. I was backup and support at the Cool Jerk table located in small press — the same spot we’ve been in for the last 8 years. It’s a lot of hard work with most nights going to bed near midnight and waking up at the crack of dawn to get down to the convention center early to hopefully beat the crowds (we never did) and set up the table.
Luckily I had the opportunity to walk around, check out a few of the exhibits and return to the table when the aisles were overflowing with people.
Part of my job helping Paul was to get lunch every day during the convention. We avoid the convention food like the plague. A hot chicken sandwich for $8.25? No way. But it seems like the Monarch can afford it. But it seemed to be a popular option with many people with long lines around lunch time.
Instead, I went to Ralph’s to pick up a sandwich or a burrito. It was nice to get out in the sunshine and take in some fresh air. It’s not every day you see someone dressed like Joker walking down the street. Even more interesting were the stares the “common folk” on lunch break would shoot them.
On the way to Ralph’s, I walked by the Scott Pilgrim Experience across the tracks from the convention center near the Hilton. They offered free garlic bread every day. Not very good garlic bread but people were eager for free food, especially while waiting in line to grab a free t-shirt. During the convention, Scott Pilgrim was the talk of the convention especially with the upcoming movie and the new book out. Unfortunately I had an two encounters with my own evil ex-boyfriend #1, the first while buying issue 6 of Scott Pilgrim. An ironic coincidence, no?
Saturday on the way to grab some lunch, I saw a small gaggle of people gathered around a guy with a megaphone. As I came closer to the group, I saw it was Joshua Jackson, holding his very own Pacey-Con. With the theme song to Dawson’s Creek blaring, he was selling Dawson’s Creek fanfic for $10. And yes, I did buy a copy of the script aptly named “Pacey and Joey Have 6 Kids” — I was refunded my $10 shortly afterward despite being asked questions about Dawson’s Creek I had no answer for. “Who was the principal of the high school?” “What was the name of the restaurant Pacey worked for?” I knew none of those answers but still walked away with the script and it was signed to me! Admittedly, I took a few photos with him — he was Pacey after all! — but I later found on Sunday night this was a spoof for Funny or Die. You can watch the gag here. It’s pretty funny.
If I learned one thing this year, it was not to take photos of props from the Marvel booth before the convention hall was open to the attendees. I saw a very important prop from the upcoming Thor movie and thinking it was a great opportunity, I whipped out my crappy camera phone and attempted to take a photo. I guess I didn’t hear them shout “no photos!” because I was soon stopped by security so they could erase the photo. Fortunately for me, there was no photo and I was allowed to walk away. With my phone intact.
Despite the comics theme for the event there were a handful of vendors that didn’t sell comics. Take for instance this woman selling fake food. Fake turkey drumsticks were going for $50 and a small slice of pizza is $15. There was fake food jewelry available as well.
Speaking of food, several people stopped by Paul’s table hoping to find me there: Kirby Cravings and her boyfriend bought some original art and filled us in on the stabbing in Hall H, Canine Cologne‘s husband dropped off candy for me — unfortunately I was away from the table, Kim the cat girl, initially a Cool Jerk fan and stopped by to tell me she reads my blog as well and like to bake cakes from a box and finally Rebecca from Dine & Devour who was told to look for me by her friend Morgan. Although it’s a bit of a surprise for me initially, it’s always nice to meet people familiar with my blog.
Other highlights were seeing Abby Denson again from City Sweet Tooth, helping behind the tables for JustJenn Designs and Agreeable Comics when I wasn’t working at the Cool Jerk table, being an honored recipient of a huge bag of candy and other goodies from Bavarian Erin, a new addition to my Batgirl collection from Sarah Kuhn and her husband JustJeff and an adorable squirrel print from Jodi. It’s just like Christmas but in July.
Check out the rest of my photos here.
A comic-con update from Paul will be available later this week.
“It’s become so huge, it will eat us all!!”
Paul with Robert Englund aka Freddie Kruegar.
A few days ago, I starting crafting a post related to San Diego’s annual event, San Diego Comic-Con International. But I ran out of time helping Paul prepare for the show, set up his table and other obligations suited to the wife of a comic creator. And now that it officially starts tonight, I don’t have the time or energy.
Instead you can read posts from the last several years, except for 2008. And if you happen to score some tickets to the sold out show be there, I’ll probably be here — the same location we’ve been for the last 8 years.
2009 – It’s Not All About Comics
2007 – A Strange Conversation at Comic-Con (and it’s food-related)
Darlene
Our Man Horn
