Dear Sriracha (A Love Letter)

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/sriracha

15-Minute Carmelized Onions

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/08/quick-caramelized-onions-recipe.ht

Serious Eats Guide to Dumpling Styles Around the World

Purse Shaped Dumpling

http://www.seriouseats.com/2012/09/seriouseats-guide-to-dumpling-styles-from-around-the-world.html

Oreo's 100th Birthday

http://www.thedailymeal.com/video-oreos-around-world

Stigma of MSG

http://madfood.co/mad-2012/Video/Chang_video.html

Egg Magic

Unique Separation Yolk From White

Colonel Paul's Cajun Seasoning

Individuals who are familiar with my interest in Louisiana cuisine often ask about the difference between creole and cajun food. The difference is relatively straightforward and easy to describe. Recently, a friend had noticed that they could purchase cajun as well as creole seasoning. The answer to his question of how they differed is not so easy. First, there seems to be as many different  reipes for Cajun seasonings as there are Cajuns.  Over the years I know I have  developed a preference for Cajun over Creole seasoning but I have never really bothered to figue out why.  I have read that Cajun seasoning is more likely to emphasize cayenne pepper and garlic powder while Creole seasoning is more likely to have dried oregano due to the influence of Italians in the history of New Orleans. I  have tried a dozen or more Cajun seasonings & the best by far is Colonel Paul's. I first became familiar with Colonel Paul when I ordered a book "Cajun and Creole Cooking with Miss Edie & the Colonel". Turns out that in the appendixes we find out that The Colonel has his own brand of Cajun and Creole seasonings made in Opelousas La. I iniatially tried to order on the website but that was down so I called the 800 # directly. Lo and behold the Colonel answered the phone himself and has done so every time I have called to place an order  After taking my order  he always says he will mail the seasoning with a bill and then I can send him a check. I cannot  remember the last time I was able to wait for something to arrive before I had to pay for it. His Cajun seasonings come in mild, moderate & Hot & Spicy versions. A 5.8 oz container is only $3.00.  He never charges a shipping fee. If you want to try Cajun seasoning, give the Colonel a call. (205 988-0788) I think he enjoys talking to his customers.

Top 10 Spicy Ramen

Top 10
http://www.foodiggity.com/the-top-ten-spiciest-instant-noodles-of-all-time/

Here is the spiciest of the top 10.
http://ramenrater.wordpress.com/2012/08/13/re-review-meet-the-manufacturer-paldo-teumsae-ramyun/

The Finger Test to Check the Doneness of Meat

Incredibly easy & reliable way to tell the doneness of meat using nothing more than your hand

http://saadkhanz.blogspot.com/2010/06/finger-test-to-check-doneness-of-meat.html

Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail

 

I place my order for New  Mexico' s roasted green chiles every Sept. Green chile cheeseburgers are one of my favorite ways to prepare them. See video for tantalizing images. It is possible to substitute roasted Anaheims which are available here in Maine but  roasted New Mexican green chiles are usually hotter than Anaheims and I think taste much more flavorful. Have recently started using ground lamb for the burger. Goes really well with chiles.
http://youtu.be/wYj21z09da8

Loving Falafel Not

Why do I continue to order a dish that I have never truly liked. Falafel to me has always struck me as something I would surely love to eat. It is deep fried and contains ingredients that I love to eat including garbanzo beans, onion, garlic parsley/cilantro cumin etc.. Recently I ordered falafel for the umpteenth time and sure enough after a couple of bites I wondered why I ordered it. As usual I found it to have a very dense texture with a heaviness that muted most of the flavor. The tahini sauce helps but I could order the tahini sauce and skip the falafel and not miss it.This has repeated itself over the years.  Initially, I thought that I was not getting good falafel. But it has been many years and different locales and their have been no winners. Freud talks about repitition compulsion. Maybe this what he meant. I should note that the tahini sauce  is great on french fries.