Drag Time At Taco Bell

More and more businesses are fast becoming more aware and progressive. This definitely applies to Taco Bell and their drag brunches. it's a step in the right direction because it  encourages fun and dialogue about the L.G.B.T.Q. community,

Erik Piepenburg who contributes to all sections of The New York Times wrote about this new fun  phenomena in yesterday's paper's Food section. Yes, it's a fun experience (as anyone who has visited Greenwich Village's Lips will tell you) bu there's also a deeper meaning here too. The Taco bell Foundation, which primarily gives out scholarships is giving a grant to the It Gets Better Project  to expand work-force-readiness  resources to L.G.B.T.Q.  youth. Last year the chain also named the openly gay rapper Lil Nas as its'chief impact officer. Other chains are stepping up too. Burger King has promised to donate forty cents off of every order of it's Ch'King Sandwich to the Human Rights Campaign, an LG.B.T.Q. advocacy group. Many other eateries, especially those with New York roots like Shake Shack along with national chain Chipotle plan to donate percentages of their June proceeds to L.G.B.T.Q. organizations. This comes in the wake of such restrictive laws such as Florida's antiquated "Don't Say Gay" bill which forbids or limits discussions about gender and roles in the state's school systems.

Again, the country, which for the most part  is progressive but ti also needs to be open. Why not have some fun with this learning adventure. The Taco Bell Drag brunch fits this.It's a tour that starts off in Las Vegas and ends in CHicago.It's run by Oscar Quintero, a drag performer himself who goes by the name Kay Sedia (pronounced quesadilla -get it?) He is the tour's drag hostess and books local drag queens to perform through the various cities along the way.There's still the same Taco Bell breakfast.There's the breakfast burrito which diners can have in vegetable, bacon or sausage, hash browns and Cinnabon Delight doughnut holes.Unlike a regular meal at the popular eatery, there is drinking and with it comes drinking games. There is one where everyone takes a shot when they hear Taco Bell's signature bell dong.People love it, with one diner, Blake Hundley driving three hours from Dubuque Iowa to Chicago. He would do it again. Most would despite what legislation says. Hosting a drag party is not controversial.It's entertaining as many people celebrate their birthdays and other events at these shows.

Taco Bell may seem like the typical suburban eatery. Yet' it's as progressive city eateries.It celebrates incluisveness with fun food and fun entertainment

In Praise of The Cone

 It's almost summer and that means one thing - ice creamed scooped and piled into all sorts of cones. Yet where would the icy treat without its' sturdy base? The cone is just as important as the treat itself as the Joy Baking Company knows

Regular contributor,cookbook writer and chef, Priya Krishna wrote about this amazing company in today's New York Times Food section.Joy Cones have been around since 1918 when two Lebanese immigrants,Albert George and his brother-in-law Thomas J. Thomas, started the company in Brookfield, Ohio.It nearly went bankrupt in 1943 thanks to a fire breaking out in the factory.. Joe George, father of the current owner,David  took over that year and focused on building proprietary or commercial ovens to bake thousands of cones. Within five years the company became profitable. Now Joy handles all the big companies from Dairy Queen to Mister Softee. Even local, privately owned ice cream shops use Joy. The company sells three types, cake , sugar and the ever popular waffle. The recipes for all three are simple. The cake cone is made from batter of water flour and sugar. Tapioca flour is added to give the cone it's sturdiness and absorbent like quality. The sugar and waffle ones have brown sugar added for the rich tan color.

Is there competition? There is from Keebler  but they mostly distribute to stores. Most home chefs use them to create cones. There are some ice cream shop owners like Kristine Tonlonow of the Konery in Brooklyn who have different ideas. When she started her business in 2014  she looked at the cones and their blandness along with their uniformity. She felt that there should be different flavors to match or compliment the creamery's variety of flavors. The cones should be as exciting as the ice cream itself. Her cones come in bright colors and even brighter flavors like orange Creamsicle and salted blue corn along with gingerbread and peppermint.. They do cost three to four times more than Joy's. However stores like Whole Foods and theme parks are buying them along with independent shops like Malai Ice cream in Cobble Hill Brooklyn. Some ice cream shop owners such as  Washington D.C.s Susan Soorenko feels the flavored ones can be a distraction. Customers have enough choices and may not like their eventual option. She'll stick with the classic Joy ones instead which let the flavors shine.

Joy's cones are one of the joys of summer. They're a part of the whole ice cream on a hot day experience. They make those sugar , cake and waffle cones for warm weather memories.

Food For Protest

 There have been more protests and walk outs in recent history. What fuels a march? Besides fury and a reason to make society better, boundless energy. That energy needs to be had by food.

No matter what you believe in, those demonstrations make you hungry. Some shop owners will hand out free bottles of water and if you're lucky sandwiches. However these are few and far between. Seasoned marchers will advise that starting the day with a protein packed breakfast is the best way to go. Some have eggs and beans, some go for any type of eggs with bacon or sausage or both. You could also start an active day with a protein packed smoothie. This involves a scoop of protein powder, usually vanilla or fruit flavored mixed with different fruits and milk. Vegans will appreciate a kick from soy, almond or oat milk. What's good about a smoothie is that' it's portable. If it can't be finished just pour the leftover into a thermos and have for lunch later. What to do if you're hosting a group of fellow protesters? Think a strata which is an easy eggy . cheesy casserole. You can also add much needed protein in the form of ham, bacon or breakfast sausage or all three. This can also be made vegan, by using Just Egg vegan substitute., Miyoko's creamery cheeses and Morningstar Farm's soy breakfast meats.

Once your protest start, consider what to bring and how to pack it.  A cooler works if you're not too far away from your car. This can be packed with ice and hold sandwiches ,drinks and snacks. Keep in mind that you'll be exerting a lot of energy. Levels should be kept up because marches and sit ins are not short affairs. Some can last for ten to twelve hours. Carry water which is necessary  ,not just for hydration but for lubricating parched vocal chords after chanting and protesting. You could also carry energy drinks such as Gatorade. Stay away from such high energy drinks like Red Bull. They will dehydrate you along with making you run for the bathroom several times  over. This can cause a problem unless you're marching in a park where there are restrooms. Save the soda and tea for after the march. These too can have a diuretic effect. Keep a few energy bars in your pocket.  These will give you the fuel to carry on and carry on strong. Stay away from the overly sweet and chocolate coated ones. Try ones that are made with oats and honey.

It takes energy to defend a cause you're passionate about. The energy requires the fuel to carry on. Eat and drink well to ensure you march on.

Good Deeds For Memorial Day

 Our US military forces should always be remembered. Today we do remember the sacrifices made from the Revolutionary War to the recent Afghan ones. However we should also remember out living vets as well.

For the older vets , a nice lunch out or even inviting them over for some sandwiches and iced tea would be appreciated. Spend the afternoon together chatting about all sorts of things. You could even treat him or her for a n ice cream in the park or a cold coffee , sipped at an outdoors cafe. Bring the kids along so they can hear the stories and appreciate what these service people have done to protect the country.

For newer, younger vets, offer to baby sit their kids so the couple can have a romantic date night out. Give them a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant and possibly tickets to a local concert or movie. Invite them over for a good meal and talk. Bake them a plate of cookies or a tray of cupcakes. Think nothing of making a few extra jars of homemade sauce. It's a small thank you for their sacrifices.

Our vets have given up and sacrificed so much for the good of the nation Let's remember them with big and small gestures not just for today , but for the entire year. It's time to honor their service.

The Everything Sauce

 Pasta saucw doesn;t have to be the traditional tomato one. You can easily use other veggies and ingredients to a saucepan and create a tasty topping.

This is what i did.. Keep in mind that I'm still experimenting about what I can eat or can't eat. I decided to go with my basic portabella and mushroom sauce. Yet this wasn't really hearty enough . Fieldcrest soy sausages,redolent with fennel and hot pepper.

I also added one chopped tomato  to this mix of two cups of spinach, one cupof chopped baby bellas and two sliced sausages. The base was two tablespoons of Melt cooked with Target's own brand of olive oil from the Good and Gather line (who knew)

Everything was cooked down for a few minutes until the spinach was wilted and the sauce bubbly. I also add onion and garlic powders along with salt to add flavor.

THis recipe can have a lot of add ins and subs. Try chopped scallions instead of the onion powder. Oregano and rosemary, fresh or dried can also be used. Instead of sausage try chicken or even shrimp for something different,

I served the sauce over pasta spirals. I am a big fan of my portabella and spinach. sauce but the  addition of the sausage and tomato was welcomed. I may try it with chicken the next time.

Anything in your frudge or garden can make for a wonderful quick sauce. Try it , experiment. YOu may come up with a recipe of your own.

Yes, We're Open

 Consider it a grand reopening . The Pantry is open again and with it some new insights. It was a strange ride to say the least.

Bad enough you have to go through one of the worst surgeries( I feel), then there's the first few days of wondering and worrying what to eat. Luckily orzo cooks up well in veggie broth and it's also very safe on the newly reconstructed bile ducts. (the ducts are cut after the gall bladder is removed, and I 'm guessing from my cuts, through my tummy or navel). Heavy foods are literally off the tables. They can irritate the liver which produces bile. This means that the bile is dumped into the upper intestine. A lot of bile is like a laxative.It  can create diarrhea and gas. Luckily those without a gallbladder can take Imodium to prevent both as they navigate this new world. Ginger ale is the recommended drink and it was a big help during those days as was fruit and herbal teas. You're not supposed to have any colas once the gall bladder is out but I have had several diet Pepsis and"m fine. I've also graduated to orzo and Melt butter and I'm quickly introducing favorites like my air fryer portobellos and tomato salad into my diet.

It feels good to cook again and cook my favorites. The portobellos have always been one of my most loved dishes and it was wonderful to eat one again. I have to admit I was a little leery about the tomato salad but that too was perfectly digested. I am  looking forward to making my spinach and mushroom sauce tomorrow with pasta.I'm also looking forward to Beyond Beef hamburgers and anything from Gardein.I've already eaten two of the their soups, Italian Wedding and Beef and Vegetables. So far so good. It would be nice to try their turkey and gravy along with stuffing. I have read on  line that I shouldn't be eating heavy meals, and I wonder if this one , turkey and stuffing would be considered such. There's also this ban so to speak against spicy foods . What will happen the next time I eat Indian or Mexican, two cuisines that I love?Their dishes are easy to replicate at home and I can easily make favorites like curry with a teaspoon less garam masala and burritos without the chili powder. What I will miss are the French fries, but again, maybe my system may tolerate them.

This is a strange new world>However it will soon be familiar , filled with the foods and flavors that I love. Things will be different but they will also be the same too.

A Brave New World

 As much as we need our gall bladders , we actually don't need them. Humans , surprisingly can live without them.There will changes to diet but life can continue on without thus tiny organ.

I'm about to find out how much I can live without this yellowish green little pear on Wednesday when I have it removed. A lot has changed since my grandfather's day when he had his (just two months before I was born). Gallbladder removal  usually required a week long hospital stay after a five inch incision was made in the upper right abdomen. Not anymore. The operation is now known as a "procedure" and treated much the same way as a tooth extraction (this is where I shake my head)It's laparoscopic and will only take an hour and a half.. A small video camera is in placed  in one of the four incisions in the upper right quadrant .Special, small surgical instruments are also inserted to sever the bile ducts. These are reattached to one leading into the upper intestine. You usually (and I'm hoping to go home) leave after four or five hours in the recovery unit unless something happens such as an infection. Then it's four days of hospital food.I'm hoping for the best, preparing for the worst. I'll be off for a week or two .

When I come back it's discovering and writing about a whole new world. Digestion is tricky at best without a gall bladder.I will have to eat smaller meals more often. Think grazing.This I don't mind.because I do this anyway.  My body won't  be able to process Fried foods such as potato chips and fries are definitely off the table. fried meats like chicken are also a lifelong ban (although I could sneak in a drumstick every now and then).Foods should be baked, steamed or broiled. There should be more fruits and veggies on my plate which is a plus. One,'I'm a big believer of using fresh fruits and veggies whenever the season and, two I do love them. I will have to put a kabosh on cookies and snack cakes (although like the chicken leg,I could sneak in one or two every now and then),Caffeine, whether in soda, coffee or tea is also not allowed. Caffeine increases the amount of stomach acid which in turn makes the stomach empty faster. There could be more gas, sharp pains and bloating. The same is said of chocolate which will be limited to once in a blue moon. My diet will be different but healthier.

This little pear has caused me trouble over the years but I will miss her. This new world is going to be scary and frustrating. As with any new venture.I will do the best I can.