I don't mind gettin my hands around a good sam

Guys like to get into what they are eating, and I don't mind gettin my hands around a good samich...

I was just reading that the fork is a late comer to the civilized table though used for different purposes much earlier on...i.e. weapons for hunting  and as symbols of power such as in Poseidon. I always wondered about that especially since knives and spoons are a lot older. Perhaps, it was such a strong symbol, as in 'trident' that its presence at the table appeared anti - social... LOL!

Only my sweetie the sociologist would know better than me when it comes to social reality. I think that the greater question is to ask how we came to use such utensils and table etiquette. Well, I have read up about that and can tell you it was largely Catherine de Medici's doing. She introduced the use of the fork at the table and its etiquette going back to the 1600s.  Perhaps, that is how royalty set themselves 'socially apart' from each other (at the table)... and from servants and peasants who used knives and spoons. I hear that sociologists take such things as social hierarchy into consideration; but, I am just a guy... who has to admit, still gets confused when sitting down to a table laid out for a king.

Mmm mmm that looks yummy but something in that picture does not look right... I am definitely sure I could get my hands around that one

at least try or start out layer by layer

Cactus Bloom Onion and a Pulled Pork

What would the weekend without a little indulgence in some yummy yummy food? 

Well, I like things gooey and I like things fried too. So, deep fried onion and a pulled pork 'out' seemed like a nice treat for me and my sweetie who is a great cook and blogs about it and I brag about it. 
We headed to the roadhouse with a couple we know and to have a real good time.  I like to order things that I don't make at home either because I don't like the mess that goes with it or because it is time consuming or I just like when someone else makes it for me and the mess is theirs. Deep friend onion and pulled pork are two of those things. We both agree, me and my sweetie, on that and so we when we go out we like to rate different places for the best of these.

Cactus 'Bloomin' Onion ~ I never did this myself but have watched and here is what it looks like.

Now, as for a really great pulled pork, its got to be gooey and juicy at the same time.

FYI ~ Still Prefer and Love Eatin at Home! It's always cheaper and you are not rushed. I call cookin at home ~ slow foodin.

Guy Guacamole

A lot of guys don't dig guacamole but I do. And I like it rich! Give me some onion, bacon bits, olives, chiles, finely chopped cilantro and lime juice and I"ll give you the Guac!

That's the way I like mine... but all you really need for a good guacamole is ripe avocados and salt. After that, a little lime or lemon juice. For those that like adventure, but are not as willing as I am then try some chopped cilantro, chiles, onion, and tomato, if you want. The trick to perfect guacamole is using good, ripe avocados.

Goin All Out Paleo!

Sausage and Beef Jerky ~ definitely Paleo!

So, I am gettin my bad on and goin all out Paleo. What guy doesn't love beef jerky, sausages, and kabanos.

Beef jerky is dried meat.

Dried meats are an ancient food. American Indians dried buffalo meat and I read that they even mixed fat with berries, spread it on the meat rolled it and dried it that way. Sounds like what we might call today - Fruit Roll Up.

I am sure I don't have to explain what sausage is. This ground meat is bought in a casing and is a large part of an everyday American Guy 'like me' diet. There are many kinds and lots of different ways to cook em up. Grilled sausages make a great sandwich and some 'Andouille' go well with penne and tomato sauce or with shrimp and rice as in ~ Jambalaya.

and forgot to mention how well sausage goes with meatballs.

Just about every ethnicity makes some kind of sausage. I just love going to the Polish Deli and drooling over the variety of smoked and uncooked sausage links. I like blood sausage too which is a poor man's as in peasant's sausage. Cajun and Louisiana folk eat a wonderful sausage called Boudin; the noir is a blood sausage and the Boudin blanc is without blood. Most sausage we get in the store comes from pork. But, I have had some of the best sausage ever coming from venison.

Boudin ~ noir

Boudin ~ blanc

 

Lastly, you are probably wondering what is kabanos. It is a long thin dry sausage made of pork or veal. They are smoky in flavor and can be soft or very dry in texture. In Poland, they have some that you can buy soft or very dry. I like it when they are very dry and shriveled on the outside; then when you bite in, they just ooze with juicy fat.

 And, who doesn't like brats roasted over an open fire.

Bacon and Eggs ~ Gotta Love em!

Have you heard? Bacon and eggs are all the fade, rage, and or fashion of pop foodies. Some of us oldies just like to say "Hey, bacon is back". I am not surprised that bacon is now welcomed back in the basic food groups, but if you are of my generation, it was always there. I think it is wonderful that both bacon and eggs have been raised from junk food status to health food extraordinaire - getting the Paleo flag of approval.

You can buy bacon these days in other meat varieties: pork, beef, buffalo and venison = deer and even other wild game if you are adventurous.

Don't get me wrong, I love bacon and eggs but I also love steak and eggs... sometimes I just can't decide.

Top 10 Brainy Guy Food!

1- Philly Steak
2- Hamburger

3- Roast beef
4- Chimichanga
5- Monti Cristo

6- Grilled Cheese

7- Pizza (any kind)

8- Mac and Cheese

9-Combo with Giardinara
10-Pulled Pork with Cheese Fries

All of that does not seem to fit in with today's gluten free nor Paleo, nor free range, free GMO, free Trans fats etc. But I say, it could if you want it to. Many food products exist for those who watch what they take in ~ like I do. That is why I take in seriously the One who said "Be not afraid, for I am with you." Gen. 26:24


*Whoa, I totally forgot meatball sandwich, and super nachos and I even crave meatloaf, quiche!

Left Overs Interacting = Comfort Foods

I always feel good when I can make something out of left overs. Today, left over au jus was used to make Swiss Steak which definitely goes with mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. I like things to be compatible... Yeah everything exists in compatibility mode. When left overs are in the right combination as in many worlds interacting, you get comfort food. That's how I think of it. To begin, sauteed onion in olive oil, sliced thickly some lean top round steak, and added au jus and then some tomato paste to let simmer.

I love mashed potatoes, in fact I think I could eat a mountain of them. Making mashed potatoes is as easy as pie - though don't ever expect me to do pie crust. As for taters... it is just a matter of peeling, boiling and mashing. Your simmering steak should be getting into a nice red gravy. Mmm, that aroma was overpowering me. Its tough cookin and being hungry. Anyway, I am so glad I had farfalle yesterday, cause that left over pasta is tonight's mac and cheese. I just pour on heavy cream, lay on some butter and slices of cheddar - microwave.

There you go! Many worlds interacting = Comfort food.