Ode to Mr. Bell

Glen Bell Jr., founder of Taco Bell, died yesterday. I thought it appropriate to re-run this post from 2005. When I first left home for college, I ended up living in student housing directly next to a Taco Bell. My residence was on the third floor, and early every morning when they started cooking for the day, the smell of simmering beef and refried beans would waft through... [Read more]

By Request, My Family Egg Nog Recipe

This is a recipe my father used back in the 40’s. Many years ago, I found it among his things, but never made it until tonight. Now I will never make any other version. It’s really airy yet creamy, with just the right balance of booze. I Twitter/Facebooked about it tonight, and am posting it here after several requests, after all, we still have New Year’s... [Read more]

You’re Old If…

While I was having dinner with a friend a few nights ago, we were talking about things we remembered from restaurants when we were growing up. I thought it might be a fun topic of conversation. I’ll start: You’re old if.. You remember when you had to wear a jacket (and sometimes a tie) to many upscale restaurants. Most of them kept a few really “loud”... [Read more]

Memories – Making Mayonnaise From Scratch

I’ve written many times about my early summers on a cattle ranch in Texas, here’s one more story. I’m taking you back once more for a recipe I use all the time, my grandmother’s mayonnaise. My first summer in Waxahachie was in 1962. I took the plane trip alone, and that by itself was enough to make the whole summer worthwhile. In those days, the “stewardess”... [Read more]

Sangria

Long before I moved to Portland, I was known for my sangria recipe. I always suspected I was invited to many parties just because they knew I would bring a batch of my easy-drinking wine punch. One year my friend Patrick invited me to his birthday party in Healdsburg, California. It was going to be outdoors, looked hot, and “Oh, could you bring a batch of your sangria?” Judging... [Read more]

Of an Untimely Death, and a Ham Sandwich

It’s hot, lots of people are grumpy, and I thought I’d re-post this old story from 2005, four years from the original publish date . It’s all true, and might just make you smile and forget the heat for a moment. It was a perfect ham sandwich that brought me to the brink of an untimely death. Somehow, that all seems appropriate for me. I suppose I’d better... [Read more]

52 Fords, Fallout Shelters and the Steakhouse Summary

There are times I just can’t help myself. I could just write a boring summary of the steakhouse project, even inserted some charts and graphs – and I love charts and graphs! However, I decided to go with my heart and tell you about a memory of long ago. I eventually get to the summary, but you’ll have to work for it, or you can just click here to jump past... [Read more]

“Beerku” Beer Haiku Winner

I enjoyed this contest very much. There was a large panel of judges, and many entries got at least one vote. In the end, the top choices were clear. Runner Ups By Les: Happy bubbles spring Into summer beer joy hops Fall into the clouds Humble Pie: Cheap yellow beer child, I played Deschutes and ladders ain’t been the same since Clinton: It is at two pints that he feels... [Read more]

Granville Island Market, Vancouver BC

Here are some photos of the Granville Island Public Market in Vancouver BC to accompany Ken Collura’s Story. As you can see, it is quite an interesting place to while away a morning. Click on the pictures to expand them. #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-1... [Read more]

Ramen Dreams in Vancouver BC

Have you ever dreamt about a certain kind of food? Not necessarily a dream while sleeping, but more of a daydream that repeatedly encompasses your thoughts. I’ve recently had such a recurring dream about Japanese ramen, and the dreams were about the real deal: Shio, Shoyu, Miso and Tonkotsu. I first fell in love with ramen while living in New York City, where I was born... [Read more]

Food Haiku Winner

The first prize was an easy pick this year. By overwhelming majority, Mark is the winner of two tickets to Taste of the Nation on Monday the 27th: Morning coffee brews Melting butter on warm toast The furnace kicks in Second place was more difficult. I had to bring in extra judges to break the tie between seven entries to choose a second place (21 total judges). The runner... [Read more]

Food Haiku Closes tonight!

To give us time for judging, the food haiku closes tonight, Thursday. We’ve had some great entries this year! I’ve wanted to comment on many of them, but have been keeping my mouth shut (for a change). The judging will take place Friday and Saturday, the winner will be annouced Saturday night. Be sure to check back and see if you are the winner, since the Taste... [Read more]

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