Saturday, April 22, 2017

In The Interest of Fair Advertising

I don't frequent fast food joints.  Although I love LOVE their food, I gain weight just looking at it.  I haven't had a craving for hamburgers in years when I stopped in at In-N-Out in Gilroy.  You already know how disappointing the french fries were.

So on my way home yesterday from purchasing material in Turlock, I had to drive by not one, but TWO Mickey D's.  Barbara Westerfield suggested I try THEIR fries.  Well why not???  Life's short.  So in the interest of fair advertising, here's my report.

I gobbled down the first one right out of the nice brown bag before I even left the parking lot.  WHAT A DIFFERENCE!  They were hot, crispy on the edges with just a hint of salt and completely cooked through like a french fry should be.  I could even tell they had been in a boiling bath of oil, giving them just the right texture.  They were half gone by the time I got home (it's about a mile away).
Here's why you get your french fries at McDonald's, but your burger at In-N-Out.  McDonald's has changed up their menu.  They used to have a large selection of delicious things, but alas, I only saw one chicken sandwich and about six burgers.  Chicken nuggets don't count.  Eating chicken parts I can't recognize is a dangerous health risk.  

Not wanting another burger, since they post all the calories on each and every one, I settled for the Artisan Chicken Sandwich.  Trust me folks, there is nothing "artisan" about it.  Maybe it's the bun that meets their criteria.  Yes, there really is a bun smashed to death under that tough piece of chicken.  The top bun didn't fair well either.  The best part was the not-quite-ripe tomatoe covered with a limp piece of lettuce.  

An Artisan is a skilled crafts worker who makes things by hand.  I suppose I have to admit it was thrown together by hand, including the teaspoon of something resembling sauce underneath the chicken.  I honestly couldn't taste it at all ... I tried .... before dumping two tablespoons of honey mustard into the middle.  It didn't help.

I'm on a quest now ... something like the bread pudding of the year award we were trying to drop on someone as the Westerfields and I crossed the United States to Maine.  I HAVE to find the best french fries.  I'll skip anything with the name Artisan.
My trip out of town yesterday was to pick up fabric to make a baby quilt.  I know ... there are no babies in my life, but it's the cutest thing EVER!!  My embroidery machine that I picked up in Tucson is the bees knees!!!    So sad for me, I didn't get QUITE enough material, so I'll have to return today, driving right by Carls Junior!!
Obviously the diet has gone out the window the last week or so, so I'm trying to get back on track with another Instant Pot wonder.  There are a million recipes out there ... many of which do NOT turn out well for others, so I decided to stick with a known formula.  Here's the first chicken cacciatore recipe I made.  It's a keeper, so I made it again last night.  Gosh darn ... this stuff is GOOD!!
I served it over a little bit of rice, in an actual ceramic BOWL.  I did learn a lesson here ... cut up chicken breast takes longer to cook than thighs, even though it's all the same size.  I'm sticking that piece of information in my brain in the hopes it will reappear the next time I cook chicken.
It's time to get organized and start packing for a rally in Sacramento coming up this week.  Not sure I'm going to use it, but the Instant Pot will go with me everywhere from now on, so I need to procure a place for it to ride.  Reorganization ... not my forte!!  Maybe I can find a Taco Bell in Old Town Sacramento to further my quest ... oh wait ... they don't have french fries!!




11 comments:

  1. I bought an instant pot but the little booklet wasn't helpful.

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    1. The booklet isn't worth the paper it's printed on Jan. Join Facebook's Instant Pot Community. Lots of info there, or just send me your questions ... I'll be glad to help.

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  2. I read your blog every day and enjoy the many adventures at Elk's Bingo, and the many tips you mention. What size Instant Pot do you think would work for 2 people?

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    1. Thank you Ray ... I appreciate your kind words!!! I have a 5 quart pot ... the six just seemed to big to me, even though it's the same size around. I'm sure you'll be happy with the 5 quart ... you can easily cook for a family of four in it.

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  3. Can you post your chicken recipe,would like to try it. Thanks

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    1. I will be happy to do that ... check out my next blog.

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  4. Best way to lose weight is to count carbs.....30-45 carbs per meal (3 meals a day) with a night time snack of 15 carbs.

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    1. Hmmm ... I'm always counting calories, which obviously doesn't work for me. I'll try counting carbs instead!!! Thank you!!!

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  5. Counting carbs is not the way to do it it's subtracting carbs
    As I mentioned the other day you want fries, five guys,,, tell them you want it without salt and you put your own salt on it
    And on that same note order there small portion
    When you place your order stand there and watch them make your meal and you will understand why you won't go back to in and out or McDonald's
    If you read the article you'll probably never go back again

    http://www.businessinsider.com/fast-food-doesnt-rot-after-2-years-2015-1

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    1. Okay ... so I knew there was a reason I didn't eat fast foods!! Whether counting or subtracting carbs, it's the LESS part that's important I guess. I'll give anything a shot once!!

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    2. Sorry I was sent to a nutritionist by my dr and that's the only way to do it. 40 lbs since the end of Sept. 2016 and not one bit of exercise. And bread and potatoes are the 2 worst things you can eat. And I will be surprised if you can even eat 30-45 carbs per meal.

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