RIP Main Street. (大卫和歌利亚)

3 Comments
Posted 05 Apr 2011 — by FV
Category As I see it., Foodless Rants, Really??

Ok, it’s no secret that I can’t stand WalMart. I can’t stand that it exists, I can’t stand that it detroys small town America, I can’t stand that I occasionally end up shopping there. <sigh>

WalMart has eaten up all of the local stores near me; hardware stores, small grocery stores, small delis, shoe stores and clothing stores have all fallen prey to the boxy beast. Drive to any WalMart and then find the nearest “main street” and it will most likely be devoid of any everyday stores.

You’ll be likely to find specialty stores like antique and/or art boutiques or an occasional coffee shop. My local main street also has a bank and a liquor store, how convenient. What choice does one have when one store is managing to monopolize every market? Well, at least they are leaders in employee benefits and fairness,,,oh, wait, they suck at that too.

A recent article has displayed the Chief of the evil empire, William Simon, saying that they “got it wrong”. I read through the piece hoping to find admissions of too big for the britches and such. No luck. No “sorry for destroying your town and the livelihood of scores of your citizens and relegating your downtown district to overpriced trinkets and closed store fronts”. (wouldn’t that have been neat?) Instead Mr. Simon is lamenting over some smaller store chains beating the retail behemoth at it’s own game. In other words, he didn’t care about crushing small enterprises until they started to gain some of his business.

Unfortunately, in the big picture, there are just smaller stores offering Chinese made products at lower prices. Gone are the days of mom ‘n pop stores. The few that remain are hanging on by a thread.

What’s the solution? Well, I officially offer an arm wrestling match to William Simon. If I win, the construction of the WalMart just a mile or two from my house must be halted immediately and the remaining monies must be dumped into my local Main Street. Past that, I am at a loss. Any suggestions?

Oh, anyone know what the title of this post means in English? Leave a comment!

我错过了好时光。

FV

What’s In That Can??

4 Comments
Posted 04 Apr 2011 — by FV
Category As I see it., Learn Before You Eat!, Meal Deals!, Reveiws

Packed in, just like they say!

As I continue my abstinence from non-fish-meat during this Lenten season I have decided to re-examine one of the super-foods.

Sardines.

These little fish are more than just an inspiration for a popular saying. They are a powerhouse of nutrition. In fact, some very important nutrients are packed in these fish like sardines in a can! What, how could I resist?

First, I’ll tell you what they are…truth is nobody knows, they just grow headless and tail-less in these little rectangle cans all through the sea.

Ok, ok, that’s not exactly the truth.

 

 

They are several types of small, oily fish related to herrings, family Clupeidae. Sardines were named after the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, where they once lived in abundance.

Yeah, I know, they don't even look that tasty alive.

 

I can’t say enough about these little guys. They are just full of so much our bodies need B12, Selenium, Vitamin D, Omega 3, Phosphorous, Calcium, Vitamin B3, Protein and much more! Problem is, they’re kind of gross. Yep, I’ll admit it. They smell fishy, they look fishy and minus the heads, tails and guts, everything else is there, ready to eat. That means bones, and spine are still in there. All edible, but still in there. See, sardines are canned in many different ways. At the cannery, the fish are washed, their heads are removed, and the fish are cooked, either by deep-frying or by steam-cooking, after which they are dried. They are then packed in either olive, sunflower or soybean oil, water, or in a tomato, chilli or mustard sauce. I prefer the ones in water or olive oil. During the cooking and canning process the bones left in the fish become very brittle and just a tad crunchy, but barely noticeable. I’m not making them sound very appetizing, am I? They really are tasty and no more fishy than a can of tuna and the texture is the same. biggest difference is that they are practically whole fish.

The trick to enjoying them is creativity, as is with many foods. You may say that you are not creative enough to enjoy an apple, let alone a sardine, but that’s what I am here for, vigilance in food!

I started with a little butter and some garlic, salt and pepper.

They smell better already!

Then I added a few tablespoons of frozen peas…

Now looking better too!

Then, another super-food, the incredible, edible…

EGG!

Let’s not split hairs about the egg. I gave up meat for lent. Eggs are not meat. Yes, they grow into meat, but are not, in fact meat. Is a caterpillar a butterfly? Philosophy later, Phood now! haha!

 

Voilà!

I finished it with some hot sauce and it was just delightful, for my mouth, body, mind and wallet! All tolled, only about $2.00 worth of product involved, very economical.

Any foods that gross you out that I could take a crack at with a recipe of my own? Let me know!

Stay tuna-ed,

FV

Fishin’ For Fame

1 Comment
Posted 30 Mar 2011 — by FV
Category As I see it., Contests, Food Holidays, Meal Deals!

Catholics have taken over the world, or at least it seems that way this time of year! We are half way through the season of Lent in everybody’s favorite fish frying religion. Our highways and byways are polluted with signs that make it look like a political campaign time of year. Yet these signs, some homemade, some professional, aren’t touting the platform of our next great leader, but trying to garner the business of the fish crazed public during Lent. It’s duck season…wabbit season…duck season…wabbit season…duck season…

Nope, it’s fish season. Cod beware! If you live under water and are delicious, find the nearest rock or patch of weeds and hole up! It’s not just Catholics that are after you, it’s EVERYBODY. Local church fish fries have spilled their banks and become huge money makers for fire halls, American Legions, Mooses, Elks, charitable organizations and everyone else with a deep fryer and a fish bun! The menus have also expanded, many events offering shrimp, crab, pizza and baked goods. Much to my dismay McDonald’s is the largest purveyor of fish sandwiches on the Earth! (ugh, I’ll choose my battles for now)

With all this feeding frenzy I will take an opportunity to plug my own Church’s Fish Fry. I know that not all of you will be able to take advantage of it, but I hope that those within the area will come down and take part.

I am also asking a special favor. A local radio station is taking submissions for local fish fries that they may come and broadcast from. My church has a unique fish fry whereas we have our event during lunch hours, most are during dinner hours. We are hitting around the 800 mark for sandwiches each week and looking to do even more! We also offer free delivery to local businesses! Lastly, what other fish fry employs the help of yours truly, the Food Vigilante?!?!

So, here is the link to go and vote in my church for the broadcast possibility. Y108FM Monty and Zeke Fish Fry Broadcast

The Church is Immaculate Conception in Irwin at 308 2nd Street. The phone number is 724-864-7788 for pick up or delivery orders. Fish Fry goes from 11am to 2pm every friday during Lent.

All the fish is fresh and hand breaded and you can also get it baked. Haluski and Mac ‘n Cheese are available. Look for yourselves! :)

 

Fried

FV recommended, Baked!

 

Fish me, I’m Catholic,

FV

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