Sunday, November 30, 2008

odds & ends

It is the last day of November, so let me clear out some photos.

It is soup season. My vegetable soup is always with whatever veggies are in my refrig or whatever I find at the market. I add a can of diced tomatoes and the seasonings are usually a consomme cube, several shakes of Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, sometimes a dash or two of Tabasco. For this version, I put in some kabocha (pumpkin), sweet potato, shimeji (type of mushroom), carrot, eggplant and onion. I also added some leftover rice...it was a nice way to warm-up for dinner.

I am addicted to these. On a recent trip to the 100 yen store, I found these Tohato Caramel corn in a chocolate spice version...the original version is pretty addicting, so this version takes it up to another level.

The sweet-salty caramel puffed corn is coated in chocolate then dusted with black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, clove & all-spice....the scary part is that they are only 100 yen (about US$1) a bag and I can eat the whole bag in one sitting.

On Foodbuzz, I've had this recipe for taco seasoning bookmarked and finally got the spices together. It is a nice blend and it went nicely in my taco rice, beats the package taco mix.

Recently I bought eggs....check these out...they have expiry date stickers on each egg...talk about wasting trees. You may also be able to see a piece of paper in the background, they also have the expiry date on them.

We're heading to the last month of the year....so fast, yeah??

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the recipe for taco seasoning. The packets are convenient, but are way too salty. (I think I read somewhere that they are at least 50% salt!). Take care and stay warm!

K and S said...

You are welcome Anon, I know those packets are convenient :) I wanted to get away from all the additives in them. Thanks for telling me about all the salt in them :)

Take care.
Kat

Phoebe said...

wow! nice cashews! hahaha wasting trees? I do think that it becomes more convenient for people to have the stickers. Although they should learn about how long a tray of eggs can last for!

K and S said...

No Phoebe they are not cashews, they are chocolate covered puffed corn. You are right more people should learn about how long a tray of eggs can last for :)

Take care.
Kat

Anonymous said...

I want some of your soup, please.

Paz

K and S said...

C'mon over, Paz :)

Take care.
Kat

Donna said...

Is that in a carton of eggs that they put the stickers on each egg? I wonder if people were complaining about customers switching eggs around to get the "good" ones (I know someone who says she does this, and was annoyed when another complained about it). I agree it's a waste of paper though.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, those stickers are a waste. I go to a grocery store that has the "use by" dates stamped on the eggs. That is a great convenience!

Display name said...

in england the eggs date is stamped on the egg shell itself. no stickers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire/content/images/2008/03/10/solent_jon_fooddate_eggs_203x152.jpg

Anonymous said...

Wahahaha ... I have the same "problem" as you Kat - finishing a whole bag of caramel corn at one go.

The Chocolate Spice version sounds yummilicious although I have never come across this. Limited edition flvours I have tried are Green Tea, Soda Float, Coffee Float & Milk + Peanut. The last flavour being my favourite because there are bits of peanuts besides the puffed corn.

K and S said...

Donna,
Our egg cartons are sealed so there is no switching. The eggs have the stickers on them and then are sealed in the carton.

Gwen & Shadow, I was wondering if the stamp on the egg would leak into the egg. They always say how the shell is porous (spelling?).

Gosh you've tried a lot of flavors Chien :) I hope you can get a hold of this chocolate one.

Take care everyone.
Kat

Deb in Hawaii said...

Your soup looks wonderful. You should "come by" for Souper Sunday some time! I think I would need to order a case of those puffs--I love all those flavors. Amazing with the dated eggs--a crazy waste to label each one like that!

K and S said...

Thanks Deb, I'll definitely try the next time I make soup :) Don't tempt me, I may just order a case of those puffs :p Silly with the labels, yeah??

Take care.
Kat

Phoebe said...

sorry about that, it really does look like cashews. ^^""

K and S said...

no problem Phoebe, though if they were cashews, I'd definitely have a problem trying to stop eating them!! :p

Take care.
Kat