Shoot the Wall (A.K.A. The Rant Thread)

[Van Buren Supernova]

There are several kinds of tofu, which ones you don't like?

 

All of them? :p

 

I'm actually receptive of them, I'd eat them if I have to but I wouldn't seek them. Basically I was exposed to them way too much back then that everything starts to look like tofu, all kinds, all types. So, no, thank you.

 

 

Speaking about food,

do you guys know Casu Marzu? Okay, I would stuff myself with tofu, sleep in giant tofu and go on tofu diet or dress like a tofu first before I eat Casu Marzu.

 

For those who don't know, it's originated from Sardinia, Italy.

It's a cheese, yes, but the way it is made; the cheese is opened and left outside to allow cheese flies to lay eggs, the larvaes hatch and eat the cheese, breaking the fat and excreting the remains, resulting in soft cheese texture, yes, all that happens inside the cheese.

 

It is consider not edible if the larvaes are dead, so mostly it is eaten together with the larvae, alive. If that doesn't sound horrible enough, these 8mm larvae have ability to jump or propel themselves as far as 15cm when disturbed, so normally the dinner put their hands above the cheese to prevent larvaes jumping into their eyes, or wherever.

 

So, anybody hungry?

[Carol the Dabbler]

And it isn't even Japanese.   :P 

[Shadow Dweller]

I know about cazu marzu, one of the 'test for bravery' foods of the world along with deep-fried tarantula and scorpions. The Japanese have this, lol:

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nattō

[Pseudonym]

Cazu Marzu sounds... just... 

 

[Van Buren Supernova]

And this is mine

 

It was a fight between curiosity and terrified but curiosity won.

[Pseudonym]

Would you try it?

[Van Buren Supernova]

No. Nope. NOT. NO. NO. NO. NO!

 

I prefer my food dead. Dead! And free of excrements. And not trying to get into my eyes.

 

Anyway I even have difficulty eating something with face on it, except prawn and fish although I try to avoid looking at them eye to eye.

 

Would you?

[Pseudonym]

Hell no. I barely eat meat anyway, definitely not something alive and wriggling. Don't those bulbous black eyes on prawns freak you out?

[Carol the Dabbler]

I prefer my food [....] not trying to get into my eyes.

 

What about grapefruit?

[Pseudonym]

I've never had grapefruit in my eye, though I've had oranges get me. Worst thing is when you're talking to someone and they accidentally spit in your eye. It burns like acid. Not literally, obviously, but due to the revulsion it feels like it. 

[J.P.]

Makes me think about Clavell's King Rat and the experimental food described there

[T.o.b.y]

I know about cazu marzu, one of the 'test for bravery' foods of the world along with deep-fried tarantula and scorpions. The Japanese have this, lol:

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nattō

Sounds disgusting but not half as bad as the cheese with the live larvae in it. Ewwwwww!

[Van Buren Supernova]

And I'm imagining if you don't chew it hard enough, are those capable to live inside you? Ughh..

 

And what do you guys think about fugu (this is Japanese :p) There are significant number of deaths from eating fugu. In my opinion, how to put it nicely, eh, I can't: They are idiots.

 

I won't call it adventurous or curiosity, it's more like stupidity to die by taking chances of consuming expensive exotic food.

 

For those who don't know, fugu is Japanese delicacy, prepared from pufferfish. Pufferfish contain poisonous tetrodoxin and can be lethal. So the chefs preparing the dish are strictly trained.

Take your gamble.

 

My friend actually tried this when she went to Japan and eventhough she was fine, there was tingling sensations, not sure how to describe it, but apparently the taste is not that special after all. And yah, I did call her the i word, and if the meal was fatal, that is what I would remember, about her last choice. I have always said I'm not the best kind of friend anyway.

[Pseudonym]

If people want to eat it I don't have an issue, though yea I think I'd probably go for something less lethal - I throw up often enough with adding toxins into the mix! I suppose if it did taste really special or do something more interesting that provoke a mild tingle I might give it a go. Possibly. 

[Van Buren Supernova]

Oh my, you would do it?

I suppose the tingling sensation is caused by mild poisoning. I guess.

 

Maybe I'm a bit harsh, I know there are a lot of adventurous foodie who would appreciate that.

 

So Pseud, I'd be next to you saying this, just before you eat the fugu (and please pay first :p):

Dear Pseud, if anything happens, I'll remember you by the last s___ choice you make. :p

[Pseudonym]

I wouldn't try it as is, it would have to taste spectacular or do something more interesting that a mild tingling. 

 

However, should I ever decide to, and die as a result, I shall ensure I have that on my gravestone:

 

Here lies Pseud, beloved daughter and sister, dead from a sh*t choice. ;)

[J.P.]

This is probably the most common cause of death - in one or another way. With exceptions of those 100 years old dying happily in their sleep.

[Pseudonym]

Yea, probably - even forgetting to look both ways before crossing the road and dying that way would be death due to a sh*t choice.

[J.P.]

Also less direct choices. Like starting your trip at a moment that two hours later makes your trajectory cross the one of a drunk driver.

[Pseudonym]

Cheery conversation this

[T.o.b.y]

Just a random comment: J.P., I love your owl's new scarf!

[Pseudonym]

Her monkey's you mean :P

[Carol the Dabbler]

http://www.thekitchn.com/15-tasty-takes-on-tofu-227182?

 

Thanks -- those look like some really good tofu recipes.  I make something similar to #8 (but simpler and with a different flavor) that I call Deviled Tofu Salad.  I'm not at home right now, but will try to remember to post it later this week.

 

I can't seem to find the article I mentioned with the tempeh recipes.  Hopefully I have that page bookmarked on my home computer, and can post the link later as well.

 

Still have not been able to find that tempeh page (so I'm definitely in the right thread!). 

 

As for my tofu recipe, it's sort of a cross between egg salad and devilled eggs, only made with tofu.  Here it is:

 

DEVILLED  TOFU  SALAD

 

1 pound regular tofu (also called Chinese-style)

1 to 2 Tbsp. prepared yellow mustard (like French's)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1/4 cup sweet (or dill) pickle relish (or chopped pickles)

 

Rinse the tofu gently in cool water.  Put it into a bowl and mash it up a bit with a potato masher (or pastry blender or fork).  Add the rest of the ingredients, then keep mashing until the color evens out.

 

Makes about two cups, enough for 10-15 sandwiches.  Also good as part of a salad plate.  Any left-overs will keep in a covered jar in the refrigerator for four or five days.

 

 I should add that this is a very basic recipe.  I like many basic dishes, including this one, but it may not suit those who are used to more "gourmet style" (i.e., normal) foods -- so you might want to start out making just a half or quarter recipe.  Or you might want to go straight to recipe #8 in that link!

[Pseudonym]

Nipping back to ranting, why are sunglasses so huge? I like the look of oversized sunglasses, but I'm pretty small so on me oversized sunglasses make me look like Brains from Thunderbirds, it's not a good look. Why can't they make ones that are scaled so they don't look ridiculous?

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

Aurggghh!   :o  I'm filling out our tax forms (state and federal), and find that -- for some unfathomable reason -- Alex's employer withheld 28% less state tax than last year, meaning that we need to pay a pretty hefty additional sum when we send in our forms.  He says he didn't change a thing on his withholding forms at work, so apparently someone in accounting messed us up.  @#$%&!!!!

 

Note to non-US members:  "Withholding" is a procedure whereby one's employer withholds money from each paycheck and sends it to the government, so that theoretically one's taxes are more-or-less paid by the end of the year, and all that's needed come next April is to fine-tune the amount.  I believe it's called "Pay as you go" in the UK.