Close Enough

Eschew Perfectionism

Close Enough: photo by Cliff Hutson

Perfect is the enemy of good.

National Pigs in a Blanket Day

 National Pigs in a Blanket Day - April 24 

Pigs in a Blanket: photo by Cliff Hutson

What's in a name?

When I think of "pigs in a blanket" my first, and only, thought is of breakfast sausages wrapped in pancakes. This is one of my favorite breakfasts, which I like to douse in boysenberry syrup, as opposed to the usual maple.

However, it turns out that National Pigs in a Blanket Day is a holiday celebrating pork sausage (or hotdogs) baked in pastry.  It seems that many versions of this dish can be found through out the world, but is far from the top of my list of things to savor.

Clearly, that is just me. A quick search of the inter webs came up with almost no mention of the pancake version. Live and learn.

Long Haul Dining

I am not now, nor ever have been, a long haul trucker. There were more than a few times when my late wife and I would fantasize about getting a conventional cab Kenworth and hitting the road as a team. But, we realized that it was probably not as glamorous as it seemed and kept on doing what we doing.

However, on our road trips we liked to eat where the truckers stopped. Some say that truck drivers frequent diners where the coffee is good. Others say that they just stop where there is room to park a big rig. We, in any event, usually found the food to be to our liking.

I still do, and present some of my standard fare:

Steak and Eggs

Skillet Steak with Fried Egg: photo by Cliff Hutson

Steak and eggs, another timeless meal. Most people probably think of this dish as breakfast, but like pie, it can be eaten any time of day or night. Many a long haul has been fueled with nothing else. Except maybe grits. And, biscuits. Don't forget the biscuits

Grits

Bowl of Grits: photo by Cliff Hutson

Grits is a food made from corn, or hominy, that is ground into a coarse meal and then boiled. Said to be of Native American origin, they are now most associated with American Southern cooking. They are a great side dish at breakfast, or whenever steak and eggs are consumed. 

Biscuits

Pile of Biscuits: photo by Cliff Hutson

George Bernard Shaw supposedly said, “The United States and Great Britain are two countries separated by a common language,” even though it is not found in any of his writings. However, the word "biscuit" certainly proves this conjecture. It is used, in Great Britain  to describe what I call a cookie or cracker. While, in America, it means a soft, leavened quick bread.

Some people say that they feel uncomfortable eating in truck stops as they don't fit in. This has not been a problem for me, as long as I did not try to sit in the "Log Room" or whatever area was set aside for truckers only. 

The one point of friction I have encountered is in ordering biscuits - which I prefer over toast or muffins, or any other bread product associated with breakfast. A surprising number of roadside diners seem to only offer "Biscuits and Gravy".   So, to get biscuits with my meal I order biscuits and gravy and have them hold the gravy. I do this with a little trepidation as it reminds me of a scene in the movie "Five Easy Pieces." 

Coffee

One More Cup of Coffee: photo by Cliff Hutson

Breakfast in the morning, of course, calls for a cup of joe. Other times of the day, that can be problematic. 

The Next Move

The next move is up to you.  If you are enticed by the call of the open road, eschew the chain restaurants and try a place where you see the big rigs. By the way, it is not all breakfast, you know.

Cheeseburger in Paradise: photo by Cliff Hutson

Second Breakfast

Second Breakfast: photo by Cliff Hutson

Second Breakfast

"Second breakfast" has more than one meaning. I first heard of from a hobbit, which led me to believe that it was just a fantasy. But, it did seem like a great idea on some days - which led to the photo above. However, research has shown that it is a thing that actually has a basis in fact. Assuming that one can trust Wikipedia; "It consists of coffee and pastries or some sausages," eaten around 10:30 AM.

But, the title for this post stems from the fact that, unable to finish writing what I intended to use today, I was going to slip this post from July 2015 past my one faithful reader. Which is to say that I was using a breakfast a second time.

Netherlands Breakfast

Netherlands Breakfast: photo by Cliff Hutson

Netherlands Breakfast - Gouda cheese, unsalted butter, and apricot jam; on white bread. Goes best with coffee.

I learned of this form of breakfast from a cyclist I knew in high school who represented the USA in the 1964 Olympic Games, and then went on to race in Europe. It is a good thing.

Netherlands Breakfast

Netherlands Breakfast: photo by Cliff Hutson

Netherlands Breakfast - Gouda cheese, unsalted butter, and apricot jam; on white bread

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Two Questions

My advancing age has led me to ask myself, and sometimes Pumpkin and Mini, two questions on nearly a daily basis.

Question 1

Mixed Drink: photo by Cliff Hutson

Is it too early to have a drink?

Question 2

Cup of Joe: photo by Cliff Hutson

Is too late to have coffee?

Food Friday

Netherlands Breakfast

Netherlands Breakfast: photo by Cliff Hutson

Netherlands Breakfast - Gouda cheese, unsalted butter, and apricot jam; on white bread. Goes best with coffee.

Skillet Steak

Skillet Steak with Fried Egg

Steak and eggs, another timeless meal. Many a long haul has been fueled with nothing else. Except may be grits. And, biscuits. Don't forget the biscuits. Guess I will have to cook this meal again and do it up right.