National Eat What You Want Day

A Day of Indulgence

Observed annually on May 11th, in the USA, National Eat What You Want Day is a day of indulgence. It is all about setting aside dietary restraint to enjoy the foods you crave. Though, for many of us it is a day much like any other day. I try to  make wise choices, but I don't always succeed. 

Poking around the Internet I found out that it was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy who have invented at least 80 American "holiday" observances. 

I also came across a list, created by a Vancouver marketing agency, of the foods Americans would mostly eat everyday if they were not worried about the consequences. The list of these foods accompanied by photographs I took - because of course I would have at least one of each - is as follows:

#1: Pizza (13%)

#2: Pasta (12%)

#3: Burgers (11%)

#4: Ice cream (11%)

#5: Tacos or burritos (9%)

#6: Chocolate (9%)

#7: French fries (9%)

#8: Donuts (7%)

#9: Cake (6%)

#10: Chips (5%)

#11: Cheese (4%)

#12: Cookies (4%)

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Just Good Food: Tacos

 Big Day Ahead

The impetus for this post is that National Taco Day is now the first Tuesday in October. 

The top photo was taken in an old fashion California style Mexican restaurant that I frequent on a nearly monthly basis for lunch with friends. The remainder are of tacos that I made myself at home.

Taco Bell

It seems that Taco Bell is behind the move of this holiday from October 4 to the first Tuesday of the month. While it is seldom, if ever my first choice in dining, I have been known to utter the phrase - "¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!". On one of these visits, probably in 1998, I picked up two of the toy figures that were being offered as a promotion at the time. 

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Reading Log: January 2021

 The Books I Read in January 2021

January 2021 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Your House Will Pay," Steph Cha

"Next to Last Stand," Craig Johnson

"50 Ways to Cook a Carrot," Peter Hertzmann

"Are You There God? It's Me, Margarita," Tim Federle 

 

"What It's Like to Be a Bird," David Allen Sibley  

Book of the Month

To Be a Bird: photo by Cliff Hutson

"In his latest offering, the renowned avian expert explores birds’ remarkable adaptations and abilities, and how their experiences are far richer and more complex than even he realized."

Life Imitates Art

LA City Hall: photo by Cliff Hutson

Near the the finish of "Your House Will Pay", which was published in 2019, the author depicts a bacon-wrapped hot  dog vendor plying his trade amongst a protest held at Los Angeles City Hall. This was echoed in real life as a street vendor worked around a mob Trump supporters at City Hall on January 6, 2021. "LA Taco" ran a couple of stories on this. 

Scallops

We are wrapping up National Seafood Month with a brief look atone  of one of my very favorites - scallops. This turns out to be most fortune on my part as they seem to be among one of the most sustainable choices.

What Are Scallops?

Scallops are a type of bivalve mollusk, meaning the interior muscle is surrounded by two shells similarly to oysters, mussels, and clams. Inside the shell, scallops have a white adductor muscle (the part we to eat)  Scallops are called “hotate” when served in sushi.

Scallops Chuka Soba: photo by Cliff Hutson

Scallop Tacos: photo by Cliff Hutson

Scallops with Pasta: photo by Cliff Hutson

Scallops and Broccoli Slaw: photo by Cliff Hutson

Scallops and Peppers: photo by Cliff Hutson

Scallops Stir-fry: photo by Cliff Hutson

Risotto alle capesante: photo by Cliff Hutson

Cooking Scallops

I find scallops easy to cook. And, as the above photographs illustrate, I have come up with more than one way to make a meal out of them. However, I can not offer any recipes as I am at a point in my life where I just throw things together. Nothing is ever written down, and what is supposed to be the same dish turns out a little different every time. But, I offer the following which seem pretty good:

Sustainable Seafood Recipe  "This recipe is "a nice combination of flavors and textures."