Foodenator

American History, from WWII to present day, told through the eyes of food.

I have recently attended events ranging from cocktail parties, inaugural balls and the office break room fiesta where they were serving Ants on a Log. I have often wondered how to make this complex snack food. After months of testing different recipes, the staff at Foodenator has devised the perfect Ants on a Log recipe.

1. Select a fresh crisp batch of celery and cut into 6 inch long pieces
2. Spread a layer of peanut butter down the middle of the celery
3. Top off with raisin for the “ant” effect
4. Place on your best silver platter and serve with white gloves

It was late night Sunday this past weekend when Foodenator had the opportunity to eat one of Domino’s Signature Pizzas, the Fiery Hawaiian. Once again, Foodenator used the excellent Domino’s online pizza tracker.

Note: Foodenator mentions ‘2nd’ in the article title because we reviewed the 2nd Fiery Hawaiian Pizza. The first pizza was mishandled immediately upon receiving it from the delivery man. The first pizza ended up outside of the box on the floor. Note to Foodenator readers: handle pizza box properly to avoid destroyed pizza.

The pizza has a mix of toppings that no other pizza has ever had, ever. Naturally Foodenator was excited as can be.

Fiery Hawaiian consists of the following: with sliced ham, smoked bacon, juicy pineapple, roasted red peppers, jalapenos, Original TABASCO® brand Pepper Sauce, provolone cheese, mozzarella cheese on a cheesy Parmesan crust.

After one devastating blow (the loss of the 1st Fiery Hawaiian) it seemed like last Sunday could be the worst Sunday of 2009. After a full 48 min of waiting after the 1st Pizza crash landed on the floor, the same delivery guy was back, with the same pizza, the XL Fiery Hawaiian. It was outstanding. Nothing more needs to be said.

Total money spent to actually eat the Fiery Hawaiian: $50 plus including 2 tips.

********* 9 (out of 10)

Memorial Day weekend has past and with it comes the official start of summer, beaches and bbq’s. How many times have you dreaded making the traditional pasta salad or ranch dip? Who can say they honestly feel comfortable eating food that has been sitting out in the sun for 3 hours? Next time you are asked to bring food along to a picnic, try making corn salsa.

Here is what you will need:
4-6 Roma tomatoes
1 container of tomato basil feta cheese
1 can of corn
4-5 green onions
1 tbs Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Crushed Red Pepper
Garlic
Tortilla Chips

First, drain the can of corn and empty it into a bowl along with the feta cheese. Next, dice the tomatoes and toss them in as well. Dice the white part of the green onion and add it to the bowl with 1 tbs of garlic and 1 tbs of olive oil. Finally, add about a tablespoon of the crushed red pepper then salt & pepper to taste. Mix the ingredients together and chill until you are ready to serve.

If its not Memorial Day 2009 right now, then its going to be in a couple hours. Foodenator staff enjoy not working, the long weekend, and grilling. There hasn’t been a Memorial Day yet, in Foodenators eight long years, where Foodenator hasn’t grilled. Below you will find tips on Exotic foods to Grill on Memorial Day

Foodenator’s Exotic foods to Grill on Memorial Day:
1) Steak, rubbed with spice of life
2) Lobster, served whole with melted butter
3) Chicken legs, wings, breasts, fingers – all covered in favorite sauce
4) a full lamb
5) Hamburger w/ fresh tomato
6) Hot dogs w/ mustard only
7) Sausages – spicy, asian, and sweet
Swordfish Steaks w/ lemon

Foodenator eats more than it is possible to eat. This occurs often when eating pistachios. Foodenator does not hold a pistachio eating Guinness Record, yet. How does foodenator view pistachios

Pistachios require a little bit of work from the eater. Foodenator doesn’t find that appealing in a food. But all the work pays off in the end. During most pistachio openings, a pistachio nut is discovered. These pistachio nuts have a very refined taste. A pistachio is a really solid nut.

********* 9 (out of 10)

Juice boxes!
Of 50 proof whiskey!
With a demon on the front!!!
Aint no Capri, son.

********** (PERFECT 10!)

Clams Casino is a Foodenator favorite because of its name and its ability to taste very good. Today, Foodenator offers you a recipe which will give you the ability to create Clams Casino. MMmmm

Clams Casino Ingredients:

* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 ounces sliced pancetta or bacon, finely chopped
* 1 cup finely diced red bell pepper
* 1/3 cup chopped shallots
* 2 large garlic cloves, minced
* 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/3 cup dry white wine
* 4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 18 medium (2 1/2-inch) littleneck clams, shucked, bottom shells reserved

Once you have rounded up all of those ingredients you can continue to the cooking directions below

Clams Casino Cooking Directions:

Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and saute until crisp and golden, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a plate. Add the bell pepper, shallots, garlic, and oregano to the same skillet and saute until the shallots are tender and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until it is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and cool completely. Stir the reserved pancetta and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese into the vegetable mixture. Season the mixture, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.

Line a heavy large baking sheet with foil. Arrange the clams in the reserved shells on the baking sheet. Spoon the vegetable mixture atop the clams, dividing equally and mounding slightly. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. Bake until the clams are just cooked through and the topping is golden, about 10 minutes.

Arrange the clams on the platter and serve.

Now you can eat your Clams Casino! YES

Foodenator reporters reported that the latest victim of Japan’s recession is round, sweet and famous for being shockingly expensive. The Yubari, the sensual melons that are considered an aphrodisiac to the Japanese people.

The first two Yubari melons of the season were auctioned Friday in northern Japan and fetched $5,200. $5,200 can buy you tons better stuff, you say? Well, there is nothing better than a fresh Yubari, the “world’s swankiest melon.”

‘Not the King of Salads’ says Foodenator after experiencing the Burger King Salad with Grilled Chicken. Little known fact: Burger King pits you against building your own salad. How did the BK Salad do as a lunch? Foodenator has the answer

Foodenator was handed a tray full of foreign looking objects from your typical BK food handler. Contents: One paperish bag of grilled chicken (warmed), One bag of croutons, One pouch of Dressing (honey mustard), One strange looking salad container (Everything segregated from one another – 3 tomatoes, 6 mini carots, and a palm full of grated cheese | separated from straight up lettuce below), One bag with a fork inside. Having eaten a salad before, Foodenator went to work manufacturing the lunch salad.

The outcome was a decent salad that was decent tasting and had just the right portions…final salad ingredients: 2 tomatoes, 4 carrots, all the lettuce, pinch of cheese, all croutons, and half the dressing. As mentioned above, it was decent. Although Foodenator ate one of the healthier choices at BK, the atmosphere at BK is the same and still felt like a fattie leaving

*****1/2 5 1/2 (out of 10)