Good things take time – right? Hopefully the same remains true for this post as well. As you’ll soon see, my last project involved lots of waiting. And waiting. But just like a fine wine, a good steak only gets better with age. Every steakhouse worth its salt is going to serve prime, aged (hopefully dry vs. wet, but I’ll get into that) cuts of beef. But, why limit yourself to enjoying good steak only at steakhouses? In the theme of home brewing, if something is worth eating then it’s worth cooking up yourself. The best part is, I’ve done all the waiting for you and condensed everything down into an easy to read blog post (I also ate all of the steak so let’s call it even).
Mikero Brewing
Who knew I could turn my name into so many food related puns? Anyway, continuing on the theme of summer eats, I figured it was about time to get into some summer drinks. There’s only one way that Bud Light (or any of those “light” American lagers) ever actually tastes good, and that’s sitting outside, basking in the sunlight and drinking one straight out of the can. I’ve said it before, but there is just something right about summertime and a cold can of cheap beer. Does this sound like a country song yet? What if I threw in a girl and a pickup truck?
Ok, back on topic. Today is about beer. Specifically, home brewed beer because no one wants to hear me go on about the magic of cheap beer and sunshine.
Deconstructing: Competitive Eating
I understand that not everyone spends their 4th of July watching dozens of people cram their stomachs full of 60+ hotdogs (I don’t either for that matter but 1 million other people did – there’s even a professional league), but it’s always interesting to see what happens at the annual Nathan’s Hotdog Eating Contest each year at Coney Island. If you hadn’t heard, the longtime champion, Joey Chestnut, lost to newcomer Matt Stonie who ate 62 (SIXTY TWO!!) hot dogs in ten minutes to Chestnut’s 60.
Now, I’ve got quite the appetite, and people that have seen me eat wonder how I’m able to eat as much as I do. I’ve even tried my hand (or would it be stomach?) at a few “food challenges” before, but the idea of eating (if we can call it that) 62 hotdogs and buns in ten minutes is mind boggling even to me. Give me a full day and I still probably wouldn’t be able to do it. This got me thinking, just how do these professional eaters do it?
Wet Hot American Summer
It’s summertime, which means lots of sun, beaches, BBQs and beer – preferably enjoyed all at once. My recent posts have had a bit of an Italian flair, but considering last weekend was the 4th of July, I think it’s about time I started to focus on the American Summer. Between outdoor BBQs (I use that term in a loose sense, we’re usually not talking real BBQ here), pool parties, clambakes, pig roasts and everything else that comes with the season, there’s no shortage of great food. Of course it’s not just the food – there’s something about sitting outside during the summer that actually makes American light lagers taste good.
The best part of eating during the American Summer is that the simple, old fashioned classics still take center stage. There’s something dare I say magical about the simplicity of hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill with plenty of cheap, cold beer in the cooler. To kick things off, let me introduce you to something that combines the two. Meet the “beer can chicken”…
Milan Expo: Part 2
After taking the chance and braving the rain, I made it to the Expo with about 6 hours to eat my way around the world. 1,000 words later, it’s probably a good idea that I actually describe what exactly the Milan Expo is…
Milan Expo: Part 1
I’ve often wondered whether it will be the things I do, or the things I don’t do that I will regret the most. Everyone has that question in their mind, though some lodge it further back there than others, perhaps out of fear for what the answer may be. For me, there is one thing that I’m very glad did not fall onto that list of things not done…
Roman Holiday
Between my Return to the Pizza Belt and the experience that was Nennella’s, you’ve hopefully gotten a good taste of Naples (which I was surprised to learn was the second most populous city in the country). In what is likely to be my penultimate post about Italy (not sure if you’ll be happy or sad about that), let’s talk about Rome (which surprisingly is not the most populous city!).
Everybody Go!
Continuing on the posts about my recent adventure to the land of olives, pasta and prosciutto I think it’s time I introduce everyone to Nennella’s. Although it was one of the first places I went, I originally wanted to save writing about this one for last – save the best for last right? I remember starting to write about a few other topics, but somehow ended up with a lot about Nennella’s and not a lot of anything else. I’ll consider it an early Christmas present for the readers.
Deconstructing: A Return to the Pizza Belt
I’m convinced there’s never a bad time to talk about pizza. After spilling the beans last week, I thought now would be a good time to take a return trip to the Pizza Belt. And by trip, I don’t mean that figuratively, I mean an actual trip to the Pizza Belt that existed long before the Pizza Belt most of us are familiar with grew into popularity. If the American Northeast is the Pizza Belt, this place is the Pizza Boot.
Continue reading “Deconstructing: A Return to the Pizza Belt”
Madison Square Eats
Now would be a good time to read all about Smorgasburg if you haven’t yet. Read it? Ok, good. Read on. Now that you’re familiar with Smorgasburg, let me talk about Madison Square Eats. Apparently the proper term for these kind of places is “pop-up market”. One day it’s there and another it’s not. It’s trendy. I don’t like trendy. I do like a variety of dishes from a variety of cuisines prepared by people who are trying to do something big in a small space. I like to think that’s what these “pop-up markets” are really all about. It’s a safe place to take risks – whether you are there to eat or there to cook. Something comes out bad? Try the next booth(or customer). So then, is Madison Square Eats a risk worth taking?
Mikeular Gastronomy 