Selling food for money...the sequel!

Madame Crispy's Ethno-Food Bucket is back, Saturday, Dec. 11th!. As previously mentioned, my boyfriend's house plays host to a number of punk, hardcore and "other" bands that attract the young 'uns and old dudes alike. It's a captive audience and I want to feed them in exchange for money. Our first attempt went surprisingly well. Now, we have learned from our mistakes (frying tortilla chips to order on an electric stove DOES NOT WORK!) and our successes (drunk people order a lot of food AND if you put out a Halloween pumpkin with a few bucks in it at a show, other people will just put money in it). The cooking process has been streamlined and costs cut. We realized the two most important factors of our previous success- it was cheap, and at the end of the night, drunks want what we have started calling "shovelin' food" Just something hot and zesty they can spoon into their mostly vegetarian food slots.

The menu will be as follows, keeping in mind there is a large vegan/veg crowd at this event.
*Fried Rice: It was a hit last time. We're going with peas, peppers, onion, and egg (optional), sauteed in a bit of sesame oil with rice and soy sauce. We're skipping the ground beef for cost and because most people passed on it last time
*Breakfast tacos: Two for $3. One scrambled egg per taco, with shredded cheddar and choice of salsa, sriracha, or HOT Korean bean paste. Ian will be making vegan "eggs" using tofu and magic.
*Vegetable Curry with Rice: Potato, zucchini, spinach, onion and cauliflower simmered in curry, spooned over some rice. Three bucks.
*Country Potatoes for Drunks and Fatties: Red potatoes, kinda smushed and pan fried with onions and a whole lotta pepper. Smother with ranch, cheese and Bacos. Yes, Bacos.

In addition to the limitations of cost, we are working on an electric stove, so we're trying to have foods that can cook or be heated up very quickly as most of the time is spent trying to get the pan hot enough. I am told that it will most likely be snowing by this time (I'm having a hard time accepting it...mind blown) and between the food smells, alcohol, and people having to hang out inside the house, we should be very busy. If anyone knows of more cheap, easy to cook (quickly, on the spot) foods, let me know!

Cemitas Update

The sandwiches discussed earlier, while delicious, were an abomination. About a month ago, we had real Cemitas, and they are not "Mexican Sloppy Joes." Our homemade sandwiches (which I still stand by in terms of tastiness) were given the erroneous appellation of Cemita. I have been meaning to correct this for a while. Please check out the video from the Food Network HERE (starring the man-child Guy Fieri, who looks like a walking stereotype mash-up of cokehead/morning zoo radio host) And then check out the website for Cemitas Puebla.
In addition to the amazing food (I'm going for the Cemita Atomica next time!) I had a "melon water" and it was pretty much a huge cup of crushed cantaloupe juice with frozen melon bits for ice.

However, once we get our nomenclature straightened out, we will continue to pump out bastardized Mexican food from the home kitchen.

Amongst all this talk of elaborate and elusive sandwiches, I encourage everyone to go back to the basics. I did, though my simple sandwich was exceptional in size. Get a nice piece of baguette, one thin-sliced meat, a cheese, and the holy trinity of sandwich toppings- lettuce, tomato and onion. You are allowed ONE fancy ingredient, like avocado, or in my case, pesto mayo. Enjoy with plain chips or a pickle. K.I.S.S!

Dear Old Love...

While I'm sure your bread has changed since the last time we met, old friend, you are as beautiful and smoky as ever. I ate your pickles and onions because as an older, wiser woman, I have come to love you for all that you are. Even your questionable meat content and the fact that I feel kinda sweaty twenty minutes after our saucy rendezvous. Have you been working out? Your patty seems more slender than I recall, though your flavor remains true. I forgive you for leaving me- I was young and you simply wished for me to experience other sandwiches out in the world, whether they be chicken, deli, burger, or other. Thank you, my love, but please, don't leave me again. I'd rather you break my heart through medical consequences such as diabetes or arteriosclerosis than have it suffer through another prolonged absence.

Love always,
Mel S.