great taste

” Are These 5 Foods Trying To Kill You? “

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The perils of fugu, cassava and bitter almonds

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Furibond on Flickr
The deadly fugu, also known as pufferfish. Sorta cute, really..

We all know that eating anything that is wrapped in bacon or craziness like this macaroni and cheese sandwich (!) is going to kill you. Eventually. As will a hundred or so trips to KFC. The real KFC, that is. But then there are those foods that will immediately remove you from the gene pool with the flick of a fork. Here are 5 foods that, when consumed improperly, will likely send you to the grave. Captain Obvious warning: DON’T EAT THESE FOODS.

  1. Fugu
    Widely known as the fish that nearly killed Homer Simpson, one pufferfish has enough tetrodotoxin in its liver, ovaries, intestines and skin to kill 30 people. Ingesting very small amounts of tetrodotoxin can cause a pleasant tingling sensation, but tetrodotoxin poisoning causes dizziness, weakness and nausea. Victims usually remain conscious while the tetrodotoxin causes the paralysis of the muscles of the lungs and heart. None of this has stopped the edible flesh of the pufferfish (also known as fugu) from becoming a delicacy in Japan. Even though chefs who prepare fugu are highly trained and licensed to serve it, deaths have still occurred. Thirty-one fugu-related deaths were reported in Tokyo between 1996 and 2005.
  2. Bitter Almonds
    Don’t worry, that box of Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds is safe. (The roasted almonds you are used to munching on are sweet almonds, which are safe for humans to eat.) However, bitter almonds, which are used to make products like almond extract and amaretto, contain hydrogen cyanide. Eating just a handful of raw bitter almonds could lead to dizziness, difficulty breathing and even death. The only way to remove the cyanide in the almonds is to crush, soak and wash them in water.
  3. Ackee
    If you’re looking for something a little more exciting than jerk chicken on your next Jamaican vacation, you might want to try ackee, which is the official fruit of the country. Consuming the wrinkly yellow fruit can lead to vomiting, seizures, coma or death if the hypoglycin found in under-ripe or overripe seeds contaminates the edible flesh of the fruit.
  4. Cassava
    Primarily used in the production of tapioca in the United States, cassava (sometimes known as yucca) is a tuberous root vegetable that also produces toxic hydrogen cyanide. If cassava is not prepared properly, cyanide poisoning can occur — leading to asphyxiation. The cyanide in sweet cassava is only located in the skin, so it is safe to eat once the skin has been peeled and the tuber boiled. However, bitter cassava requires that you soak it in water before boiling it to make it safe to eat.
  5. Potatoes (that have turned green)
    Potatoes? Yes, potatoes produce a toxin called solanine as a natural repellant from insects. In small amounts, solanine is perfectly safe for humans. But when potatoes turn green, it is a sign that the levels of solanine in your potatoes are unsafe. Consuming too much solanine can lead to nausea, diarrhea and in extreme cases numbness, hallucinations, paralysis and death. So if your potatoes turn green? Don’t eat them, dummy.
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” 10 German Sausages To Know And Love “

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A helping of sausage gets you through the wurst day

by Jess Kapadia on FoodRepublic
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I learned a lot about sausage while reporting on
Germany’s Christkindlmarkts for Lufthansa USA.
I thought it was just a generalization that Germans live off them,
and that they had as many kinds of sausage as Eskimos have words
for snow (also a generalization, as I learned while researching
better ways to express Germany’s love of sausage). But it’s true.
They’re really serious about tube steak. And now I am, too.
Every region has its own particular riff on “sausage in a bun,
” like Nuremberg’s much-loved Drei im Weggla
(see slide 2) or the massive Thuringer, whose bun cannot hope to
contain it all. You can have your
sausage with potatoes or with kraut (hopefully both).
There’s a sausage for every morsel of every pig or cow,
as there should be. Here are 10 favorites I discovered wandering
around Germany’s outdoor Christmas markets.
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Knackwurst

Knackwurst, also spelled knockwurst, are short, thick sausages made of finely ground pork, flavored with plenty of garlic. The name comes from the German “knacken,” which means “to crack.” We’re assuming these sausages were named for the crackling sound the casing makes when bitten into, but it could very well be for their highly addictive qualities. Recommended served with sauerkraut and mustard.

9 more sausages HERE 

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” Sauteed Cod Filet, Cheese & Chili Grits “

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Yesterday’s lunch. 
First time in my life I cooked grits for myself. Love it ! 
Life is Good !
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” Summer Getaway Guide: 50 Food Attractions by State “

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Summer Getaway Guide: 50 Food Attractions By State

 

By Lauren Bloomberg  on “Zagat”

The summer road trip – whether it’s an hour in the car to catch a couple waves and or a cross-country jaunt packed into an RV with family, a few things are a must: you should have good food, visit silly attractions and create memories. To help you out with planning, we’ve come up with a few good options, 50 to be exact. For each state in this great country of ours we’ve picked a food-focused attraction. Some restaurants, a few museums, food factory tours, festivals, monuments and activities. What’s on your list? Any must-sees that we missed? Please let us know in the comments.
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Read all HERE
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” Stir Fried Vegetables & Longevity Noodles “

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Light, tasty, healthy, delicious.

Life is Good !
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” Potatoe’s Balsamico “

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Of all potato dishes in the world,
this is my absolute favorite !

Potatoes,
Balsamic Vinegar, 

Garlic,
Onion,
Spicy Sausage,
Olive oil,
Chilies,
Scallion,
Kosher Salt,
Fresh Ground Pepper.
Cover potatoes, vinegar, salt and pepper with foil, steam in oven at 420 until soft.
Remove foil, add all other ingredients and roast until golden brown.

Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
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” Chinese Pepper Steak “

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A shot from my past.

(Bogota, Columbia).:-).
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Bon Appetit !   Life is Good ! 

” Quesadillas “

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So now, no more excuses like :

” I don’t have time to cook “,
or :
” I don’t know how to prepare Mexican food ”

If you or your partner can’t do this, sell your kitchen !

Bon Appetit !  Life is Good !
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” Spicy Yee Mee Soup, Pork & Vegetables “

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Yesterday I simmered some pork belly and used half of it to make ” Pork Belly Tacos ”
I saved the other half of the belly and the stock for today’s Dinner.
The result was just  as delicious as I expected. In most fine dining in Europe and
the United States we usually don’t use pork stock. In Asia on the other hand, it is a
common soup base  and widely appreciated for its richness and debt.
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Life is Good !   Bon Appetit !
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” 4.00AM. How To Build A Sandwich “

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Just because it is 4.00am should not mean your food suck’s 🙂

This is happy belly sandwich, not impress they neighbor sandwich 🙂
Remember, it’s 4.00 am 🙂
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Good Sandwiches rock !    Life is Good !
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