i love everyburger

so delicious. picture is self explanatory. chocolate and cookie, yum.

interesting and new things have come to this blog

First interesting thing:

In this first photograph on the left, you might believe that there is nothing notable about this image of a smiling dog, except for the fact that he is nature's most perfect, well-formed, most likely smartest, and most obedient dog. But, AHA! in the second image, I have zoomed in to demonstrate that there is a suspicious looking stick on the shrub next to the dog! In the third photograph, the stick has walked on over and up onto the side of the house!

WHAT A CRAZY INSECT!

For larger images, please right-click on the thumbnails on the left and select "open in new window" or "open in new tab".


Now, I will proceed onto the next new and interesting thing.

I was at 99 Ranch Market (which I have always called 99 Cent Ranchmart for some reason) with my mom, and I came across this bizarre fruit. It's called a dragon fruit and it comes from a cactus. Apparently you can eat it. I had never eaten one before so I bought it.

In the photographs it is sitting on the counter, being washed, has been cut open, the flesh is scooped out and cubed, and voila! Time for eating!

You may be wondering what the eating experience is like, which is what I was wondering too at the time that I purchased it.

Texture: Slimy like the sliced segments of a banana, but more like a kiwi in firmness and due to little black kiwi-like seeds.
Flavor: slight sweetness, not a strong or memorable flavor.
Juiciness: similar to a strawberry, except the juice is slimy.
Smell: no strong aroma.

Again, click on the thumbnails to the right to see larger images.

mmhmmm

Rawr! what an inspiration.

pedi gyn and yogurt

On pedi gyn now, which gives me lots of free time!

In other news, I've started making my own yogurt as of last weekend. I've made it twice now, both with equal outcomes. It's cheap and delicious. I use organic whole milk (what I drink anyway even if it's not going to become yogurt, or if my mom buys 2%, then whatever is on hand) and the cheapest single serving plain yogurt I can find.

I definitely think it tastes better than ye olde storebought yogurt. Yum.

Recipe:
1) Dump as much milk as yogurt that you want to eat into a pot. I eyeball about half of whatever is left in the carton of milk, so we'll still have milk left. It's been around a quart cause we get the half gallons.
2) boil it while stirring so it doesn't scald
3) leave it alone for a couple hours or somehow wait for it to cool to slightly warmer than body temp. I just eyeball the temp too, by putting my hand on the outside of the pot and imagining myself bathing in water which is the temperature of the yogurt. If I think it would be comfortable, I proceed.
4) take half of your single serving plain yogurt and put it in the pot and stir with a spoon. Put the other half away for safekeeping, or eat it while you're waiting.
5) Here is where i have used different methods. The basic principle is that the bacteria proliferate the best around 120 degrees F (so I hear), but heating them too much will kill them (but I haven't killed any yet so I'm not sure at what temp they die).
a) If it is Texas in the summer, during the day - put a heavy opaque lid on your yogurt and stick it out in the sun.
b) If not - heat your oven to 150 degrees F, turn off the heating element, put a heavy lid on the yogurt, stick it in the oven.
6) wait for 6-10 hours.
7) look at your yogurt. it should look gelatinous. optional to pour off the whey. Put it in tupperwares and refrigerate.
8) when cold, I like to eat it either plain, with honey and grapenuts, or I would mix in jam or preserves for a fruity taste, if I liked a fruity taste, which I don't.

More rice puddings

Rice puddings are delicious. I've made a couple types now, and I prefer them cold to hot. I think it's because it's getting to be hot out.

Battle of Flans 2K10

Hey all, i'm in San Diego now, studying for the Step 1. Actually instead of studying for the step 1, i've been enjoying the delicious flavor of Jello Flan:

Yes, that's right, my first experience with Jello Flan. My bf bought it for me. Today I will be the judge at the Battle of Flans 2K10.

My qualifications:
1. Egg aficionado
2. Jello connoisseur

Weighing the two flans against each other, I've made the following table:

My assessment: No clear superiority of one over the other; good for different purposes.