Munchie Meals

Jack's Muncie Meals

Costco, We Thought We Knew Ye: The Polish Sausage is GONE! (At Least From The Food Court)

Costco has done it. They've done what the rumors said they were going to do: remove the polish dog as an option of the food court. Oh, their signature (no pun intended) $1.50 hotdog is staying and you still get a soda with refills, but the polish dog is gone.

Replacing it, at least in our local California Costco, is the asada salad.

And you still have the hot dog and drink, just don't stand at the soda machine and drink your soda in the way of other thirsty members.

Taco Bell's Mild and Wild Naked Chicken Tacos

The Taco Bell naked chicken is back. This time its in the form of the naked chicken chalupa.

After giving them a try, I can tell you that if you haven’t had one yet, you should give one a go. The mild one lets you taste the real flavors of the combo but the wild one gets your

Taco Bell has been using their pressed fried chicken patties for awhile.

The flavor is quite striking but it is the texture that makes it fit for a taco. It works as a shell but is a bit greasy so it come in its own little cardboard cradle. The cradle is necessary to keep your fingers from getting all greasy.

The deep-fried chicken shell sure keeps the taco hot.

The shell sure keeps the taco hot.

The breading of the chicken keeps it crunch and the chicken itself, while soft is not what you would call moist.

The interior ingredients are the standard taco ingredients – shredded lettuce, grated cheddar cheese, and tomato, but no meat, because that’s already on the outside of the taco.

The key question – Would I buy it again?

Yes as a once-in-a-while thing – but don’t expect it to be around much longer. It is listed as a limited time only item. But, remember the Doritos locos taco was for a limited time and it kept coming back. This will probably come back, too. If not in the chalupa form, it will probably be in another incarnation.

Taco Bell and French Fries

You've probably heard the phrase, "two great tastes that taste great together." If not, then it might be a way to introduce a "new" concept by Taco Bell - Nacho French Fries.

Yes, Taco Bell has dabbled in the tater biz before but not like this.

And when it comes down to it, they're not bad. They don't have McDonald's beat on the whole crispy outside/creamy inside thing, but the flavorings make up for it.

Expect these to be around for awhile. The $1 price may just be a way to get people to sample them and that price may go up soon, but they're worth a try. The plain ones are okay, but the ones covered in nacho fixings are worth the extra expense.

Happy Pi Day 2016!

Today is March 14. That's Pi Day (3.14)
It's a great excuse to have some pie on Pi(e) day (as if anyone really needs an excuse to have a piece of pie).

Secret Recipes Controversy

It's interesting to recall the great recipe issues over common, everyday foods. From the controversies over the Colonel's secret herbs and spices to the Coca Cola formula wars, those days and times seem quaint and far behind us.

Once and awhile, though, another issue pops up to remind us that we're not all that different from the past.

Take for instance, the Great Thomas' English Muffin Nooks and Crannies controversy. A New York Times article illustrates the point.

First off, it's important to know that the muffin product symbolized by the iconic horse and wagon logo, was purchased by Bimbo Bakeries in 2009. That's something I hadn't known - The American corporation bought the Thomas' company (which is now in turn owned by the Mexican company Grupo Bimbo).

Turns out a vice president left the new company and apparently wanted a new job at the Hostess. The problem? He knows the secret recipe to Thomas' English Muffins which causes the nooks and crannies! This is a BIG secret in the bakery world with only 6 other people in the know.

Bimbo says they thought the VP was retiring, Hostess says they only hired him for his industry experience and not any particular secret, and the VP said he only copied a bunch of files unto his flash drive because he wanted to practice his computer skills for his new job.

And now the lawyers are involved. Everybody is pointing fingers, with some saying the whole episode might be a marketing ploy because getting nooks and crannies is not that big of a secret (use a really wet dough and bake it at high heat). But now the VP is unemployed because the courts won't let him go to Hostess, Hostess doesn't want to get involved and can't wait for the lawyers so they're hiring somebody else.

And so, the humble breakfast muffin has been spread thick with drama and under the heat of scrutiny. As the French proverb goes - The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Corned Beef Hash With Ham and Eggs

I tried the modified canned corned beef hash caper again but this time I added a thick slice of ham left over from dinner. I diced it up and put it in the frying pan first for about 3 minutes on medium heat, flipping it every half minute. The truth is, I like ham twice cooked - baked and then fried, not to the point of ham jerky but close. I also shredded half a potato, using a box grater this time. I put into the pan and let it cook for another 3 minutes. The grated potato fit in to the texture much better since the can already had diced potatoes. I added the can of corned beef hash and broke it up throughout the pan and let it go for about 2 minutes. Then I flipped it, made holes for two eggs, cracked and set the eggs into the holes and cooked them until set to "sunny side up" level. Gave the whole thing a quick flip, turned off the heat and let it rest for a minute before serving it.

Result: I have to say, I liked it. Except for a little pepper, it didn't need much seasoning - the salt in the ham took care of that. And the ham complemented the corned beef in both flavor and texture rather than subtracting from it. With the eggs, it made a classic comfort food and helped to keep the fridge clean.

THE BIG QUESTION: Would I Have It Again? Probably.I don't think I'd go out of my way to put ham in corned beef hash but it was a good way to use up leftover ham (especially since it was the end piece with the tough rind).