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Fried Chicken
My journey to making my perfect Fried Chicken.
Still a work in progress but found some key ideas this round. Some tips below that I’m currently tweaking.
Pre frying tenderizing and flavoring, particularly with salt and acid, make a big difference
Let the chicken meld with the first layer of flour overnight. This will help the crust stay on the meat while eating.
Sous vide can be utilized to thoroughly cook the breast below 165. This makes the breast comparably as good as dark meat (not quite, but almost)
Mixing the traditional all-purpose flour with corn starch (or even potato starch) will result in a crispier crust.
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Dare to be Fine
A high quality wine is only fully enjoyed by those with a developed palate. The tastes of the masses, particularly the novices, usually can’t appreciate the nuances. Instead they will often reach for something overly sweet, overly boozy, or even worse – overly accessible.
For those who are bold enough to allow themselves to develop true to their authentic nature, be patient. Like a fine bottle, you will get better with age, and reaching your prime will take time. With this ever-improving version of yourself, explore new environments, both socially and globally. Use all the positive energy around you to further ferment yourself into the best vintage you possibly can.
Don’t let the slew of cranberry vodka drinkers deter you. Dare to be a 1869 Château Lafite Rothschild. You will inspire those who deserve it.
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Football Fan by Default
Babe and honey. Inspired by real stories and real people. Finding the humor in imperfect situations with even more imperfect characters.
Inspired by T and J 2005. At least they’re trying?
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The Boogie Man
It wasn’t real back then, it’s even less real now
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Bible of BS Case Study
People are far from perfect, but so often preach in idealistic terms. While there is certainly nothing wrong with striving for perfection, be wary of the messenger. You will run into these virtue signalers, people who spout their ideals, usually to gain influence in a situation. Often they talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. It usually never sits right with your instincts because chances are these situations are deceptively riddled with BS. Below are some of the reasons why these “saints” are full of BS.
Inconsistent and misrepresenting – Mentioned above, in all likelihood they talk and the talk but don’t walk the walk. Spewing idealism in a conversation is easy, but actually performing it with consistency is another
Unresourceful – Idealism in most cases is the direct antagonist of pragmatism. Often times, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze going from the most productive system, to the virtuosic ideal.
Ignorance – Their misbelief that idealism is the best way just might make them ignorant.
False Authority – Maybe their ideals aren’t actually ideals at all for you or other parties. Perhaps it is not their place to say what is good for others.
Indecent Emotional Manipulation – Often times the messenger will try to employ guilt to cater to their power, influence, or ego.
Indecent Regard for Others – Often times a condescending, critical, and judgmental tone is attached to their preaching.
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Culture Classics – “Chả Cá Lã Vọng”
A classic Northern Vietnamese. Catfish heavily seasoned with turmeric and dill, served sizzling on a cast iron skillet. Can be served on rice crackers, with vermicelli, or even turned into spring rolls.
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A Good Driver
It is not someone who breaks the speed limit and cuts people off just to save a few minutes off their commute.
It’s not someone who can parallel park with just a few maneuvers.
It’s someone that understands their surroundings and are able to communicate their intentions with actions that optimize speed, flow, and most importantly peace. Understanding that the road needs to be shared and that there’s hardly a reason to kill someone’s flow just because your anxieties command you to squeeze every inch of lane you can. And also, those who are driving too slow are also disruptive. Being too fearful can equally be as destructive and dangerous as being a speed demon. Drive with both courage and compassion.
Be a good driver… on the road, and in life.
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Different Values
Inspired by J and M 2015. A common scene – On the surface it appears harmless and comical but highlights a very important lesson. Your values will never match another’s. Definitely not in intensity and perhaps not even categorically. Be mindful of this in your relationships and utilize communication, compromise and patience to minimize the pain associated with avoidable misunderstandings.
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Strong Generosity
Not all actions that look the same are the same.
Generosity from a place of strength and kindness promotes inspiration and further generosity.
Generosity from a place of weakness, fear, or winning favor enables corruption and theft.
Be generous from your strongest possible position.
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Bible of BS Case Study
We’ve all said it, we’ve all heard it. At it’s worst it is done with malice, and even at it’s best, laziness. There is always something better to say. If you think someone is misguided, suggest what their priority should be. If you’ve had enough of the conversation, find another way to excuse yourself. If you want to make someone feel bad and stupid, don’t.
Be kinder. Be more patient. Be more effective. Just two little words can violate all the commandments below.
False Authority – You are not the one to determine what is important to other people
Improper Assumption – Clearly somebody cares enough to talk about it. Just because you don’t care do not assume no one else does
Indecent Regard for Others – It is belittling
Deflection – Often used as a gaslighting technique, especially when the other person is making ground on their point
Inconsistent – You cared enough to engage in the topic or cared enough to interject your BS
Unresourceful – As stated above, there is almost certainly a better way
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Exotic Ingredient – Huitlacoche
Exotic Ingredient Highlight – Huitlacoche.
Also called corn smut, many describe this is as the truffle of Mexico.
Like all mushrooms, it is considered a fungus, with this one growing on ears of corn.
Presented here is the more accessible canned version. More difficult to find varieties exist in fresh and froze forms.
The canned version is considered vastly inferior, having a slimier (or creamier if you want to be euphemistic) than the spongier and firmer textures of the fresh and frozen.
It has a very bold earthy flavor and is highly recommended to be mixed with other ingredients. This dish here is sauteed with onion, garlic, and crema. It was used as filling for tamales, and quesadillas.
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The Ever Changing Journey
There is no magic hack in life. Everyone is in a different place even yourself at any given moment. What works for you may not work for others. What works in the past may not work in the present. Have compassion for others’ journey and be adaptable for the changes that will happen on yours.