Photo Journal of California State Fair - My First Impression

This is my very first visit to the California State Fair.  I wanted to visit after work by myself to check around before the next visit.   Since I purchased a season pass, I want to enjoy it by taking it easy like walking through the park.  The Food Court sections are very interesting - Deep Fried Chocolate Covered Cheese Cake?  Wow!   We've made chocolate covered bacon in our class before, and they taste good. Saltiness of the bacon enhance the chocolate and chocolate compliments the bacon very well.  It's like eating dessert at the same time eating breakfast.  Entertainments are excellent.  Can't wait to go back on Saturday, again.

 Trying to feel my way around the fair ground get my orientation....

 

 These cows are lucky - kept cool with large fan.  Their hays are clean and plenty for them to eat.  It must be a lot of work to keep the barn clean to keep the animals happy in such a confined area.

 

Buffalo Soldier

 

 The Farm... Check out the Hot House made of Plastic Bottles - what a great idea!

Dowels are thrust thru empty plastic bottles.  Great Ideas! 

 

 

 

 

 Black Smith Tools

 

 

 Ask the Tree!!

 Today is MRE Challenge - What dishes can you concoct from MRE packages.

 

 

 The HOT CINNAMON vendor showing off his skill in making the Cinnamon Rolls.  The dough is put through the press first to roll out the dough then transferred to the work surface that has been previously 'wiped' with butter.

 Butter or the high fat is cut into rectangle slices.

 

 The butter slicer

 

 

 Time to sprinkle with cinnamon sugar

 

 Then, ready to Roll!

 

 Oh, a challenge?  Cut the roll with eyes closed?

 He took the challenge.  He did it without cutting his fingers

 

 

 Hypnosis Volunteers on the stage.

 Vintage packaged Hersheys Chocolate bars - $3.99/ea

 Carnival Rides... and Food Court - What would you choose to play or to eat?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Twinkie Dog!?  Deep Fried Oreos?!

 

 I hope they all taste as good as those pictures.

 

 

 Would like to try the Southern Catfish to find out if it is as good as Great Grandma Winnie in Lebanon, Tennessee.

 

 

 

 CHOKA RIVER?!....Chocolate Covered Bacon - Bacon this and Bacon that!

 Unfortunately, when I checked my watch, it was already 9 pm.  It would have been too much for my stomach to taste those goodies.   Luckily I got these beautiful Yellow Peaches from the Fair.  They were delicious! Sweet and ripened just right.

Can't wait to find out more on Saturday....   Got to find out where to park for Free!
They don't give Sacramento resident a break with the parking fee, do they?  they should, I think.  That's good for the business, I think.   :-)

Polly's RAMEN Adventure

In the South Bay area, I found an increasing numbers of RAMEN hang outs.  Over 39 of them!!  To be  considered a Great RAMEN shop, the proof is when the customer empties the entire soup from the bowl in Japan.  I remember my father did that to one of the noodle he ordered in SF Japan Town.  We were very surprised.  He gave a thumb up.   Well, my sister and I have ventured to a few of the RAMEN-YA-SAN, and we found a couple that are great. I love the RAMEN at the KOTESU in Santa Clara, if I have not yet mentioned in my blog.  And KATANAYA in SF.

KOTESU RAMEN

  CHASU-KURO-RAMEN

  All Star KURO-RAMEN

 DAIKON SALAD

KATANAYA - SF - Spicy Beef RAMEN

  But I think my home cooked ones are just interesting and great.

NEGI-RAMEN:   Green Onion RAMEN

I made the soup from boiling dried KOBU and shaved BONITA together.
Then add Soy Sauce and some sesame oil.  I will give the details later for the ingredients.  I am kind of tired from sitting in front of the computer.  I only got enough patience to post the pictures first.
Normally for the homemaker, the RAMEN soup can be quickly made from dissolving BONITA granules in boiling water.  But I am tired of the MSG.   I got to be in control of what goes in my tummy.  That's the reason of the fuss in cooking from a scratch.
Where is my recipe copy go?   I don't know... so... I will post it later.
But you can tell from the pictures that you need a lot of fresh green onions - well rinsed under running water.   The KOBU (dried sea kelp) comes in pre-cut in Spaghetti form or as a large leaf.  Cut or shredd to the size that's handy for you.

 

 Place dried Bonita into a sache bag.  Bring water to boil and add KOBU.  Turn down the heat to simmer.  Add the bag of Bonita you prepared.   Simmer for 15 min with pot partially covered with lid ( to keep liquid from evaporating more than you wish.).  Discard the bag of Bonita after squeezing the liquid out.   There are other use for it, but that's a different subject.
(Raw RAMEN noodle)

 

 In a large bowl, you can put sesame oil and Japanese chili spice first, if you prefer. Or put it later.

In a large RAMEN / Noodle bowl - Add the cooked RAMEN Noodle.  Cover it with piping hot Soup.
Garnish with some cut up KOBU and Plenty of chopped Green Onions.

Drizzle a bit of sesame oil, if you like, but becareful not to pour the sesame oil.  Only a few drop of good genuine sesame oil  is needed to enhance flavor.  Some of the RAMEN does not include sesame oil.
Sprinkle with chili mix powder, if you like.   Serve also with boiled eggs. 

Green onions can be chopped and kept in freezer bag.

 

SHITAKE CHIKUWA RAMEN

This RAMEN is topped with rehydrated and cooked SHIITAKE. SHIITAKE and CHIKUWA (fish cake) are cooked together in the Soup.  Garnish with dry seaweed - NORI - use scissors to slice them.

This one got NARUTO (fish cake with pink swirl), hardboiled egg, NEGI (green onion), KAMABOKO (fish cake), roast beef luncheon meet slice.

My wanna be Spicy Beef RAMEN inspired by KATANAYA's 

Wow, I am getting hungry.   Until I find where I placed my recipe.  This is it for now.

Have fun in your summer adventure in the home cooking with your family.

My Lunch to go from Carmelita's Fair Oaks Restaurant

The other day with office workers, we revisited Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant that sits on top of the hill where Sunrise Blvd and Fair Oaks Blvd. crosses.  4071 Howard St., Fair Oaks, California 95628.   It is between Rancho Cordova and Fair Oaks.  Since I had couldn't stay to have wonderful luncheon with our friends, I ordered my regular favorite in any Mexican restaurant - Chimichanga to go.  The server was very polite and quickly placed my food to go order. 
When I got to the office I found a bag of chips included and large portion of Salsa and sour cream and guacamole.  What a service.  If you have a chance, hope you will have next dining out there at the Carmelita's Fair Oaks. http://carmelitasrestaurant.com/