My Violent Torpedo of Truth

"Tantalizing Flavor, Exotic Essence, All Natural"
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Dry Soda Co. Lemongrass Soda.
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When I was at Whole Foods I decided that I needed to try something different. I was looking for something really off the wall sort of strange. One might even say bizarre in describing a soda that uses lemongrass as its main flavor. I thought "heck ya"... I mean I use lemongrass as a kitchen herb a lot anyhow.
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So on the side of the box it gives serving suggestions.
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1. Taste / No Ice.
Serve chilled with no ice for full flavor.
2. Visual / Champagne Flute
Serve in champagne flute for full visual effect.
3. Aroma / No Garnish
Serve without garnish for full aroma.
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On the other side of the box it describes the soda.
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Flavor Profile
Bubbles with the refreshing and tantalizing essence of lemongrass.
Characteristics
Dry, bright, grassy, medium acidity.
Pairing Ideas
Asian inspired foods, spicy dishes, sushi, shellfish, goat cheese, asparagus.
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OK, with all that said I must say that "Dry" is a very accurate "Flavor Profile" of this soda. It is very dry... my wife described it as "baking soda" sorta dry. And that is something that I wasn't really expecting. It is like sand almost as it grates over your tongue on its way into your mouth.
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And as for flavor... it does not have a lemongrass sorta flavor. The other few people who tried this drink did however agree that it tasted "grassy". It does in fact taste like grass (I love using nira grass and lemongrass both as herbs). But even that flavor is masked by the taste of soda water. And that taste of carbonated water you get when the pop machine is running low on syrup.
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However, what I found very odd (and all the other tasters did too) was that the first drink is kinda pleasant. Then you take the second drink and it hits you. And I do mean that it hits you like a violent torpedo of flavorless sandy water.
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As for the rest of the description of this drink... sure it sparkles in a glass. And it has a very... very... very faint aroma to it. An aroma that doesn't even really smell like fresh cut lemongrass.
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But I would invite you to try the soda for a whopping price of 5.99 or so for four bottles. It is worth a try i suppose. After all, you never know if you will like something unless you give it a try.
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Dry Soda Co: Refined Flavor / Lightly Sweet
www.drysoda.com

Reed's Jamaican Ginger Brew

And Other Ginger Ales
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Over the years I have drank my way to the bottom of every ginger ale bottle I could find. Maine Root Ginger Brew, Reed's Jamaican Ginger Brew (especially the Extra Ginger Brew), and Cock N' Bull are three of the best I have ever found. They have complex flavors and rather strong ginger bites to them. And they have a price to match unfortunately.
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Now for the ones that don't come in traditional glass bottles there are a few good mass produced ones out there. Canada Dry is a good everyday ginger ale along with Seagram's Ginger Ale. But like I said... they are the kind I drink every day simply because I can't afford to have a Reed's ginger beer in my hand whenever I want.
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As for the price... Canada Dry sells for four bucks or so at any given big box grocery store. Seagram's is about the same. But Maine Root goes for around seven bucks for a four pack (only have found it at Whole Foods thus far). Reed's (my personal favorite) Extra Ginger Brew sells for 1.25 to 1.50 for a single bottle and 5.99 or so for a four pack (can only be found at Fresh Market, select Kroger stores, and Whole Foods). Cock N' Bull is a Fresh Market favorite of mine but once again is a single bottle drink that goes for about 1.50 a pop.
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So what is the difference between a Jamaican Ginger Brew and Canada Dry?
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Everything. Reed's has a traditional way of doing things that is like comparing a micro brewery and Bud Light. The flavor has a little bit of a floral taste at first with a nice strong ginger bite if you buy the Extra Ginger Brew (the original is good but doesn't have that strong ginger bite at the end). Canada Dry is more like the Bud Light of ginger ales. It is cheap and easy to find. As for the flavor, well it is OK but just isn't as complex as the Reed's line.
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What about the store brand ginger ales?
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When times are tough and money is tight... just about always anymore... Dollar General has a variety that is great. It is right up there with the other big box stores ginger ale. However like Canada Dry, Dollar Generals ginger ale is good for those days when I can't afford Reed's.
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So I would have to suggest to anyone out there looking for a new drink to try that will stimulate the taste buds... Reed's Jamaican Extra Ginger Brew. It is simply unbeatable for those of you who like a nice flavorful ginger ale.
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P.S. for those of you who like using ginger ale with liquor, Cock N' Bull has a recipe for what they call a real Russian Mule. I don't drink so I haven't tried it.

Al Basha Middle Eastern Restaurant and Grocery

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I'm not exactly sure on how I found this place but I'm sure happy I did. The food there is amazing. And the Hookah I purchased from them has saved me money by not having to go down to Broad Ripple whenever I want to smoke one.
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Every time I have gone there I have almost always gotten their falafel sandwich. And I have to say that their falafels are the best I have ever eaten. And their grape leaf wraps are far better than anything you can get at the big box grocery stores.
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My wife on the other hand enjoys their gyros sandwiches. So much so that every chance we get, and many we make up just because, we stop on in at Al Basha. After all, you can't beat their prices.
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Plus if you are a foodie like me you can't beat the selection of new and exciting foods they have available in their grocery area. Anise cookies have been a recent favorite of mine. And their tahini, the same exact product Miejer had, was far cheaper... thus my wife can make homemade hummus.
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So if you are in the area and would like to find a new place to eat I would suggest you stop in at Al Basha.
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11321 Village Square Lane, Fishers, IN 46038-4554
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It is right behind the tire place and the strip where Cigar Haven is.
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Fishers Indiana.

Cheese And Hoosiers

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It is hard to imagine living so close to Wisconsin and never having known that there is more to cheese than Cheddar for so long. Swiss, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Cheddar, and Colby are all rather boring to me. Especially if the word Kraft is on the package. And if what you call Parmesan is already grated and in a tube... you don't know what Parmesan is.
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As of late I have been able to get more and more people to try more and more bizarre foods (The TV show by that name is a major inspiration of mine). We have had cows head roasted in a pit over night, pigs feet in a kimchi that was mildly spicy, and escargot backed in squash blossoms.
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The reaction to these has always seemed to be far less outrageous with the addition of cheese. And that is where Manchego comes in. A cheese that I like to imagine that God himself would eat every day.
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Now you can get Manchego in a few different varieties around Indy. There is the usual three month Manchego that is a little softer and easier to cut if you want to eat it raw (which I personally suggest). Next there is the six month Manchego that is better suited for cooking and is in my opinion the best for macaroni and cheese. Or there is the stuff that should rain down from Heaven itself, twelve month aged Manchego.
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Mahon cheese is a good one too... but that isn't the point.
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If you are lucky enough to find the twelve month Manchego I would suggest using it in any way you would usually use other grating cheeses. It makes absolutely the best backed macaroni and cheese. And it is rather useful as a cutting cheese if you want a nice snack... you will need a good cheese knife for this one.
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So far I have been able to find the three month Manchego at places like Marsh, Meijer, and some Kroger grocery stores. Fresh Market carries a nice selection of this cheese and sometimes has six month Manchego available too. However, the best place to go for cheese up here north of Indy has to be Whole Foods.
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Whole Foods has almost every type of Manchego you can think of. They carry the 12 month Manchego, the best type available in Indiana. And they have other forms of Spanish cheeses to choose from... some you probably never have even heard of too.