Downing a Double Down

First, it was invented. Next, it crossed the border. Then, it created a political storm. Then, Pretend challengers showed up. Finally, The Waffle got his hands on one. Once I arrived at the Rideau Centre location, I hesitated. Perhaps I should go for a healthier choice, like the Chicken Caesar Salad. Alas, it was sold out. Apparently, it is a very popular item at KFC. Only 190 calories. Only 8 grams of fat. Only 830 mg of sodium. But that’s before the croutons. But again, it was sold out! I had no choice but to go back to the original quest: the Double Down. The breadless sandwich was offered on it’s own for $6.99 – or as part of a trio, with french fries and a pop for $8.99. Scared by the amount of sodium, I ordered the trio – not for the fries and their 770 mg of extra…

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In your face, Double Down

Marc-André and Jesse both flagged a potential new challenger to KFC’s Double Down sandwich. The Angry French Canadian Sandwich. Four Montrealers launched Epic Meal Time and created this gigantic sandwich, because, it seems, anyone can make things up and pretend it’s food. This ludicrous thing combines 9 slices of bacon, 3 steamed hot dogs, 1 large poutine – (apparently they got it from La Belle Province) , 12 eggs, and a can of maple syrup on a 20 inch French baguette. Apparently, it amounts to 5,343 calories. Bacon, Poutine and French toast? Really? No wonder the French Canadian is angry. No one should desecrate these classics in order to create Frankeinstein. Thankfully, it’s not actually sold anywhere. You can watch how it’s made here. ————————– UPDATE Nov 9, 2010 @ 19:45 Epic Meal Time just released their upgraded version of the Double Down.

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Double Down to cross border

It turns out that I won’t need to go on a shopping trip in order to enjoy the new sandwich sensation from KFC. Many readers (thanks to J-F for sharing healthzone.ca’s analysis and Laura for sharing treehugger’s article, and to all others who were afraid I would miss this culinary event.) Two Original Recipe chicken breasts (filet removed), two pieces of bacon, two slices of processed pepper jack cheese, and of course, the Colonel’s Sauce. What’s not to like? One acute observer would note that the american recipe calls for two melted slices of Monterey Jack and pepper jack cheese – which sounds better than the processed pepper jack cheese announced in Canada. Other differences: the American version is 540 calories, 32 grams of fat 1,380 milligrams of sodium while the Canadian version is also 540 calories, but only 30 grams of fat. Oh, and a paltry 1,740 milligrams of…

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What the phoque?

Today was the beginning of the seal hunting season in Canada, and the world was watching. Of course, a lot of people are opposed to seal hunting.  Only 4 other countries practice seal hunting: Russia, Denmark, Norway and Namibia. In this corner, what we care about is food.  If seals are being hunted, surely it is not only for their pelts? Well, no.  Although I have never had seal meat, others have.  But it is a very small market and too often the carcasses are left to rot on the ice. I am told that seal meat has a very particular gamey taste.  A rich dark meat, it is apparently remarkably tender.  Seal meat is quite high in iron and in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.   You can find some traditional recipes here and some more modern here. I haven’t tried any of them.  Perhaps it is because there is not a lot of…

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The 2008 Ottawa International Invitational Chicken-Rib Cook-Off

The 2008 Ottawa International Invitational Chicken-Rib Cook-Off

3 Comments Ya ya ya.I know this happened three weeks ago, but I still had to add a few thoughts about this year’s ribfest.I moved to Ottawa 11 years ago, and every year at the end of June, I am looking forward not only to the end of the parliamantary session, but more importantly to the International Chicken and Rib cook-off, held on Sparks Street. Folks often don’t realize that east of Bank St., there are more bbq shacks. And usually not as busy. Carmello’s patio is big, and they invited you kindly to enjoy your ribs as long as your purchase a beverage.  It is the case for most patio on Sparks Street, kudos to Carmello’s and Brixton’s especially, but for some reason the people at the Centretown Tavern (the trendy-ish waterhole attached to the not-so trendy Yesterday’s) are stubbornly refusing to join the fiesta and are turning ribfesters away.  We were…

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