The other day at University I had bought a couple of Tokyo Rolls for lunch. As I was leaving the café, one of the other students saw me with a paper bag, smiled a superior sort of smile, and said 'potato cakes?'*. There was something in her voice that I took as disapproval.
She looked quite crestfallen when I showed her inside the bag.
I do so love the gentle hiss of a deflating stereotype!
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* I don't know how well the term 'potato cakes' travels, internationally. They are slices of potato, dipped in batter and deep fried. Mother Nature's preferred way of getting all the natural goodness of fat and salt into your body.
I wonder how they travel internationally, knowing full well that people in New South Wales call them 'potato scallops'. No idea why.
Speaking of potato cakes and the Holy Spirit...
ReplyDeleteOK, so I can't really make the connection, but just came across your comment on Boneman's blog.
As I mentioned to him, he doesn't believe in a Creator but he believes in a Holy Spirit. You believe in Tokyo Rolls and Potato Cakes on account of being able to see and touch them. And eat them, although of course eating isn't necessary to believing... although there is that sacrament of the eucharist...
Hmm, I guess it does all connect after all, lol...
But what I really wanted to say is that while historically we've identified spiritual life and faith with belief in things that, in your words on Boneman's blog, don't "make sense" - can't be demonstrated logically or empirically - there's another basis: that of experience.
I think that literature and the arts suggest something of this but haven't conceptualized experience closely enough to do more than suggest.
Now where did I put my bag of potato chips...
The Irish recipe for potato cakes is a way of using up leftover mashed potatoes by mixing them with flour, salt, b.p. and butter. Roll it out, cut in squares, fry in a little bacon grease and YUM. Not every day of course. So now you have two comments, the one sublime, the other ridiculous.....
ReplyDeletePaul: Thank you. If it is OK with you & boneman I will respond over on my nominal religion blog.
ReplyDeleteMolly: I have had a 'full' Irish breakfast. It meant that, by and large, I have never had an Irish lunch.
Ahh...the fun of deflating some people some of the time.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I love potato scallops, although it is years since I've had them. Funny thing is though, only a couple of days ago I was thinking about them!
I knew you were going to say that!
ReplyDeletePotato scallops. Hmm, We call them scalloped potatoes... are they the same thing? They are sliced potatoes cooked in a sauce that thinkens as the potatoes cooks. Quite good, at least to me.
ReplyDeletePaul didn't want to really say it but I will: Potato cakes are heavenly!
ReplyDeleteWhat a simple pleasure...yum!
ReplyDeleteNever tried potato cakes or scallops..wonder how it tastes. But I do love sushi and the California Rolls (I think that's the same as your Tokyo rolls..here it's called California, instead of Tokyo..funny isn't it?). One thing in my mind..since you can cook briyani..can you cook sushi? I saw a 'sushi-making kit' few days ago complete with VCD in a book store..I never thought of making my own though..can't trust my cooking talent!
ReplyDeleteI've made the sushi rolls once. After you have the rice mix (it is a sweetish, vinegary rice) it is just an assembly line. The bamboo mat thing is essential for rolling them up though.
ReplyDeletehi lee, sushi is a healthy choice. good for you! i ordered some seared ahi the other day and it showed up completely raw. no matter... i ate it au natural and enjoyed every wasabi-esque bite. (the potato cakes do sound inviting... though, for me, a bottle of catsup would be necessary). big hugs, snow
ReplyDeleteHow interesting are all the variations on potato cakes/scallops. In NZ potatoe cakes, were made with mashed potato & added egg, beaten, herbs fish or meat.Sometimes rolled in breadcrumbs first. On first discovering potato scallops they were the battered slices, in NZ & NSW. Scalloped potatoes on the other hand are made in a dish, with sliced pototoes in a cheese sauce & baked. Well, in NZ & our house in NSW, anyway.
ReplyDeleteLeaving all that aside, I much prefer Sushi Rolls- call them Tokyo if you will.
I love these - just had one of these (sushi rolls) for lunch today! I tried a tiny bit of wasabi for the first time ever and nearly died. At least I can say I tried it...
ReplyDeleteI am wondering about your apparent reputation for potato cakes/scallops - I would have picked you for a sushi/Tokyo roll man any day.
And it's all your fault, Lee...you have to shoulder the blame! I made some potato scallops this afternoon! (And they were great!) ;)
ReplyDeletePleased to be of service!
ReplyDeleteoh my! I didn't know people ate breaded, fried potatos anywhere but the deep south. If you order french fries that's what you get. As if they weren't greasy enough without the breading.
ReplyDeleteI'll stick to sushi!
he he he, I wonder if she had an eye on you?
ReplyDelete