September 09, 2003
Tuesday September 9, 2003 • Howard Tayler

Barcelonian Update
entry,

If "Barcelonian" isn't a word, it should be. After all, it rhymes with "balognian" and "telephonian," which are also perfectly serviceable words. Of course, it means "of or pertaining to Barcelona," which is the topic of this letter.

Mostly I want to talk about food. Sure, sure, you might be expecting me to talk about the tortilla catalan that is ubiquitous over here, or maybe the super-deluxe-and-at-33-euros-it-dang-well-better-be buffet at the Hotel Rey Juan Carlos, but what I really want to tell you about is the Big Big Mac.

That's not a typo. There are two Bigs in that Mac. It's made with quarter-pounder patties rather than 10:1 (tenth-pounder) patties, and the bun is wider to accomodate. The "Standard" Big Mac is bready, by comparison. The Big Big Mac, however, is hearty. I loved it. Pity they don't sell them in the States (or, if they do, it's a pity Utah is no longer a state.)

Speaking of food, more than a few of you have tried out September 6th's footnoted "Chupaqueso" recipe, and without fail you've enjoyed it (although there's been a bit of trial-and-error involved in cooking it, due to the "knack" required in flipping it over.) Some of you have gone so far as to suggest that I become a restauranteur, and patent the thing. I can see the patent now...

A METHOD OF FEEDING PEOPLE A CHEESE SANDWICH WITH NO BREAD, BY WRAPPING MELTED CHEESE IN TOASTED CHEESE

By Howard Tayler, inventor and cheese-a-toastian expert

Components: Cheddar, Jack, Parmesan, Teflon griddle/saucepan, Teflon spatula

etc...

While I have no interest in revolutionizing the dairy-product industry personally, I wouldn't mind seeing my name associated with the invention of a new food. Of course, the concept of toasting cheese is hardly new, and melted cheese is an old standby. To my knowledge, though, I'm the first to combine the two concepts and call it a "chupaqueso." So if you want to start your own restaurant, and introduce the chupaqueso, by all means DO... just give me credit, complete with the URL, on your menu.

All this has next to nothing to do with Barcelona, aside from my use of Spanish in the name of the food.

Speaking of Barcelona, and food, only an ugly American like myself would wander around the coast of Spain wondering why he can't find any decent Mexican food. It's all Spanish, right?