Grilling Good Eats is now available in paperback
10/31/2022
Grilling Good Eats: A Beginner's Guide to Grilling
by Mike Thayer
October 2022
Mariscos El Tucanazo Restaurant - Wichita
10/29/2022
Mexican Restaurant
Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery
1607 S Broadway, Wichita, KS 67211
(316) 239-7122
Food Review: Kroger Tater Tots are just as good as Ore Ida and cheaper too
10/29/2022
How do these compare to Ore Ida?
By Mike Thayer
Out of all the possible sides for a burger or sandwich, I have to say that tater tots are my favorite. I prefer them over traditional french fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, any kind of chips, pasta salad and yes, even mac-n-cheese. I like the texture and crunch of the tot exterior and combined with that fluffy spud interior, it's a great bite! Tots really hold on to whatever condiment you top or dress them with and they're super easy to prepare whether fried or baked, you get a crispy exterior, either way. Versatile and complimentary with so many dishes, you can enjoy them with eggs and bacon for breakfast, with a burger for lunch, or put a tater tot top on a casserole for dinner.
I've always got a bag of tots in my freezer and while picking up a few select items from Dillon's the other day, they were on my list, the bag of tots on hand was about empty. Typically, I've purchased the 8 pound 'Value' bag at Sam's Club for a bit over $8, quite the bargain, but I didn't want to make a special trip 20 minutes one-way for just one item. That purchase will have to wait 'til my next monthly visit.
So in perusing the potato section in the freezer aisle at Dillon's, I found the Ore Ida tater tots, but the biggest size they had was 5 pounds. That would more than suffice until my next trip to the wholesale club, but the price was $6.99, ouch! Compared to what I'm used to getting at Sam's Club, that's kind of an insult. So I looked at the Kroger brand. Like the Ore Ida, the biggest size bag available was 5 pounds, but the price was a bit more wallet friendly at $5.99. I can live with that, "But will they be as good as Ore Ida?" I asked myself.
Served Oven Baked
Yes, they are. I mean c'mon, they're tater tots, grated potatoes, seasoned, par-fried then flash frozen. In cutting back on fried foods, I served my tots up oven baked, with melted cheese and chopped green onion. It was Another Dose of Crunch & YUM! When prepared as directed, Kroger delivers the same texture, the same crunchy exterior, the same fluffy spud interior as Ore Ida, but at a lower price. And the price points are the same in the smaller size packages available at Dillon's, with Ore Ida costing more for every sized bag than the Kroger product (marketed as "Tater Bites" by the way, Ore Ida owns the proprietary rights to the name, "Tater Tots"). FYI: You'll pay more per pound with the smaller size bags and since tots freeze so well, you may as well buy as big of a bag as you can.
I'm giving Kroger "Tater Bites" in a 5 pound bag 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. They're just as good as Ore Ida in every way, but don't cost as much in the mainstream grocery store, but that's also the reason for the 4 star rating and not a 5. It's the wiser choice when shopping in a mainstream grocery store, but the truly smart purchase is to stick with buying the 8 pound bag of the name brand stuff at the wholesale club! Binge eating tater tots cost me $5.99! What can I say, I enjoy my tots...
$pend Wisely My Friends...
Enjoy this post?
If you appreciate the article you just read and want to support more great content on BachelorontheCheap.com, you can help keep this site going with a one-time or a monthly donation. Thank you so much for your support! ~ Mike
Drink Review: Jinro Soju, Strawberry and Plum flavors
10/29/2022
Strawberry and Plum flavors
By Mike Thayer
Soju, the adult beverage of choice in Korea.
I enjoyed my fair share of Soju while in the Air Force and stationed at Osan Air Base in South Korea back in the day. Clear (that means colorless for those of you who live in Valley Center), this spirit is traditionally made with rice along with sweet potato and tapioca, carrying a punch back then anywhere from 35% to 95% alcohol by volume. I think that was part of the appeal of the Soju served at the 100+ bars just outside the base gate, you didn't know how strong the Soju was from bar to bar. Typically served mixed with fruit punch, this stuff could really hit you.
I haven't had Soju since returning to the states from South Korea years ago. When dining at Wasabi East one night with fellow foodie Vicki S., I was pleasantly surprised to see it on the drink menu, a mixology of blueberry flavored Soju, Malibu Rum and lime juice. It was dangerously smooth.
I didn't realize that Soju had become somewhat popular in the states in recent years and was available at some liquor stores in the area. Vicki suggested I visit Jacob's Liquor Exchange West, where she works part time. Jacob's has a nice selection of Soju in a variety of flavors.
Flavored Soju is new to me. Back in the day in Korea, it was simply the potent ethanol concoction, mixed with fruit punch to take the edge off. Soju has come a long way, getting away from the sweet potato/tapioca high alcohol content blends and back to the more traditional rice distillation with lower alcohol content and the addition of fruit flavors.
In a visit to Jacobs Liquor, I picked up a couple 375ml bottles of Soju produced by Jinro, the most popular brand of Soju on the planet. Selecting the plum and strawberry flavors, here are the descriptions from the Jinro website:
Jinro Plum Soju adds a playful splash of plum flavors to the clean taste of Chamisul Fresh. Plum lovers rejoice! Jinro Plum Soju is a neutral spirit with natural and artificial flavors.
Jinro Strawberry Soju provides the sweet taste of ripened strawberry in each sip while maintaining its light and refreshing experience. Jinro Strawberry Soju is a neutral spirit with natural and artificial flavors.
The Soju of today is very different from what I consumed back in the day, but in a good way. My military buddies and I would joke about how we were embalming ourselves by drinking the stuff, it could really be harsh, despite the mix with fruit punch. Today's Soju is much more refined. At just 13% alcohol by volume, there's no harsh bite and you appreciate the fruit flavors that is part of the distillation process. Yesterday's Soju was consumed for the buzz, today's Soju is to be sipped and actually enjoyed.
Costing me about $6 for a 375ml bottle, I'm giving Jinro Soju, both the strawberry and plum flavors 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Each flavor tastes good neat, but they're even better and especially good in mixology. Combining a flavored Soju with Malibu rum and/or a berry flavored Vodka along with a squeeze of lime makes for a very tasty cocktail. I look forward to sampling the blueberry flavor next!
$pend Wisely My Friends...
Enjoy this post?
If you appreciate the article you just read and want to support more great content on BachelorontheCheap.com, you can help keep this site going with a one-time or a monthly donation. Thank you so much for your support! ~ Mike
Drink Review: Ole Smoky Chocolate Cherries Moonshine
10/28/2022
By Mike Thayer
I'm an Ole Smoky fan, they make a fantastic peanut butter flavored whiskey that's better than Skrewball! I've also sampled their Ole Smoky Butter Pecan Moonshine which was quite tasty. Also good, their Apple Pie Moonshine as well as their Sour Apple Moonshine. So in liking all those and kind of staying on a Moonshine trend, I decided to give their Chocolate Cherries Moonshine a try.
If you didn't already know, White Whiskey is "new" whiskey, as in a raw, unfinished product, "unaged." White Whiskey skips the aged in oak barrels step so what you get is naked grain alcohol - Moonshine!
I was looking for something a little different to try on a recent trip to the liquor store, I'm a sucker for chocolate covered cherries and what? I see chocolate, cherries and moonshine in a jar? What's not to like?
Here's the product description: Leave it to Ole Smoky to improve upon cherry perfection. We took Maraschino cherries and soaked 'em in a batch of Ole Smoky Moonshine, then we added a note of milk chocolate. The result? The chocolate covered cherry- flavored moonshine was born.
Back in the day and I'm talking bootlegging now, the only way to enjoy 'White Lightening' was straight from the jug. There were no mixers, no ice, no enhanced flavors, you drank it straight. The beauty of moonshine these day's is there's no single way to enjoy it and Ole Smoky demonstrates that with the Chocolate Cherries variety. It's chocolate covered cherries with a kick!
Here's another Ole Smoky creation that at 100 proof, you don't notice how much of a punch the stuff has. You get the whiff of chocolate in the nose, you get the taste of cherry up front followed by the milk chocolate - a nice blend - and the finish is moonshine warm.
Costing me a bit over $20 for a 750ml jar, I'm giving Ole Smoky Chocolate Cherries Moonshine 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. It's a good change of pace kind of thing and puts a nice chocolate spin on an old fashioned.
$pend Wisely My Friends...
Enjoy this post?
If you appreciate the article you just read and want to support more great content on BachelorontheCheap.com, you can help keep this site going with a one-time or a monthly donation. Thank you so much for your support! ~ Mike
Product Review: HSS 3-Shelf Stackable Freestanding Wire Shelves
10/28/2022
Durable, inexpensive, looks good.
By Mike Thayer
The kitchen in my house is a galley style kitchen (that means a layout that features two parallel walls with a walkway between them for those of you who live in Valley Center), it's functional and efficient, but being on the smaller side, it's limited in counter and cabinet space.
I love to cook and as a result of that passion I've got just a 'few' kitchen gadgets and a collection of pots, pans and various baking dishes. With counter space at a premium I can't keep some of my small kitchen appliances like a blender or rice cooker out on the countertop ready to use. With limited cabinet space, well, that means some of my kitchen equipment has to be stored in another room.
I thought shopping for small kitchen appliance storage might present a bit of a challenge. I needed a shelf unit, cart or cabinet of some sort that is sturdy enough to handle some small appliance weight, can be staged just outside the kitchen for easy appliance retrieval, looks decent and doesn't cost me an arm and a leg. I looked online on Amazon, then checked out the Walmart website and kind of unexpectedly, found what I needed. My online search was over!
Enter the HSS 3-Shelf Stackable Freestanding Wire Shelves.
Perfect for my galley kitchen, this inexpensive but durable wire shelving unit is a perfect fit just outside the galley entry from the dining room. The shelves are adjustable and can hold up to 250 pounds each. Evenly distributed, the unit can handle up to 750 pounds. I can also upgrade the unit if needed, by purchasing pole connectors to stack another 3-shelf unit on top for a total of six shelves.
The unit was easy to assemble, no tools required. It's commercial grade steel construction, the feet are adjustable for uneven floors and the black finish looks good with just about any decor.
Costing me $22.96 at Walmart, I'm giving the HSS 3-Shelf Stackable Freestanding Wire Shelves 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. It's sturdy, can handle a good amount of weight (Cuisinart Appliances aren't light) and it looks good. It's worthy of a repeat buy and I'm probably going to need another one!
$pend Wisely My Friends...
Enjoy this post?
If you appreciate the article you just read and want to support more great content on BachelorontheCheap.com, you can help keep this site going with a one-time or a monthly donation. Thank you so much for your support! ~ Mike
Product Review: JXWing Stainless Steel Fish Spatula
10/28/2022
Purchased on Amazon
By Mike Thayer
Everybody needs a fish spatula!
Even if you don't like or cook fish, this kind of spatula is fantastic for handling all kinds of delicate foods. 'Fish' poached eggs out of the poaching liquid without breaking the yolk (see what I did there with 'fish'...). Handle crepes with ease and no fear of tearing them up. Flip an omelet like a pro. Thick, plastic spatulas just won't do when it comes to flipping, moving and lifting delicate foods.
Needing a fish spatula for my utensil drawer, I recently purchased a 304 Stainless Steel Fish Spatula made by JXWing on Amazon.
The blade on this spatula is super thin and flexible, allowing you to easily slide under foods and the wide slats easily drain liquids and oils when lifting delicate foods out of the pan. The angled blade allows you to butt up against the side of the pan, getting more spatula under whatever delicacy you're preparing. This thing can handle foods from light crepes to thick steaks and it's versatile on the stove or on the grill. The non-slip ergonomic handle has a very comfortable grip, even for left-handed folks! If you're into hanging your utensils, the handle accommodates that. Bonus, it's dishwasher safe.
Costing me $8.99 on Amazon, I'm giving the JXWing Stainless Steel Fish Spatula 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. It's reasonably priced, is great with delicate foods and it's made with quality materials. You could easily pay between $16 and $25 for something very similar, even at Walmart.
$pend Wisely My Friends...
Enjoy this post?
If you appreciate the article you just read and want to support more great content on BachelorontheCheap.com, you can help keep this site going with a one-time or a monthly donation. Thank you so much for your support! ~ Mike
Product Review: Sattiyrch Step Stool
10/28/2022
Assembly instructions, screwdriver included.
By Mike Thayer
Needing to change a light bulb in a hallway that is just out of my 6' frame reach, I realized I needed a step stool for the house.
I've gotten by up to now, OK, never needing a step stool up to this point since moving into the house in August of 2021... So online shopping I went.
I didn't want anything too big or bulky and I don't really have a need for anything beyond an extra step, so I ruled out multi-step and the taller folding step stool models. I just needed something simple, one step, preferably metal, sturdy yet compact, something that I can tuck away in a corner when not in use.
I looked online at Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's and Ace, with step stools ranging in price from $10 to $129... $129? I'm not paying that much for a stool! I found a couple of stool options at those online sites that would suit my needs, but they weren't in stock at the store and would have to be shipped, taking 5-7 days to arrive. So on a whim, I found what I needed on Amazon and it was on my front porch the next day.
Sturdy, compact, can tuck away in a corner when not in use.
I purchased a Sattiyrch 9.5" Step Stool with Anti-Skid Rubber Platform.
Heavy Duty with a weight capacity up to 350 pounds, this stool is the compact, sturdy extra step I was looking for. It arrived needing some assembly, as most products shipped to your house usually do, but attaching the legs to the step was easy peasy. The directions were clear and a screwdriver was provided to secure the hardware. Assembly took all of two minutes, if that. The anti-skid surface is comfortable and good whether you're barefoot, wearing socks or have slippers or shoes on.
Costing me $27.89 on Amazon, I'm giving the Sattiyrch 9.5" Step Stool with Anti-Skid Rubber Platform 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. It was reasonably priced, lightweight yet heavy duty and I'm able to easily tuck it away in a corner for easy access when not in use.
$pend Wisely My Friends...
Enjoy this post?
If you appreciate the article you just read and want to support more great content on BachelorontheCheap.com, you can help keep this site going with a one-time or a monthly donation. Thank you so much for your support! ~ Mike
Mariscos Cheli - Wichita
10/27/2022
Mexican Restaurant
Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery
1851 N Broadway St, Wichita, KS 67214
(316) 201-7240
Whele LLC Announces National Voluntary Recall of Mighty Bliss Electric Heating Pad Due to Product Safety Concerns
10/27/2022
Boston, MA, Whele LLC, of Boston, MA, is voluntarily recalling its Mighty Bliss Electric Heating Pad, due to product safety concerns. Use of this product may lead to burns, mild shocks, or rashes/irritation.
This recall applies to 544,212 Mighty Bliss Electric Heating Pad units manufactured between 08JAN21 to 03JAN22 and distributed from 29JUL21 through 21JUL22. Product was sold via Amazon.com and Walmart.com.
Model Numbers and Descriptions Below:
1.MB-001 (NA-H1121B): Large (12" x 24") Blue Electric Heating Pad
2.MB-002 (NA-H21C): Extra-Large (20" x 24") Blue Electric Heating Pad
3.PE-MtyBls-HeatPad-12x24-Gry-V2(NA-H1121B): Large (12" x 24") Grey Electric Heating Pad
Affected Product Lots
The product lot number can be found directly on the heating pad listed in black text beneath the product instructions
MB-001 (NA-H1121B)
210108
210305
210805
211002
211107
210109
210306
210806
211003
211108
210110
210307
210901
211004
211201
210111
210308
210902
211005
211202
210201
210309
210904
211006
211203
210202
210310
210905
211007
211204
210203
210405
210906
211008
211205
210204
210406
210903
211009
211206
210301
210407
210907
211010
211207
210401
210501
210908
211101
220101
210402
210502
210909
211102
220201
210403
210801
210910
211103
220103
210302
210802
210911
211104
210303
210803
210912
211105
210304
210804
211001
211106
MB-002 (NA-H21C)
210901
211001
PE-MtyBls-HeatPad-12x24-Gry-V2
E-MtyBls-HeatPad-12x24-Gry
(NA-H1121B)
220103
Reason for Recall
This recall has been initiated due to product safety concerns. We received 286 complaints between July 2021 to September 2022 related to the product overheating, sparking, burning, or presenting other electrical problems. 31 of these complaints reported injuries such as mild shocks, burns, and rashes or irritation.
Risk to Health
Use of this product may lead to electric shocks and/or skin irritation, rashes, blisters, or burns. Severe burns may result in infection or formation of scar tissue.
Actions to be taken by the Customer/User
1.Immediately cease use of the product.
2.If you have product on hand, please take the following actions: 1.Ensure unit is unplugged.
2.Safely cut the cord off the device
3.Take a picture of the device to demonstrate that the device can no longer be used
4.Upload a picture of the device with the cord cut to our website
3.Please visit our website www.mightyblissheatingpadrecall.expertinquiry.comExternal Link Disclaimer to verify that you have received this notification, even if you no longer have the product on hand.
4.All reimbursement information can also be found on our website www.mightyblissheatingpadrecall.expertinquiry.comExternal Link Disclaimer
Actions to be taken by the Distributor
1.Immediately examine your inventory and quarantine the product subject to recall. We will be in contact to gather any remaining inventory for destruction.
2.If you may have further distributed this product, please identify your customers and notify them within two (2) business days of this product recall. Your notification to your customers may be enhanced by including a copy of this recall notification and must include the following url: www.mightyblissheatingpadrecall.expertinquiry.comExternal Link Disclaimer
Consumers with questions can call 866-918-8768, Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm EST, or email mightyblissheatingpad7692@sedgwick.com.
This recall is being made with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration.
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.
Complete and submit the report Online
Regular Mail or Fax: Download form or call 1- 800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
About Whele LLC
Whele LLC is a leading consumer goods company that sells products on Amazon and other third party marketplaces. To learn more about Mighty Bliss, one of Whele's brands, visit: https://www.mightybliss.com/External Link Disclaimer.
Company Contact Information
Consumers: 866-918-8768 mightyblissheatingpad7692@sedgwick.com