Cult-ier than CrossFit 🐑👑
About egg smuggling across international borders, loaded fries and the quirkiest burgers in the world.
Good morning. The world moved closer to catastrophe more than ever this week: the Doomsday Clock, the metaphorical measure of challenges to humanity, was reset to 90 seconds before midnight by the science and security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
Little did we know that not having a Leo DiCaprio nomination at this year’s Oscars could have such grave consequences. Hopefully, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and scientists can sort things out before the next clock update in January 2024.
In the food world
🍳 Sneaky side up
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency is facing a Breaking Bad situation… with omelettes. Super high egg prices ($4.25 per dozen) have led to a 108% increase in the number of eggs smuggled from Mexico ($1.35 per dozen). To keep up with this hard-boiled situation, the CBP is scrambling to impose stricter fines and penalties.
🏆 The award goes to…
The people have spoken. Trader Joe’s proudly announced the results of their annual Customer Choice Awards that recognize their most requested items. After compiling over 18000 votes from their most dedicated shoppers who have drained their wallets at Trader Joe's, the chili & lime flavored rolled tortilla chips won the coveted first prize. The sparkling Honeycrisp apple juice took home the glory for the best beverage.
👶 Lead-ing the way
The FDA is taking a bold action to protect the nation's babies and young children from lead exposure. The FDA took this baby step to limit the side of heavy metal along with pureed carrots, pureed apples and Baby Shark. As part of this, the FDA will lead an initiative that will lead to a 24% to 27% reduction in lead exposure by reducing the lead limit in fruits and vegetables to 10 parts per billion.
Odd one out
In-N-Out Burger, the fast food chain has taken the nation by storm, or rather, by a slow and steady drive-thru line spanning several blocks. Founded in 1948, the chain currently operates in just six states: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, and Oregon.
The true burger king is more secretive than NASA and cult-ier than Crossfit. Each location generates an average yearly revenue of $4 million with a savvy 20% profit margin. But what is it about this west coast joint that has everyone flipping their burgers?
Simplicity: In-N-Out likes to keep it classic. Their menu has changed as much as the Dalai Lama, since its inception. Just good old-fashioned burgers, fries, and a drink. That's it… No fancy wraps, no artisanal cheeses.
No advertising: In-N-Out does not advertise, hire brand ambassadors or social media content creators. By being the Area 51 of fast food chains, they’ve become a tourist attraction for people all over the world.
Secret menu: That's right, the secret menu. It's like a speakeasy for burgers, only instead of bootlegged alcohol, you're getting an "Animal Style" burger with grilled onions and their special sauce.
Quality: In-N-Out prides itself on using the freshest (not frozen) ingredients, sourced from local farmers and ranchers. They haven’t bought into the heat it and eat it, model. Each order is made fresh instead.
Employee loyalty: In-N-Out has always paid its employees more than the required minimum wage, ensuring better productivity and loyalty. Some location managers make over $160k/year.
Location location location: As opposed to other burger chains, In-N-Out opens its locations away from the cities where the competition, land prices and number of rats are lower.
Measured growth: While other fast food chains ensure that you see their logos more often than your teenage kids, In-N-Out has remained stubbornly committed to keeping its restaurants on the left side of the country. By doing so, they can focus on improving the quality and customer experience of their locations.
But what about the future? Well, In-N-Out has always been pretty slow with expansion, only opening a few stores per year. However, they plan to open 100 new locations in the next 10 years.
Most recently, the chain made the by-all-accounts surprising announcement that it would start construction on an office in Franklin, Tennessee, and that would be followed by its first restaurant around the Nashville area in 2026.
Quiz
Are you a fast-food burger aficionado? Do you think you know everything there is to know about them? Well, you are a true fast-food burger connoisseur if you ace this quiz. Can you identify which of these facts is made up?
Burger King used to serve a “Black Burger”, which included black cheese made from bamboo charcoal and a black squid ink sauce on a charred black bun.
Applebees “Candy Craze": Beef patty, topped with cotton candy mayo, candied bacon and pecans on a candy coated bun. Served with a side of candy-coated fries.
Pizza Hut invented “The Crown Crust Pizza” with mini cheeseburgers in the crust.
White Castle introduced the fast food hamburger to the US in 1916 at just 5 cents a burger.
*Answer at the bottom.
Cooking tips
Want to get those restaurant type crispy french fries or breakfast hash browns at home? Soak the potatoes in cold water and wash away the extra starch before frying.
Before sliding pizza onto heavy steel you need to preheat long enough (~45mins) for the steel itself to heat all the way through.
To cook beans faster, create an alkaline (or basic) environment by adding some (1 teaspoon per cup of dry beans) of baking soda to the soaking/cooking water.
Did you know?
Broccoli contains more protein per calorie than steak. However, you would need to eat an entire cow made of broccoli to get the daily protein dose.
The popsicle, a product of pure genius, was invented by an 11 year old named Frank Epperson in 1905. Who needs formal education when you can make an icy treat on a stick?
Rhubarb is quite the attention seeker with its alarming growth rate of an inch per day. If that isn’t enough, a symphony of squeaks, creaks, and pops compliments this growth.
Loaded fries recipes
Shawarma spiced fries: Loaded up with lemony tahini and a crunchy veg salad. Super satisfying vegan recipe with lots of big flavors.
Chipotle chick’n: Everything you know and love about nachos, but made with crispy criss-cut french fries and chipotle seasoned blackened chick’n.
Vegan animal style: Straight off the Californian fast-food chain menu, topped with caramelized onions and a special sauce.
While this simmers…
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Answer:
Thankfully, there is no such thing as The Candy Craze burger.