graftonr

about me

I recently retired after 21 years in the U.S. Air Force. Today I'm a network engineer working as a contractor for the Dept of Defense at an Air Force Base in Colorado.

I joined the Air Force to travel and did I ever. I lived in Europe for 9 years and the Pacific for 7. I was lucky enough to visit 28 countries, some really nice, some really really nice, and some not so nice. The one thing I did everywhere I went was try the local cuisine. (and I only got sick once ) I ate real Thai food in Thailand, real Turkish food in Turkey, etc. I ate some really great food during those trips and now I'm on a quest to duplicate those flavors and textures here at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.

Another thing I made a point to do was to eat at McDonalds at least once everywhere I went. (Except for Greenland...didn't see one there) Why? Well, to be honest, I actually like McDonalds. Don't say it!!! I can hear you! I'm sitting right here!! Someday I'll write a book about McDonalds around the world and I'll make a lot of money and you'll be jealous!!! HAHA Anyway, don't believe the hype, they're not all the same.

My recipes here are slow in coming because, frankly, I'm not that great at developing my own recipes. Most of what I cook at home, I get from the great contributors that post recipes here. I'm a good "technician" but not much of an "engineer". When I come up with something and I think it's good, I'll post it here, and will thank you in advance for humoring me in my endeavors.

Disclaimer: If I post a recipe that I think is good, and you choose to present it UNTESTED at a holiday get-together, important dinner party to impress the boss, child's first holy communion, bar/bat mitzvah, wedding reception, etc and it falls flat on its face, I bear NO RESPONSIBILITY for your decision.

Favorite Foods:

If I was someone that did something really bad and was about to pay for my sins against society, my last meal would probably be a chicken kebab from The Red Onion in Incirlik, Turkey. I think that's the best food I've ever had. That being said, below are my favorites in no particular order...

Curries — especially minced lamb
Gyros
Anything German — Schnitzel rocks!!!
Thai
Middle Eastern — roasted meats with flat bread and sauces and relishes
Turkish
Greek
REAL Mexican, not the stuff you buy under the big bell
Hawaiian
New York style pizza
New Jersey style subs
Burgers — still searching for the perfect burger
Hot Dogs — Chicago and Coney Style
English pub grub
American comfort food — Mac and Cheese, Grilled "enter ingredients between slices of bread", tater tot anything, anything casserole, pot roast, chicken and dumplings, etc.

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