We've got another mystery on our hands, can you guess what it is? Here are your clues: it's edible, could be painful to handle, has yellow or red flesh, may be as large as your head, and its taste is sometimes described like that of a "gym sock."


Have you guessed it yet? It's a durian, and if you've ever tried it, you either adore it or are repulsed by it. They're native to some parts of Southeast Asia, but have been making an appearance throughout the world for quite some time now with their creamy flesh and a taste that is truly indescribable.

So, what the heck do you do with this indescribable fruit? You can eat it raw (the flesh, of course, but be sure to dispose of the husk!), or cook it in a variety of Southeast Asian dishes and desserts. Check out the following recipes: Durian Ice Cream, Durian Cream Puffs, and Burmese Durian Cake.

They're a seasonal fruit, so keep your eye out for them beginning next month. Just watch where you eat it - the smell of them carries quite far, and may not be appreciated. In some areas of Southeast Asia, there are actually several places where durian are not permitted.

Have you ever tried durian? If so, did you enjoy it? If you haven't tried it, would you?

So much for wanting to go to a place "where everybody knows your name." Instead, head to Las Vegas and try out Dick's Last Resort, located in the Excalibur hotel, where everybody treats you like garbage. Don't worry, it's their job!

The line is long to get in, and you might be surprised why. It's not the food people wait for, it's the staff. They make fun of you, physically and emotionally abuse you, and make a fool out of you in front of all the other restaurant-goers. But, like I said, it's their job.

If you're lucky, they'll make you a paper hat and write something horrible about you on it for all the world to see.

So what does one eat while being abused by said staff? The menu is quite small, but there's bound to be something for everyone. I tried to be relatively healthy (while maintaining my composure) with a Taco Salad. It was delicious!


So, now that you know about this Last Resort, would you be interested in going to a restaurant with okay food, while being tirelessly made fun of?

Can you guess what these are? I'll give you couple clues: they're in the citrus family, but they're not oranges, mandarins, tangerines, or clementines!

These lovely little fruits are kumquats. The main difference between them and other citrus fruits is in their small size, and the way they grow. They grow in China, Korea, SE Asia, some parts of Europe, the Middle East, and the Southern US, and are much more tenacious than other citrus fruits.

The cool thing about kumquats is that you eat them whole. The flesh is quite sour, but the rind is sweet and full of flavour, and you can do so many different things with them!

Here are five cool uses for kumquats:

1. Make a liqueur by slicing kumquats and submerging them in vodka for at least two weeks. If you'd rather, prick the kumquats instead of slicing, and leave them in the vodka for a month. Remove the kumquats and serve with cocktail forks as a snack at a cocktail party.
2. Try out this recipe from Epicurious for Orange Cheesecake with Candied Kumquats.
3. Having company? Check out this recipe for Toffee Kumquat Pudding from Martha Stewart.
4. The perfect refresher for a hot day (and it's fat free!): Kumquat Sorbet.
5. Add this Kumquat Salsa to tacos (especially fish or chicken!), or eat with tortilla chips.

Have you ever tried a kumquat? What's your favourite way to use them in a dish?