The Art of Gaming and Eating

Well if you’re like most gamers, you throw a frozen pizza in the oven and hope smoke doesn’t start billowing out with no save spot in sight or even a pause feature. But today my friends I am here to offer some advice from fellow gamers and maybe even a recipe or two for meals you can eat without breaking the ambience of being in the middle of a gun battle in Medal of Honor or avoiding death dealing monsters in Final Fantasy XI. After all, eating while gaming is an artform. Tis' a scintillating dance on the edge of insanity that can mean the differece between victory and a scalded crotchal region.

“I definitely eat while playing. Finger food works best. Haven't mastered playing while holding the baby like my husband does, but I'm sure I'll figure that out yet.”

Tiffany admits. Just wait until that baby starts battling your husband for the controller. You’ll be lucky if you even remember what a TV is, let alone a controller.

David offered a few suggestions for a variety of gaming options:

“Speaking as a guy, I am almost always up for pizza, I can live on the stuff. As for eating and gaming, I've done it for Table-top gaming, Computer gaming, and maybe even during console gaming. Only problem is the grease. Can't have good pepperoni pizza without pepperoni grease. Hot pockets are good. I've also done the caffeine and carbohydate diet while playing table tap with Dorritos and Classic Coke.”

Wencke had more than a little to say on the subject of gaming and eating. Pizza seems to be the gaming grub of choice for most people and technology just makes it easier and easier:

“Working fulltime 40 hours minimum, do shopping (groceries) during my break just to reserve as much as possible time just to do the 2 things I love, gaming and being around my boyfriend (He can watch me shredding on a Medal of Honor server haha). But what comes up after 1 hour being at home? Just when I’m having fun? Yep, hunger... But I don't want to spend time in the kitchen cooking some meal...and neither does my boyfriend.

Solution: I bought a microwave with a extra installed fast pizza button. Oh boy, every time a party. Grab the pizza out of the box, into microwave, it weights and installs the time and it cooks the deep fry pizza ready in 3 minutes!!!! I’m so happy. Also tried some ready made meals to microwave, but it tastes like nothing. So I prepare meals in advance during the weekends, when I'm not on a LAN party hahaha and microwave them when I want to. Also when I cook, I cook a two days meal (Goulash, spaghetti, soup etc) Now I'm saving for a dishwasher...just to save time.

Further on, playing games, I have noticed that every time I lose, I grab something sweet to eat. Maybe to compensate the bad feeling, or to give me extra energy to win ;o) Always need candy around me!

Animal Crossing is the ideal game if you'll need to eat, it's really easy to handle with 1 hand!”

Well with all that’s been said here’s one gaming meal that is fairly simple to make and straight from Japan. Onigiri. You probably don’t know the name, but you’ve seen it in video games and anime. It’s the riceball you usually see some character wolfing down too quickly and nearly chocking to death (seriously, don’t eat it too fast). I’ve been making them for a while now and I’ve seen lots of recipes and tried several. This one is the best not only for it’s simplicity, but also for it’s great flavor.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 ½ cups Calrose (Botan) Rice
• 2 cups water
• Small bowl of salted water
  
  Filling:
  (It’s your choice but I use):
  
• 1 can of tuna
• Mayonnaise or salad dressing

  Place 1/12 cups of Calrose White Rice, which can usually be found in the Asian food section of your local grocery store, into a large pot or strainer. Wash the rice until the water becomes fairly clear. Place the washed rice into a strainer or colander (so that the water drains off and it dries a bit) for thirty minutes. Place the rice back into the pot and add 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil then cover and cook on low for 20 minutes. Remove the rice from the heat and let it sit covered for 10 minutes. Remove the lid and let it cool.

  Get a shallow bowl and fill it with water. Add a good bit of salt to it and let it dissolve. You’ll need this pretty soon so have it sitting nearby. You’ll also want to mix up the tuna and mayonnaise in a separate bowl. I use about two tablespoons, but to each his own. You may want more or less. After the rice has cooled a bit (you don’t want it cold, but touchable), place some of the cooled rice in your hand and make an indention in the center. This is where your filling will go. To keep your hands from getting sticky and to give the rice a bit of flavor and shape, make sure to dip your hands in the salty water.

  Place the mixed tuna and mayo in the center of the indention and add more rice to form a ball. Don’t forget to keep dipping your hands in the salty water. Shape the rice into a ball or triangle and add a topping of toasted sesame seeds or wrap it in nori (seaweed wraps) for a real Japanese feel. Or don’t top it at all and simply eat it! It’s good either way and surprisingly filling! You also might want to go for Chicken strips or nuggets, French fries or those new Soup on the Go things for an easy gaming meal. Either way, happy gaming!
  
  Cynthia Threadgill

  
  
  Special thanks to members of the UFGF mailing list David, Tiffany and Wencke
  
  Questions? Comments? Stupid Remarks? Email: Cyndy01@swbell.net
  

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