『Stack』一字在英文裡有多重的意思, 其中最普遍的解釋是"一疊" 或 "一落" [東西].  其他的呢, 例如於自然景觀則是 "海柱", 於女生鞋子則是厚粗高根的皮鞋, 於電腦科學則是後進後出的一種資料的排列堆.  另外, 工廠的煙囪也叫 "Stack".  然而, 我覺得他們的共通點是所描述的形狀 -- 近圓形的立體柱.

 

在於美食方面呢也是有用到 "Stack" 這個字的.  而妳猜得沒錯, 就是把食物一層一層的疊成一圓柱狀.  其中的用材可葷可素或一半一半全看廚師的創意.  通常菜單上會如此說: 什麼和什麼材料的疊.  此種疊法並不是主食獨有, 頭抬和甜點也是有的.  試想大至水果蛋糕, 小至經典的拿破侖酥皮不都是圓形且一層一層的疊出來的嗎?  或許主食的疊法是從甜點延伸出來的?  還是反之?  或者是源自於哪一國的呢?  我知道法國料理諸多此類疊, 可是手邊沒有確切的資料恐怕不易考究.  不過可確定無誤的是如此疊得高高的是有絕對的視覺效果的!!  其實美食端上桌, 第一的印象就是所呈現出來的視覺效果, 再來才是鼻子的嗅覺和舌頭的味覺.  甚至還沒端上桌就伸長了脖子瞭望觀看的經驗我想大家都有的.

 

講了這麼多, 為什麼呢?  是想敘述一下昨晚的即興作: Cod, Spinach, Red Bean Rice Stack (鱈魚+菠菜+大紅豆長米飯 "疊").

材料:

1. 兩小片 Cod (鱈魚)

2. 大菠菜一把 (應避免用 baby spinach (嫩菠菜))

3. Lipton 牌 Red Bean Rice 速食包一包

4. 大蒜數粒

5. 白酒 3/4 杯

6. 香菜一把

7. 小番茄一個

8. 檸檬汁少許

 

步驟:

1. 按包裝上建議方法煮米, 儘量收汁.

2. 兩片鱈魚撒上鹽, 少許 cumin 粉和磨黑胡椒.  用奶油(2大匙)以中火先 sautee 煎稍黃.  加入白酒, 大蒜粒, 香菜(2大匙), 再一邊用湯汁 bast* 魚片.  記得只翻一次面.  魚取出, 收湯汁至約一大匙.

3. 菠菜用奶油 sautee 後去汁, 淋上松露味橄欖油 (Black Truffle Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

4. Topping (附加料): 番茄切小塊, 檸檬汁, 一小匙橄欖油, 一大匙香菜葉拌一拌

 

拼盤: 用 metal ring (鐵圈) 至盤中央, 先填放米飯, 再放菠菜, 魚(黃面朝上)疊上再撒上附加料.  步驟2的大蒜和剩餘的汁倒入盤內當沾醬和陪襯.  Wola!  我覺得這疊有中式的組合, 法式的靈魂和西班牙的背脊和點綴.

 

接下來再配個自己喜歡的葡萄酒.  Bona petito! 

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註: * basting 是一烹飪技巧--用匙子以鍋內的湯汁舀了淋灑在食物上, 一方面使之不會太乾一方面也是在煮食物.

This is in reference to my vehicle, a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport 3.0 LS V6 4WD with 105K miles. Read on to find out how I saved $400!

 

The other day while I was driving on the highway, the "ENGINE CHECK" light came on.  The next day, I did the RIGHT THING by taking it to the dealership for a checkup.

 

I told them what I observed: 1. The RPM seemed low (around 1000) when I was cruising at highway speed,  2. When I pressed the accelerator the RPM indicator fluctuated wildly,  3. The car viberated while idling, 4. Acceleration was sluggish.  After a diagnostic test, I was told "the #1 and #4 coil are bad" and they wanted $700 to fix them.  Yeah, you read it right, SEVEN hundred!  Needless to say that is one large chunk of cash, but I still needed a car.  After researching on the internet I thought to myself I can do this, and  I can save a lot of $$$. 

 

First, a little simple orientation of the ignition coil system: picture shown facing the car with the engine cover off.  There are three ignition coils which I have conveniently labeled as L, M, and R.  They are part of the engine electrical system.  Three coil cables, if you will, come from the left side (3L) and three come from the front of the engine below (3R).  One of each goes into the coils respectively.  I have labeled each with the number it represents in the system, I know the arrangement looks funny but don't ask me why.  I read the other end goes to a spark plug, but don't quote me on that.  And the coils are screwed onto the engine with two bolts.

 

What you will need:

1.  New ignition coils.  Dealer charges around $200 for coils L and M, and $75 for R.  Yeah, strangely enough they are not all the same.  I got mine locally from Olympus Imported Auto Parts (www.forparts.com).  My cost was $113 for L (part# 170 178-8244) and $73 for R (part# 170 178-8243).  As far as I can tell both the original coils and my new coils were all made by Diamond and made in Japan.  They appear to be almost exactly the same.  Even if they aren't, I don't mind using after market parts.  What I have found on Google is that there are web sites that sell a number of brands for cheaper or for more.

2.  Socket wrench.  An absolute must.  I used a 3/8" socket.  This will save your life because spaces are tight and side winding wrenches just don't cut it.  Beware of ignition wrenches!  I have a set from Sears, and they don't work on this car.  Perhaps they don't work on Jap cars period.  If you don't have one borrow from your neighbor or a guy friend [if you are a gal].

3.  Plier or small wrench.  You will need to disconnect the negative battery cable to avoid personal injury and/or damage to the car.  You will lose your preset radio stations and car alarm.

 

Steps:

1.  Turn off car.  Duh!

2.  Disconnect negative battery cable

3.  Take the engine cover off

4.  Disconnect the socket connector in the back of the coil (green arrow) and the coil cable plugs in the front

5.  Unscrew the two bolts and replace the coil.  Becareful not to drop the bolts.  And don't over tighten the bolts, please

6.  Plug in the socket connector and the plugs, make sure the plugs go into the right side

7.  Put the engine cover on

8.  Connect the negative batter cable.  If you have car alarm it will likely go off and it WILL be loud since you are standing on top of the horn ... have the remote handy to disarm it.

9.  Start your car and the "CHECK ENGINE" light should go off.  Go for a test drive!

 

I am by no means a mechanic although I consider myself handy around the house and proficient with household tools.  I completed the procedure in less than 15 minutes.  My total cost was $193.58 (parts) + $90.00 (dealer diagnosis) = 283.58.  That's a far cry from the $700 dollars they were gonna charge me.  I am feeling mighty good with $400 of CASH in my pocket.  Wouldn't you?  I know they charge $90/hr for labor but $700??  I did that in 15 minutes!!  Does their repair include very long and frequent cigarette breaks?  Cooler side chats?  Lunch time?  Or even a nap [in my car]?  What nonsense?

 

While searching the internet, I could not find a single article on replacing the ignition coil for my type of car.  I hope your coil doesn't go bad, but if it does I hope you find this helpful.  Peace!

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Note: The procedures, parts, circumstances apply to my specific make, model and year only.  Yours WILL differ.

Warning: CHECK ENGINE light doesn't always mean or limited to ignition coil problem.  Have a garage check your car!  Remember to ask specific questions, such as which coil is bad?  Have them point it out to you!  Coil L, M, or R.

Disclaimer:  Although this is a fair and non-technical blog on my experience replacing my ignition coils, it should NOT be seen as a definitive guide as different model and year may be different and requires different skill levels.  I am not responsible for damages, implict or explict, caused by you repairing your car.  Check your manufacture's warranty before you begin.  Also consult with a physician to make sure you are physically fit to perform the repair.  Heck, check the horoscope too.  :^)  If you don't feel comfortable performing the aforementioned repair, let the service shop do it.