We’ll take two vanilla milkshakes to start

Inferno Girl Red #2 (2023)

Written by Mat Groom
Artwork by Erica D’Urso
Colors by Igor Monti & Sabrina Del Grosso

Chef’s Note:  First off, I’m a bit baffled by the name of the location: Eco-Fi Diner-Café – what is that supposed to mean? I get the café and diner parts (though I don’t understand why you need both). It’s more the “Eco-Fi” aspect that is in question.

Hi-Fi means High Fidelity, but then Wi-Fi doesn’t actually mean Wireless Fidelity, so I’m not entirely sure where “Eco-Fi” is supposed to land. I guess it probably just means true to ecological principles… or something?

Chef’s Note:  One thing I appreciate about my job is encountering new foods. Here I get to thank Inferno Girl Red’s mom for introducing me to lotus chips. I am a New England native, so potato chips are my standard. These are similar, but also quite different!

Native to Asia, Australia, New Guinea and parts of the Middle east, lotus plants grow in the mud of shallow ponds, marshes, lagoons, and flooded fields. Lotus roots are harvested from the beginning of August until fall. The traditional farming method consists of farmers feeling for the rhizome using their toes and then digging them out with their hands. Almost every part of the lotus plant is edible.

Lotus roots are cylindrical and brown. However, once sliced crosswise, you will see a lace-like design with pea-sized holes. The root is crunchy, mild in flavor, and very delicious.

They also have a great origin story (which is always a plus, as any comic book scholar will tell you)-

However, Xiangu was still worried, because the villagers were thin, weak, and had no food. She remembered the merciful Avalokitesvara who gave her a few lotus seeds and said to her: “When you see the humans suffering, you can throw these lotus seed to save the world.” So, she quickly took out lotus seeds from the sleeves and threw them down into a large reservoir. After a while, the pond grew lotus flowers and lotus leaves. The Eight Immortals’ work was done. The following year, the winter came and the lotus leaf withered. The experienced peasants knew that the lotus root was ripe and led the villagers to dig the lotus root and eat it. It is believed that everyone who eats this lotus root becomes strong and healthy, causing the following generations down the line to thrive.

Chef’s Note:  Happy Vanilla Milkshake Day!