Have you noticed that some time over the past few years, it’s become fashionable to tell people what you DON’T eat? I’m guessing that the national obesity crisis is responsible for this, but no longer is there any talk around the dinner table about the enjoyment of food, let alone the consumption of it. We speak only of what we have purged from our diets. Personally, I think it’s a little sick…all this denial.
So, I’ll be brave and go first and proudly tell you what I enjoy eating, in the hope that we can get back on track, make like the French, and actually enjoy our food once more. We live in one of the most food rich societies in the world. For God’s sake, let’s eat! And let’s stop feeling virtuous in denying ourselves the foods that we love. It’s the last taboo…admitting what we eat, even if those choices are less than stellar. So here’s my not so secret list.
Chips with dip:
Happily, this potent and decadent combination is only enjoyed at holiday time in my house, but this weekend I consumed rippled potato chips with DIP. Yes, that’s right…full fat, creamy delicious French onion chip dip; a staple in the happy homemaker’s kitchen in the 60’s. Actually, I’m pretty sure that in the 60’s, serving chips with dip was considered high class entertaining! Good enough for company!
In my childhood, chips and dip were a somewhat sacred treat, but they did make an appearance more than once a year. Nowadays, this high fat, but super delicious snack is a sign that Christmas is indeed coming. Please spare me the low fat dip….go all the way or no way at all.
Bugles:
Whatever nicotine-like substance lies within them, they are highly addictive, which is great cause for concern. Because once that bag is opened, you really can’t stop. Unlike cigarettes, which can and must be stopped after one.
Meat:
As my Mother used to say, “it takes all kinds” and that’s what I eat and I make no apologies for it. Grilled, BBQ’d, roasted…you name it, I eat it and love every protein filled moment. This year, I’ve marinated meat, skewered it and slow cooked it, all in the name of tremendous satisfaction. No vegetable and the word “satisfaction” have ever gotten together in a convincing sentence.
Dessert:
Yes, we have childhood bribery to thank for this (no dessert until you eat a vegetable), but Ken and I enjoy dessert daily. I’m trying not to enjoy dessert with every single meal (breakfast dessert? Ca’mon!) and I’m also trying to redefine what dessert consists of. My middle aged mind has convinced me that yogurt with fruit qualifies as dessert. You wouldn’t have been able to fob that off on me as a child, but let’s just say I’ve matured.
Foods you couldn’t get me to eat as a child but must have now….
Mushrooms:
Can’t be without them or I start to break out in a nervous tick. Happily, a good cancer protection program, especially when combined with greens (as in Caesar salad with mushrooms…YUM).
I don’t go in for the exotic stuff (let’s just say that they don’t call it shitake for no reason). No, the common button mushroom serves my Vitamin B needs nicely, but I am partial to the giant Portobello. Although, for those of you who think that the Portobello mushroom makes a good substitute for beef, I have news for you. Not really. But hey, tell yourself whatever you need to in order to get in 10 servings of vegetables daily.
Brussels Sprouts:
A very recent addition to my diet, as in last month! I was watching a PBS cooking show on the Seattle station when it was revealed that 98% of the population doesn’t like Brussels Sprouts. I was in good company. But that’s because you never had them like THIS. His very outstanding recipe (and trust me your Mother never got the memo on this one) involved cutting up the sprouts and sautéing them with the delicious goodness of onions, garlic, apples and bacon and then dousing the whole business with maple syrup. Yep, that’s a marked improvement over the usual Brussels Sprout crap…er…. recipe (doesn’t everything taste better with bacon and maple syrup?) Here’s the recipe and slap me silly if you’re not a convert. It’s the dessert of vegetables now.
Sauteed brussels sprouts with apples and bacon.
Asparagus:
Not sure what the problem was here in childhood…lack of a good source? Looked too much like a tree? Love it now…with lemon, with just about any kind of sauce, cut up in a stir-fry. Oh and it’s actually good for me. Who knew?
Foods I eat but used to be forbidden...
Ice Cream/Gelato:
This blessing I owe to my highly disciplined ingestion of probiotics over the past two years. My theory is that I’m now ingesting the required enzyme to digest milk products, so ice cream is back! Mostly consumed over the warm summer months, this year I sucked back some kind of Hagen Daz on a stick, smothered with chocolate and nuts. Ummmm.
Over the past two summers, Ken and I have been running an informal competition for best gelato in the Lower Mainland. Sampling required. Top 2 winners: the place on the beach in White Rock directly across from the pier and in Vancouver, the place at the bottom of the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel. I’m pleased to report that testing continues.
Cappuccino:
Thinking that despite my joy in being able to mostly ingest dairy products without difficulty, I pushed the envelope a little further still and tried some kind of cappuccino in my Tassimo coffee maker. Still not sure what the milk product was…powdered milk? But it was tasty delicious, nonetheless. Mind you, I’m still cappucinoing in moderation, as should we all.
Foods that I still dream about...
Cottage Cheese
In the 70’s, cottage cheese was considered a diet food and no one wanted to eat it. Except me. I missed this one even more than ice cream and really want to get it back on the list. Best done in limited quantities, but fingers crossed.
Name a food that you actually eat AND enjoy. I promise not to tell anyone, especially your doctor. Be loud and proud and tell us, once and for all, what’s really going on in your dining room.
