Absolutely no doubt whatsoever as to what I'd have for my last meal and with whom I'd share it. Shwartz's Smoked Meat on Rye slathered with their mustard and oh yes - a side of french fries, a dill pickle and a very cold Coca Cola. With whom would I share it? Of course it would have to be Michael Symon in order to not only enjoy the food but also to enjoy the super company.
It all comes down to a matter of personal authenticity, doesn't it? Either you respect the concept in its totality or you don't. There really is no middle ground other than rationalization, of course.
Only in America do people have the opportunity to work hard and make a success of themselves as PD has done. I don't know anyone who takes her cooking and/or her over the top recipes seriously. She's Burlesque in the finest sense of the term and her large audience appreciates her as much for her acting skills as they do her knife skills.
My wife is probably the only person in America that makes chopped liver as a 'foreshpice' - appetizer for Thanksgiving because I'm medically forbidden to eat it. So, once a year I become enormously thankful for that indescribably delicious food that most people (if they like it) take for granted.
Thanksgiving is all about tradition. Actually, it's one of the very few holidays that both my family and I look forward to preparing same-old, same-old while yucking about preparing same-old, same-old.
Some things are just meant to be as they are.
Few things are as pleasurable for me as planning for a dinner party replete with a theme and appropriate decor. I like to plan the 'soire' far enough in advance so that I get to go to a Farmer's Market as well as shop for all the other added touches that most people aren't accustomed to when they're invited to a friend's house for dinner. When I've completed the food preparation and made myself ready for my guests, the simple act of choosing the music, lighting the candles, building a fire, and setting the table literally gives way to a most unique 'high' for me. So, there's really no quandary, insofar as I'm concerned, as to whether I'd rather be the host or the guest.
A young gal and guy sit down at a Deli. There obviously on a date and it seems likely a first. The waiter arrives to take the couple's order and the shy guy says to his gal friend; "I'd like to start the evening with a knish, how about you"? The two of them and the waiter all broke up at that point.
When we moved from Hyde Park in Chicago to Palo Alto, I had my first life-altering moment at Trader Joes. We had just taken possession of our house and needed quite literally one of everything. I didn't know where to begin until a friend told me to drive one town over to Mountain View, make a right and there I'd find a store that would have most, if not everything I needed to get started. As I drove down this tree-lined street, up loomed this over-sized, lovely looking 'grocery store with a large, welcoming, sort of cutesy sign saying "Welcome to Trader Joes". My thought, of course, was that the family that owned the old fashioned-esque store were into warmth as in wood floors, short aisles with low shelves, and, most of all, really nice and friendly and bright packaging. Little did I know that 'this' was the sib of a much larger parent. All I knew was how glad I was to find Traders and that slowly but surely, as I shopped, a sort of addiction was beginning to set in. I needed, no - I must have - I thought one of everything. How could I resist the price of such fine looking olive oil, sea salt, tuna, dill pickles, capers, - well, you've all been there so you get the idea. After loading three carts, I checked out with this dumb looking grin on my face and kept it that way all the way home. I was so sure that I had found the most unique family run groceteria in the whole entire world. Though now, years later, I know much better, I still feel a glow coming on whenever I shop at Traders.
Whether it's a recipe or a 'travelogue' or a personal vignette that's being penned, you're an absolute joy to read. Thank you
I'm 65 years young and a Canadian transplant living in California - midway between San Francisco and Sacramento. I'm a Neuropsychologist by profession (Clinical, Teaching, and Research) and a Cook genetically and instinctively. My family have been in the wholesale food business since approximately 1918. I've been married for forty years as of this September and am the very proud father of three daughters and two sons.
Its funny reading all these comments especially the ANTI-Paula Deen's throughout these threads. Makes me wonder if they are so "disgusted" by Paula. Why in the sam hill are they watching it? Let alone posting that she's killing us. If your that worried that watching her show will make you put on the weight. Then get off your butt and go for a walk or stay in your recliner eating your chips while drinking your soda and flip the T.V. to another station. Besides it isn't Paula Dean's Everyday Foods, It's Paula's Party. I haven't ever been to any parties that don't have more than one sinful appetizer or dish. Even then no one, well almost no one is gonna be sitting at any party devouring all of the sinful goodies at once. Though there is always someone that doesn't know what moderation is, most have common sense .Also, as many said they had altered her recipes to suit they're family. So lay off her she's just havin' a party. I'll step off my soap box now... lol
Oh. And I had deep fried cheesecake at Montana's a month ago....mmmm. Loosen up people!
mmmmm...Looks good. I would eat it. (and no, I am NOT fat). I wish poeple would stop feeling guilty or bad about one of the pleasures in life...FOOD! Its not what I would eat every day, but maybe once in awhile, just for the fun of it. I imagine it would be a lot like McGriddles...mmmm. McGriddle. I think I will have one tomorrow, I haven't had one in 8 or 9 months or so...
Dean = "I'm fatter every day, I hate my arterae. I'll plug 'em up and make 'em die, 'cause everything I eat is fried."
Ellios: It's Ramsay, not Ramsey.
P.S. Paula Deen stinks, the best chef in the world is Gordon Ramsey.
I have to say I LOVE burgers, all kinds of burgers. Cheese, chicken, turkey, pizza, anything! Burgers with onion rings, burgers with bacon, even burgers with mash potatoes like the new one at BK! But this is not a burger. A DONUT? A FRIED EGG? That is disgusting, especially the donut part. Theres some foods you dont mix and this is the best example of that.
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If I knew it was my last meal I would like to have prime rib, baked potato with sour cream, sauted vegetables and chocolate. Chocolate for sure. Having your family around will make it taste even better. Thanks for the contest.
I'd want my best friends around, and we'd eat steak. Really really good steak. Prime rib or delmonico with a red wine and beef reduction. A delicious spinach salad. Some interesting fruity dessert, like the orange cardamom roasted pineapple we had at Solo. Yum.
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Website: http://drbehaviour.blogsptot.com
Location: Northern California Countryside
About: Neurological Psych - Behavioral and Social Scientist, Author, Food Aficionado Married forty years to the same woman, five adult children - 3 girls, 2 boys
Favorite foods: Eclectic with an intense liking for well prepared foods that includes delicatessen, French food, Italian Food, and Traditional Jewish Food
Last bite on earth: Pastrami Sandwich on my family's own Silverstein's Rye Bread