Monday, January 3, 2011

Confessions of a Picky Eater

I would love to go to a restaurant and say "surprise me!" and know that I would savor whatever was set before me.  In reality, however, I would anxiously wait at the table hoping that whatever came my way wasn't swimming in mushrooms, olives, artichokes, asparagus, or truffle oil.  I've tried, I really have!!!  I want to like everything, I really do!!!

For years I have been pushing my taste-buds into new territory and forcing them to acquire new loves.  It actually seems to work, not that quickly, but it does work.  As further proof of my claim I will share my progress.  What I am really saying is if you see me eat these things you no longer have to look at me thinking "who are you and what have you done with my sister/friend/daughter/roommate."  If you ever see me enjoy salmon though, I have officially been pod-personed and you should run far far away!

Things I Used to Hate But Now Eat

  • celery (only cooked at this point though)
  • cooked carrots (i've always loved them raw but couldn't get with the sweetness that happens with the cooking.  I get it now though!)
  • mushroom - as a flavor only!  I can understand the depth it gives dishes so i'm ok if it's cooked in as one of many background flavors and then taken the hell outta there.  
  • cranberries in many forms - juice, dried, juice with vodka, ok I don't know many other forms it really comes in

Things I Used to Hate But Now Love

  • sweet potatoes!!! 
  • cilantro ~ coriander to any UK readers
  • tea - yeah, you read that right.  I didn't get it.  Now I do! 
  • eggplant ~ aubergine to you UKers  

The Fish Front

Growing up I would only eat shrimp and canned tuna and curl up my nose at any other marine life.  Now I can safely say I enjoy:

  • most of the white fishes I have tried
  • calamari
  • mussels
  • crab
  • lobster bisque (haven't tried straight lobster yet)
  • good clam chowder
  • tuna sashimi
See!  Progress!  I didn't expect the fish front to be the longest actually.  That is surprising but makes me happy.  It is nice to go to seafront restaurants and know I will enjoy something(s) on the menu.  :)

Make me feel a little better about my messed up sensory receptors and tell me something you don't like and something you like that you never thought you would!