It's been a short while since out last post...we've been busy with that uhhh Christmas thing. Anyway I hope you all had a fantastic holiday! I was able to get to New Jersey to see my sister/co-vintage kitchen blogger Robin and she whipped up some fantastic food! Some excellent standards a la turkey, green beans, warm spinach salad, potato's, stuffing....oh and yes a black forest cake to die for. Don't worry we will be posting this wonderful cake! But, today I wanted to talk to you a bit about something I have tried to do the last few years. That is trying new foods. If you can believe it I had never in my life eaten a beet! Well, except for some beet root chips but those hardly count as none of the beet flavor is retained. Awhile back I read this great book that a friend of mine recommended called Jitterbug Perfume. In the book there is a whole thing with beets, so this got me thinking I need to give those a whirl. After asking a few beet lovers I know what to do with them I cooked them up, popped a bite in my mouth, and then resisted the urge to spit them out. I read somewhere that you have to try something 12 times before you acquire a taste. So again I thought I would try beets. This time I thought I would use an actual recipe and add some spice or something. This is where the "spiced beets" came from. So, I cooked them up, popped a bite in my mouth and again resisted the urge to spit them out.
2 tries down 10 to go.
I will probably try again. I can honestly say my list of foods I really don't like is pretty short. I'm still working on olives, as I just can't get past the taste of all that salt. I also have a freak thing where I can't stand fresh peaches.... I know I should have my foodie license revoked.
-Shelly
Just in case you are a fan of the "earthy" beet. Here is the spiced beet recipe.
Have you tried Pickled beets? I love them that way but I don't like them "warm" I might try this recipe though.
Posted by: Sindy | Monday, 31 December 2007 at 11:29 AM
I have had a few people tell me to try pickled beets...I may give that a go!
Posted by: Shelly | Monday, 31 December 2007 at 02:29 PM
I can't bring myself to try asparagus! I'm such a WIMP when it comes to trying new foods. I love LOTS of different kinds of foods, but at 30, if I haven't already tried it, it's very hard to get me to!
Posted by: MMM | Monday, 31 December 2007 at 08:31 PM
haha ohhhh I love asparagus, it may just be my favorite veg...but I can see how some people can't stand the smell...not to mention some people claim it makes their pee stink! hahaha, I've never noticed that myself.
Posted by: Shelly | Monday, 31 December 2007 at 11:37 PM
I've heard that too! Well....my grandparents make it a lot, so I keep telling myself that the next time I'm there, and they make it, I will try it. IDK! We'll have to wait and see!
Posted by: MMM | Tuesday, 01 January 2008 at 10:48 AM
I've heard that too! Well....my grandparents make it a lot, so I keep telling myself that the next time I'm there, and they make it, I will try it. IDK! We'll have to wait and see!
Posted by: MMM | Tuesday, 01 January 2008 at 10:49 AM
Beets are not tasty, in my opinion. But I have had them roasted in garlic and olive oil, which makes them more tolerable. Plus, the beet chips are pretty good with enough dip.
Posted by: Kimberly Ann | Wednesday, 02 January 2008 at 01:54 PM
Okay, the beet thing, give it up. There is no way to make them good - none, nada...
Asparagus on the other hand, ummm. For the scardycat, use a can of asparagus spears, drain well, put into a shallow bowl and cover with italian dressing. Let the spears soak in the dressing for a few hours and eat cold. It's even better if you place the marinaded spears over a scoop of cottage cheese and top lightly with fresh grated parmasean cheese. It'll change your out look on the vegetable completely.
Posted by: Aunt Kittie | Wednesday, 02 January 2008 at 02:06 PM
Glad to know it's not just me! I do however have a fear of canned asparagus. The color is not very appealing...but I'm weird about my veggies...I like everything just blanched and still crunchy. But what do I know...trust Aunt Kittie she went to culinary school! I think I will try the pickled beets...the thing is, they are so pretty. They scream EAT ME! haha
Also, I think mom hates beets too. Did grandma force feed you guys beets or something?
Posted by: Shelly | Thursday, 03 January 2008 at 12:07 AM
Oh asparagus SO DOES make you Pee stink!
Posted by: Sindy | Thursday, 03 January 2008 at 12:33 AM
Alright, I might Aunt Kittie's recipe. Sounds good. Um, when I get brave enough, you know....
Posted by: MMM | Thursday, 03 January 2008 at 09:01 PM
I cooked cabbage the way my mom suggested on New Year's Day and will need to try it 11 more times or else stick with cole slaw or Chinese food.
Posted by: Becky | Friday, 04 January 2008 at 02:53 PM
haha...I prefer to get my cabbage in egg roles! ;)
Posted by: Shelly | Saturday, 05 January 2008 at 02:41 PM
Beets taste like dirt. Maybe if they're pickled, they taste like pickled dirt.
In about the third grade my sister memorized the poem "I'd Never eat a Beet" by Shel Silverstein and can still recite it (she is almost 25) and feels the need to do so anytime someone tells her that she must really try this "insert recipe of any form that includes beets" because she'd like it. I have to agree with her!
All I remember is the first line, "I'd never eat a beet, for I could not stand the taste. . . " and that is enough for me.
Beets taste like dirt. Don't bother trying them eight more times, you'll just develop a taste for dirt, and who wants that? :)
Posted by: Sarah | Friday, 25 January 2008 at 01:52 PM