The big food companies aren't pushing their latest and greatest food stuff inventions come the end of the calendar like beet chips or mozzarella that comes stuffed inside a ham roll (actually on second thought maybe they should look into that one).
No, it's back to the basics. Well what they want us to believe are the basics. Everyone knows they had turkey at the first thanksgiving (even though they really didn't) and pumpkin pie (without sugar, that had to be one hell of a lot of fun to watch people eat).
Tradition dictates that for the holidays one has traditional holiday food which makes me wonder just who decided what was tradition and if there was a panel voting what to keep and what to throw out.
"Okay we like the dichotomy of turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes but I just don't know if we can get behind including chili dogs. We'll let our focus group test that out at Plymouth rock and they'll get back to you."
The other funny thing about traditions, there's a good chance that for whatever reason a person completely missed the boat on something Madison Avenue would convince you comes standard in every kitchen the second to last Thursday in November.
My husband had never in his life had green bean casserole. There is an onion intolerance that runs through his family, but as I tried to convince him the French's Fried Onion Slivers only count as onion because someone wafted a bit of onion powder on them somewhere down the line.
So I set about and made him his first ever green bean casserole (it was also the first time I'd ever made it and the fact that it turns out so well is a testament to just how damn easy the thing is).
He liked it very much and I'm sure will come very close to licking the bowl clean when we get to the end.As for me, I've come to realize that I've never had yams or sweet potatoes. Oh and also meatloaf, it's not so much a holiday tradition as it is a Tuesday one but it's still funny sometimes to realize that yep never had one of those American staple foods.
Is there a holiday tradition that for whatever reason you've missed out on all your life? Assuming it's not going to possibly kill you have you ever thought about making your own?
Maybe next year we can sneak a few interesting entries into the "Traditional Holiday Food Board." I've already got a tandoori chicken I think they'd really go for and some mole mashed potatoes.
Green bean casserole is a staple at our family gatherings as well as one, much stranger casserole: scalloped corn with oysters...eeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwww.
ReplyDeleteAnyway. Meatloaf is not all that its cracked up to be. I hear its easy to make, but my mom used to make it so much that I can't even stand the stuff anymore.
Sweet potatoes from a can are disgusting (even when doctored with brown sugar and marshmallows). I've not tasted them when they're homemade. I'm told those are MUCH better.
Green bean casserole was not something we had in my family. I never had it last year. It was ok.
ReplyDeleteI prefer fresh sweet potatoes or yams. I don't think I've ever had canned.
OMG?!?! You guys (between you both) haven't had green bean casserole or meat loaf or sweet potatoes??
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm sure there is something out there that you've had and I have not, so we're all fair.
Okay:
Green Bean casserole - yummy, when fixed right. Make sure it's not soupy.
Meatloaf - once again, can be most delicious if fixed properly. Make sure that it's not dry. I actually really like meatloaf.
Sweet Potatoes/Yams - not my fave. I don't like the sweet and starchy combination. I can't really describe it, but I've had canned, I've had fresh, and I've had them many ways. I just don't care about them.
BUT!!! Sweet Potato fries or Sweet Potato chips are super yummy!! Why is it that everything gets better if you fry it??
Just for you, I'm going to find a low-cal meatloaf recipe for a Trim-it-Down Tuesday recipe. I think you would like it. And, as with the green bean casserole, it's super easy to make.
Oh, but you know what I've never had?? Liver. My mom hates it, so we never had it. And now, I don't really think I'm inclined to try it. So, no liver for me, thankyouverymuch.
ReplyDeleteOr gizzards. Ick. Chris likes them, but not on my life will I eat one. Not really sure what they are anyways.
Also, have not had pigs feet. Come on.
Notice how all of these things are "Southern" foods. Ha!
Love green bean casserole and this looks mighty good, haven't had it forever! I just had sweet potatoes for the first time this year and fell in love w/ them - sweet potato french fries (baked) are the best!
ReplyDelete