1. In an age where “things aren’t built like they used to be,” what are some things that are still built solid?
Good old KitchenAid countertop mixers. Them things are beasts, still to this day.
2. Leftovers. What food did you prepare that tastes way better the next day?
Italian red pasta sauces, i.e lasagna or spaghetti sauces.
3. What is your best food jackpot moment?
That day I first had sushi, around 1993 in Steamboat Springs, CO. Life-changing
4. What holiday do you like the most?
Besides my birthday, over the Memorial Day weekend? I would pick Thanksgiving.
5. What is a completely untrue historical “fact” that people still believe to be real?
The New Testament and the resurrection of Christ
1. Cookware. When making family meals at my mom’s house, I’ll marvel at the age and condition of some of the pots and pans. There are some Revere saucepans that I know are 70+ years old. Some of the cast iron is pushing 100. Sadly, newer pots and pans are meant to wear out.
2. Lasagna is an obvious one. Green chili is another–usually better after the nuances of the peppers really show themselves.
3. Dry-aged steak. What a difference that makes. I remember eating at the long-gone Steaksmith in the Springs, and having a meal we my lady friend and I could barely justify let alone afford. The difference between that steak and non-aged meats was like night and day. The texture and deep flavor were off the charts.
4. I’ll just go with Thanksgiving. It’s the obvious one. As our family has expanded, Thanksgiving is now a work day for me. Last year I was on my feet for 15 hours. In the extended family, we have people with mobility issues. Thus we book a commissary kitchen and dining room so that people who use wheelchairs and walkers can easily get in an out, and have access to well designed restrooms. That means that all ingredients need to be packed in and out, along with any specialized equipment we might need. It’s work.
5. Columbus “discovering” “America.” I don’t know why that is even hinted at these days, yet the legend continues.
1) I still have the first CD player I bought at radio shack in Gunnison, CO. It is a Realistic (radio shack brand) and is still in operation at our house in Buena Vista. I have replaced the belt in it a couple of times and it has to warm up a bit after turning it on to not skip, but after that it works perfectly. Almost 40 years old.
2) Big fan of cold pizza and italian leftovers, which I also eat cold and they are yummy.
3) Trying an authentic Banh Mi at Vinh Xuong Bakery on Alameda and Tejon. I had never heard of a Vietnamese sub sandwich when I tried a Banh Mi back in 2009. Now they are a standard of my food journey, but I have not found anything close in taste and authenticity anywhere else, just Vinh Xuong.
4) I do love Christmas these days. During my formative and childhood years it was fraught with disfunction and chaos due to parents divorcing and all the stupid games they play with kids. And later, when my kids were little it was just plain busy carting them off to grandparents and all sorts of family things. But then we decided Christmas Day was out day and we were not going anywhere or even changing out of comfortable sweats or PJs and if anyone comes over we set the expectation that it is super casual with no pomp or food prep needed.
5) Systemic racism against white people. Doesn’t exist and it is only white people who say it does, just so they can feel better about all the systemic racism they are, in fact, the perpetrators of. Not to say there isn’t targeted ethnic or religious racism against caucasian subgroups, but overall systemic racism against white people is false.
1) Lodge cast iron pans. Those things if cared for properly will last forever!
2) Cold spaghetti is amazing.
3) When I was a wee lad I was introduced to Kraft Mac & Cheese. It has been my favorite ever since. Other try to copy it but that orange powder delightfulness has no equal.
4) I’m a big fan of Groundhog Day. No flashy cards or gifts needed. Only way most people know is because the movie Groundhog Day plays for 24 hours on cable,
5) All religion.