What food(s) did you hate as a child, but enjoy as an adult?

I have always been characterized as a picky eater. And I think I still am. However, I have discovered a few things that I disliked as a child but thoroughly enjoy now.

The biggest one that I can’t believe I never even tried, was stuffing. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas I would stay as far away from it as I could, and refused to even try it. Why? Mostly because it looked disgusting. Something about soggy bread and celery stuffed inside a turkey just didn’t strike my fancy. Then, several months ago (years ago?) Mae made some Chicken Helper with stuffing, and I loved it. It smelled good, so I tried it, and now I eat as much as I can stand do at holiday gatherings.

Another thing I never ate as a child was Chinese food. I remember going to North China by the Maplewood Mall and ordering a cheeseburger while the rest of my family got Chinese food. I choose to blame my distaste on chow mein. It, much like stuffing, is not particularly eye pleasing, and also has celery in it. I do find it strange that I clearly remember eating handfuls of chow mein noodles as a child, but never chow mein. And I don’t eat chow mein noodles now. I find it strange how I didn’t like Chinese food, but most of the dishes are very basic. Like my absolute favorite, beef and broccoli over white rice. I also enjoy most varieties of chicken, and chicken fried rice. I have, however always enjoyed wontons. They work nicely in place of french fries.

And there are some things that I enjoyed as a child, and will continue to enjoy for the rest of my life. Like cheese sandwiches.

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My First Trip To Sonic

So I mentioned a few days ago that I have been seeing Sonic commercials and there is one half a mile from our new house, but I’ve never eaten there before. Mae and I went yesterday on our way to the Tap & Grill for the going away party of a former coworker from Target in North Saint Paul.

We arrived, found an open parking stall, and began looking over the menu. There was a decent selection, not really any more or less than I had expected. However, there were some things that were fairly unique, such as corn dogs and chili cheese tater tots. I ended up getting a Super Sonic Cheeseburger combo with fries and Dr. Pepper, and Mae got a Jr. Deluxe Burger and chili cheese tots with a Sprite. It seemed like a long time to wait for the food, but it was about ten minutes. Not sure if it was because we were sitting in the car instead of at a table, but it was comparable to the wait time at Culvers. Oscar, our carhop showed up and gave us our food. He was nice, but he didn’t have the best attitude. My total was $10.82; I paid $20.82, needing only a $10 bill back. He took the money and then counted the change out loud, twice, before giving me my change. Not sure if that’s some sort of rule that they have when paying with cash, but it was strange. He handed me the change, said “Enjoy your meal”, and walked off. We quickly realized that he did not give us any straws for our soda. We started eating and he too must have realized that he forgot the straws because he came over and gave us some. We also didn’t think we got any forks (for the chili cheese tots), so I asked him for two forks when he gave us the straws. He said he’d be right back with them, but Mae found one wrapped up inside the wax paper that the tots were in and we finished all of our food before Oscar ever returned with the forks.

The food was good, and reasonably priced, however I don’t know that I’ll eat there too often. If I go there again, it will likely be via drive-thru, not ordering and eating in the car. I suppose it would be more fun in the summer, but it’s always crazy busy there since there are only three locations in Minnesota (that I know of). One here in Saint Paul, one in Savage and one in Elk River. I’ve heard the slushies are really good, but I think I’ll stick to Culvers for the time being. It’s closer anyways.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, may you enjoy gorging yourself on wonderful food as much as I am about to.

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Blog Block: What is a type of food or dish that people think you are strange for eating?

Many moons ago, a new concept was created. This concept was called Blog Block. It was sort of a collaboration between myself, Kayla and Cass to give not just ourselves, but the world a reason to blog. Basically, a topic would be posted and then everyone would write their replies on their blogs, and link back to the original post containing the idea so that others could read their post. However, it was only done a total of one times. So, here’s the new plan. Someone (anyone!) writes a blog on some random topic. If someone else reads the blog (let’s hope so..) they can reply in comments with their thoughts (obviously), and also link to their post on their blog for the same topic. Make sense? Good.

ANYWAYS, I was sitting here at 2:30 in the morning with some serious hunger issues and decided to dig around the fridge for something to eat. My options were quite limited, but I was able to create what has surely got to be one of the finest meals available anywhere: a cheese sandwich. That’s right, I said a cheese sandwich. Let me lay it out for you. Basically, you’ve got your bread (wheat, if you know what’s good for you.), a healthy serving of Miracle Whip (on both pieces of bread, of course), and two Kraft Singles (American, of course.). Simple spread your Miracle Whip on both pieces of bread, place two slices of gourmet Kraft cheese in the middle, and that’s it. Enjoy what is sure to be the best meal you’ll eat all day.

Cheese SandwichNow, on to the matter at hand. This edition of Blog Block was initiated because I made myself a tasty cheese sandwich and while I was compiling all of the components for this masterpiece, I thought to myself: “Hmmm, I remember when I was a little kid and I ate cheese sandwiches for lunch almost every day at school. Everyone else had their PB&J, Ham, Turkey, soup, leftover somethingorother, and I was just happy as could be chowing away on my cheese sandwich.” Which was true, I ate cheese sandwiches pretty much every day of my childhood, and for a short (a month or two) period of time it was the only thing I would eat. Needless to say it is definitely not a treat I have the opportunity to enjoy in this day and age. I still get the most awful looks when someone sees me stuffing my face with one of these puppies and they ask what is easily the most annoying question ever when you’re eating: “Whatcha got there, pal?” First, we’re probably not pals, so back off. Second, it’s my food, not yours, so back off some more. And then once I’ve relaxed a little and swallowed the mouthful of cheese, Miracle Whip and bread I simply reply: “a cheese sandwich.” I then have to go on and on explaining everything you just read to them, only to have them come back with: “That doesn’t sound too tasty..” And I refer them to reason number two why they started it by asking the most annoying question ever. So the next time you get that late night hunger (or any time hunger really) try a delicious cheese sandwich. Just make sure you’re alone when you eat it.

Now to extend to you, the reader, what is a food or dish that people think you’re strange for eating? Write about it on your blog and post a link here in a comment. Share this post with your friends and make them participate too. It’s fun.. sort of.

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