The Secret Ingredient is Love

For some reason, fast food restaurants, housewives, and chefs across the world pride themselves on their “secret” recipes.  I’m not exactly sure what the appeal of this is.  I attribute most of this to the exclusivity, the mystery, or possibly the media. 

The idea that “not just anyone can make my steamed carrots” appeals to people because it makes them feel special.  Often times recipes are passed down through families.  I always hear people say they are going to use their grandmother’s secret recipes.  So what does this mean?  That all grandmothers are notoriously secretive?  I think it’s more about wanting to pass on a part of yourself, but to someone you care about.  That accounts for a lot of secret recipes within families I think.

Coke and KFC are most likely keeping their recipes secret for one of two reasons.  The first possibility is for attention.  The mystique and intrigue behind the unattainable secret recipes makes us want to keep coming back for more (or at least in theory).  The second possibility is that the secret ingredient is something disgusting, immoral, or as conspirators would have us believe, supernatural!  I’m more than willing to wager the first reason is the reason for Coke and KFC’s secrecy.

Not only do commercials throw the idea of secret recipes in our faces, but multiple forms of media support this trend.  One of the greatest examples of this is the show Spongebob Squarepants.  A good third of the episodes are about the Krabby Patty secret formula.  Almost always it gets so close to being stolen, and in the end remains safe. 

One can only hope that we are eating things that aren’t of questionable nature.

Week 6: Food Injustice

                While watching the movie Food Inc. I was surprisingly very affected.  The film obviously had an agenda, and they obviously were preying off of my susceptibility to sob stories, corporate tyrants, and cute furry animals.  I realize that it is littered with propaganda; regardless, It made an impression.  I’m not exactly a softie, but when I saw those living chicks on the conveyer belt, It was pretty hard to watch.  Furthermore, the stories about the farmer that was completely screwed over by Monsanto were very maddening.  It’s difficult to understand how people can do these types of things not only to animals, but to other human-beings.

                The images of the animals’ terrible conditions were very powerful.  I already mentioned the living baby chickens that were put on a conveyer belt, and tagged like merchandise.  I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have to be the guy that tagged baby chickens that were crying the entire time.  Another image that was really powerful was one in which the chicken farmer had to walk around her nearly empty coop, and pick up the corpses of chickens lucky enough to die before those delivery workers came and took them away (after kicking and abusing them of course).  All of this combined with the images of the crippled cows being hung by their hooves upside-down at the slaughterhouse.  It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth:  literally and figuratively.

                It was certainly a goal of the movie to demonize corporations.  I must confess, it worked on me without a hitch.  I understand that I am only being given information on the negative things they’ve done.  That being said, regardless of any good they may do, this corruption is unacceptable.  They are so deceptive that no one really notices how few corporations there really are.  And this gives any given corporation immense power.   Anyone that goes up against them has no chance!

                Despite being completely predictable, Food Inc. was effective.  At least by my standards.

Why America Is THE Fast Food Nation

Fast food always was something that was more of a treat, rather than a regular occurrence.  This was just the way things were for a while.  However, once my friends and I turned sixteen, and were able to drive ourselves around, this changed drastically.  In my high school we were allowed to go wherever we wanted for lunch as long as we were back in 45 minutes.  Thus the fun began:  Taco Bell, Raising Canes, Subway, Taco Bell, Burger King, Panda Express, Taco Bell, Taco Bell, and everyone’s personal favorite Taco Bell.  The Columbus Taco Bell on 5^th Avenue knows who I am by now. 

Why Taco Bell?  It’s cheap, and it’s delicious.  Furthermore, my vegetarian friend was always able to find something she liked there.  It is one of the most convenient eateries I have ever had the pleasure of dining at.  For some reason everyone I talk to here in Athens turns up their nose at Taco Bell.  Sure, the meat they use is lower grade than dog food meat (literally if I hear correctly), that being said it doesn’t take away from my eating experience.  Compared to other fast food chains, Taco Bell is actually the healthy choice; sad but true.  And while the quality is poor, and it is unappealing physically, it’s cheap and tasty.

Taco Bell is the perfect example of why fast food is such a huge part of American dining.  Americans tend to live in the fast-lane.  Everything needs to be speedy, because we all think we have so much to get done.  Another thing to consider is that Americans are bargain-crazy.  Everything needs a coupon, sale, or in this case a dollar menu.  It tastes good, its fast, and it costs next to nothing:  it’s something any American can enjoy regardless of schedule, class, or palette.  

Quintessential American Cuisine

It’s kind of hard to say what exactly “American Food” is.  The United States is a melting pot of different cultures, and with different cultures come different foods.  So we can think of this melting pot as metaphorical as well as literal.  What makes a difference between American food, and non American food is clear “Americanization” of other foods.  The essence of American food usually is derived from other cultures.  So what are the quintessential American dishes that one would need in an all-American restaurant? 

Mac & Cheese:

            It’s more than likely if you were raised in the United States that Mac and Cheese was a prominent dish in your early life.  This is because it combines three of the things us Americans love the most: pasta, cheese, and fat!  The dish has Italian, British, and Swiss influence; but it has been adapted seamlessly into American culture.  Kraft has made sure of this.  From easy-mac to noodles shaped like Wonder Woman, we have a kind of macaroni for any discerning American. 

California Rolls:

            This is a perfect example of a food that has been drastically Americanized.  A California roll, is a roll of sushi containing cucumber, crab, and avocado.  This is extremely different to more traditional Japanese sushi, which has much more exotic ingredients such as squid, and eel.  Americans have adapted this dish into something within our comfort zone.  Although not every American has been influenced by the pleasures the California roll:  the California rol has certainly been heavily influenced by Americans.

Southern Fried Chicken:

            American fried chicken is world famous.  Although fried chicken already existed in other parts of the world, it is recognized as a very American food.  This is because it was perfected in the American south.  Whether it’s KFC, Popeyes, or Raising Canes (my personal favorite) southern chicken never disappoints in being one of the greasiest, nastiest, and tastiest foods in existence. 

This is not American food in it’s entirety; that would be impossible to list.  This is because just about any dish can be (and has been) Americanized.  The German hamburger, the Italian pizza, and the Mexican taco; all Americanized.  This would bode well for variety in an “American” restaurant.

We have a winner!

My mother was driven by a few things when she made dinner for our family.  The first of which was her desire to indoctrinate us into a healthy lifestyle (something my father has managed to resist for almost forty years).  Another thing that drove her was her quest for appreciation and praise.  This required a lot of experimentation on her part:  my father and little brother are particularly picky.  All challenges aside, she found a dinner that seemed to meet all of her, and the rest of the family’s expectations:  her “famous” chicken and rice.

I must confess:  I can’t really remember the first time this dinner was served to the family.  I imagine that when it happened, the reaction must have been astounding.  I’m only guessing this because it seems like we have it every time my mother can’t think of anything else to make…which incidentally seems like a lot sometimes.  Don’t get me wrong though:  the chicken is delicious!  And it is complimented perfectly by jasmine or pilaf rice, and my mother’s steamed carrots. 

            The recipe for the marinade or accompaniment changes with my mother’s mood:  which does make for a variety of different tastes.  The chicken usually marinates in the refrigerator for about a day before it is cooked and served.  A common ingredient in the marinade is rosemary,  although it is usually very subtle.  When my mother decides to really give the chicken a bold flavor, she breaks out her go-to spice:  coriander.  I swear, I have been eating coriander since I was three years old.  I personally feel like it really makes the chicken far more tasty. 

            Although I am often stuck with eating chicken and rice for a majority of my visits to home, I don’t hate it.  There are far worse things than a scrumptious and healthy meal.

A Merry Jewish Indian Christmas

Some people may think that a Jewish family wouldn’t have Christmas dinner traditions.  These people in most cases would probably be right; however, it is not the case in my family.  As I’m sure you might have guessed, I come from a Jewish family: a non-practicing one, but a Jewish family nevertheless!  Despite the fact that we do not actually celebrate Christmas, we have a tradition that has survived the past ten years.  Every Christmas Day, my family and I go out to an Indian restaurant. We do this for two reasons, the first of which being: Indian restaurants are always open on Christmas.  The second, and arguably more important reason, is that my family and I love Indian food.  Ever since my mother studied abroad in India during her college years she has been obsessed with any and all things Indian, especially food. 

            We usually start our meal off with naan, one of the most delicious bread creations I have had the pleasure of tasting.  Since there are so different types and flavors of naan, we try and get something vary things up.  When the main course comes out, we all just tend to share.  Tandori chicken, alu gobi, and shrimp vindaloo are among my favorite dishes:  and of course I like it hot!  Indian food can always benefit from being hotter if you ask me.  All of this is topped off with white rice, which I have never been disappointed by.

            Our family doesn’t have very many traditions.  Considering how long this tradition has been around, it is one that is very important to me.  While all my friends look forward to Christmas cheer and presents, I look forward to Indian food:  And I wouldn’t have it any other way.