Home > Chef Oz: Inside the CIA > Archives > 2009 > May > 01 > Entry
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugli Fruit
Let’s continue our conversation about the foods we count as favorites, but let us (lettuce) also share some of our least favorites or down right “I can’t stand its.” Now, I’m a fairly omnivorous guy, but there are a few edible morsels out there in the food chain that have earned my disdain. Tripe immediately leaps sideways to my mind. The sideways reference stems from my hung over state of body and brain the first time I managed to ingest a dish that not only included tripe, but also contained another least favorite, hominy, as a principal ingredient. I’m talking about menudo. This legendary sopa from south of the border is purported to have almost magical curative powers for those who have imbibed too heavily the night before. I had, and I wanted to find out if the legend was true. In the company of my fellow alcohol over-achievers I arrived at the old Red Rooster Cafe on Business 77 and ordered a bowl. I managed to choke down a steaming serving without any further shameful incident, but I have to report that it didn’t sit well on a still queasy stomach, and it didn’t do much to quell my symptoms. There was that distinctively noxious tripe aroma that kept giving me fits, and the swollen kernels of hominy that bobbed in the splotches of surface grease tasted exactly like Ivory Soap. I know what that tastes like because of something I said in front of my mother once, but that’s another story. That whole discomfitting experience takes a back seat to what I’m about to disclose.
My Uncle Buster had toes that were dead ringers for Brazil nuts. I had seen him sans shoes from time to time and knew this to be true. Every time my dad popped the vacuum lid on a can of mixed cocktail nuts I would see them lying there, half hidden by the more delectable nutmeats. I knew there would be more toward the bottom of the can, and a shiver would run up my spine. I also knew that when everyone had gotten their fill of filberts, peanuts, cashews (bless you), and almonds, only the Brazil nut dregs would remain. Nobody eats them—EVER! That’s when I would ask my dad to call his brother, my Uncle Buster, and ask him if he was still able to walk. Once I got my courage up and nibbled the tip off of one. I felt like a cannibal.
Now it’s your turn. Give me some some of your goods, bads, and uglies. Thanks for reading and sharing.
Bon Apetit, Chef Oz
Comments
By Rev. Sam
May 1, 2009 1:37 PM | Link to this
Hey Bro, I forgot about Buster’s toes… Yeegk! To put in my 2 cents about food, up here in the Great Northwest, one of my greatest pleasures — and also one my worst culinary nightmares — is ingesting the freshly cracked saffron-gold gonads of sea urchin. When it’s good, it’s like receiving a holy delectable blessing from Mother Ocean with all her delicious salinated bounty. When it’s not so fresh, it’s like having King Neptune and all his aquatic minions vomit directly into your mouth. Gotta try it every time regardless…
By Misguided Toolbox
May 1, 2009 3:54 PM | Link to this
Loves: red caviar, tuna sushi, capers and anchovies straight from the can! Love Pezole (like menudo, without the tripe left in). Loved the tripe-flavored pho at Siagon Kitchen before it went under.
Hates: Brussel sprouts, octopus.
By Brazosdog
May 2, 2009 6:59 PM | Link to this
Hey OZ tell Rev Sam that there are still Wants & Warrants for all associated with one “Speedy’s Fajitas.” Be ye warned.
By Dawn Bryant
May 5, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
Hey OZ! Dawn from Crawford, here! How about Spam and Hamburger Helper. Lame….
By Gary
May 7, 2009 8:14 AM | Link to this
The original “OZZIE Osborne” hello from Waco, Texas. New York City??? Get back down here quick you might start talking funny if you stay to long. Janet & Gary Linthicum