Friday, August 24, 2012
All I Want is a Cheeseburger and Fries
by
Dana Lewis from Going Organic Can Kill You, the first in the Blossom Valley
Mystery series by Staci McLaughlin
“Is that a chocolate pudding pie?” I asked Zennia as I ogled
the creamy brown concoction resting on the kitchen counter and tried not to
openly drool. Would she notice if I dipped one itty bitty finger in it?
Zennia rolled up the sleeves of her tie-dyed blouse as she
prepared to wash the lunch dishes. “Yes, I found a wonderful silken-tofu pie
recipe. Guests will love it.”
Oh, no! Not more tofu!
When I’d taken this marketing position at the O’Connell Organic Farm and
Spa, I hadn’t realized that part of the job would include avoiding Zennia’s wacky
creations. Between taste testing the tofu fish sticks, black pepper cookies,
and fermented soy beans, sometimes I was afraid to even step foot in the
kitchen. I knew this was supposed to be a healthy place, but couldn’t she make
macaroni and cheese just once? I’d even let her use organic cheese, pasta, and
butter. Guests would gobble it up.
“Dana, did you want to try a bite?”
“What?” I glanced up to find Zennia watching me. While I’d
been musing about how scary I found her food, she’d been offering me a nibble.
“I’ll pass for now. I’m still full from lunch.” Full from my delicious
cheeseburger, the kind where the cheese melts down the sides of the piping hot
meat, fresh from the grill. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not opposed to wholesome
eating. Just not all the time. Between Zennia’s meals and the dinners my mom
prepared, I was surrounded by healthy food. Now, if I wanted something fatty
and scrumptious, I had to drive to the nearest fast food restaurant on my lunch
hour.
It wasn’t always like this. Back when my dad was still
alive, we spent plenty of Sunday dinners digging into fried chicken with mashed
potatoes and gravy or beef chili with piles of shredded cheddar on top and
buttery cornbread on the side. But after Dad died of a heart attack, Mom
insisted we start eating better. Now we have broiled chicken and brown rice at
least three times a week. Sometimes it’s all I can do not to start clucking. I
think what I need is a big bowl of ice cream…with whipped cream and hot fudge.
Yes, that should fix everything, just as soon as I can get away from this tofu
pie.
What’s your favorite comfort food?
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Must it be food, Dana? I get quite a bit of comfort from the company of a few of my favorite fellows...Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, and even my Old Grand Dad.
ReplyDeleteHa! Food...drink...it all works!
DeleteWhen I'm in a hurry, nothing beats a peanut butter and jam sandwich. When I'm not in a hurry, something warm and cheesy. Cheese fondu, anyone?
ReplyDeleteI love fondue, too, Willow, especially with little cubes of toasted bread or mini sausages or well, just about anything is good dipped in melted cheese!
DeleteLOL! Great post, Dana. I have to admit that ice cream gets my vote. A little bit melted so it's soft. Yummmm.
ReplyDelete~ Krista
Isn't it weird how ice cream tastes better when it's melted a bit? The trick is to not eat it before it has a chance to soften.
DeleteOooh, comfort food? Brownies. Homemade chocolate chip cookies. Peanut butter on toast. the list goes on and on...
ReplyDeleteOkay, now you're just making me hungry. = ) Rich, gooey brownies are my favorite!
DeleteGraham crackers with hot tea, preferably Constant Comment. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love a cup of tea on a rainy day, especially if I'm reading a good book while I'm sipping.
DeleteScalloped potatoes with cheese . . . shepherd's pie with flaky pie crust on top and mashed potatoes below . . . 5-minute chocolate mug cake - the most dangerous recipe in the world. If you're willing to risk it, I'll post the recipe. But don't blame me if you can't control yourself later!
ReplyDeleteYes, please! I'll risk it!
DeleteOkay, Dana, but I warned you.
ReplyDelete5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake
4 T. flour
4 T. sugar
2 T. cocoa
1 egg
3 T. milk
3 T. oil
3 T. chocolate chips, optional (Hah! Not really)
Splash vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (microwave safe)
1. Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well. Add egg and mix thoroughly.
2. Pour in milk and oil and mix well.
3. Add chocolate chips and vanilla and mix again.
4. Put mug in microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1,000 watts.
5. The cake will rise dramatically straight up out of the mug. Don’t panic! Very exciting.
6. Allow to cool slightly. Tip onto a plate or eat straight from the mug.
Can't wait to make it! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite comfort food is baked macaroni and cheese.
ReplyDelete