5 Foody Things That Currently Are Reflective Of Our Worldview

We didn't have to start cooking for ourselves on a regular basis until we were 20. There wasn't a grocery store within walking distance, so at that point a box of Zatarain's plus sausage and onions equaled haute cuisine. We then moved up in the world to red beans from scratch and various curries. We also went through a slow cooker phase which we may return to at a future date. But Who's Now?

1. Pepper Mill: After giving half the nation's waitstaff carpal tunnel, we finally ponied up for our own. We still don't ever say when -- this is a honeymoon that will never end. Pepper is the greatest spice, and any wars fought in its honor were completely justified. Eggs, pasta, hot dogs, cereal -- virtually any dish can be improved through it's addition. We are now experimenting with putting other spices in the grinder for an undertone effect to mixed (get it?) results.
   
2. The Omnivore's Dilemma: We seriously love mocking the deity known simply as Poe-Lan, but a little self-righteousness isn't out of order when one is as very right as he is. Like Fast Food Nation before it, tOD is redefining the way a generation looks at food if not necessarily their habits. Just as fast food profits were never dinged by the former, we doubt most people will feel any less "Smug Green Satisfaction" after their latest Yukon-packing trip to Whole Foods. Perhaps the newly receptive Farmer in Chief will take Poe-Lan's cue to cut the fucking corn subsidies already. We'll join his cult once he starts using citations more and stops using "quotations" for every jargony word he wants you to believe is inherently evil.
3. Amazon Grocery: With easy to navigate deals and convenient ordering, our addiction to Amazon Grocery grew as fast as our cereal and coffee collection. We knew we had a problem when we started designing some of the recipes we've yet to unveil. We knew we needed to stop when average lunches turned into some combination of granola bars, microwave popcorn, and pappadums. We've been clean for about a month and a half now, and will hopefully eat our way out of our can fortress by 2012.
4. Weird Fish Things: We always had a soft spot in our heart for sardines just like any other East Texas-born stereotype, but as a result of #3 we've been able to expand this love. The sweetness of herring. The candy-like affordable vice of smoked salmon trimmings. And most shocking of all, the umamigasm of anchovies.
5. Crisp Snax: You are lucky that we didn't simply devote an entire post to Crisp Snax, the best cracker ever. While it may have been boring and as self-indulgent as an Yngwie track, it would have been deserved. Nothing else is as complementary to a piece of cheese. Other crackers that are not bite size get crumbs everywhere when you try to bite them or break them into smaller pieces. Crisp Snax are perfect. While they are imported from Israel contrary to the teachings of Poe-Lan, their simple five-ingredient list makes him smile down from above. Adorably, the box design looks like it was made with clip art and Microsoft Paint. Really, from their HQ in Brooklyn, they couldn't find one starving graphic design major willing to work for crackers?

Until we write again, we'll be keepin' it grass-fed!