Stuff-in-the-Stuff

   
       So, everyone has some experience in their life that affects their consumption habits.  We all know someone with a story that ends with “and that's why I can't drink tequila" or,” and that's when I found out I was allergic to nuts". Or some variation of how our past impacts our present.  Mine is stuff-in-the-stuff.  What is it, you say?  Well it all starts in my childhood (fade to scenes of kids playing in the back yard, cue soft memory lane type music) Mom worked 1 day a week. Friday, every Friday.  We kids were responsible for cleaning the whole house this day, and this was the 1 day a week my father was responsible for cooking. (Those of you who are exceptionally insightful should already be able to see where this is going).  Dad was not exactly what you'd call a culinary arti`st.  But what he lacked in cooking skills (which was a lot at the time) he made up for with...with...well nothing, but he did have an intense desire not to waste money, or food, but especially money. Guess I should say what he lacked in skill he made up for with cheapness.  Not very complimentary sounding, but for the record he did eventually improve to gourmet level creations. 

    And so senor cheapo went to Sam's and saw these 5lb bags of dried Mediterranean pasta mix on clearance, that no one else in a 50 mile radius wanted anything to do with.   He of course bought a bag to try...no wait that's what he SHOULD have done.  Instead he bought all 27 bags. Why, you ask? Because they were cheap.  So he made us dinner with it, and we all immediately realized why those atrocities were on clearance. They were HORRENDOUS.   Well my sis and I "accidently" left it out all night ( cuz you KNOW he wasn't cleaning up after himself) and in the morning we had to toss it...tragic.  The next week he tried again, only this time he doctored it up a bit. Same result. (And yes we left it out and tossed it).

   And so it went for YEARS. Every Friday dad would cook this stuff, using whatever we had too much of in the house.  It was awful.  He DESTROYED the kitchen in the process.  We left it out all night and had to toss it in the morning... huh, as I write this I realize we never once got in trouble for that.  An offense that should have been punishable with grounding, because after all it WAS wasting.  Guess sissy and I weren't the only ones who didn't miss the stuff!

   Thus I began to mistrust food items with too much going on.  If the pasta had been good it would not have needed 25 ingredients.  Too much stuff-in-the-stuff.  I am completely aware there are mountains of exceptions, and different preferences.  For example my good friend and cupcake comrade Laura has a more-the-merrier attitude.  But for me, I get suspicious.  If you have a really good ice cream, do you NEED nuts AND chocolate chips AND caramel swirls AND peanut butter chips AND candy pieces AND marshmallows AND cherry bits?  I begin to wonder.  I know many love moose tracks, but it's just not my thing.  Same principle goes for most dessert.  Not that I'm against thoughtful pairings and combinations, but let's face it, crème brulee' is better than fruit cake. Stuff-in-the-stuff.  That's just how I feel. But don't blame me, blame Dad. 

Tell me your food stories!!