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Are you a Picky Eater?
Hello, my name is Charlatan and I used to be a picky eater.
When I was young, I wouldn't eat much of anything. Vegetables I would eat: peas, corn and potatoes. All else was out of the picture. Tomatoes were OK as long as they were in a sauce (i.e. Pizza or Spaghetti). Chinese Food: no way! (not that it was real Chinese food... just the stuff they served in Chinese take out places).
I was not adventurous.
In first year University I met two women (an early girlfriend and my soon to be wife) who opened my eyes to other foods to eat. Many years after that, I was more adventurous but still rather limited in what I was willing to eat.
A few years ago, I took a job that not only brought me to the other side of the world where they eat different things but put me in situations where I was meeting some very talented chefs and foodies. I made a vow to myself that I would expand my culinary horizons. I decieded:
1. To eat any food I was offered, regardless of past experience or preconceived notions.
2. When dining out, I would choose items on the menu that I had never tried before or was less likely to try. (i.e. I wouldn't play it safe).
3. I would learn to cook new dishes and expand my cooking abilities.
So far, this has been a reasonable success. Just about every weekend I have learned to cook something new or I made something again so I can learn from previous mistakes. I have been eating more fish and seafood (something I usually don't choose) when dining out, not to mention the food of various ethnicities. And whenever, I have been offered something to try... I do (granted, when Daniel Boulud tells you to try something you don't turn your nose up).
How about you? Are you a picky eater or do you like to try new foods? What do you do when faced with something new, odd or different on your plate? Do you have any foods that you will not eat (or even try)? Do you have any food that you have tried but will never eat again?
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"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke
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