W3: An American Menu

Here is what my menu for an American restaurant would look like:


Potato Skins - These hallowed out potatoes contain everything needed in an appetizer: sour cream, cheese, chives and bacon bits. Mashed potatoes aren't interesting enough and baked potatoes just won't cut it. 
Macaroni and Cheese - Nothing says American like fatty comfort foods and macaroni and cheese is no exception. Kraft from a box would not cut it. I would make it from scratch with lots and lots of cheddar cheese, cooked on a stove top instead of baked in an oven. Gooey, thick and delicious.

Baby Back Ribs - Barbecue's popularity stretches across all of America. Take a trip down South and numerous local-run barbecue shacks litter the roads. Meat, cooked slowly until it falls off the bone and slathered with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, is irresistible to to any red-blooded, carnivorous American.

Apple Pie - This choice is almost a dead giveaway. "There's nothing more American than apple pie" and that is certainly true. 1950s America was littered with images of pies slowly cooling on window sills. I like adding the spice grains of paradise instead of the more traditional cinnamon. I would serve a warm slice of apple pie with two large scoops of vanilla ice cream which is my favorite way to eat apple pie.

Strawberry Lemonade - I have Red Robin to thank for this idea. Lemonade is a drink that is everywhere in the world, but has a distinct place in America. This sugary, yet refreshing beverage becomes exponentially greater when strawberries are thrown into the mix. 

W1: Bacon and Chocolate - An Unholy Marriage

There are some foods that go well together; chocolate and peanut butter, cheese and crackers, milk and cookies. The first week of school I was unfortunate enough to have one of those food combinations that should never happen. I discovered Mo’s Milk Chocolate Bacon Bar.

            This particular “exotic” treat I had the displeasure of tasting was given to me as a stocking stuffer for Christmas. My aunt has a knack for finding strange and odd things to add to my stocking. She also got me Tabasco Chocolate and Nutterz Nuclear Potato Chip Coated Peanuts. Nothing else intrigued me or disturbed as much as the bacon chocolate did.

I like bacon as much as the next person, although I have to say I’m not as fascinated with the meat as much America is, but I had never thought of combining bacon with anything other than breakfast.

 The packaging tried to lure me with fancy advertising. There was a story on the back from the chef who used words such as “ethereal” and “royal coupling.” The front of the packaging had a sizeable piece of delicious bacon next to a small block of chocolate. I started to get drawn in, but I still had issue with the whole thing.

I made it up in my mind that I wasn’t going to try it, no matter how intriguing it seemed. Instead of just throwing it out, I wanted to offer it to my roommates who might perhaps enjoy something like this.  

I approached my first roommate and told him what it was. Once I was finished, I could tell by the appalled look and furious refusal that I wasn’t going to pass it off on him.

            My second roommate felt more adventurous. I described what it was and he wasn’t immediately disgusted. He was even so bold as to try a piece.

            “It’s not too bad” he said, chewing slowly. He then broke off another small piece and continued to eat it.

            Once I was lured into this false sense of security, I decided to have a piece too. As I started chewing, I immediately regretted my decision. The usual sweet taste of chocolate was quickly overwhelmed by taste of pork. Instead of going down smooth, it was chewy due to the Bacon Bit-like chunks that were embedded in the bar. I continued to chew and my gag reflex worked harder and harder not to vomit. After I couldn’t take it any longer,  I headed straight for the trash can to evacuate the contents of my mouth.

            For now, I’ll keep breakfast separate from my dessert.

Vosges – Haut Chocolate sells various exotic chocolates and truffles including the illustrious Mo’s Milk Chocolate Bacon Bar. The price for one bar is $7.50. http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/