Ground (beef) Rules
January 2nd, 2009
So last night we ate out at the traditional welcome-the-new-year’s Chinese Buffet. What, you don’t do that every January 1st?
Now, were I wanting to check off many of my never-eaten meats at once, it would have been ideal place to do so. They not only had the expected options of beef with broccoli, pork ribs, dumplings, and other usual choices, but also fried frog and oxtail soup. But I ate none of it. It didn’t look good, and I get sick enough just eating the stuff I’m used to eating there. In any case, I thought it would be a good idea to set down some basic rules for this project.
The Ground Meat Rules:
- I do NOT have to eat a new meat the first time it is available
- If on the other hand, anyone around me is eating a “new meat” and says “This is the best steak/meatloaf/sweetbread/chicken foot/kangaroo/etc I have ever had” I must ask for a bite to try.
- Related: I will seek out the best experiences/places to try new meats
- I will try to eat/try as many of the “new meats” as possible by December 31st, 2009
- I will favor local/farm raised/organic meats over others
- I will try cooking new meats myself
I am still undecided as what I’m going to do about fast food. I haven’t eaten at a fast food restaurant outside of a very few times while traveling since I read Fast Food Nation in 2002. It does seem if I’m taking a real journey into meat in America, it should include a Big Mac. On the other hand, I can already tell when someone I am kissing has recently eaten a Big Mac. I don’t know why, but it has the most distinct (and disgusting) second-hand breath. Luckily, the husband eats no fast food either.
January 2nd, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I recommend you go straight to Mario Batali for pork - my vote for best pork.
I’ve been on a holiday bender cooking VERY large VERY expensive cuts of meat for the holidays, including leg of lamb for Christmas and prosciutto-covered wine-soaked beef filet for New Year’s. Happy to share recipes and have you guys over in the new year!
January 2nd, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I’m sorry, but fast food doesn’t count as meat. I think that we’ve arrived, as a country, at that basic consensus. So I don’t think you need to worry. The big questions are going to be things like Denny’s and IHOP, I think… that’s where things get a little ambiguous.
Just my opinion.
Awesome blog! Have already subscribed to the feed!
January 2nd, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Who else are you kissing that might have eaten a Big Mac?
January 2nd, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Amanda: yeah, I was looking for the past tense in that sentence as well. Didn’t find it. Hmmm.
January 2nd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Yes, you’re right, I am kissing no one else but Matt. That should have been in the past tense. I have kissed men and noted a Big Mac aroma. I assume I could still do so.
Anyway, agree with Joe — not planning on fast food at this point.
January 2nd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
This is a very funny idea for a blog, Toby. As a former vegetarian turned happy meat eater, I’ll be very interested in how you find it all. I also wanted to mention that I had no trouble digesting meat when I started, so - like me - you may just find it agrees with you. I sometimes still get a little yucked out when I think about it too much, if I’m totally honest, but physically it treats me very well!
January 2nd, 2009 at 8:43 pm
I am also a former (13-year) vegetarian. I now love pretty much all seafood, all poultry, all beef, pork, lamb, etc. I am still experiencing new flavor and texture journeys as a past-part-veg-head. And it’s fun. Can’t wait to hear your adventures.
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Awesome. I totally support you on this endeavor. There are days when I crave chicken noodle soup like no other. (Let me know how it is if and when you have it!)
I have no problem when people eat meat around me. If I could kill it, I’d eat it. However, I refuse to watch/let people eat veal. There’s just no way for that to be processed humanely.
That is my two cents.
I’m excited for this new blog and adventure!