Another lively poll last week with “Other” beating out all of the other sugary cereal choices. “My mom didn’t let me eat sugary cereals” was in there more as a joke about Mrs. Burghertime’s bland cereal childhood, but apparently she wasn’t the only person with responsible parents. Note that my three sisters all voted and none selected that option. Draw your own conclusions.
OK, so this week I’m stepping way outside of my comfort zone by asking you, my beloved readers, to select something for me to eat. Past polls have all revolved around favorites–desserts, adult beverages, cereals. Today it’s about least favorites. Specifically my least favorites.
My hatred for broccoli–the devil’s bonsai–is well publicized. My disdain for coconut is unending; it’s like eating sandy hair. Beets are an abomination, tasting of dirt and vengeance. Each of these foods literally makes me gag.
Last time I was faced with a plate of broccoli I went all egg-eating snake: I put as much as I could in my mouth, gave it two chews, then opened up my throat and swallowed what were basically whole florets. My esophagus is still recovering. Mrs. Burghertime makes coconut macaroons that are widely praised by all; I tried one last year and as soon as coconut registered in my brain I ran to the trash can and spit it out. Beets haven’t been much better. Even with a half pound of goat cheese piled on roasted beets I can’t choke more than one bite down.
Since I’m always asking my kids to give foods a fair shake, it’s only fair that I do the same. Here’s the deal: I will eat a large serving of whichever nasty food gets the most votes. A head of broccoli, a small bag of shredded coconut, a bunch of beets.
Voting begins when this is posted and ends on Friday at noon. The catch: at least 30 votes need to be cast for me to suffer. It’s like the Milgram Experiment crossed with a Groupon.
If you’d be so kind, please leave a comment with a palatable way for me to consume whichever item you’ve selected for me to eat. With your help perhaps I can learn to love one of my sworn enemies.
Now go rock the vote!
Mwahahahaha! Vengance is mine!!!!
Ok, being that I’m the true thespian of the family, drama gets the best of me sometimes! I voted for beets, because I have never eaten one. Maybe in a show of sibling solidarity I will even join you if they win!!!
That would be such a nice sibling bonding experience. Maybe you aren’t such a bully afterall…
I wouldn’t wish coconut on anyone – bleah. Beets are growing on me but I still turn my nose up at them. Broccoli – now there’s a yummy veggie. I like it steamed and plain (no butter, no seasonings) but to make it more appealing, maybe douse it in melted butter or melted cheese (of course that more than negates the healthy goodness of broccoli, but…). You could roast it. Or, make a broccoli-cheddar soup – no big hunks of broccoli then, just little green bits floating in cheesy goodness.
the dude on bizarre foods says eat at least two bites of something before you say you dont like it. Like I would take two bites out of most things on that show.
Beets as you said taste like dirt!! If beets win try this recipe
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Roasted-Beets-with-Feta/Detail.aspx
I vote for coconut. If you do not like it on a cream pie your taster needs a tune-up
I love all three. Are you against coconut milk? I made a mean thai rice that involves coconut milk, lime zest and cayenne pepper. Maybe you won’t mind a savory, non-hairy coconut application?
Roasted broccoli is my fav. Cut down the tree to little limbs, preheat oven to 420 degrees, and toss the broccoli with garlic powder, black and red, kosher salt, lemon juice, olive oil, and a touch of chicago steak seasoning. Roast for about 12 minutes.
I LOVE beets. When cut, the red ones look like a gorgeous Russian tapestry. I also roast these guys. Do a petite dice and mix with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, salt and smashed garlic gloves. They are done when they have crusty brown edges.
I actually like the flavor of coconut and use coconut milk pretty often. It’s a texture thing with shredded coconut. Blah. It’s so bad that I can’t even fathom eating a donut with coconut on it. A DONUT!
i join you in your disdain for coconut, it’s a texture thing for sure. love broccoli and cold beets with vinegar/oil and salt/pepper are delicious. if you have to eat the broccoli, for heavens sake don’t choke down the whole head in one bite please, you’re the father of 2 now and husband of 1.
I went with broccoli. You can always smother it in cheese sauce to get it down. Rachel wants you to eat the beets, and Joshua, the coconut.
I voted coconut. As in ice cream.
Oh, coconut is grosse – I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. I think I’m going to try roasted beets with goat cheese myself. But I’m a beet fan. Broccoli – sometimes I like it, sometimes I don’t. I’m going to vote……broccoli. Have it with some cheese sauce!!
Those are three of my favorite things! Beets a more recent discovery as one of my favorite things to eat ever. Just boiled, chilled, eat with mayonnaise. Chilling is key to get the sweet flavor. Sounds weird but I love it. That’s how they roll here in hawaii. Put mayo on everything.
I heart broc and coconut but also dislike beets. Sigh.
Anyways, roast the broccoli! It’s very tasty. Try this recipe….
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/parmesan-roasted-broccoli-recipe/index.html
Save the coconut for the missus to make a batch of macaroons for her father. (it has been a while). I agree on the broccoli. So that leaves the beets.
Eat beets! Ha Ha. This is your last vote and you will eat beets. Love, Katie
Since beets have it, I think you should eat them a la Sperduti. I remember them dousing them with vinegar and downing them like candy.
Chocolate beet cake
http://www.rightathome.com/Food/Recipes/Pages/UnbeetableChocolateCake.aspx?sid=email&cid=rah201009&rid=15031066&om_rid=ADyEqy&om_mid=_BMfr8QB8Ufy5$V
[...] had Mrs. Burghertime type in for her), we reached the requisite 30 votes for me to have to eat a gag-inducing food. The winner is beets. The loser? That’d be me, the guy who has to eat a bunch of beets. I [...]