Friday Five-Homage to the Top Chef

If you were a food, what would you be?

My mother and her sister worked in the family business, a grocery store (pre-supermarket) when they were growing up, and then took it over when my grandfather died. My mother was the butcher and we always ate lots of steaks. After I grew up and moved away when I'd leave after a visit, she would send be away with a box of my favorite food, New York Strip Steaks, so I guess that's what I'd be. Substantial, a little old fashioned although flying in the face of convention in these vegan days. A good New York strip steak, red in the center, charred outside.

What is one of the most memorable meals you ever had? And where?

1.Every meal I had in southern Italy this past spring was great and the memorable ones were the unexpected ones like at the car/bus gas station, when we had a flat tire and had the best breakfast and lunch! Better than any restaurant in the US, so good. We could have eaten every meal there!
2.This is difficult as I've had so many, hence my previous post! I'm remembering a plate of pasta I had at Chez Panisse in Oakland, California in the 80's, not in the main restaurant as we couldn't get a reservation but the one downstairs. I just remember that it was delicious and perfect.

What is your favorite comfort food from childhood?

Why, warm chocolate pudding, of course!

When going to a church potluck, what one recipe from your kitchen is sure to be a hit?

Haven't been to a lot of potlucks, but last Friday I took a box of Dunking Donuts to my Catholic Lesbians Group and it was a hit!

What’s the strangest thing you ever willingly ate?

I'm a pretty picky eater, so sushi is it, but I don't consider that strange. Hmmm I may have to think about this today and add something later. I was never a paste eater in grade school.

Bonus question: What’s your favorite drink to order when looking forward to a great meal?

As I stopped drinking alcohol 20+ years ago it's Coca-Cola or iced tea for me. But when I go out, I'll have a ginger ale to be festive! Has anyone tried Arizona Iced Tea Stress Tea. I started drinking it after the World Trade Center when I was cutting back on caffeine. I'm hooked. Water, too.