Time Heals All Tongues

  For some it is a challenge to push their taste buds past the meat and potatoes threshold into the uncharted territory of, how do I say this, every other food on the planet! Trying new foods or giving foods you think you hate another try is important for a few reasons. The first being if you eat the same thing day in and day out your body can actually become intolerant or allergic to it. Second, you are limiting the spectrum of nutrients available to your body inhibiting its ability to function optimally. Third, it's BORING!

  I for one hated brussels sprouts, sushi, and blue cheese. But, I gave them multiple tries and now I adore, yes ADORE, all three of these amazing foods. All too often people write off a food because they didn't like it growing up. They would give the "nasty" food to the dog and never try it again. Well here is a fun fact, your taste buds change as you age. When you are a baby and an adolescent not only are there taste buds on your tongue but on the sides and roof of your mouth as well. So in essence as a kid you had the equivalent of  four tongues, making your mouth one hypersensitive place. No food really stood a chance. I don't think any sane person would like asparagus if it tasted 3x stronger than it should. 

 

  With that being said, I urge you to try some foods you have always shunned. My guess is your hate will turn to tolerate, then to like and eventually to love!
To help get you get going I have a couple of suggestions for how to break the ice with some of the most hated foods. 

1) Raw Red Onion: slice, dice, or chop the onion then soak it in cold water for 15 minutes. This will soften the pungent taste and make the onion a bit sweeter. Add to your favorite salads or atop this bun-less burger!

2) Garlic: Roast garlic at 375 for twenty minutes. The garlic will be sweet and smoky. If using garlic in a saute. Take a clove smash it lightly with the back of your knife and let the whole clove infuse the oil then remove and continue cooking. This gives the oil garlic essence without being to powerful.

3) Peas (everyone's favorite!!): Try a pea puree. Steam peas till soft then add peas, mint, salt, pepper, and butter into a food processor. Pulse until smooth. 

4) Asparagus: Roast asparagus at 375 for twenty minutes. Then toss with olive oil or butter, dill, garlic, and lemon/lemon zest. Properly roasted asparagus tastes like french fries!!!

Spring is the perfect time to start exploring new foods. All of the best veg and fruit is ripe for the tasting. So..What are you waiting for? Get out there and eat the world!