Originally Posted by
PresRDC
Great thread!
I've got more rules that can go into one post.
1. Pizza should only contain crushed tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil.
2. A tomato not grown in Italy is not worth using for cooking -- canned imported tomatoes a always better than fresh domestic ones for use in cooking.
3. Boar's Head is the only brand of cold cuts worth eating.
4. Roast beef for a roast beef sandwich must be rare and from Boar's Head.
5. A deli is not a real deli if its bread doesn't come from Arthur Avenue.
6. Mayonaisse is idsgusting unless it is Helmans, in which case it is the best condiment ever.
7. Dijon mustard is for cooking, not for sandwiches.
8. Vadalla onions are not for use in cooking. They are only meant to be served raw.
9. Ketchup should only be made by Heinz.
10. It is better to go without than to compromise of ingredients.
11. Light, reduced fat or fat free products are not allowed. Eat less of the real thing.
Pres, totally agree on many of your points (except 1,2 & 5). 1) because pizza is a personal thing IMO. 2) Would agree except when I can grow my own tomatoes in the summer (though I have yet to be successful with the San Marazano) 5) I didn't grow up in the tri-state area so while I have heard people wax poetically about Arthur Ave bakeries, I've never experienced the bread from them.
Some points of my own:
1) also a member of the no ketchup on a hot dog ever club
2) please don't try disguising substandard hamburger meat with a ton of Lawry's season salt
3) no Bud Light, Coors Light or any beer that looks like diluted pee may cross the threshold of my home
4) I like my beef pink, if you don't... the grill is out on the deck and likely still warm. Though I have found many of the people that would rather their beef be grey also don't mind the off taste it gets if they bring it to color in the microwave. Which brings me to rule 5...
5) Never reheat leftover beef in the microwave. It always gets reheated under the broiler or just sliced cold into a salad. This rule only applies to leftover roasts and steaks (stews and stuff can be put in the nuker).
6) No canned veg ever (except for sliced beets and garbanzo beans for my salads - though I would prefer fresh beets). This rule does not apply to marinated, pickled, brined or home canned items however. I'm talking canned carrots, green/wax beans, peas, asparagus.... I'm sure my garbage disposal would like a break from me prepping so many fresh vegetable dishes for dinners but, just, no. And frankly I get a little insulted if someone can't even go the extra mile at the holidays and prepare fresh (or even frozen!!) veggies instead of canned ones.
Oh and one quirk that is my only exception to the Boar's Head rule.
Bologna sandwiches: must be Wunderbar bologna, French's yellow mustard and Lays potato chips between two slices of "Italian" bread (the kind you get with the other sandwich breads).
re: Cilantro
I too think it tastes like soap. I read a few months back its some genetic thing that causes some of us to get the soap taste and others don't.