Rice, Pasta, Bread, and Potato

Sunday nights are usually depressing as the reality of going back to work in mere hours sets in. For me, the sinking feeling in my stomach starts around 4 pm and lasts until I tuck into bed for the night. I do, however, believe that spending the night with friends is a good way to get work off my mind and extend my weekend as far as possible.

Case in point, I had some friends come over for Taco Night where the following discussion ensued.

Scenario 1

If you had to rank the following carbohydrates in order from favourite to least favourite – which would you chose? In alphabetical order:

Bread

Pasta

Potato

Rice

Now, surprisingly research shows that pasta is the least favourite of the options as 85%* of respondents were willing to forgo this tasty Italian staple. The first choice favourite was tied between rice and bread at 57% and 43% respectively. Real question here is what in the world has happened to the importance of potatoes in our culinary minds? This "once staple" goodie has become the very worst thing out there: completely irrelevant. I wonder why we are less incline to feel emotion towards potatoes, whereas pasta has become vilified. Sir Richard Blain, Emeritus, one of my Taco Party attendees stated very matter-of-factly that "pasta is rubbish". I would love to hear your thoughts on the place of pasta in your diet.

There is no question that my favourite, rice, is an all around winner. I mean, you can make pasta out of rice but you cannot make rice out of pasta. Also you can get amazing rice anywhere in the world; Japan, India, The Middle East, and Guelph. Enough said. Furthermore, I am hoping I can get a few of you on board to propetuate my new phrase "right as rice" (as in right as rain).

Scenario 2

This differs slight from Scenario 1. You are being asked to eliminate one of the following from your diet:

Chicken

Cow

Pork

43% of respondents said "smell ya later"** to cow, 28% were ready to say chicka-toodles to Chicken, and only 7% turned their snouts up to pig. Ask yourself which of the 3 options above you would be willing to eliminate.

Have your answer?

Good, now consider if your choice is still the same if all animal bi-products are also eliminated with the source. No Cow = No Diary. No Chicken = No Eggs. I guess I was the only smart one in the group when I chose to get rid of pig.

Scenario 3

Savoury versus Sweet. Which would you choose for a mid-afternoon snack?

This was a toughy as results proved with a 50% split. One good point was brought up concerning sweet treats, especially chocolate.

>"When I eat chocolate, I'm never satisfied. I'm never happy" – The Right Honourable Alison Palmer

Perhaps we should all consider converting to savoury treats.

*Results based on a sample group of 7 taco party attendees including 5 females¸2 males, and 2 cats (who were not factored into results).

** "Smell ya Later" is copyright protected and property of Mz. Stefanie Crispino.