A Picky Gourmand

So, do any of you know what it means? Yes, it does have a relationship to the word gourmet, and a point to Gryffindor.

Gourmand does mean someone who likes to eat, just like gourmet, but it is what and how much that separates the gourmand from the gourmet. The gourmet wants perfectly prepared dishes, sometime with delicate and subtle flavors. Small portions are not a problem, because you are supposed to savor the flavors.

There is nothing delicate or subtle about what the gourmand wants.

The gourmet wants the perfect filet mignon. The gourmand wants a big greasy delicious burger. The gourmet wants a delicate boulognese over hand made pasta. The gourmand wants a big pizza.

It isn't that the gourmand is willing to put up with less taste in order to fill his belly, oh no. The gourmand may have a bit of the glutton in him, and at times gourmand has been translated to glutton, but it isn't just about over indulging. Let me say that again. Gourmand isn't JUST about over indulging. It may certainly include it, but that is not all it is.

The gourmand likes to eat. The gourmet likes fine food. The gourmand likes simple food, and lots of it. The gourmand does not like bad food though. The gourmand does not find his favorite meal at McDonalds. The gourmand might however start a quest to find the best burger in his home town.

Yes, that was a shameless plug for The Great Austin Burger Hunt, as seen on these pages.

I spent some time in France, a very long time ago. I enjoyed the food there, and then came back to the land of McDonalds and Taco Bell. I brought back with me a love of good bread and good cheese. I watch lots of cooking shows where they prepare meals I probably wouldn't eat. Why? Because I am a picky eater. The list of things I don't like has grown a little shorter over the years, but it is still long.

Onions
Mushrooms
Most Fish
Any Seafood that isn't fish
Cauliflower
Zuchini

That is only the start of the list. It took me years to find something on a Chinese menu that I liked (Sesame Chicken), because it seemed like everything had broccoli, or tofu, or something else I didn't like.

I am a gourmand. I cannot afford fancy restaurants and high priced wines. Well, to be honest, I don't even like wine. I love pizza, but not just anything will do. Oh, I'll eat it, but it isn't what I would choose all other things being equal. I like a good crusty French bread, and I hate Wonder bread...well, except occasionally for toast. I love good cheese, and I won't touch Kraft singles. I love a good pizza, or a burger, or a big plate of Sesame Chicken. A mirepoix (celery, onions and carrots) seems like a waste of carrots (cooked celery is on the list too).

I can be opinionated about food, and I like to cook, but my way. I spend time redacting recipes to see how things taste with onion powder, instead of real onions (it's a texture thing). I will pay a little more for good cheese, or a good bread, but you cannot give me plastic cheese...anything that has to have the word "Food" after the word "Cheese" and I do not want to see the word "Processed" before it. Pasturized Processed Cheese Food is an offense against nature, and if Dante was writing today, there would be a special place in Hell for those who created it.

I think it is time for me to find a good strong cheese, a crusty loaf of bread, and maybe some real salami, preferably dry...but I will still wash it down with a Coke Zero.