Slog
News & ArtsFriday, May 15, 2009
Chow That's Not Food
Posted by Dan Savage on Fri, May 15, 2009 at 8:13 AM
NYT:
The frozen pot pies that sickened an estimated 15,000 people with salmonella in 2007 left federal inspectors mystified.... The pie maker, ConAgra Foods, began spot-checking the vegetables for pathogens, but could not find the culprit. It also tried cooking the vegetables at high temperatures, a strategy the industry calls a “kill step,” to wipe out any lingering microbes. But the vegetables turned to mush in the process.So ConAgra—which sold more than 100 million pot pies last year under its popular Banquet label—decided to make the consumer responsible for the kill step. The “food safety” instructions and four-step diagram on the 69-cent pies offer this guidance: “Internal temperature needs to reach 165° F as measured by a food thermometer in several spots.”
Increasingly, the corporations that supply Americans with processed foods are unable to guarantee the safety of their ingredients. In this case, ConAgra could not pinpoint which of the more than 25 ingredients in its pies was carrying salmonella....
The NYT attempted to follow ConAgra's instructions on the proper preparation of their potpies:
But attempts by The New York Times to follow the directions on several brands of frozen meals, including ConAgra’s Banquet pot pies, failed to achieve the required 165-degree temperature. Some spots in the pies heated to only 140 degrees even as parts of the crust were burnt.
Here's a solution: don't buy this shit, don't eat this shit, and, whatever you do, don't give this shit to your kids. And as a general rule, food consumers, anything with more than one or two ingredients that costs 69 cents should be presumed to be unsafe.
1
Listen to your Uncle Dan! Plus, it's really easy to make this kind of stuff yourself and chuck it in the freezer for later.
2
White pepper?
How about this: shut Con Agra down until they figure it out? A total recall of 100 million pot pies might get their attention. If you just CAN'T make it safe? Um, excuse me, but why are you selling them, then? If you can't make them safe (and, as the article makes clear, it's technically impossible to follow their safety instructions) then you shouldn't be allowed to sell them. Period.
Food prices go up? Good. Industrial food is ridiculously cheap. If prices were forced up, people would eat less garbage like this and more real food.
How about this: shut Con Agra down until they figure it out? A total recall of 100 million pot pies might get their attention. If you just CAN'T make it safe? Um, excuse me, but why are you selling them, then? If you can't make them safe (and, as the article makes clear, it's technically impossible to follow their safety instructions) then you shouldn't be allowed to sell them. Period.
Food prices go up? Good. Industrial food is ridiculously cheap. If prices were forced up, people would eat less garbage like this and more real food.
3
Supposedly if you microwave most things for 2 minutes it kills 99% of germs. It's frozen so it does take longer but who the fuck bakes TV dinners anymore. That's the problem, 15,000 people who don't know how to use a microwave or most likely did not leave it in long enough. The crust does not burn. I have tried it many times and if it gets too hot just let it cool down. Fuck Dan, you're not the mother fucking Iron Chef. It's a .69 frozen dinner. Use the microwave dumbass!
6
I found that with a little time and effort it is best to buy and make meals from scratch. It is also easy to bake a chicken or meatloaf, etc. and use all week long with easy recipes. Be a little creative and food safety and cost can be maintained.
9
If they can't guarantee the safety of their ingredients, why are they still allowed to make and sell food items? That's just fucking ridiculous.
10
When you have food service employees who engage in (you guessed it!) ButtSex fecal coliforms can end up in the darndest places.
(be sure to check under your waiters fingernails...)
(be sure to check under your waiters fingernails...)
11
A microwaved frozen pot pie is one of the saddest things I've ever eaten. Almost as sad as microwaved pizza.
Microwaves are good for reheating rice, making popcorn (and yes, I know about the horrible chemicals in pre-packaged microwave popcorn, you can just toss some kernels in a brown paper bag with salt and olive oil and it comes out delicious), and boiling water when you run out of burners, otherwise they are a disservice to the sacredness of food.
Microwaves are good for reheating rice, making popcorn (and yes, I know about the horrible chemicals in pre-packaged microwave popcorn, you can just toss some kernels in a brown paper bag with salt and olive oil and it comes out delicious), and boiling water when you run out of burners, otherwise they are a disservice to the sacredness of food.
13
@ 10 your money has shit on it too so fucking deal with it.
Pot pies or questionable meet pies are part of euro culture and have always been some what dubious anyway. That's why its in a damn pasty and not a steak or some shit like that. My one question for the pie company is did you think to look at the damn chicken for salmonella?
Pot pies or questionable meet pies are part of euro culture and have always been some what dubious anyway. That's why its in a damn pasty and not a steak or some shit like that. My one question for the pie company is did you think to look at the damn chicken for salmonella?
14
You know, it would be easy as pie (ahem) to irradiate these things before they ship them. But no-o-o, we can't have that, now, can we?
15
@11 Most dinners cook perfectly well in the microwave. Salsbury Steak, Meatloaf, Mac & Cheese it tastes no different in the microwave than the oven. However, there is a problem with the plastic you cook it in but those problems don't effect your health for decades later and they might not even show in everyone so no biggie.
17
@11,
I fully agree with you, microwave is for reheating and boiling water + occasional defrosting never used to cook. And what is pot pie ( i am european and not very familiar with food names).
I fully agree with you, microwave is for reheating and boiling water + occasional defrosting never used to cook. And what is pot pie ( i am european and not very familiar with food names).
18
@14 beat me to it. Radiation kills all that shit but people are too uninformed to buy it.
Microwaves suck. I can't think of a single thing microwaves do better than stoves, including simply boiling water.
Oh wait, I take that back... microwaves are great for heating dishes up to volcanic temperatures while leaving the food IN the dish still frozen or cold or half cold/half destroyed.
Microwaves suck. I can't think of a single thing microwaves do better than stoves, including simply boiling water.
Oh wait, I take that back... microwaves are great for heating dishes up to volcanic temperatures while leaving the food IN the dish still frozen or cold or half cold/half destroyed.
20
Personally I refuse to own a microwave, in part because I dislike the idea of iradiated food and I think it makes the textures of food sub-par at best, but mostly because I figure if my fat ass doesnt have the time to heat something on the stove or in the oven then maybe I dont need to be eating, and I should really look at what I am doing with my life and slow the heck down.
22
@20,
Actually, microwaves don't irradiate food. It just excites the water molecules which causes them to heat up. There's no more radiation in a microwave than there is in a radio wave or visible light. You probably get more radiation from cell phones than from microwaves (but I have no proof whatsoever to back that last statement up).
Actually, microwaves don't irradiate food. It just excites the water molecules which causes them to heat up. There's no more radiation in a microwave than there is in a radio wave or visible light. You probably get more radiation from cell phones than from microwaves (but I have no proof whatsoever to back that last statement up).
23
@22, Its not the actually science of it that bothers me, its the idea ... it just seems unnatural and wrong to me; I guess I am like the last cave man who refused to use fire; but I just feel like heating food in plastic in a microwave can't be that good for you and like cigarettes we aren't going to find out how bad it is until after an entire generation has cancer...
24
@13: It's in the first paragraph of the article. They looked at the meat (turkey), and then the veggies.
25
There's this sad loss of technology in our culture where people cannot cook for themselves any more. It's not just about lack of time; it's about a lack of skills. It's not just that people don't have an hour to make a pot pie, they actually don't know *how* to dice vegetables and meat, toss them in flour and seasonings, and top them with cream and biscuit dough going into a 350 oven for 45 minutes. I mean, it's comfort food because grandma thought it was quick, easy, filling and nutritious. I suspect I'm preaching to the choir, here, however...
26
@14 that still doesn't get around the fact there is shit in the food, it just makes it "safe" to eat.
Disease is what we get for having a food system based on price. Acute ones like these pies precipitate and assorted chronic others like diabetes, coronary conditions and obesity. We pay for it on other ways.
Disease is what we get for having a food system based on price. Acute ones like these pies precipitate and assorted chronic others like diabetes, coronary conditions and obesity. We pay for it on other ways.
27
meanwhile, there are billboards all over town featuring doe-eyed moppets reminding us that "i can't cook!" so that we give prepared foods to food banks. like pot pies, hot pockets, chef boyardee, stagg chili.
it is illegal to leave children under 12 home alone.
it is illegal to leave children under 12 home alone.
28
Just looking at the nutritional labels on those pot pies should be more than enough to convince anyone they're bad for you. Seriously, I'm unemployed and flat broke and even I won't buy those things for fear of killing my uninsured ass.
29
This isn't new. It's been the m.o. of the food industry for a long time. It would be too expensive for them to improve the growing/harvesting/processing operations to insure a safe product.
So what happens? All manner of food and food-born illness safety is passed onto the consumer by way of cooking temperatures, washing instructions, and their ilk. All of a sudden the liability pool is that much shallower, shit-equivalent is on the shelf, and the sales continue. Case in point.
I guess this is what happens when the fox guards the hen-house (aka FDA/USDA has to set rules on safety on the one hand and market these products on the other...who is the "customer?")
So what happens? All manner of food and food-born illness safety is passed onto the consumer by way of cooking temperatures, washing instructions, and their ilk. All of a sudden the liability pool is that much shallower, shit-equivalent is on the shelf, and the sales continue. Case in point.
I guess this is what happens when the fox guards the hen-house (aka FDA/USDA has to set rules on safety on the one hand and market these products on the other...who is the "customer?")
30
@23: It's generally better to use glass in a microwave. You don't have to use plastic (although there are "microwave safe" containers) and lots of people have switched.
31
I do all my own cooking from scratch and buy ZERO frozen dinners or pot pies or pizzas or shit like that. I cook in bulk and freeze everything in pints. I make my own burritos and enchiladas and yes, pot pies, and freeze them. Plus I do as much canning as I can. I consider it a more worthwhile use of my time than watching television or going to some fucking club or playing golf or video games or skiing, or dumb shit like that.
It doesn't make me more righteous, or smarter, than other people -- I just have different priorities and the time to spend indulging them. Plus I MAKE the time to do it.
Plus I use my microwave -- every day -- and I have a king-size one, too, bitches.
It doesn't make me more righteous, or smarter, than other people -- I just have different priorities and the time to spend indulging them. Plus I MAKE the time to do it.
Plus I use my microwave -- every day -- and I have a king-size one, too, bitches.
32
"It's not just that people don't have an hour to make a pot pie, they actually don't know *how* to dice vegetables and meat, toss them in flour and seasonings, and top them with cream and biscuit dough going into a 350 oven for 45 minutes."
Isn't that the recipe for a pie? I understand how people might not know how to *skilfully* dice vegetables and meat, but I think most people grasp the concept of cutting things with a knife.
I started cooking for myself a few months ago and just looked up recipes on the internet. If I didn't understand a term, I'd look it up. Pot pie was actually on my list of things to try.
The interesting case is my boyfriend. He's got as little kitchen know-how as I do, but as much Googling savvy. But he never, ever looks new recipes up. He just makes pasta all the damn time. When I ask him why he doesn't try new things, he says it's because he doesn't have the "skills." When I say I'm learning too, he just shrugs. Fucker.
That's the problem. Let's try and tell people that you don't need to be juggling cleavers and making flowers out of beets. If you can read and you have opposable thumbs, you can cook.
Isn't that the recipe for a pie? I understand how people might not know how to *skilfully* dice vegetables and meat, but I think most people grasp the concept of cutting things with a knife.
I started cooking for myself a few months ago and just looked up recipes on the internet. If I didn't understand a term, I'd look it up. Pot pie was actually on my list of things to try.
The interesting case is my boyfriend. He's got as little kitchen know-how as I do, but as much Googling savvy. But he never, ever looks new recipes up. He just makes pasta all the damn time. When I ask him why he doesn't try new things, he says it's because he doesn't have the "skills." When I say I'm learning too, he just shrugs. Fucker.
That's the problem. Let's try and tell people that you don't need to be juggling cleavers and making flowers out of beets. If you can read and you have opposable thumbs, you can cook.
33
By all accounts, I'm a pretty good cook. I've made delicious pot pies from scratch - likewise awesome mac n' cheese and pizzas and other "usually comes in a box" foods (in addition to fancier cuisine).
But I fucking LOVE Banquet Turkey Pot Pies. It's not laziness on my part, or lack of skill. I just love the tasty little ultra-processed sub-par bastards. I promise I won't feed them to any children, my husband, or even my dogs, but I'm not giving the fuckers up until the government makes me.
But I fucking LOVE Banquet Turkey Pot Pies. It's not laziness on my part, or lack of skill. I just love the tasty little ultra-processed sub-par bastards. I promise I won't feed them to any children, my husband, or even my dogs, but I'm not giving the fuckers up until the government makes me.
35
uh, what's with the microwave hate? There's tons of stuff you can cook in a microwave that's edible and fucking fast. Steaming broccoli or other veggies takes a few seconds and (small) potatoes take about 5-6 minutes (but make sure you put water in the bottom of the dish.) Oatmeal is BEST made in the microwave, but use OLD-FASHIONED oats and not the minute kind and make with MILK not water.
36
I'm too busy, what with the internets, and commenting, I don't have time to cook! I mean to think about food, that would require planning ahead, buying groceries, and preparing and cooking that food. Who has that kind of time? I'm tweeting all day, driving whilst talking on my iphone....and now I need to allocate 15 minutes a day to hate on environmentalists, liberals, and whomever fox news says I should. Oh and taxes, me hates taxes.
The gap between food production and the fork is where the problem lies. There is no 100% solution in a modern food chain but c'mon how hard is it to learn how to cook?
The gap between food production and the fork is where the problem lies. There is no 100% solution in a modern food chain but c'mon how hard is it to learn how to cook?
40
Stephen Wright had a funny joke:
"I put a cup of instant coffee in the microwave and went back in time."
"I put a cup of instant coffee in the microwave and went back in time."
41
Here's something for ya Dan, go buy a DiGiorno frozen pizza and spend $7 for it. You'll feel better that you didn't spend 69¢ for it though it won't necessarily be any better protected against microbes etc.
42
Yeah! 'Cuz we can all afford to feed our families healthy, expensive, organic super-food all the time! No problem!
43
who has an hour to put together a pot pie that is slightly better than the .69 version.
"I consider it a more worthwhile use of my time than watching television or going to some fucking club or playing golf or video games or skiing, or dumb shit like that."
Well that convinced. I would much rather spend my entire evening putting together a "fucking" pot pie than skiing, golf, clubs...you know all that stupid stuff that people call fun.
"I consider it a more worthwhile use of my time than watching television or going to some fucking club or playing golf or video games or skiing, or dumb shit like that."
Well that convinced. I would much rather spend my entire evening putting together a "fucking" pot pie than skiing, golf, clubs...you know all that stupid stuff that people call fun.
44
You know what? I am supposed to be working now not getting all fucking worked up about all the microwave bigots out there.
Yeah I said bigots. You can say that "well maybe that works into your lifestyle but I find that kind of cooking replusive." Well fuck you then. You stay out of my kitchen and I will keep my microwave pot pies to myself. Just admit you're a loser with lots of hours to cut up vegi's.
Yeah I said bigots. You can say that "well maybe that works into your lifestyle but I find that kind of cooking replusive." Well fuck you then. You stay out of my kitchen and I will keep my microwave pot pies to myself. Just admit you're a loser with lots of hours to cut up vegi's.
45
Why does it have be a 69-cent pot pie OR "healthy, expensive, organic super-food"?
@43: Putting together the pie is actually pretty fast, as I understand it, especially if you use leftover chicken -- 15 to 20 minutes. You can do other stuff in the time it takes to bake.
Screaming, hungry children? Make them a salad, or have veggies with dip or a biscuit to snack on. Well, this might not be practical if your kid is super picky, but we all loved veggies as kids, and my 12-year-old brother has always been crazy for greens.
I dunno, you don't like that? How about a stirfry? Assembling and prepping ingredients takes about 10-15 minutes, and it's all cooked in another 5 min. You can cook rice ahead of time and just heat it; noodles cook in a few minutes.
I mean, if you don't have time to make something that isn't out of a box, how about not eating it at all? There's plenty of other things to eat that can be made so quickly.
@43: Putting together the pie is actually pretty fast, as I understand it, especially if you use leftover chicken -- 15 to 20 minutes. You can do other stuff in the time it takes to bake.
Screaming, hungry children? Make them a salad, or have veggies with dip or a biscuit to snack on. Well, this might not be practical if your kid is super picky, but we all loved veggies as kids, and my 12-year-old brother has always been crazy for greens.
I dunno, you don't like that? How about a stirfry? Assembling and prepping ingredients takes about 10-15 minutes, and it's all cooked in another 5 min. You can cook rice ahead of time and just heat it; noodles cook in a few minutes.
I mean, if you don't have time to make something that isn't out of a box, how about not eating it at all? There's plenty of other things to eat that can be made so quickly.
46
@42, I'm sure there's a small population in the US that actually can't afford fresh produce to make food with, but since you seem to have an internet connection and free time, I doubt you can count yourself among that population.
My suggestion is use some of your free time to volunteer at a soup kitchen or food bank to help the food insecure among us get access to healthy fresh food, rather than acting as a false advocate for them on Slog.
My suggestion is use some of your free time to volunteer at a soup kitchen or food bank to help the food insecure among us get access to healthy fresh food, rather than acting as a false advocate for them on Slog.
47
35 is right! Baking a potato in the microwave is so much more convenient than in the oven. Have you ever tried baking a potato in the oven? It takes so fucking long, by the time it's done you don't even want it anymore.
49
Bad news today from the major wheat trade groups in the U.S., Canada, and Australia: they have announced that they intend to work together to commercialize genetically modified (GM) wheat crops.* GM wheat has never been grown commercially anywhere in the world, but Monsanto's Roundup Ready wheat has already been approved by the USDA, so production (and contamination) could be imminent.
While the groups' claims that the plan is in response to a desire for "more efficient, sustainable and profitable production," the only GM trait currently available in wheat is a resistance to Roundup Herbicide. Other "Roundup Ready" crops have fallen under sharp criticism lately, as increasing numbers of studies have come out demonstrating that the crops actually have lower yields than their conventional counterparts.* Another major concern this spring has been the rapid emergence of Roundup resistant "superweeds,"* which are compelling farmers to apply 2,4-D in addition to Roundup.
The Non-GMO Project will be working with producers who wish to keep their wheat products non-GMO, and will make sure that consumers have access to clearly labeled non-GMO wheat items.
To get more regular updates (feed directly to your Facebook Homepage), please join our Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1…
While the groups' claims that the plan is in response to a desire for "more efficient, sustainable and profitable production," the only GM trait currently available in wheat is a resistance to Roundup Herbicide. Other "Roundup Ready" crops have fallen under sharp criticism lately, as increasing numbers of studies have come out demonstrating that the crops actually have lower yields than their conventional counterparts.* Another major concern this spring has been the rapid emergence of Roundup resistant "superweeds,"* which are compelling farmers to apply 2,4-D in addition to Roundup.
The Non-GMO Project will be working with producers who wish to keep their wheat products non-GMO, and will make sure that consumers have access to clearly labeled non-GMO wheat items.
To get more regular updates (feed directly to your Facebook Homepage), please join our Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1…
50
If you're going to eat a Pot Pie, I'd only recommend Marie Calendars Pot Pies. Much better quality, taste and therefore, a bit more expensive. But, Dan is right. I too seriously question the quality of a 69 cent Pot Pie.
51
If you're going to eat a Pot Pie, I'd only recommend Marie Calendars Pot Pies. Much better quality, taste and therefore, a bit more expensive. But, Dan is right. I too seriously question the quality of a 69 cent Pot Pie.
53
Not all folks can afford to go to Whole Foods, but many cities with farmer's markets offer all kinds of fresh-food bargains. I'm off to my local one in a few minutes. I'm only bringing $20, but I'll be able to get a fairly large locally-farmed chuck eye round steak, some pre-mixed local salad, onions (2/$1), same for peppers, grape tomatoes & maybe some blackberries. & a coffee.
It doesn't have to be healthy eating OR cheap eating, but healthier eating does require some time & effort. Which we as consumers of mostly processed foods have really gotten out of touch with. & we as working people have very little of.
My fave trick lately is to pick one solid hour a week where I wash, chop up & baggie veggies & fruit. Then during the week, making a salad or stir fry is little effort.
It doesn't have to be healthy eating OR cheap eating, but healthier eating does require some time & effort. Which we as consumers of mostly processed foods have really gotten out of touch with. & we as working people have very little of.
My fave trick lately is to pick one solid hour a week where I wash, chop up & baggie veggies & fruit. Then during the week, making a salad or stir fry is little effort.
54
@46
You know, I hear people say this. I'm sure there are a few people in this country with truly limited access to infrastructure, and the accompanying onslaught of cheap, healthy food, and who also can't grow it for some reason. But not many.
Seriously, a multi-meal bag of lentils costs less than a buck and is highly nutritious. Most common vegetables can be had for less than $2/lb, and many for less than $1/lb. Same for flour, rice, beans, pasta, etc. If you buy herbs in bulk they're damn near free. I eat yummy, screamingly nutritious food every day. Most days I spend less than $5 on food, with most of it being organic. If I needed to, I could eat for a buck a day. Without EVER touching a pot pie or entering a fast food joint.
I do have to cook it myself. It's true. It takes time. But the average American watches, what, 2-4 hours of TV every day? C'mon.
You know, I hear people say this. I'm sure there are a few people in this country with truly limited access to infrastructure, and the accompanying onslaught of cheap, healthy food, and who also can't grow it for some reason. But not many.
Seriously, a multi-meal bag of lentils costs less than a buck and is highly nutritious. Most common vegetables can be had for less than $2/lb, and many for less than $1/lb. Same for flour, rice, beans, pasta, etc. If you buy herbs in bulk they're damn near free. I eat yummy, screamingly nutritious food every day. Most days I spend less than $5 on food, with most of it being organic. If I needed to, I could eat for a buck a day. Without EVER touching a pot pie or entering a fast food joint.
I do have to cook it myself. It's true. It takes time. But the average American watches, what, 2-4 hours of TV every day? C'mon.
55
A nest of elite luddites - how charming.
Microwaves are totally cool - USE less power, more GREEN, few fires from a dozen reasons, never leak gas or spew toxic gas, wood burning.
Prepared and heat in the micro is the future of food everywhere, seafer, cleaner and cheaper and FASTER..
Many newer small apts. have no stove.... fire concern and not needed.
I am an ACE cook, of anything. Grew up in a family of ACE cooks, gardeners, growing our own animals for slaughter. So I cook, use the micro when I can and eat the best diet in the world. I know as much about food as any chef in town, more than most.
To avoid microbes - have your boyfriend show before you eat his ass out that three times a week.... right Dan?
AND, home canned food is almost certain death if not done exactly right. GREEN BEANS = BOTULISM. If you are preserving do only certain things in jars, the rest frozen.
Food factories are giant 21st Century commerce, serving hundreds of millions of buyers, will not go back in time. And care in heating and cooking will solve all pathogen problems.
PERFECT IN THE MICRO - scrambled eggs, use a dollop of water and butter, stir once, time perfectly --- all forms of tea brewing, I use a supply of mason jars, water and tea on high for 6 minutes, store in frig - endless tea, all kinds, perfectly brewed -- yes potatoes, yes yams, yes all steamed veggies - easy and quick and less mess than the stove.
Some of the people here would follow any herd into the sea, the lemmings of the era.
And all because somewhere a pot pie was rancid. Every eating place on the Hill is more dangerous than Banquet Foods. Beware and scare, not a smart way to live based on notions from a toss off blog comment.
Lance, about to nuke his tea and three farm fresh eggs eggs, no cheese, salsa for a topping..
OH, and for cooking ease, find a couple of 1.00 crock pots at yard sales and learn how to use them - they are wonderful for stew, rice and soups of any kind the old books will tell you how to bake in them ad do perfect pot roast or chicken. Just set and forget and many hours later all ready to eat.
Wonder if eating pussy is microbe safe? Are there experts out there, or, it is just so good it is worth the risk at any cost??
Oh, I forgot, my fun is in the kitchen doing it all the hard way. Your granny would not be pleased, the one who died young from hard work which included 7 hours a day of cooking.
More...
Microwaves are totally cool - USE less power, more GREEN, few fires from a dozen reasons, never leak gas or spew toxic gas, wood burning.
Prepared and heat in the micro is the future of food everywhere, seafer, cleaner and cheaper and FASTER..
Many newer small apts. have no stove.... fire concern and not needed.
I am an ACE cook, of anything. Grew up in a family of ACE cooks, gardeners, growing our own animals for slaughter. So I cook, use the micro when I can and eat the best diet in the world. I know as much about food as any chef in town, more than most.
To avoid microbes - have your boyfriend show before you eat his ass out that three times a week.... right Dan?
AND, home canned food is almost certain death if not done exactly right. GREEN BEANS = BOTULISM. If you are preserving do only certain things in jars, the rest frozen.
Food factories are giant 21st Century commerce, serving hundreds of millions of buyers, will not go back in time. And care in heating and cooking will solve all pathogen problems.
PERFECT IN THE MICRO - scrambled eggs, use a dollop of water and butter, stir once, time perfectly --- all forms of tea brewing, I use a supply of mason jars, water and tea on high for 6 minutes, store in frig - endless tea, all kinds, perfectly brewed -- yes potatoes, yes yams, yes all steamed veggies - easy and quick and less mess than the stove.
Some of the people here would follow any herd into the sea, the lemmings of the era.
And all because somewhere a pot pie was rancid. Every eating place on the Hill is more dangerous than Banquet Foods. Beware and scare, not a smart way to live based on notions from a toss off blog comment.
Lance, about to nuke his tea and three farm fresh eggs eggs, no cheese, salsa for a topping..
OH, and for cooking ease, find a couple of 1.00 crock pots at yard sales and learn how to use them - they are wonderful for stew, rice and soups of any kind the old books will tell you how to bake in them ad do perfect pot roast or chicken. Just set and forget and many hours later all ready to eat.
Wonder if eating pussy is microbe safe? Are there experts out there, or, it is just so good it is worth the risk at any cost??
Oh, I forgot, my fun is in the kitchen doing it all the hard way. Your granny would not be pleased, the one who died young from hard work which included 7 hours a day of cooking.
57
Yeah I don't know how to cook (much). I have always been a little suspicious of frozen foods (they don't taste right) and of microwaves (they make food taste funny) and this is just another reason for me to distance myself from both.
58
I spend 9 hours a day at work, 3 to 4 hours a day at rehearsals, 2 hours commuting, and 8 hours sleeping. Add it up. That leaves me one hour per day for everything else. Sorry, folks, no way am I spending that one hour (which isn't contiguous time, by the way) washing and chopping and stirring when I can just throw something in the nuke. Sure, I know it's neither as good for me nor will it taste as good, but there's actually quite a number of tasty and reasonably-nutritious meals available for the microwave these days. It isn't 1981 anymore. You're not limited to Banquet and Swanson in the frozen-meal arena.
I did give up Banquet potpies a long time ago, though. I love potpies - they're one of my go-to comfort foods - but I switched to Marie Callendar's as soon as they became available. They taste better.
I did give up Banquet potpies a long time ago, though. I love potpies - they're one of my go-to comfort foods - but I switched to Marie Callendar's as soon as they became available. They taste better.
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Bigot Florist Files Countersuit by Dominic Holden
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America Doesn't Care About Black People by Charles Mudede
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"Bus service shouldn't be optional—it should be a right." by Cienna Madrid
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SL Letter of the Day: Gonna Boil My Laptop After Answering This One by Dan Savage
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US Military Grants Itself the Power to Police American Streets and "Quell" "Civil Disturbances" by Brendan Kiley
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Fucking NBA Rejects Kings Move to Seattle by Goldy
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RSSSeattle Art & Performance Quarterly
A complete guide to Seattle's current art, film, dance, and theater season.
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