Yesterday I was thinking about casseroles and soups, both of which I really enjoy. I like nothing better than to whip up a large pan of one or a tall pot of the other, and eat it all week.
Then I had a lightbulb moment. Nothing deep but curious all the same. I prefer foods that are all mixed together, rather than placed separately on the plate: a slice of meat, a baked potato, and whatever vegetable, including my favorite roasted Brussels sprouts, for example.
According to thepioneerwoman.com, a typical dinner casserole includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese. Sounds about right! A layered chicken enchilada casserole is my go-to lately, although when I’m seeking comfort food, nothing beats a tuna noodle casserole with peas. Both are quite saucy, and cheesy.
A thick soup or stew is almost always on my stove cooking, or in the fridge waiting to be eaten. I’ve never much liked broth soups, especially chicken noodle, but onion soup with plenty of cheese and toasted French bread or croutons is the exception.
My favorite lately is deconstructed cabbage roll, which can be done as a casserole or a soup, both avoiding the tedious rolling of cabbage leaves. Either way it’s a luscious blend of ground beef or turkey (or lentils if it’s vegetarian), rice, chopped cabbage, tomatoes, a shredded carrot, broth, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and spices. Even as a soup you can eat it with a fork.
My best friend in high school ate everything on her plate separately, and nothing could touch. Ever. When I worked with teens at a state hospital after college, one of everyone’s favorite meals — kids and staff alike — was hamburger goulash with elbow macaroni, corn and cottage cheese. They taught me to mix everything together on the plate. My friend thought there was nothing more disgusting. The kids were right, though. It was delicious!
I don’t know what this says about me. It’s a lot easier to Google about those who can’t stand to let foods touch (brumotactillophobia is an irrational fear of different food items touching each other, and is considered a form of OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder). It could also be a sign of organization and wanting things just so, maybe even suggesting a tidy work space and clean desk!
Maybe mixing foods just gives them all a different taste than if they were eaten separately. Maybe it allows me to eat faster and move on to the next thing. (I do find cooking fun, but eating a bother.) It certainly would suggest a messy office and cluttered desk!
Maybe it’s just a preference and nothing more. Or maybe it’s a sign of a disorganized mind, but a creative and adventurous one.
I choose what’s behind that door!
YSM | ink 