Being wasteful

I had to laugh -- yesterday Jody made lunch since it was my day off.  He cooked the potatoes on one plate, the brisket on another plate, and then plated it all on yet other plates.  So, instead of washing one maybe 2 plates, we got to wash 4.  I was amazed.

I was reminded about this just now.  I am at home sick watching food network.  (Just as long as the stupid snuggie commercial does not come on, I am good.)  I was just watching Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller.  She was making coleslaw in a bowl.  (obviously).  BUT, when it got time to serve it, she transferred it to another bowl for presentation.

Why do we do this?  Why do we live in a world where we make more work for ourselves?  I know "the easy way" is sometimes not the best way but do we really have to plate for presentation and dirty up more dishes?  It just seems like a waste of time to make something "prettier."

On one of the Food Network shows they always say that you are more likely to enjoy the food if it looks good.  You taste with your eyes first.

This reminds me of one of the times last fall that I worked at the soup kitchen down town.  They did not have any salad dressing but were having salad.  I said I would throw something together with the ingredients they had and see what turned out.  Basically, I made a Balsamic Honey Mustard Vinegarette.  The thing was, when using Balsamic Vinegar, a little goes a long way and turns the color of what you mix it in a hideous color.

Basically, my yummy dressing looked like nasty chocolate syrup but tasted wonderfully.  That day we served two meals.  At lunch, everyone was very hesitant about the bizarre looking chocolate syrup that I was serving them as salad dressing.  I will admit that I thought it looked aweful.  I kept reassuring them that it was good.  The funny thing is that when "seconds" were called -- they all came and got more dressing.

At dinner, EVERYONE had the dressing.  They ran out.  The girls that were serving thought it looked gross and no one would eat it.  The people eating knew differently.

Where am I going with all this?  I am not exactly sure...I think this is one of those things that makes you wonder.