VanFoodies.com

Since Lisa had to get all creative and do something different, I guess I’ll follow suit. They aren’t in any order, and some are just random thoughts off the top of my head.

• Chinese black vinegar – I love this stuff. And I use it on a number of  inappropriate things, but mostly Asian style food.

• Ketchup – This to me is the western version of the black vinegar. Once again it gets put on a number of things where ketchup doesn’t belong (for example, a hard boiled egg).

• Warming up cookies – It’s not that I wouldn’t eat them cold, but it’s like having plain toast vs toast with butter. Nuking a chocolate chip cookie for a few seconds in the microwave just makes it so much softer and more delicious.

• Microwave dinners – I bet this isn’t something you’d expect on my list. But for reasons I can’t even explain, this is a guilty pleasure for me. I suppose it’s similar to why some people like instant noodles.

• The “perfect mouthful” – Anytime I take a mouthful of the food I’m eating, I like to get an even mix of the ingredients. For example, if I’m having stew, I can’t eat just a piece of meat without some potatoes in the same mouthful. And there would be times where I’m shoving more food into my mouth before I even chew what I just put in, to get an “even” mouthful. I know… I’m nuts.

• Drinking with food – Yes I realize this is bad for digestion, but I NEED to do this, especially with dry foods. If I don’t get to drink something with… let’s say a PB&J sandwich, I might as well just not eat it.

• Eating alone – When I’m at home, I love eating alone. I’d do the terrible thing of sitting in front of the TV or the computer and watch shows, and loving every second of that freedom. However I can’t imagine eating at a restaurant by myself, even if it’s fast food.

• Eating in car – A lot of car guys are adamant about no food in their cars. I, on the other hand, really enjoy picnicking in a car, if the passenger doesn’t spill a cupful of lemonade on my carpet. Ask me what else I like to do in a car.

• Late night eating – Late night snacking is for girls, real men have late night eating. I don’t just grab a couple pieces of chocolate or some chips; I’d make myself a meal some nights. On the other hand I don’t eat in the mornings.

• Carbs and Vegetables – Strangely, the most important part of a meal for me is carbs. I could have a KFC Double Down and not be full after because it didn’t have any buns. I also really like my vegetables. I prefer to have a good veggie/fruit to meat ratio in every meal.

• Breakfast – Breakfast is brilliant. I love breakfast. However it’s not the time of the meal that I enjoy, but the content. I don’t eat in the morning, but I love eggs, bacon, sausages, pancakes, waffles, fruits, and all other common ingredients in a western breakfast. And don’t get my started on a traditional Tianjinian breakfast with a Chinese donut crepe and tofu soup. I’d KILL for some.

• Cooking with chopsticks – chopsticks are versatile eating utensils, however they make even better cooking tools. I use it to stir, mix, beat, and whatever else that you can possibly imagine.

• Big portions – I like big portions. Sure I eat a decent amount, proportional to my size. However there’s something very attractive about a huge plate of food in front of me. When it comes to food, more is better.

• Sweet and salty – Salty and sweet are like Romeo and Juliet, star-crossed flavours that melt together in a loving embrace, perhaps in a piece of salted caramel.

• Drive-thru – I hate drive-thrus. I can’t explain why, but I find the whole experience of it annoying. I’d rather park the car, walk in, buy the food, and walk back out. The only time I’d use the drive-thru is when the restaurant section is closed.

• Ordering a salad – With the exception of being a part of a set course, a side, or an appetizer, I can’t imagine ever ordering a salad as a main. I love vegetables, but a salad just isn’t a meal. I’m not a panda so I don’t eat raw veggies for dinner.

• Ramen – Why is this even a thing here? Why are people paying almost 10 dollars for bowls of instant noodles in bland broth? If I have to hate a type of restaurant, it would be Ramen places.

• Jug of milk – At your local Shoppers Drug Mart, a 2L carton of milk is $3.99, while a 4L jug is $4.50. I feel compelled to get the 4-litre jug even though I’m barely a milk drinker. Right at this moment, I still have almost a litre left in my 4L jug, 2 days past the expiry date.

• Drinking Orange Juice – I find orange juice (that pure 100% freshly squeezed stuff) too “thick”. I prefer to add in a bit of water and ice to thin it down a little.

• Yogurt – For reasons I can’t explain, yogurt with tinfoil tops taste better than yogurt with plastic tops. Yes I realize how crazy that sounds, but the difference to me is night and day.