I'm not a huge vegetable fan, I'm more of a meat-eater. I know I should be eating more vegetables, especially as I get older. But I'm not ashamed to admit, have a hard time with it. I'll have the odd vegetable here and there. There are many that I just won't touch, there are others that I'll eat now and then, but they're quickly and invariably followed by some kind of meat as a reward.
To this day, a meal just does not feel complete if there is not meat involved. Tanya once tried to provide me a meatless dinner—god bless her heart, she tries to get me to eat more vegetables—but—while I am always grateful when she takes the time to prepare me a meal—I spent the rest of the evening feeling empty—both physically and emotionally.
One of the vegetables that I've grown to like tolerate is asparagus—especially grilled. I don't know why that one has grown on me, but it has. Maybe it's because—to me—it's the most immediately gratifying of the vegetables. Here is why...
I remember growing up hearing how vegetables were so good for you. Carrots were good for the eyes, spinach made you stronger, cabbage made your farts reek, etc...
All of these benefits were great in theory, but I never saw the results immediately (except for the cabbage), and therefore, I regarded them with some level of scepticism.
Maybe it wasn't the carrots that made your eyesight better, maybe it was genetics. I knew lots of people who wore glasses, yet ate bushels more carrots than I did. I also never once saw someone who, upon eating a can of spinach, grew immediate muscles—or unnaturally large forearms—and was able to tear a phone book in half.
But asparagus...now there's a different story. For once a vegetable does deliver on its promise. I say this because after consuming even the smallest amounts of the stemmy legume, almost immediately my pee begins to stink.
Now that's what I call instant gratification.
it takes so little to amuse you doesn't it???
Posted by: Lea | 2007.05.22 at 15:28
Three cheers for the super fragrant beam from my asparagus charged nether laser!
Hip-hip-weee... hip-hip-weee... hip-hip-weeeeeeee!
Posted by: Darrell. | 2007.05.22 at 16:48
Try cutting some procuitto into narrow strips. Wrap the procuitto around the base of the asparagus and grill together. Drip with hollandise sauce to serve. It should negate any health benifits of the vegetable. Not sure if it will help with the wee smell.
Posted by: Phil | 2007.05.22 at 19:14
In the words of Denis Leary - "Broccoli's (and by extension all vegetables) a side dish, always has been, always will be"
Posted by: 2Shay | 2007.05.22 at 21:01
Lea: Yes.
Darrell: Huzah!
Phil: Stop it Phil, you're making me hungry and it's not lunch time yet! Procuitto is like Bacon to me, it improves anything you add it to.
2Shay: Mr. Leary is a very wise man. An even wiser man told me this weekend that the term 'vegetarian' is actually an aboriginal word for 'Poor Hunter'.
Posted by: Al | 2007.05.23 at 12:01
Poor Hunter... Nice Al, nice!
Posted by: 2Shay | 2007.05.23 at 19:19
having Asparagus in honour of you tonight Al!
Posted by: Lea | 2007.05.28 at 14:27
Current info is not always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this article/post includes the latest info available. - William B. Doyle, http://www.wbdoyle.com/tsfls/
Posted by: | 2009.08.17 at 19:55