Metacognition
Published on July 30, 2004 By psychx In Misc

At work today, we decided that we should order out as a group and get some good food.  One of my co-workers suggested we order her favorite food from a local Chinese place not too far from our office building.  She told us that her favorite food was Chinese which she hadn't had in a while.  This sparked some furious debate between my colleagues and myself and people brought up some interesting favorite foods.  One mentioned Thai food as his favorite on the merit that it's spicy.  Throughout this debate I was stuck with awe of the fact that I have never decided what my favorite food is.  I have had many different types of food and am sort of a journeyman when it comes to trying out different kinds.  From fried calamari to sea urchin to cow tongue, I have tried a variety of foods.  Sometimes I am uncertain of whether I will like a certain cuisine but end up being pleasantly suprised.  So I hope whoever reads this understands that it can be difficult to select a favorite food.  With that said I have narrowed it down to a certain select few.

The finalists include:

1.  Spare barbecue ribs - I can't explain the joy I get when I see ribs on a menu.  It has to be fall of the bone where you have to use two moist towlettes just to leave the building.  I'm not too sure if this is originally an American dish but where ever it came from it's definitely tasty. 

2.  Pizza - This is clearly Italian and is my second favorite food for its one undeniable trait, versatility.  Whether you put sausage or pinneapple on your favorite pie, I have never talked to someone who didn't like Pizza.  The real debate is where the best comes from.  My personal favorite is the white pizza which includes 3 different "white cheeses" like mozzarella, provolone, and American white. 

3. Grilled swordfish - This is my favorite seafood entree.  Whenever I can afford to dine at the higher standard restaurants (not McD's).  I, every so often, like to indulge on swordfish if it's on the menu.  It's slightly more tender than steak and it has a great aftertaste without too much of the fishy taste that some dislike.  It's also amazing broiled. 

Whenever choosing something at a restaurant I'm usually the last to order because I can never decide.  It was really tough narrowing my favorites down to three.  I wonder if some of you here at Joeuser have the same trouble.  So I ask the question what's your favorite dish?


Comments
on Jul 30, 2004
For an appetizer, I always like to go for the mozzarella sticks. Hot, cheesy, gooey, delicious.
For an entree, a good steak, preferably a T-bone. The smaller side of the T-bone is the tenderest, most succulent meat in the world.
There are too many side items to choose from; so many vegetables taste great when properly cooked.
For dessert, though, the cheesecake stands alone.

As far as things I eat much more regularly, the pizza is truly the king of convenient foods. Jack's frozen pizzas are my favorites. And then all-beef hot dogs, pan fried in vegetable oil. Never boil a hot dog! You leach out all the meaty flavor and replace it with hot water. Ugh.

Speaking of ribs, though, this weekend is RibFest in Minneapolis. Gonna go devour half a pig or so.
on Jul 30, 2004
Ribfest, oh that sounds great.  Down here in Orlando they had a Chilifest but a ribfest would be welcome.  I have to agree with you on the T-Bone, that one almost made my favorite list.  It was real hard to exclude it considering how good it is.  Most of the food you mentioned is delicious as well and you can see why it's hard to choose. I had forgotten about cheesecake which is definitely one of my favorite desserts.  Perhaps I should have ordered it like you did in the form of an actual meal going from appetizer to dessert. 
on Aug 01, 2004
AFAIK pizza is an Amercican creation.
on Aug 01, 2004

thai food. any of it, but in particular pad thai noodles with tofu. i also love vietnamese food (i've been lucky enought to go there, and the food is indescribably good. i had a banana-flower salad with coconut-and-lime baked white fish that i would have to say is the best meal i have ever eaten, bar none).

and i like all your choices, too, carlos.

mig XX
on Aug 01, 2004
And then all-beef hot dogs, pan fried in vegetable oil. Never boil a hot dog! You leach out all the meaty flavor and replace it with hot water. Ugh


You live in Minnesota and you don't GRILL your dogs? heathen....

I, too, have a hard time pinning down my favorite foods. I am the chili master, though, so that ranks high on the list (NO NOODLES!). I would also have to list pizza there, and my favorite fish is salmon (I will not go to an Easter Sunday buffet unless they have salmon!).

My first choice in restaurants, though, is usually Chinese or Mexican.
on Aug 02, 2004

Sorry to all that I missed your responses and for the late reply. 

Abe Cubbage, hmm that's debatable it might have become popular in the States but I think it originated in Italy.  I don't know, if you can prove me wrong go ahead, I never really have done much research on the origins of pizza. 

Vanessa, I'm with you on thai food, I like it because it's real spicy.  You've been to Vietnam?  That's a story within itself.  I would love to try Vietnamese food, I have never had the opportunity to and you say it's the best you've had, I'm missing out.  I have never checked to see if I can find a restaurant or a store that sells it here in the States.  I'll definitely keep an eye open for it.  I can't decide what was my best meal but I can say it was collection of meals within my time in Europe or anytime that me and my friends have a barbecue here in the States. 

Yeah I agree with you there Gideon, I can't eat hotdogs unless their grilled, don't know why I guess it's something I have grown accustomed to. 

on Aug 03, 2004
Vanessa, I'm with you on thai food, I like it because it's real spicy


yesssssss !

You've been to Vietnam? That's a story within itself


and carlos, i went with my mother and sister. we are very different people and my mother in particular has been somewhat sheltered. it was a bit of a comedy of errors, actually. i should blog it, but it's a bit embarrassing hehe.

I would love to try Vietnamese food, I have never had the opportunity to and you say it's the best you've had, I'm missing out. I have never checked to see if I can find a restaurant or a store that sells it here in the States. I'll definitely keep an eye open for it.


it really is the best food i have ever eaten. although the vietnamese restaurants in australia are ok, they just don't compare. even the bread in vietnam takes delicious all on it's own. and i had these banana, coconut & spice pancakes for breakfast one morning, and i have never forgotten those either. oh yummmmm lol

I can't decide what was my best meal but I can say it was collection of meals within my time in Europe or anytime that me and my friends have a barbecue here in the States.


yep, the old barbecue can't be beaten, can it ?

mig XX
on Aug 03, 2004
I believe the common thought on pizza is the square based ones with all the leftovers etc are originally provincial Italian - naples (do not quote me though please) and the typicial pizza pie with cheese pepperoni ham pineapple round greasy etc - the stuff Pizza hut makes - is definitely American born and bred.

My favourite Pizza is Dominoes thin cheese - it's the only one I eat anymore.

I have ALWAYS had a hard time pinning down a favourite anything and food is no exception -- my seafood intake has become really limited since marrying a man allergic to shellfish (and I used to love prawns and crab etc)
For a main you could hardly ever go wrong with Pasta
But I had the best fish meal ever (baramundi) a few weeks ago Link

For dessert you can't go wrong with anything made from chocolate -- like the baci mousse that was soo good Link

Plus my husband is a really good cook - he does good things with Couscous - which I also love

But I think if I had to pin it down my favourite would be Italian
on Aug 03, 2004
i hate to admit how boring I am when it comes to food. Favorite? Spaghetti and meatballs. Runner-up? Pizza. Fave fast food? McDicks. Food I eat most at home? Eggs and toast. BORING!!!!!!!!!
on Aug 19, 2004

hi, carlos. i'm just dropping by to say hi. you must have been busy lately. i miss your articles .

vanessa/mig XX
on Aug 19, 2004

Hey all, I'm finally getting to this, I just got the internet back and power back after getting hit by Hurricane Charley here in Orlando, FL.  It was a mess here for a few days as 500,000 people in Orlando and the surrounding area where without power.  All this and Disney World did not even close.  I was fortunate to live near the tourist area where I had access to restaurants and electricity.  I can't even imagine what it was like for the rest of the people that suffered from this storm and still have no power, water, and in some cases shelter.  Hey Vanessa sorry I've been gone, I should be able to respond more since I have power back and I'm back at work.  I'm glad to see my writing was missed.  The last week was quite an experience it was real hectic down here.


it really is the best food i have ever eaten. although the vietnamese restaurants in australia are ok, they just don't compare. even the bread in vietnam takes delicious all on it's own. and i had these banana, coconut & spice pancakes for breakfast one morning, and i have never forgotten those either. oh yummmmm lol
Sounds like the indigenous food in Vietnam is cooked from experience and tradition.  I love when I eat recipes that are passed down from family to family they are always so good.  Those pancakes sound great, I've had banana pancakes so I can imagine how they would taste although I would like to try them.


yep, the old barbecue can't be beaten, can it ?
I think what I like about barbecues is not simply the food, although the right cook can make it great, but the actual process which involves me and friends just hanging out having conversations and knocking back a few cold ones while enjoying being outdoors.  It sort of camaraderie not exactly the word I want but it's the first one that comes to mind. 


I believe the common thought on pizza is the square based ones with all the leftovers etc are originally provincial Italian - naples (do not quote me though please) and the typicial pizza pie with cheese pepperoni ham pineapple round greasy etc - the stuff Pizza hut makes - is definitely American born and bred.
I think you hit it right on the spot Trina, on a trip to Rome a couple years back I sampled authentic Italian pizza which was square, had less cheese, and was sort of on a hardened bread, it was quite different than what I've had here in the States.  I can say I actually like pizza here in the United States more than what I had in Italy, although I am sure there are places where it is great. 


I have ALWAYS had a hard time pinning down a favourite anything and food is no exception -- my seafood intake has become really limited since marrying a man allergic to shellfish (and I used to love prawns and crab etc)
For a main you could hardly ever go wrong with Pasta
But I had the best fish meal ever (baramundi) a few weeks ago Link
  Pasta's greatness lies in it's versatility.  I will try the Baramundi, I've actually never had it. 


i hate to admit how boring I am when it comes to food. Favorite? Spaghetti and meatballs. Runner-up? Pizza. Fave fast food? McDicks. Food I eat most at home? Eggs and toast. BORING!!!!!!!!!
I don't think it's boring, I love all those things too.  Being a college student with a full time job I often make spaghetti and meatballs or sausage because it's quick, easy, and delicious.  Personal taste is just that, personal.  Some people may think that my love affair with barbecued ribs is plain and common.  I beg to differ though it's just what I personally prefer among many other things for its taste.