Member-only story
Culinary Comedy
Foods I Love That Piss Me off When I’m Cooking Them
AKA: Dear toasted sesame seeds
I’m not a chef. I’m just a guy who loves cooking. I’m not a great cook, and I’m not a bad cook. But I sure as hell recognize a troublesome ingredient or dish. And I think it’s high time to call out these delicious-but-infuriating foods for what they are.
Beets
These root vegetables have a reputation for being less than a universal people pleaser, but I’ve always been a big fan. Yes, you can get them in a can, with all the tender-loving care put into their preparation as that of a deadbeat dad. But when given the respect they deserve, properly cooked, fresh beets are freaking delicious. And they are good for you.
But every beet is born an unapologetic, rustic diva. And they are so uptight that it can take spa-level pampering in the oven to soften them up. God forbid you end up with a grapefruit-sized beet. You might as well call in sick for work tomorrow, because it’s going to take a while.
And no matter how careful I am when I’m handling the finished product, my counter and clothes always end up looking like part of a murder scene.
