Assortments

In my craving for candy two days ago, I realized something while standing there heavily weighing my options in the aisle. I do not want to tie myself down to one candy. It does not matter how much I love that candy, I want variety. It is, in fact, the spice of life. I decided to go with the Haribo 'World Mix' which is a varied assortment of many of their products in one bag.

There were candies that I liked okay, some that I loved and some that I hated. But that's the fun of it. And I'm gonna be really frank here, but if you don't save your favorite flavor for last, then you are just an idiot. Because even when there is a piece of candy you don't like, there is always the opportunity for redemption. Renewed excitement. The bag of candy is not some monotonous sit-down, it is an exciting story, up on it's feet, and it's wearing rocket shoes.

This is the same when it comes to meals for me. My plate better have at least 3 things on it, all edible separately, but better when I get to construct my bite. Let's say the sun-dried potato out-shined the salmon on that last bite. Okay, so this time maybe we just go with salmon, part of that grilled tomato and a little acidity from the sauce. Tasting menus are my favorite, and if I could always, I would alway.

Maybe this inability to sit there and shovel mashed potatoes in my mouth bite after bite says something more general about me as a person. Who knows? I don't care, I'm not doing it.

Peanuts five ways by Grant Achatz (James Beard Best Chef in America 2008) at Alinea in Chicago.