You Are What You Eat Meme

Rosa, of Rosa's Yummy Yums, has tagged me for another meme! This one is the You Are What You Eat Meme, so today I'll take a break from writing up recipes and answer her questions instead.

You Are What You Eat

If you were stuck on an island and could only eat one cuisine (e.g., French, Italian, etc.) for the rest of your life, what would it be? Why?

It would be Italian Cuisine. While I obviously adore eating French Food, I'm far more likely to make a Pasta for Dinner than I am anything in a Cream Sauce. Also, I find there's a ton of variety within Italian Cuisine (not to mention how much I love tomatoes. And I could eat Pasta every day?

What is the most unusual food you've eaten?

I'd have to say that the most unusual food I've eaten is Sea Urchin (not Sea Urchin Roe, or Uni, although I've had that too). Sea Urchin itself has a very sweet flavor and I greatly enjoyed picking it out of its shell. I've also eaten Alligator meat, at our favorite Sushi Restaurant, Natori.

What is the most unusual food you've eaten and liked?

I guess Alligator. I think it's unusual and I order it every time we go to Natori, so apparently I like it!

What foods will you avoid eating (either because of a dietary choice or allergies or just plain don't like)?

Luckily, I'm not allergic to any foods. The only two foods I dislike are Cucumbers and Jello. When in the States, however, I do my best not to eat Veal because I don't like how it's raised. From what I've heard, conditions are not as terrible in Europe. Occasionally, there is farm-raised (where they get to roam free; I've asked the farmers) Veal at the Greenmarket and I'm always excited to eat that. I also sometimes (though very rarely!) make exceptions for Calves' Liver when I'm in a French restaurant and really craving it.

Do you cook (and by that, I mean prepare a meal that you'd serve to friends)?

Yes, of course! Otherwise why would I have this blog? Speaking of which, I must start planning the menu for my Housewarming Party...

If yes, what is your favorite dish to prepare to impress someone?

I don't usually try to impress people with my cooking. That said, if making food for more than a select few, I'm much more likely to make something I've made before (such as those I've recorded here, or any kind of Roast Meat), rather than experimenting with a new recipe. For dinner parties, my standby is any kind of Roast (Beef or Lamb, usually) and for informal meals, it's Pasta.

When you go to a restaurant, what's your ordering strategy/preference?

I usually order something I'm unlikely to cook myself, for whatever reason. Or, if it's a new restaurant, I like to order a specialty that's come highly recommended. If a foreign cuisine (especially one with which I'm not very familiar) I order something unique to that cuisine.

Have you ever returned a dish or wine to the kitchen at a restaurant? Why?

Not really. On Valentine's Day, I sent my Lamb Chops back to be cooked a little more since they were raw (literally) inside and around the bone. But once they had spent a little more time in the oven, they were perfect and delicious.

How many cookbooks do you own?

Currently, I only have twelve, but that's because I still have many in storage that I haven't moved in yet!

What is one food that you wouldn't want to live without?

I think that would have to be Cheese. I always have at least two different kinds of Cheese in my fridge and I choose it instead of dessert to end most meals. I bet you thought I was going to say Pasta?

I wish to tag the following people:

• Mijo from Je Mijote
• Asha from Foodie's Hope
• Elise from Simply Recipes
• Barbara from Winosandfoodies

Enjoy, ladies! I look forward to your answers.