Summertime is here. Time for lemonade, corn on the cob, sand in your hair, and feet in the ocean. With 4th of July right around the corner, I have been (much like everyone else I am sure) daydreaming about swimming in pools, hitting the beach, and wearing a dress everyday; but more importantly: eating outside with friends and family at all the wonderful barbeques that are going to be occurring frequently in the upcoming weeks. "How does the tofu eating pig attend a bbq”? Easy! Folks, "separate is not equal,” even with food. We (the veggie heads) can handle ourselves just fine at these flame grilled parties. Actually, the BBQ inspired me this week for blogging since we are entering our season for it, and it plays such a large role in our culture. If I am hosting, I tend to guarantee that a Veggie Burger will be on my plate. If I am the guest, I count my blessings with side dishes. Its so easy. You do not need to be a vegetarian in order to enjoy a Veggie Burger, and they are not a “girl thing” (despite what some of my alpha male friends jokingly say). In fact I have eaten so many different kinds of veggie burgers I could separate those blogs into another section on this page and title them the "Veggie Burger Chronicles". I’m thinking that would be a huge hit or miss.
But back to the BBQ. Ah the good ol barbeque. How American of us. And in true American fashion, who doesn’t like to take their favorite ingredients, sandwich them between two buns and include lettuce tomato and pickles? Exactly. This is one of the few examples we have as a country that gives us culture. Even though the hamburger has historical roots in many other countries prior to its landing on our map, it is still one of the few foods that you can catch on an “American” menu. Since we are the melting pot, I feel sometimes culture is a dying idea for our country. We instead battle each others ideas and beliefs rather then celebrate the differences between them. But everyone I know BBQs. And I have friends from all over the world. Their families moved to America, and by God they are throwing something on the grill. It may be burgers, it may be artichoke hearts, it may be tortillas, but it's happening.
I like to think it all began in 1940 with ground beef thrown over the flame, put onto a bun with special sauce and a side of French fries thanks to Dick and Mac McDonald. We (the food students) have referred to them as the godfathers of our Fast Food Nation. In 1948 McDonalds established the guidelines of the modern fast-food restaurant. (The McDonald brothers began franchising in 1953). They were the first to realize that making menu items exactly the same in taste and price no matter which state of America you are in, was brilliant. Consistent, cheap, & dependable is what fast food sought out to be. (The Hamburger is of course older than McDonalds, however I believe it is the birth of fast food restaurants in our country that forever changed the way Americans eat. Whether or not it was a change for the better or worse I will leave up to you). The way Madonna changed pop music, McDonalds changed our eating habits. Then, it was a burger, milkshake, and order of fries. Now, we have options!
I hate to disappoint my meat lovers, but the Veggie Burger is absolutely the up and coming of its kind. Its like Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It is hip, new, and full of musicians, the environmentally conscious, and hipsters diving into it. The Germans may have looked at us funny if we offered lentils in a patty shape instead of sausage back in the 1800s. The ancient Mongolians perhaps would have killed us if we messed with their horse meat. But in 2010, we need to be more focused about lowering our cholesterol, preventing atherosclerosis, and decreasing our sodium intake. Veggie burgers bring a lot to the table. They are lower in fat, calories, cholesterol, & depending on the ingredients in them bring a lot more nutritional value. So, this is why I bring to your attention the veggie burger. While I do not eat meat, I promised myself as a blogger I would not try to make YOU a vegetarian. Thats your choice. Plus, there are no actual rules when it comes to this. You are allowed to have one "meat free" day, (or meal) and no one is going to show up at your door telling you thats not enough. I just want to see you try the veggie burger, (or incorporate more veggies into your diet because no matter what those can not hurt you). I promise to post the veggie burgers I am eating all over this city and any other town I happen to be munching in. Perhaps a "veggie burger series" wouldn't be such a bad idea. Wishing you all happy barbeques this summer with family, friends, pounds of vegetables, and an open mind for trying new foods.
**The veggie burger picture posted above is from Rockwells Express on 8th street between Broadway and University Place in nyc. It costs $5.95. It is (for lack of better words) awesome.
And for my last laugh, enjoy some Jimmy Buffett
More Jimmy Buffett music on iLike
No comments:
Post a Comment