Top Five Friday – My Least Favourite Culinary Terms
I’m no Julie Andrews, and this sure as heck isn’t The Sound of Music. Keeping that in mind:
- Flan — This is Howard’s least favourite word in the entire English language. That kind of passion will rub off on a girl — and in 15 years of wedded bliss, I have only ever made tarts, not flans. Search my recipes if you don’t believe me. Nary a flan among them.
- Moist — Is there a woman alive who likes this word? Email me. We need to talk.
- Cab Sav – Seriously, no one is in that much of a hurry. Say the whole phrase. It’s just 4 teeny-tiny syllables more. Please? It sounds silly.
- Foie — see #3 (unless you’re French, and you’re talking about plain old liver — then that’s OK.)
- Sweat –I played a lot of sports as a young girl/woman, and I did my fair share of sweating. I’m comfortable with the fact that I do more than “glow.” That said, I don’t want to think about anyone sweating when I’m cooking or eating. It makes me feel icky.
(This is a terrible example of sweating onions — there should be NO colour. (Just so you know.))
Tell me a few of YOUR least favourite culinary things!
This is funny! What a great idea. I can’t think of any other terms right now, but you came up with some good ones!
I must need a talking to, because I don’t mind moist! Cab sav is DREADFUL. Really I can’t stand any silly abbreviation like that. Evoo is wretched.
Trix,
EVOO made my short list, but then the other night I heard someone order “Foie — well done.” I woulda paid a mint to see the look on the chef’s face when he saw that ticket! As for the moist thing, perhaps it is a regional issue…most west coasters I’ve met would agree that even typing it is kinda gross. Theresa
Funny. =) It’s LIVER!
Moist equals NO!!! I so agree! Coincidentally, I am a west coaster so go figure!
I so agree with Trix… EVOO is just annoying; no question about that.
I do hear cab sauv a lot around here so I may be immune to that one :) Sauv blanc is another one I hear and it’s like, you can’t say sauvignon??
EVOO is VERY annoying.
Zin as well. Probably because it reminds me of a really bad blind date.
Love the post!
I love this. I hope you feel better now that it’s off your chest. I need to give something like that a try.
For me it’s the phrase, “with au jus.” I’ve seen it like that on menus in expensive restaurants and makes me want to get up and walk out.
Moist? Ew.
That cab sav thing goes for zin as well. But I don’t go near ‘zin’ so I don’t hear it often.
Can I have a least favorite culinary action instead of just a term? It would have to be the obligatory post-taste eye roll on every single cooking show I’ve ever seen. Is that really necessary?
Oh, and I’m verging on hatred for the word “decadent.” It’s WAY overused.
Wendy — you bring up a good point, and perhaps the topic for another Top 5 Friday. Something like: My Least Favourite Food TV Moments…and then, as I mentioned before, there`s always the possibility for My Least Favourite Food Celebrities…
I got a good chuckle out of this list. Cab sav would definitely make my list. I have to say that the word “foodie” drive me nuts. I don’t know what it is, but I refuse to use it.
I don’t have a problem with the word moist at all. It’s a beautiful word that evokes images of moss and ferns and maybe a few banana slugs. Ever heard “Moisture” by the Residents?
Sorry, i don’t know how to use the comments button, but I’ll learn
What is this earth EVOO you speak of?
Jojo — you`re upping my comments per post average — keep it up! EVOO = extra virgin olive oil — a Rachel Rayism (who would probably top my Top 5 Friday list of My Least Favourite Food Celebrities). Now there`s an idea…
I will agree, Jojo, that your idea of moist sounds very peaceful and serene. However, all of the other visuals that come to my mind when I think of moist cancel out your version. I may have enough courage left to go youtube this `Moisture`of which you speak. Wish me luck.
Yup, foodie is another one on my short list. Don`t like it and certainly don`t want to be labeled as one! Thanks for stopping by…
I want to read more! Part 2?
I totally agree – there are lots more where that came from…perhaps I need to make it a global effort and get international contributions! Theresa
Two words: “Flavour Profile”. Goddamn you, Top Chef.
oh yes, I just added this to my list.
Great list! I actually love the word flan but never thought of it that way- it just has a beautiful ring. Cab/Sav- that made me laugh- seriously- silly stuff. Moist and sweat – yeah…summer time and moisture and sweatiness – ew! Not in my food!!!
[...] that is not at all dry (I am trying to avoid “moist”, after Theresa’s list of culinary pet peeves on Island Vittles – long ago, I had learned about the issue with this word years ago from the wannabe lawyer who [...]