clevermanka (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
clevermanka) wrote2009-01-05 04:15 pm
clevermanka) wrote2009-01-05 04:15 pm
Entry tags:
Taste
Here is a lesson I learned yesterday:
Taste buds work for more than just determining if something is yummy or not.
When I visit the Giant Store Of Ethnic Food Goodness that is Saraga's International Grocery in Indianapolis, I stock up on fun stuff I can't get here or in KC. Five-pound bags of black or red rice. Guava paste. Dried mushrooms. Interesting varieties of beans.
I usually buy beans on the basis of if I think they're pretty. Last time, one in particular caught my eye, both for the pleasant shape and the name: Lupini Beans. This weekend I thought I would cook them up and use them in a Broad-Bean style recipe. Just the beans, olive oil, garlic, salt, and some sliced Serrano Ham. I'd never made Lupini Beans before, so after what I thought was an appropriate cooking time, I took one out to check for doneness. It was not only not done, it was one of the nastiest bitter-tasting things I'd ever had in my mouth. It was like chewing asprin. Awful. The package didn't have any special directions (crazy foreigners, selling me things and figuring I know what I'm doing), so I looked up Lupini Beans on the Big Box of Knowledge. Well, it turns out that Lupini Beans have toxic levels of alkaline in them if not prepared properly, and the process takes at least five days of a brine soak after cooking (being sure to change the salt solution once daily).
Taste buds apparently know what they're doing. If the tongue says "Dude, don't eat that," you should probably listen.
Taste buds work for more than just determining if something is yummy or not.
When I visit the Giant Store Of Ethnic Food Goodness that is Saraga's International Grocery in Indianapolis, I stock up on fun stuff I can't get here or in KC. Five-pound bags of black or red rice. Guava paste. Dried mushrooms. Interesting varieties of beans.
I usually buy beans on the basis of if I think they're pretty. Last time, one in particular caught my eye, both for the pleasant shape and the name: Lupini Beans. This weekend I thought I would cook them up and use them in a Broad-Bean style recipe. Just the beans, olive oil, garlic, salt, and some sliced Serrano Ham. I'd never made Lupini Beans before, so after what I thought was an appropriate cooking time, I took one out to check for doneness. It was not only not done, it was one of the nastiest bitter-tasting things I'd ever had in my mouth. It was like chewing asprin. Awful. The package didn't have any special directions (crazy foreigners, selling me things and figuring I know what I'm doing), so I looked up Lupini Beans on the Big Box of Knowledge. Well, it turns out that Lupini Beans have toxic levels of alkaline in them if not prepared properly, and the process takes at least five days of a brine soak after cooking (being sure to change the salt solution once daily).
Taste buds apparently know what they're doing. If the tongue says "Dude, don't eat that," you should probably listen.
no subject
Wow.
no subject
It sometimes amazes me how people figure out how to make things edible. Hope they are tasty enough to be worth the hassle!
no subject
I thought the exact same thing. I mean, like, what? They couldn't find non-toxic beans?
I'll be sure to post about how they turn out...next week.
no subject
"Let's see what that thing that comes out of a chicken's butt tastes like.. euwww, let's boil it first?"
no subject
The one I will never comprehend? Lobsters. Seriously. Who first thought lobsters would be good to eat?
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
Maybe fire was the start of it all.
no subject
no subject
You can get rather nice dried mushrooms at CostCo. I have acquired both shitake and other mushrooms dried and packaged in rather large sacks.
I may have to go out for Chinese tonight. That is always a good thing to do.
no subject
I got a giant bag of dried shiitake mushrooms (about the size--not weight--of a bag of cat litter) for I think $30 at Saraga's. Awesome!
no subject
no subject
http://ruggierosmarket.com/store/images/lupini16.jpg
(Pickled in a jar)
I grew up eating this at my friend's house -- her family is Italian and they have these all the time, along with various types of olives. They pop out of their little hulls when squeezed, kind of like edamame, but are much more tasty and wonderful to me!
no subject
It's good to talk to someone who understands my love of beans. Mmmmm!
Beeeeeeeeens! Beware!
Re: Beeeeeeeeens! Beware!
It's my understanding that this almost certainly contributed to his death.
Re: Beeeeeeeeens! Beware!
Delightful. Mung beans are one of my favorites.
yes. seriously.
Re: Beeeeeeeeens! Beware!
Re: Beeeeeeeeens! Beware!
I thought moving from Phaseolus to Vigna required the services of a specialty surgeon.
Re: Beeeeeeeeens! Beware!
Maybe such things can be done with the proverbial magic beans? Sadly, the reassigned beans refused to comment on their transformation, citing the extreme impoliteness of botany jokes, and that they are not that sort of plant.
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
Ha! Oh well, life's all about learning!
no subject