Condiments, Grilled Cheese and Pickles
First, condiments. My friends and I lead rich, full lives. Big Rick, Big Tony and I were talking at the neighborhood place today. There was some disagreement on acceptable condiments. Generic catsup and mustard, rather than name brands, are OK, though we differ on the viability of yellow rather going with some sort of spicy version. Rick says the good stuff is preferable on everything but a hamburger. Tony and I went with the good stuff for everything. Rick likes Miracle Whip over mayo, I think it's a Southern thing. Tony and I insist on mayo, and only Hellmann’s.
Then there’s the grilled cheese sandwich. I’m basic here. Kraft or generic American slices. Butter the bread on both sides and toss into a frying pan. Rick goes for Velveeta with some Miracle Whip. Tony didn’t weigh in on this one. We didn’t talk about it; but, I’m not a believer in add-ons here. No tomato, onions or the like.
Finally, there are pickles. I like kosher dills and bread and butter. Rick only goes with B&B. Tony at this point was paying no attention.
I'm off to the kitchen. Dinner is grilled cheese (my way), some pickle spears, I'm not sure which variety, and maybe some spinach. I know the last doesn't fit into the post; and, it probably doesn't go with the GC and pickle, but, I like it.
Your thoughts are welcome.
13 comments:
PDM says there are some things for which you must have yellow mustard. I always go for spicy brown mustard. I'm not a big fan of mayo, no matter what brand. Will use it sparingly on a sammich, but only if other condiments are not available. I only put ketchup on hush puppies, not fries, dogs or burgers. Fried fish must have tartar sauce. Fried shrimp must have cocktail sauce. As for grilled cheese, I prefer it simple.
Hah! I knew we were going to move beyond the start.
I can't think of anything that is better with yellow, but you say PDM is a great cook, I will defer.
A good piece of fried fish does well with some salt, pepper and lemon. You're right about fried shrimp (and clams and crab cakes, other than really good ones) and the cocktail sauce. Good clams and crab deserve better. Homemade with a bit of horseradish, real not the sauce, is the best.
Sure, PDM is a good cook, but he isn't the best authority on condiments. He puts mayo on Chick-fil-A sandwiches, fer cryin' out loud. That just ain't right.
Dang, all this mumbling here about crabs and crab cakes and shrimp and my mouth is watering! Lemon or malt vinegar is something I like on fish but I also like tartar sauce too -kind of depends on my mood there at times. Ketchup -can be Heinz or Hunt's or generic for me -used mainly for french fries; occasionally on burgers. My preference in mustard is the hot and spicy but plain yellow works too on some things. Mayo though -Hellman's rocks in my world! And I like mayo on burgers, with fries to dip in it, on chicken or turkey sandwiches too. Grilled cheese -prefer American (yellow) -buttered bread, cheese on each slice and put them together. Sometimes grilled cheese with tomato or tomato and bacon for a little change of pace. Pickles -kosher dills or bread and butter! Now, I really could go for a bunch of hot spiced crabs and a six pack of Coors or whatever draft might be available -either/or in that department. Makes me wish I was back living in Maryland with the conversation turning to crabs -the hot, spiced kind, that is.
Mmmmm grilled cheese sammies...Husband make the best grilled cheese. I like mine with Colby/jack cheese or cheddar and very meltie. I'm with you no add on's on the grilled cheese.
As far as other condiments, I never thought about it, except mayo. I hate Miracle Whip, love real Mayo, Hellman's or Dukes (that's a Southern thing). I also don't like mustard so I don't care.
Hellman's. And I'm a purist when it comes to grilled cheese sammiches. Try the Kraft Deli Deluxe sharp cheddar slices. Fabulous.
******* blogger ate my ******* comment.
And it was long. And, dare I say, brilliant and insightful. (Quit laughing -- like you'll ever know!)
Grrrr. Allow me to recap...
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There is no "catsup" -- there is only Heinz ketchup.
Any mayo will do, but Miracle Whip isn't mayo. And I like mayo almost anywhere. I used to order my deli sandwiches with extra mayo, but am too fat to do that now.
I like BBQ and Horseradish on burgers.
I like both yellow and brown mustard -- only brown on deli sandwiches, and only yellow in egg or potato salad. Or deviled eggs.
Only dill pickles, but only sweet relish.
I'm with Posolxstvo I on the ketchup. And it goes on everything except bagel dogs which require yellow mustard, don't care which brand. Mustard should not go on hamburgers or fries. But mustard and ketchup go good together on a hot dog. Heavy on the mayo, especially on burgers and sandwiches (I believe Hellman's is called Best Foods out here in California). Miracle Whip is nasty. Bread & Butter pickles are KICK-ASS! We both agree on grilled cheese...and spinach.
Wow, I didn't realise how opinionated I was about condiments.
I make a grilled sandwich with tavern ham and fresh motzzarella. Just butter on all sides of the bread. Soft, squishey and delicious.
Once again I find myself as a minority, but....I LOVE MIRACAL WHIP !!!. Eat it w/ tuna, chicken salad, bologna, hamburgers, and mix it with Ketchup for my fries.
yummy!
grilled cheese w/velveeta and miracle whip sounds interesting...
Down to business condiment talk. I have to agree with Rick. I still take yellow mustard on my burgers. As for Miracle Whip? Forget about it. Hellman's is the only big brand mayo that is worth anything.
I have found that for the best grilled cheese Land O Lakes Sharp Yellow American melts and tastes better than all the others.
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