I know it’s the holiday season and the whole vibe is supposed to be merry and joyous but I’m going to guess a lot of us are not feeling particularly *merry* at this time. I mean, literally every other person I know has COVID, so many people had to cancel holiday plans, we’re all collectively about to enter into seasonal depression…so in the spirit of leaning in to our feelings, I figured we could have a curmudgeon-y convo about sh*t we hate. So what’s something you hate that everyone else seems to love?
I’ll go first: what is the deal with bell peppers in everything? They are literally *the* worst. A single piece of cooked bell pepper infects all of its surroundings with bell pepperyness. And listen - I know there are instances where peppers make sense (fajitas come to mind) and in those cases, I’m into it. But most of the time, bell peppers are a useless filler vegetable intended to add volume and I’m so over it.
YOUR TURN!
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Ketchup! I’ve hated it all my life…it looks fake, tastes like straight liquid sugar, and people just smother it all over fries. It grosses me out so much
As a lifelong salmon hater I just have to say that Trader Joe’s has a salmon that is consistently awesome. No salmon taste- lol. I will also add that I once had white salmon and it was incredible… But one of my biggest concerns when attending a dinner party is that inevitably the host will serve salmon thinking everybody loves it… I actually have been known to spit it out. So I feel ya.
Since it's pretty much the only thing I don't eat, I always let my hosts know in advance 😁 but white salmon sounds interesting!! I'll look it up. Thanks Suzanne!
Now that you mention it, cooked bell peppers are trash. I like them raw dipped in hummus (thought what doesn’t taste good dipped in hummus) but they’re either undercooked or overcooked in stir fries.
So-called "Pasta" with the sauce or ragù not mixed, seemingly for aesthetic. Not only is this not pasta, but it forces the eater to either taste too much bare pasta or too much sauce -- which is NOT the intended experience -- and also forces them to do the work of mixing it themselves, which is the work of the chef.
IMHO, this similar to the gimmicks of Boho Chic and new "Industrial Style" interior living spaces. Why should it cost more to look impoverished in poorer quality clothes? Why should you pay more for developers to do LESS developing (i.e. leaving exposed brick, exposed pipes, and bare ceilings)? In essence, we have profiteers making unfinished goods, laziness, and trashy minimalist Nouveau somehow trendy. Similarly, serving the bare pasta and sauce in this more or less modular fashion is a cheap way to cut back on cooking time and serve more customers faster (i.e. increase throughput of restaurant), while making it look intentional and symmetric for all camera angles.
This is disastrous for all cultures, and many Italian chefs know it.
I HATE when the sauce isn't mixed in! it makes literally no sense - I cringe at the sight of the bare pasta. I do love me some exposed brick though💁♀️
You already know I’m right there with you on the bell peppers! They are my single most hated food on the planet. I can’t even do fajitas. Just the smell alone makes my stomach turn.
I'm with you 100% Emily. I recognized this as a small child. I thought it was just me! BTW, I hope to have lunch at the Sapp Coffee Shop Thursday. I'll be in LA for the Rose Bowl.
I'm doing a father/daughter trip to NYC this summer and am already putting my restaurant list together. I'll check in with you (and maybe the local Fedners as well) for updates. Happy new year!
I'm thinking "no," but I can't imagine I would like it. Not a fan of the texture of cold, cooked potatoes (I'm such a texture snob) and if there's mustard in it, I wouldn't even want to try it. That being said, as you are the queen of culinary deliciousness, I might take a tiny bite so I could give it a fair chance.
The overuse of truffle oil. I hate the smell of truffle fries coming out of a kitchen.
it's so overpowering. truffle has a time and a place and to me, it's VERY rare
Ketchup! I’ve hated it all my life…it looks fake, tastes like straight liquid sugar, and people just smother it all over fries. It grosses me out so much
With you!!
i'm so with you. i'd rather use any other condiment. mayo, mustard....
Truffles. I don’t understand why people put them on everything.
i don't hate them per se but i *do* hate their overuse so I agree!
Fruit on a savory salad. I simply will NEVER understand how berries with dressing and chicken is delicious
i don't love it but i dont HATE it. depends on the fruit
You're gonna hate me for this but... Salmon! I love fish and seafood and I've tried salmon many times but we just don't get along🙈
it's not for everyone! how do you feel about raw salmon though??
It's much better raw but I would never order it for myslef, maybe have a bite of someone else's sushi
As a lifelong salmon hater I just have to say that Trader Joe’s has a salmon that is consistently awesome. No salmon taste- lol. I will also add that I once had white salmon and it was incredible… But one of my biggest concerns when attending a dinner party is that inevitably the host will serve salmon thinking everybody loves it… I actually have been known to spit it out. So I feel ya.
Since it's pretty much the only thing I don't eat, I always let my hosts know in advance 😁 but white salmon sounds interesting!! I'll look it up. Thanks Suzanne!
Now that you mention it, cooked bell peppers are trash. I like them raw dipped in hummus (thought what doesn’t taste good dipped in hummus) but they’re either undercooked or overcooked in stir fries.
they really usually are. they're like soggy and overpowering. i can fux with a crunchy raw one though
Onions! And I'm from Mexico, so I'm supposed to really love them bc we use them for almost everything, but I just can't at all!
omg onions are my favorite thing ever - although i will saw fully raw onions are tough on my stomach as i get older!
I hate anything carbonated! Soda, champagne, beer I truly hate it all. It makes trying to order cocktails such a pain.
omg! carbonation is my religion. truly wish i never had to drink flat water ever again
Always hated red peppers and my daughter is allergic to them and carries an epi pen!
perfect excuse to force all family members to omit them from their cooking. love that for you
So-called "Pasta" with the sauce or ragù not mixed, seemingly for aesthetic. Not only is this not pasta, but it forces the eater to either taste too much bare pasta or too much sauce -- which is NOT the intended experience -- and also forces them to do the work of mixing it themselves, which is the work of the chef.
IMHO, this similar to the gimmicks of Boho Chic and new "Industrial Style" interior living spaces. Why should it cost more to look impoverished in poorer quality clothes? Why should you pay more for developers to do LESS developing (i.e. leaving exposed brick, exposed pipes, and bare ceilings)? In essence, we have profiteers making unfinished goods, laziness, and trashy minimalist Nouveau somehow trendy. Similarly, serving the bare pasta and sauce in this more or less modular fashion is a cheap way to cut back on cooking time and serve more customers faster (i.e. increase throughput of restaurant), while making it look intentional and symmetric for all camera angles.
This is disastrous for all cultures, and many Italian chefs know it.
End of rant.
Also, IMO the sauce needs to be "married" with the pasta via tossing with pasta water and/or butter. They need time to cook together to become one!
I HATE when the sauce isn't mixed in! it makes literally no sense - I cringe at the sight of the bare pasta. I do love me some exposed brick though💁♀️
Mamma mia..
You already know I’m right there with you on the bell peppers! They are my single most hated food on the planet. I can’t even do fajitas. Just the smell alone makes my stomach turn.
no one hates bell peppers more!!
Same! Please don't ruin that cheesesteak! Gimme all the onions and add some mushrooms though 😋
I'm with you 100% Emily. I recognized this as a small child. I thought it was just me! BTW, I hope to have lunch at the Sapp Coffee Shop Thursday. I'll be in LA for the Rose Bowl.
oh no i know a whole crew of bell pepper haters, you're in good company. AMAZING!!!! enjoy it!
I'm doing a father/daughter trip to NYC this summer and am already putting my restaurant list together. I'll check in with you (and maybe the local Fedners as well) for updates. Happy new year!
Oranges 🤢🤢
okay i love an orange but orange x chocolate - GET OUTTA HERE!
Potato salad. Yuck.
i'm actually surprised by this!!!! have you had Russian potato salad??
I'm thinking "no," but I can't imagine I would like it. Not a fan of the texture of cold, cooked potatoes (I'm such a texture snob) and if there's mustard in it, I wouldn't even want to try it. That being said, as you are the queen of culinary deliciousness, I might take a tiny bite so I could give it a fair chance.
Mint-chocolate anything. Peppermint mochas, Yorkshire patties, peppermint bark, mint chocolate chip ice cream…all gross.
i could not love this comment more. 1000% fully agree, MINT AND CHOCOLATE IS GROSS. Who wants toothpaste-flavored chocolate?!?!?
fruit. I've never liked it. I like berries but not fruit at all. It's the texture. Especially oranges and those skin-like pieces that hang off. ICK
no fruit at all?? interesting!!
Pickles! Pickled onion or pickled jalapeños are fine, but pickled cucumber is just not for me.
i will politely disagree here. pickles are the GOAT - especially my grandpa's :)