Food That Underwhelms You...

[Christine]

I was just glancing at the "Tacos" thread and it got me thinking.

There are things that I have made over and over again that people LOVE and I am just "ho-hum" about it. I'm almost sure I'm doing something wrong (bad recipe) but this has been going on for years and I try all types of recipes.

Tacos are one of the underwhelming dinners for me. No matter how I make them, I'm always disappointed. They are just so boring to me. My DD loves them. No one else in my family does. I like them marginally better at Chipotle or at some restaurants but not much better (although I enjoy fish tacos the most).

The other one is Shish Kebob (sp??). I've made THEM so many times only to be very disappointed. Bland, boring, blah. At times I've spent a ton of money to put some quality ingredients and seasonings on but, still, boring. Last week, I bought them at Wegman's for $8.99 a pound. They have great looking veggies on them and they use their pre-marinated/flavored chicken. Even the checker remarked on how delicious they were. Nope. Very bland, boring. I like them a bit better if I go to a kebob restaurant.

So, are there any foods/dishes that you feel this way about? If so, did you ever find a way to make that food that changed your mind? I'm still trying to LOVE homemade tacos and shish kebob.

 

[clutter]

I've never made kabobs to compare to Moby Dick's, even with their recipe!

And I much prefer nachos to tacos any day.

For me, it's sushi. Not ever going to happen.

 

[Christine]

I've never made kabobs to compare to Moby Dick's, even with their recipe!

I agree. Love their food. Wish I had one closer to my house.

 

[Magic Mom]

My meatloaf (any meatloaf). My family raves about my meatloaf and my mom requests it everytime she visits. I don't undrstand the appeal at all (maybe it's the crack I bake into it). I think it's blech and the funny thing is they think I have a special recipe, but I just made it up one night.

 

[dakcp2001]

My meatloaf (any meatloaf). My family raves about my meatloaf and my mom requests it everytime she visits. I don't undrstand the appeal at all (maybe it's the crack I bake into it). I think it's blech and the funny thing is they think I have a special recipe, but I just made it up one night.

Must be the crack

 

[Rora]

For me, it's sushi. Not ever going to happen.

Exactly what I was going to post. Yuck!

 

[Saphire]

I don't like strawberry shortcake. It seems to be one of those "Ta-Daa" desserts, especially in the summer. Everyone seems so fond of it, but I hate that spongy cake and syrupy strawberries. The only one I ever thought was good was at the 'Hoop-De-Doo Review', but that could have been the fun atmosphere, lol.

Christine, I think the foods you are making at home may be 'boring' because you are not adding the enormous amount of salt that most restaurants add to their foods. But, that is probably a good thing.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

Meat! Any kind of meat!! I just think it is gross, it has nothing to do with.."because it has a face" That does not bother me, I grew up hunting. I just am not a meat person, I have never had steak, the look of pot roast makes me want to yack!
I do once twice a year, eat a cheeseburger. Other then that it is just egg whites or yogurt, or tuna.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am in the house of reflux so everything is bland and boring. It is a horrible existence.

The other night my dh and dd were eating thin spaghetti with butter and some Parmesan. I could not even eat it. It grosses me out now. They ate/eat it all the time. After 20yrs of it, I can't take it.

I have to watch the marinara sauce to. It really stinks.

I can eat it cold like a pasta salad with veggies, olives, feta, etc. That is how I jazz up spaghetti.

With kabobs, I think you need to find the right marinade recipe for the meat and that will jazz it up.

With the tacos, I make taco salad. Way better than a taco. Or if you want something hot, wrap up tortillas and make enchiladas. Put the meat/cheese in the tortilla and then wrap, put in pan, put chili sauce and cheese on it and heat it up in the oven.

Once it is out you put the dollpop of sour cream, guac, pico, lettuce, etc on the side like the restaurants.

Yum.

Oh and I have a GREAT recipe for "spanish rice" as a side dish. I think this was it. You add Rotel instead of tomato sauce if you want it jazzier.

http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/quickmexicanrecipes/r/SpanishRice.htm

 

[Planogirl]

For me it's ham. For every occasion, DH's family and lots of others we know love to serve baked ham. I eat it but I find it dull.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Ribs (and pretty much all meat that comes to you on a bone, like fried chicken) and any fruit dessert.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

Steak...any kind cooked any way (rare to well done, seasoned or unseasoned).

I'd rather have a hamburger any day of the week. My DH thinks I must be from another planet

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

Steak...any kind cooked any way (rare to well done, seasoned or unseasoned).

I'd rather have a hamburger any day of the week. My DH thinks I must be from another planet

well, we must be from the same planet!!

 

[Golf4food]

Wings. What on earth is the crazy fascination with wings!? They are messy, annoying, and take far too much effort for far too little meat on each one. Honestly they are mostly bone! What's the point? Give me a chicken finger any day over a wing - no bones, lots more chicken, lots less effort. There are better things I can do for excercise than fighting with a wing while eating dinner (then again, maybe many wing eaters only get excercise whilst struggling with said wings...)

 

[Tinkermommy]

Creme Brulee

It takes like custard pie with caramelized sugar and without the yummy pastry crust. I can't see paying $8 for it.

But I LOVE sushi!

 

[curious3069]

Smores. I feel like I should like them, but they are too sweet with not enough of a distinct flavor to make all that sweet taste good. Maybe if it had a salty componant to tone it down, like if there was a pretzel involved, it might be ok!

 

[AshleyW]

Smores. I feel like I should like them, but they are too sweet with not enough of a distinct flavor to make all that sweet taste good. Maybe if it had a salty componant to tone it down, like if there was a pretzel involved, it might be ok!

You should try to put a smear of peanut butter on one of the graham crackers. That's how we've always done it when we camp, that way they're sweet & salty.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I know just what you guys are talking about!
Tryed fish tacos the other night...
The fish was great, but the finished taco... just didn't do it for me.

Anyhow, about the shisk-k-bob..
These I can make and they are good... NOT bland!
Do not even have to have pre-marinated meat.
Here is how I do it....
I put the bobs in a large, flat, baking pan - like the bottom of a large roaster, lined with foil for easy cleanup... then, I coat thoroughly with a lot of wesson oil, there is generally oil left down in the bottom of the pan... (if they are dry, yes they will be bland and chewy)... Then I season generously, not sparingly, with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paparika, and, this is the kicker... a good sprinkle of chili powder.... I roast these in the oven under a Hot broiler... great roasted flavor with out the excess 'charcoal' of a grill... and they don't dry out.... These are so good over white rice. My DH loves these! Great for his healthy high protein diet too, with plenty of large cubes of fresh lean chicken breast, all kinds of veggies, onions, peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, and even some large cubes/quarters of potato (nuke first till maybe halfway done, then dice...) Of course, my son is not as big on the green veggies, so he likes the roasted potato.

 

[AustinTink]

I was just glancing at the "Tacos" thread and it got me thinking.

There are things that I have made over and over again that people LOVE and I am just "ho-hum" about it. I'm almost sure I'm doing something wrong (bad recipe) but this has been going on for years and I try all types of recipes.

Tacos are one of the underwhelming dinners for me. No matter how I make them, I'm always disappointed. They are just so boring to me. My DD loves them. No one else in my family does. I like them marginally better at Chipotle or at some restaurants but not much better (although I enjoy fish tacos the most).

The other one is Shish Kebob (sp??). I've made THEM so many times only to be very disappointed. Bland, boring, blah. At times I've spent a ton of money to put some quality ingredients and seasonings on but, still, boring. Last week, I bought them at Wegman's for $8.99 a pound. They have great looking veggies on them and they use their pre-marinated/flavored chicken. Even the checker remarked on how delicious they were. Nope. Very bland, boring. I like them a bit better if I go to a kebob restaurant.

So, are there any foods/dishes that you feel this way about? If so, did you ever find a way to make that food that changed your mind? I'm still trying to LOVE homemade tacos and shish kebob.

Chipotle doesn't count for real tacos. Blech... they are just gross.

 

[Missy1961]

Wings. What on earth is the crazy fascination with wings!? They are messy, annoying, and take far too much effort for far too little meat on each one. Honestly they are mostly bone! What's the point? Give me a chicken finger any day over a wing - no bones, lots more chicken, lots less effort. There are better things I can do for excercise than fighting with a wing while eating dinner (then again, maybe many wing eaters only get excercise whilst struggling with said wings...)

Me too! I love all forms of chicken--except wings. Not worth it.