The top 11 things I will never eat (or have eaten and will never do it again!) Part 4 (Two exceptions that will surprise.)

I’m a b-a-a-a-d blogger – it occurred to me today that I left you all hanging with my final installment of this article. The last entry in this series of posts was on August 10, 2009 (just in case you want to refresh your memories.) Anyway, here are two items that I have eaten, which are often considered quite gross by most folk’s standards, but I have enjoyed them immensely. What’s your take on these two delicacies?

Just click on this first link to see if you know what it actually is. If you need a hint, try this link.

Yep, it’s cow tongue, but it’s not just “cow tongue” if it is prepared properly, and IMHO that requires boiling, slicing it in such a way that it no longer resembles tongue, and serving it with a delicious sweet and sour raisin sauce. Mm, Mm good!!! And, if prepared this way you will think it is the finest, most tender and flavorful cut of beef you’ve ever eaten. Plus it will look like this.

The next unusual delicacy that I’ve really enjoyed, I was introduced to as a child at a restaurant that was known for this specialty, Phil Schmidt & Sons, which unfortunately (two years ago) closed its doors after 97 years in business.

Can you guess what it is from the “before” picture or the "after."

If you’re still not sure, check out the video below. Now, what about you - care to share anymore? Bon Appétit'!

The top 11 things I will never eat (or have eaten and will never do it again!) Part 1

The ubiquitous ‘they’ say, that your “body is like a temple” – thus implying that it is best to treat it with a great deal of reverence or else the gods will rebel.

My hope in this series of posts, over the next few days, is not to offend or inflame anyone, but to open a dialogue and garner insight into the nature of human nature, particularly when it comes to partaking in certain foods that for some, might be offensive, either from personal tastes, physical reactions or dietary law.

Not in any particular order, here’s Day 1 of my list with links to the foods in question.

1. Kidneys – No thank you on these, as I have found they have a soapy, rather acrid taste, at least to me. And, I’m not sure I would try them again, even if they were cooked in sherry and looked like this.

2. Brain – makes me want to stop thinking about it all together – this was a favored delicacy, that from time-to time would appear to those fortunate passengers that rode first class on (I will not mention the particular airline) and were offered brains and eggs for breakfast - I never tried them and never will. Anyone for a serving of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy?

3. Sweetbreads – by any other name, they are a gland, and I’m “gland” I never tried them even if they can be cooked up to look like this.

Tomorrow, more menu selections to signal your thumb’s up, or thumb down.