The Omnivore

If you routinely travel through the blogosphere, by now you have probably heard of The Omnivore’s Hundred. For those of you who haven’t heard of it, it’s a list of 100 items created by Andrew of Very Good Taste; but not just ANY 100 items: these are apparently the 100 items that every Omnivore should taste at least once. I’ve bolded the items I’ve eaten. Crossed out ones I’d never even consider putting in my mouth. And added comments where applicable.  The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred: 1. Venison: I grew up in Wisconsin. Where everyone either has a cabin “up north” or is related to/friends with someone who does. Yes, I’ve eaten venison. I do *not* like it. 2. Nettle tea: Tried it. Don’t like it. But it’s tea, so are you really surprised? 3. Huevos rancheros – YUM! 4. Steak tartare – No way. No How. 5. Crocodile – Well, it was alligator. 6. Black pudding 7. Cheese fondue – Did I mention I’m from WISCONSIN? 8. Carp 9. Borscht 10. Baba ghanoush – YES! Love eggplant! 11. Calamari –  YUM. 12. Pho 13. PB&J sandwich – an all time favorite. Especially on toasted Italian bread from Paielli’s bakery. 14. Aloo gobi – I have no idea what this is. 15. Hot dog from a street cart – Almost as good as a hot dog from a ballpark. 16. Epoisses 17. Black truffle – absolutely divine! 18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes 19. Steamed pork buns 20. Pistachio ice cream – hate it! 21. Heirloom tomatoes – YUM-O! 22. Fresh wild berries 23. Foie gras: Sounds disgusting, but I’d be willing to give it a taste. Just to say I’d done it. 24. Rice and beans – yep, red beans, black beans. LOVE it! 25. Brawn, or head cheese – yes, I’ve tried head cheese. ICK! 26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper – I have no idea what this is either 27. Dulce de leche – Yes! YUM! 28. Oysters – yes. disgusting.  29. Baklava – if you’ve never had this, you are missing out! 30. Bagna cauda 31. Wasabi peas – just reading that made my tastebuds cringe. 32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl – Hate clam chowder. I try it every now and then. I don’t like clams. 33. Salted lassi 34. Sauerkraut – yuck! 35. Root beer float: Love root beer floats. Love Dr. Pepper floats more. 36. Cognac with a fat cigar 37. Clotted cream tea – I’d try it, but wouldn’t like it. That whole tea thing again. 38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O  39. Gumbo – oh I love me a good gumbo!!! 40. Oxtail 41. Curried goat – a bit greasy. I prefer curried chicken. 42. Whole insects – not on purpose, but yes. 43. Phaal 44. Goat’s milk – yes, not a big fan. 45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more 46. Fugu 47. Chicken tikka masala 48. Eel – I would try this though. 49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut – No explanation necessary. 50. Sea urchin 51. Prickly pear – YUM! 52. Umeboshi 53. Abalone 54. Paneer 55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal – Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun. ICK! 56. Spaetzle – Yes. Wonderful! 57. Dirty gin martini 58. Beer above 8% ABV 59. Poutine – YES! After many recommendations from my Canadian friends. 60. Carob chips 61. S’mores – it’s almost un-American to not eat them. 62. Sweetbreads – someone tricked me into eating this and I almost threw up! 63. Kaolin 64. Currywurst 65. Durian 66. Frogs’ legs – my dad *loved* these 67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake – YUM! 68. Haggis – ICK! 69. Fried plantain – yum! 70. Chitterlings, or andouillette 71. Gazpacho 72. Caviar and blini 73. Louche absinthe  74. Gjetost, or brunost 75. Roadkill – um, I once ate deer someone had hit with their car and killed. In some states, they’ll let you haul it in for butchering. 76. Baijiu 77. Hostess Fruit Pie – I lived on these things in high school 78. Snail 79. Lapsang souchong 80. Bellini – this is served at a lot of Italian weddings instead of champagne for the toast. I’m sure I had it once or twice when I was young. 81. Tom yum  82. Eggs Benedict – not a huge fan of the hollandaise 83. Pocky 84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant. 85. Kobe beef 86. Hare – as in rabbit? Yes. 87. Goulash 88. Flowers – they were on a cake at a wedding I went to. 89. Horse- I haven’t but Chip’s dad has. Ask him about it sometime. rofl 90. Criollo chocolate 91. Spam – My mom loves this stuff. YUCK!! 92. Soft shell crab – love me some crab! 93. Rose harissa 94. Catfish 95. Mole poblano 96. Bagel and lox 97. Lobster Thermidor 98. Polenta – definitely. 99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee 100. Snake