The Rebel Palate

(Click here to jump to the recommended song, Maple by Galgox (Googie on YouTube)!) In New England, maple trees are everywhere. We know them mostly for their sap that’s boiled down into delicious syrup, but they give us other things, too. Yes, other than wood. In fall they drop their helicopter seeds, and in spring they drop red or green blossoms (depending on the species). Spring is also when the seeds grow into little tree sprouts. Recently, I’ve figured out how to take advantage of this. The blossoms can be made into tea and the sprouts can be made into… cooked sprouts. This is a short one. I’m still trying to figure out the Average Joe Rule I talked about in January . Health and safety disclaimer: I highly recommend you wash anything you find in or on the ground. I mean, I’m pretty sure you do that anyway.  Also, I only think these are edible because I’ve eaten them and not died. Eat unfamiliar foods at your own discretion. MAPLE BLOSSOM TEA If you want maple blossoms, now’s th...

(Click here to jump to the recommended song, Stray Cat Strut by The Stray Cats!) Howdy, rebels. I've said it before: if you want to sell me something, put a wacky cartoon on the label. Lately, though, I've figured out cartooniness isn't the whole picture. Not every cartoon design works on me, especially ones like this: The Cookie Crisp wolf reeks of the vaguely Disney- or Tex Avery-like designs from the 90s with no real style. It's like someone put all the good stuff in a frying pan and let the real essence boil off, leaving a chewy, bland substance. Sure, it's recognizable, especially with the big purple nose, but even Little Bites' blueberry muffins had that. There are some parts I like about the Cookie Crisp wolf, like how the ears are drawn a little differently than other styles, or the cel shading (AKA no shading) on this recent version. But it has no identity. ...

Welcome to the rabbit hole.                                                                                                                       (Click here to jump to the recommended song, Jesus Lover of My Soul by Brigham Young University Choir!) In August of 2021, I went to a fancy cheese shop and ordered from the ever-intimidating "big girl counter" for the very first time. I didn't know what I wanted, so I ended up with four ounces of Appenzeller, some Gruyere with black truffles in it, and a cast-iron mouse I named Tony Squeak. The Appenzeller took some- sorry, a lot of getting used to. It smelled like cat pee and feet with a hint of jasmine. It's kind of a miracle...