Formulating Foodie

See that chemistry figure in the header of this page that has letters and sticks forming a structure? That would be the structure of caffeine. I say it in layman’s terms because I think I sometimes overestimate people’s knowledge of chemisty. Have you ever been talking to someone and all of the sudden they go off on a tangent and you begin to daze off, contemplating whether you are going to go grab a burger for lunch or eat the leftover spaghetti that you…oh, yes, of course I was listening. You may be a whiz-kid when it comes to chemistry, while others are whiz-ing their way through another subject (say History or Geology) and would have to speak in layman’s terms to someone like me when discussing their favorite subject. In fact, I went home over the break and was trying to explain the difference between butter and margarine and the use of partially hydrogenated oils to one of my family members. I got done drawing a few things and talking for just a bit and said family member had a question (and, surprisingly, it had nothing to do with leftovers). I was pumped because I love sharing this kind of stuff.

Me: What’s your question?

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Impulsive buyers always have some kind of trigger. It’s the same kind of trigger that causes someone to jump out of an airplane (for skydiving purposes, of course) or that causes scientists to question everything around them and proceed to find answers. My trigger? A new product on the shelves. Unless the new product is more money than I currently have in my bank account (Going to Japan to try McDonald’s new Big America burgers, for example), then this new fangled concoction is undoubtedly going home with me. I am well known for walking into a store, needing two things, and by the time I am headed for the checkout aisle (which will enevitably entail a long line), I am having people ask if I need a basket…or help. I may or may not need help, that is still under debate. A basket? Amateurs.   

Dreyer’s Slow Churned Rich & Creamy Chocolate Shake was definitely dropped on the floor a few times on my way to the checkout aisle.

After reading the very simple directions, I was concerned.

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Two and a half years ago,I was an unsuspecting college freshman enrolled in a freshmen seminar class that I would have completely regretted as a waste of my time, if I hadn’t met one of my very best friends during the first day of that class (In the second row…because sitting in the first row would have been grounds for being a dork…) . Kristen and I both wanted to pursue food science and, more specifically, product development, which is probably the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear food science. We met a fairly instrumental guy who, while only an undergraduate himself, was very involved in the field of food science and more than willing to share his experiences and help us along the way. To this day, I know exactly who to call when the pit of my fruit looks like something from a horror movie, if I need to know who to contact to access a supply of polydextrose powder or if I simply want to rave about being a finalist in a competition.

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Dorm food gets a bad rep…and most of the time for a good reason. Greasy pizza, less than hygienic servers, limited options…Sure, sometimes I brave the dining halls and sometimes they have decent options; but sometimes I resort to frozen foods and all of the time I tap my heels together and wish I was in a kitchen (and sometimes that transports me to Kristen’s fully stocked kitchen). But today, my little red shoes are just not doing the trick and I am left reading the back of this Lean Cuisine Bacon Alfredo Pizza Box. It might not be delivery, but it’s also not Digiorno.

The crust, while missing that fresh-from-the-oven crunch, was not tough in the least…simply soft, yet firm enough to stand up to the plethora of toppings that were piled on top. Melty mozzarella, limp juicy diced tomatoes, bright green spinach, little bits of red onion and the bacon that immediately makes a dish that much better were equally sprinkled over a thin layer of creamy…

Okay, it’s been 5 minutes since this little personal pan pizza emerged from the microwave and the edges of the crust have crisped up quite nicely. 🙂 Perhaps I should abide by the “let sit in microwave after cooking” part of the directions, which I always seem to skillfully overlook. But that might detract from the little rebellion that I do have…that and listening to the flight attendants give their speech on how to use the overhead mask and rip your seat cushion off as a floatation device…two things that I outwardly defy. 

It feels good to get that off my chest.

Looks like a delectable ice cream treat. 🙂

 Chocolate ice cream with cookies. Or is it?! Of course it’s not. What a boring post! Well, boring unless we had taste-o-vision. I’ll be first in line for that innovation.

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