Author: The Cupboard Deli

The Daily Cup – What is Good Food?

| The Cupboard Deli

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An elderly gentleman sat in a fancy restaurant with his family. His wife had passed away just months earlier and his son and daughter wanted to offer a change of scenery. Service was impeccable and eyes grew wide as dishes were placed in front of the dining guests, one at a time. The first bites were evidently most enjoyable. The elderly gentleman began to eat in his usual, slow and composed manner. He was a very distinguished fellow. After a while, as the waiter began to serve wine, the person sitting to his left asked, “Are you enjoying your meal?” Without so much as a pause to allow the waiter to walk away, the otherwise quiet elderly man blurted out, “My wife would have made a much better dish!” – This is a true story, as related by the man’s daughter-in-law.

American author Kurt Vonnegut said, “You can’t just eat good food. You’ve got to talk about it too. And you’ve got to talk about it to somebody who understands that kind of food.”

What is good food? Is it like art, “In the eye of the beholder?”

Good food begins with the delectable sandwich or chocolate chip cookie that saves the mood and brightens the day in the nick of time, and reaches to the most sumptuous dinner. Not everyone makes a good sandwich or chocolate chip cookie!

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The Daily Cup – Snooze The News

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We want to know what is going on in the world, near and far. Being informed helps us decide how to act and how we feel about the days ahead. It helps us plan for the future and avoid unsafe situations. So we watch the news and read the papers. In addition to this, the news fills us in so that we can have constructive conversations with others on the topics that matter at the time. One day a week, for a while, cut down on your news exposure. Pick up the paper anyway, but read it later. You will not miss out too much; news tends to be redundant. But watch how it changes how you feel. Here is a trick to make this more appealing: when you would normally be reading or watching the news, make it a point to sit down with a comforting snack and beverage and select something of an entirely different nature to read first, before you get to the news. See if you can create a new, uplifting ritual, just one day a week. In other words, cut the time you would normally spend reading or viewing the news by half and spend some of it immersed in something different. It could be as simple as just sitting with your coffee and truly savoring it.

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Food & Drink 101 – Do-it-Yourselfer’s Sandwich Platter

| The Cupboard Deli

If you are a do-it-yourself kinda person, you’re probably also rather keen on taking on every single aspect of a picnic party, including preparing your own selection of sandwiches. It is a matter of temperament. Some people thoroughly enjoy having a hand in every single detail, especially when it involves preparing the food.

If you are new to this, you might feel like you need a small nudge of inspiration to get you going. For instance, how do you know how much meat and cheese to purchase at the deli? And what sort of bread should you get? Here are some simple pointers to build an appetizing sandwich tray like a pro. First, the Mars and Venus question… yes, men and women truly have different tastes in sandwiches and overall buffet fare.

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Research shows that women eat more from the side dishes and veggie trays than men. In addition to this, women are more likely to favor sandwiches that include fresh lettuce and tomato. Finally, always according to research, women choose white and pink meat sandwiches (poultry and ham) over red. What does research tell us about men? Definitely carnivores, and red meat is a favorite. Side dishes are not as popular with men. When planning to get the ingredients you need to make your own party or picnic sandwiches, consider the percentage of men to women you expect at your event. Of course, you will probably prove research wrong in some instances and it helps to know individual preferences when possible.

Grinder buns are usually a favorite. They are easy to handle with one hand, while standing around chatting and holding a beverage, for example. They also tend to stay moist longer. You can get these at your deli counter. You might want to call ahead if you need many.

When getting your meats, ask for thin slices. Why? Remember that a sandwich is essentially a layered food. As such, it provides the most enjoyable biting experience when the layers are dynamic and slabs of cold cuts are simply not as appealing to the eye or palate. Thin meats, on the other hand, can be bunched up in the sandwich, giving it volume and texture. That’s just a little structural food science for you!

Last, but surely not least, we must answer the initial question (we got sidetracked in delightful preparation): How many sandwiches and sliced meat and cheese do you need? In general, plan on 1 1/2 sandwich per person. Considering the number of guests is the easiest way to determine how much deli meat and cheese to get. Simply think about how much you would want in your own sandwich and multiply. Also, cut the sandwiches in 1/2 to display an assortment of bites that are large enough to satisfy, yet conveniently sized for easy handling.

Ho! And since not everyone likes lettuce and tomatoes on their sandwiches, you can serve some of these on their own dish with a sign that says “For sandwiches only.” In fact, this is a very appealing way to serve your sandwiches since having a hand in the final product adds undeniable pleasure to the experience.

Food & Drink 101 – Drinks in a Wagon

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