Is it just me?

[daddyzaring]

I don't know if it is just me, my aging taste buds, or foods have changed that much, especially hamburger, but things just don't seem to taste as good as they use to. I do use alot more less fatty foods, and really lean meats. Does fattier foods really make that much difference in taste, or is it just me? I did grow up with alot of fried food, especially crisco, or bacon grease. lol

 

[ronp]

I think you answered your own question. All of the above.

 

[bayouchilehead]

In the case of using less or no fat when cooking, it's not just you. A few years ago the Boss (Wife) and I decided to start eating healthy. So we stopped eating fast-food and started cooking lean meats and using less butter............you get the picture. We noticed that the food we were cooking didn't taste right. So a week and a half into this healthy diet, we started eating right again and life is good. The moral of that story is......as far as cooking goes, Fat is a good thing.

 

[daddyzaring]

Which answer is that? That fatty foods taste better, it's just me, or both? LOL

 

[ronp]

Fat rules for flavor.

 

[fire it up]

They say our taste buds go through a change approximately every 7 years.
Occasionally you may realize you suddenly like or dislike things you loved or hated years ago.
I have always sort of like mushrooms but in the past year I love them, need them.
One of my favorite things is any kind of mushroom on the smoker with nothing but a touch of Tony C's.
Found out recently I really like walnuts too which I never liked as a kid.
Hate strawberry kiwi Snapple but used to LOVE it as a kid.
Can never get tired of mint Snapple though

 

[daddyzaring]

As a little kid the only things I would not eat were tomatos, onions, and peppers, that was it. When I got into my teens I started eating them too, as I have gotten older I have only lost my taste for watermelon, other than that I still eat just about anything and everything. lol

My wife likes watching "the Biggest Looser" and I seen something on one of their shows you would probably love. They made turkey burgers on the grill, and for the buns they used big portabella mushrooms. I have been wanting to try that with some smoked burgers.

 

[dave from mesa]

Fat=Flavor

 

[mballi3011]

We haven't yet commited to the healthier side on eating yet so we have the good tasting beef and things to go along with the rounding of the belly too. Yes fat is Flavor.

 

[daddyzaring]

I have to say between the "healthier" food I try to make, and this forum I have become hooked on smoking. Everything is better smoked, well everything I have been able to try so far.

 

[triplebq]

EAT MOR CHICKEN !

 

[mgwerks]

"Fat rules, and pork fat rules absolutely".

 

[corn cob]

Try using a palate cleanser......I suggest an excellent quality bourbon!

 

[chisoxjim]

the leaner cuts will not have as much flavor as others have said.

But keep in mind the mass produced factory farmed pork, beef, and chicken alot of folks buy nowdays@ their local chain market has had the taste bred out of it. Enhanced chicken, and pork taste nothing like fresh pork and poultry, same goes for alot of beef out there.

 

[smoke 2 geaux]

I totally agree with chisoxjim. The mass produced meat that we get now just isn't as flavorful. I am always reminded of this when I kill a wild hog. Pork chops from the Walley World taste like notebook paper by comparison.

 

[athabaskar]

We started eating healthier about a year and a half ago. Admitted, it is a huge adjustment at first, but you get used to it. Besides, there are things you can do to get flavor into the blandest cuts. I use lots of EVOO and fresh herbs and do a lot of marinading. Salmon has tons of flavor. If you can locate turkey wing drumettes they are the bomb on the grill. The same goes for chicken and I used to hate white meat. Marinade them and grill to just at medium well the same way as beefsteak. Let the boobies rest for about 10 minutes under a foil tent and you have a perfectly cooked breast. Healthy doesn't have to be bland. It's all in how you treat your meat.

And I can make a salad with a dressing of just EVOO, balsamic vinegar, feta, and a pinch of salt and pepper that has enough flavor to balance less fatty meats.

We still backslide sometimes and get a cheeseburger. Nobody says you can't ever indulge, but every time I do I feel sluggish for a couple of days. Wife too. Note, this does not apply to smoked brisket. By the time it's ready to pull it is mostly rendered. I loves me some brisky!

 

[northern greenhorn]

It's you, so if you can't taste your bbq, just send it to me, and I'll eat it

This happens, I find there are things, I never really cared for, and now I love it, like chocolate, I used to never really like it, but now, I love it... can you smoke chocolate??