What Bugs Me Regarding Broccoli

"Default User" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Here it's either crowns or florets these
days. If I want a whole bunch of broccoli I have to really hunt for
it. It sucks, since I do use the stalks.

You might mention that to your grocer.

That's a novel suggestion, but for reasons I've never understood, the
newsgroups are full of people who are hesitant to speak to the manager, or
find out where a company's HQ is and call & ask to speak to the CEO. I don't
understand this at all.

jmcquown said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns because I
definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli soup... but what do
they do with the stalks?

I don't even like the crowns - I only want the stalks!

Quoted message said:

I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for me*. If I
want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets. Otherwise, I know how to
wield a knife. I don't need someone working in the produce aisle to cut my
vegetables for me *and* charge me a buck extra for doing so!

Convenience? Since when is it convenient to spend an extra dollar? It
takes maybe 1 minute, okay, two if I'm having a bad day, to cut florets from
the stalk. Oooh, I just wasted 2 minutes! Dang, better pay a dollar more
for that!

No kidding. The epitome of laziness is the person who can't be
bothered to cut up their own veggies. Well, that and those pre-made
Smucker PBJs in the frozen food aisle.

Yeah, yeah, I know...people with arthitis need pre-cut foods. But
unfortunately that's not who I see buying them...

Quoted message said:

And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross between
broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side of a
flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse. All in all a
rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it tastes good. The
appearance just puts me off.

Never tried it but I bet I would love it.
-L.

"Nancy Young" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Doug Kanter" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Sorry - I mistook you for what's-her-name in New Jersey, where there are
some Wegman's stores. By the way, Wegman's is owned 100% by the Wegman
family, here in Rochester NY, which is where its headquarters is, too.

Whatsername???? Well, I never.

nancy

You just did! :-) I'm doing eleventy-thirty seven things at once here. Cut
me some slack.

sarah bennett said:

You know, one can do prep work the night before. (Or the morning of)
It's all about priorities.

--

saerah

Bingo. I hate this "I'm to busy to prepare a decent meal" idology most
parents have.
So, your kid gets to go to band practice but because you are "so busy"
schlepping him around he eats McDonald's 3 or 4 nights a week. That's
really doing him some good. He'll grow up to be a big, fat tuba
player. Charming.

<snicker>
-L.

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Maybe I'm just not looking in the right place (or should I say the wrong
place?) What god awful additives must they add to pre-cut potatoes? IMHO
potatoes require lemon juice or vinegar to keep from turning brown once
they
are sliced/cut.

I caught just a little bit of 30 minute meals, just enough to see her whip
out a bag of shredded ? potatoes? I had heard of them, and she went
into her 'take the help where you can get it' routine, and the same thought
occurred to me. What is sprayed on there to keep it white? And I'll
cut up my own potatoes, thank you very much.

Having said that, I did buy Boston Market mac n cheese on my trip
today, I'd gotten some last week and they are a big hit. Guess I'll be
looking for a copycat recipe, 3 bucks a box and I *think* I can make
mac n cheese myself. (laugh)

I bought them out of curiosity, as happens to me all the time around here,
I (hear) about some product, I have to try it to see ... they had a blind
taste test on Good Morning America;mac n cheese, they won for frozen,
and velveeta boxed won.

Thought you'd like that, Velveeta breath. (laugh) nancy

jmcquown said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns because I
definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli soup... but what do
they do with the stalks?

My market only carries the stalked variety, which I pare, slice and
steam right along with the crowns.

Quoted message said:

And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower?

Yes, when there's a big price difference, or there's no cauliflower
available.

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Doug Kanter said:

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Damn shame about The Pig; it was the first self-serve
grocery store in the U.S. but it's gone waaaaay downhill, unless you want

to

Quoted message said:

buy hog jowls and chitlins.

Jill

Ha. You just described TFM's favorite foods. ACK.

kili

Doug Kanter said:

"Default User" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You might mention that to your grocer.

That's a novel suggestion, but for reasons I've never understood, the
newsgroups are full of people who are hesitant to speak to the
manager, or find out where a company's HQ is and call & ask to speak
to the CEO. I don't understand this at all.

Many larger chains have web sites, you can make suggestions that way.
I'm not sure how much good it would do, but wouldn't hurt.

Brian

--
If televison's a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who
won't shut up.
-- Dorothy Gambrell (http://catandgirl.com)

-L. said:

No kidding. The epitome of laziness is the person who can't be
bothered to cut up their own veggies. Well, that and those pre-made
Smucker PBJs in the frozen food aisle.

At the Whole Foods I worked at, we sold peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches in the deli section. For $1.99 each. And people bought them.
Hell, it helped my paycheck, I wasn't about to complain!

--

saerah

http://anisaerah.blogspot.com/

"Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a
disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice."
-Baruch Spinoza

"There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly
what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear
and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There
is another theory which states that this has already happened."
-Douglas Adams

Michael 'Dog3' Lonergan said:

George <[email hidden]> looking for trouble wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

jmcquown said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns
because I definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli
soup... but what do they do with the stalks?

I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for
me*. If I want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets. Otherwise,
I know how to wield a knife. I don't need someone working in the
produce aisle to cut my vegetables for me *and* charge me a buck
extra for doing so!

Convenience? Since when is it convenient to spend an extra dollar?
It takes maybe 1 minute, okay, two if I'm having a bad day, to cut
florets from the stalk. Oooh, I just wasted 2 minutes! Dang, better
pay a dollar more for that!

And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross
between broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side
of a flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse.
All in all a rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it
tastes good. The appearance just puts me off.

Jill

We use the stalks too and broccoli with stalks is becoming rare in
local markets. My guess is that wally specifies it that way so thats
how every else gets it.

I guess you don't like the incredible time and work saver precut
potatoes either?

I'm not answering for Jill but IMO, all of those convenience type foods in
produce are a waste of money. However, I do feel they have a place. Many,
many families are way too busy for prep work but want a good meal. Parents
home at 5:30, child 1 has to be at band by 7:00, child 2 at cheerleader
practice by 6:45 etc. If I had a house filled with children, you bet I'd
be looking for shortcuts.

In most cases I would agree with you but these items are great even if
you don't have kids. On occasion I have used precut salad lettuces and
presliced mushrooms. Just about everyone I know uses the baby carrots
that are really a convenience thing and not really baby carrots at all.
If you're busy all day and get a phone call that you are going to have
last minute drop in guests, these things can really be time savers.
OTOH, in most cases I do it the old fashion way preferring to chop my own.

Quoted message said:

Now it's just the 2 of us in the house, besides 4 animals. I like the old
fashioned way.

Michael

jmcquown said:

Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns because I
definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli soup... but what do
they do with the stalks?

I suppose that is the nice thing about shopping at the outdoor veggie
market on Sundays. -nothing is pre chopped or peeled. We get whole
broccoli, stalks and all. I use the crowns and part of the stalks for
us. The remainder of the stalks go into the veggie mix for the dogs
and if we have an abundance, tossed into the compost pile.

We are starting to get some exotic stuff - Chinese and Thai okra (looks
like American okra on steroids) and zucchini that look like little
round hand grenades.

SD

In article <[email hidden]>,

L'Esperance said:

Michael 'Dog3' Lonergan said:

George <[email hidden]> looking for trouble wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

jmcquown wrote:

>Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns
>because I definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli
>soup... but what do they do with the stalks?
>
>I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for
>me*. If I want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets. Otherwise,
>I know how to wield a knife. I don't need someone working in the
>produce aisle to cut my vegetables for me *and* charge me a buck
>extra for doing so!
>
>Convenience? Since when is it convenient to spend an extra dollar?
>It takes maybe 1 minute, okay, two if I'm having a bad day, to cut
>florets from the stalk. Oooh, I just wasted 2 minutes! Dang, better
>pay a dollar more for that!
>
>And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross
>between broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side
>of a flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse.
>All in all a rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it
>tastes good. The appearance just puts me off.
>
>Jill
>
>

We use the stalks too and broccoli with stalks is becoming rare in
local markets. My guess is that wally specifies it that way so thats
how every else gets it.

I guess you don't like the incredible time and work saver precut
potatoes either?

I'm not answering for Jill but IMO, all of those convenience type foods in
produce are a waste of money. However, I do feel they have a place. Many,
many families are way too busy for prep work but want a good meal. Parents
home at 5:30, child 1 has to be at band by 7:00, child 2 at cheerleader
practice by 6:45 etc. If I had a house filled with children, you bet I'd
be looking for shortcuts.

In most cases I would agree with you but these items are great even if
you don't have kids. On occasion I have used precut salad lettuces and
presliced mushrooms. Just about everyone I know uses the baby carrots
that are really a convenience thing and not really baby carrots at all.
If you're busy all day and get a phone call that you are going to have
last minute drop in guests, these things can really be time savers.
OTOH, in most cases I do it the old fashion way preferring to chop my own.

Now that is one thing I buy fairly frequently... Pre-sliced mushrooms.
There is no difference in price, so there is no reason not to.
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

Nancy Young wrote on 23 Jan 2006 in rec.food.cooking

Quoted message said:

Whatsername???? Well, I never.

nancy

I bet you have...(at least once).

--
The eyes are the mirrors....
But the ears...Ah the ears.
The ears keep the hat up.

jmcquown wrote:
Schnuck's (took over

Quoted message said:

Albertson's which took over Seessel's); Kroger; Super WalMart; Target and
Piggly Wiggly. Damn shame about The Pig; it was the first self-serve
grocery store in the U.S. but it's gone waaaaay downhill, unless you want to
buy hog jowls and chitlins.

Jill

My Kroger, here in VA, carries whole broccoli all the time. They
sometimes have the crwons, and the florets are with the prepackaged
stuff that i skip - the bagged salads, shredded carrots, etc. So try
your local Kroger.

"-L." <[email hidden]> looking for trouble wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

sarah bennett said:

You know, one can do prep work the night before. (Or the morning of)
It's all about priorities.

--

saerah

Bingo. I hate this "I'm to busy to prepare a decent meal" idology most
parents have.
So, your kid gets to go to band practice but because you are "so busy"
schlepping him around he eats McDonald's 3 or 4 nights a week. That's
really doing him some good. He'll grow up to be a big, fat tuba
player. Charming.

<snicker>
-L.

I was being nice you guys. When Nick and Josh were at home, Steven or I
always found time to do the prep. We had to plan meals ahead though. Hell,
Straubs was just down the street. I'd go out the service entrance to the
building, pick up what I needed and head home. Took maybe 15 minutes and I
didn't need money. I just signed the slip.

One thing I absolutely hate doing is peeling potatoes. Don't ask me why, I
just do.

Michael <- peeling spuds suck

--
Pics aren't great but here are 2 of my 4 brats.
Hoot about to [censored] the snack out of my mouth:
http://tinypic.com/jtrw3o.jpg

Ramsey ever curious about electronics breaking into the TMobile bag:
http://tinypic.com/jtrwgn.jpg

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
snip

Quoted message said:

Huh? They sell pre-cut potatoes?! Honestly, I've never seen such a
thing.

Jill

I know you'll love this. . .you can also buy peeled, cooked potatoes (whole)
or diced or sliced.as well as already baked potatoes. It's all there in
your produce section. And the 'use by' dates are 3 or 4 times as long as I
would keep the potatoes in my refrigerator.
Janet

L'Espérance <[email hidden]> looking for trouble wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Michael 'Dog3' Lonergan said:

George <[email hidden]> looking for trouble wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

jmcquown wrote:

>Not only does it bug me I can't find anything but broccoli crowns
>because I definitely use the stalks in cream of or cheese broccoli
>soup... but what do they do with the stalks?
>
>I also don't need broccoli (or cauliflower) cut into florets *for
>me*. If I want florets I'll buy a bag of frozen florets.
>Otherwise, I know how to wield a knife. I don't need someone
>working in the produce aisle to cut my vegetables for me *and*
>charge me a buck extra for doing so!
>
>Convenience? Since when is it convenient to spend an extra dollar?
>It takes maybe 1 minute, okay, two if I'm having a bad day, to cut
>florets from the stalk. Oooh, I just wasted 2 minutes! Dang,
>better pay a dollar more for that!
>
>And does anyone actually *buy* broccoflower? It's this weird cross
>between broccoli and cauliflower and the shade is slightly this side
>of a flourescent green highlighter; bordering close on chartreuse.
>All in all a rather unattractive looking vegetable. But maybe it
>tastes good. The appearance just puts me off.
>
>Jill
>
>

We use the stalks too and broccoli with stalks is becoming rare in
local markets. My guess is that wally specifies it that way so thats
how every else gets it.

I guess you don't like the incredible time and work saver precut
potatoes either?

I'm not answering for Jill but IMO, all of those convenience type
foods in produce are a waste of money. However, I do feel they have
a place. Many, many families are way too busy for prep work but want
a good meal. Parents home at 5:30, child 1 has to be at band by
7:00, child 2 at cheerleader practice by 6:45 etc. If I had a house
filled with children, you bet I'd be looking for shortcuts.

In most cases I would agree with you but these items are great even if
you don't have kids. On occasion I have used precut salad lettuces
and presliced mushrooms. Just about everyone I know uses the baby
carrots that are really a convenience thing and not really baby
carrots at all.
If you're busy all day and get a phone call that you are going to
have
last minute drop in guests, these things can really be time savers.
OTOH, in most cases I do it the old fashion way preferring to chop my
own.

I use the bagged salads regularly, the mixed greens salads are great and I
don't have to buy all of the different lettuces to make up a salad. The
remaining lettuce would go to waste if I bought several kinds. I always
have bibb lettuce and romaine on hand though. I'm trying to think of other
pre-prepared foods I buy but can't right now... other than carry out type
foods. Just gimme a big knife and dinner will be served up 😉

Michael

--
Pics aren't great but here are 2 of my 4 brats.
Hoot about to [censored] the snack out of my mouth:
http://tinypic.com/jtrw3o.jpg

Ramsey ever curious about electronics breaking into the TMobile bag:
http://tinypic.com/jtrwgn.jpg

Michael "Dog3" Lonergan wrote on 23 Jan 2006 in rec.food.cooking

Quoted message said:

One thing I absolutely hate doing is peeling potatoes. Don't ask me
why, I just do.

Michael <- peeling spuds suck

With a potato ricer or food mill you don't have to...At least for mashed
potatoes.

Boiled spuds with skins on are nice!

Never seen a skinless baked spud

So that only leaves roasted...

--
The eyes are the mirrors....
But the ears...Ah the ears.
The ears keep the hat up.

Michael 'Dog3' Lonergan said:

One thing I absolutely hate doing is peeling potatoes. Don't ask me why, I
just do.

Michael <- peeling spuds suck

I'm sorry ... doing WHAT to your potatoes? never heard of it.

I'm lazy. I scrub em. No peelers for me. Isn't the skin where all the
fiber is?

Michael 'Dog3' Lonergan said:

I buy frozen broccoli during the winter here in Missouri. Frozen veggies
are a staple in the freezer during the winter months. Broccoli,
cauliflower, mixed vegetables and spinach can usually be found in the
freezer. I can find fresh at some of the markets but the produce looks...
well... scroungy. I also stock up on canned tomatoes of all kinds around
Sept. and Oct. The tomato crops have not been real good (that I have

seen)

Quoted message said:

around here the past couple of years.

Tomatoes are virtually a luxury item, even the cardboard ones are around
three bux a pound at the store...they say it's because the hurricanes
destroyed most of the Florida tomato crops...it will be a little whiles
until they harvest another crop.

Remember Michael this past summer was hot and dry in the Midwest, that did a
number on our local tomato crops too...in fact my familys' gardens in
downstate Illannoy didn't do diddly this past summer, everything just kinda
dried up.

OTOH nice red bell peppers from CA were 99 cents this past week at the
store, I bought about six pounds, most of which will go into the freezer...

--
Best
Greg