One thing missing from all the chatter about Romney and the salmon is that there's something virtuous about eating something you don't particularly like — something that was a gift from a colleague — rather than just chucking it or letting it stay in your freezer forever. Romney is a fabulously wealthy man who clearly has the resources to obtain whatever food he prefers, but instead he's found a way to make use of a gift that wouldn't normally be in his culinary wheelhouse. Good for him.
Further to my previous comment: I think comparing Romney's ketchupped salmon to Trump's well-done steak is a bit of an apples/oranges situation (food metaphor fully intended).
Let's start here: Some people just aren't that into food, just like some people aren't into music, or art, or whatever. That doesn't make them bad people; it just means they don't experience or prioritize culture the way we do.
In Romney's case, I don't get the sense that he's a culturally sophisticated person. It's just not the way his head works, and that's fine, because it's not how he presents himself either.
Trump clearly isn't a culturally sophisticated person either, but he *pretends* to be. Insisting on "the best" of everything is a big part of his cultural brand. So when he eats like a rube, it's a tell, a sign of the man behind the curtain instead of the Wizard of Oz that he uses as his public persona.
I wouldn't be surprised if Romeny also likes his steak well-done. And if so, that would be fine, because it *fits* his public persona.
Way to take one for the team. Thought I was going to have to give up my pollock (also from Alaska) but now having lived vicariously through your excellent writing, I can go back to my Filet-O-Fish in peace.
Great article. Salmon can taste on the spectrum from weepingly delicious to weepingly inedible. Most salmon these days is frozen despite the best tasting salmon being fresh-caught. My preference is for sockeye salmon, also known as red salmon. It has a middling strong flavor and makes great filets, steaks and if you have the time, salmon patties. As for ketchup, many 12-year olds might prefer it but me, no. To each their own.
I may be giving the Dunking Public too much credit here, but I think there's a deeper issue being addressed. Murkowski seems to have given Mitt a gift representative of the best of Alaska. The salmon isn't random protein chunks but the pride of the state's fisheries. So turning them into filet-o-fish is certainly a total dad move, but it's also treating the gift with the least possible respect and effort. You don't have to be into food as a concept to think "I should either spend an hour on YouTube or get a friend to cook this off". You don't have to take bellota jamon from someone's family farm and create BLTs.
Thoughtful and thought-provoking, as always.
One thing missing from all the chatter about Romney and the salmon is that there's something virtuous about eating something you don't particularly like — something that was a gift from a colleague — rather than just chucking it or letting it stay in your freezer forever. Romney is a fabulously wealthy man who clearly has the resources to obtain whatever food he prefers, but instead he's found a way to make use of a gift that wouldn't normally be in his culinary wheelhouse. Good for him.
The best time to experiment with food is at 3 AM when you're hungry but don't want to cook anything serious. Sometimes ice cream is involved....
I was hoping it was gonna involve strapping salmon on top of the station wagon and going on a family road trip.
How can I find Liz's email for my sticker ??
So that’s what that white goop is! I feel better now.
Further to my previous comment: I think comparing Romney's ketchupped salmon to Trump's well-done steak is a bit of an apples/oranges situation (food metaphor fully intended).
Let's start here: Some people just aren't that into food, just like some people aren't into music, or art, or whatever. That doesn't make them bad people; it just means they don't experience or prioritize culture the way we do.
In Romney's case, I don't get the sense that he's a culturally sophisticated person. It's just not the way his head works, and that's fine, because it's not how he presents himself either.
Trump clearly isn't a culturally sophisticated person either, but he *pretends* to be. Insisting on "the best" of everything is a big part of his cultural brand. So when he eats like a rube, it's a tell, a sign of the man behind the curtain instead of the Wizard of Oz that he uses as his public persona.
I wouldn't be surprised if Romeny also likes his steak well-done. And if so, that would be fine, because it *fits* his public persona.
Way to take one for the team. Thought I was going to have to give up my pollock (also from Alaska) but now having lived vicariously through your excellent writing, I can go back to my Filet-O-Fish in peace.
Great article. Salmon can taste on the spectrum from weepingly delicious to weepingly inedible. Most salmon these days is frozen despite the best tasting salmon being fresh-caught. My preference is for sockeye salmon, also known as red salmon. It has a middling strong flavor and makes great filets, steaks and if you have the time, salmon patties. As for ketchup, many 12-year olds might prefer it but me, no. To each their own.
Needless to say, I totally enjoyed the Liz post like every Haterade post
I may be giving the Dunking Public too much credit here, but I think there's a deeper issue being addressed. Murkowski seems to have given Mitt a gift representative of the best of Alaska. The salmon isn't random protein chunks but the pride of the state's fisheries. So turning them into filet-o-fish is certainly a total dad move, but it's also treating the gift with the least possible respect and effort. You don't have to be into food as a concept to think "I should either spend an hour on YouTube or get a friend to cook this off". You don't have to take bellota jamon from someone's family farm and create BLTs.
Great writing Liz. Such a joy to read.
I can get on board with ketchup on salmon. Just don’t you dare put it on a Chicago-style hotdog!
https://ruleofthree.substack.com/p/farewell-to-the-wienermobile