Indulgences

M_M_c_C_a_l_l · February 11, 2009, 5:15pm

I’m sitting in my kitchen right now, sipping what just might be the most pleasing cup of coffee I’ve ever had. I’ve already mentioned my favorite beans and my aeropress here, but what makes this cup so damn good is this:

Straus Family Creamery “cream top” whipping cream. It’s pasteurized, but not homogenized, and short of getting dairy products straight from a happy cow, I’ve never had better. It’s unbelievably rich and flavorful.

It’s an indulgence on two fronts: it’s obviously high in calories, and it’s expensive. On top of the higher-than-average price, there’s a $1.50 bottle deposit on all Straus glass bottles. Sometimes I return them to get the deposit back, but they’re really cute and I like to keep a couple around.

So let’s hear about YOUR indulgences. You know you could pay less or consume fewer calories, but what items in your kitchen are worth the excess?

Shawnda_H · February 11, 2009, 5:28pm

truffle honey is my recent one.

Dick_Krueger · February 11, 2009, 5:33pm

Our life is about decadence and indulgence.

Bill_Tex_Landreth · February 11, 2009, 5:36pm

I want to be you when I grow up.

In answer to the question at hand…I have found duck fat.

M_Sai · February 11, 2009, 5:37pm

San Pellegrino on ice with a lime wedge. It’s an indulgence because I could easily just have regular filtered water with lime, but I love the very subtle epervesence and slight minerality of SP. Plus it’s wasteful because of all the glass bottles that we go through - in addition to wine bottles. Lauren and I could easily go through two 750 ml bottles a night if we didn’t limit ourselves…

Otto_Dobre · February 11, 2009, 5:38pm

For me is a nice cup of tea.

Bill_Tex_Landreth · February 11, 2009, 5:39pm

Agree 110% to the entire post.

LMD_Ermitano · February 11, 2009, 6:14pm

Ha ha, as you know, Melissa, I am not great at stifling my indulgences when it comes to food.

Hmmm, offhand, I can say that, at home, only US prime grade steaks and up are permitted. I also insist on real French butter - not that I eat butter often unless it was used in a sauce or for cooking the dish (my wife just buys it for me because everyone else at home doesn’t really care). My meals have to be freshly made - I don’t, as a rule, eat left-overs unless they are dishes inherently better the next day (e.g., our local dishes like “adobo” or “bulalo” - a local stew almost exactly like pot au feu) Lots of other examples.

My friends say I have “food issues”. They’re likely right.

Bob_Wood · February 11, 2009, 6:37pm

Tony_V_e_l_e_b_i_l · February 11, 2009, 6:45pm

my indulgence is probably the Seven Layer Dip…I can eat sit down and eat the entire tray in one sitting. Of course, I feel awful afterward…

Bob_Wood · February 11, 2009, 6:50pm

Tony_V_e_l_e_b_i_l · February 11, 2009, 6:53pm

Bob_Wood · February 11, 2009, 6:58pm

Yoni_O_v_a_d_i_a · February 11, 2009, 7:18pm

Cheese. All kinds of cheese. I love cheese.

M_M_c_C_a_l_l · February 11, 2009, 7:27pm

LMD Ermitaño:

Melissa M c C a l l:

So let’s hear about YOUR indulgences. You know you could pay less or consume fewer calories, but what items in your kitchen are worth the excess?

Ha ha, as you know, Melissa, I am not great at stifling my indulgences when it comes to food.

Hmmm, offhand, I can say that, at home, only US prime grade steaks and up are permitted. I also insist on real French butter - not that I eat butter often unless it was used in a sauce or for cooking the dish (my wife just buys it for me because everyone else at home doesn’t really care). My meals have to be freshly made - I don’t, as a rule, eat left-overs unless they are dishes inherently better the next day (e.g., our local dishes like “adobo” or “bulalo” - a local stew almost exactly like pot au feu) Lots of other examples.

My friends say I have “food issues”. They’re likely right.

And it’s worth pointing out that Noel’s indulgences are prepared by his kitchen staff.

I loved the responses when I asked on your FB status if you ever just eat a taco. You do indeed have a rep among your friends!

Jeff_Pf0h1 · February 11, 2009, 8:13pm

Where to begin…

same day, opening day, caught copper river salmon, duck, Flannery, lobster tails on the grill, anything at Dick & Carollee’s, truffled cheeses, TJ’s sundried tomato pesto, Bern’s Steakhouse, Leon de Lyon, French winter truffles, travelling the world (did it need to be a food indulgence?), holding hands (not as much fun by myself but a lost art I think), mojitos in the caribbean, cognac, Anguillan rums,200 year old balsamic vinegar …

Jorge_Henriquez · February 11, 2009, 8:29pm

Lowbrow:

Highbrow:

Glenn_L_e_v_i_n_e · February 11, 2009, 8:31pm

Melissa M c C a l l:

I’m sitting in my kitchen right now, sipping what just might be the most pleasing cup of coffee I’ve ever had. I’ve already mentioned my favorite beans and my aeropress here, but what makes this cup so damn good is this:

Straus Family Creamery “cream top” whipping cream. It’s pasteurized, but not homogenized, and short of getting dairy products straight from a happy cow, I’ve never had better. It’s unbelievably rich and flavorful.

It’s an indulgence on two fronts: it’s obviously high in calories, and it’s expensive. On top of the higher-than-average price, there’s a $1.50 bottle deposit on all Straus glass bottles. Sometimes I return them to get the deposit back, but they’re really cute and I like to keep a couple around.

So let’s hear about YOUR indulgences. You know you could pay less or consume fewer calories, but what items in your kitchen are worth the excess?

have you ever had Straus Vannila Bean Ice Cream? so good i want to touch myself while i eat it!

john_holdredge · February 11, 2009, 9:56pm

Strip steak medium rare…topped with seared Fois, then topped with a truffled fried egg, and slathered with Bernaise. Boom. (I call it death 4 ways)

M_M_c_C_a_l_l · February 11, 2009, 10:01pm

Be careful. You know about shrinkage, right?