Recently Serious Eats attracted a lot of comments on its article, "What's Your 'Death Row' Meal?" I had earlier made up a menu myself, including lobster tails, prime rib, and various chocolate concoctions. But as I read through the comments on this article, I was overwhelmed and in agreement with so many writers. But not all. As much as I like some occasional junk or fast food, I just can't see wasting precious stomach room on cookies, soft drinks, and pizza. There are just too many really great tastes to experience one last time. The neat premise is that healthy choices are not important!
I think I'd go for lots of things that are better with butter. That includes lobster tails, and lots of clambake entries in general. Then there's beef. Medium rare prime rib with a rosemary encrusted edge of fat. Thick beef stew with more little globules of fat floating in the gravy. The stew would include big chunks of carrots, onion and potatoes. Then from Mr. Pork, salty carnitas with plenty of tortillas, salsas, and chunky quacamole. And bacon. BLTs ... cheese burgers with bacon ... carrotcake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and bacon.
Man cannot live (or die) on meat alone. Asparagus with hollandaise. Garden fresh green beans. Fresh fresh corn on the cob (with much more melted butter!). Big fat beefsteak tomatoes with salt. A melon plate. Cheeses ... all sorts with some walnuts, almonds, cashews, and WNY fresh picked apples. And apple strudel.
Then the chocolates. Creamy filled truffles. A moist 3 layers devils food cake with a mousse filling and lots of milk chocolate frosting.
I'd want one last Cinnebon. This one would be a mutant giant with pecans and fruit and covered with a killingly sweet white sauce. I'd need a big glass of cold milk to wash that down and make room on my palate for a couple sugar cream-filled Krispy Kremes. Oops, I'd better slow down; I'm in the junk food mode. And I haven't even thought about root beer ... a lemon tart ... malted milk ... or a bag of White Castles.
But as someone mentioned in the comments ... don't wait for the big one. About once a year we should make it a point to go for the gusto since we don't know when it'll be time for the big bright light and harp music.
So, how about you? What floats your taste boat?
