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Monday, March 3, 2008
Are you demanding when it comes to buying food?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I guess you could say I’m a “refund-aholic”. Some might describe it as being cheap. I prefer to think of it as getting what I pay for.
Whether it’s flavorless melon chunks from the produce department, store-brand chicken broth that tastes like dishwater or seafood that reeks of ammonia, if it’s inedible, I’m back at the store, politely asking for my money back.
I guess it stems from my days as a caterer. If I bought something in good faith that turned out to be substandard, it meant I couldn’t feed it to my clients, which meant I was in trouble both professionally and financially!
I am certainly willing to shell out extra cash for quality products. So if I’m cooking seafood or beef, I’ll go to Whole Foods or a specialty store, but I expect it to be worth it.
This weekend I was having friends over for dinner. It was chilly and drizzling, so I thought a beef stew cooked with aromatic seasonings and wine would warm us all up. I bought the meat at fancy store, prepped it as I have scores of other times and left it on the stove to simmer. Hours went by and although the liquid and seasonings had melded into a rich and succulent sauce, the meat was still as chewy as an old rubber tire. I had to serve it with “a side” of apologies. My husband was poised to pounce in case someone needed the Heimlich maneuver.
So now I’m wondering what to do. The meat wasn’t bad in the sense of being rancid, but it certainly didn’t do what that cut is supposed to do. I know at the least I’ll go talk to the butcher to see what he has to say.
So tell me, are you a “return-aholic” or a “return-aphobic.” Is even hearing that I ask for refunds embarrassing or mortifying to you?
