Two weeks ago readers, I confessed my unbridled lust for cheese.
Cheese in all shapes and colors, from the creamiest to the most pungent.
Cheese in all its stinking glory.
Since then, I have taken my fair share of chiding and cheddar-ing too. One local judge, who shall remain nameless for now, even offered to loan me a cheesehead hat in which to have my picture taken. That photo is still being negotiated, but rest assured, it’s a hat I will wear proudly, even though I’ve never stepped foot in Wisconsin and remain loyal to the Cleveland Browns, lest there be any question among the Green Bay cheeseheads out there.
But I also asked you to share with me the one food that you could not live without.
Who knew there were so many chicken and egg lovers? Or potato eaters and milk drinkers?
Then there was this true confession from Richard Boatner of Stow, who professed his undying love for pizza. Boatner admitted without hesitation that when his wife was away with friends on a trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C., he ate pizza every day that she was gone.
Richard, I hate to break it to you, but if your wife didn’t know before about your weeklong pizza-palooza, she knows now.
Several folks mentioned their love of eggs, including Bonnie Brooks of Springfield, who mentioned their versatility: “You can fry them, boil them, poach them and have them all year. And it wouldn’t be Easter without them. … I understand the chicken or egg debate, but what would I do without an egg? I’d be very sad.”
Well stated, Bonnie.
Alice Rogers of Wadsworth shares your feelings. “There is definitely a reason for the slogan ‘The Incredible, Edible Egg.’ They are eaten for breakfast, for brunch, can be eaten for lunch, even for dinner, and are used in cooking and baking. I can’t imagine life without eggs,” she concluded.
Betty Pinder of Akron had similar feelings for the potato, specifically mashed potatoes, and also noted the many ways to enjoy the potato.
Cal Wolfe of Tallmadge can’t get through the day without a banana, and can’t understand how she gave birth to a daughter who can’t stand them. Sorry Cal, I guess DNA is only so strong.
I heard from ice cream lovers, a jelly bean fanatic, and folks who couldn’t go without their daily dose of diet Dr Pepper, green tea or Diet Sunkist.
But certainly the most devoted following award has to go to peanut butter.
Lynne Mawyer of Bath Township has even taken it in her suitcase to France, because she notes, “It’s not the same over there.” She prefers the all-natural kind without any sugar.
And then there was Larry Parsons of New Franklin, who believes it is “un-American not to have peanut butter in your house. Lick off your fingers, on toast, on bread with bananas, with bacon or anything else you prefer.”
“Peanut butter is so American that I think deportation is in order for those who do not like peanut butter. We can deport them on the same ship that we deport all those who put catsup on a hot dog. … Not sure which is more anti-American, not liking peanut butter or putting catsup on a hot dog. Please advise if you know this answer. I am 72, and would hate to pass on, not knowing which is the most grievous.”
Well, Larry, personally, I like peanut butter and all great minds know that mustard is the only way to dress a hot dog. However, I think the most grievous offenders are those, like Peggy Heh of Hudson, who don’t share my appreciation for cheese.
She sent this note: “Pish, posh, can’t live without cheese. Bryant Gumbel and I don’t even like cheese. Now a day without chocolate, that’s a real shame.”
I like my chocolate, too, Peggy. But I will never understand the cheese-haters of the world, former television hosts included.
That’s why I will close with a copy of a poem I received from Ruth Hale of Akron. It was written by her sister, Mary Ann Fear of Copley, who is a cheese lover, too.
Mary Ann, I don’t know how you’ll feel about your sister sharing your poetry with the world, but I do know that I couldn’t have said it better myself.
CHEESE
Cheeses, cheeses everywhere;
Their pungent fragrance fills the air.
Some gourmet; some crafted simply.
Some of them just downright stinky.
There are wheels and blocks, spreads and crocks.
There’s white, green, orange and yellow.
Some are creamy, bleu and mellow.
They come from all parts of the globe.
Some are new and some are old.
I’ll have some Brie on a good French bread
Or a chunk of Havarti before I bed.
While visions of cheeses dance in my head.
Some Swiss if I feel like making merry
Or some elegant kind with a sip of the berry.
If I’m feeling patriotic then …
give me some good old American.
There is nothing more in the world that pleases.
Than hanging out with a bunch of cheeses.
I want to sleep and wake with them.
I want to cook and bake with them.
If I had a chance on some fateful day
I would love to swim in their curds and whey.
So pass that plateful, if you please
Cause, if you haven’t noticed, I just love cheese.
Lisa Abraham can be reached at 330-996-3737 or at labraham@thebeaconjournal.com. Find me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @akronfoodie or visit my blog at www.ohio.com/blogs/lisa.