Exactly thirty years ago, the year I turned 12, we spent 12months living in the USA and I had one of my most memorable meals, the theme of this month’s Recipe ReDux challenge. But of course we have to give it a 2012 makeover. I’ve eaten in some amazing high end places around the world and memorable Tuscan trattorias (thanks Gordon and Sandra), but don’t you often find it’s the significance of an event that makes a meal?
1982 Rocks
It was the year that E.T. and Michael Jackson’s Thriller were released. Disney World’s futuristic Epcot Centre launched and the NASA Space Shuttle program was ramping up. I discovered curling irons, cherry chap stick and that there was such an incredible thing as peanut butter cups. If I could remember what the OMG of the day was, I would say it now. I coveted my leather Nike’s to fit in with the “it” girls and we played with Rubik cubes and Atari Pac Man at the neighbours (thanks Lori). And on the cusp of becoming a teenager I dreamed of a Jack for my inner-Diane and all I really wanted in life was the Jordache look.
1982 rocked until my parents had other ideas. Fortunate to have 3 month break from work and school we did the Griswolds adventure from Florida to Canada, stopping at every National Park, art gallery and museum along the way. We flew the tea towel flag for Australia at every camp ground and dined al fresco out of the back of the car. You can just see the picnic spread on the old red suitcase. Dad bypassed every drive thru, just as mum bypassed every pester from my sister and I for Kool-Aid.
So imagine my shocked surprise when they took us to a fancy-pants restaurant for my 12th birthday. At the Skylon revolving restaurant at Niagra Falls. I’ve kept the kids menu to this day. The Space Shuttle Columbia was in full flight and I dined on the Lunar Lander meal for $4.75. And didn’t I feel like a grown up. Thanks mum and Dad xx.
Writing this post made me realise that kid’s menus have been around for a rather long time. If I had my way I would ban all kids menus and make all restaurants just serve of smaller portion of main meals so kids learn to experiment with new tastes, textures and cuisines. Mega chef Alice Waters has just announced a partnership with Hyatt Hotels and a healthy kids menu of organic brown rice and marinated tofu, designed “by kid for kids”. Hmmmmm. I hate to say it, but I think kids of the 2010’s have moved too far towards always wanting fries with that. So I would simply nudge them along with my makeover: Macadamia Crusted Fish with Rainbow Fries. It’s baked and not fried (what a cliche) and has a boost of nutrients in the crust from crushed macadamia nuts. I thought of using wholegrain breadcrumbs but decided that it needed corn crumbs for a golden glow. And nestled in with the familiar potato wedges are fries of rosemary roasted sweet potato and carrot with steamed green bean and red pepper spears.
I’d include a QR code that when scanned would start a timed challenge, to put away their phone or device, talk to their family and enjoy the meal for a full 15 minutes. And if they hadn’t touched their phone by the time an SMS alert came in, they would win a birthday prize. Then they’d be allowed to hot foot it off to the frozen yogurt bar, where there just may happen to be…………..Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. What do you think? Love your thoughts in the comments below.
Make sure you also check out all the other wonderful Redux memorable meals and magical makeovers (Click on the link tool below) and don’t forget to enter our draw to win an $1000 lastminute.com.au voucher thanks to this month’s Scoop Supporter Golden Circle Healthy Life Juice.
