It is said that taste buds change every seven years. Foods you hated before can become your favorite thing to eat. Foods you loved as a child no longer tastes as good as you remember. Once again, this year, I will embark on another flavor journey.

I guess that I was a typical child in my food habits. Loved ketchup and hated mustard and mayo. Still do. My cheeseburgers were always ketchup only. Pizza was a pepperoni and sausage affair. Tacos started out as just meat and cheese, but evolved to include lettuce, tomato, salsa, and sour cream. With all this, in my defense, I cannot remember being all that picky about vegetables. I would always eat the standards. Corn, potatoes, green beans, carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower. Onions and peppers were another story.

Since the last seven year itch, I think that I have progressed rather well in my pursuit for culinary endeavor. I like grilled asparagus; love Brussels sprouts, especially when sautéed with bacon. I enjoy Thai food, although Indian was not quite my thing. Thanks to my newfound taste for onions, peppers, and garlic I enjoy Cajun and Creole food. If I didn't enjoy the trinity of onion, bell pepper, and celery, I doubt that I would have ever given it a try. Probably my favorite addition to my taste repertoire is sushi. Say what you may, but I love sushi. I believe that I could eat sushi every day if I could.

This next seven years will be filled with retrying foods that I dread and tasting new ones. I have yet to take a liking to any salad dressing. I would much prefer a scoop of cottage cheese on top. Other than ketchup and A-1, I practically despise all other condiments. I enjoy the Coney Supreme without mustard at the Double Dog. While their other menu items frighten me, I am looking forward to trying every other dog they offer. Maybe even with mustard. I cannot wait to sample more exotic fare from international restaurants. Also, I would like to try a new nation's food once a year. So many new and old flavors to try and retry, so little time.

If you have any questions about any food or restaurant topic feel free to contact me at mattmason628@sbcglobal.net