Some of you long-timers may remember back a few years ago when I went to
the store, bought a single button mushroom, sliced it and sauteed it in
butter, ate it, and lived to tell the story. I still avoid mushrooms, but
they're not as horrible as I'd thought they'd be.

Fast forward to earlier this evening. We went to one of those Chinese
buffets that's exactly like every other Chinese buffet in the US. They had
mussels with cheese, served in a little dish made directly by God Himself.
I have no idea what kind of cheese they used. Looked like Parmesan to me,
but who knows?

Anyway, I took one, and I ate it. Tasted a lot like a clam to me at first,
then the flavor got fishier as time went on. Altogether, it wasn't a
hideous experience. I'd probably grab a couple the next time we go there.

I took a mussell at a different place a couple years ago, and once I got it
to the table, I couldn't eat it. It looked a lot like something that
gynecologists look at all day.

They also had something that's absolutely wonderful. They took tiny pieces
of chicken breast meat, wrapped a couple inches of bacon around them,
secured with a toothpick, and deep fried. I'm gonna give those a try at
home. They were just marvelous!

Carol, blazing the food frontier, one small step at a time
--
"Years ago my mother used to say to me... She'd say,
'In this world Elwood, you must be oh-so smart or oh-so pleasant.'
Well, for years I was smart.... I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

*James Stewart* in the 1950 movie, _Harvey_