Dried Fruit

Seems simple enough right? Just some dehydrated mango (with some sugar added) and some dehydrated pineapple is what this episode brings us. With that said, I'll concede that this wasn't the most common food anyone has had but I mean, it isn't exotic either. Mandi's verdict: she did not like it - but I did get a great set of chronological photos of the mango followed by the pineapple with Mandi's reactions!

Riesen

Now, to be fair, this isn't the most widely marketed candy in the U.S. anymore (I think... we don't have cable or satellite anymore), so I can't blame Mandi too much for never trying it - but come on - Halloween? Never?! Well, given their ad quality while Mandi was of the age where kids want all candy and chocolate, there isn't much appeal to the candy as an 10 year old I guess... In this ad you see people on mass transit, a guy getting his balls hit or peeing his pants (can someone please explain what is going on in this second scene?!) and an older gentleman unable to tie a bow tie - not the most kid-appealing ad. And the jingle, well, it's just not something kids would sing either.

Anyway, reluctantly, she agreed to try it, but ended up liking it, despite the fact that her face looks like she was sucking on a Warhead candy.

Peanut Brittle

Now, growing up, I definitely can't say that Peanut Brittle was a staple in my house, but it was something that my father always liked as did his father. Despite the fact that Mandi's dad also liked it, Mandi never recalled eating it. She did end up enjoying it for the first time as a 26 year old.

Sweet Potato

     OK faithful readers, this was another stunner to me. I come from the Northeast where candied yams or candied sweet potatoes (I really never could tell the difference) were extremely common holiday sides regardless of ethnicity - every family had their own twist - some would add in pecans or marshmallows; others just plain maple syrup as was the case in my family. We often had just baked sweet potatoes as well, just throw on a little butter or syrup or cinnamon sugar or even plain and voila! A great, healthy side to almost any meal!

     When I moved to the South, I saw other variations of the sweet potato - sweet potato pie, sweet potato casserole; I even had a roommate for a while who would occasionally have only a baked sweet potato for dinner and I would occasionally join in (though I doubt I ever just had a sweet potato). In recent years, sweet potato fries have become common culture in everything from fancy establishments to some fast food chains. The possibilities seemed endless and I loved them all, but noticed Mandi never took part in those delightful dishes. Of course, when questioned, Mandi confessed she has never had a sweet potato. Eventually, she told me she tried mashed sweet potatoes once and didn't like them. So, I made her a baked potato one night and kept it simple: a little butter and a little cinnamon sugar on one half and the other I left plain to see if she'd like either.

     The results? Disastrous:

Also, don't hate on the Canada shirt. We had fun on our honeymoon there. Oh and the cheap wine? That was for cooking Coq a Vin, which was something new for the both of us and might be featured later.