Remember when restaurants used to boast that their food was “Just like Home-made”? It seems a tide has turned, and now home cooks are boasting that their food is “Just as good as the Restaurants.”
You can find recipes for Panda Express’ Orange Chicken and Mrs. Field’s Cookies.
I noticed myself falling into this trend when our friends brought over pretty, swirled, butter cookies with sprinkles. I had only seen them sold at Vons and similar stores, and so, exclaimed, “These taste store-bought! …and I mean that in the nicest way!”
A few days ago, we bought hoagie rolls and my husband made sandwiches with two kinds of deli meat, two kinds of cheese, and enough veggies to satisfy a whole colony of rabbits. My son gave his approbation by saying, “This tastes like Subway!”
I suppose it’s a product of a culture that turned fast food from a luxury into a necessity. And, with increased competition in the prepared food industry, there really are some yummy things available out there that require a large number of fresh ingredients to duplicate. Not to mention, fewer people have the time or desire to cultivate the skill necessary to create gourmet foods at home.
Tonight I’m making enchilada casserole. I’m cheating by opening a can of enchilada sauce.
C.S. Doemner
