# Your most shameful culinary practices **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [March 23, 2021, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498 "2021-03-23T15:42:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2021, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/282 "2021-03-30T17:54:29Z")
> [@Scarlax](#): > > Open the tin, drain the tuna juice. Pour in a generous amount of pickle brine. Consume. You forget the mustard. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2021, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/283 "2021-03-31T19:40:02Z")
Nah, for tuna it’s open the can, drain some oil, add soy sauce, consume. Or better, get a can of the cheapest tuna in oil you can find. Get a box of the cheapest mac and cheese you can find. Instead of milk and butter, use the entire can of tuna. The oil makes up for the butter and milk. Good cheap eats for two broke drunk friends! ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/284 "2021-04-01T15:34:37Z")
My friend: [http://kucharek.eu/en/products](http://kucharek.eu/en/products) These are so good, I have started bringing half a cube as a drink when winter hiking. To contribute to the thread: Ketchup, sri racha, Babci Hot Horseradish, tabasco, worcestershire, honey, dried tarragon, thyme, and, black pepper makes an amazing seafood/cocktail sauce that people will _assume_ is the fruit of your hard labour. I feel a tinge of shame having to admit I’ve taken so many liberties in making! For those that like seafood sauce, give it a whirl, and your own tweaks of course! ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/285 "2021-04-01T15:40:50Z")
Hey, wait a minute… Boxed wine is bad? But, but… It comes in convienient 16 L boxes! I know you’re a big camper/outdoors(person,) I am sure you are well aware of the awesomeness of the poly bladders for avoiding the “no bottles/cans” rule. (Goddamn people, leave no trace!) Have you ever rinsed one out and used a small funnel to fill it with whisky/vodka/etc.? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/286 "2021-04-01T15:45:04Z")
I always keep a can or pouch if this in my kitchen: > **[Vegeta](https://www.vegeta.us.com/us/products/all-purpose-seasoning/vegeta)** > > First created over 50 years ago from the culinary traditions of Croatia's famous Mediterranean cuisine, Vegeta has been the gourmet cook's long time secret to making any food taste absolutely delicious. I’ve used OXO lamb cubes to make gravy for (what else?) roast lamb leftovers. It was fine, but lamb cubes are (in my experience) difficult to find outside the UK. In Canada, I have to go to British or Irish import shops to get any. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/287 "2021-04-01T15:46:22Z")
Hey, I have flasks for that, including a half gallon (gag) flask. Back in the day, we used to buy Iron City Beer Balls (kind of a mini keg). We re-used those plastic kegs for so many things. Painted black, filled with water, they made great luke-warm showers for camping. (and we LOVE box wine) ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/288 "2021-04-01T15:51:41Z")
Well … my super duper homemade pasta sauce isn’t ENTIRELY homemade. Instead of starting with tomatoes and spending a ton of time boiling away most of the water, I start with a premium store bought marinara sauce, and then I add all of my ingredients to it. It saves a ton of time, and it still turns out delicious. ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/289 "2021-04-01T15:52:38Z")
What happened to Vegeta Paprika? That stuff was… The best! It used to be widely available (Toronto) untill perhaps 5 years ago. I see the all-purpose everywhere, but do not find it as outstanding as their old paprika mix. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/290 "2021-04-01T15:54:17Z")
Have you checked any of the other import shops? There are lots of them in Toronto. ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/291 "2021-04-01T15:55:58Z")
Keg shower? That is an AMAZING idea! A friend likes to lug around a real-deal pony keg for beer, but 2x portages is not my idea of A Fun Time! I like the bags, as when empty they are virtually weightless, but I am always worried about their durability. Flasks are great! Hmmmm… Capacity becomes an issue, though (if you catch my drift…) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/292 "2021-04-01T15:56:16Z")
I sometimes stir a few spoonfuls of Ragu into my homemade chicken soup to get a sort of minestrone equivalent. ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/293 "2021-04-01T15:57:37Z")
Constantly haunting little hidden markets, stores, etc. Always keeping one eye open! I believe the topic jas been discussed here, though I may be confusing the memory with [chowhound.com](http://chowhound.com) ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/294 "2021-04-01T16:02:22Z")
When I’m too lazy to build a spaghetti sauce from the browned up, I’ll just use some Italian sausage and a can of dollar store pureéd tomatoes. The end product is adequate, but not for company. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/295 "2021-04-01T16:36:25Z")
Honestly, that sounds pretty much good enough for me. I always use crushed tomatoes (not from the dollar store, but not much more expensive) as the base, and then sausage for the meat. I’ll usually add an onion or garlic if I got one. It’s good enough for company, I would say. You really don’t need much more for a good tomato sauce. My favorite one is just tomato, onion, and butter. A lot of people have this idea you need a million ingredients and/or herbs and spices for a good pasta sauce but, no, not at all. Look at some Italian recipes, and many are quite basic. It’s nice to have a proper cheese around to grate over it, though. (And I’m being serious – it makes a huge difference, in my opinion.) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/296 "2021-04-01T17:13:04Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > Or better, get a can of the cheapest tuna in oil you can find. Get a box of the cheapest mac and cheese you can find. Instead of milk and butter, use the entire can of tuna. The oil makes up for the butter and milk. Good cheap eats for two broke drunk friends! I’ve never been a fan of boxed mac & cheese, but this actually sounds pretty good-- like instant tuna casserole. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/297 "2021-04-01T23:43:41Z")
In ref to the post upthread, I’ve made a quick and dirty seafood sauce with ketchup and jarred horseradish with a dash of hot sauce, because the jarred stuff is basically the same thing. SWMBO says “gross” but will happily consume a jar of Woodman’s with no issue. One day I’m going to do a blind taste test on her because they taste the same to me. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2021, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/298 "2021-04-02T00:05:01Z")
Straight White Male BimBO? ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2021, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/299 "2021-04-02T00:18:31Z")
She Who Must Be Obeyed. From here: [She Who Must Be Obeyed - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/She_Who_Must_Be_Obeyed) I first heard it watching Rumpole of the Bailey. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2021, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/300 "2021-04-02T00:52:44Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I’ve never been a fan of boxed mac & cheese, but this actually sounds pretty good-- like instant tuna casserole. I was thinking the same thing - quite a capital idea if you are short on cash and/or time. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2021, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498/301 "2021-04-02T03:49:13Z")
I had a college roommate who existed almost exclusively on Rice-A-Roni with a can of tuna added. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-shameful-culinary-practices/938498.md?page=16)