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While experts warn that eating habits play a crucial role in children and adolescents' physical and mental development and the impacts might last until adulthood, many people still struggle with maintaining a healthy relationship with food regardless of their age.

Think of a food you really can’t stand. For me it’s beetroots, their weirdly sweet taste is still something I genuinely struggle to enjoy, to say the least. And since I have no recollection of where this food aversion is coming from, the chances are it’s rooted in my childhood.

But what if it would be possible to make beetroots, or any other ingredient you genuinely cannot stand, tasty again? Well, people on this illuminating thread from the Cooking subreddit are sharing the moment that made them start to like a food they detested for years. Turns out, sometimes it’s all about learning to prepare it properly and being open-minded to new things.

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#1

People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Dam near everything. Parents struggled raising us, so didn’t get much variety and what we did get, was generally bland. Was always told to clean our plate and don’t get something if you’re not going to like it. So I never got to try new things because of the fear of not liking it and being punished severely. My now wife, changed that for me. I used to eat maybe at most a dozen different foods. It all started to change when I took her out for a date at Olive Garden and I was going to order a pizza because of how I was raised. She asked why and after much hesitation, I told her why. So she asked what I wanted to try; I said chicken Alfredo. She said to order it and if I don’t like it, she’ll eat it so it doesn’t go to waste, which satisfied my minds training that my parents put on me growing up. So when I tried it, it was the most dam delicious thing I had ever eaten and I demolished it. Soon after, she started inviting me over to her house where I found out she’s an excellent cook who makes almost everything from scratch. She started making me all sorts of foods to try and asking what I thought about them and what she could change to make it better. She changed me from eating a plain hotdog on a piece of white bread, to eating fajitas with Spanish rice and churros for dessert. She has filled 4 recipe boxes with recipes we both love, over our decade and half together. When we started having kids, I expressed that I didn’t want them to be limited and punished like I was as a kid, she of course had the same view and our kids eat almost all of the same things we do. I love her so much.

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“All kids have different preferences, and pickiness can be very common as children grow from infants to toddlers,” the pediatric dietitian and feeding expert Rachel Rothman, MS, RD, CLEC, who is also the owner of Nutrition in Bloom, told Bored Panda. In fact, it's developmentally a good sign, she argues, because “children are showing they have their own likes, autonomy, and independence.”

Having said that, Rothman confirmed that it can be very frustrating for parents. “Although preferences can vary, a common complaint I hear is children not wanting to eat vegetables or protein foods,” she said.
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    #2

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly I never hated broccoli, but I never loved it. Finally roasted it one day and was blown away by the amount of nutty flavor achieved with only salt, pepper, and olive oil. Will never eat steamed broccoli again.

    terpeenis , jules Report

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    ola_n avatar
    Headless Roach
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts - they all get so flavourful in roasting with herbs. Add parmesan for a lavish finish

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    #3

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Brussel sprouts. When I was a kid the only time I ever saw them knocking about was at Christmas, and my aunties all steam them. I couldn't get my head around why anyone would want to eat one of these disgusting little balls of condensed fart.

    Then I tried them again at a restaurant in Boston when I was 29, roasted with a side of malt vinegar aioli. It was one of those truly transformative moments in my life, they're now my favourite vegetable and I eat them more or less on a daily basis.

    undertwelveparsecs , Justin Schuck Report

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    Marcellus II
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be fair, modern brussels sprouts are measurably different from those 20y ago. They've been bred to exclude the sulphur compounds that make them go 'bad' if you overcook them --- probably people still haven't learned how to cook them, there's just not much consequences to overcooking anymore.

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    #4

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Literally all Indian food. We had one Indian restaurant in the city I grew up in. It was buffet style and it was horrible. Every dish I tried was gross to me. Like “I can’t eat this” gross. Based on that I mistakenly believed all Indian food was bad. The first trip I went on when dating my wife, she took me to an Indian place. My heart sank but I put on a happy face and steeled my nerve because I knew I was going to have to fake enjoying a terrible meal. The things we do for love. I just copied her order because I had no clue what to get. Once I tasted it I was blown away, not only was it not horrible it was actually some of the most delicious food I had ever eaten. She started laughing at me because she said my face lit up when I tasted it. Now Indian food is one of the food loves of my life. I cook the dal makhani and chicken tikka masala for my one true love now, and we’ve been married over ten years. Thank goodness I didn’t let a negative attitude from a bad experience close my mind and poison all the wonderful future opportunities.

    anon , Marvin Ozz Report

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    rdennis avatar
    R Dennis
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Korean for me... but I wasn't a child (20ish). Went with my (now) wife and we thought all kimchi tasted like actual garbage and the rest of the food was gross. Tried it somewhere else after over 20 years (thanks to Korean Englishman) and it is now our favorite cuisine - we even make several dishes at home and always have kimchi and gochujang in the fridge... I believe in trying things several times, but the first time was so bad I missed out for decades!

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    Rothman explained that it can be related to texture, smell, flavor, or even a child just learning to express "no" to a parent or caregiver's request. “I find this is more common with vegetables because the taste can be somewhat unfamiliar (typically bitter where fruit is sweet) and the texture (especially of cooked vegetables) can feel mushy, or different than a food that's very smooth or crunchy,” the dietitian commented.
    #5

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Asparagus. All I’d had as a kid was the canned mushy weird-tasting kind and when I finally tried it grilled, it was an entirely different experience.

    resetdials , rochelle hartman Report

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    melelliott avatar
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've never actually eaten tinned asparagus - I couldn't ever get past the smell. I was completely astonished at how delicious fresh asparagus is.

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    #6

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Cooked cabbage. The idea sounded terrible...until I starting experimenting with searing and roasting it, adding it to stir fries and soups. It's life-changing! Such a cheap and delicious vegetable!

    114631 , Soon Lee Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I loved it as a kid but all grown up, I could fart the brown-spangled banner if I ate even a little of it.

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    #7

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Zucchini. My mother (who was a splendid cook in almost every other way) always cooked them to death and into an indistinguishable mash.

    Zucchini fried in some oil for a short time are so tasty.

    redchindi , Kakei.R Report

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    When a child doesn't "like" a new food, Rothman invites parents and caregivers to think about this in a few different ways. She happily shared some tips: “Remember that it often takes several exposures to a new food before a child will eat it. Just by offering new foods (without pressure to eat or try the food) the caregiver is exposing the child to a food, which can be extremely helpful.”

    Moreover, Rothman reminds parents that it can take several steps before a child will eat a new food. “For example, a child may need to tolerate a new food on the plate, then smell or lick that food before they eat it.”
    #8

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Salmon and tuna. When I was a kid (SE Georgia US, 70s and 80s,) both were always from a can. And then I visited relatives in the Pacific Northwest, and ate fresh salmon. It was a revelation.

    50EffingCabbages , Huy Phan Report

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    #9

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Tofu. If you do it right, it's the most delightful little flavor sponge. If not, it's a mushy and joyless mess.

    taywi , cottonbro studio Report

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    Mad Dragon
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I prepare it cubed and air-fried with a little sesame oil or baked with some garlic and chili oil!

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    #10

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Mustard. I hate American yellow mustard, it’s just gross to me. But one time my German step-grandfather let me try real stone-ground German mustard and I loved it.

    anon , Sarah Stierch Report

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    Mason Kronol
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love all mustard. Even the American yellow. We went on the riverboat in Cincy and got the cheese snack. They served it with a spicy honey mustard and now I can't eat cheese and crackers without mustard. I currently have 4 different mustards in my pantry.

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    #11

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly ITT: "It turns out that green vegetables are very good if you don't boil them into oblivion and if you cook them with a bit of fat."

    Mr_Truttle , makafood Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Weird that it had a picture of (presumably) stock or soup in the making

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    It’s also very important to note that putting pressure on a child to eat a new food can often backfire, Rothman argues. “Instead, parents and caregivers can enjoy their food (and talk about their experience with the food) to help a child become more familiar. For example: ‘This broccoli tickles my tongue!’"

    Last but not least, Rothman’s advice is to think about offering food in a different form. “Have a child that loves crunchy food but doesn't eat fruit? Try freeze-dried fruit.”
    #12

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Hamburgers! I grew up during the low fat craze and my mom would always buy the leanest cuts of meats. I had no idea why anyone liked hamburgers since the ones we had at home were so dry and dense. Later on I had some made with fattier meat and finally understood how delicious a good burger is.

    moneyticketspassport , pointnshoot Report

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    #13

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Tomatoes. I absolutely hated tomatoes until I ha had an actually ripe tomato from a garden instead of the s**t from the grocery store or a lot of restaurants.

    I didn't realize for decades that tomatoes are usually sold and served before they are ready to be eaten.

    PinkThunder138 , Markus Spiske Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I end up eating the tomatoes from my garden while still outside. Warm and tasty, fresh and juicy.

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    #14

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Seafood, generally. So much of America, even on the coasts, our idea of “seafood” is just bland slivers of nameless whitefish, often breaded and deep fried. I live in freaking Maryland, and the amount of people I know from here that gag at the thought of eating seafood. And I mean, I would expect to gag too if I thought I was going to have eat some “fishy” tasting piece or not fresh fish.

    But when you get introduced to truly FRESH seafood, and just how clean it taste? The sweetness. For me, the best seafood is as fresh as possible and cooked simply.

    Rtstevie , 奥尼尔 孙 Report

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    Amy E
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Learned as an adult that scallops aren't supposed to be chewy like a rubber band!

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    #15

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Mushrooms. Slimy cooked can mushrooms

    Fermatious , Polina Tankilevitch Report

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    Similarly, trying new foods outside of mealtimes, when children (and adults) feel less pressure, can also be a game changer. “In this post, I talk about some ways to do that. That might mean getting kids in the kitchen or creating a food play activity,” Rothman said.

    In her practice, Rothman emphasizes the importance of helping children develop a healthy relationship with food, and how this relationship carries into our adulthood.
    #16

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Scallops. I thought all scallops had the texture of rubber bands until I worked in fine dining and had the pleasure of tasting the menu. I tried the prosciutto wrapped scallop with a lemon caper beurre blanc and my life was changed FOREVER

    Klutzy-Client , RODNAE Productions Report

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    #17

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly This isn’t “prepared” per se, but I really didn’t like raw tomatoes until I went to Italy. My mom ordered this amazing looking caprese salad and the tomatoes looked so good I had to try it. That’s when I learned what real fresh tomatoes are supposed to taste like.

    toldbygold , Mr.TinMD Report

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    #18

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Scrambled eggs! All my life I never knew I've been eating them overcooked as hell. Met an aspiring chef in uni and he cooked me scrambled eggs on toast the right way, I've never looked back.

    M808VMainBattleTank , Annushka Ahuja Report

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    Jcusack
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This was the first thing my Mom taught me how to cook. My wife still asks me to make them for her because she doesn't understand why mine are so better. Trick is to cook until about 90% and put the pile on the plate and the residual heat will cook it to perfection. A lil S&P and down the hatch

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    k-miodek avatar
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same here my fiancé still says I make best eggs even though I showed him a million times. He just doesn’t trust it to cook after taking of the heat.

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    lol I overcook mine on purpose because it's what I prefer.... I was damn near 27 when my mom finally asked me to make em less cooked cuz I always overcooked... Maaan Why not tell me that when I was like 12. I still prefer mine well done, but I coulda made the family a better breakfast

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My son is 19 and started making his own scrambled eggs probably 7 or 8 years ago because he thinks I UNDER cook them! When he gets done, his are like little bullets! But, hey, to each their own!

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mom was always worried about salmonella from eggs. Fried eggs were cooked "solid". Boiled eggs were cooked so long the yolk was green. It wasn't until I got married and my MIL taught me how to cook.

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My poor dad always scrambled badly, so usually one part was super salty and the other... bland

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My dad made them into hard little balls of yellow mess, with watery stuff all over the plate. Vile.

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's my former roommate. She hated scrambled eggs until I made her a french omelette. Then my very own recipes with veggies and onion. Then turkish scrambled eggs with tomatoes and herbs. Now it's her all time favourite food

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mother makes the best scrambled eggs I've ever had. Haven't had a restaurant come close. Even when I was little, my friends would ask if my mom was going to make eggs in the morning. No idea how she does it and she won't tell..

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My grandma (died in '65) made the yummiest scrambled eggs on the planet and I never knew the recipe. Over the years I've experimented with no luck. All she had was a well-seasoned cast-iron pan, butter, salt and pepper, but the secret ingredient may have been white pepper. I can't get my eggs to taste anywhere close to hers. She grew up in Minnesota in the 1890s if that helps. Bacon grease was the pan seasoning. I've tried lots of suggestions with no luck yet. Nothing fancy, just home cooking. HELP!

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    #19

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly For me it was salad. As a kid, all the salads I was exposed to were iceberg lettuce with a wheel of watery cucumber, and a mealy wedge of tomato. The dressings were either industrially made or non-emulsified vinaigrettes that tasted like straight oil. It was a revelation the first time I had a quality salad! Now they’re almost all I eat. Eating brussels sprouts roasted was a similar experience

    AndShesNotEvenPretty , Jonathan Borba Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Iceberg lettuce has probably ruined salad for so many people

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    “I have spoken to so many adults (myself included) where their relationship with food became negative, whether that was from getting told to diet at a young age, being forced to finish their plate before they could leave the table, or feeling shame around foods they were or weren't eating,” the dietitian explained.

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    This is why Rothman believes that a child's relationship with food is so important, and how we as parents and caregivers can shape this. “We have the power to help a child form a positive relationship with food, and that means not pressuring a child to eat, and keeping food positive and fun,” Rothman concluded.
    #20

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Beets. The first time I had roasted beets, it blew my mind. I also fell in love with pickled beets shortly afterwards.

    coddiwomplecactus , Ivan Radic Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Raw beets. Grate them with carrots and apple, add olive oil, vinegar and salt and it's one of the tastiest salads ever!

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    #21

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Eggplant. I can’t stand it moist and chunky but when you slice it thin and dehydrate it with salt and grill it. Mein gott. So good.

    dean_c , Cara Faus Report

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    #22

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Green beans. Canned green beans don’t even taste like food.

    Vertigobee , Yulia Rozanova Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Canned asparagus is even worse! My MIL heard I loved asparagus and served me the canned stuff. God was that awful to try to choke down...

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    #23

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Soups. All soups.

    Growing up I only ever had Campbells and whatever it is that public school cafeterias get. Thought I hated soup. Then I got a cold and decided I'd make some chicken noodle from scratch, that's when everything changed.

    In fact, I just made some Oxtail soup for the first time and its amazing!

    Edit: For those curious I posted a text version of the recipe I used, which I copied from a 1986 cookbook titled "French Family Cooking" written by Francois Bernard. For some reason it wont let me paste in the recipe on this parent comment. As suggested by another user Ill post the full recipe alongside a glamour shot next time I heat up a bowl (lunch) in r/soup

    Earwigglin , ROMAN ODINTSOV Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I had to pick my favorite food category right now it would be homemade soup for sure.

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    #24

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Definitely porkchops. My parents always brutally overcooked them cause they thought you'd get sick if you didn't. Tasted like hard pieces of ash. Then one time I attended a local pork producer benefit, with plenty of pork to go around.

    The chops were actually amazing, and it completely changed my outlook on them. Juicy and full of flavor. I'd honestly take a good porkchop over steak any day now.

    Tigerphobia , Brenda Kochevar Report

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    Megan Curl
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That’s because when your patents cooked them, trichinosis was probably a real issue.

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    #25

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Chicken. My mum never marinated it or put any seasonings so it was always very dry . I messed around with some marinades and have grilled chicken usually 2 times a week now

    whyyallsodamnloud , RODNAE Productions Report

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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jajaja! I am the opposite. I hated poultry in my youth because it was gross and juicy. I cook it that way now, but slice off some for myself and throw it back in the oven. I guess it's a texture thing. Even though I like everything else tender and juicy, something about poultry...

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    #26

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Sushi.
    I never experienced any of this growing up (the 90s, more rural area in Canada) until around 16 on a class trip in the city.

    Had some s****y sushi and within a few hours I was sweating and vomiting. I couldn't even think about eating it ever again.

    Until I was taken to a place on a date and I didn't want to be rude...so I tried it again. Whoa! I couldn't believe how fresh and delicious everything was.

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    Laura Jackson
    Laura Jackson
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'll be downvoted into helI for this but I've finally got to admit it. I absolutely hate sushi. There, I said it and I will die (alone) on this hill! 😖

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    #27

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly All legumes. Turns out beans don't HAVE to be a semi-crunchy, mealy nugget of death in otherwise delicious things. I'm still wary of the bigger varieties, but I have an ongoing love affair with lentils, chickpeas and cannelini beans now.

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    lindiwe_vundla avatar
    OhBlahDi OhBlahDa
    OhBlahDi OhBlahDa
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    LITERALLY a nugget of death! Beans that are not properly cooked contain a toxin!

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    #28

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Not quite prepared, but I have a friend who is a farmer and has explained so much to me about how temperature, growing season, and variety affects the flavor of radishes. Once I was able to try some from him that he guaranteed would be delicious and not inedibly spicy, I couldn’t believe I had been missing out all these years!!

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    indiecognition avatar
    indiecognition
    indiecognition
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Radishes dipped in salty melted butter are indeed pretty rad...ish

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    #29

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Guacamole.
    Absolutely hated it. But now that I'm in my 50's, I have it a couple times a week.

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    JoMeBee
    JoMeBee
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Like most foods, it's gotta be fresh. The canned stuff is just nasty...

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    #30

    People Share What Dishes They Couldn't Stand Until They Learned They Were Eating Them Prepared Incorrectly Meat in general. My parents never ate a steak, pork chop or chicken breast that wasn't cooked to about 200°. I can still see the panic in my mother's face when she bit into a hamburger that was the vaguest shade of pink in the very center.

    I just assumed meats were always dry and tough, but you had to suffer through it for your protein.

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    Christmas love
    Christmas love
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    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pork, steak and hamburger can safely be eaten with pink in the middle. Chicken absolutely not! Best way to keep chicken breasts juicy is to put some chicken stock in a pot, poke a few small holes in the breast and boil them for just a bit. Then take them out, cover them in bread crumbs or even plain and roast them. Juicy every time! If you’re cooking a whole chicken when it’s done cooking, take it out of the oven, flip it breast side down, cover with foil and let it rest for 10 minutes. The juices will redistribute to the breasts.

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    #31

    Parsnips. I only ever had them mashed, and parsnips have this astringent, lemony note that I just did not vibe with at all. Roasting them until caramelized and crispy on the edges is a game changer! So sweet and flavorful.

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    #32

    Salmon. It put me off all fish actually. I just remember it being really dry and full of bones. Turns out I like a salmon filet better than a steak and if you cook it until it’s only just cooked it’s amazing.

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    #33

    Eggs. My mom would have to hide eggs in my food when I was a kid so I would eat them. Then I left home and tried eggs cooked by someone else. Life changing.

    (I still love you, Mom)

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    #34

    Cauliflower. Always had it boiled or steamed and just couldn't even fathom enjoying it. It was like punishment to eat. A few years ago, tried pan roasting it with garlic and red pepper flakes. Now, it's literally one of my favorite foods. Cauliflower tacos, Zuni Cafe spicy broccoli and cauliflower pasta sauce, roasted with romesco, just about any Indian gobi dish. Roast your brassicas people! Except brussel sprouts, nothing can save those bastards.

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    K- THULU
    K- THULU
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cauliflower, slow roasted with a little olive oil.... Then sprinkle with good Parmesan cheese.... Divine...

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    #35

    Mac and cheese. Grew up on kraft dinner which always seemed to have a random noodle or two in it that refused to cook and they made me gag every time I hit one. I assumed this was what the mac and cheese experience was until I had a nice home made one with fresh pasta, real cheese and a nice layer of buttery, crusty bread crumbs on top.

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    BasedWang12.7
    BasedWang12.7
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i prefer the boxed c**p... I know. I know, but sometimes it just happens

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    #36

    Lasagna

    my mother, bless her heart, is a terrible cook, and every time I had it the pasta was so overcooked the top layer dried out until it was back to the texture of dry pasta.

    one day I we had supper with some family friends and they served lasagna, and IU was dreading it. then I tried it and exclaimed 'its not hard!'

    I cant imagine how mortified my mother was but it was the beginning of a lovely relationship with the almighty comfort food

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    #37

    Mashed potatoes! My mom made dry, lumpy mashed potatoes when I was young, thick enough and bland enough to make me gag! HELLO BUTTER!

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    Laura Jackson
    Laura Jackson
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I whip my potatoes with butter and evaporated milk after boiling in salted water. Season to taste while whipping and they're to die for. My old neighbors in Colorado have paid for me to send them a 5lb batch from North Carolina. Ex husband wanted me to teach new wife how to make them. I didn't, there's no hope for a woman that put a 2lb pot roast in a crock pot on high for 30 hours. My son claims it was broth by then🤣🤣🤣

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    #38

    Cole slaw and sloppy joes.

    Being from the Midwest, any kind of loose meat sandwich with or without cole slaw is pretty common. It's usually store bought and tastes pretty awful.

    I started making sloppy joes from scratch using ground turkey, along with cole slaw with fresh cut red and green cabbage and apple cider vinegar instead of mayo (yuck). I serve them together on a brioche bun. It's such a good, easy weeknight dinner and feels (and tastes) so much more grown up and healthy.

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    Laura Jackson
    Laura Jackson
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Add a bit of red delicious apple to the Cole slaw. It's delicious!

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    #39

    Most Hispanic foods. I had just had the American iced versions, which I hate. When I moved to El Paso, a buddy of mine from Mexico drove me to some of the most out of the way obscure places to eat. The food was absolutely amazing!

    When we both got stationed in Germany, we grilled every weekend, alternating. He had never had proper southern style food before, so we shared a bunch of different recipes with each other.

    I actually miss that dude.

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    #40

    Coffee.

    Instant is garbage. Honestly most American drip coffee is as well. A good solid cappuccino in Italy showed me my misgivings.

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    Ripley
    Ripley
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A cappuccino in Italy is a breakfast drink - if you asked for one in the afternoon you'd probably get an odd look.

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    #41

    Thai Food - especially Pad Thai and coconut curries.
    There was a big trend of generic Thai joints in the 90s and it turned me off to Thai food in general. Tried a more authentic place about 8 years ago and was blown away. So many flavors and textures that were completely absent from what I'd had in the past.

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    Charlie the Cat
    Charlie the Cat
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want to like Thai food, but everything seems to have lemongrass in it. I just can't get with that flavour.

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    #42

    Basically any vegetable. We only ate canned veggies growing up because they are cheap, last forever, and easy to cook up. The only veggies I ate were corn, hominy, and green beans.

    I still rely on frozen veggies for some dinners, but these days I buy a lot more fresh produce.

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    Amy E
    Amy E
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Corn is a grain and green beans are a legume! I didn't even fully understand what a vegetable was till college.

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    #43

    Onions. Here in the UK people put onions in *f*****g everything*. And they're always these huge chunks of practically raw onion.

    I've recently started using shallots in my cooking, finely diced, and fried off so they become soft and brown and amount of depth of flavour it gives and no noticeable texture? It's divine

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    elp200 avatar
    Kharyss
    Kharyss
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Onions are a staple ingredient in many dishes across the world. Wouldn’t say it’s a particularly British thing or that we use them more than anyone else

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    #44

    Cooked carrots. Apparently the only time I ate them cooked and not raw was when my parents would take the canned carrots and peas combination and heat that up instead of cooking fresh carrots. I just did not like them canned, but fresh they are great when cooked.

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    Nathaniel
    Nathaniel
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Roast carrots with olive oil, some lemon juice to bring out the sweetness and thyme.

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    #45

    Yams!!!! The only time I saw sweet potatoes was in that thanksgiving dish topped with a layer of marshmallow. Sweets are not my favorite, so I avoided it every year. Then I got a job in a fancy food place where we made roasted them with fresh garlic and herbs and it was the best thing ever!!

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    Laura Jackson
    Laura Jackson
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've always wondered who looked at a sweet potato and thought: marshmallows... These things need marshmallows!🤔

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    #46

    Pimento Cheese. I wanted to like it, and tried it every few years from childhood until my 40's. Then while at a restaurant at the Biltmore Estate I noticed they had pimento cheese. I commented to the waitress that I always thought it looked good, but had never liked it. She insisted I try it, and it was fabulous! Apparently, I'm just a pimento cheese snob.

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    Ace
    Ace
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Had to google it - sounds good. Try to find (or make) an authentic Greek Spicy Cheese Dip for something else you'd probably like.

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    #47

    Hummus - Finally had it at a lebanese restaurant in edgeware road and never looked back since. It’s incredible. Only took 20+years to realise how awesome it is.

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    K W
    K W
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Trader Joe's hummus is what got me hooked on hummus as far as commercial brands go.

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    #48

    Pork loin. My dad would always come home with some huge monstrosity of a pork loin, slap the plastic packaging and go "I got us a little porker!" while my mom and I sighed. He was so damn excited to dry that thing out to tough, bland, off-white chunks every time. They're pretty good, really.

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    bottomless.abyss.of.bordem
    bottomless.abyss.of.bordem
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Low and slow in the crockpot til it breaks apart. Add a can of cream of mushroom or use it to make your own gravy. Serve over rice, potatoes, or quinoa. Yum!

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    #49

    Something here in Norway we call Lutefisk. Usually a Christmas food. It's basically dried fish(cod usually) that's left in water for a while, then put into water that's like, salty or something idk. Then watered out again. After all that you put it into the oven and if made correctly is delicious, but my dad tried making it once when I was a kid and it came out of the oven looking like a bunch of half melted jelly on a plate

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    Hugh Cookson
    Hugh Cookson
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Could be worse, he might have tried you on the hardcore Surstromming ...... I've tried it twice, the second time by accident (and I was very, very drunk), the first time I had to throw my clothes away as I opened the tin on a table in front of me, not under water. I would try to explain the smell but it's beyond horrible. Tastes ok though funnily enough ...

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    #50

    Eel. Good eel is so damn tasty. Bad eel is bleh.

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    #51

    Beef brisket.

    Moved to Texas and people were bragging about beef brisket. Went to several locales and it was either dry or shoe leather. Or both. Until I went to Black's in Austin, Texas. Then I understood.

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    #52

    Truffles. Up until my late 20's I'd tried various truffle oils and some preserved black truffles, and it was all "meh, this tastes kinda bad, I don't get the big deal about truffles". Then I went to the fanciest restaurant I've ever been to for my grandpa's 80th and had fresh black truffle grated over my side salad. I totally get the big deal now - fresh truffle is indescribably good - pure umami but with a real freshness too, none of the mustiness that the preserved/infused stuff gets.

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    #53

    Boba Tea! I had only had the cheap kind, and I never liked the texture of the boba. Recently I went to a place that handmakes their boba and they’re stored in brown sugar syrup. The texture is amazing and it’s now my absolute favorite drink.

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    Pumpkin Spice
    Pumpkin Spice
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Boba is awesome! If I hadn't been Pumpkin Spice, I would've been a good matcha boba...

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    #54

    Shrimp. My step dad is a great cook so now that I've had nicely done shrimp I don't understand why he only ate the frozen shrimp, thawed & cold, dipped in cocktail sauce. My mind was blown when we went to a nicer restaurant in town & my husband ordered us fried shrimp with a side of chopped veggies & a sweet/hot dipping sauce. We love shrimp & make it so many different ways now! I feel like Forrest Gump 😅

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    #55

    Lobster. As a kid we spent two weeks every year on an Island where our family were lobster fisherman. It was always boiled or pickled so I never took a liking for it, we had fresh fish as an alternative so I chose that.

    I had it as a Tempura years later and cooked other ways and now love it. Obviously many people like it boiled but it's not to my liking, the same with prawns.

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    #56

    Kale. A friend would make kale chips and burn those suckers into oblivion to the point where they were just char. No seasoning, nothing. I have now had properly prepared kale chips and other uses of kale in salads and such. It is very delicious when done right.

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