Speaking Of BLT's

I keep two lists posted on the inside of one my kitchen cabinet doors. One is labeled 'Great Food Combos'; the other is 'Fake Food That Tastes Good'. The first list details what, over the years, have emerged as seemingly perfect combinations of taste, texture, and visual appeal. While very far from complete, the list includes the following:

• BLT's - bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches on toasted, preferably whole wheat, bread with mayonnaise
• Hot Fudge Sundaes - complete with homemade fudge sauce and warm, freshly roasted, salted pecans
• Campbell's Tomato Soup and a grilled Vermont cheddar cheese sandwich
• A hot dog (frankfurter) on a grilled roll with Raye's mustard, relish, and freshly prepared horseradish
• Pepperoni pizza with and ice cold Foxon Park birch beer

You'll no doubt note that these are not gourmet, up-scale meals. True enough. But, they very well meet the qualifying conditions outlined above for sensory perfection.

The second list needs a bit of explanation. Over the years, artificial flavors, colors, additives, preservatives, and so forth have supplanted what was once the 'real thing' in many prepared foods. However, this doesn't mean that they can't and don't taste good. Again, it's far from complete, but what's on the list so far are:

• My-T-Fine butterscotch pudding - make butterscotch pudding from scratch and you'll know what I mean
• Banana Popsicles - flavor by Monsanto?
• Fanta Grape and Orange sodas - nothing close to grapes nor oranges, but they sure refresh and go down easily

Let me know what's on your lists.