Chipotasabi Watch.
I enjoy both wasabi and chipotle. They provide wonderful flavors to certain foods when used appropriately. The problem, however, is that both of these otherwise delicious flavor additions are being ridiculously overused these days.
Chipotle, when used appropriately, adds heat and a smoky complexity to many foods. For this reason, many cooks/chefs/idiots with a spice rack and a frying pan, are putting it into everything. I have seen such ridiculousity as this little nugget from an actual menu:
Today’s Hummus ($12.00): Roasted Bell Pepper Chipotle Honey.
As bad as that sounds, it pales in comparison to this one:
Today’s Hummus ($12.00): Roasted Garlic and Red Bell Pepper, with Basil and Chipolte.
I have never had either of these, nor do I care to try them. Basil and chiptole together with smashed up chickpeas? Either of those sounds fine, but together it sounds like something a six year old came up with. Every chain restaurant has at least one item called “Chipotle (insert meat item) sandwich/crisper/whatever” Chipotle does not need to be out in front, rather somewhere in the back.
The other item that is getting used like crazy is wasabi. Wasabi has even fewer uses than chipotle, which can be used in moderation on most things. Wasabi, on the other hand, is really only useful in very small doses on raw fish and certain snacks, like those tasty wasabi peas and wasabi coated peanuts (both available at The Purple Onion at the Capitol Market). This hasn’t stopped the folks at TGI Chilibee’s Factory from slathering everything imaginable with wasabi, unleashing “Wasabi Crusted (insert food item)s” onto every menu throughout the country.
Just last week, a friend of mine was telling me about this great restaurant. She sent me a link to their menu, which I looked at and found this little nugget:
new york strip steak with chipotle roasted mashers, sesame glazed snowpeas, and wasabi au poivre 35.0
The chipotle mashed potatoes sound pretty good, but combined with wasabi? Why God?!?!? Why?!?!? Aside from that awful combination, why in the hell would anyone want to coat a delicious cut of beef with wasabi? That is a crime against all that is decent and holy and there is a special place in hell for the person who came up with that one.
If you see any ridiculous chipotosabi items, please let me know about them.
