The Great American Contradiction Cocktail

[Midpack]

Maybe others have, but I'd never heard this until this morning (in a video by a bartender at the Library Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton NOLA talking about cocktail structure/balance), and thought it was interesting/funny:

A Frenchman walks in the bar and says, “Bartender, may I have the Great American Contradiction?”

“I’m not sure how to make it, but if you'll tell me I'd be glad to make you one.” replies the Bartender

“It’s easy! Take some whiskey to make it STRONG, some water & ice to make it WEAK, a little lemon to make is SOUR, and some sugar to make is SWEET!” Then you say "Here's to YOU" - and you drink it YOURSELF! The Great American Contradiction! The guy remarks.

Many cocktails are "contradictions" and he goes on to point out that a Whiskey Sour is:

Whiskey
Lemon juice
Simple Syrup (sugar & water)

And the no-alcohol version is also quite exotic - lemonade.

 

[Koolau]

Could just as easily be called the "Life" cocktail, but YMMV.

 

[Stanley]

Next time I am in Paris I will ask for the 'French Paradox': A glass of red wine with a plate of high fat cheese.

 

[Koolau]

Next time I am in Paris I will ask for the 'French Paradox': A glass of red wine with a plate of high fat cheese.

Only time I was in paris, I was in what was essentially a "cafeteria". One of the dishes for sale appeared to be raw hamburger with a raw egg on top. The guy I was with who knew about such things informed me that it was indeed raw, but it wasn't beef. It was horse. Since then (45 years ago) I've somewhat doubted the "subtlety" of french cooking. Yes, all the sauces and small portions may be impressive to the uber-riche, but when I think horse meat, I think dog food. YMMV

 

[Gumby]

Only time I was in paris, I was in what was essentially a "cafeteria". One of the dishes for sale appeared to be raw hamburger with a raw egg on top. The guy I was with who knew about such things informed me that it was indeed raw, but it wasn't beef. It was horse. Since then (45 years ago) I've somewhat doubted the "subtlety" of french cooking. Yes, all the sauces and small portions may be impressive to the uber-riche, but when I think horse meat, I think dog food. YMMV

One of the things I learned from my stint at the military survival school is that you can eat essentially anything that walks, crawls, swims or flies. And if you get hungry enough, you will.

 

[UserRequested]

OOne of the dishes for sale appeared to be raw hamburger with a raw egg on top. YMMV

It's called steak tartare and consists of minced raw beef that is often served with raw egg, onions, capers, and other seasonings.
It's supposed to be a delicacy.

If you like your steak rare, then you'll love this. The seasoning gives it a nice kick.

Only ever tried the minced beef version.

Never heard of the French using horsemeat till now.

 

[Huston55]

Only time I was in paris, I was in what was essentially a "cafeteria". One of the dishes for sale appeared to be raw hamburger with a raw egg on top. The guy I was with who knew about such things informed me that it was indeed raw, but it wasn't beef. It was horse. Since then (45 years ago) I've somewhat doubted the "subtlety" of french cooking. Yes, all the sauces and small portions may be impressive to the uber-riche, but when I think horse meat, I think dog food. YMMV

Hmmm, France in the late 60s. We're you in the military?

 

[audreyh1]

Next time I am in Paris I will ask for the 'French Paradox': A glass of red wine with a plate of high fat cheese.

Very good!

 

[Koolau]

Hmmm, France in the late 60s. We're you in the military?

Actually, it was early 60's, but good question. No, I was 17 at the time and not yet eligible for the draft. I ultimately missed out on a McNamara fellowship (to scenic S. E. Asia) because of a student deferment for university and then by drawing a lucky draft number (only lottery I ever played - and won.)

 

[Koolau]

One of the things I learned from my stint at the military survival school is that you can eat essentially anything that walks, crawls, swims or flies. And if you get hungry enough, you will.

Heh, heh, I learned this withOUT the military. At our house, if you didn't want to eat something, it was okay. Unfortunately, that's all there was. (A couple of my least favorite things were dandelion greens wilted in vinegar and bacon grease - from heaven only knows when) and volunteer asparagus from the fence row. Hunger is an incredible motivator. Something most folks in this nation have never actually experienced. YMMV By the way, Gumby, thanks for your service.

 

[Stanley]

I will revise my French Paradox as follows:

Next time I am in Paris I will ask for the 'French Paradox': A glass of red wine with a plate of high fat, raw milk cheese.

 

[FIREd]

I will revise my French Paradox as follows:

Next time I am in Paris I will ask for the 'French Paradox': A glass of red wine with a plate of high fat, raw milk cheese.

I don't understand why it's a paradox.

 

[audreyh1]

I don't understand why it's a paradox.

Just google "The French Paradox"

French paradox - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Stanley]

Just google "The French Paradox"

French paradox - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The French eat diets high in saturated fat yet have less heart disease than average. Thus the paradox since more saturated fat is supposed to result in more hear disease.

Also, I added the raw milk cheese since this product is supposed to be very unsafe and dangerous. I don't believe it is killing the French either.

 

[Koolau]

The French eat diets high in saturated fat yet have less heart disease than average. Thus the paradox since more saturated fat is supposed to result in more hear disease.

Also, I added the raw milk cheese since this product is supposed to be very unsafe and dangerous. I don't believe it is killing the French either.

Don't get me wrong. I am glad for "modern medicine". But, we have become good at measuring EVERYTHING associated with humans, their disease processes, their chemistry, etc. etc. Once we can measure something, we begin to look for an association. Sure enough - we always find one. While I am personally working to control my cholesterol, I'm not completely convinced that cholesterol is the real issue - even though there is a strong association between "high cholesterol" and heart disease. Not a rant. Just saying we are very capable in some ways and near clueless in others when it comes to human health. "Mom's" old dictum "Moderation in everything" worked pretty well for previous generations. Farmers who used to work hard, drink whole milk, eat beef,pork and butter usually lived into their 80's without help from the doc - if they didn't get kicked in the head by a mule. Just sayin', so YMMV.

 

[Chuckanut]

I will take an American Contradiction over a light beer any day. Don't get me going on non alcoholic wine.

 

[BigNick]

I read somewhere, many years ago, that the widespread use of "Mort subite" ("Sudden death") on death certificates was more than enough to explain the so-called paradox. From my w*rk experience of watching colleagues' obituaries and/or long-term sick leaves going past my desk, I never got the impression that French people were getting ill in any different proportions from their non-French colleagues.

 

[ls99]

The French eat diets high in saturated fat yet have less heart disease than average. Thus the paradox since more saturated fat is supposed to result in more hear disease.

Also, I added the raw milk cheese since this product is supposed to be very unsafe and dangerous. I don't believe it is killing the French either.

The paradox is easily explained. Low stress lifestyle.

Economy | News | Financial Post

"I have visited the factory several times,” Taylor wrote. “The French workforce gets paid high wages but works only three hours. They get one hour for breaks and lunch, talk for three and work for three"

 

[deserat]

Heh, heh, I learned this withOUT the military. At our house, if you didn't want to eat something, it was okay. Unfortunately, that's all there was. (A couple of my least favorite things were dandelion greens wilted in vinegar and bacon grease - from heaven only knows when) and volunteer asparagus from the fence row. Hunger is an incredible motivator. Something most folks in this nation have never actually experienced. YMMV By the way, Gumby, thanks for your service.

Isn't it amazing how much food tastes better (anything) when you are hungry? I've not been in dire straits, but when I hike for long periods (a week or so at a time), I'm amazed at how good the food tastes (usually peasant-like food), the shower is a luxury and I sleep deeply. There is a lot to be said for the more traditional pursuits - makes you appreciate what you have. There is quite a fine line between what we call civilized food and survival....your physiological and biological processes take over in what are perceived as dire situations.