Admit it. You heard it as a kid. You say it to your kids; “how do you know you don’t like it, if you’ve never even tasted it?” Guilty as charged here in Kelly’s Kitchen. I was out to dinner with my friends John and Tim a few weeks back, and the subject of escargot came up. Yep. Snails. They were on the menu at The Lobster Pot, and as I was ordering an over the top entrée of steak and lobster, I mentioned I’d never had them, and quite honestly, never intended to. C’mon, snails? Ew.  But as it was politely pointed out, how did I know I wouldn’t like them, if I had never tasted them? So we ordered an appetizer, and soon a lovely dish arrived with six escargot, nestled in what looked like a delectable buttery sauce. I speared one, closed my eyes, and tried my very first escargot.

   I’m a big enough girl to admit when I’m wrong. It was delicious. Great consistency and the sauce was just buttery and garlicky enough to complement and not overwhelm the dish. So would I order escargot again? Yes, with another group with someone else who has never tried it!

   Also tried Nutella for the first time this week. Now, I know that’s not as exotic as escargot (and I don’t advocate trying them together), but after having a taste on a waffle last weekend, I was hooked. Sorry peanut butter, but you’ve lost to me that nice little blend of hazelnut, skim milk and cocoa powder with no preservatives or artificial colors. And so good! It’s even Kosher.

   So a few treats for the palate this week, and more to come and share with you. What have you tried for the first time and were surprised that you actually enjoyed it? Tell me all about it in Kelly’s Kitchen, and we’ll share a few with the rest of the class! Send those to ann.kelly@coxmg.com.

   And please make a note right now that this Tuesday, January 10, you can “share the warmth” with those in need, by purchasing a Fruit & Maple or Apple Cinnamon Walnut Oatmeal from McDonald’s. For every oatmeal ordered between 6am and midnight, McDonald’s will support hunger relief by donating one oatmeal in kind to Feeding America Tampa Bay. Thanks for pitching in!

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

The hand that dips into the bottom of the pot will eat the biggest snail. ~ Wole Soyinka