This month is my 3-year blogging anniversary. And I needed to do something BIG. So I decided to eat Liver.
But I couldn't just quietly eat some liver like a normal person, could I? Nope.
First, I held a full-blown "liver election" to help me choose the perfect dish. I pestered everyone I know on Facebook and Twitter and asked them to vote.
Next, I conspired with my WW buddy, Carl, who also happens to be the head butcher for a local gourmet grocery chain. He agreed to provide the livers. I was beyond excited! It was my first blog-related "freebie"! And it was a pound of Chicken Livers! What could be better?
Then, I made the journey to pick up the livers. All the way - snapping pictures of every moment.
 |
| My Local Purveyor of Fine Organ Meats |
 |
| Liver Me Up! |
 |
| One Pound of Raw Livers for Your Viewing Pleasure |
Finally came the super-exciting, epic, fantabulous day when I decided to COOK THE GODDAMN LIVER for the love of Pete!
The chosen recipe, based on your votes, was Chopped Chicken Liver from the 1974 Weight Watchers Recipe Cards - Make Ahead Main Dishes category. I was super relieved that this was the winner, because it seemed like the least horrifying one of the three.
I started by cooking the liver in a skillet and sprinkled it with salt, garlic powder and cayenne pepper.
 |
| An Assault on the Senses |
At first it smelled pretty good, and I thought to myself, "Maybe this won't be too bad."
But then after about 5 minutes - it began to smell bad. Like really bad. Like I had to crack a window because my dog started running around looking for a way out. The more it cooked the worse it smelled. I began to worry that I may not be able to do this.
But I did.
I cooked. I mixed. I chopped and pureed.
 |
| You Know Those are Dehydrated Onions on Top |
I served it up with a fancy cucumber.
 |
| That's Right. I Scallop My Cucumbers. |
I ate it. Not all of it, mind you. But a decent portion.
And now I am sitting here feeling kind of silly. All that drama over some liver. It wasn't even that bad, really. It wasn't that good either. It sorta tasted like mushy meatloaf or beefy hummus. I don't know. It's really hard to describe.
It's all over now. The Retro Weight Watcher gals of the 60's and 70's were required to eat liver once per week. But, my friends, I can tell you with total confidence - I will never eat liver again. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Ms. Jean Nidetch!
So with that - Happy Anniversary to me! And thanks to all of you for putting up with me for three whole years! Cheers!
7 comments:
It might not taste awful but it sure LOOKS awful! Congratulations on getting it done! : )
Mimi, I am so proud of you!!! I just don't think I could do it (eat liver that is). I first joined Weight Watchers in 1973. I know that old program oh so well. I never ate liver and went on to lose 50 plus pounds. Then, life got in the way and I gained it all back, plus some. I've been on every Weight Watcher's program known to man (or woman)since then. I finally reached my goal in 2002. (I'm a slow learner.) I even worked as a leader for 8 years. I really enjoyed working for Weight Watchers, but it was time to move on. I absolutely love your blog! It brings back a lot of memories. I have lots of really old Weight Watchers cookbooks too. I love them and read them like novels sometimes. I absolutely love Jean Nidetch. I just want to say thank you for all the enjoyment I get from your blog. Congratulations on 3 years!
Whoo Hoo Mimi!! You deserve a GIANT Bravo star!! You are far braver and certainly more dedicated than me. No way am I ever knowingly eating liver.
I'm amazed how long they had people cook liver back in the 70s! You know when the smell changes? That's when it's basically overcooking and the taste and texture go. But I guess back in the day food hygiene was different so they had to cook the heck out of everything.
Thanks everyone! Your comments are so sweet! Mwah! xo
Mimi, Mimi, Mimi you broke a Retro Weight Watchers commandment. Though shall not put meat in a skillet. Those livers to make them the ultimate nasty that you could needed to be cooked on a rack and back or broil them so they have the consistancy of thick paper and smell like something the dog left behind.
None the less I am proud you ate the liver, at least part of it.
Sherrie
Props for sticking to the retro recipe, but, honey, that is abuse of liver! I encourage you to try it again, cook lightly and on high heat, leave 'em whole. When they start to smell bad like you described, that's the sign you over cooked them. Organ meat is HARD to get right, so don't dismiss it after one try!
Post a Comment