April 18, 2008
"Never will that loathsome substance cross my lips,"--Julia Childs, chef.
Granted, gourmet Julia Childs was talking about margarine when she made the above remark, but she might as well of talked about Liver and Onions, the must-eat dish of the 50s and 60s.
I promise I will not continue writing about liver each week. However, these selected readers' responses show that some folks still dream of this beloved dish or will drive miles in search of a restaurant that serves it.
Others would never.
Take a look.
E.M. writes: "I read your article about liver and onions, and it made me remember an incident that happened when my children were small. I used to serve them liver and onions. I got complaints but that's what my folks made us eat, so I thought I should make my protesters eat it, too.
One time when I served it they ganged up on me, and nobody would eat it! So, not wanting to be wasteful I gave it to the cat. He choked on it! The cat recovered, but I never served Liver and Onions to my family again. For the safety of all your readers and their pets, I will not share my recipe."
From LL: "Yep. Liver and Onions was one of my favorites as a child, which now disgusts my wife greatly. Calves liver was the best to use by the way. This fall after my father's funeral we went out to eat and were surprised to note the restaurant had Liver and Onions on its menu. My sister and I ordered a plate in his memory. I had my kids try a small piece, which they felt was cruel and unusual punishment. I kept telling them it builds character but I am not sure anyone believed me."
Another reader suggested smothering liver with caramelized onions and said to be sure and use a lot of sugar. Yum. Yet another said to improve the taste of liver one should mix 2 tablespoons of catsup with 1-and-one-half cups of water and one-half teaspoon of thyme. Simmer the browned liver in the mixture. Serve with rice.
Someone else said she and her late husband used to drive to Henrietta, MO, to a small café just to eat Liver and Onions. M.S. wrote: "We never did find them quite as good anywhere else after that place closed. Our friends and family thought we were crazy to drive so far just for that awful dish."
One more thing. If you are invited to dinner and upon arriving discover that Liver and Onions is the entrée, do this. Discreetly find a way to set off a smoke alarm, open the window and doors, and soon the meat will cool off and become leathery. Then, the hostess will not blame you if later you pick at your food.
But if you love liver, hey go for it.
