Educational Purposes

Mary Poppins has “Supercalifragilistic,” Emeril has “Bam,” Ahhnold has “I’ll be bahhk,” and I have “educational purposes.” Ok, to be fair, it’s not actually mine, it belongs to my family, but close enough.

The year was 1993, and a teenage Duchess-in-training was on vacation in Spain with her Mother and Father, the Duke and Duchess of West 71st Street. It became very clear, very early on, that restraint and Spain were two words that didn’t melt well together. Spain is a culinary bastion – there are cultural and culinary influences from around the world and the dishes change from region to region. Of course, Gambas A La Plancha (roasted Shrimp) are everywhere, as are various cured meats, and Flan. That being said however, it became increasingly difficult for us to justify yet another slice of Flan, or another glass of Sangria simply because we hadn't had it “here” (here being whatever, town, city, bakery, restaurant or person’s house we happened to be in at that moment) before.

Enter “Educational Purposes.” I do believe that is was my Mother, the Duchess of West 71st Street, who created our lovely little mantra. We just had Jamon Serrano (an aged, cured ham) from the Butcher down the block, but those guys over there had been making it for 50 years longer, hmmmm what to do? I mean really, could one beautifully marbled and cured slice of pig be better than another? Only one way to find out but, what about guilt and excess? AHA! “Educational Purposes,” GUILT BE DAMNED.

"Educational purposes" also popped up the first time my Father and I went to Philly. We simply had to have a Cheesesteak at both Gino's and Pat's (the two most famous Cheesesteak joints). Now let's be honest here; I like a good Philly Cheesesteak as much as the next gal, but Fillet Mignon it ain't. That being said howewver, we did it anyway, for "educational purposes." If nothing else, it was a hell of a lot of fun. By the way, have you ever tried to tear a Philly Cheesesteak in half? Don't do it... it's not pretty.

Now, don’t abuse the magic of “educational purposes”. This is NOT permission to eat an entire pizza, and breadsticks, and mozzarella sticks, and a pint of ice cream – nope, this is permission to explore. Not sure which place has the better pizza? “Educational purposes,” try a slice from both. Exploring Chinatown, and see that two bakeries have the same pastry that you just discovered you like, “educational purposes,” try it at both places.

In fact, I give you permission to be as adventurous as you want! Go to that weird Balinese place down the street, ask questions, try something new for “educational purposes”. You didn’t like that dish there? Don’t let that stop you! You cross the street and try it over there instead -- all in the name of “educational purposes”. Let the magic take over and make you that gutsy eater you always wanted to be. And remember, as always, you don’t have to like it, but you have to try it!