I thought this was an original idea but the more I wrote, the more it sounded familiar. I located the original version but not having anything else prepared, I will go ahead and publish this reworked post from 2009. Guilty of half ways phoning it in.
I have played a game with myself for years and usually when I tell people of it, they look a bit shocked at first, but then play right along. It starts with the hypothetical question,"If you were on death row, what would your last meal consist of?"
I guess I use death row because that is the only circumstance where your life has a known time limit down to the minute. Regardless of your heinous crime, you are allowed to eat anything you wish for your last meal. Those circumstances do not occur in the everyday person's life. Of course in my fantasy, I would be wrongly accused but the call for a stay of execution doesn't come from the governor till after I eat. So eat I will.
Often when I have been eating in a restaurant and the food has been exceptionally divine, I will say out loud, "That is going on my death row last meal list." This always starts the debate after the surprise of my premise wears off.
I have found through the years that my "last meal" changes as my tastes expand along with my waist line. But there are the basics that never change. My only fear is that my stomach will not hold all I want. Besides having a free choice menu there is also the blissful freedom at that point of knowing that nothing you eat will alter your longevity one bit. That lets you pick freely. Bring on the fat and bring on the sweets. Cholesterol you are welcome.
I am sure I would want a pound of crisp bacon as an appetizer. Yes, you heard me, a whole pound. After I polished that off, the skin of a whole turkey would proceed a leg of lamb. OK, by all rights I am exploding right now but this is a fantasy and I would continue. Hopefully, the Out Back Restaurant would cater part of the meal as I would want one of their sweet potatoes. Mercy they are good. They make pie filling seem bland.
Since my fantasy stomach would still be on the empty side after chomping through a rare Filet Mignon, I would request Lily's Chicken from the Bonefish Grill which is a grilled chicken breast, goat cheese, sauteed spinach, artichoke hearts and lemon basil sauce. Sometimes we have a meal so special that the memory stays with us forever. Lily's Chicken is mine.
Then for dessert, I would want a bag of Peppermint Patties and a tube of Pringles original. That should do it food wise.
Since they won't give me any wine or alcohol with my supper (prison rules), I will just want water to leave room for the food. By now, they would probably be putting away the lethal injection needles or unplugging the chair for my gluttony would have done the states work for them. I likely wouldn't even make it for the governor's call.
Fortunately, my fantasy is just that, a fantasy. I really do try to eat properly for health reasons. However, remove those health concerns and I would be scary at a dinner table. Those would be my choices today, tomorrow they could be different. Well don't know about you but I'm mentally stuffed.
Now my question for you. What would be your "last meal" choice?
Gosh, your poor stomach would be stretched to the point of pain with all that grub. I think my appetite would be gone due to end-of-the-road anxiety. I might though, enjoy a small plate of freshly picked, tender asparagus, steamed and drizzled with butter and sprinkled with salt and pepper. Well, maybe two servings of same!
ReplyDeleteOut to Pasture,
DeleteKind of think you would get your order while they would still be laughing over mine as I was hauled off:))
Funny because I have played that game myself many times! I want a big bowl of homemade mashed potatoes and gravy YUM, an order of fried onion rings, and a extra large serving of butter pecan ice cream. Oh yeah, I'd love a glass of a good Cabernet.
ReplyDeleteNAN
DeleteThank you for stopping by and commenting. And you reminded me of something I forgot--onion rings.
PS--Glad to meet another last meal game player.
DeleteA large platter of spaghetti and huge meatballs (not just meat sauce!) with thick buttery garlic bread and lemon meringue pie for dessert. Raspberry iced tea for my drink.
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
DeleteYou all keep reminding me of what I left off. A big yes to garlic bread.
I know lobster would play a major role, with freshly made bread and scads of real butter (not to mention all the melted butter for the lobster)On the side, fresh asparagus and grits with yet more butter - I'm seeing a theme here. Pecan pie and German chocolate cake for dessert.
ReplyDeleteI love this. I've never understood people who are indifferent to food.
Marty,
DeleteHa ha, you are with butter like I am with bacon. All things go better with either.
I think I would go for three courses of dessert meal.
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteThat goes with the old saying " Life is short, eat dessert first."
I done the same repeat thing too.
ReplyDeleteOK last meal...assuming I could eat knowing it was my last meal it would be something simple. Barbequed chicken breast (with the skin and on the bone) Corn on the cob (fresh picked) a baked potato and a large glass of pino grigio.
joeh,
DeleteDon't know about you but I get suspicious when the post starts writing itself. Bound to happen when you blog a long time. Sure hope they let you have the pino grigio.
I have never had the idea of a last meal but as a birthaday tradition when we were small and poor we got to choose a meal. Ine was creamy mashed potatoes with brown melted butter, spinach and a fried egg. Apple strudel and whipped cream (lots) for dessert. And I still love this as a comfort meal
ReplyDeletetoday. Now I would add a cup of Viennese coffee 'cause I love whipped cream. And I might add a fancy mixed salad with spiced pecan nuts and pomegranate seeds and poppy seed dressing.
Heidrun,
DeleteI had a friend whose family always did that and fortunately, I was enough family to qualify. Sure made you feel special didn't it?
Lordy mercy- I wouldn't make it past the pound of bacon...but that would indeed be on my list!
ReplyDeleteTerri,
DeleteAh you have good taste. I once actually did eat a pound of bacon. That is why I don't have it in the house. Soooo good.
I hate to admit it, but so did I!! Here's a recipe I found for Lily's Chicken: http://bonefishgrillathome.blogspot.com/2012/08/lilys-chicken.html
DeleteFran,
DeleteAh ha, another closet bacon eater. Thanks so much for the link. I have everything but the artichoke hearts to recreate that marvelous dish and I will try to this week.
No food for me. I'm going down fighting demanding all my lawyers continue trying to reach the governor. If necessary my last meal will consist of the cyanide pill cleverly hidden in the false tooth in my lower jaw. My last words will be "Justice denied for one is justice denied for all."
ReplyDeleteTB,
DeleteAh a man of principal who would go down with a hungry belly but a satisfied mind. Can't beat that.
Last meal, huh???? Mercy Me---since I love to eat and love all kinds of foods, that would be a hard choice... Some of my favorite restaurant meals are: Olive Garden Chicken Scampi; Texas Roadhouse Grilled sirloin, tossed salad and baked potato; Dockside Fried Scallops and Shrimp; and Boundary House Prime Rib, house salad and garlic mashed potatoes.... IF I had to choose ONE of those, YIPES--how hard!!!! Guess I would choose Sirloin meal --since I love good steaks...
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
Betsy,
DeleteYou don't have to choose one so go for it. I have read some last meals and they make mine look tame.
We used to play this game as children--if you were going to be executed what would you want for your last meal. As I understand it, most prisons no longer give prisoners a choice for their last meal.
ReplyDeleteStephen,
DeleteI just checked and it is still available in most states though each prison may have its own rules. That would be a consideration for me:))
I cannot imagine. I'm not ver creative. For sure there would be no turkey skin. For sure there would be homemade ice cream.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteMy Dad once gave my brother and I all the skin off a turkey. It was delightful and boy were we in pain and sick after:))
What a fun post sweet Patti. I would like to have some Arkansas fresh, fried catfish, hush puppies, cole slaw, fried onion rings, french fries, a few of my sister's homemade hot rolls, some homemade lemon pie and Texas Pecan coffee with cream. I wouldn't mind having it all right now. :) Hugs
ReplyDeleteMaggie,
DeleteHa ha, this game does make one hungry doesn't it. I am getting hungry just reading.
Believe it or not, I have never thought about a 'last meal'... but DH's home-made red beans and rice (which contain loads of onions, garlic, sausage and bacon) is my favorite meal... maybe this accompanied with some home-made hot biscuits with lots of fresh unsalted butter! Then a good Irish coffee with real whipped cream for dessert. Sounds like this would work for me. (and a tiny bite of dark chocolate for the final touch!)
ReplyDeleteRian,
DeleteYou included my three favorite foods, garlic, sausage and bacon. Well done.
Bang Bang Shrimp from Bonefish Grill, pizza, and the finest dark chocolate (from Marcellus Chocolate Pizza Company- local shop that makes their own chocolate on premises).
ReplyDeleteOh, this was fun! So decadent! My mouth is watering.
Carole,
DeleteIsn't the Bonefish the best? My brother in law loves the bang bang shrimp there.
I've never thought of a last meal, so this got me thinking.
ReplyDeleteI'd probably go back to a favorite meal from when I was a child. Every September, as the garden produce was being harvested, mom grilled burgers, roasted new potatoes, along with fresh corn on the cob, spinach (with lots of butter) and for dessert, baked apples. I salivate even thinking about it. Of course, what would be the icing on the cake is if mom were there to make it for me.
Eileen,
DeleteNow that was an almost healthy meal. Nice job. I'd feel the same way if my Dad were doing the cooking.
Fresh salmon, grilled to perfection. Some sweet potatoes mashed with butter. And a fresh green salad with tiramisu for dessert. Yep, I would be ready to go. :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteWell done also. That is basically a heart healthy meal. Hey at least you would be able to move when you got the governor's reprieve:))
Tuna fish casserole made with my recipe. I love it so much and my husband hates it. So, when he is out of town for a few days, I make it and eat it for every meal until it is gone.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't miss having it one last time. And some cheesecake. And a couple of Hershey's kisses. And a Heath Bat.
Pudge450,
DeleteThat is so funny about your secretive meal when hubby is gone. Bet you barely miss him. I had forgotten about Heath Bars. Haven't had one in ages. Maybe today??
Some interesting comments and food choices but I
ReplyDeletethink I would not eat. I've never been especially excited about food, anyway.
Belva,
DeleteAnd that is why you are on no medications. Wish it were that way for me. I eat well today out of need, not choice. Sigh.
Decision making has always been hard for me. How to choose between so many possibilities. I could go with a big breakfast with bacon, just right over easy eggs and crispy hash browns with a side of thick, light slices of eggy french toast and maple syrup. Or I could go with a traditional turkey dinner with a crispy turkey wing, herbed stuffing, mashed potatoes and my own smokey turkey gravy. And then I have lovely memories of delicious shrimp and grits we had not too long ago in Mississippi. Might need an artichoke with lemon butter for dipping.
ReplyDeleteOh, please stop me!
Linda R,
DeleteAh, don't stop. It is your last one and your can binge all you want. I say get all of it.
Oh, I forgot dessert! It must have rich, gooey chocolate!
ReplyDeleteLinda R,
DeleteHa ha, now you are through.
I will play along! But, gee whiz, it's so hard to choose as I like so many things. Ok, to start, I'd have a plate of boiled shrimp, then I would have fried fish, a nice chopped steak with onions and mushrooms on top, loaded mashed potatoes with lots and lots of fried bacon crumbled on top, a yummy homemade roll with a pat of buttah, and wilted lettuce. I often skip desserts but I'd make an exception since this is my last meal, ha!, so I'd have blackberry cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Sweet iced tea to drink. And after eating all that, they probably wouldn't have to put me away, I'd keel over! lol!
ReplyDeleteCheryl,
ReplyDeleteHa ha, we would both save the state money on our execution. Don't know why I forgot wilted lettuce. Loved that stuff. Thanks.
I probably would have everything that I couldn't eat because of being a diabetic: pasta, pizza, desserts, et. etc. etc.
ReplyDeleteI Are Writer!
Unfortunately, I am old enough now that no matter what I eat it upsets my poor stomach. I guess I'd go out with just one thing ... a big Sundae with bananas, Coffee Ice Cream, Fudge topping and real whipped cream !
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't make much sense, last meal and all, but I would love a salmon dinner with a spinach salad. Or maybe this Swedish herring dish we eat in the summer called "Spicken Sill." And then I would eat all the chocolate I could for dessert. Get a good rest and thanks for stopping by to visit.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Probably one of those Harry and David chocolate truffle towers!!!
ReplyDeleteFeel better soon!!
ReplyDeleteMy last meal choice would be a big chicken salad from Wendy's, you know the one with strawberries and almond slivers.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you are doing better.