As much as I
enjoy cooking—and I enjoy it a lot—I also enjoy the simple pleasure of
dining out. After a long day at work, or, heck, even a Saturday spent lounging
on the couch, it’s nice to go somewhere with a pleasant atmosphere and have
someone else cook dinner for me (not to mention bring it right to my
table). Personally, I think breakfast out is even more fun, but it does lose
some of its charm when you steer clear of biscuits, raspberry danishes, and
pancakes and waffles dripping with syrup. The thing is, when we eat in
restaurants, sometimes it can be hard to know what we’re getting. What’s really
going on back there in the kitchen? Are they using wacky ingredients with lots
of additives and preservatives? What kind of oil are they frying in? Do they
make their sauces and dressings in-house, or do they come out of a 5-gallon bucket
they get shipped in from some factory every few weeks? I don’t let these issues
stop me from enjoying a meal out with friends, but if you’re concerned about
your health, they’re worth thinking about. One of the best things we can do for
our bodies, our waistlines, and our wallets, is cook more of our food at home.
