Who here thinks ketchup/catsup doesn't get enough respect?

[yellowcanine]

Personally I think ketchup enhances nearly any meat and many vegetables.

Brought to you by the Ketchup Advisory Board. Ketchup... Ketchup...

[trof]

1. And it has mellowing agents.

[yellowcanine]

3. Lycopene! Don't forget that.

Lycopene 17.0 mg/100grams

[unpossibles]

2. ketchup* is the Great Equalizer

take any food which is awful, and ketchup will naturally enhance it to "palatable" if not better. The King of Condiments and Friend of Frenchfry, how I love thee in many forms, from Heinz to my grandmother's homemade ketchup.


* catsup deserves nothing but scorn! Ketchup rules, catsup drools!

[hyphenate]

4. I like ketchup

But I wouldn't go putting it on a juicy steak or pork chop, or even think of putting it on chicken or pasta, or, god forgive, seafood.

On the other hand, you gave me the best idea yet for dinner--I'm gonna make up some scrambled eggs, which really are enhanced by a good ketchup--as long as it's Heinz!

[yellowcanine]

5. steak, pork chops, chicken, pasta, salmon, fries, mashed potatoes - it all works for me.

And scrambled eggs are a natural for ketchup.....ketchup.....

[yellowcanine]

6. Not to mention that a lot of sauces are helped by ketchup......

[Kutjara]

7. I assume you refer to tomato ketchup?

After all, ketchup (originally kitjap) was a Southeast Asian sauce made of fish brine. Some kitjaps were made with mushrooms and other vegetables. Tomato ketchup is a relatively recent invention, with the modern form being a firmly 20th century phenomenon.

be careful what you order, lest you get extra fish brine on your Quarter Pounder. ;)

[yellowcanine]

9. But of course. The first printed recipe for tomato ketchup is 1801. That is good enough for me.

Heinz had a tomato ketchup in 1876 and they were by no means the first. Today in the U.S. if one says "ketchup" the "tomato" part is unnecessary. Tomato ketchup is one of the truly worthy American contributions to modern cuisine, imo. Feh, who gives a rip if it started out as a briny fish sauce? Not me, anymore than I care that a hotdog (another fine American invention) may have started out as a sausage.

[Radio_Lady]

8. Now it has a peppery flavor that I absolutely HATE! That includes Heinz and Hunts.

Did they change the ingredients in the last couple of decades?

I just remember it tasted GOOD, that's all -- not like jalapenos were accidentally added.

Same thing for MUSTARD. French's used to have a very mild brown mustard and the yellow was OK, too. Now I have to look for other brands.

[IzaSparrow]

10. Former President Reagan!

are you one of his conservative cronies? I knew it!

I don't eat ketchup b/c of him (and now, apparently, you)!

[yellowcanine]

11. What? I never heard that. I did hear that Nixon used to put it on cottage cheese.

stopped clocks, etc.

[Skittles]

12. I think the exact opposite

ketchup destroys the taste of anything it's on - NAS-TAY

[TK421]

13. I could take it or leave it...not my favorite condiment

mustard, on the other hand......now THAT doesn't get enough respect as far as I'm concerned. My aunt used to make a WICKED English mustard ( it's an old family recipe dating back.....well, it's really freaking old ).

Ketchup has it's place, just not on everything...