Trying New Things

I have always been pretty sure about what I will eat and won't eat.  However, I decided this year that I would try some new things by stepping out of my comfort zone. 

I was reading comments from people about local sandwich shops, when I ran across one place called Forward Foods and everyone was giving this place 5 stars and talking about how amazing it was and how they had the best sandwiches.... so.... my husband and I jumped in the car and headed over.  We were not disappointed!

The picture at the top if of the Ham and Gruyere cheese quiche.  I usually don't like the texture of quiche. I always feel like the person who made it used powdered eggs and it makes the texture horrible.  This is NOT the case with Forward Foods' quiche.  You can tell they used real eggs and the flavor of the Gruyere cheese is just amazing with the ham.  I can no longer say that I don't like quiche and I am okay with that.

This was also my first Rose Lemonade.  This is a very nice, light lemonade.  On a hot day, this would be very refreshing.  I really enjoyed the hint of rose in this.

My husbands sandwich was also amazing and different.  The sandwich consisted of the following tasty ingredients: Salami, Ham, Salami Rossa, Tomatoes, Olives and Arugula.  Freakin' amazing! All of the flavors from the meats and veggies mingled nicely together.  Hubby was pretty happy with it as well.  He is always up for trying new things.  When he walks away from a place I have decided to go too and says he is happy with the experience and would go back again... well, that just makes me happy!

Sure, when it comes to trying things out of my comfort zone, the stuff I have shown so far is no big deal.  However, when it comes to me eating cheese that comes from something other than a cow... well.. that is another story.  I don't know why, but I have always been grossed out by goat cheese.  A couple of years back, I had a class on nutrition and at the end of the year we had to prepare a healthy food and bring it to class.  A classmate brought crackers and goat cheese.  It was horrific and nasty tasting.  I swore goat cheese would never pass my lips again.  Apparently, I was wrong.  It seems that the more expensive a cheese is, the better it will taste.  The guy behind the counter asked me if I wanted to try it and my knee jerk reaction was to say no, but, I caught myself and told him yes and I am very glad I did.   It is called Bucheron cheese and it is a goat cheese that is creamy and tangy on the outside and the closer you get to the center of the cheese the dryer it becomes and crumbly.  I guess, I can no longer say that I don't like goat cheese and I am okay with that!

Forward Foods is a small little place here in Norman, Ok. I read somewhere that the store in Oklahoma City is closed, but I don't know that for a fact.  I do know that the one in Norman is open and lives up to all of the compliments it gets.  They have crackers and oils and other unique stuff that you probably won't find at your local grocery store.  I love that they have a spice rack and instead of having to buy an expensive jar of a spice you may only need once, they have small little containers that have just enough to cook with.  Each small container is just a dollar, and I think that is pretty fair.  I got a little container of Hawaiian Lava Salt.  It tastes pretty good! Also, they sell the real Fleur de sel salt.  At about twenty dollars a pound, I am happy that they don't package it in one pound containers.  I think the container we bought was just at a half a pound and it will last us a long time.  They also have different pastas and a lot of their stuff is organic and  a  lot of stuff for those who are vegetarians.  The prices are a little high, but if you compare their prices to those of other stores who carry organic foods and vegetarian foods etc, then they are reasonably priced in comparison.

However, the main attraction for this place is their cheeses.  I didn't get a picture of the cheeses but wow.  Chances are, you won't go into your local grocery store and find the same cheeses. The Gruyere cheese is pretty expensive at about thirty one dollars a pound.  I will have to go back at a later date and get some of it, because it is so amazingly flavored and smooth.  They have a lunch type counter.  They have daily specials, and sandwiches, soups and coffee. 

So, if you are ever in the area, and want something different and unique, I suggest stopping by this place and having lunch.  The staff are super friendly and happy to help.