The perfect recipe

[peggy]

I've been thinking lately about the perfect recipe. There are cultures out there that eat the same thing day after day, or the same 2 or 3 things day after day. Now none of these cultures are exactly known for their health and long life, but it makes me think.
Is there a perfect recipe? And by perfect I mean nutritionally healthy and sustainable.

I'm thinking it would probably be a soup/stew type of dish. It would have beans (which could be changed up for variety) some deep red vegs, some deep green vegs, onions of course (cause, well, onions!), garlic, some balsamic vinegar (for you Greg, and for taste), tomatoes.
Could have meat for those who wanted but not necessary for those who didn't. Maybe rabbit, or duck, or some other sustainable home grown meat. Maybe wild game. Fish is a different taste/texture altogether. Maybe on the side.
Would it need potatoes? Sweet potatoes maybe. some starch is good and would deliver needed calories, however you have the beans and they pack all sorts of goodness in them.
Corn? I don't know.
I would also add some coconut oil as I find this adds richness to vegetarian soups that lack this because of no meat/broth.
I don't think I would add rice as I feel starch/nutrient ratio just isn't worth it.

What have I left out? What say y'all? And would/should there be a summer and winter blend?
Opinions?

[Gardenarian]

This reminds me of that new fad, Soylent (http://www.soylent.me/).
It's just too complicated to eat nowadays!

I like the idea of a one-dish, perfectly balanced food. I'm thinking of that black bean salad that people bring to potluck - black beans, tomatoes, onions sweet corn, peppers, avocado, cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil. I could eat that everyday!

I also make a sweet potato stew with garbanzo beans, green peas, carrots, coconut milk...can't remember the rest.

[jp1]

Soylent seems like a very poor choice of name for a food corporation. I get the joke, but considering that the company in the movie hid the truth...

Personally I don't think there's any one meal that I would want to eat every day. I like variety too much. It also wouldn't be practical for anyone attempting to eat locally, except perhaps people who live near the equator.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I just want some interviewer if they haven't already just for the heck of it to ask Michael Pollan in pretend ernestness: "so what is your opinion on Soylent?" At which point he self-combusts (Who knew Gogurts were such a slippery slope?)

Yea it's a ridiculous concept and if you read the ingredients it's pretty much Ensure with different marketing.

[KayLR]

I asked my husband...he said any stew + bacon.

[catherine]

I see this more as maybe standardizing meals.

So, you always have oatmeal and blueberries for breakfast
You always have mixed salad or hearty soup for lunch
You always have the same basic protein on the same day of the week, or rotate 3.

Another "rule" would be to only eat what's in season in your area.

I can see the value of making good nutrition as routine as possible to eliminate the hassle of decision-making, but I definitely wouldn't stick to one. I don't think there's one perfect meal.

And that soylent thing sounds yukky.

[JaneV2.0]

After about three days of a hearty bone-broth based chicken stew full of vegetables, I'd be through. i have taste buds. I like variety.

[Dhiana]

I could eat Indian curries every meal, every day.
Beans + seasonal vegets + curry spices = perfect meal :)

[Gregg]

Irish coffee is the perfect recipe. It has all four food groups. Fat, sugar, caffeine and alcohol. Pizza is a close second.

[JaneV2.0]

Irish coffee is the perfect recipe. It has all four food groups. Fat, sugar, caffeine and alcohol. Pizza is a close second.

Spanish Coffee, Coffee Nudge as well. And pizza. i like the way you think, Gregg.
And I'm very fond of Indian food, but I wouldn't want to exclude Thai, Ethiopian, and all the other cuisines available.

[peggy]

Ha Ha Gregg! I like your recipe.
OK, maybe I wasn't making myself clear, or 'splaining it right. I'm not talking about some plumpy nut for the western world, or about giving up a variety of foods. I am in no way planning on just eating one thing for the rest of my life. I was just contemplating on world diets.
1) there are cultures, small indigenous peoples who eat pretty much the same thing everyday, be it beans and rice, some bread stuff toasted over a hot rock, or smashed grubs in rubber tree roots...whatever! Either that's all they can afford, or make, or grow...whatever reason.(are we so spoiled by our embarrassment of choice that we aren't even aware of these cultures/diets?)
2) these diets aren't known for good health and long life because they are so limited.
3)I was just wondering out loud what kind of 'same thing' would be nutritious and sustainable, and by sustainable I mean you could grow/raise the ingredients yourself to mirror the indigenous clans 'grow it produce it themselves' limited diet/dish. I'm not advocating eating this one thing every day, I'm just wondering what that dish would look like.

That's all people! Just wondering out loud. What would a dish that COULD sustain you look like? (This IS the food and recipe forum, right?)>8)