At some point in time every kitchen runs out of essential ingredients. Depletion happens more quickly if one’s cooking specialties are limited. It could be claimed my menus are so limited that one particular meal is prepared and served more often than other main menu items. Pork Tenderloin is so easy to make which suits Papa’s culinary skill level. Plus, it comes in a handy four pack at Costco. Economical meat entree for sure. But, to prepare it herb crusted one does need thyme and rosemary as part of the ingredients.
The simple solution is a quick trip to the grocery store. My closest store does not have hand baskets or small carts. Because my experience tells me that I may encounter other items that are needed/desired or on sale Papa takes a cart designed to hold supplies for a six month trek on the Oregon Trail. Overkill for sure. However, I bring home the less than one ounce bottles of herbs along with twenty pounds of other stuff.
Oven is set for pre-heat and my attention turns to the searing process. All I need to do is open the bottles. I have the knife at the ready to cut the plastic wrap around the caps. I no longer use the larger mongo knife that cut my finger on more delicate packaging opening. Off goes the plastic. Unscew the cap. Wait a min ute. Another plastic shaker top needs to be removed so that I can get to another layer that covers the precious herbal contents. That layer has a tiny tab that flaps up. Teeny is actually a better description. Or, flimsey. The concept, I believe is to grip the tab and pull it off. A simple enough inovation. Except that the tab is slipperier than an eel in oil. Try as I might the old thumb and forefinger that was so important for evolution fails to grasp.
Time for the knife again. Cut, cut, cut until jagged edges of the protective layer are all that remains visible. Papa feels so good because of the knowledge that no evil doer had a chance to contaminate his supply of thyme. I can get on with cooking. As soon as the rosemary bottle is opened. Two more stabs and cuts with the knife. Perhaps it is a testament to human stupidity but Papa does try to surge forward without sharp instruments. Fool me once packagers and you’ll keep fooling me.
Brute force seldom works on packaging anymore, Knifes, box cutters, tin snips and scissors have to be nearby. Do good packagers tout hycientic issues and tamper proof concerns for the overkill by their industry. Thus, ultrasonic welding, blister packs and clamshell devices promote ever more dangerous sharp edged instruments for hand use. Try to open bacon or cream cheese without any stabbing/cutting actions. Perforated lines that never tear. Food is one thing but the worst cut suffered came from the impossible to open packaging of a toilet flapper. What is the societal benefit of stopping that item from being touched?
Again, fair warning: major in a packaging degree at college and you are out of the will.