While wondering why my last batch of molasses spice cookies were a near total disaster, I thought about genetically modified foods.
The cookies were made in a double batch with the addition of 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. The batter looked a bit wet once everything was mixed up, but I proceeded anyways. When the first sheet of cookies came out of the oven, I thought I had baked Quasimodos. Some were slanty on one side, just sticky and flat. The cornstarch was added to keep the middles chewy, but something had gone horribly wrong. They just didn’t look right. The sound they made coming out of the oven was a loud “BLLLAAHHH!” like Robert Munsch reading one of his hilarious children’s stories where the mud jumps up and lands on his character. They looked like mud puddles. But…. they tasted like cookies.
Now take this into the context of genetic modification of food. A common example today is the Frankenfish, or GMO Salmon. The gene that controls the growth rate, maybe it’s a hormone, I’m not the expert of these things, it was tweaked. Turned up a notch. Excited. So now fish farms can grow salmon faster, and bigger, much bigger. The people wanting to sell us these fish have taken it up to the FDA, both sides of the controversy are lobbying against each other.
But would the big salmon taste the same as a normal salmon? I changed one ingredient in my cookie batter and ended up with odd, flat cookies – but they are edible.
For me, wild caught salmon is the way to go. I can live with flat cookies.
I dont think people realise what our “fish” loving tendencies are actually doing to all the stock out there. In South Africa, the media are trying awfully hard to lift the awareness levels. The reality is that fish may be a serious luxury, and soon soon. So- we may need to look at those sort of avenues if we want to still be able to enjoy fish as a meal, and the reality that we want an ocean filled with fish.
Regarding your change in recipe…. I always though you coudl just divide, and multiply depending on the servings that you want. I learnt the hard way- that doesnt always work. BUT the fact is that i dont cook for 6…. so i just need to keep experimenting.
I am sure they tasted delicious anyway!
xx
The cookies vanished when I took half to work with me. So, yeah, they still tasted good – just didn’t look the same.
In Canada, the east coast has had numerous issues in fisheries. I remember times when fishing Canadian waters was stopped to let the fish population come back. Have you ever seen “Happy Feet” the animated movie? It broke my heart the first time we watched it! It’s about how humans over-fish and the penguins are running out of food because of us. It’s also impacting how far penguins and sharks have to travel to find food. Salt-water sharks are found in fresh water systems all over the world! Humans may not be the only cause for the eco-system status today, but we’ve done more than our fair share to get it this way. If I want to eat fish, I should go catch one myself 🙂 And I have!