I'm one of those people who yells at the TV and gets quite involved in discussions even if they can't hear me and never speak back. Can of Worms the other night had me even more active than usual.
The question to the panel was 'should there be a tax on fast food?' The responses were varied. Michelle Bridges, well-known personal trainer, argued that it's the sort of food that's killing us and yes there should be a tax. Comedian (sorry I can't remember/find his name) said no there shouldn't be because people have no time to cook and upping the price will mean they can't afford to eat. Masterchef judge Gary Mehigan objected arguing that people need to be educated on what to eat instead of being told what not to eat.
I was most in agreement with Gary. I might ruffle a few feathers here but I don't believe people are so time-poor that they have to eat rubbish fast-food every day. Instead of upping the price of crap (sorry but I think that's what it is), why don't they actually teach people how to cook and how to eat? I'm lucky that I had my mum to teach me about cooking and eating nutritious food but had she not known then I don't know how I would have learned.
Sure, it's a lot easier to whack a tax on something than to educate but in terms of results, I'm pretty sure education is going to go a lot further. Why not get Jamie Oliver on board? He sure has the right idea.
I could debate junk-food taxes and soft-drink bans all day if I had someone to listen to me but instead I'm going to give you an easy and tasty recipe - quick beef stir fry - that you can whip up in about the same time as it would take to jump in the car, drive to Maccas and return with your bag of processed 'food.'
Sure, this isn't a restaurant-quality meal but it's full of flavour, nutritious, uses just a few ingredients and it's quick and easy to make.
Here's how it goes down - chop up all the veges. If you have a nice butcher, get them to chop up the meat for you (saves you time). Heat a bit of oil in the wok and then throw in the beef strips, tossing them around until they start to brown. Take then out of the wok and cover them on a plate.
With chicken, I sometimes just leave it in the wok but thin beef strips get chewy if you cook them for longer than a few minutes. Next pop the onions in the wok and cook them, stirring for a few minutes until they soften a little then add the veges. Toss them all about and cook for two minutes then add the sauces and a little bit of water and stir them through.
Return the beef to the wok and stir it through then cook for just a couple more minutes until everything is cooked to your liking.
I use a microwave rice cooker so while I'm making the stir fry the rice is cooking itself. Enough rice for the two of us takes 13 minutes and it finished about the same time as the stir-fry. How's that for fast-food?
I replaces ¼ of the basmati rice with some wild rice for a bit of colour. If you've never had it before, it adds a bit of a nutty flavour and turns the rice purple. Cook it for a minute or two longer than white rice. Enjoy!
What about you? Do you think there should be a fast-food tax?
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 200 g beef strips
- 1 red onion cut in wedges
- 1 capsicum sliced
- 1 head broccoli chopped up
- ⅓ cup plum sauce
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- rice to serve
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a wok over high heat and add the beef strips.
- Cook, tossing, just until the slices are browned then remove them to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Add the onion to the wok and cook, stirring for two minutes.
- Add the capsicum and broccoli and toss them through for two minutes.
- Pour in the sauces and a little water and mix until the veges are coated.
- Return the beef to the wok and toss through the sauce.
- Continue to cook until the veges and beef are cooked to your liking.
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Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I don't agree with taxing until they have educated school kids from kinder to the end of high school. If we do that and things haven't changed, then perhaps taxing could be considered. I don't think a tax will change how people eat and it will hurt folks who can't afford it. They still won't cook because they don't know how and what's available will be too expensive.
Claire says
That's exactly what I think Maureen. It's just such a simple thing that should be taught. What are they teaching in 'health' classes these days? Sure isn't much to do with health!
Celia says
I'm not convinced about the tax - I find the idea quite judgmental, and I also don't think it would dissuade folks who eat junk food from doing so. I completely agree that education is the way to go - and surely shows like Jamie's 15 minute meals is doing that sort of thing?
Lovely dinner you've cooked there, Claire! :)
Claire says
I hope Jamie's show is making a difference! He's such an enthusiastic person and so inspirational! I don't think the tax will dissuade people either.
The Café Sucré Farine says
I'd pay a tax for your fast food Claire! This looks wonderful, way better than many restaurants I know! But don't you be yelling at the tv, otherwise I can't call you sweet Claire anymore :)
Claire says
Haha Chris! Don't worry let's just call it getting involved in the conversation.
The Hunter Gatherers says
Trans fats in fast food in a MASSIVE problem. I can't tell you how upset I get seeing so many overweight children these days, makes me furious! Upping the price of smokes hasn't really detered people from smoking so I don't think taxing fast food will solve Australia's obeseity crisis either. There are more than enough cooking shows on TV to teach people how to cook. People are just lazy, simple as that.
I'm a huge advocate of growing your own food for so many reasons and one of them is that it is much cheaper to grow your own than buy it. I'm not buying a few limp stalks of parsley for $3.99 from the supermarket when I can grow a whole plant that will keep me in supply for months for half the cost. This is what people need to know.
Claire says
So true and it's so easy to grow simple things at home (even with my somewhat brown thumb). You're right about the smoking too. If people want to eat that food they will. I think there are a lot more contributing factors than just fast food now. It's a big challenge to change the way people think!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I don't know if people that buy fast food are going to necessarily start eating healthier food if the price goes up although I'm sure she had the best of intentions. Making your own food is always going to be so much healthier than buying it or eating out (fast food or restaurant).
Claire says
That's exactly what I think. It's not going to change habits and that's what need to happen.
Hotly Spiced says
I think we pay enough taxes! What a lovely looking stir-fry and I think the rice gives it a very pretty colour xx
Claire says
There's another good point Charlie!
Stephanie @ henry happened says
totally agree - most of the time it's way easier & cheaper to cook at home. It just takes a bit of preplanning and I think that's the part most people don't do. Stir frys are one of my favorites - we just had one last night!
Claire says
So true Stephanie but I guess some people don't know how. It makes it very hard for people!