Is Your Brain More Fast Food or Soul Food?

Jennifer Post

5 Min Quiz

Image: Franek Strzeszewski/Image Source/Getty Images

About This Quiz

What does fast food mean, exactly? When people think of it, they think of the normal chains like Burger King and Wendy's, but then you have to factor in all of those fast-casual places like Panera Bread and Chipotle. None of them are the same, but they all serve a purpose and are beloved by millions of people. Nostalgia is having a half day at school and your parent taking you to a fast food place for lunch on the way home. Or it could mean a last-minute dinner when one kid has soccer, the other has ballet and one is sick. Whatever it means to you, fast food is good food.

Now let's switch gears to soul food. Dare we ask, can fast food be soul food to some people? Sure! There are no rules here. But normally, soul food is something that is cooked for a long time to develop flavor, contains secret ingredients and uses a family recipe. It takes heart, it takes time and the payoff is on the plate and in your mouth. People often say that their secret ingredient is love, and that's because it takes heart and passion to create dishes that need so much attention. So is your brain more fast food or soul food? Take this quiz to find out!

How far in advance do you plan your meals?

I don't really plan meals.

I plan a week at a time.
I have ingredients to make meals, but there's no concrete plan.

A few days is usually good.

Do you use a recipe every time you cook or does it just come from your head?

I almost always need a recipe.

Some things you just have to feel.
It depends on the level of difficulty of the meal.

Once you know your flavors, you won't need a recipe.

Is it hard to get your family to sit down to a meal?

It's nearly impossible.

It can happen sometimes.
During the week, yes

I don't have a family to worry about yet.

When you do cook, how many people are you normally cooking for?

Just myself

No more than four
If it's more than five, I'm not cooking.

I love cooking for crowds.

What are you some of your favorite places to find dinner inspiration?

Billboards

Old cookbooks
Social media

Pinterest

Do you have particular flavors that you tend to repeat?

I tend to stick to American flavors.

I like to experiment with different spices and stuff.
Ones I know I can master, so more simple flavors

I love using paprika in almost everything.

Do you like cooking with other people or do you prefer to be alone in the kitchen?

I don't mind if other people are in the kitchen.

I like the whole kitchen to myself.
I like being in the kitchen while others are cooking.

It's fun to have a sous chef.

How far would you travel for a really good meal?

About five minutes

I'd get on a plane for a great meal.
I'd definitely stay within my town.

I plan my travels based on the food I want to eat.

When you do cook for other people, do they generally enjoy it?

They don't really say either way.

They can't say enough good things about it.
I think they do!

There have been a few missteps, but overall they enjoy it.

What's the best meal you've ever had?

Crispy buttermilk chicken sandwich

Stewed black-eyed peas and pork
Smash burgers

Any kind of barbecue

Are you the one who normally picks where you go out to eat?

Only when I'm by myself

I do have the best taste.
I'll eat anything, so it doesn't matter who picks.

I know the most about the options, so I tend to have a big impact in the decision.

Do you eat a lot of vegetables?

Not as many as I should

I try to eat vegetables at every meal.
I like them, but I get bored.

I probably eat more vegetables than anything else.

Does cooking good food require a lot of kitchen tools?

Yeah, that's why I don't do it.

It can, but it doesn't have to.
All you need are the basics.

There are some specialty items, but you don't absolutely need them.

What's the longest amount of time you would spend on one meal?

Fifteen minutes

I'd cook all day if I could.
Thirty minutes should be enough.

An hour or so

Have you ever made your own chicken stock?

You can do that?

I have, and it's delicious.
Nope, but I'd like to try.

I have, but it's not worth it to me.

Do you let others cook for you?

I prefer that others cook for me.

I like to be the one cooking.
There should be a good balance.

Only on my birthday

Is there anything you're allergic to that prevents you from eating the way you want?

Nope, I can eat anything.

I can't eat shellfish, which is a huge bummer.
I'm not supposed to eat dairy, but YOLO.

I think overall I can eat anything.

How much do you enjoy going to the grocery store?

I don't care for it.

It's my favorite day of the week.
I like it, I just hate stopping on the way home from work.

It's like my Disney World.

Can you handle spicy food?

Not too spicy, no

The more heat, the better.
I like buffalo sauce.

If I'm not sweating, it's not hot enough.

When you cook, do you use a lot of salt?

That's how restaurants get it to taste so good.

Not too much that you can't taste anything else
No, I let people add their own salt.

Salt really does bring out the flavors.

What do you consider an exotic ingredient?

Yellow peppers

Harissa
Italian seasoning

Miso

Did you cook with your grandparents a lot growing up?

Not really, but I know they were great cooks.

Almost every weekend
On holidays

I didn't have the chance, unfortunately.

What's an ideal splurge meal for you?

A value meal

Baked macaroni and cheese
Fried chicken with anything on the side

Cheeseburgers

In the summer, do you take advantage of any local produce?

Not really, as it's too expensive.

As often as I can
I do occasionally when I feel inspired.

The farmer's markets are so great.

If you had to choose, what would be your favorite chain restaurant?

Chick-Fil-A

Olive Garden
Applebees

The Cheesecake Factory

Which country or region do you think has the best food?

America, for sure

Italian food is impeccable.
Mexico has all of the best foods.

Spain, hands down

What cuisine have you always wanted to try to make at home?

Chinese food

I've always wanted to make a crab boil.
I've never attempted homemade pizza, but I would love to.

I want to try traditional Indian food.

Do you think that desserts should be super sweet or have more subtle sweetness?

I love sugar on sugar.

Salt goes a long way in desserts.
Not super sweet, but sweet enough.

Subtle sweetness is definitely best.

What does soul food mean to you?

Food that takes a long time to cook.

Food that comes from way back and has never been changed.
Family recipes

Anything that's made with love

And now, what do you think of when you think of fast food?

The best food in the world!

Lower-quality food made fast
Something you can get on the go when you're in a rush

Mostly burgers, fries and milkshakes

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