My favorite food in the world is fried chicken, with chicken-fried steak coming in at a close second. I’ve never liked fried foods for fried foods’ sake: I balked at any opportunity to eat the newest disgusting fried creation at the Texas State Fair when I was a kid. Who wants something hot and crispy on the outside but alarming and strange on the inside, like a deep-fried Oreo? When I bite into some crispy fried skin, I want something juicy and filling on the inside of that skin, and chicken is my first choice. 

You can’t just eat plain white rice every day and expect to be fulfilled. Food needs contrasting flavors and textures working together to create something special. You can’t fully enjoy sweetness if you don’t have a good reference for a sour contrast. While some people prefer to have all their foods separate, it’s not the best way to eat if you’re looking to maximize flavor.