Ever have a piece get SO dark it sets off the smoke alarm? My entire kitchen smelled like a campfire last week because I got distracted. Still ate it though, kinda crispy and bitter, and I did feel pretty good after.
Reading how your burnt food set off the smoke alarm, @mileslane, I always threw out anything with more than a light brown color. Then I accidentally left some Brussels sprouts in the oven until they were nearly black, and they had this sweet, almost nutty taste. @the_brooke, your line about extra seasoning hit home after that. I started letting my grilled cheese get a dark crunch on the bread, and it just tastes better to me now. A little char can turn something simple into a real treat.