What I have been up to…
I have been enjoying some treats along the way during my recent travels …
Cabernet Grapes from Howell Mountain
Miyagi Oyster, Wasabi Pop-Rocks
Sustainablity
Here is my next subject…
Sustainablilty. Seasonality. Renewability. Well, that’s 3 subjects really, but it is a serious subject that I have really focused on in my cooking. One thing I realize is that what’s in season for one place may not be in season for another. It is interesting that what I find in my markets, might not hit the other side of the nation’s markets for a few more weeks or even months. I am in a search of the answers to the many questions I have and I want to share my searches with you.
This is heavy stuff. But, I am bothered by not having the answers of food controversies. I think the first place to start is to begin to understand how the global food system really works. I have vowed to myself to understand and make sense of it. I began by joining the Food Alliance.
Stay tuned for information as I begin my quest.
C
No Knead Bread!!!
If you can recall, there is a limited amount of bread and pastry making on Top Chef. It is not that we do not enjoy eating, using, and cooking them of course. Quite honestly, there isn’t really time to bake bread. But, of course, I serve it in my restaurant. I LOVE bread. The biggest problem I see with baking bread at home is the kneading, the proofing, the waiting. I like the idea of wanting fresh baked bread and actually getting to eat it in the next couple of hours. …Read on…
Old Family Recipes
Is it me? Or did this past week’s show play a love/hate role with me? I was on the edge of my seat and I know what happens! At the end, I couldn’t tell what in the hell was about to transpire. The chef’s families commenting and the judges in love with everything as if they were at a war time peace rally- or better yet, Woodstock! The chef’s have come a long way, and they are actually looking pretty good mentally healthy and ready for anything. Too much love and not enough competing! Though I am proud of the way they support one another and want each other to succeed. That is the way I would want it to be if I were still in the competition. But, secretly, aren’t you waiting for that very moment when one of them is going to snap?? …Read on…
Target! My Favorite!
Okay, first of all, let me begin by saying that IF I had known that we would be 1) baking cookies for Sesame Street favs and 2)going on a shopping spree at Target..! I would have tried a little harder on Top Chef! I would have grown the food I was making to win! Are you KIDDING ME!? The one question I do have, is how did Cookie Monster know that Carla’s chocolate cookies were dry? I know that you know and we ALL know, there is a hand up Cookie Monster’s a$$. Did that person get to judge the cookie? …Read on…