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April 07 Cooking Up the Weekend
TGIF!
Okay, it's the weekend but I have to work tomorrow so I probably won't be cooking as much as I would like to be but I am thinking I will still work something in.
I started cooking when I was putting myself through college. At least the college I got through! I worked in catering after that for a few years and the bug has stayed with me. I love to cook and I love to entertain, it's relaxing and satisfying! I am an avid reader of cookbooks and I love to watch SOME of the cooks on the Food Network. The Celebrity Chef craze has been interesting to watch. I flat DO NOT like the sell-out of some of the chefs but overall, I think the craze has been good for the industry. Here are some of my favorites:
Tony offers a special insite into the kitchen. It's real. No bullshit. I have seen many, many of the same things myself in the kitchen and he is right, if you are a woman in a kitchen, you are either tough as nails or half crazy. I am still undecided which I am. Tony's books and TV shows are funny, smart-assed, intelligent and sometimes completely without class. Hey, the kitchen environment doesn't require class. It does require talent and a hell of a work ethic. Tony has both.
Ina is like a down-to-earth, gracious Martha Stewart. Someone you could actually see yourself being friends with and I would love to go to her house and spend the day cooking and drinking wine She is also known by her show's name The Barefoot Contessa. Her cookbooks are easy to read, full of lovely, tasty recipes and her shows are wonderful. Her recipe for Macaroni and Cheese is awesome.
Along the same lines as Ina, Paula is like your next door neighbor. You know the one who always has a second to chat and fresh brewed tea, garnished with a bit of mint and lemon with warm cinnamon scones ready? Paula's recipes are not for the health conscious but they are unbelievably rich and full of flavor. Her show is easy to follow and I always end up with a smile on my face watching her make food she clearly enjoys making and tasting!
Alton is a chemist as much as a chef. Literally. Talk about educational-you can learn a lot in a short period of time but with his humor sprinkled in, you find yourself laughing through the lesson! It's important to know the chemistry behind great food, especially in baking. He seems to truly appreciate food, from the most simple to the extravagant. If you are a beginner, he is a great teacher and his quirky ways will have you itching to cook in no time! Although I have heard critisism for Jamie's lax ways in the kitchen, I appreciate the his loose style. Jamie's show was brilliant and I learned that pairing just a few quality, fresh ingrediants makes a fabulous meal. His recipes are different, always with a European flair but adaptable. He's not hard on the eyes, either!
If you think you can't cook or that it seems intimidating....try something simple like Ina's Shrimp and Pasta with Lime. Start to finish in 30 minutes! Cooking really is that fast and that easy!!
Good Luck! |
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