How I Taught My Brother To Cook
Improvisational Tuscan-Provençal Cookery (and other good stuff to eat)
How To Watch A TV Cooking Show
There are a multitude of cooking shows out there and they are, in general, all alike. Sure, some are better than others in certain respects but they all follow the same format and that is, "here is what I am going to make and here is how you do it".
My advise, is forget about really what the dish is they're making and watch for tips, shortcuts, techniques and general advice. I am not saying that what they happen to be making that day is not important, but essentially all they are doing is making a basic dish with their own twist or improvisation on it. If they are going for strict authenticity then do the same if that intrigues you but later, play with it to get your own version. This is improvisation.
However, the real importance of these shows is what you can gain by picking their brains. Whether it is a new way (for you) to slice a tomato or bread a pork chop. Watch and listen for tips and techniques. Dig past the glorified "acting", pretentious attitudes or benign worthless drivel and pay attention to the important stuff. Believe me, it's there, sometimes, at least. You just have to watch and listen for it. DISCLAIMER: SOME SHOWS ARE SO BAD YOU PROBABLY CAN'T WATCH LONG ENOUGH TO GLEAN ANYTHING USEFUL FROM IT.
After all, knowledge is power and every dish, even if named the same, is an improvisation of the same, it's just now, it has your signature.
My advise, is forget about really what the dish is they're making and watch for tips, shortcuts, techniques and general advice. I am not saying that what they happen to be making that day is not important, but essentially all they are doing is making a basic dish with their own twist or improvisation on it. If they are going for strict authenticity then do the same if that intrigues you but later, play with it to get your own version. This is improvisation.
However, the real importance of these shows is what you can gain by picking their brains. Whether it is a new way (for you) to slice a tomato or bread a pork chop. Watch and listen for tips and techniques. Dig past the glorified "acting", pretentious attitudes or benign worthless drivel and pay attention to the important stuff. Believe me, it's there, sometimes, at least. You just have to watch and listen for it. DISCLAIMER: SOME SHOWS ARE SO BAD YOU PROBABLY CAN'T WATCH LONG ENOUGH TO GLEAN ANYTHING USEFUL FROM IT.
After all, knowledge is power and every dish, even if named the same, is an improvisation of the same, it's just now, it has your signature.
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Comment by John Barrows on November 8, 2009 at 2:42pm - Great advice! And the shows with the best cleavage are especially noteworthy.
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Comment by Patrick on November 9, 2009 at 4:23am - Of course you are referring to the use of cleavers in the kitchen regarding their use, handling and safety.
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Comment by John Barrows on November 9, 2009 at 5:36am
- But of course!
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Comment by Debbie on November 9, 2009 at 4:29pm
- PIGS!
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Comment by Patrick on November 10, 2009 at 3:17am
- What? I didn't do anything. It's Johnny, I tell 'ya!. He's an instigator.
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Comment by John Barrows on November 10, 2009 at 7:23pm
- my commentary was critical of all the "celebrity chefs" who must wear a v-neck cashmere sweater exposing their cleavage on the cover of their cookbooks. that's what it's come to ..........
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- UGH! and have you noticed (I am sure you have) that these "Chefs/cooks" do not even wear aprons! What is with that? The prima donna's!
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Yeah, boy! Go get'emm Mahatma Johnny Gandhi.
LOOK JOHNNY!!!!!..................TOAST POINTS!!!!
Actually, Laura has a good idea here. Instead of using the typical dough for a calzone, the puff pastry would probably work very well. I think I will do a little experimenting. Of course, puff pastry does not want to become part of you DAILY diet ...
ah, yes - duck fat!
We ate our last one two weeks ago (that we brought back from Paris last year).
I know its a little early for it but I couldn't resist !
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Ah potatoes ! what a story ! and so many ways to cook them.
When I cook "pommes de terre sarladaises" (named from Sarlat in the Périgord) I Boil them first and then I put potatoes slices in a pan to make them brown with parsley, garlic, salt, pepp...
Brian : congratulations ! Any dough you used, your baguettes are very beautifull.
The crust has to be crispy but not thick, with a nice honey brown color !
As you know guys, I make my bread and don't buy it anymore for several months now. I use th...
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No, the term "Injun" is not a racial slur. The English wire-jawed rulers of India pronounced the word "Indian" as "Injun".
Indian cooking (in this case vegetarian cuisine of the south) is a great example of a regional cuisine, and the simplicity ...
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Yes, the standard baguette has a very hard, crusty crust that your have to work hard to break off a piece. But the inside is very light. I was assuming you'd used the no-knead. I have baked baguettes using the no-knead, and they come out great. Ke...
Or ... we could just go there and find out for ourselves.
Again, one must grow their own or raise their own to avoid the less than desirable stuff. The food industry is too powerful, who lobby to politicians, and in the end win while everyone else loses. Same scenario whether its food or shoe laces.
We ...
You could add cheese if you wanted but all I was trying to do here was make the standard fried potatoes & onions by baking instead.
You could cover the dough instead of using the ice water. Also, I am not so sure that a French baguette has a thick crust anyway. I tend to think that it does not. We'll have to wait until the French Connection checks in.
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