"Oh heavens no..."
One of my favorite shows is The Simpsons, long may it reign on Sunday nights, and one of my very favorite episodes involved Bart sitting with Mrs. Skinner after he's done a chore for her and is waiting to be paid. I think she pays him in ribbon candy. Anyway, she's showing him an album of photos of cakes that she's cut out of magazines and cookbooks. He asks her if she ever ate any of those cakes and she replies, "Oh heavens no..."
This is a long way of saying that I loooooove reading recipes in magazines, cookbooks, newspapers, and online but I never make any of them. I love pictures too, especially when the cooks show the ingredients and steps they take, not merely the finished product. I love watching cooking shows on television, especially PBS which has loads of old Julia Child-Jacques Pepin episodes. I love travel shows that involve cooking like Anthony Bourdain and Man Vs. Food. I love Gordon Ramsay's shows like Kitchen Nightmares (the British version is best) and Hell's Kitchen and I love reading restaurant reviews, even for places in cities and countries I will never visit. Ever. In my life.
But I rarely make anything more sophisticated than pasta with vegetables. I don't eat meat or cream sauces or dessert. And most nights of the week, I have a salad because I get home from class very late and don't want anything heavy before bed.
So why on earth am I a voyeur when it comes to food? I don't know. But here is a link to one of my very favorite recipe blogs, Smitten Kitchen. I actually did use a recipe from this site, a muffin recipe, I believe, and they came out great. Love the pictures, too.
Showing posts with label chef ramsay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chef ramsay. Show all posts
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Friday, November 14, 2008
Random Thoughts on a Friday
4 Cool Things and 1 Sad Thing
1. Talk Thing - Tomorrow I'll be giving a presentation to the National Writers Association Los Angeles Chapter in Burbank. I call it "Just Finish It!" because that's the number one piece of advice I have for writers. It's at Mo's Restaurant on Riverside Drive at 9:30A, if anyone is interested.
2. Read Thing - On Sunday, I heard Sasha Watson read from her brand new book, Vidalia in Paris (how awesome are books with V-named main characters???). I'm so psyched to read it! Here is a photo of me with Sasha and YA authors Paula Yoo and Michael Reisman, taken by HH with Paula's way cool camera.
3. Watch Thing - HH and I have been enamored of Chef Ramsay since we first saw the British version of his "Kitchen Nightmares" show. Now in its second vitriolic yet altruistic season, we still love it. And him.
4. See Thing - San Francisco Ballet is performing in LA this weekend. They are gorgeous! I saw them do "Don Q" years ago and it was unforgettable. I love that they are a very diverse company (i.e. not everyone is skinny and pale).
And now...
1. Sad Thing - Michael Crichton passed away at the age of 66 on November 9. Prolific author of so many amazing books, creator of one of the longest-running dramas on television, a screenwriter and director, software company owner, and oh yeah, a doctor, Crichton packed SO MUCH into his life. I can only hope to achieve a tiny amount of his success and I will consider myself successful.
1. Talk Thing - Tomorrow I'll be giving a presentation to the National Writers Association Los Angeles Chapter in Burbank. I call it "Just Finish It!" because that's the number one piece of advice I have for writers. It's at Mo's Restaurant on Riverside Drive at 9:30A, if anyone is interested.
2. Read Thing - On Sunday, I heard Sasha Watson read from her brand new book, Vidalia in Paris (how awesome are books with V-named main characters???). I'm so psyched to read it! Here is a photo of me with Sasha and YA authors Paula Yoo and Michael Reisman, taken by HH with Paula's way cool camera.
3. Watch Thing - HH and I have been enamored of Chef Ramsay since we first saw the British version of his "Kitchen Nightmares" show. Now in its second vitriolic yet altruistic season, we still love it. And him.
4. See Thing - San Francisco Ballet is performing in LA this weekend. They are gorgeous! I saw them do "Don Q" years ago and it was unforgettable. I love that they are a very diverse company (i.e. not everyone is skinny and pale).
And now...
1. Sad Thing - Michael Crichton passed away at the age of 66 on November 9. Prolific author of so many amazing books, creator of one of the longest-running dramas on television, a screenwriter and director, software company owner, and oh yeah, a doctor, Crichton packed SO MUCH into his life. I can only hope to achieve a tiny amount of his success and I will consider myself successful.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Time out for reality
Television, that is, not my own reality which tends to be a lot less interesting.
Did anyone but me and HH follow Hell's Kitchen this season? At first I have to admit I didn't like many of the contestants. They were shallow and petty and just not likable. The youngest of them seemed too inexperienced to run a kitchen, too arrogant to learn from those who were experienced and did I mention, just not likable?
As the season wore on and chefs were cut and cut and cut (and burned a few times), I began to like at least one of them: Petrozza. He learned as he went along, took in the criticism and got better, was a genuinely kind person who wanted the best from people, and never sabotaged anyone else. He was also very sloppy and kept a dirty station which Chef Ramsay hated but even Gordo recognized his skills as a chef.
I was thrilled he was a finalist. He completely deserved the honor. He was also 47.
On the other end of the spectrum was Christina. Very young, very arrogant, very opinionated and very shrill. The one thing she had going for her was that she was a consistently good cook. From the get-go, she was simply the best cook of the contestants. But I wouldn't trust her as far as I could throw her and her filet mignons. No, sir, not me. And I would absolutely hate working under her. Who would want to hear that squeaky, whiny voice yelling every moment of the day? No, thanks.
I was not as happy for her that she was a finalist. I didn't think she deserved the honor. She was 25.
So who wins? Of course, the young 'un wins cuz Ramsay thinks she has more potential.
Those of us who are getting older want to believe we all have potential regardless of our ages.
Let's take this big picture. Let's look at the Presidential election. Perhaps Barack Obama, being young and full of potential, will beat out John McCain, the elder statesman who isn't as in touch with the American public.
In this case, yes, I will take the young 'un over the old guy. Absolutely.
Did anyone but me and HH follow Hell's Kitchen this season? At first I have to admit I didn't like many of the contestants. They were shallow and petty and just not likable. The youngest of them seemed too inexperienced to run a kitchen, too arrogant to learn from those who were experienced and did I mention, just not likable?
As the season wore on and chefs were cut and cut and cut (and burned a few times), I began to like at least one of them: Petrozza. He learned as he went along, took in the criticism and got better, was a genuinely kind person who wanted the best from people, and never sabotaged anyone else. He was also very sloppy and kept a dirty station which Chef Ramsay hated but even Gordo recognized his skills as a chef.
I was thrilled he was a finalist. He completely deserved the honor. He was also 47.
On the other end of the spectrum was Christina. Very young, very arrogant, very opinionated and very shrill. The one thing she had going for her was that she was a consistently good cook. From the get-go, she was simply the best cook of the contestants. But I wouldn't trust her as far as I could throw her and her filet mignons. No, sir, not me. And I would absolutely hate working under her. Who would want to hear that squeaky, whiny voice yelling every moment of the day? No, thanks.
I was not as happy for her that she was a finalist. I didn't think she deserved the honor. She was 25.
So who wins? Of course, the young 'un wins cuz Ramsay thinks she has more potential.
Those of us who are getting older want to believe we all have potential regardless of our ages.
Let's take this big picture. Let's look at the Presidential election. Perhaps Barack Obama, being young and full of potential, will beat out John McCain, the elder statesman who isn't as in touch with the American public.
In this case, yes, I will take the young 'un over the old guy. Absolutely.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
An Idol 3-Fer
Have I already declared that David Cook truly rules Idol?
I know, I know: David Archuleta has long been anointed as The Chosen One but after last night, I think I figured out why I prefer Cook. Archuleta, as perfect as he is, as adorable as he is, is predictable. We know he will do well on every song he sings. We know he will look into the camera at just the right moment. We know the pit grrrls will scream and wave their arms whenever he looks their way. There is no element of surprise.
On the other hand, David C could do anything with any song. Like the Roberta Flack song last night...he started singing a la Flack, beautiful notes, nice and slow, and then rocked it out. He showed us, yes, he can sing a song the way you expect but then wham! Turn it around and show us what it could be. That's the unpredictability that I love about him. That's why I will buy his first album, sans Idolettes.
As for Syesha, I appreciate her talent and her beauty. But last night was not her trying to win Idol. Last night was her audition for a Broadway show. C'mon, "Fever"? That is not the song you pick when you know who the voting demographic is. The people voting are not gonna like a vampy lounge act. And especially when it's not even sung that well. Sorry, Syesha. She knows she's not winning which is why she completely ignored the voting blocs and sang for the producers who are casting their next shows.
No need to play crystal ball today. Syesha is definitely headed home and the final showdown will be between the two Davids.
Bonus Round **HK spoilers!!**
Okay, how happy was I to see Ben get chucked off Hell's Kitchen last night? That was an awesome episode! From the "palate-testing" contest (yay, Mattie, showing your chops!!) to the manipulative Survivor-like behavior Ben attempted to rope his buddies into, this was an all around excellent show. I was so glad to see Ben exposed for exactly what Matt said he was: a bully who was looking to scapegoat. Once Matt was gone, Ben turned to Louross to be the next to suffer. I appreciated seeing Petrozza be a mature good guy and refuse to play into Ben's hands. As for next week...I predict Christina will be the one to go to the men's team. Matt will definitely not go and Corey seems determined to remain where she is, leaving Jen, Rosann and Christina and since we already know Christina feels like Corey and Jen are out to get her, she may just take this opportunity to move to a new team. Whoo-hoo! Can't wait!
I know, I know: David Archuleta has long been anointed as The Chosen One but after last night, I think I figured out why I prefer Cook. Archuleta, as perfect as he is, as adorable as he is, is predictable. We know he will do well on every song he sings. We know he will look into the camera at just the right moment. We know the pit grrrls will scream and wave their arms whenever he looks their way. There is no element of surprise.
On the other hand, David C could do anything with any song. Like the Roberta Flack song last night...he started singing a la Flack, beautiful notes, nice and slow, and then rocked it out. He showed us, yes, he can sing a song the way you expect but then wham! Turn it around and show us what it could be. That's the unpredictability that I love about him. That's why I will buy his first album, sans Idolettes.
As for Syesha, I appreciate her talent and her beauty. But last night was not her trying to win Idol. Last night was her audition for a Broadway show. C'mon, "Fever"? That is not the song you pick when you know who the voting demographic is. The people voting are not gonna like a vampy lounge act. And especially when it's not even sung that well. Sorry, Syesha. She knows she's not winning which is why she completely ignored the voting blocs and sang for the producers who are casting their next shows.
No need to play crystal ball today. Syesha is definitely headed home and the final showdown will be between the two Davids.
Bonus Round **HK spoilers!!**
Okay, how happy was I to see Ben get chucked off Hell's Kitchen last night? That was an awesome episode! From the "palate-testing" contest (yay, Mattie, showing your chops!!) to the manipulative Survivor-like behavior Ben attempted to rope his buddies into, this was an all around excellent show. I was so glad to see Ben exposed for exactly what Matt said he was: a bully who was looking to scapegoat. Once Matt was gone, Ben turned to Louross to be the next to suffer. I appreciated seeing Petrozza be a mature good guy and refuse to play into Ben's hands. As for next week...I predict Christina will be the one to go to the men's team. Matt will definitely not go and Corey seems determined to remain where she is, leaving Jen, Rosann and Christina and since we already know Christina feels like Corey and Jen are out to get her, she may just take this opportunity to move to a new team. Whoo-hoo! Can't wait!
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