One of the things I love about cooking is being able to listen to music while I cook. In the last month I have been doing a lot of comfort food. Braised lamb shank, veal shank, lasagna, and soups. I find when I have big cooking days where I am in the kitchen all day I like to listen to upbeat music. Recently I have been listening to an Irish band by the name of the Rumjacks. Do you find the kind of food that you are making influences your choice of music you listen to on the kitchen? Or do you prefer to cook with out any additional stimulus?
I've been catching up on some shows on the telly and one of them I've discovered is Lie To Me. In it he plays a behavioral scientist and has this absolute love of beans on toast.
Can someone explain this to me? If there's one of my blind spots, it's been beans. Never really cooked them, and the only times I ever use them they come out of a can and get dropped into my chili. Yes, I know there's no beans in chili, I like them with kidney beans or pinto beans.
So, baked beans. What do I need to know about them?
I don’t usually get my ingredients directly from a farm.. unless you count my small balcony :)
What I’ve noticed from supermarket (but distinctly fresh) ingredients is that the quality can make a world of difference.
For example, fresh young carrots taste sweet, with the inherent bitterness at a much lower level. First impression is sweet carrot flavor & not bitterness.
In his reply to a post's request, I read Chef Jacob mention something about being "sold out until after New Years," and his not being able to dedicate anytime to respond due to higher priority responsibilities. I always notice his wedding band, and it makes me feel... well, it elicits a myriad of mixed emotions (not about him - about work & relationships).
...the aforementioned viewing triggered some thoughts.
A lot of people have been requesting that all the videos be made available through iTunes. Well, here you go! Just had to get some server issues taken care of since the Knife Skills series hit number one in food when it was released and I got hit with a $800+ hosting bill. Now that it's all squared away, feel free to download to your hearts content. If you have the time, I would also appreciate an iTunes review; let's see if we can't get one of these videos to the number one spot.
All this talk about imperial and metric measurements reminds me of a story. So sit back, grab something to drink and let me tell you about the imperial pudding and cups affair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXki2s0E_HM
Ok, so it's a bit of civic pride here, but thought I'd share with you all the environment that surrounds me.
While I've got the time, I just wanted take the opportunity to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a gourmet new year. I have about ten members of my family coming down from Sydney to spend Christmas, New Year, and beyond with me (can't wait) so I'm gonna be flat out like a lizard drinking (means busy).
My best wishes you all,
Brian.
"Craft. It doesn't arrive on your doorstep, wrapped neatly, or bubblewrap protected. It doesn't arrive. Ever."
Chef Shuna Lydon wrote those words a few days ago. She is someone I very much admire and respect. More than a chef, she is in it for the cause, and believes to her core in what we do. Cook. Create. Nourish. Guide. Teach.
Maybe it's just me but I can't seem to find a link to the account message box anywhere.