Alton Brown

Clever am I.  Clever I am. Okay, well maybe just this once. 

For the first time I can recall I actually “called” the final four on a realtiy show - right from the start.  On the Food Network’s delectable show, The Next Food Network Star, I picked what I thought would be the final four on the first episode.  As the season went along, I grew even more sure of my picks.  The thing was, until  last night, I couldn’t figure out who the top three would be after that.  

Lovely Lisa and Adam been my favorites since day 1.  They have a cool kind of chemistry. I could see them going head to head in some sort of a Food TV series. I wouldn’t miss an episode. Love them.

I like that Adam’s kind of in his own little world. As someone who, long ago, bought similar real estate, I know where he’s coming from. When the judges commented that he didn’t even look at the reporter during the Throwdown challenge, I thought it was all over but the crying. I told my cat, “He’s cooking!” But as she pointed out, to be a Food Network Star, you have to cook and socialize.

She’s always right.

I also sweated when Paula called out Lisa’s Mac and Cheese. If there’s something we southerners know, it’s Mac and Cheese - so if Paula didn’t like it, my girl Lisa must’ve made some crummy stuff. Sigh. Lisa rebounded nicely, though, and I’m sure the next time she meets Macaroni and Cheese in the kitchen, she’ll whip it into shape.

She’s just so fresh, unique, and fun to watch She also has a wealth of knowledge about food and cooking.  I honestly could never get tired of watching her.  The only thing is, right down to the Dora the Explorer haircut and mischievous eyebrows, she reminds me of a little girl I used to babysit years ago.  Unlike Lisa, though, I quickly got tired of watching her!  M-E-A-N.  Adorable, beautiful little girl - looked like an angel.  But… M-E-A-N. One time her grandmother (who I loved) brought her over and she had her in the cutest little yellow raincoat. She had on little orange duck boots and was carrying a little brown teddy bear. I thought, “She’s one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen. Awwww.” Then when the grandmother left, down went the bear, off came the raincoat and out came the mean. The awwww gave way to auggghhh. M-E-A-N.

I think Bobby Flay is perfect for this type of show.  He’s better with the contestants and in front of the camera than most reality show hosts on network television.  Also, how great is Susie Fogelson?! She should spend a lot more time in front of cameras than behind them or off to the side. She’s brilliant and has a fantastic personality and camera presence. The same can be said for Bob Tuschman. The three of them are what make this series so addictive.

Anyway, this has been an especially great season.  It helps when you have a couple of favorites.  Like Season 2 with Guy - My pick went all the way and look at him now.  Mr. Big Shot on Food TV with two shows.  He’s proven to be as big a spark as we all knew he would be.  When you combine a great personality with a big ol’ dose of individuality and good old fashioned know how, you usually come up a winner.

Speaking of winners, there are other chefs I never tire of watching.  A few of them are serving up great shows, themselves, today.  Check your local listings for the times, of course… just don’t miss the episodes below.

Emeril Live (remember, he’s doing his thing, via reruns, in the afternoon now): On an episode titled Southern Comfort, Emeril will be making - Pan-Fried Catfish Fingers with Lemony Tartar Sauce and Hushpuppies, Sweet Potato Pie, Country Fried Steak with White Gravy, and Sylvia’s Red Velvet Cake. I’m dying a little, here.

Tyler’s Ultimate - On “Ultimate Meatloaf,” Tyler’s making Meatloaf with Tomato Relish, Velvety Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Almonds. How extra incredible does Meatloaf with Tomato Relish sound?

Good Eats - Alton has two shows that can’t be missed tonight. Overachiever, much? The first one is all about meatballs and features Swedish Meatballs. The second one is all about dips (Guacamole, Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip, and an Onion Dip from Scratch). I only listed three of the dips he’ll make because the fourth one’s, brace yourself, Chicken Liver Mousse. I didn’t want to list it amongst the other three because, frankly, they didn’t do anything to deserve that.

Never. That’s when I’ll eat something with liver in the title. The fourth of Never. That’s when I’ll make something that would involve me looking at, smelling, or getting anywhere near liver.

We’ve got to end this on a good note, and since liver doesn’t know any good notes, I’d better tell you about one of the other “Can’t Miss” episodes today/tonight. I saved this one for last because of the whole “Joi’s obsessed with Buttermilk” thing.  On today’s Barefoot Contessa (the episode’s titled “Lunch for the Boys”) , she’ll make Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes. As if that wouldn’t justify a stand alone episode, she’s also making a Brownie Tart, Brussels Sprouts Lardons, and Individual Meatloaves. Make no mistake about it, though the star of the show’s the Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes.

Food Tv.com (a.k.a. Food Network.com) has a delicious section filled with the most amazing Memorial Day recipes you could hope for.  But don’t take my foodaholic word for it, see for yourself.   Be warned, though, if you’re on a tight grocery budget (Aren’t we all these days?), you’ll be extremely tempted to throw the budget out the door.  I honestly want to make about 20 different recipes right now!

My printer’s trying to catch its breath and my own budget’s scratching its head, wondering if it ever really had a chance.  To answer its question, “No.  Not really.”

Some of the recipes you’ll want to seek out first:

Corn, Avocado, and Tomato Salad

Coconut Lime Pudding Cake

Grilled Bread

Summer Pudding

Blackberry Lemonade

Blueberry Lemonade

Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Grilled Mushroom Vinaigrette

Zesty Grilled Tilapia

Crab Cake Burgers

Mini Chipotle Burgers with Fire-Roasted Garlic Ketchup (!!!!!)

Mini Chipotle Burgers with Fire-Roasted Garlic Ketchup.  I just had to fixate on it a little longer.

There are a few episodes and recipes that can only be called CAN’T MISS on today’s Food Network. I won’t be able to be pried away from the set during the following shows for the following reasons!

A.M

Boy Meets Grill (Bobby Flay) - Green Rice (Ingredients include: chicken broth or water, roasted poblano peppers, stems, 1 roasted jalapeno pepper, cilantro, Kosher salt, vegetable oil, 1 Spanish onion, 4 garlic cloves, peeled and 1-1/4 cups long-grain rice.)

P.M.

Tyler’s Ultimate - Roast Turkey, Avocado and Bacon Sandwich (Ingredients include: thyme, tarragon, unsalted butter, turkey breast, Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, bread, fontina cheese, avocado, lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, maple bacon, lettuce, and butter.)

Good Eats - French Toast (Alton begins with a custard mixture of half-and-half, eggs, and honey - I’m already drooling!)

A Food Network show I’ve fallen hard for is Ultimate Recipe Showdown - great stuff. Tonight’s episode (after back to back Good Eats - always fun!) will focus on Cookie Recipes….also always fun! See the sidebar to the left for the cookies that’ll be made. I’ll be getting all kinds of familiar with the Pineapple Cheesecake Bar and Radical Rob’s Chocolate Chip Cookies recipes soon. I’ll let you know how great they are.

Today’s Food Network line-up makes my Kentuckian heart skip a couple thousand beats. Yeah, that good.

First of all, early this morning on Boy Meets Grill, Fried Chicken is the star of the show. Sign me up for any show where Fried Chicken’s center stage!

On Everyday Italian (the 4:30 pm episode), Giada will make pancakes with ricotta. I love pancakes almost as much as fried chicken, so I’m completely on board for that. Also, I love cooking with ricotta - whether it’s lasagna, manicotti, or stuffed pasta shells…it’s one of the most agreeable cheeses in the world. I can’t wait to see how she uses it with pancakes!

Immediately after this Everyday Italian, the Barefoot Contessa has an amazing sounding episode featuring Mac and Cheese, Peach Raspberry Shortcakes, and Radishes with Butter and Salt. Talk about beckoning to Spring.

As if that weren’t enough, Rachael Ray is even dedicating one of her 30 Minute Meals episodes to Bluegrass Burgers today. She’ll be making Kentucky Burgoo Burgers and Southern Succotash and Julip Sweet Tea. On the 30 Minute Meals right after the Kentucky one, she’ll feature Mac and Jack Salad and BBQ Chicken Burgers with Slaw - in her own words, “Yum-o!”

On Throwdown with Bobby Flay there’ll be more…. (wait for it, wait for it)…. Fried Chicken! The recipes will be Hattie’s Southern Fried Chicken, Fried Chicken with Ancho Honey, and Sauteed Swiss Chard with Red Onion and Serrano Chile Vinegar.

The 11:00 Good Eats ALSO features Fried Chicken! In between Bobby and Alton are my much-beloved and anticipated Ace of Cakes episodes. This is one of the most entertaining and enjoyable shows on the Food Network, I just wish there was a new episode every night. These lovable and talented people are the most entertaining people on television.

Great day on the Food Network - don’t miss a minute!

You’ve officially bought your last plactic container of icing, right?! Right??? Maybe?

I’ll settle for maybe.

The recipes below could wipe out the entire “prepared frosting” industry. They’re just about as easy to pull off as opening a lid. But the taste, that’s where the real incentive lies. You simply can’t buy icing as good as the kind you can make.

I think it’s a law or something.

Decorator Icing
2 boxes (0r small bags) powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 cup water
1-1/3 cups shortening
1 tsp vanilla

Cream the shortening with sifted sugar. Add the water and vainlla and blend well. Add food color, if desired.

Whatever you don’t use actually freezes very nicely. Make a note, if the Icing recipe calls for “shortening,” it’s going to be just this side of Heaven. If you’re icing sugar cookies (which kicks them up to a whole new level of YUM), using an icing recipe that calls for shortening is the only way to go.

Caramel Icing
1 cup buttermilk (whoot whoot!)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 Tbs. vanilla

Combine all of the above and cook to a soft ball stage (238 degrees). Beat until creamy and dreamy after it’s cooled.

If the icing is too thick to spread on your cake, you can thin the icing with a little cream. That or toss the cake out the door and glob the thick caramel icing on top of vanilla ice cream, toss on some chopped pecans and have yourself a merry little moment.

Chocolate Icing
2 cups sugar
2 sticks butter
1 small can evaporated milk
7 Tbs cocoa

Combine all of the ingredients in a pan. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Cool, then spread over a two layer cake (or cupckaes, or a large rectangular cake or bundt…)

Another Delicious Icing that Calls for Shortening
1/2 cup shortening
1 lb confectioner’s sugar, sifted
1/4 cup water
dash of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Place the shortening into a large mixing bowl and blend briefly. Sift in the powdered sugar. Mix. While mixing, gradually add the water and flavoring. Introduce them slowly - not all at once. I’m sure Alton Brown could explain the specifics more scientifically (and I wish he would, I’m curious) - but suffice to say, adding it all at once makes a saggy, baggy, nasty little icing that you wouldn’t want to serve to anyone.

No, not even her.

The title of this post would have been more effective if it had been Emeril Goes Completely Nuts, Paula Deen Goes Completely Nuts, Bobbly Flay….etc. But, when you read “Alton Brown Goes Completely Nuts,” you just think, Well, of course he does.

But since Alton’s the one having one of the best-sounding episodes imaginable to a nut love like me, he gets the title, the post, the praise, and the culinary cyber love.

The late night Good Eats episode, called Peanut Gallery, will feature the following recipes (if you’re as big a nut for nuts as I am, you might want to hold on to something): Boiled Peanuts, Boiled Peanut Soup, Roasted Peanuts, Homemade Peanut Butter, and Peanut Butter Pie. My ***peanut butter and jelly wheat roll-up and I will be there!

***One of my favorite recipes from The Biggest Loser Cookbook is the PB & J Spirals. You spread reduced-fat PB and Strawberry all-fruit spread (or any flavor) onto a skillet-warmed wheat tortilla. Then you roll them into tubes and slice into 8 equal pieces.

I’m going to experiment with PB, honey, and bananas as another alternative. I’ll call them Elivs’ Rock and Roll-Ups. Thank you, thank you very much.

I had several things all bouncing around in my head, so I needed a place to dump them out - you know, make room for new stuff!

I’ve been wanting to tell you for over a week that you really should check out the new Dawn Simple Pleasures dishwashing liquid. It’s the same great Dawn detergent (the superhero to a greasy pot’s villain), but it’s in a sassy little bottle that serves as an air freshener. I love it!

I’ve tried the Lemon and Tangerine one, so far - with my eyes on the blue one. I’m hoping they come out with a version for the Dawn Botanical’s Jasmine & Lavender - my favorite. Ooooh la la!

(Did I just Ooooh la la a dishwashing liquid? Someone spends a little too much time in the kitchen.)

The lemon/tangerine one was amazing, though. It had an uplifting quality to it - very spirited. The bottles are a little more costly than the other Dawns, but not much. Besides, they’re worth it. If you’re anything like me, you’re all about a great aroma. And, just between you and me, after my first bottle ran out, I actually bought a bottle of the cheaper Ultra Dawn and did the whole re-fill trick. The air freshening effects continued strong. BTW, the air freshening comes from little fragrant beads in the bottle of the bottle - encased in a plastic environment. When you get the bottle home, you remove a sticker from the front of the base and one from the back - releasing the great scents!

Next up: The Food Network looks like it’s mixing their daytime/evening programming up a little bit. It looks like there might be a little less Alton, which concerns me like, big time. Hopefully he’ll be back on more on other nights. The good great news is that it looks like they may be putting Tyler Florence into the afternoon mix. I hope so, anyway - he’s one of the best. I guess it would be a really good idea to contact The Food Network and let them know who we love to see, who we like to see, and who we hope to never see again.

Speaking of speaking - as in speaking up - here’s something else I think we should all do more often. We should utilize those little “What did you think?” cards available at restaurants. If we have a great server, great food, and great environment - we should say so. Give credit where credit is due! By the same token, if we have a rude server with an I-couldn’t-care-less-about-you-than-I-do-right-now attitude (like we had last night), we should also let the company know about that. As well as the local manager. If this particular server had JUST been hateful and obnoxioux it would have been bad enough. She also did something that I honestly had never seen before. After she set the salsa and chips on our table, she licked her fingers!

I wanted to say, “Haven’t been at this long, have you?” but for one thing I was afraid she’d sneeze on my food, or worse. For another thing, it’s hard to talk with your jaw on the floor. Since the servers reflect on the entire Restaurant - the restaurant owners WANT to know what kind of ambassadors they have out there. This was a nationally known restaurant chain with a great reputation - The one in our hometown (Owensboro, Kentucky) is one of my favorite places to eat - so we went to one in a nearby town expecting the same thing.

Unfortunately nothing about it was as good - least of all the service. I most definitely have my “What did you think” card, and they’ll soon know!

Before wrapping it up, I’ll go back to a good note (I HATE to end a post on a bad one) - I bought The Biggest Loser Cookbook ( Pictured over there to the right —>>>> ) and it’s amazing. Not only are the recipes completely reasonable and easy to make, they look delicious! There are also a lot of great tips and advice for eating healthy. They also have a Fitness book out as well as a really awesome calorie counting book. They’re next on the list.

BTW, if you’ve never watched The Biggest Loser on NBC, you oughta check it out. Not only does it motivate you to take better care of yourself by eating right and exercising, it’s inspirational to see people overcome so many obstacles and achieve their dreams. After an episode, you feel like you could do just about anything! Plus, it’s downright entertaining on top of all of that.

It’s on tonight, so if you get a chance, drop in on all the colorful, determined, hard-working human inspirations. They’ll be glad to see you and you’ll be even happier that you saw them!

Today’s Food Network Line-up is Summerlicious. All the girls are cooking foods that go as well with summertime as a glass of iced lemonade. Paula’s Lime Shrimp Lettuce Wraps, The Barefoot Contessa’s Guacamole Salad, and Rachael’s Devilish Chili-Cheese Dogs will all get a turn in our kitchen and/or grill.

As a Coconut fanatic, I’m also excited about Alton’s Good Eats Tonight: “Coconut Cake Revival.” He’s set to make a Coconut Cake with 7-Minute Frosting , Coconut Milk and Cream, and Coconut Extract.

Paula’s Home Cooking: “Summertime Favorites” - Lime Shrimp Lettuce Wraps,
Strawberry Shortcake,
Almond Broccoli Salad,
Watermelon Punch

Everyday Italian: “Giada’s Summer Entertaining” - Focaccia Lobster Rolls,
Ice Caffe Latte,
Pecorino Crackers,
Avocado and Papaya Salad

Barefoot Contessa: “Girls That Grill” - Blue Cheese Burgers,
Chocolate and Vanilla Sundaes,
East Hampton Clam Chowder,
Guacamole Salad

Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee: “Summer Show” - Sweet and Spicy Slaw,
21 Burger,
Tapioca Cake,
Blu-tini

30 Minute Meals: “Grilled to Perfection” - Flank Steak Pinwheels,
Toasted Hazelnut and Shredded Carrot Salad

30 Minute Meals: “Endless Summer” - Oil and Vinegar Slaw,
Devilish Chili-Cheese Dogs,
Summer-ish Succotash Salad

Have you caught any of the great grilling shows on the Food Network? There have been some amazing recipes, techniques, and tips. From Bobby Flay to Paula Deen, from Tyler Florence to Emeril, and From Rachael Ray to Alton Brown - they’re masters of the grill as much as the kitchen.

One of the recipes on today’s shows (Paua’s Home Cooking) that caught my eye…or tongue, I guess…is for Lime Chicken and Shrimp Kabobs. How amazing does that sound? I see it in my near future. Rachael Ray, on one of her 30 Minute Meals is also making something that sounds like a winner: Roasted Asparagus Tips. YUM-O, indeed!

Robin Miller - a lesser-known Food TV personality, but as good as any of the super stars - is making several intriguing things on her afternoon show: One is a Quick Fix Avocado Salad and the other is Chai Tea Smoothies. I have an appointment with each.

Not to be out done by the ladies, Bobby Flay (on the Food Network BBQ special tonight) will feature delicious-sounding Green Chile Cheeseburgers. The Green Chile sauce on these guys sounds to die for. (Eat, THEN die for them.)

When I was working on the Food TV scroller (to the right), I noticed a few featured recipes on today that’ll soon be featured in my own kitchen. The beautiful, refreshing-looking drink above is the Pomegranate Breakfast Soda that Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa) will fix on an episode titled, “Bed and Breakfast.” (Click the link for the recipe - it sounds amazing.)

Other recipes from the show are:

• Breakfast Bread Pudding
• Garlic and Herb Tomatoes
• Maple-Roasted Bacon
• Parmesan Black Pepper Crackers

On an episode titled, “Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut,” Alton Brown will make a Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi that I WILL try out before the week’s out. We’ve been trying to eat as much fish lately as possible - so I’ve been trying out different varieties of fish as well as different cooking techniques.

Yesterday I steamed a Haddock as well as a few Flounders - and they were absolutely delicious. I’d never steamed fish before, because I didn’t have much faith in the flavor. Plus I thought they’d fall apart. I was very pleasantly surprised - and my family ate them as fast as they do fried fish. I was worried about the kids - but they went back for seconds and thirds….always a good sign!

I only used a little salt and some Lemon Pepper for seasoning, because I didn’t want the fish to have to compete with anything. I served it alongside some brown rice that I added crushed almonds to and some great hushpuppies. Brown rice has a unique flavor that, in my own opinion, benefits from the addition of almonds. Left to itself….well, I’m not that in love with the flavor! But, add some almonds and it’s perfectly amazing.

$40 a Day will be on pretty late tonight, but it’s worth staying up for. It’s the Cape Cod episode with the highlight being delicious-looking Stuffed French Toast. I have to try this one out. When I make Stuffed French Toast, I use softened cream cheese, whereas this recipe uses ricotta. I’m anxious to see how that tastes. It alongside the Pomegranate Breakfast Soda….and coffee, let’s not even pretend it isn’t the star of the show….sound like a little bit of heaven to me.