Tyler Florence

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.

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.

This morning’s Food 911 is one for the books…and table. The episode’s titled, “Soul Food Praises” and I’m sure you’ll agree, it sounds VERY Praise-worthy.

First of all there’s the Fried Chicken Recipe:

Ingredients
1 (3 to 4 pound) chicken, cut up into 10 pieces
Kosher salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons sweet paprika
2 teaspoons cayenne
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons hot chili sauce, such as Srirachi Hot Chili Sauce
Peanut oil, for frying

Click HERE for Tyler’s Fried Chicken Recipe.

Then, there’s the Macaroni and Cheese:

Ingredients
4 cups (1 pound) elbow macaroni
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cups milk
1/2 medium onion, stuck with 1 clove
4 cloves garlic
1 bay leaf
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1 teaspoon dry mustard
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups grated Cheddar, plus 1 cup in big chunks
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Click HERE for Tyler’s Macaroni and Cheese Recipe.

Finally, he’ll make Green Beans Slow-Cooked with Bacon and Onions.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 to 6 slices bacon, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
3 pounds fresh green beans
2 quarts chicken stock or water
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Click HERE for the Green Beans Slow-Cooked with Bacon and Onions Recipe.

I always try to catch Tyler’s show in the morning on Food Network (whether it’s Tyler’s Ultimate or Food 911)- if I’m not home, I record it. He’s one of my favorites, personality-wise, and his recipes are completely do-able and perfectly delicious. I wish the Food Network would work him into the evening’s line-up….like in place of the grouch with his Dinner Impossible! To be fair, I’ve only seen the episode twice but the man strikes me as a cross (literally) between Simon Cowel and Oscar the Grouch. He seems ridiculously out of place in a lineup with Emeril, Rachael, Paula, and Alton.

I’d yank him right out of there and plug Tyler in. I also miss the original Iron Chef. I love America’s Iron Chef, of course, but I do wish the original aired late at night like it used to. Little do they know what a kick in the gown I got out of listening for the secret ingredient or watching him pull the cloth off as he yelled something that sounded like “CRRRISSSP!” Oh, yeah, I dug it deeply.

Speaking of Iron Chef, I have a book review I’ll be adding about an Iron Chef favorites new Cookbook. I have it typed in and ready to roll, I just have to add a picture to the post - you know, get it from the digital camera into the computer, then into the post. It’s proving difficult to do since the Digital Camera’s pulling a no show!

I’ll put one of my daughter’s on the scent - she can find a digital camera two counties away….like a cat with salmon or me with coffee. That camera is as good as found!

Buttermilk Press Store!

Jamie Oliver, Paula Deen, Sandra Lee, and Emeril were all featured in a recent issue of Life and Style magazine (July9, 2007 issue).

I really miss Jamie on Food TV - he was one of the more entertaining celeb chefs PLUS his food always looked amazing. If you ever get a chance to grab any of his cookbooks, they’re about as good as it gets. His recipe style reminds me a lot of Tyler Florence - another celeb chef I wish were on more.

I’d love to see the Food Network make room in their nightly line-up for more Tyler and Jamie….without cutting out any Alton, Ace, or Emeril, of course! I love Rachael, but how many reruns of $40 a Day can we watch without wanting to pull our hair out - 40 of them, one for each dollar. I’m also not totally in love with Unwrapped or the Road Show series.

Nothing at all against any of the hosts, I’d just rather see food being made than eaten.

Click each thumbnail to see the larger image.

The top ten Recipes on Food TV.com this week:

1. Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Frittata

2. Fresh Strawberry Bellini

3. Bacon Twists

4. Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

5. Mexican Chicken

6. Nutty Orange Coffee Cake

7. Orange Glazed Blueberry Scones

8. Chicken Enchiladas

9. Chicken and Rice Casserole

10. Roasted Asparagus Bundles

I’ve printed out and have big plans for the Bacon Twists, the Roasted Asparagus Bundles, the Chicken Enchiladas (a Tyler Florence Recipe, so I know it’ll be amazing), the Creamy Mac and Cheese (Paula Deen’s, so it’s a winner.), and the Mexican Chicken (also Paula’s). The Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Frittata sounds intriguing - I’ve printed it out and will have to try it at some point I’m sure. I’m just kind of in the air about it, you know?

Check out the ingredients:
6 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons chopped chives
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 ounces smoked salmon, chopped
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

Hmmmm, it might be winning me over.

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.)

Food Network’s Tyler’s Ultimate is an Ultimate episode this morning (or afternoon, depending upon where you live).

The episode’s titled Ultimate Bistro and the recipes featured are ahhhmazing:

French Onion Soup

New York Strip Steak with Brandied Mushrooms and Fresh Thyme

Potatoes Gratin

Click on each title for the recipe. The soup has a date with me when the weather’s Soup Friendly again, but I won’t keep the others waiting. The Potatoes Gratin sounds like it’ll be something really special. Tyler’s recipes never miss - whether they’re in Applebee’s restaurants or in my own kitchen, he’s all the way on his game!