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If you had your own Food Network show, what would it be?
I have always wanted to do a show that was about how real people cook at their own homes. No sets or people doing food prep. Just what it's like when you work all day and come home to find dishes in the kitchen, the dishwasher full of clean dishes, the trash overflowing, all the little things that you have to deal with in the course of 'making dinner'. When it's all done, you'll have a great meal, but it might not be so pretty getting there!
What folksy or superstitious remedies did your family have?
Flat ginger ale, Fletcher's Castoria (that was evil!) Coke syrup for an upset stomach,butter on a burn, mud on a bee sting ...we did all those things and they always seemed to work!
Giada at Home and Barefoot Contessa, Back to Basics
TR is an actor who has done some print and TV commercials. He was recently in a Volvo add that had him dashing around town! He was on Ina's show when they had a reunion for the staff of Barefoot Contessa and he said it had been 20 years since he had seen some of the people, so I assume he met Ina when he was working in her store. TR and his partner are well known in gay circles in NYC. Of course it never hurts to be a friend of Ina!
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Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
I have never heard so much whining about $11. Has anyone been to a grocery store lately? Milk, bread and butter will cost you that. Also, I am a big fan of Ina because she does use the 'best' ingredients. If you are watching someone do a cooking show from the Hamptons, and you're expecting the 'frugal' gourmet, then you should watch another show.
If you had your own Food Network show, what would it be?
I have always wanted to do a show that was about how real people cook at their own homes. No sets or people doing food prep. Just what it's like when you work all day and come home to find dishes in the kitchen, the dishwasher full of clean dishes, the trash overflowing, all the little things that you have to deal with in the course of 'making dinner'. When it's all done, you'll have a great meal, but it might not be so pretty getting there!
What folksy or superstitious remedies did your family have?
Flat ginger ale, Fletcher's Castoria (that was evil!) Coke syrup for an upset stomach,butter on a burn, mud on a bee sting ...we did all those things and they always seemed to work!
Giada at Home and Barefoot Contessa, Back to Basics
TR is an actor who has done some print and TV commercials. He was recently in a Volvo add that had him dashing around town! He was on Ina's show when they had a reunion for the staff of Barefoot Contessa and he said it had been 20 years since he had seen some of the people, so I assume he met Ina when he was working in her store. TR and his partner are well known in gay circles in NYC. Of course it never hurts to be a friend of Ina!
Serious Eats City Guide: Boston
Thanks so much for this post. It's great to see what other folks have to recommend from my area. I've found a couple of places to add to my list. Boston has so much to offer on so many levels for great places to eat. While I don't get 'into the city' as much as I used to, it's because the suburbs of Boston are overflowing with great restaurants. You can go from the North Shore right on down to the South Shore and all over Metro-West and find delicious choices and every ethnic choice there is.
What's going on with the Food Network?
I 've been such a fan ever since TVFN came on my system.
The original Iron Chef caught my attention. I remember watching Sara Moulton on Cooking Live and Emeril Live at first and then I really started watching.
I starting watching Rachael Ray because she was on when I got home from work and I was making dinner. After picking up some tips, I bought a 7' Santoku chef's knife and I haven't stopped since!
All along the way I could have TVFN on all day on the weekend. Almost always something I liked. But lately it is unbearable. If it wasn't for Ina I would loose it. I love her food and I actually try to make the dishes she prepares. I just made her triple raspberry sauce and it is so good!! What a concept, watching a cooking show to learn how to cook or expand your repertoire.
For me it started with Sandra Lee and her sicky sweet "cooking" and it continues to the likes of Ingrid Hoffman and The Neely's. Plus the obvious favoritism on their Next FN Star shows. Not to mention the entire Paula Deen story. Come on, she did more to harm US/French relations in one trip to Paris..... you get the point.
The bottom line is I now have so many wonderful 'go to' recipies because of watching TVFN that it's so disappointing to see what they have become.
Cook the Book: Bobby Flay's Grill It!
There is no doubt it would be Ina Garten. It would have to be at her house though and Jeffrey must be there too! If her friend TR was there as well,that would do it!
After that, Giada would be a close second. She just seems so nice and her food is right up my alley.
What are you known for?
It's the simplest recipe I know but if I don't show up with my world famous macaroni salad, then I'm in trouble. I always make at least 2 pounds, because everyone always wants to bring some home with them. It's pretty basic,pasta,celery, green peppers, red onion and plenty of salt, pepper and mayo. I cover the entire top of the salad with sliced hard boiled eggs and garnish with Paprika. Oh, I also use farfalle (bow ties) instead of the usual elbows.
I wish I was known for something a little more exciting, but it is nice to see how much people enjoy the salad. Cooking is about making people happy in my book!
Take to work lunches!
With a cheap lunch being 7 or 8 bucks a pop and with the price of everything being so high these days, I have started to bring my lunch every day. Almost all the time I bring the leftovers from the night before. Pasta, some steak tips and rice, whatever it is. I use a small ziplock type container and then throw it in the office microwave for lunch. I also buy the refrigerator packs of whatever I want to drink and keep it under my desk. Every day I put a couple in the frig and it's there for me the next day. Sure beats spending a $1.25 for a bottle from the soda machine.
The Food Super Bowl — Boston vs. New York: No Contest
True to my screen name I must say that the food in Boston is great. To think that any area can't produce good food is ridiculous. Only New Yorkers would have the nerve to say that only they can do it right.
As for the Patriot's, they are the best football team to ever play so get over it. They will beat the Giants again, just like a few weeks ago.
By the way, didn't the Red Sox win the World Series this year?
Maybe New York's specialty should be sour grapes!
Trader Joe's Torture: What one thing do you have to buy?
I never realized how lucky I was. I have five TJ's within 15 minutes of me here in Boston. If I had to pick just one thing it would be their Maple Rosemary sauce. It is perfection on some wonderful pork tenderloins.
How (Not To) Poach an Egg
I struggled for years and have finally got it down. Boiling water with a couple of teaspoons of white vinegar. Crack the egg into a small ramican and slide the egg gently into the water. Two minutes later use a slotted spoon and you're good to go!
Can't-miss restaurants in D.C.?
Try Hank's Oyster bar Q St NW. Also try Thaiphoon, next door to Ruth's Chris on Connecticut just out of Dupont circle
So, what did everyone have for Thanksgiving?
We started with shrimp cocktail, guacamole, scallops wrapped in bacon, Brie en croute. You know just a couple of things to pick on!!
Dinner was turkey, beautifully roasted, mashed potatoes, acorn squash, traditional stuffing, oyster stuffing, broccoli casserole, cranberry sauce and cranberry relish. Fantastic gravy from the turkey drippings, delicious.
Desert was a Kaos Pie from Alden Merrill and a delicious apple kind of tart, made with a soft yeast risen crust, made by my niece's roommate from Germany! It was great!
Homemade salad dressing... ideas?
Ina Garten's Lemon vinegarette is simple yet delicious.
Fresh lemon juice
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper
It's great on any salad, especially with some nice Arugula and wonderful with fish dishes
What are your favorite soup & sandwich combos?
At home it has to be grilled cheese and tomato soup.
In a restaurant maybe clam chowder or a minestrone with a roast beef sandwhich!
Weekend Book Giveaway: 'The Amateur Gourmet'
Years ago for Christmas, my partner gave me a gift of doing the cookng for dinner that day. He decided that AppleJack, basically a strong apple flavored liquor,would add some flavor. When the chicken wasn't done when expected, he turned the oven up to 500!
Not too long after that I was jolted off the couch by a huge explosion that blew open the oven door and shot liquid everywhere. He had poured the entire bottle in the pan and the high heat had finally caused the alcohol to flame up.
Once I realized what had happened, I couldn't stop laughing. To be nice I forced down a couple of bites of chicken, but it was awful.
We had Chinese take out later that night!!!
Favourite food blogs?
The Amateur Gourmet
The Perfect Pantry
Best Find from Trader Joes?
They have a maple rosemary mariande that is out of this world on a pork tenderloin
Post your profession...
48 yr old accountant for a large non profit org. Love food and have really started to enjoy the process and preparation as much as the results.
Where's everybody from?
Waltham, MA
Stop & Shop for everday stuff but sometimes Shaw's in a pinch.
Whole Foods for 'the good stuff' . The meats at the Newtonville store are top notch.
Great farmer's market in Waltham on Saturday morning has the
freshest corn and veggies.
Excluding: NYC, SF, Paris, Chicago, Tokyo...favorite food city?
The food in Rome was some of the best I've ever had. Don't forget to
add Boston to the list.
Restaurants in DC - Dupont Circle?
I was in Dupont this year at Eastertime. For great Thai food and a fun atmosphere try Thaiphoon. It's next to Ruth's Chris steak house off of Connecticut Ave. Hank's Oyster House was great for brunch.
Giada at Home and Barefoot Contessa, Back to Basics
What austintx said. Exactly. I need not type another word.
Giada at Home and Barefoot Contessa, Back to Basics
Ina paid her dues with a successful specialty shop in one of the richest markets in the world. Giada may have had a financial leg up being the granddaughter of Dino DeLaurentis but she knows how to cook - this is obvious. Her food is great and whether or not her tits are on display, it's her cooking that gives her credibility. If you're not interested in her cleavage, don't look. If you want to attack TV cooking "personalities," focus on the ones who CAN'T cook - God knows there are lots of them.
Giada at Home and Barefoot Contessa, Back to Basics
What is it with these supposidly "professional" (and I use that term loosely) cooks on tv with these boobs hanging out? Giada, Ratchel? Is this because they need a ratings boost? Trouble at home?? Come on, be like Ina and act like a professional, lady and cover up! Do they want us to notice their dishes, or their boobs?
Serious Eats City Guide: Boston
For burgers, I am a big fan of R.F. O'Sullivan's in Somerville. I think they are better than Bartley's
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
It seem like can really make marshmallow with the way you provided. I'll keep the article and make it myself during holiday.
Serious Eats City Guide: Boston
Best neighbourhood spots for dinner on the "other side of the river" Cambridge T.W. Food Restaurant (Huron Village), Oleana or Cuchi Cuchi (Inman Square) Craigie on Main (Central Square)
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
Is the following comment considered Spam?
In any case wouldn't a foodnetwork show have a foodnetwork email addy?
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
CASTING NOTICE
The Food Network Presents: Eat The Clock. If you are a food critic, writer, chef, caterer, restaurant owner or somehow have a tie to the culinary world… then this is this show for you! The show is casting food loving 2-person teams of all kinds in the New York City area who are high-energy and competitive who are 25-45 and have some connection, knowledge and experience in the food industry.
You will race through many of NY’s culinary hot spots competing against Food Network stars in challenges for the ultimate chowhound smack-down! Who thought fighting for your next meal would be so fun?
Food Network is developing Eat the Clock, a new reality series billed as a cross between The Amazing Race and an eating competition, The Hollywood Reporter reported Monday.
PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOUR INTERESTED AT foodnetworkseries@gmail.com
Thanks!
Lisa
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
Pielady, thank you. My niece and I made marshmallows for New Year's and they were so delicious. I told her and my husband both that in my youth we were able to get Campfire marshmallows and that Kraft just never did compare. The real ones, though? We all thought we'd died and gone to heaven. I used a recipe from BrownieBites. And really, a boxed mixed for stuff you already have in your house? You still have to do all the work, well I guess it saves you measuring stuff. Take me out to dinner instead, I can't afford it anymore.
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
ya'll inspired me to make marshmallows over the weekend. My peeps thought I was crazy and told me "you know you can buy these pretty cheap in bags at the store". They did admit that mine WERE better than the store bought bag kind.. so if you are a marshmallow LOVER make you're own, they weren't hard to make, just sticky!
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
@BostonFoodMan well, some of us work jobs barely above minimum wage. for me to spend more than $11 for all my food for the entire day is an extravagance. but then again, i cant afford cable to watch ina's show either [though i do like her!]
but agreed, this would be a lovely gift... although if someone gave it to me i would be like "wtf, marshmallows?" spend the $11 to get me some real food. but i would still make them and enjoy them.
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
I will NEVER buy any Barefoot Contessa or Williams Sonoma or any other "designer" pre-packaged food mixes no matter what the cost. How can they be good??? Also do not give them to me as a gift!
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
I'm really into making homemade marshmallows from scratch. I love to give them as gifts--people are always so amazed! Plus, you can make all sorts of flavors or coat them in fun things like colorful sprinkles or cocoa.
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
There are two basic recipes for making marshmallows; those using egg whites and those using gelatin. I have made recipes using both methods over the past 25 years. When my son was little (he's now 21) I had to make our own because of his corn allergy and even kids with allergies deserve brightly colored marshmallow "chicks" in their Easter baskets! Now I only make these treats twice a year, Christmas and Easter.
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
I will join everybody in saying that the BC kit is well overpriced - you are payng for convenience and a LOT for the name.
One thing to remember is to make marshmallows, like any meringue-type item, on a dry day. Do it on a rainy day and they get stickier. Marshmallows are just a variation on italian meringue, which is made by beating hot sugar syrup into beaten egg whites. Think of marshmallows that way and they make a lot more sense.
I've seen recipes for many flavours, including strawberry, raspberry, chocolate, cinnamon, lemon, orange, and mint. They are definitely worth trying. The hard thing is marshmallows for vegetarians, as agar gives a different result than gelatin. I'm working on this with a friend.
@DaveFaris - Turkish Delight is not at all like marshmallows. It's more of a jelly candy in the versions I have had, dusted with sugar to keep from being sticky the way American jelly candy is sanded. I was introduced to it by the C.S. Lewis books and could get it as a child in England and was not impressed. Maybe I don't like eating flowers as the rosewater version seems to be most prevalent. I have been happier as an adult making my own flavours. Some of your links are to baked goods which aren't really the sweet; I would say only #1 and #5 are really Turkish Delight.
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
you're all missing the point- of course they're easier and cheaper and more fun to make from scratch- but Ina is trying to extend her brand and has run out of ideas for mixes. Unfortunately, there are plenty of people who would be willing to pay $11 for this mix, and yes, probably as a gift. The $11 goes mostly to packaging up all the separate parts, putting them in the box, designing and printing the label, shipping them, etc. It is a complete waste of time and packaging.
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
I'm with veggieout, this $11.00 pricetag is just sooooo Ina!
Google "homemade marshmallows" and get a plethora of recipes...you dont need a mix. It is so easy and cheap to start from scratch.
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
I don't know why anyone would need a Marshmallow Mix when the only ingredients are Gelatin, Sugar, Corn Syrup and Vanilla Extract. Doesn't everyone have these items in their pantry?
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
@BostonFoodMan -- Precisely my point...for $11 I can get bread, milk and butter...but to pay $11 for a mix to make something like marshmallows is crazy. Now, if were discussing $11 for a large fried clams from Kelly's...well, NOW you're talkin'!! :o)
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
I whipped up Alton's marshmallows last night and they are superb and EZ. I used a glass pan coated with Pam for Baking and the sugar cornstarch mix. Super fab and quick release. I cut them efficiently with a pizza chopper (not a wheel).
Hmm, now what can I do with all these marshmallows?
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/homemade-marshmallows-recipe/index.html
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
$11 is highway freakin' robbery. I make homemade marshmallows compulsively. Factoring in even the tiny amounts of color and flavor I add, it costs me probably $2 (MAYBE $3 if I'm using something like real vanilla bean or matcha) AT MOST to make each batch.
At least I don't feel betrayed or anything - I find Ina condescending and totally unappealing.
Mixed Review: Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallow Mix
Eleven dollars!! Homemade marshmallows are so far and beyond anything you can buy in a grocery store and can be made for practically pennies. And... making them is not difficult.
Giada at Home and Barefoot Contessa, Back to Basics
Ina's show is better. With Giada it's all about her cleavage.
If you had your own Food Network show, what would it be?
I would start a real-food revival.
www.americanfoodways.com
Best Find from Trader Joes?
My pleasure bareneed, especially when it is to bring new people into the TJ's cult. Unfortunately there isn't a store in SC yet. They have locations in Chapel Hill, Charlotte, and Cary in NC, and half a dozen locations in GA. Perhaps a road trip is in order once you get there; you can even use the excuse that you want to compare the 'cue in NC and SC (well beyond the scope of this thread).
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I have never heard so much whining about $11. Has anyone been to a grocery store lately? Milk, bread and butter will cost you that. Also, I am a big fan of Ina because she does use the 'best' ingredients. If you are watching someone do a cooking show from the Hamptons, and you're expecting the 'frugal' gourmet, then you should watch another show.