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Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
YES!! Mike is on the chopping block!!! Please eliminate Mike.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
Pavlov - totally with you about Mike! I can't stand him.
Lighting advice for photographing food
Thanks for all of the tips! That helps a lot! I think I'm going to have to buy some software for my computer.
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Lighting advice for photographing food
Posted by ElissaLovesToEat, July 14, 2009 at 9:08 AM
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Donors Choose Brown Bag Challenge Update
I LOVE Donors Choose. I was a middle school teacher in the Bronx and my school benefited from the generosity of Donors Choose tremendously.
I definitely don't want to take away from SE's Brown Bag Challenge, but I do want to provide another option if people don't see exactly what they want. If you have an idea that you don't see there, visit The Generation Project. It's like Donors Choose, but rather than the donors choosing the project to give money to, the donors design their own project based on their own passions. Then teachers can apply to get the money to do the project.
Thank you SE for supporting education!
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
YES!! Mike is on the chopping block!!! Please eliminate Mike.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
Pavlov - totally with you about Mike! I can't stand him.
Lighting advice for photographing food
Thanks for all of the tips! That helps a lot! I think I'm going to have to buy some software for my computer.
Video: Sandra Lee 'Delicious, Delicious, Delicious' Montage
DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS! DELICIOUS!
So funny.
How many times a day do you eat?
Three meals, plus 2-3 snacks during the day. Does my nightly spoon of peanut butter count as a snack?
I eat ______ out of the tin/jar/bottle...
When I was at boarding school I could eat Vienna sausages right of the can. I haven't done that in a while.
Condiment Gun
I going to buy a regular $1.99 squirt gun and see if I can get a similar result.
Where can I find Quesillo in NYC?
You may want to try the chain of Western Beef super markets too.
Dinner Tonight: Roasted Asparagus with Poached Eggs and Miso Butter
Josh, your results are beautiful!
In Videos: Chef Dan Barber Speaks on Sustainable Foie Gras
Well written point, Kenji. I couldn't agree with you more.
Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 65: 'Call Me Papacito'
Congratulations! Losing weight is never easy, especially whilst writing a food blog, so I'm quite impressed.
'Julie & Julia' Trailer Now Available Online
gracemetcalf and saltcrystal, I couldn't stand the book either. This movie looks good, but in the book, Julie seemed to whine all the time. I can't stand whiners.
saltcrystal, where did you read that Julia Child didn't like Julie Powell? I would love to about it!
Cook the Book: 'Real Cajun'
I grew up watching Mom cook dinner almost every night for us. I watched the way she sliced, diced, spooned, etc. Mom owned her own restaurant and catering business and it amazing me to this day that she was able to do all of this.
One weekend evening, after a busy week, she fell asleep on the couch. She had already bought groceries to make dinner for the evening, but I definitely didn't want to disturb her and be the bratty daughter that wakes her mother up to cook dinner. Instead, I took out the groceries and was able to make a classic Chinese dinner without using written recipes or cookbooks. I just relied on the countless times I had seen my mother make steamed catfish with tofu and black bean sauce. It turned out wonderfully. I also made some gai lan (Chinese broccoli) on the side. Mom woke up rested and was so surprised by my dinner. Afterward, Mom bragged about her 12-year old daughter to her friends. That night, I realized how cooking food for others can be such a fulfilling and enjoyable experience.
Thanks, Mom, I love you!
In Videos: 'Salt, Pepper, Ketchup,' a New Philly Street Cart Vlog
I hope he does a video on all of the UPenn carts in West Philly. I haven't been to one since my undergrad days, but if they're still around, my favorites were Magic Carpet and Indian food cart next to the gym.
Worst Sandwich You've Ever Had
@Cassaendra: grilled tuna and fried bologna? That sounds delicious!
'SF Chronicle' Columnist Defends Foie Gras
There are three foie gras farms in the United States - one in California, and two in New york. If you buy your foie gras from the US, the chances that you're getting foie gras from a humanely raised duck that lived a happy life are very high, especially if you buy from Hudson Valley Foie Gras in New York. I think animal rights protesters need to focus more on factory farms that not only treat animals horribly, but pollute the environment with waste and abuse their employees.
Also, foie gras has garnered a lot of interest from both chefs, who have a personal stake in the quality and origin of their food, and journalists who want to see what's going on. Foie gras protesters say it's inhumane, it's torture, etc. However, ducks aren't humans and that being said, their bodies and digestive systems are built very differently. If we had tubes put down our throat, yes, we'd choke and have difficulty breathing. However, ducks don't have gag reflexes so they can't choke. Additionally, ducks' wind pipes open on their tongue, not their throat, so they can breathe.
Here is some additional information:
http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/07/05/liver-let-die
http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-02-18/news/is-foie-gras-torture/
Worst Sandwich You've Ever Had
I must stick up for bologna here! It's one of my favorite sandwich meats, as is liverwurst. I'm probably going to be in the minority here, but turkey breast is one of my least favorites, because it always ends up so dry and flavorless. I'll take almost any other sandwich protein before I choose turkey.
I generally love all sandwiches, especially Banh Mis, but I'm not particularly fond of tuna sandwiches from canned tuna or PBJs made with chunky peanut butter.
Bologna rules!
'F*** Yeah, Cilantro'
I love cilantro! When I fantasize about different restaurants I'd open, one idea that comes to mind is a Northern-Chinese/Mexican restaurant. The backbone holding it all together would be cilantro and spice. DELISH.
Michael Ruhlman's New Book: 'Ratio'
I love Michael Ruhlman! As a former teacher, cooking is one of the best reasons to pay attention to middle school math.
In Videos: Trailer for 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs'
This was my favorite book growing up! I'm so excited!
West Branch, the Neighborhood Restaurant of a Serious Eater's Dreams
Has anyone had the foie gras there? I'm going tonight and I love foie gras, but their foie gras appetizer hasn't been listed as a "must-have" by any reviews I've read.
Seriously Delicious Holiday Food Giveaway: Russ & Daughters
Eggs Benedict with perfectly poached eggs. They better be runny.
Video: Sandra Lee 'Delicious, Delicious, Delicious' Montage
How can you not be a Sandra fan after that. That's more entertaining than any "competition" on foodtv.
Video: Sandra Lee 'Delicious, Delicious, Delicious' Montage
Oh you di-int!! Thanks Adam, you really took one for the team.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
@brookes - I attribute Padma's attitude to her outfit. One cannot show up to a buffet in a military hangar in 100 degree weather in stilettos, short skirt, and leopard print top complete with plunging neckline and NOT be a hot bitch.
Pasta Salad...still scratching my head...
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
No, actually the difference between a chef and a cook, is that the chef heads up a group of cooks (which she also did last night). I know plenty of "chefs" that can't season food properly. I think you're explaining the difference between a good cook and a bad one. A bad one makes pasta salad in a highly competitive cooking competition and gets sent home.
Her routine will work as long as the pretenders are still in the kitchen, but I can't believe it's going to go over too well when it gets down to the final six. She reminds me a lot of Tiffani from season 1(abrasive demeanor, classic dishes). We'll see how well she deals with adversity, we already know Michael doesn't handle it very well.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
What this season makes abundantly clear - mlre than past season IMO- is the difference between being a cook and a chef. Jess is the perfect example. Her sweet potasto soup was a good idea, but if she were a chef, rather than just someione who can cook, she would have known how to get her seasoning just right to achieve the flavor profile she wanted.
Among the many things that separate a cook from a chef is an inate ability to know the precise flavor a seasoning will add to your dish.
Jennifer kniws that (she works for Eric Ripert, for God's sake) and so does Kevin.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
@guido:TOTALLY agree.
I wanted to jump through the screen when I saw those two were making stinkin pasta salad! I wish both would have been sent home - that was appalling - cook to win!
I luv Jen - she is so ice cold. She barely moves her mouth when she talks, but she gets heard, lol. That was hilarious when she shut down that random conversation in the kitchen.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
So far the talent this season seems higher then the past seasons...I'm dominating in my Top Chef fantasy league...
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
I was really impressed with the quickfire challenge. I thought the dishes were incredible especially the French man's dish as well as the woman with the mussels and potato sauce they both looked incredible. It was honestly one of the best I have ever seen.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
Farfale Pasta Salad? Did they bet on themselves to lose? That was pretty telegraphed. You don't make a pasta salad for a show like this, no matter what.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
The honor/patriotism/choked-up over what we're doing for our troops aspect was overplayed. They were making dinner. It was too much!
And I too would like Mike to be hit with a shovel. Delighted to see he didn't get to ride Michael's coattails. What a jerk! I was ready for all three of them to be eliminated...
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
1. No mashed potatoes??? There are some damn creative mashed potato recipes out there and if you really want the "essence"...I was disappointed everyone chose fancy, schmancy potato dishes.
2. Indeed, judges were BITCHEE tonight. I'm relatively new to the show (starting last season), but Padma was almost shocking!
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
Preeti...quelle suprise.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
Next episode looks crazy. Quickfire is also an elimination? Really??
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
No surprise. Preeti's been on the bottom the past episodes.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
I'm starting to hate Padma
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
I've rarely seen the judges this sharp—justified, maybe, but wow.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
Yowch! It ain't pretty at the bottom.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
evil michael on the bottom: LOVE IT. even if he doesn't go home.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
@Pavlov, Mike is an arrogant, misogynist jerk.. Jenn did a great job leading the challenge and is definitely a top contender to win. I just think she's irritating as a person..
@Julian, Yes! They were adorable..
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
I really miss Fabio and Stefan. Can we petition to have them come back on the show? At least as judges or something? Mattin is just not cutting it.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
The only thing missing from the pasta salad was the nasty bottled Italian dressing... Then it could have been distributed by sysco.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
These definitely are not the prettiest plates of the season!
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
I've notice that this year, more than others, two classes of chefs have developed. There are very distinct haves and have-nots.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
I don't know if I'd want Jenn as my best friend, but she does seem like a ruthlessly competent leader.
Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 3
Jenn thus far is hardcore. Love her no B.S. Go get em attitude. I agree she is the best to lead this challenge.
Recent Posts
Lighting advice for photographing food
Posted by ElissaLovesToEat, July 14, 2009 at 9:08 AM
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About ElissaLovesToEat
Website: http://achefsdaughter.com
Location: New York, NY
About: I love to eat and cook. Good thing those two go hand in hand quite well.
Favorite foods: Sushi, roast duck, California-style burritos, fried chicken, a great burger, dumplings.
Last bite on earth: I only get a bite? I don't get the whole thing????
I LOVE Donors Choose. I was a middle school teacher in the Bronx and my school benefited from the generosity of Donors Choose tremendously.
I definitely don't want to take away from SE's Brown Bag Challenge, but I do want to provide another option if people don't see exactly what they want. If you have an idea that you don't see there, visit The Generation Project. It's like Donors Choose, but rather than the donors choosing the project to give money to, the donors design their own project based on their own passions. Then teachers can apply to get the money to do the project.
Thank you SE for supporting education!