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Anthony Bourdain's Paula Deen Diss

It is Bourdain being Bourdain. He shouldn't say anything about how fattening her recipes are - have you seen some of the recipes in the Les Halles book? Talk about fattening - duck fat, foie gras, hey those are really fattening too. Yes, Paula's recipes are fattening BUT she is southern and that is what they do. That is how they cook. Even she has said that she doesn't eat that way all the time, everything in moderation.

I love Bourdain but I also love Paula, for what they are. We do have a choice in what we eat. We have a choice in how we cook too - we have brains. If I want to cook healthier I do and sometimes I don't - like tonight - we had homemade tacos with spinach, cheese, corn, and tomatoes but there were 3 types of cheese involved and some mexican crema too. I don't eat like that every night. I would be obese if I did.

I think that Bourdain should not say anything bad about folks like Paula or Rachael. He is not innocent when it comes to cooking very fattening meals or when it comes to eating fattening foods. I have watched all his different tv series all these years - he helped kill a big in Portugal and eat all its parts - even the nastiest ones. I've also seen him cook foie gras and eat it on a burger. He is not innocent. Being hypocritical IMHO.

RisaG at 9:43PM on 08/22/11

Anyone Else Like Pork Roll?

I am a NYer by birth but moved to NJ in 1992. Before that I had no idea what Taylor Pork Roll was. Never had it. We had bologna, we had Spam (and even mom didn't make that) and we had Italian cold cuts. We did not have Taylor Pork Roll. Now, I love it. I started seeing it in diners and asked about it. They told me it was a regional product, only found in NJ. I was curious and tasted it. Have never gone back. I don't think it tastes anything like Spam though. I find it at Shop Rite and other supermarkets, aside from delis and diners. It is just delicious with eggs and tomato on a roll.

RisaG at 3:41PM on 08/08/11

Best of the odd combinations?

Peanut Butter, Bacon and Avocado sandwiches, delicious! I also put sriracha on pizza, which some people think is strange. I love BLT Pizza - yes, bacon lettuce and tomato on pizza - it has no sauce - just mayo instead. Sounds gross but is excellent. I have to have a slice once a month at DeCola's in Washington Twnship (or is it Boro?), NJ. I also have it at Alfonso's in Somerville. Both are excellent.

In college I used to eat Peanut Butter and Honey sandwiches. At the time I thought that that was strange. I found it actually common among the other students.

RisaG at 2:35PM on 06/23/11

What's in Your Cold Pantry?

I buy a sriracha at the oriental store that is made in Thailand. It is so much better than the american stuff. It is far from one-dimensional - so much spicier and less vinegar-y. Not sweet to me.

RisaG at 9:18PM on 06/14/11

What atmosphere turns you on or off when you are dining out?

You can't train your child like you do a pet. Holding my son by his arm wasn't doing anything. If he got really bad, we took him outside and told him to behave himself. Normally it would work. Sometimes he had hissy fits and those could not be controlled easily. Sometimes we just up and left. If it was really bad. He is now 15 and behaves himself pretty well when he is eating out with us. His worst problem now is that he can be rude to waiters/waitresses because he is pretty anti-social. We are trying to change that now. He knows that it is wrong.

RisaG at 3:34PM on 06/13/11

What's in Your Cold Pantry?

I have over 100 bottles of hot sauce on my dining room hutch and also on the kitchen table. They all have vinegar in them so they are being preserved. Nothing happens except maybe a color change in some of them. I switch them around every few weeks. Some are standards that have to be on the table at all times - Tabasco Garlic Pepper Sauce, Tabasco Worcestershire Sauce, Sriracha (2 different manufacturers), Piri Piri Sauce among others.

RisaG at 1:35PM on 06/13/11

From Drinks

The Food Lab, Drinks Edition: The Ultimate Fully Loaded Bloody Mary

Many years ago, my husband and I were on our annual vacation in Siesta Key, FL when his cousin made us some bloody mary's. When we tasted his version, we asked for his recipe but he didn't give it to us. Once back in NJ, my husband emailed him and asked him for the recipe for our New Years Eve bash. He didn't respond until way too late but he did send us what he does. 2/3 V-8, 1/3 Clamato, worcestershire sauce, key lime juice, vodka, Angostura Bloody Mary Seasoning (the secret ingredient), and horseradish. So I had to search the internet for the Bloody Mary Seasoning - not easy to find. Not sold here in NJ. Bought it from someone on Ebay. I put all the ingredients in the blender, puree and then refrigerate the drink until ready to use. I pour some in a tall glass and put a celery stick in the glass and serve it. We love them and have them the last Friday of every month. A treat!

RisaG at 1:26PM on 06/13/11

What's in Your Cold Pantry?

ketchup (Heinz, Heinz Less Sugar and Melinda's Chipotle or Habanero)
dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, and Spicy Mustard
pickled garlic, pickled jalapenos
caramelized onions (forget the name on the jar)
homemade hot sauces
Stonewall Kitchen Roasted Garlic Jam
other Stonewall Jams and Blueberry Butter
jams and preserves from local places
Sriracha Sauce
Gold's Horseradish
hoisin sauce
Hellmann's Mayonnaise and Mustard/Mayo combo
and so many other jars of stuff - too many to mention

RisaG at 1:22PM on 06/13/11

What atmosphere turns you on or off when you are dining out?

I have a child so I am not really bothered by children or their behavior (one time in Atlanta we had to take our son out of the restaurant, chastize him outside, and then bring him back in better behavior) but loud music OR lous people are really annoying. I also can't stand sitting next to a person who is talking on the cell phone, having a huge conversation. That is for the bathroom or at the bar, not in your seat. When I go out (on the weekend mainly) I want a nice casual time, noise level enough to hear the music not so loud that I can't hear my husband talk and good food, with good service. If I am going to pay money to eat out, and I get dressed to go out, I want to hear myself think. The only thing I will say about children is - if a parent isn't doing something about an annoying brat of a child, then you have to say something to your waiter and have them say something to the parents. Don't go over and be obnoxious - it isn't appreciated at all. The parent knows, whether they are ignoring their child (or children), and they don't want to hear your nasty tone.

RisaG at 1:18PM on 06/13/11

Regional Barbecue Sauces Available by Mail-Order

One of my favorites is Carolina Bar-b-q Rib King sauce. I got it at a Rib Fest in Charleston, WV a couple of summers ago. They had both Carolina BBQ Crews there and Texas Crews. I loved both types and all the sauces. I bought a bottle of the Carolina sauce and it was outstanding. Sweet but still really good. I kept the empty bottle so I would have the number to call to order more. Website too.

RisaG at 7:22PM on 05/23/11

Alton Brown Announces End of 'Good Eats' Series

I learned so many things from Alton I can't even repeat all of them. I thought that his Mythbusters show was amazing. I learned how to make really great waffles (yes, pancake and waffle batters are different!) among other things. I have all his books and especially love the behind the scenes stuff in the GE books. There is one more coming out. He also said that there will be 3 GE Specials coming out this year. I guess that is what we have to look forward to.

RisaG at 9:33PM on 05/12/11

From Recipes

Healthy & Delicious: Scallion Scrambled Eggs with Cumin

Looks good to me. I would omit the olives though as my son doesn't like them and I am not all that thrilled with them. Would ruin the flavor for me. I would add a bit more tomato too.

RisaG at 6:51PM on 05/06/11

Snapshots from the 2011 Grilled Cheese Invitational in Los Angeles

Boy some of those are really strange interpretations. This week I made 2 different grilled cheese sandwiches for myself - Grilled White Bread brushed with homemade garlic oil, stuffed with havarti cheese, provolone, bbq brisket, and Nathan's french fries. Also I made myself grilled white (with the garlic oil) stuffed with the havarti cheese and macaroni & cheese. Both were excellent but the bbq brisket one was top-notch. I think next time I make that one I will also top it with some pickled jalapenos or pickled garlic (homemade of course).

RisaG at 4:24PM on 04/27/11

The Food Lab: Perfect Boiled Eggs

I got the best tip the other day - from Nathalie Dupree - the cookbook author. Put 1 tbsp baking soda in the water as you boil them. Drain well. Put in ice water until cool and then crack and peel. I tried it today and it worked like a charm.

RisaG at 11:39PM on 04/22/11

Japanese Snacks: Biscuity, Chocolatey Things

We adore Pocky around here. Have been buying it at the chinese grocery for a really long time, also at Wegman's. Strawberry Pocky and Chocolate Pocky mainly but in Boston I also found Chocolate Pocky that had Almonds encrusted on it and some other fruit flavor. Pocky rocks!

RisaG at 5:09PM on 04/11/11

The Food Lab: Homemade Tater Tots, Sweet Potater Tots, Twice Baked Potater Tots, And More!

Thanks for all the work and then the recipe and troubleshooting. I have a recipe to make them from scratch with gelatin and all. Seems like too much work but this doesn't. The chorizo version sounds amazing and so does the pepperoni version. Doesn't porky goodness make everything better?

Can't wait to try this.

RisaG at 3:18PM on 04/01/11

SE Staff Picks: Our Favorite Girl Scout Cookies, and How to Eat Them

My favorite was always Thin Mints but I have been pretty pissed off at the Girl Scouts for making the cookies smaller over the last year or so.

The other favorites are their Shortbread cookies (forget the name) and the Do-Si-Do's. Last year my husband came home from his office with some new variety. I forget the name now but it was very good.

RisaG at 7:32PM on 02/22/11

Who amongst us, has the best pickiest eater story?

I had a room mate who didn't like mushrooms and wouldn't eat them. My son used to be the pickiest child I ever saw. When all his friends were eating hotdogs and hamburgers at birthday parties, he would eat just the chips and then come home and have me make him mac n cheese from the box. At 7 I refused and told him he had to start eating what I cooked. It took him at least 6 years to stop being picky about what I made. Now he looks at his plate and doesn't want me to tell him anything about it, just eat it. He does.

His grandfather would only eat Thomas' English Muffins, Sara Lee Corn Muffins, and certain other foods at home. He would eat Yung Chow Fried Rice at the chinese, along with Egg Drop Soup, Barbecue Ribs, and Shrimp w/Lobster Sauce BUT nothing else at the Chinese.

In Italian restaurants he would only eat Veal Pizzaiola OR pizza, that was it.

If he was coming for dinner, I had to call my MIL a few days previous and ask if he would eat roast chicken, or whatever I was making. One time I made a salad and afterwards he said to his wife "I can't believe she is making me eat rabbit food." I was so insulted. He was the pickiest eater I ever saw. I was a picky child but at 16 I had an epiphany and from then on I was a foodie. I would try most things. The only foods I stay away from are beets, bluefish, most innards (except for chopped liver) and chicken or duck feet (at the Chinese).

RisaG at 7:27PM on 02/22/11

The Search for America's Best Hot Dog: East Coast Contenders

I thought Toby's Cup closed. It looks it. Anyway, I meant that the buns on Hot Dog Johnny's are steamed. I know that they are fried in peanut oil. Don't know why I typed that they are steamed, they aren't. I've seen the sign. My son is allergic to nuts BUT not to the oil.

Anyway, I love Hot Dog Johnny's and altho' they are mild in flavor, they are delicious. I can easily eat three in a sitting without a problem. My only problem with the place itself is that during the summer you have to fight with the bees to eat your food!

RisaG at 8:13PM on 02/09/11

The Search for America's Best Hot Dog: East Coast Contenders

I disagree about Hot Dog Johnny's, I live 5 minutes away from Johnny's and they are always packed. There is a good reason - they rock! The only problem I have with them is that they don't make cheese dogs. I am a huge cheese dog fan. They only have mustard, relish OR onions, nothing else. They are steamed, which to some makes them boring BUT I find it makes them moist, which is wonderful. I also love their fries, which have been named the best fries in NJ a couple of times by NJ Monthly.

The other thing about Johnny's that is different from other hot dog joints is that they also make their own buttermilk and Birch Beer. The Birch Beer is soooo good. A great compliment to the dogs and fries.

RisaG at 7:13PM on 02/09/11

Mixed Review: Ghirardelli Brownie Mix vs. The New Baked Brownie Mix

I have made the Ghiradelli mix (buy it at Costco - 3 pkg for the price of 1 small one at the supermarket) and thought it was ok. If I really want wonderful brownies, and I don't feel like making them from scratch, I buy one of Ina's mixes for $7 at Le Gourmet Chef at the mall. Taste just like the real thing and a lot less work. Why don't you compare the Baked Mix to the Barefoot Contessa Mix? That is a better test.

RisaG at 4:30PM on 02/07/11

The Search for America's Best Hot Dog: East Coast Contenders

I can't believe that Nathan's on Surf Avenue in Coney Island was not mentioned. They were the first hot dogs I ever ate and still my favorite. I've had The Varsity Cheese Slaw Dog in Atlanta and it was amazing BUT it will never rival my favorite - Nathan's, with yellow mustard and saurkraut. With a large fries (who cares about the fat and calories?) and a Coke. Period, the best. I was raised not 1/2 mile from the original Nathan's and we used to walk to the beach, spend the day and then meet my dad at Nathan's for a few dogs, some corn on the cob and the best fries ever. Shame on Serious Eats for ignoring the original and the best!

RisaG at 4:24PM on 02/07/11