Have you ever felt the urge to write in your journal despite the fact that you really don't have anything to say? Granted, I'd stay quiet rather than gossip like a tabloid magazine. Trust me, if you ever needed to tell someone a deep, dark secret I'm like the fucking CIA. I will either deny any knowledge or run misdirection.
(e:jbeatty)'s latest journal entry reminds me of why I like to cook, and also why I wish I would spend more time trying to find cookbooks that suit me. I've always taken an interest in cooking. At first it was a matter of principle - I simply wanted to know as much as I could so that I wouldn't have to rely on anyone but myself to cook. Women love guys that can cook, or so I'm told, but I've never cooked for a date before. I'd rather do something more interesting... such as take a cooking class together. How would that be for a date surprise! I suppose that I should watch what she does with the knife...
For me, its the learning and doing aspect of cooking that I enjoy. Cooking does for me what playing musical instruments still do - it provides an escape and you're really only torturing yourself. That is, of course, assuming that you are by yourself and you are the only one listening/eating! There is also a creative aspect to cooking that I enjoy, as well as the flexibility that cooking allows you to explore. I also find pleasure in cooking for my friends - on occasion I am struck with a moment of culinary brilliance such as my teriyaki chicken. Other times it works out miserably, but the magic with cooking is that failures are edible.
I don't particularly have any fears of trying new recipes and my interest in this is insatiable. My only problem is that I can't drink up the entire culinary world in one gulp. It will take my entire life to do what I want to do with the culinary arts. However, for the mean time, I think I should focus on half a dozen recipes to master in a handful of cuisines.
Joshua's Journal
My Podcast Link
10/16/2007 16:05 #41678
Ooh La La10/11/2007 15:53 #41600
Dida - why Americans hate footballOr soccer... but I'm with the world on this one and call both sports football. Its this crap that makes Americans hate the sport.
Last week Dida, the Brazilian national goalkeeper and keeper for AC Milan, played against Celtic in a Champions League (prestigious European club tournament) group stage game. A fan ran onto the pitch, gave him a "mocking touch" (or a "little tickle" if you like) and ran away. Dida began to run towards him then dropped to the pitch dramatically, and was then carried off on a stretcher. Of course the guy could have easily had a box cutter in his hands when it did it, which is why the club were fined $50,000 for the incident. Dida ended up getting a two match ban for his play acting.
Check out this video - you'll see the incident, and the bonus is that it only makes my desire to be able to pull off a Scottish accent even stronger! It also made me think that it might be a good idea to dress as a bagpipe player or a Scottish football hooligan for halloween.
The best part of the whole fiasco is the British papers and their predilection for allowing readers to submit some Photoshop love to commemorate the occasion.
He's milking it! Ort ort ort. *seal claps*
Last week Dida, the Brazilian national goalkeeper and keeper for AC Milan, played against Celtic in a Champions League (prestigious European club tournament) group stage game. A fan ran onto the pitch, gave him a "mocking touch" (or a "little tickle" if you like) and ran away. Dida began to run towards him then dropped to the pitch dramatically, and was then carried off on a stretcher. Of course the guy could have easily had a box cutter in his hands when it did it, which is why the club were fined $50,000 for the incident. Dida ended up getting a two match ban for his play acting.
Check out this video - you'll see the incident, and the bonus is that it only makes my desire to be able to pull off a Scottish accent even stronger! It also made me think that it might be a good idea to dress as a bagpipe player or a Scottish football hooligan for halloween.
The best part of the whole fiasco is the British papers and their predilection for allowing readers to submit some Photoshop love to commemorate the occasion.
He's milking it! Ort ort ort. *seal claps*
ladycroft - 10/11/07 16:45
i was eating out and this game was on! i didn't have the best view, but i remember thinking, wtf just happened there?
speaking of the scottish accent (but not your doppleganger here in doha), i just met with our risk management guy to draft an indemnification form, and he's scottish. try talking legal jargon with his accent and my deafness - woooh!
i was eating out and this game was on! i didn't have the best view, but i remember thinking, wtf just happened there?
speaking of the scottish accent (but not your doppleganger here in doha), i just met with our risk management guy to draft an indemnification form, and he's scottish. try talking legal jargon with his accent and my deafness - woooh!
jason - 10/11/07 16:20
" Dida went doon loch a sack ay tatties! whit a disgrace!"
" Dida went doon loch a sack ay tatties! whit a disgrace!"
jason - 10/11/07 16:16
You guys are going to hate me for this:
:::link:::
"How are you doing this morning?"
translates to:
"Fit loch daein' thes morn?"
You guys are going to hate me for this:
:::link:::
"How are you doing this morning?"
translates to:
"Fit loch daein' thes morn?"
10/11/2007 12:05 #41598
Why I'll Never Get MarriedAnd people suggest that allowing gay people to marry somehow mucks up the "institution." I think that hetero couples have ruined the institution plenty well on their own.
I seriously want no part of it.
I seriously want no part of it.
ladycroft - 10/11/07 16:41
you know the first time i saw one of those late night commercials i thought i had turned the channel to SNL and it was a gag. it's quite sick. i'm all for not getting married. just live together and be happy.
you know the first time i saw one of those late night commercials i thought i had turned the channel to SNL and it was a gag. it's quite sick. i'm all for not getting married. just live together and be happy.
james - 10/11/07 13:20
The institution of marriage works for some people. But for so many people it is ridiculous. I mean, some people just aren't made for monogamy. Look at how we are built biologically. Men are capable of having sex several times a day, impregnating several women a day. Women, are built for relationship. Mate with a mate and have them help raise the pups.
But, society thrusts it upon us. Marriage is defined in a narrow way that doesn't allow for, say, three person relationships, open relationships, same-sex-relationships, non-sexual relationships. The list goes on.
So, I completely understand your point. Too bad the adulterers on that site have to be so sceavy.
The institution of marriage works for some people. But for so many people it is ridiculous. I mean, some people just aren't made for monogamy. Look at how we are built biologically. Men are capable of having sex several times a day, impregnating several women a day. Women, are built for relationship. Mate with a mate and have them help raise the pups.
But, society thrusts it upon us. Marriage is defined in a narrow way that doesn't allow for, say, three person relationships, open relationships, same-sex-relationships, non-sexual relationships. The list goes on.
So, I completely understand your point. Too bad the adulterers on that site have to be so sceavy.
joshua - 10/11/07 13:17
Well, when we live in a society where 50-60% of marriages fail... yeah, I'm very skeptical. I don't think it would the best service for me to put on rose-colored glasses and pretend that marriage isn't as temporary as it ever was.
This isn't the first time, or the second even, that I've heard of websites like this. Its really sad.
I suppose I could be accused of having trust issues - so be it. That doesn't bother me a bit. It would take an act of God to get me to reconsider.
Granted though, to your point, I think its possible to beat the odds, find a good partner and never have to worry about the statistics. All of my married friends seem to be in good relationships and I think I'd be genuinely surprised if one of them got divorced. I'm happy for them but I want no part of it, and the adulterous aspect of things is only one element of my views on marriage.
Well, when we live in a society where 50-60% of marriages fail... yeah, I'm very skeptical. I don't think it would the best service for me to put on rose-colored glasses and pretend that marriage isn't as temporary as it ever was.
This isn't the first time, or the second even, that I've heard of websites like this. Its really sad.
I suppose I could be accused of having trust issues - so be it. That doesn't bother me a bit. It would take an act of God to get me to reconsider.
Granted though, to your point, I think its possible to beat the odds, find a good partner and never have to worry about the statistics. All of my married friends seem to be in good relationships and I think I'd be genuinely surprised if one of them got divorced. I'm happy for them but I want no part of it, and the adulterous aspect of things is only one element of my views on marriage.
jason - 10/11/07 13:13
Yes, and Heather Mills is getting away with $100M of Sir Paul's money. Ouch!
Yes, and Heather Mills is getting away with $100M of Sir Paul's money. Ouch!
janelle - 10/11/07 12:36
You reject marriage because it's in a state of disarray or because you think it's impossible to have a (self-defined)successful marriage where both partners are faithful?
I love marriage (of course we're only 2.5 years into it), but so far, I really do love it. I recommend it to my friends. Corny, I know, but I do. I know there are bad marriages out there, my parent's marriage has had its problems. And I knew I never wanted my parents marriage and I set out to not have my parents marriage but something better.
I think that you can reject all the negatives that you see in the media and even in life and have a marriage better than any you've seen.
And who knows how wide spread this website thing really is, media loves to sensationalize, right? So how representative is it of the average American household?
You reject marriage because it's in a state of disarray or because you think it's impossible to have a (self-defined)successful marriage where both partners are faithful?
I love marriage (of course we're only 2.5 years into it), but so far, I really do love it. I recommend it to my friends. Corny, I know, but I do. I know there are bad marriages out there, my parent's marriage has had its problems. And I knew I never wanted my parents marriage and I set out to not have my parents marriage but something better.
I think that you can reject all the negatives that you see in the media and even in life and have a marriage better than any you've seen.
And who knows how wide spread this website thing really is, media loves to sensationalize, right? So how representative is it of the average American household?
10/10/2007 22:43 #41583
Bobby Brown had a heart attack!All that coke has finally caught up to him!
On a rather "inconvenient" note, it appears that Albert Nobel Gore is having trouble in England.
I remember hearing a whisper or two about this last week, but it appears that a judge in England has an unfavorable opinion of the movie and may advise the government that it is unsuitable for kids to see in school... on the basis of exaggeration, alarmist tendencies and political partisanship. In the past I've claimed that his movie is a bit of a farce for the exact same reasons. I have to admit, seeing this come about is highly amusing to me since so many people are ready to preemptively strike and give Gore the Nobel Peace Prize.
Speaking of farce, Rush Limbaugh is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee as well - he was nominated by the Legal Landmark Foundation, which is a law center founded by Mark Levin... yet another conservative radio talk show host. The thing about these nominations is that, according to the Nobel people, they are kept secret for 50 years. What is the point? Its not a state secret and most of the nominees are so obscure that there isn't a word in the English language that could describe a more profound lack of relevancy.
On a rather "inconvenient" note, it appears that Albert Nobel Gore is having trouble in England.
I remember hearing a whisper or two about this last week, but it appears that a judge in England has an unfavorable opinion of the movie and may advise the government that it is unsuitable for kids to see in school... on the basis of exaggeration, alarmist tendencies and political partisanship. In the past I've claimed that his movie is a bit of a farce for the exact same reasons. I have to admit, seeing this come about is highly amusing to me since so many people are ready to preemptively strike and give Gore the Nobel Peace Prize.
Speaking of farce, Rush Limbaugh is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee as well - he was nominated by the Legal Landmark Foundation, which is a law center founded by Mark Levin... yet another conservative radio talk show host. The thing about these nominations is that, according to the Nobel people, they are kept secret for 50 years. What is the point? Its not a state secret and most of the nominees are so obscure that there isn't a word in the English language that could describe a more profound lack of relevancy.
10/10/2007 13:31 #41573
OiNKIf any of you are on OiNK, or have a friend who is - send me an invite por favor. I'm gagging to be as cool as everybody else, and I have a vast, high quality MP3 collection. I'm fucking anal when it comes to my music.
jjlarson@hotmail.com
jjlarson@hotmail.com
imk2 - 10/26/07 05:59
looks like this site was shut down.
looks like this site was shut down.
jenks - 10/11/07 09:43
wow, I'm on oink- I didn't know that makes me cool! (it does kinda totally rock, though) Alas, I haven't earned any invites yet.
wow, I'm on oink- I didn't know that makes me cool! (it does kinda totally rock, though) Alas, I haven't earned any invites yet.
tinypliny - 10/10/07 23:14
I take back my comment! This is waaay cooler than your average: :::link:::
I ranked at: 58.625 with this description:
"You're definitely on the bizarre side! People will look at you strangely if they knew. You may need some mental counseling."
Perfect, no one has yet managed to dissect my soul so accurately.
I take back my comment! This is waaay cooler than your average: :::link:::
I ranked at: 58.625 with this description:
"You're definitely on the bizarre side! People will look at you strangely if they knew. You may need some mental counseling."
Perfect, no one has yet managed to dissect my soul so accurately.
tinypliny - 10/10/07 22:58
Why, pray, would you need an invite to get on here --> :::link::: !!! I am so totally falbbegastd, I can't even spell!
Why, pray, would you need an invite to get on here --> :::link::: !!! I am so totally falbbegastd, I can't even spell!
Damn. It may seem like my kindergarden maths was deficient... and it totally was! I hated my maths teacher!
Check out my comment in (e:museumchick)'s blog.
My recipé for onion-tomato-garlic-but-mainly-onion soup.
1. Get red onions for strong flavour, or yellow onions for light flavour. Cut them up lengthwise into thin strips.
2. Take peanut oil in a vessel which will conduct heat well - preferably a stainless steel pan with a flat copper-bottom. Set heat to medium.
3. Drop some cumin into the oil and just when the cumin starts to dance and bubble, drop all the onion into the oil. Turn down the heat a little.
4. Sauté the onion about the pan, till they are slowly browned. Add some fresh chopped ginger to the onions. Keep sautéing. The onions will first turn glassy and then start to become reddish and crispy.
5. When the onions are somewhat browned (after the glassy stage), add chopped garlic (maybe 3-4 cloves of garlic).
6. Keep Sautéing. When the edges of the onion strips go a deep red and the middle of the strips get a nice brown, it's time to add the tomatoes.
7. But before the tomatoes, add a bit of powdered black pepper, salt, small pieces of ginger and green-chillies (Sliced long into thin strips).
8. Take greenish tomatoes (they are more sour than the reddish ones) and cut them into really tiny bits.) Add them to the onions.
7. Keep sautéing till the skins of the tomatoes separate from the flesh and the tomatoes start to liquefy.
8. Add a cup or two of water in the mix and bring to a boil.
9. Garnish with a generous chopped bunch of coriander (Cilantro).
10. If you like a lemony twist, squeeze a half lime/lemon into the soup after turning off the heat. Salt to taste.
I love this soup to bits, on dark cold days! :)
Bourdain isn't so much of a cook as he is a culinary journalist. The Professional Chef is probably the best foundation book on the market. It is what they use to teach with at the World's leading culinary school, the CIA.
Becareful with being direct. Often in those explanations are history or advanced knowledge that will help you to walk away with a better grasp on the technique or origin, which will help you to develop your culinary skills.
Onion Soup is easy but to make really good onion soup you have to learn how to extract the best possible flavor from your onions, which is to slowly caramelize them in a small amount of fat. Then you take some flavorful broth or stock, maybe some wine, maybe some apple jack brandy some not so fresh bread (not old or stale) and add it to your onions. The onions are key and one of the ways to becoming a great cook is to master your heat. You cook the onions to fast and they will get color but they will be crunchy. You cook the onions to slow and you will be wasting alot of time not-to-mention they might burn based on how they sit in the pan. One fo the most important ideas I took away from "The French Laundry Cookbook" in a blurb along the side of the page, is to cut the onions with the grain (you should see natural lines in the onion) and this will prevent them from being tough. The onions should melt in your mouth. And their natural sugars, which you slowly extracted in the caramelization process, should be the base for the soup.
Every ingredient you use say to yourself, how can I extract the most amount of flavor from this?.
Cooking comes from inside of you not from a cookbook. For me only new ideas come from these resources. Most of the time I deviate tremendously once I understand the meaning and purpose of the dish.
With experience and the continual training of your palate you will develop inot a marvelous cook.
I agree with jbeatty that cooks illustrated is good. They rip a recipe apart and try it a million ways and then tell you what worked the best. One of my "standby" recipes is from there.
I enjoy cooking too. But I don't think I've cooked more than pasta in... shit! over a year! :( Just don't have the time, and I have less incentive since it's just me.
Oh, and yes- I will confirm - girls like guys who cook. (notice I didn't say guys who CAN cook- just guys who do/will cook is good enough for me. But if you're GOOD, you get major extra bonus points. Just like dancing. )
Thanks DT. I think that I will also try to find Julia Child's book, since it seems like such an important book. What I need is a set of books that I can build a foundation on, learn more and improve from there. It seems like Bourdain's book is also up my alley, since really what I want is direct, no bullshit explanations of the methods to prepare the dishes.
You have no idea how badly I wanted onion soup yesterday! I think, since I've never learned, I'm going to make this first.
Good cookbooks, holyshit where do I begin. I own over 60-70.
Tom Colicchio: "Think Like a Chef" & "Craft of Cooking"
Alfred Portale: "Gotham" & "12 Seasons"
CIA's: The Professional Chef
Jasques Pepins: Complete Techniques
Steven Raichlen: "the Grilling Bible"
"The Dinosaur Cookbook"
My Favorites:
Julia Child & Simone Beck's: "Mastering the Art of French Cooking"
Thomas Keller's: "The French Laundry" & "Bouchon"
Eric Ripert's: "Le Bernadin Cookbook"
Daniel Boulud's "Cafe Daniel"
It all really depends on what you want to do and how complicated you want to make it.
Cooking for me has been a journey toward culinary perfection so I totally immerse myself in reading on subjects like fish, bbq or sauces. Sometimes I just look at the pictures and work on my approach to plating/presenting the food.
And trust me on this one there are very few cooks on this city that have more talent or knowledge for the craft than I do. Anybody that says this is an art should be taken down into primal cuts and served for lunch.
Martin Yan's Chinatown Cooking is really good. But I don't know any really good ones for other types of Asian Cuisine.
Hmm. (e:james) - I like shallots. But I'm oniony/garlicy like that.
As for foods and dating, and how they relate, Rachel Ray (who Anthony Bourdain apparently hates... which I find puzzling) always says that two cloves of garlic cancel each other out. Is that some old Italian trick?
(e:jbeatty) thanks man. I saw on Bourdain's site that he had a couple sample recipes from the book, which I found so incredibly useful. It appears that in the book he enforces proper cooking methods and actually bothers to explain why... which couldn't be more up my alley. I also saw on Amazon that there is a paperback version of the book out, which I tend to like. I think maybe I am going to ask for it as a Christmas gift. Do you have any recommendations for an Asian cookbook?
I have cooked on for dates several times. I am better than average and I use ingredients most Americans have never tasted before (why does no one use a fucking shallot?) so it was easy to wow.
Never got laid cooking.
Not once.
I even got myself an apron that reads "Sodomize the Chef" as if I wasn't sending bill board sized clues out.
So, learn from my mistake! Cooking skill isn't enough to overcome a nervous deficiency of charm.
Rufies help.
Joshua you are more than welcome to borrow my copy of the Les Halles cookbook, although its a bit stained and thrashed from prior use. I find some of the best and most useful cookbooks are ones that explain how to actually cook what you are making. Recipes with vague explanation piss me off. There are some really good books out there that explain recipes in great detail. I find Cooks Illustrated to be a great source for very detailed info on the dish. Also Jacques Pepin's Complete Techniques is probably one of the best sources with instruction on tons of cooking methods. Another good book is Mastering the art of French Cooking by Julia Child. But I also don't own enough cookbooks myself. There are a bunch that I would love to have, but there also are a bunch that scare me.