Archive for March, 2009
The Watchmen Cometh… with Cookies
When I was a kid, every time I would go to the grocery store with my mom we would stop by the bakery first thing, and I would get a cookie. I assume to keep me from being a pest. But it wasn’t just any cookie. It was a big Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle head sugar cookie slathered in colored frosting and a big goofy smile. I lived for those cookies, not only because I was completely obsessed with Ninja Turtles, but because they were just so damn good.
So it should not be a big surprise that 20 years later, I’m decided to recreate a part of my youth for an equally dorky passion, the premier of the new Watchmen movie. I’m not sure how many people out there that are both comic book nerds and food geeks, but I’m sure I’m not alone in this world. If you haven’t read the Watchmen comic graphic novel, all I’ll say is that it deserves your attention, whether you were a comic book fan in the past or not. So, here’s my attempt at baking cookies and recreating that nostalgic indulgence. I wandered over the Bread and Honey to snag a cookie recipe since those girls do an amazing job.
Belly Full of FAIL
AMF’s goal has always been to post quality recipes and techniques that have been tested and taste delicious. But on my most recent epicurean adventure, it was such an epic fail for reasons that I still don’t really understand, that it deserves a post of it’s own, if for no other reason then to warn others of my not so obvious mistakes.
So the great Pork Belly Failure of 2009 will live on in infamy simply because I really couldn’t salvage anything from this dish. Only getting few morsels of decent meat resulted in me having to steal a hotdog from my roommate and forgo a more satisfying meal. Live and learn I guess.
Baby Back Ribs in All Their Glory
Now I know it’s sacralege to even infer ribs made in the oven and not over indirect wood burning heat are comparable in any way. I wouldn’t argue that. Ten years growing up in South Carolina was a sound education for anyone interested in BBQ. But I will say that any ribs slow cooked after being rubbed all over with a variety of spices coated with a dash of your favorite BBQ sauce is still one of the most savory and delisious meals you can make whether it come out of your oven, off your grill, or from a home made fire pit! A little planning and there’s no excuse not to play with some ribs.
I’ve never made ribs before, but if you have a constant heat source and a few basic spices you can make yourself some fall off the bone deliciousness that you’ll want to tear apart with your bare hands and savor every ounce of flavor. This may be my new favorite cut of meat to play with. The only draw back is the need to prep and the 3 hour cooking time. But other than that it’s pretty hard to mess up. Plenty of recipes sure to come, but for now, what I did yesterday afternoon..
The Most Famous Chef You’ve Probably Never Heard Of..
Photo by Bob Carlos Clark
To be honest, Marco Pierre White was more on my radar as another pretentious, jackass chef booking yet another formulaic reality show promoted to match Gordon Ramsey’s scream-themed extravaganza. I’ve never been a fan of Hell’s Kitchen, but the idea of second British chef throwing pans around for the cameras gave me a headache just thinking about it. I had heard of White in passing. While reading about other chefs it seemed like everyone respected and feared the guy, and there wasn’t much more to know other than he seems to be an old school talent, notorious for “bollockings” and as more of a personality than a chef.
But then I stumbled upon White’s autobiography, The Devil in the Kitchen, and it became clear that I had not been paying attention to a chef so tortured and driven by the highest standards, it was almost impossible for me not to like him. A pretty serious change of heart I know, but the book follows a narrative I’ve really come to love. If you enjoyed Kitchen Confidential or Heat, you’re most likely going to enjoy this book. White is a blistering madman, and the book slowly eases you into his frantic and obsessive universe. Whether or not you accept his justifications and explanations for his constant intensity is irrelevant. Obsession is a fascinating spectator sport, and despite the antics, you have to respect this guy’s passion.