Hey All,
I still haven't figured out a newsreader to use since I got on cable.
If anyone has any suggestions please pass them on.
I've been working full time at a gourmet kitchen store since moving to
South Carolina. It's been a real eye opener and I've learned a lot.
Recently I won a gorgeous All-Clad copper saute pan with lid, for
selling a new 10-piece copper core All-Clad set. Boy, if I only had a
Grand kicking around. Though I am not a big fan of non-stick, cuz I am
fond of Fond...lol...there are times it comes in handy and ScanPan is
now my favorite.
I've been fortunate enough to work some of the cooking classes and
that's a real experience. They do "Dinner Parties for 12" for $45. a
pop. Free flowing wine included. The recipes are a little simplistic to
my taste, but it's a good time. And they sell out faster than a rock
concert. Crazy gig. Sure wish the resident Chef and I could tap into
THAT market....lol.
One thing I'll say is that the gourmet foods are for the most part,
overpriced [censored]. Maybe 5% of the stuff being marketed to gourmet stores
is palatable to my taste. It drives me nuts. No flavor other than
sugar. Blech. But I do love being able to buy Maldon salt and really
good Tellicherry locally instead of online. Other than that, you can
have most of that stuff and I get free samples. Well, the freebie
Knipschildt chocolate is pretty cool...lol. But give me a break...12.
for Shrimp and Grits kits that don't include anything but 8 oz of grits
and a packet of dehydrated flavorings? Eeee gad...package anything up
cute and people will buy it.
Granted, we have some "precious vinegars and Olive Oils" that I wish I
could afford, even with my discount, but give me Trader Joe's anytime
and the closest one is probably 1300 miles away...lol.
Oh, the one biggie perk of the job is full access to some awesome
cookbooks. My collection of recipes is growing everyday. Some of my
favorites are sauces/vinaigrettes from Charlie Trotter [along with
ideas on presentation]; some GREAT Emeril recipes from before he got
super famous - his Real & Rustic book [nice copy]; several neat
entertaining recipes from Colin Cowie [yeah I know what you're
thinking, but I got a couple really nice new ideas there]; and yes, I
am now a fan of Ina Gartner [after reading her first cookbook - she
cooks like I want to eat - but I still don't like her Food TV show]. Oh
yeah...did I mention Tyler Florence's new cookbook - Eat this Book? Not
bad. Not bad at all. But my favorite of all, the book I loved the most
so far is.....drum roll please....
Nigella Lawsons' - How to be a Domestic Goddess.
Her dialogue cracks me up, the recipes are solid and just enough
forward thinking to take anyone EASILY from the mundane to special.
FEAST is also wonderful...in fact FABULOUS. But Domestic Goddess just
hits home for me.
Now for the WORST NEW COOKBOOK? Ready...
Giada De Laurentiis. I don't care if her mom was Miss Universe and her
dad made movies...if I had to look at one more useless picture of her
doing nothing but posing I was gonna upchuck. What a waste of $30.
Spend $10 more and get FEAST by Nigella.
Hehehee....
Well that's all for now. Don't forget I need help with finding a cable
accessible newsreader. *sigh* I don't like this Google Group interface
at all.
Huggz,
Ellen
South Carolina