People on the internet keep posting pictures of a sign in that movie where the guy goes into the future in a car, and they’re like “if you say you noticed this before you are a liar” but you know what? Maybe someone noticed it before and they are not a liar. Maybe a bunch of people saw it and never said anything cause they just assumed you saw it too, and by the way those people are the ones who can put “Great attention to detail” on their resumes and not be a liar.
Just something to think about.
Another thing to think about is the Food Network. Ok, normally I don’t really watch it other than that one where the guy goes to diners, and the one after that where the guy has a neck that doesn’t fit his face. But today Tremaine was sick with the flu so we watched the Food Network.
One thing I don’t like about People Who Cook is some of them like to act like they are the gatekeeper of food and oh man no one else in their life has ever baked bread before, did you know that was kneaded BY HAND and took so many hours and is made of SO MUCH SCIENCE that you shouldn’t even bother going near flour or yeast, because you couldn’t possibly understand how to mix it together properly. LEAVE IT TO THE EXPERTS!
Wow I sound totally bitter, maybe it is time for a nap. But man. Advertising and TV has made it sound like cooking is this really mysterious thing that only fancy people can do, and I will tell you right now, it is not that mysterious. In fact, baking bread is probably the easiest thing to do because all you have to do is follow the instructions. Bread is hard only because you can’t cheat a lot with it. That’s it. There is no mystery. (Sorry, foodies, I think I gave away your secrets.)
OK! The other thing I don’t like is those McCain potato commercials where they’re like “OMG mashed potatoes are SOOOO hard you have to totally peel it and man you don’t even have time for that! So we did it for you! Now pay us $6 for some potatoes that would have cost you like $1 if you bought them raw and did it yourself.”
Mashed potatoes are so easy, especially if you buy nice potatoes so you don’t have to peel them. Don’t get Russet or whatever those gross ones are called. Get some red or purple ones. Cut ‘em, stick ‘em in a pot with some water, boil until soft, the end. Drain, throw some yum in there (I like roasted garlic, sour cream instead of milk and some green onion or perhaps some rosemary). See? Easy.
Anyways I feel ranty and I don’t know why. But I made quesadillas tonight, including the tortillas. I used this recipe. Why? Cause it was the first one google gave me. And the hardest part was rolling them out, only because a few months ago I decided I was never going to use my rolling pin for cooking and used it for block printing instead. You don’t want to eat pigment. It is probably bad for you. But I got desperate and wrapped the rolling pin in plastic wrap so here’s hoping we don’t die.
Another thing I made from scratch today is YARN. I am the gatekeeper of yarn, dontchaknow?
The pink stuff is Rambouillet, and the purple is Merino. They are delightful. I will try to sell them on Sunday.
Oh, yes. Sunday. I’m going to be at the Maplewood Farm (beware: their website makes NOISE) sheep shearing with other textile art ladies from Cap. I thought it was tomorrow but I was so so wrong. You should come visit if you are in the area. There will be cute sheep getting their outfits taken!
tremaine might have allergies and not the flu… this time of the year it can be a bit confusing. it can easily be treated with hayfever pills in a day or two. certainly worth a try, i had the allergy kind of flu symptoms this year and thats how i know. it’s the darn tree pollen that gets ya.
[Reply]
Tams Reply:
May 28th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Maybe! He does have some allergies. But he has a sore throat and his skin hurts, and he woke up at 4 am with a fever and chills, which seems a bit extreme if it is allergies. I know when my skin starts hurting, it is the flu. But whatever it is, I hope it goes away soon!
[Reply]
I use an empty wine bottle as a rolling pin. And as a meat tenderizer And as a chicken breast/veal cutlet smasher. And as a candle holder. And as a cracker crusher. An empty wine bottle doubles as many things and if you’re like me you have plenty around so no need to saran wrap your toxic rolling pin anymore!
[Reply]
Tams Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Good call! I think we recycled all our wine bottles, which I guess means I just need to go buy more wine.
[Reply]
I’ve never liked the attitude that food is some amazing and secret club that only foodies can join. It really isn’t. I like to make food that is accessible and present the idea that it is very, very easy to do some things. Some stuff, yeah, you do kind of want a working knowledge but it’s nothing that a paragraph in a good cookbook can’t explain to you.
Microfoam. Sous vide. That is the stuff of nightmares. But so are lazy people, like Rachel Ray, who are of the field where “OH MAN COOKING IS SO INTENSELY HARD PLEASE BUY BOXED MIX AND DON’T HURT YOURSELF”
[Reply]
Tams Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
I was going to go on about how cooking is easy but then I remembered my friend Jenn who cannot even make Kraft Dinner properly. She can follow the instructions perfectly and it still tastes horrible. I don’t know how she does it.
[Reply]
StephDee Reply:
May 30th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
My sister magically makes it better than I do. There is some secret that I never clued in on to manipulating cheese powder and noodles.
[Reply]
anyone who never noticed the name change should make like a tree and get out of here. :shun:
[Reply]
Maine Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Haha, that was a great reference right there!
[Reply]
“make like a tree and get out of here”
WTF?
[Reply]
Tams Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Haha, Terry is a crazy person, do not mind him!
[Reply]