39 posts from November 2009

Famed Chef José Andrés shares his personal soundtrack as part of KCRW’s Guest DJ Project. His exuberant personality is on full display as he celebrates cultural diversity, passion for his homeland and a song that capture his “internal rhythm.” The full set is available streaming, for download and as a podcast (with a transcript) here.

 

José on Mr. Jones by Counting Crows:

 

“I do believe that every person has internal rhythm that you need to understand, and it’s not easy to understand. Once you understand what your rhythm is, I believe you start behaving better in life on every level.  I have a feeling that Mr. Jones is the one that has my rhythm.  And every time I need to find that rhythm again, I will put that song on, but every time I put it on, it’s like finding again an old friend.  And we need to start thinking about music in those ways.  Music is more than just notes that sound in our ear drums.  Music can be a great companion and you should establish a kind of a relationship with that music, almost like talking to the music.  And that works for me, helps me find my way in life."

Upcoming, we’ll hear from Alice Waters, Susan Feniger and more:

How weird is that?

A few days ago America's Test Kitchen's Jack Bishop was in the studio. I had brought a pie in for everyone to eat and we hacked out a piece for him using a tiny plastic knife. This week a beautiful Oxo Pie Cutter-Server (top rated, of course) came in the mail with a note from Jack. It said that he was sending us this beautiful tool so we don't have to
destroy pies anymore. Thanks Jack and ATK!

This holiday week, support a local bakery in need.  To survive, Kiss My Bundt on Third Street needs to sell 5,000 bundts.  So get out there and get your bundt on.

Fuerte avocados are an early winter variety – thin, dull skin (as opposed to the very shiny Zutano) and tender flesh.  All avos between October 1 and January 16 must be tested for maturity.  These passed.  Valley Center Orchards; Sunday Main Street, Saturday downtown and Pico

Fat Uncle Farm – almonds, almond butter, almond paste and almond flour.  Almond milk will be here next week.  Sunday Main Street; Santa Barbara markets

The scene at the Sunday Main Street market

Sunchokes and parsnips – sunchokes are a tender crunchy tuber with a flavor of artichokes.  Add to mashed potatoes or puree.  Parsips are sweet roots that are delicious baked or pureed.  Weiser Family Farm – at many area markets

Macadamia nuts are a real seasonal favorite.  Air dried at low temps so they are technically raw.  Chopped and meal is also available for baking.  Russell Farm, Wednesday Santa Monica

Not your ordinary Poinsettias – Casa Blanca nursery specializes in minis and new varieties like Monet and Ruffled.  Wednesday Santa Monica

Cilantro flowers – beautiful, delicate blooms that can be sprinkled whenever cilantro is used. Valdivia Farm at many local markets

Sapotes, also called “custard apples” are extremely creamy with large smooth seeds.  Coleman Farm Wednesday, Saturday Santa Monica; Santa Barbara

Please note:  Santa Monica is under a med fly quarantine.  What that means for farmers is they must keep their table displays covered with mesh, and keep all other host fruit covered or closed in their truck.  Displayed fruit may not be taken back to the farm at the end of the day, so displays may be smaller due to this restriction.  Consumers are asked to consume the fruit within the week and to continue to support their farmers!
More info is available here.

Tips from last week's Saturday Night Live... The food prep in the beginning is so funny!

When I saw this LA Times article, I was surprised.  Supposedly there is a pumpkin shortage, but I've been seeing it in abundance everywhere.  What do you think?  What has been your experience this holiday season?

According to Dr. Harold Katz, a dentist known as "the Bad Breath Guru," the five worst foods for fresh breath during the holidays are:

5. Candy Canes
4. Cranberry Sauce
3. Candied Yams
2. Mashed Potatoes (with butter and sour cream)
1. Egg nog

I say keep eating, but maybe keep a pack of gum in your pocket...

Jonathan Gold - Blue

Good Food producer, Holly Tarson, shows us this piece in Eater LA about a chef (Neil Ganic) at a Brooklyn restaurant (Petit Crevette) with anger management issues...  When a couple complained about their food, Ganic came out of the kitchen wielding a live lobster.  Like a good Brooklynite, the chef is "proud" of what he did.  He even banned the customers from ever returning.