111 replies to this topic

[Al_Dente]

My fellow eGulleters...

Hello there, my real name is Mike, I live just outside of Washington DC, and Uptown tagged me. We'll see how this makes my week a lot different food-wise. I have some bad dining habits mixed in with my own pretty-good-for-an-amateur cooking along with some meals from some excellent, or at least reliable, restaurants in the DC area.

Can I start with last night? It's been so cooooold. And for whatever reason, braising seems to be the way to go when it's chilly. So, I went to visit my best friend, his wife, and my twin Godsons, armed with a bunch of short ribs, carrots, onions, celery, beef broth, red wine (lots of it), garlic, parsley, tomato paste, anchovy paste, and a can of fire roasted tomatoes.

A delicious meal ensued. More details later as this PC at my friend's place is misbehaving, and the Indian carryout just arrived.

[hwilson41]

My fellow eGulleters...  Hello there, my real name is Mike, I live just outside of Washington DC, and Uptown tagged me.

Boy, am I pissed. I thought your name was Al . Bless you for picking up the baton and keeping the rest of us entertained.

Can I start with last night? It's been so cooooold. And for whatever reason, braising seems to be the way to go when it's chilly. So, I went to visit my best friend, his wife, and my twin Godsons, armed with a bunch of short ribs, carrots, onions, celery, beef broth, red wine (lots of it), garlic, parsley, tomato paste, anchovy paste, and a can of fire roasted tomatoes.

My kind of "guest". Wanna come to my house ? The invitation's open, and if I'm correct about where you live, we're only about 10 miles apart.

Looking forward to your blog Mike.

THW

[herbacidal]

Not to be picky or ungrateful Al Michael,
but I think after you, it's time to spread the love.

3 in a row from DC area is enough.

Find someone in an area that hasn't been touched by a blog yet.

Just my opinion though.

Of course, you're already dead though. Killed when that giant comet hit.

Edited by herbacidal, 19 January 2004 - 07:47 PM.

[Al_Dente]

3 in a row from DC area is enough.

I promise. No DCers. How bout someone outside the US?

If you qualify, and you're interested. Send me a PM.

More tomorrow,
Al

[Jake]

Looking forward to the blog.

You must have a lot of dinner invites if you bring the food!

What do you do for a living?

[maggiethecat]

3 in a row from DC area is enough.

I promise. No DCers. How bout someone outside the US?

If you qualify, and you're interested. Send me a PM.

More tomorrow,
Al

I vote that you carry on, Al! I want to know about the output of your embarassingly small

kitchen.


Best,
Betty

[Marlene]

You gotta finish your week Al/Mike

[JennyUptown]

Not to be picky or ungrateful Al Michael,
but I think after you, it's time to spread the love.

3 in a row from DC area is enough.

Find someone in an area that hasn't been touched by a blog yet.

Just my opinion though.

Of course, you're already dead though. Killed when that giant comet hit.

I tried!

Seriously, after putting out an open call (and getting absolutely zero responses), I PMed several members who seemed like great potential bloggers...only to be treated like I had the plague.

Sorry for the DC-centricity. In my defense, little of my own blog had to do with DC specifically.

[herbacidal]

3 in a row from DC area is enough.

I promise. No DCers. How bout someone outside the US?

If you qualify, and you're interested. Send me a PM.

More tomorrow,
Al

Hey, I gots no problem with you finishing, ya hear?

Besides, been wondering how you or Tommy would sound like in a blog.

I do think someone outside the US would be nice.
Europe outside England. I don't know offhand about any posters in Latin America.
Russia would be awesome and Eastern Europe as well, but same problem.
Hawaii. That might be interesting, although a longer wait might be better, to
contrast with Shiewie and Torakris.
There's probably a few parts of the US that aren't touched yet. Only one in Canada was Vancouver.

You're requesting volunteers? I'm out. I already did mine.

Jenny, I'm not really saying it's your fault.
Although you are supposed to badger, heckle, and embarrass the next one into blogging.

That's how Ronnie Suburban and Ling got me to do one.
Kicking and screaming. All in all, it was okay.

[Pan]

How about vserna if he's not too busy (which he might well be) or one of our other Iberian posters?

[ludja]

edit: oops

Edited by ludja, 20 January 2004 - 01:29 AM.

[hjshorter]

I vote that you carry on, Al! I want to know about the output of your embarassingly small

kitchen.

Same here.

[Al_Dente]

Looking forward to the blog.

You must have a lot of dinner invites if you bring the food!

What do you do for a living?

What do I do for a living? Good question, I'm not so sure. They tell me I'm a Client Relations Manager for a company that provides electronic payment processing (read: credit cards) services to the hospitality industry. Basically we have a help desk that supports the software on point of sale systems and a network by which the transactions go from those systems to the various banks. I know, it's some pretty exciting and glamorous stuff.

I do get a fair number of invites to cook. I really enjoy heading over to someone's place and cooking. Provided their kitchen is bigger than mine. Given the square inchage of my kitchen, it isn't hard to find someone with some decent counter space. The only thing I don't like about cooking in a strange kitchen is figuring out where everything is and using an unfamiliar stove and/or oven. I often cook at my best friend's place, my brother's house, and when I head home to visit my dad and stepmother.

That last kitchen reminds me of something. They have a beautiful kitchen with great appliances, plenty of counterspace, and a good sink area. But, they have horrible pots, pans, and knives. I usually bring my own. My stepmother, and my dad to some degree, are both pretty decent cooks. The problem though, is that my stepmother is an excellent baker-- all kinds of homemade breads, sticky buns, quiches, pastries, the whole shebang. The one area of cooking I've never tried out very much is baking. So the kitchen is a baker's kitchen-- it just doesn't work for me.

Does anyone else have any "impossible kitchen" stories?

[Al_Dente]

Had some pretty good carry out at a friend's place up near Cleveland Park in DC. Delhi Daba (sp?) ain't bad. Vegetable samosas in a deliciously flaky crust, a bit too sweet chicken tikka masala, an assortment of pickles (the kind that takes the enamel off your teeth), and an onion chulcha.

Breakfast this morning? My usual, coffee and cigs. Told you I have some bad habits.

I don't think I'll make it into the office today-- I have sciatica that kicks in every once in a while. I think it may have started after carrying my Le Creuset dutch oven into my friend's place to make that short rib dish. Anyway, I can barely stand or walk. Nothing makes you feel older than having a bad back. Gotta get in to see the chiro for a torture session.

[Varmint]

Does anyone else have any "impossible kitchen" stories?

Ha! You mock me.

[ludja]

Does anyone else have any "impossible kitchen" stories?

Ha! You mock me.

Not for long!

[Al_Dente]

Does anyone else have any "impossible kitchen" stories?

Ha! You mock me.

Your soon to be old kitchen isn't without its charms.

Speaking of Mr Varmint, if you ever get a chance to make it to an event at Chez Varmint, do so. I've been to two fabulous feasts there so far-- the big pig pickin and a Mexican dinner party. He has a pastafest coming up soon-- be there!

[bloviatrix]

I don't think I'll make it into the office today-- I have sciatica that kicks in every once in a while. I think it may have started after carrying my Le Creuset dutch oven into my friend's place to make that short rib dish. Anyway, I can barely stand or walk. Nothing makes you feel older than having a bad back. Gotta get in to see the chiro for a torture session.

Back pain. Yuck. Glad to see it doesn't affect your typing.

Hope you feel better.

[Al_Dente]

I'm off to the chiro soon. On my way back I'm gonna stop to pick up some lunch. A while back there was a thread on Chipotle-- seems people either love it or hate it. I love it, so I'm picking one of these babies up:



I like it with the Niman Ranch pork (carnitas) with the hot salsa:



This might be my only meal today. What with the 27,000 calories and all.....

[JennyUptown]

YUM!

I just finished my leftover half (chicken, hot salsa, extra black beans, no lettuce EVER) from yesterday when I introduced my visiting friend to the wonder of Chipotle. She enjoyed carnitas with mild salsa, and is looking forward to checking out the new NYC locations.

[Tam]

YUM!

I just finished my leftover half (chicken, hot salsa, extra black beans, no lettuce EVER) from yesterday when I introduced my visiting friend to the wonder of Chipotle. She enjoyed carnitas with mild salsa, and is looking forward to checking out the new NYC locations.

This chain does not appear to be in Canada yet (at least western Canada). I have followed the Chipotle thread with interest as authentic Latino cooking is a rare phenomenom in our general area (Taco Time, ugh or rarely available Taco Bell, equally ugh). Can't imagine proper Latino/Mexican fast food. I thought that the purpose of all fast food was to bastardize real food. Do they serve burritos only? What do Latino people think of their product?

I had my first real tamale while travelling in California a couple years back. It was a true work of art and I could finally understand why people rant and rave, steamy soft masa with green chile and cheese or spicy savory pork. Mmm... A local couple (Canadian male married to Guatemalan/Venezuelan female) make tamales for sale: hideous, grainy, stiff masa with ground beef and mixed vegetable (truly peas, carrot, corn mix from the frozen food section) filling - they ought to be ashamed!

[bilrus]

Do they serve burritos only?

At Chipotle you can get either a burrito, three soft tacos or a bowl, which is everything served (duh) in a bowl (presumably for the atkins people).

[Squeat Mungry]

I do get a fair number of invites to cook. I really enjoy heading over to someone's place and cooking. Provided their kitchen is bigger than mine. Given the square inchage of my kitchen, it isn't hard to find someone with some decent counter space. The only thing I don't like about cooking in a strange kitchen is figuring out where everything is and using an unfamiliar stove and/or oven. I often cook at my best friend's place, my brother's house, and when I head home to visit my dad and stepmother.

...

Does anyone else have any "impossible kitchen" stories?

Looking forward to your blog, Al/Mike! Not only because I used to live on-and-off in DC years ago (from reading eGullet, sounds as though the food scene has improved considerably), but also because I, too, am kitchen-impaired, and often cook in other people's kitchens! (For those who followed my own blog, I STILL don't have a range -- long story which I won't relate here.)

I have learned to always take my knives.

Cheers,

Squeat

[Al_Dente]

but also because I, too, am kitchen-impaired, and often cook in other people's kitchens! (For those who followed my own blog, I STILL don't have a range -- long story which I won't relate here.)

Ah, another kitchen impaired eGulleter. I don't feel so self conscious now.

I've had one outside the U.S. volunteer for the next blog. A newbie from down under. I'm interested, but (and no offense to our Aussie friend), but how bout someone in Italy? Spain?

My plans this week-- dinner at some point somewhere worth reporting about. Any local eGullet types up for such a thing? Ms Uptown? Since you're to blame.

I will cook at least one meal this week, and I'll try to fit in a few good lunches at work. I work in Silver Spring which is quite the culinary wasteland.

But, on the good news front, I'll be heading to NYC this weekend. I hope to make it to a few good restaurants, and a trip to Arthur Ave would be cool. I'll be there from Friday night until Monday afternoon.

I'm going to write my food biography in the next day or so. Kinda let you in on the role food has played in my life and how I got interested in cooking. If I can write it down eloquently, it shouldn't be without its charms.

So, Uptown did a great topic with food memories. My query is similar. When did you realize you had an interest in food? When did you know you had a certain flair for cooking (if applicable)? Has anyone raved about a dish you made? If so, whom? And why? Were you at all suspicious they were just being kind (I know I have)?

Well, have a great night, and I hope you had a delicious dinner tonight.

Al

[StInGeR]

Sheesh I really am offended but I'm sure I'll get over it
Regards
Tom

[Jake]

So, Uptown did a great topic with food memories. My query is similar. When did you realize you had an interest in food? When did you know you had a certain flair for cooking (if applicable)? Has anyone raved about a dish you made? If so, whom? And why? Were you at all suspicious they were just being kind (I know I have)?

Well, have a great night, and I hope you had a delicious dinner tonight.

Al

I fell in love with food much earlier than with cooking. I was lucky enough as a child to travel a bit and we ate in higher end restaurants quite often. I had my first lobster at 6, my first oysters at 8 (steamed, didn't try raw until 10). This was unusual in your typical WASP family not living on the coast.

My mother cooked the usual meat and veg, and the most daring ethnic dish was spaghetti! But I loved eating in restaurants. She began to teach me the basics of cooking when I was about 8 or so because I was interested in the food.

I began to cook in my teens and that was when I realized that a recipe wasn't always right, that I could trust myself to recreate a taste. Very few complained, and it snowballed from there. I began to recreate dishes I had eaten elsewhere, usually without a recipe. There were some horrid errors until I learned some tricks about combining herbs and spices!

I had my first "dinner party" (4 courses) at 17 and haven't stopped since. A friend of mine became a chef and tutored me at home, with friends and eventually in his restaurants. It became my creative outlet, a way to enjoy time with friends and family, and sure made my SO's happy over the years.

Many times I thought people were just being kind about my abilities, until I received multiple requests for recipes, to cook, or to help them cook when in their homes!

The highest compliment I have ever received was from the chef friend (on a couple different occasions) that he "couldn't have done it any better, and wouldn't have done anything different"! Perhaps he just likes someone cooking for him!

My apologies if this story was longer than intended! Looking forward to the blog Al/Mike!

[Al_Dente]

So, Uptown did a great topic with food memories. My query is similar. When did you realize you had an interest in food? When did you know you had a certain flair for cooking (if applicable)? Has anyone raved about a dish you made? If so, whom? And why? Were you at all suspicious they were just being kind (I know I have)?

Well, have a great night, and I hope you had a delicious dinner tonight.

Al

I fell in love with food much earlier than with cooking. I was lucky enough as a child to travel a bit and we ate in higher end restaurants quite often. I had my first lobster at 6, my first oysters at 8 (steamed, didn't try raw until 10). This was unusual in your typical WASP family not living on the coast.

My mother cooked the usual meat and veg, and the most daring ethnic dish was spaghetti! But I loved eating in restaurants. She began to teach me the basics of cooking when I was about 8 or so because I was interested in the food.

I began to cook in my teens and that was when I realized that a recipe wasn't always right, that I could trust myself to recreate a taste. Very few complained, and it snowballed from there. I began to recreate dishes I had eaten elsewhere, usually without a recipe. There were some horrid errors until I learned some tricks about combining herbs and spices!

I had my first "dinner party" (4 courses) at 17 and haven't stopped since. A friend of mine became a chef and tutored me at home, with friends and eventually in his restaurants. It became my creative outlet, a way to enjoy time with friends and family, and sure made my SO's happy over the years.

Many times I thought people were just being kind about my abilities, until I received multiple requests for recipes, to cook, or to help them cook when in their homes!

The highest compliment I have ever received was from the chef friend (on a couple different occasions) that he "couldn't have done it any better, and wouldn't have done anything different"! Perhaps he just likes someone cooking for him!

My apologies if this story was longer than intended! Looking forward to the blog Al/Mike!

Great stuff. Thanks for that!

Similar experience here with getting to travel a bit and try "exotic" stuff. At least at the time.

[hillvalley]

Not to be picky or ungrateful Al Michael,
but I think after you, it's time to spread the love.

3 in a row from DC area is enough.

Find someone in an area that hasn't been touched by a blog yet.

Just my opinion though.

Of course, you're already dead though.  Killed when that giant comet hit.

I tried!

Seriously, after putting out an open call (and getting absolutely zero responses), I PMed several members who seemed like great potential bloggers...only to be treated like I had the plague.

Sorry for the DC-centricity. In my defense, little of my own blog had to do with DC specifically.

The timing of the DC blog hijaking is interesting.

I know you all are probably sick of us by now, but hey, it's DC. Anyone realized that you are getting three points of view of DC and none of them have to do with the government? Then again, foodies with expense accounts in DC can eat well.

Al, what is your specialty?

Edited by hillvalley, 20 January 2004 - 07:32 PM.

[Al_Dente]

Al, what is your specialty?

Hard to say. I've had a number of requests for repeat performances-- this vietnamese beef dish, puttanesca sauce on homemade pasta, timpano, various roasted/grilled whole chicken dishes, I'm all over the place. Plus, I have many requests for my butt:



My big weak areas are baking, and classic sauces. Otherwise, I ain't exactly chopped liver if I do say so myself.

[Al_Dente]

Sheesh I really am offended but I'm sure I'll get over it
Regards
Tom

Sorry Tom. You're by no means out of the running. I just wanted to open it up to a democratic vote of sorts.

Of course, I could be swayed. I need a vacation. What perks could be provided to me down in Australia if I were to go there for a trip? Just kiddin....

It seems to me there was a recent Aussie on the blog. Am I right?