eG Foodblog: Al Dente - I done been tagged...

[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 January 21, 2004 by hillvalley (log)

[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?

[Nick]

Beautiful.

Edit: Oops, we're on a different page now. I meant this -

Edited January 21, 2004 by Nick (log)

[Al_Dente]

Beautiful.

Edit: Oops, we're on a different page now. I meant this -

Thanks Nick! Yes, many people have admired my butt. I guess I'm just blessed.

[Nick]

Thanks Nick! Yes, many people have admired my butt. I guess I'm just blessed.

   

When I was younger there were many that admired mine.

[Jake]

A competition of butts......????

[StInGeR]

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?

Lets see Im in the premier wine growing region of Australia, beautiful warm weather, great food :)) And you're right there was a recent Aussie blog from the other side of the country tho...

regards

Tom

[dumpling]

I volunteer to be the judge of the butt contest. Of course I would swear to be fair and honest but would need good and proper viewing of the butts to make an informed opinion. I do admire your butt, Al/Mike. Of course, as a woman I'm entitled to be fickle and change my mind unless bribed with the proper incentive. Is the Vietnamese beef dish you make bo luc lac? That could be the right incentive.

Do you know about the Chinese New Year thing we're having in N.J. on Sunday? If you're going to be up in the area and are interested, ask Rachel if there's still room. Short hop across the river for what promises to be a great meal.

[Jake]

I volunteer to be the judge of the butt contest. Of course I would swear to be fair and honest but would need good and proper viewing of the butts to make an informed opinion. I do admire your butt, Al/Mike. Of course, as a woman I'm entitled to be fickle and change my mind unless bribed with the proper incentive. Is the Vietnamese beef dish you make bo luc lac? That could be the right incentive.

Dumpling -- do let me know if you require any judging help! I fully agree that we're always allowed to change our minds!

[dumpling]

Hope the chiro did some good and you're feeling better.

Where are you going to eat in the city?

[dumpling]

Hey Jake thanks. We'll have to consider the judging criteria.

[Jake]

Hey Jake thanks. We'll have to consider the judging criteria.

As long as they bribe us with gourmet food.....

[dumpling]

There you go. Best bribe takes it.

[KatieLoeb]

Beautiful.

Edit: Oops, we're on a different page now. I meant this -

Thanks Nick! Yes, many people have admired my butt. I guess I'm just blessed.

Mike:

Just for the record, I always thought you had a nice butt...

And did I mention how nice you look today...

Do I win?

And definitely try make it to the Chinese New Year's dinner. Quite a few folks road trippin' for that one and several Pig Pickin' Alums all in one place at once. I know I'm looking forward to it.

[herbacidal]

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

Actually, I think we had 2 from down under in a row, or really close together.

[herbacidal]

Thanks Nick! Yes, many people have admired my butt. I guess I'm just blessed.

   

When I was younger there were many that admired mine.

There continue to be many that admire mine.

[Pan]

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

Actually, I think we had 2 from down under in a row, or really close together.

Misgabi and...?

[hjshorter]

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?

Four, if you count mine earlier, and still nothing to do with the government.

Nice butt, Mike.

[Toliver]

[JEWISH MOTHER] Eat something. Would it hurt you to post about it? [/JEWISH MOTHER]

And, yes, Cusina just blogged from down under, I believe.

[Al_Dente]

[JEWISH MOTHER] Eat something. Would it hurt you to post about it? [/JEWISH MOTHER]

Sorry, didn't go into work yet again today cuz of this damn back of mine. Oy.

Since a trip to the grocery store is out of the question, I'll be ordering up a pizza.

Have any favorite combinations? For both types of pizza-- you know what I mean. I don't have a delivery place that can bring me prosciutto with fontina and portobellas. So I think I'll go with my standby "regular ol delivery pizza" combination of pepperoni and black olives.

[Al_Dente]

Got another brave volunteer-- this one from South Africa.

[morela]

Al, what is your specialty?

I once saw Al make a wine key out of the tail and hide of a sand rat. It was in Pashtunistan, though. Trip to Afghaistan was overrated, I feel...