Food things I didn't know at this time last year

[Gifted Gourmet]

I learned that when taking food photographs, select one item and focus in with a good zoom lens for the best photo to post on Image Gullet ...

I learned how to read a recipe much, much more carefully ...

I learned that to cook a dish properly, I really must set up my mis en place before beginning ...

Anything new that you have learned here?

[Marlene]

I learned to deep fry and not be afraid of my deep fryer.

I learned how to make gumbo

I learned to braise

I learned how to make pie crust (sort of)

I learned how to make pizza from scratch with a pizza stone

I learned the value of a mise en place.

I learned not to be afraid to experiment with recipes, quantities and ingredients

I learned how to make the best turkey ever

I learned not to make battered halibut in a deep fryer.

Was it really only this past year I started making stock? It feels like I've been making it forever.

2005 was a year of many cooking firsts for me, and I swear in 2006 I'm going to conquer that stupid rice cooker.

[Gifted Gourmet]

2005 was a year of many cooking firsts for me, and I swear in 2006 I'm going to conquer that stupid rice cooker.

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If you can conquer your fear of the deep fryer, Marlene, then overpowering your rice cooker ought to be a cinch!

The moral of this tale? Never let an appliance sense your fear .. approach it confidently and shock it into submission to your will .. after all, who is the Boss anyway??

[Pontormo]

Korova cookies.

[Gifted Gourmet]

Korova cookies.

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You just had to make me look this recipe up, didn't you?

Leite's Culinaria recipe

[Pontormo]

You forgot to mention Ling and her dough-eating habits.

[I_call_the_duck]

You forgot to mention Ling and her dough-eating habits.

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I think Ling and her eating habits in general are quite educational.

[Ling]

^I'm flattered. And I'm glad I could be of service.

I learned how different cocoa brands yield such different tasting cakes through my chocolate cake experiment.

I learned that adding a bit of sour cream to pie dough yields a softer dough that's easier to work with.

I've learned to be a better restaurant patron--to arrive on time, be more appreciative of the hard work that goes on in the front and back of the house, and to give second chances.

I've learned a bit about different grape varietals, different regions, and wine pairings.

I've learned a lot about chocolate. Michel Cluizel makes my favourite eating chocolate, and I've just discovered this brand recently. (They've just started importing to Vancouver.)

I had the opportunity to work in a busy professional kitchen, and I learned how swamped it can get back there. (And I was only there during a Thursday lunch service! )

I learned about food all around the world, particularly through the food blogs.

I learned more about being a responsible consumer, and about sustainability.

I found percyn's delicious breakfasts, Megan's colorful (and often quite healthful) lunches, Alinka's food and photography, Patrick's macaroons, Yetty's yummy snacks, racheld and Pontormo's writing, Susan's gorgeous dinners in Florida, Daniel's pork fest, and Chufi's Dutch cooking thread, to name a few. There is much, much more that I've gleaned from posters this year!

[Jmahl]

This year I learned how to:

1. use eGullet, I think?

2. post photos to eGullet,

3. to make gravlax (check out thread)

4. to make my own aguavit (a work in progress)

5. to finally make a decent tart crust.

Happy New Year to all,

Jmahl

Edited for spelling - not one of my strong points.

Edited December 30, 2005 by Jmahl (log)

[rooftop1000]

I learned how to make Barbeque...isnt that all that really matters

2 whole butts in the fridge right now

tracey

[ghostrider]

I learned how to find & cook Maine shrimp in New Jersey, thanks to some online inspiration from johnnyd (see New England forum).

In my ongoing obsessive quest, I have come close to perfecting my approach to preparing rigatoni amatriciana, though I have not yet attained the consistency I'd like.

[bergerka]

Oh my god, where should I start??? I know how to cook now!

Probably the most important thing I learned was this: if you poach eggs for five minutes, they turn into a cross between rubber and concrete and you can play tennis with them.

[SuzySushi]

I discovered eGullet and learned that there are other people out there who are as crazy about food as I am!

[Kent Wang]

I learned how to make a salad.

I learned that I like Western chef's knives over Chinese cleavers.

[NYC Mike]

I discovered eGullet and learned that there are other people out there who are as crazy about food as I am!   

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What she said.

[Arianna]

i discovered that if i ever have any spare time, it can be easily erased by going to eGullet.

you know, just in case.

[mizducky]

I discovered eGullet and learned that there are other people out there who are as crazy about food as I am!   

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What she said.

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I'll ditto that too.

I also learned (primarily through eGullet) many new and fascinating things about Chinese cooking techniques and ingredients. How I managed to live without fermented bean curd and pork belly all these years, I now haven't a clue.

[andiesenji]

2005 has been a wonderful year for learning about new methods of preparing foods, finding new sources for exotic (or mundane) foods or ingredients or spices and how to use them.

My belief has been reinforced that a passion for food and cooking crosses all national, cultural and ethnic boundaries, promoting friendships between people that otherwise might never have met.

No wonder that the breaking and sharing of bread and salt has been a sign of peace between strangers since prehistoric times.

Thanks to eGullet, I have many new and interesting friends who have taught me so much.

Thank you!

[BeeZee]

I learned a new term, "food porn" !