The Year Ahead: Part Deux

Photo courtesy of http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/soul-food.

Totally didn't keep my promise to write more, but, hopefully (fingers, eyes, and toes crossed) that will change in the new year.  Found this quote from vegan soul chef and author Bryant Terry and wanted to share with those who may care:

On the African-American tradition of eating black-eyes peas on New Year's:

"The lore is that the black-eyed peas actually represent copper or pennies. And so along with that, one typically will have a green dish such as collards, mustards, turnips, chard, kale or cabbage, and the leafy green dish actually represents money. And then with that, one might have some cornbread, which represents gold. You eat it on New Year's, and it's supposed to usher in a very prosperous and abundant year."

News That Makes Me Sad: Ina Garten Denies Make-A-Wish Request

Photo courtesy of Food Network

Like most foodies, I love Ina Garten.  Mrs. Barefoot Contessa.  Her show is my (second) favorite show on Food Network.  I have always had a certain image of Ina:  classic, pristine, friendly, and superb epicurean.  Despite her monotonous tone and appearance, I love this woman.  I do.

I came across this article on Shine, and it really just soured my image.  What kind of person would turn down a sick child?  Damn you, Ina. 



From today forward, Ina Garten is on strict punishment.  I will not watch her show for a week.  I will not make any of her recipes.  I will not support anything Ina Garten. Hmph. 

Update:  She has decided to grant the child's wish. 

The Stuff: Cheyenne Burger

This is what summer is made of. Usually I don't do BBQ sauce alongside cheese, however THIS looks phenomenal and at some point during the summer, THIS will be on my agenda. Chef Bobby Flay's Cheyenne Burger is all sorts of yummy fatgirl goodness. Its a turkey burger, stacked with bacon, onion shoestrings (sweet Vidalias!), BBQ sauce and sharp cheddar.

This is the reason I loves to cook. Bon Appetit!

Magazine Death, TV Life

Sad to say, Gourmet, one of my favorite magazines, is going bye bye. This is the second magazine loss that I've dealt with as of late (Domino was the first). Hate to see it go, but at least Bon Appetit is still going strong..

With any loss, there is always gain. Glad to know that although I am losing a magazine, G. Garvin is back on

TVOne with Turn Up the Heat. This show has been on hiatus or something for like, two years, so I'm glad to have it back. This time around, it seems fresher. Yay G.

Also, my absolute favoritest designer is [semi] back with [semi] new episodes. I love, love, love Kim Myles and

I don't really understand why she isn't forefronted more on HGTV. She is better than many other designers on the network, yet she can't seem to get her shine. Myles of Style is innovative on so many levels, and the creative aspect of it is far more entertaining/beneficial to the average viewer. I don't want to have to pull the race card but...I'm just saying.

Let's Do Lunch: Tyler Florence

Tyler Florence is the Ultimate chef. I ♥ him. Aside from being absolutely adorable, this man gets down in the kitchen. I love Tyler's recipes because he can get innovative, and at the same time maintain that Dirty South grit and grandeur. Everything he makes looks phenomenal. I TiVo his show Tyler's Ultimate on the regular. If you ever doubt Tyler's dopeness, please check his cornbread or mac and cheese recipe. Come on over, Tyler.

For more recipes and juicy Tyler Florence info, see Tyler's website.

Let's Do Lunch: Pat and Gina Neely

The Neelys are some of my favorite Black folk on TV. I was SO excited when I saw them on Paula Deen for the first time, but I had no clue that they'd be coming out with their own show. Down Home With the Neely's brought a sense of freshness to Food Network. I had not seen much Blackness (or color, for that matter) on FN since Melting Pot, and seeing the Neelys do their thing on FN made me fall in love with the network all over again. Although I cringe when Gina calls Pat "daddy" on TV, I absolutely LOVE this husband and wife duo in the kitchen. BBQ is their main hustle, but The Neelys take Southern comfort cooking to another level with recipes like Creamed Collard Greens and Fried Deviled Eggs. Hey Pat, Hey G...can I come over?

If you love Pat and G like I do, visit them here.