constructive nonconformist

Where are the 'How-To' Shows on iTunes?

Alton Brown tossed the cooking grate aside and placed his steaks directly on the coals. This was an episode of Good Eats titled “Raising the Steaks.” But I only caught a few minutes.

I’d like to be able to see the whole episode. Now. Not when it airs next.

The Food Network isn’t on iTunes. PBS has fewer shows on iTunes then I have toes. (I have all my toes.) Where are the cooking shows? Where are the ‘How-To’ shows?

Shouldn’t ‘How-To’ shows be a natural for the iTunes store? There’s a timeliness (or impulse) factor that the iTunes store could fulfill. See a great recipe or project made. Buy the episode. Bring your notebook computer or video iPod into the kitchen or workshop and replay the important bits as needed.

Oh. And what if the iTunes versions of the shows included a printable digital booklet for the plans or instructions or recipes or shopping lists (or whatever is appropriate)?

Brown Bag Popcorn

I’ve been using Alton Brown’s Plain Brown Popper recipe for microwave popcorn for a while but recently James Duncan Davidson linked to the recipe.

Link: James Duncan Davidson: Plain Lunch Bag Popcorn.

Beyond concerns about what might be in the processed slab in commercial microwave popcorn, my motivations were cost (a big jar of plain old popcorn is much cheaper) and the entertainment value for the kids.

Nicknames for Restaurants

When I was in high school there was a local Mexican place that was primarily a take-out business. The restaurant’s name was Take-A-Taco. The decor included sombreros and blankets hung on the walls. My friends and I customarily called it Tacky Taco.

My brother used to refer to Friendly’s as Surly’s. (Not as a reflection of the service. We just thought it was funny.)

Update: You want to add something by posting a comment? Give me something more original than Taco Hell or Burger Thing. Give me something clever or that has a story. But be aware than I won’t publish comments that are even vaguely scatological.

Hello Jo

Link: Counting Sheep: Pink Snow.

We enjoyed the class but, I must admit, it was nice to be out as a couple without the kids. So the problems hardly troubled us.

I think I’ll try the churro recipe with my son.

Kitchen Etc. is Closing

Kitchen Etc filed for bankruptcy protection on June 8 and was ordered to be liquidated on July 9.

Boston.com / Business / Kitchen Etc. closing stores

I don’t know the story behind the bankruptcy. I do know that Kitchen Etc had a depth and variety of merchandise many other stores lacked.

Kitchen Etc was the only place I could find food grade popsicle sticks on short notice. My three year old and I went to the store tonight to secure a stash.

Half Moon Cookies

Black and white cookie (kottke.org)

I grew up in the Boston area and I know these cookies as half moons. The cookie I know is not shortbread or cake but a sort of cakey sugar cookie. The icing is a creamy frosting, not a hard glaze or fondant. The cookies are always inverted and the icing applied to the flat bottom.

My wife and I were repeatedly disappointed with the half moons available in local markets and bakeries so we decided to make our own. After some research, testing, and experimentation we came up with a half moon that matches our childhood memories and is far superior to the local store bought variety.

Wired Feature on Alton Brown

Wired 12.06: The Thermochemical Joy of Cooking

Chocolate Dipped Bananas

Rachael Ray’s recipe for chocolate dipped banana pops: Food Network: Chocolate Dipped Bananas.

I don’t bother with the toppings. The toppings are an excess and an adulteration.

On a sweltering hot day the frozen fruit combined with chocolate is simple and sublime.

Strawberries Dipped in Chocolate

Today was a beautiful summer day. But it’s only May 7. I don’t know what that portends for when Summer really arrives.

My son had a play date this afternoon. Mother’s Day is Sunday so I treated all the mothers to strawberries and chocolate. I put out a plate of strawberries with a bowl of melted chocolate and let everyone dip their own.

Lest I be accused of of putting someone to shame I decided to share a quick and easy way for throwing this treat together.

Basic Recipe
Ingredients are a package of fresh whole strawberries and a high quality chocolate or fudge ice cream sauce. I can recommend Dove dark chocolate ice cream topping. It has a good flavor and is very quick because it is microwaveable.

Wash and dry the strawberries. Excess moisture will interfere with the chocolate sticking to the berry. Leave the stems on.

Follow the instructions for heating the ice cream sauce. The Dove sauce takes a 30-45 second shot in the microwave.

Pick a small deep bowl or cup with rounded sides and bottom. You don’t want corners you can’t get a strawberry into.

Add the chocolate to the bowl to a depth of maybe a half inch. If the sauce runs easily off a spoon, give it a minute or two to cool and thicken a bit.

You’re ready to dip.

Variations

• Using an ice cream topping is quick and easy but better results can be had by melting a quality chocolate bar in a double boiler.


• Adding heavy whipping cream to the melted chocolate makes chocolate fondue.


• Don’t be limited to strawberries. Other fruits, pastries, and sweets like sliced apple, biscotti, or marshmallows can be dipped.