[Pukin Dog]

I like Alton Brown too, but he does get long-winded sometimes. I recently watched his show on puff pastry, because I am determined to do a Beef Wellington ala-Gordon Ramsay, but I swear, Brown talks so much, you can barely focus on the FOOD sometimes. I dont need to know the origin of the rice molecule, or that Eskimos were the first to bottle water, I just want to learn to COOK.

[Phsstpok]

I like Alton Brown too, but he does get long-winded sometimes. I recently watched his show on puff pastry, because I am determined to do a Beef Wellington ala-Gordon Ramsay, but I swear, Brown talks so much, you can barely focus on the FOOD sometimes. I dont need to know the origin of the rice molecule, or that Eskimos were the first to bottle water, I just want to learn to COOK.

Then don't watch AB as a primary source, watch Rachel Ray, Giada De Laurentiis,  "Semi Home Made" with Sandra Lee or (my favorite in this category) Michael Chiarello's stuff.  AB is about the "why," not so much the "how."  Personally I prefer his approach for entertainment and education but I mostly watch the others for ideas to use when I cook. 

AB started out as a film maker, producing award winning rock video's, before he decided that there was a niche not being met on TV in terms of "Mister Wizard meets Julia Childs."  He put his life on hold and he and his wife went off to the back woods of somewhere (Vermont?) to a culinary institute to learn to be a chef.  His idea was always to do the type of show he is doing.  Now that's an enterpreneur I can get behind!

I've probably learned more "how to" stuff from the others I mentioned but the "why to" stuff from AB's shows have provided more insight that make me able to decide how I want to adapt the recipes and "formulas" I've seen others present.

If I win the lottery (Powerball is $131 million this Wednesday) I will engage AB's production company to document my move from lower middle class (according to the Dhimmicarts I'm one of the evil filthy rich, but I know better) to the realm of the upper middle class (let's be real, "$131 million" in lotto terms is under $40 million after taxes as a cash option and boy do I have relatives!) but then I'd look to folks like Michael Chiarello or Rachel Ray to learn how to cook (not be a "chef"... how to cook!) and I'd expect AB to help explain it to me.

Just to let you know, I have a spread sheet for how I disperse the Powerball Lottery winnings when (not if) I win.  FR gets a "modest" contribution each donation cycle (if I win) that should shorten the FReepaton.  Really... I promise!