That’s What I Like: Food Network
Posted by Rox in Television, That's What I Like on Nov 03, 2006
I’m a bit of a foodie. I subscribe to several food magazines and I love to cook. This also means that I watch the Food Network. Sunday mornings are generally when I watch. It’s usually on in the background while I read the paper, fold the laundry, surf the net or pay the bills.
It’s not something that requires my undivided attention, but I get tons of ideas and ocassionally even learn something, like a better way to chop a tomato or to grate a block of cheese. It’s usually nothing complicated, just something that makes my life a little easier next time I’m in the kitchen.
Jim is generally pretty patient with this minor addiction of mine, unless, of course, Emeril or Rachael Ray are on. Let’s just say it’s not pretty. He likes to pretend that he doesn’t know any of the other celebrity chefs by name, but he does know them by his little joke descriptions: there’s the fat lady that’s married to the obviously gay guy; the crazy southern woman; the country music singer; the most boring gay guys in the world; Jim’s girlfriend that cooks Italian; and the Helo Cooking Show. The list goes on.
I think my personal favorite is Alton Brown. I’ve always been somewhat partial to geeks, so this really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Alton Brown is the guy that explains the science behind the cooking, like what chemical reaction is happening the causes dough to rise.
There are any number of shows to watch. They vary from the typical Julia Child type show where they walk you through a couple of recipes to a look behind the scenes at a local chili cook-off to Iron Chef to how your favorite candy bar is made. There are also shows that spotlight the best places to eat when you’re traveling and even party planning.
I think my favorite thing about the Food Network, however, might be the website. It has a comprehensive recipe index and it’s super-simple to navigate. If I happened to see a recipe that I want to try while watching one of the shows, I can always go to the website and search for it. You can also see upcoming TV schedules, short instructional videos and you can visit the store and order anything from books to cutlery.
Oh man – you’re a magazine person too? I’m simply obsessed! Especially since it’s so easy to find free and discounted subscriptions of cooking magazines (you owe me for that one)!
I also love the food network. It’s kind of funny when my kids come home and I’m sitting on the couch, eating something, watching the Food Network while I’m flipping through Bon Apetite! Hahahah what can I say – I’m a food lover!