I've purchased the Joy of Cooking desk calendar for the past couple of years. You know the kind of calendar that you rip off a page for each day. Each day this calendar has a cooking tip, culinary definition, suggestions for entertaining or some kind of recipe. Sounds perfect for someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen, right? Wrong! I couldn't quite place why this thing was bugging me. Then when I read this date's "helpful hint". . ."Five minutes before your guests are expected, everything should be organized and in readiness: appetizers, wine, and cocktails - which may be simple - on a convenient side table; plates warming in the oven, a warming drawer, or the dry cycle of the dishwasher; and the dining table completely set, needing only that last-minute ceremonial touch, the lighting of the candles."
The thing that was bugging me is that I'm tired of being talked down to. I may not have been trained at the Culinary Institute of America but I also didn't just crawl out from under a rock. So Irma, Marion and Ethan (the authors)...you guys can just keep your 365 patronizing tips to yourself. I'm done with your arrogance and your recipes aren't all that great. My caramel corn could kick your caramel corn's A any day of the week. And for your information, I do know what broccoli rabe is. Oh, and one more thing...when I worked my measly job at Williams-Sonoma, rarely did any customer buy your book. It was L-A-M-E compared to almost every other cookbook out there because the other ones had pictures and kept your attention...even that narcissistic woman they call Martha was more captivating than your so-called 'must have'.
In conclusion, buy a 2009 Far Side desk calendar instead and save yourself some dignity.
And try this recipe (it's from yours truly and I think you're great just the way you are):
Put-Up-The-Tree Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
8 thick slices French bread
4 generous slices mozzarella cheese
4 generous slices provolone cheese
2 Roma tomatoes, sliced thin
4 Tbsp butter
1/4 cup Kraft Parmesan cheese (yep, the powdered kind)
1 Tbsp dried Italian seasoning
Garlic powder
Lightly butter each slice of French bread. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Assemble 4 sandwiches each with 2 slices of cheese and tomato slices. Cook on both sides in a skillet on medium heat until golden brown. Serve with your favorite tomato soup.
3 comments:
I just stick with the freebie calendar we get from the bank -it's actually pretty funny. Besides if there isn't a pleasantly plump lady on the cover of the cookbook, I ain't looking at it.
YES! I love it when other people vent their rage on here. It makes me feel like not such an outsider. Sometimes I feel as though I am the only one that gets wrapped up in hate. From now on consider yourself not alone when it comes to loathing that cookbook, I now hate it too!
I totally agree. I think you kick butt in the recipe department too. Can't wait to try out your cheese sandwiches. We have a cheese sandwich contest at work (usually in the Spring) and so I'm always looking for something a little different to put it over the top - this may be it!
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