Comments on: Blog Break: March 23 — March 29 (and a minor rant before I go) http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html Translating the Chef's Craft for Every Kitchen Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:34:30 +0000 hourly 1 By: ashley http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-33006 ashley Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-33006 do the box mixs work better than from scratch? what taste better? do the box mixs work better than from scratch? what taste better?

]]> By: Richard Ellers Warren, Ohio http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-33005 Richard Ellers Warren, Ohio Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-33005 Reading J Crea interview in the PD this morning, with you about ratios, I compared your bread ratio: 20oz flour, 12 oz water and happily discovered that the basic mix I've been using for some years, 15 Of Flour to 9 oz water matches. Next batch, I will try 20oz flour. Reading J Crea interview in the PD this morning, with you about ratios, I compared your bread ratio: 20oz flour, 12 oz water and happily discovered that the basic mix I’ve been using for some years, 15 Of Flour to 9 oz water matches.
Next batch, I will try 20oz flour.

]]> By: Kate in the NW http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-33001 Kate in the NW Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-33001 Everybody just remember there are a whole lotta people in this country with absolutely NO place to grow anything besides mildew. I do applaud the Obama garden, and hope the kids get in on the growing. Pulling weeds builds character. Enjoy your vacation, and thanks for timing it to coincide with mine. And I'm pretty sure I saw one of your friends leaving our hotel in SF a couple of days ago...unless it was another jolly gray giant. I didn't want to do the obnoxious fangirl thing but was sorely tempted to follow just to get a good restaurant recommendation! It was funny 'cause fanboys have been stalking my (usually anonymous) DH at a conference all week but it's not a foodie crowd and I think I was the only one who noticed him (rare, I'm sure...). Anyway - have fun and if you move to Europe just keep on blogging! Everybody just remember there are a whole lotta people in this country with absolutely NO place to grow anything besides mildew. I do applaud the Obama garden, and hope the kids get in on the growing. Pulling weeds builds character.

Enjoy your vacation, and thanks for timing it to coincide with mine. And I’m pretty sure I saw one of your friends leaving our hotel in SF a couple of days ago…unless it was another jolly gray giant. I didn’t want to do the obnoxious fangirl thing but was sorely tempted to follow just to get a good restaurant recommendation! It was funny ’cause fanboys have been stalking my (usually anonymous) DH at a conference all week but it’s not a foodie crowd and I think I was the only one who noticed him (rare, I’m sure…).

Anyway – have fun and if you move to Europe just keep on blogging!

]]> By: luis http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-33002 luis Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-33002 Tags, The irresponsible spending is not nothing A veggie garden can fix. This presidency will end badly and for the record Bush's presidency was the worst ever. Tags, The irresponsible spending is not nothing A veggie garden can fix. This presidency will end badly and for the record Bush’s presidency was the worst ever.

]]> By: liz yepsen http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-33003 liz yepsen Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-33003 My aversion to HFCS has little to do with its health benefits, proven or otherwise--its a question of sustainability. The incentives for large-scale food manufacturers in the US to use inputs propped up by corn subsidies are alarming, especially when considering the opportunity cost of growing, say, food, on that land. You know, the kind you don't process using diesel. I'm a first time visitor to the site and can't believe my luck at finally finding Fitzgerald paired with food blogs! Thanks! My aversion to HFCS has little to do with its health benefits, proven or otherwise–its a question of sustainability. The incentives for large-scale food manufacturers in the US to use inputs propped up by corn subsidies are alarming, especially when considering the opportunity cost of growing, say, food, on that land. You know, the kind you don’t process using diesel.

I’m a first time visitor to the site and can’t believe my luck at finally finding Fitzgerald paired with food blogs! Thanks!

]]> By: Frances http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-33004 Frances Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-33004 Interesting wiki comment in the Discussion section: "I used to work at a beverage factory, where we used HFCS, and I tasted it straight. Anyone who has ever tasted straight HFCS will definitely know that there are other things in it besides fructose and glucose, it has an odd, rather unpleasant flavor. I'm wondering if anyone knows of any information about what else is in it... " The main reason to avoid HFCS is that it usually is found in heavily processed, cheap food, full of chemicals and of little nutritional value. A good rule of thumb is to drink water and make your own damn food. Interesting wiki comment in the Discussion section: “I used to work at a beverage factory, where we used HFCS, and I tasted it straight. Anyone who has ever tasted straight HFCS will definitely know that there are other things in it besides fructose and glucose, it has an odd, rather unpleasant flavor. I’m wondering if anyone knows of any information about what else is in it… ”

The main reason to avoid HFCS is that it usually is found in heavily processed, cheap food, full of chemicals and of little nutritional value.

A good rule of thumb is to drink water and make your own damn food.

]]> By: Paul http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-32999 Paul Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-32999 I think you miss the point, Michael. The value of these processed food laws (and likewise the value of news about White House gardens) has nothing to do with its effect on people like you and me. It's about whole populations in this country, especially in the inner cities, who suffer from chronically poor education and lack of exposure to healthy foods. The studies cited in that editorial look at the average sodium intake for Americans; you can bet the average sodium intake for people in the inner city, in neighborhoods where McDonalds is the staff of life, is a whole lot higher. Yes, it would be a more perfect solution to get all these people eating as if their mom was Alice Waters, but that, I'm sure you'd agree, is not so easy. In the mean time, we can limit the salt in some of this food. If you'd step down from the gastronomic high horse long enough to taste whopper or some doritos, I think you'd agree that they're f'ing salt bombs. I don't think there's any good justification (from the consumer's perspective) for the current amounts of salt. You might choose to take a libertarian stance against the government meddling in this kind of thing, but that's a different conversation altogether. I think you miss the point, Michael. The value of these processed food laws (and likewise the value of news about White House gardens) has nothing to do with its effect on people like you and me.

It’s about whole populations in this country, especially in the inner cities, who suffer from chronically poor education and lack of exposure to healthy foods. The studies cited in that editorial look at the average sodium intake for Americans; you can bet the average sodium intake for people in the inner city, in neighborhoods where McDonalds is the staff of life, is a whole lot higher.

Yes, it would be a more perfect solution to get all these people eating as if their mom was Alice Waters, but that, I’m sure you’d agree, is not so easy. In the mean time, we can limit the salt in some of this food.

If you’d step down from the gastronomic high horse long enough to taste whopper or some doritos, I think you’d agree that they’re f’ing salt bombs. I don’t think there’s any good justification (from the consumer’s perspective) for the current amounts of salt.

You might choose to take a libertarian stance against the government meddling in this kind of thing, but that’s a different conversation altogether.

]]> By: Tags http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-33000 Tags Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-33000 - It's been 8 years since Fast Food Nation came out. So, what is the result? Posturing and food industry front groups like Center for Consumer Freedom (the restaurant industry) <a href="http://www.consumerfreedom.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.consumerfreedom.com</a> American Council on Fitness and Nutrition (backed by almost every major food corporation) <a href="http://www.acfn.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.acfn.org</a> American Council on Science and Health (backed by an array of corporations to promote industry interests) <a href="http://www.acsh.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.acsh.org</a> Council for Corporate and School Partnerships (founded by Coca Cola to further school soda contracts) <a href="http://www.corpschoolpartners.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.corpschoolpartners.org</a> International Food Information Council (runs kidnetic.com, among other corporate-friendly programs) <a href="http://www.ific.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.ific.org</a> Whole Grains Council (provides processed-food makers with a self-defined "stamp" of approval) <a href="http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org</a> At least President Obama is hitting the ground running with the White House vegetable garden, even while steering the worst economy since the depression back on the right track. -
It’s been 8 years since Fast Food Nation came out.

So, what is the result? Posturing and food industry front groups like

Center for Consumer Freedom
(the restaurant industry)
http://www.consumerfreedom.com

American Council on Fitness and Nutrition
(backed by almost every major food corporation)
http://www.acfn.org

American Council on Science and Health
(backed by an array of corporations to promote industry interests)
http://www.acsh.org

Council for Corporate and School Partnerships
(founded by Coca Cola to further school soda contracts)
http://www.corpschoolpartners.org

International Food Information Council
(runs kidnetic.com, among other corporate-friendly programs)
http://www.ific.org

Whole Grains Council
(provides processed-food makers with a self-defined “stamp” of approval)
http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org

At least President Obama is hitting the ground running with the White House vegetable garden, even while steering the worst economy since the depression back on the right track.

]]> By: luis http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-32996 luis Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-32996 Ann, you are super mom!. 3 jobs and time to cook at home!. oh pleeeeeeezeeeeeee!... you are killing me!. I feel so....never mind. I promise to complain less and cook more. I was looking up at the calories to be taken from food that has been preserved through dehydration. Funny thing an apple is about fifty calories and a cup of dehydrated apples... it takes four in my kitchen to make a cup is rated at.. you guessed it 200 calories. However that meager pak of dehydrated apples in your produce area.... is bundles more in calories and even has sugars etc... where true blue dehydrated food barely reads any sugar at all... I specifically read the label on the processed dehydrated apple chips bag. Hello, sugar..... no mention of it in the natural dehydrated 1000% pure apple chips. This is veddy veddy interesting...hmmmm I think you are right!. Ann, you are super mom!. 3 jobs and time to cook at home!. oh pleeeeeeezeeeeeee!… you are killing me!. I feel so….never mind.
I promise to complain less and cook more.
I was looking up at the calories to be taken from food that has been preserved through dehydration.
Funny thing an apple is about fifty calories and a cup of dehydrated apples… it takes four in my kitchen to make a cup is rated at.. you guessed it 200 calories.
However that meager pak of dehydrated apples in your produce area…. is bundles more in calories and even has sugars etc… where true blue dehydrated food barely reads any sugar at all…
I specifically read the label on the processed dehydrated apple chips bag.
Hello, sugar….. no mention of it in the natural dehydrated 1000% pure apple chips.
This is veddy veddy interesting…hmmmm I think you are right!.

]]> By: brad barnett http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-32997 brad barnett Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-32997 Ruhlman, I was at the Breakers last week and had a transcendent moment at the Seafood Bar. Gorgonzola Cheese Fries. I know. Low brow for such a posh place but you will be shocked...SHOCKED, at how good they are. Thank God for the smaller portions, I could eat Home Depot bucket loads all night long thus expanding my waist line to points unknown. Bonus, also great with many of your favorite beverages. Happy Vacation. Ruhlman, I was at the Breakers last week and had a transcendent moment at the Seafood Bar.

Gorgonzola Cheese Fries.

I know. Low brow for such a posh place but you will be shocked…SHOCKED, at how good they are.

Thank God for the smaller portions, I could eat Home Depot bucket loads all night long thus expanding my waist line to points unknown.

Bonus, also great with many of your favorite beverages.

Happy Vacation.

]]> By: Chris L http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-32998 Chris L Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-32998 Michael, Hope you are enjoying the south Florida sun, and were able to hear the shuttle return this afternoon! Michael, Hope you are enjoying the south Florida sun, and were able to hear the shuttle return this afternoon!

]]> By: janelle http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-32994 janelle Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-32994 DITTO. About sugar, salt, numb brains that feed open mouths and moving... to Italy. FYI heard this, another 'duh' moment: the higher price they charge for lite soy or low-salt soy? Regular soy diluted by 50% more water. In Demetri Martins words: think about it. Have a GREAT trip! And only suck off part of the salt of the edge or your margarita;) DITTO. About sugar, salt, numb brains that feed open mouths and moving… to Italy.

FYI heard this, another ‘duh’ moment: the higher price they charge for lite soy or low-salt soy? Regular soy diluted by 50% more water. In Demetri Martins words: think about it.

Have a GREAT trip! And only suck off part of the salt of the edge or your margarita;)

]]> By: CookingSchoolConfidential.com http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-32995 CookingSchoolConfidential.com Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-32995 Salt good; salt bad. Sugar good; sugar bad. Or is it the other way around? Or both ways? So confusing. We talk about this stuff at school (I'm a culinary school student) and our chef instructors just sadly shake their heads. It's a nutty world, isn't it? Cheers! Salt good; salt bad. Sugar good; sugar bad. Or is it the other way around? Or both ways?

So confusing.

We talk about this stuff at school (I’m a culinary school student) and our chef instructors just sadly shake their heads.

It’s a nutty world, isn’t it?

Cheers!

]]> By: ann http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-32993 ann Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-32993 Michael, OMG, I am so glad you commented on the "excellent editorial," I totally agree, "eat less processed food!!!" This is hard for people to comprehend because of the manufacturers and the packaging and that it's lite or organic. As the parent of a former overweight teenager, I know the dangers of processed food. I thought I was buying good food as a divorced single mom, working about 3 jobs at any one given time but all she did was gain weight and at 15 we knew she had a problem. She started WW and I knew that I would only use fresh ingredients and do all the cooking at home. It was amazing; she dropped 60lbs in 10 months and then 30 more over the course of another year. She's now a junior in college (DC area) and uses her extra money to go to farmer's markets, WF, and TJs. She and her roommates love to cook--I love this and whatever she spends on fresh ingredients is fine with me. Thanks for reading; just want to let you know how strongly I feel about processed food. Michael,
OMG, I am so glad you commented on the “excellent editorial,” I totally agree, “eat less processed food!!!” This is hard for people to comprehend because of the manufacturers and the packaging and that it’s lite or organic. As the parent of a former overweight teenager, I know the dangers of processed food. I thought I was buying good food as a divorced single mom, working about 3 jobs at any one given time but all she did was gain weight and at 15 we knew she had a problem. She started WW and I knew that I would only use fresh ingredients and do all the cooking at home. It was amazing; she dropped 60lbs in 10 months and then 30 more over the course of another year. She’s now a junior in college (DC area) and uses her extra money to go to farmer’s markets, WF, and TJs. She and her roommates love to cook–I love this and whatever she spends on fresh ingredients is fine with me.
Thanks for reading; just want to let you know how strongly I feel about processed food.

]]> By: Michele Niesen http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-32990 Michele Niesen Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-32990 See you there. Bon jour! I am deeply troubled at how people think it's "cute" that I am growing things...after recently moving to the country from the city. Aww, you're getting chickens? You have blueberries? Cool! Make me a pie! People, I don't want to forecast doom here, but hello? Growing is the next thing to cooking your own food...if poison peanut butter isn't enough of a red flag coupled with our countries hefty waist lines...and sky rocketing diabetes etc. WE AREN'T EATING THE RIGHT STUFF. I know plenty of "foodies" that don't know jack about nutrition and the difference between eating expensively and eating well as a rule of life, not just "going out to dinner"... as a retired chef/owner I can say emphatically. Stop eating marketing people. And if the grocery chains and the Dept of Ag won't get on board, grow your own! Cook your own! Patient, heal thyself. The call is coming from the inside... See you there. Bon jour!
I am deeply troubled at how people think it’s “cute” that I am growing things…after recently moving to the country from the city. Aww, you’re getting chickens? You have blueberries? Cool! Make me a pie!

People, I don’t want to forecast doom here, but hello? Growing is the next thing to cooking your own food…if poison peanut butter isn’t enough of a red flag coupled with our countries hefty waist lines…and sky rocketing diabetes etc. WE AREN’T EATING THE RIGHT STUFF. I know plenty of “foodies” that don’t know jack about nutrition and the difference between eating expensively and eating well as a rule of life, not just “going out to dinner”… as a retired chef/owner I can say emphatically. Stop eating marketing people. And if the grocery chains and the Dept of Ag won’t get on board, grow your own! Cook your own! Patient, heal thyself. The call is coming from the inside…

]]> By: Nancy http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-32991 Nancy Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-32991 Boy, I hear ya! Good old Julia was always telling us "Moderation in everything." Why is this so difficult to understand? It makes me sick to see what people put in their grocery carts. I noticed 2 women in line the other day. One had healthy food & lots of it & the other had snacks & other crap. Guess which one was obese?! Boy, I hear ya! Good old Julia was always telling us “Moderation in everything.” Why is this so difficult to understand? It makes me sick to see what people put in their grocery carts. I noticed 2 women in line the other day. One had healthy food & lots of it & the other had snacks & other crap. Guess which one was obese?!

]]> By: lauren http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-32992 lauren Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-32992 Dude, don't go. I like you here! Dude, don’t go. I like you here!

]]> By: The Italian Dish http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-32988 The Italian Dish Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-32988 Ciao, baby! Ciao, baby!

]]> By: S. Woody http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-32989 S. Woody Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-32989 The problem with HFCS (as I see it) isn't that it is a manufactured form of sugar, but that it is fuctose without the fruit. Normally, when we consume fructose, we are eating a fruit - the sugar is a part of the fruit, sure, but it isn't the entire package. With HFCS, all we get is unrelenting sugar. Like Rulhman said, "Just don't eat so much processed food!" The problem with HFCS (as I see it) isn’t that it is a manufactured form of sugar, but that it is fuctose without the fruit. Normally, when we consume fructose, we are eating a fruit – the sugar is a part of the fruit, sure, but it isn’t the entire package. With HFCS, all we get is unrelenting sugar.

Like Rulhman said, “Just don’t eat so much processed food!”

]]> By: Ted http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html/comment-page-1#comment-32986 Ted Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/03/blog-break-march-23-through-march-29-and-a-minor-rant-before-i-go.html#comment-32986 The White House garden is a great idea. But from what I've seen for a diagram, it's devoted to cool-weather crops which won't take the DC summers with their heat & humidity. The White House garden is a great idea. But from what I’ve seen for a diagram, it’s devoted to cool-weather crops which won’t take the DC summers with their heat & humidity.

]]>