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The Daily OrangeHot stuff: Television cooking shows teach how to take the shortcut to a lover's heart this Valentine's Day
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Posted: 2/9/09, 4:51 AM EST Section: Clicker
This week the show will feature meals for two in honor of Valentine's Day. That will prompt Rachael Ray to insist that couples dine in, and remind viewers to multiply everything by two to make her usual serving size at least three times.
Each regular episode features up to three easy recipes of Rachael Ray's creation. She makes a variety of mish-mosh foods to keep things interesting - quesadillas, shepherd's pie, chicken and broccoli, mac and cheese - but there's very little art to her cooking.
That's what makes her popular. She is the every-cook. She wears jeans and a T-shirt and uses equipment viewers probably own. She breezed onto Food Network from someone's big, Italian dinner table. So if you can get past all her "e-v-o-o's" and "mm-mm's," you might just want to pinch her cheeks.
"No Reservations"
Between Anthony Bourdain's snarky commentary, the exotic locales and native dishes, "No Reservations" is a treat to watch, especially for those scared of traveling in foreign crowds or eating rotten fish in Iceland.
Bourdain's views are beautifully blunt. When something sucks, he says just that. And you'll know when he loves something, too ("I'm a total egg slut," he admitted in a recent episode in Chicago).
While in the Windy City, Bourdain downed a "mother-in-law," which is a hot dog combination sure to give you indigestion just like its namesake. Later, the New York City native learned to love Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.
"I don't know that I'd call it 'pizza,'" Bourdain jokes on his blog. "It's something special. Some kind of crusty, tomatoey, cheesy casserole or something - with delightfully fresh toppings. If you're planning a visit to Chicago, go buy whatever that stuff is."
For those of you wanting to treat your loved one to something a bit unusual this Valentine's Day, just watch an episode of "No Reservations" for great dinner ideas. Bourdain also posts recipes on the show's Web site.
Then again, if you want a real gastronomical thrill, tune in tonight (10 p.m. Eastern) for Bourdain's exploration into food porn.
Each regular episode features up to three easy recipes of Rachael Ray's creation. She makes a variety of mish-mosh foods to keep things interesting - quesadillas, shepherd's pie, chicken and broccoli, mac and cheese - but there's very little art to her cooking.
That's what makes her popular. She is the every-cook. She wears jeans and a T-shirt and uses equipment viewers probably own. She breezed onto Food Network from someone's big, Italian dinner table. So if you can get past all her "e-v-o-o's" and "mm-mm's," you might just want to pinch her cheeks.
"No Reservations"
Between Anthony Bourdain's snarky commentary, the exotic locales and native dishes, "No Reservations" is a treat to watch, especially for those scared of traveling in foreign crowds or eating rotten fish in Iceland.
Bourdain's views are beautifully blunt. When something sucks, he says just that. And you'll know when he loves something, too ("I'm a total egg slut," he admitted in a recent episode in Chicago).
While in the Windy City, Bourdain downed a "mother-in-law," which is a hot dog combination sure to give you indigestion just like its namesake. Later, the New York City native learned to love Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.
"I don't know that I'd call it 'pizza,'" Bourdain jokes on his blog. "It's something special. Some kind of crusty, tomatoey, cheesy casserole or something - with delightfully fresh toppings. If you're planning a visit to Chicago, go buy whatever that stuff is."
For those of you wanting to treat your loved one to something a bit unusual this Valentine's Day, just watch an episode of "No Reservations" for great dinner ideas. Bourdain also posts recipes on the show's Web site.
Then again, if you want a real gastronomical thrill, tune in tonight (10 p.m. Eastern) for Bourdain's exploration into food porn.
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