Quandaries, etc..

Contrary to popular belief, the feeder's days are not always totally absorbed in high dining, elegant food preparation, tasting first growth wines, and generally whooping it up. Rather they are sometimes spent running errands, cursing and being cursed by local drivers, and general upkeep on the digs.

Meaning, that not every day produces a chance for eloquent posts for the blog. Not wanting to waste your time on silly things, and posting just to post seems not the wisest thing to do. Presents a quandary . Such was the case yesterday hence no posting, and almost the same today. Maybe just a few little thoughts and observations..

The latest Food & Wine issue is entitled "Home Cooking at its Best". The editorial page (an aside, do you think Dana Cowin has ever eaten a cheeseburger in her life? she looks almost anorexic) begins by allowing as how this is the year of the home cook, due to lessons from TV chefs (make your own opinion here), the availability of fresh and local ingredients, and the rotten economy have "converged to inspire talented amateurs to raise their ambitions and try new flavors in the kitchen" yadda yadda. So to honor "all the talent out there" they are launching a contest to find "The best home cook in America". I ask you. How silly is that? That's like looking for the best crab cake, or the best chili - there is no "best".

I would suspect that the best home cooks in America are probably to be found among a population that doesn't read Food & Wine, and most likely is somebody who struggles to put food on the table and uses things from a local market or garden, and uses recipes and techniques handed down from mother to daughter over the generations. There is such cultural diversity across our nation resulting in the myriad of cuisines served in countless homes, that singling out a "best" home cook is dumb. Can't be done. I suppose all the wanna be's and foodies will foam at the mouth, grab their Cuisinarts and fill out the forms, but the real best "home cooks" won't be found by this magazine..

On a bit lower plane, last night as we nibbled on our carry out (too much heat, cutting grass, restoring order to the digs, etc.,) we tuned in to the Antiques Road show because Monday night football was trying (do we really have to listen to "Jaws" all season?). We have discussed this before, but while the objects and appraisers are always interesting, in never ceases to amaze us who brings this stuff in. Some have appreciation for what they have, and just want to find out about the bowl that grandma had for years, but then there are these people with glazed eyes who appear to have no real interest in the objects except: "how much can i sell it for?" Some obtain really beautiful things, but they have absolutely no knowledge or appreciation of them. There was one person last night who had a painting, and when asked who the artist was replied "I have no idea". The expert appraiser then pointed to a rather legible signature on the bottom of the painting. Sometimes, ya gotta wonder.

Okay too much about not enough, I may have a chance to do something interesting this evening which might provide better material tomorrow.

DFD