A Slob in the Kitchen: entertaining advice from a housewife superstar
Karen Duffy
Clarkson Potter/Publisher: New York, 2004.
$23.00 (Or free if you would wake up and use the library which is the best example of socialism at work in this country.)
Do you remember Karen Duffy? She was a VJ on MTV during the early, glory days--when they still showed videos? When it was still about personality? Dark and elfin, Duffy was fantastic on the tube, but took an early retirement from her work for MTV and as an actress because of serious illness. To pass the time, she apparently became a cookbook obsessed person and spent a lot of time in the kitchen, the result of which is her new book: Slob in the Kitchen-Entertaining Advice and Recipes from a Housewife Superstar.
Duffy's book is filled with unbelievably salient advice, pithy introductions to all of the recipes and lots of great food quotes from famous chefs, authors and others. Some of the best advice is in a column called "Slob Smart" about half-way through the book. Duffy says "Don't wear long, loose-flowing garments or scarves when cooking; save your Stevie Nicks wardrobe for your host duties." Very good advice that many people probably have never considered. This is THE entertaining book for anyone who is scared of the kitchen. It really is a 21st century approach to having fun with food and friends, without the mess and stress.
The major omission in the book is that of vegetable based foods. Duffy herself admits to having served plastic toy vegetables at a dinner, and she does try to give a few recipes. However, most of these are not of interest and makes her obvious dislike of veggies tangible. Otherwise, the book is an engrossing read with brilliant tips on entertaining, cooking and general kitchen chore. Mangez!
The recipe you should try:
Ugly Cheese Krispie biscuits (p. 12)
These sound like they would be perfect for a cocktail party or even as a side for a light lunch. They've got me thinking of other interpretations that might be good. Rice Krispies are showing up everywhere--someone sent my mother some lemon cookies that had RK in them and they were delicious, with a mysterious crispy texture.
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Cayenne pepper to taste
Salt to taste
3 cups crisp rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies)
Preheat the oven to 350.
In a mixing bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer and wooden spoon until fluffy. Add the cheese, flour, cayenne pepper, salt and cereal and mix well.
Drop the dough by the teaspoonful onto an ungreased baking sheet and then flatten the dough with the tines of a fork. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the biscuits are set but not browned. Cool on a wire rack and serve. Makes 25 to 30 biscuits.
Cookbook King
Karen Duffy
Clarkson Potter/Publisher: New York, 2004.
$23.00 (Or free if you would wake up and use the library which is the best example of socialism at work in this country.)
Do you remember Karen Duffy? She was a VJ on MTV during the early, glory days--when they still showed videos? When it was still about personality? Dark and elfin, Duffy was fantastic on the tube, but took an early retirement from her work for MTV and as an actress because of serious illness. To pass the time, she apparently became a cookbook obsessed person and spent a lot of time in the kitchen, the result of which is her new book: Slob in the Kitchen-Entertaining Advice and Recipes from a Housewife Superstar.
Duffy's book is filled with unbelievably salient advice, pithy introductions to all of the recipes and lots of great food quotes from famous chefs, authors and others. Some of the best advice is in a column called "Slob Smart" about half-way through the book. Duffy says "Don't wear long, loose-flowing garments or scarves when cooking; save your Stevie Nicks wardrobe for your host duties." Very good advice that many people probably have never considered. This is THE entertaining book for anyone who is scared of the kitchen. It really is a 21st century approach to having fun with food and friends, without the mess and stress.
The major omission in the book is that of vegetable based foods. Duffy herself admits to having served plastic toy vegetables at a dinner, and she does try to give a few recipes. However, most of these are not of interest and makes her obvious dislike of veggies tangible. Otherwise, the book is an engrossing read with brilliant tips on entertaining, cooking and general kitchen chore. Mangez!
The recipe you should try:
Ugly Cheese Krispie biscuits (p. 12)
These sound like they would be perfect for a cocktail party or even as a side for a light lunch. They've got me thinking of other interpretations that might be good. Rice Krispies are showing up everywhere--someone sent my mother some lemon cookies that had RK in them and they were delicious, with a mysterious crispy texture.
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Cayenne pepper to taste
Salt to taste
3 cups crisp rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies)
Preheat the oven to 350.
In a mixing bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer and wooden spoon until fluffy. Add the cheese, flour, cayenne pepper, salt and cereal and mix well.
Drop the dough by the teaspoonful onto an ungreased baking sheet and then flatten the dough with the tines of a fork. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the biscuits are set but not browned. Cool on a wire rack and serve. Makes 25 to 30 biscuits.
Cookbook King