i grew up watching cooking shows. well before the advent of Bobby Flay, Emeril, Giada and Tony Bourdain – i was watching the Frugal Gourmet and Yan Can Cook on american public broadcasting. (PBS 28 for those of you from los angeles) – and i grew up cooking, mainly because i was a latch-key kid, but also because i liked it. i wasn’t great at it, but you at least gain a certain comfort level with knives, pans, pots, and fire if you grow up near the kitchen like i did.
sadly, one of my icons of junior high hood came crashing down when the frugal gourmet was accused of sexual assault, and while no charges were ever brought, he pretty much fell from grace.
however, i continued to cook and watching food tv and cooking shows. as i got to university and was living on my own, i’d make myself a big meal on sunday and eat leftovers for a few days. as for cooking shows, i got into an interesting conversation about how one is supposed to cook and watch at the same time – but really the cooking shows are supposed to serve as inspiration. you know, get the viewer at home to say “that’s not that difficult; i can do that!” unless the show is iron chef.
so what’s my point?
it’s this. i found this awesome recipe for a mushroom and béchamel sauce based macaroni and cheese. the ultimate comfort food gussied up.
and here’s a photo – coming out of the oven
and then paired with a dad’s root beer. i actually have too much – anyone want to come over?
Whoa, did we have the same childhood or what? I loved watching the Frugal Gourmet also. I suspect that your mac & cheese is long history by now, so pass on the recipe please…
amy – click through above – it’s a bechemel sauce with cherve, chedder and paremsean with mushrooms and flavored with thyme and rosemary
Recipe is here:
http://www.whatwereeating.com/recipes/orgasmic-mac-n-cheese
Yah, I did actually notice the link once I posted my comment. oops.