Congratulations to this week's winners!
Peter Steinberg won the contest for Your Best "First Corn of the Season" Recipe with Amagansett Corn Salad
Helen won the contest for Your Best Shrimp Recipe with Spicy Shrimp
We asked them both to answer a few questions about cooking and eating.
Who is your culinary hero?
No laughing -- Ina Garten -- for at least two reasons. First, she wasn't afraid to reinvent herself... she got into cooking later in life. Second, and most important, what she cooks is simple, delicious, accessible, and unapologetic about the gallon of cream and pound of butter that goes into every recipe.
Describe a food memory that has influenced the way you cook or think about food.
For my 9th birthday my mother made a birthday cake. Five cakes actually. It was an icebox cake made from Famous(tm) Choclate wafers and homeade whipped cream. The five cakes spelled out my name P-E-T-E-R. I think the joy I got from something as simple as a homemade cake is one of the formative moments that made me love cooking as an adult.
What is the kitchen activity that's most cathartic for you? Least cathartic?
Most? Cleaning up the last few dishes as whatever I've made is in the oven. Least? Putting a lot of time and energy into something and having it turn out... just ok.
Describe your most spectacular kitchen disaster.
Pretty straightforward -- accidentally using a TABLEspoons instead of a TEAspoon when making homemade sweet potato gnocchi. Do you know how nasty something tastes when you accidentally TRIPLE the salt?
If you were able to plant something in the White House Garden, what would it be?
My first reaction is sungold tomatoes. They're amazingly delicious, eye-catching, easy to grow and they're do a good job converting anti-tomato kids into tomato lovers. On second thought though, maybe I should plant something perennial. Blueberries? Tri-star strawberries?
What do you listen to (if anything) while you're in the kitchen?
Usually the local NPR -- WNYC.
Apron or no apron?
No apron -- a large dishtowel tossed over my shoulder.
What taste do you crave most often? a) Sweet, b) Salty, c) Sour, d)Bitter, e) Umami
I'm a massive salt lover but hands-down it's always sweets that I'm looking for.
Your favorite cutting board is: a) wood, b) plastic
Wood. In fact, we just renovated our kitchen and put a wood island in. I intend, once I work up the nerve, to just cut right on top of the island top. After all, it's a kitchen, not a museum!
When it comes to tidying up, you prefer to: a) clean as you cook, b) do all the dishes once you've finished cooking, c) leave the kitchen a shambles for your spouse/roommate/kids to clean.
Clean as I cook. Even if it makes the cooking process take longer, it interjects little moments of calm and reflection into the process.
Who is your culinary hero?
Still Nigella and Suzanne Goin. So good.
Describe a food memory that has influenced the way you cook or think about food.
My mother taught me that the best hostess gift is always homemade- no matter who you're visiting. She's right- I've yet to meet someone who doesn't deeply appreciate a batch of cookies or pan of brownies. And somehow, this advice has turned into a greater approach about food. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive, but if it's good, and given with the right sentiment, food will always be enjoyed.
What is the kitchen activity that's most cathartic for you? Least cathartic?
I love breaking down chickens. Love. And I hate hate hate blanching things.
Describe your most spectacular kitchen disaster.
On my first day of culinary school, just after the safety talk, my paring knife slipped into my thumb. Six stitches later...
If you were able to plant something in the White House garden, what would it be?
I'd plant watermelon radishes- they're so pretty!
What do you listen to (if anything) while you're in the kitchen?
Very loud music. Often country. Or musicals. It's true.
Apron or no apron?
Apron, always. I have ruined too many dresses...
What taste do you crave most often? a) Sweet, b) Salty, c) Sour, d)Bitter, e) Umami
A&B
Your favorite cutting board is: a) wood, b) plastic
Wood
When it comes to tidying up, you prefer to: a) clean as you cook, b) do all the dishes once you've finished cooking, c) leave the kitchen a shambles for your spouse/roommate/kids to clean
C. always, to a fault, C.
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