IMO Thursday – Why Risotto is my Zen

November 1, 2012 by
IMO Thursday - The Blissful Adventurer

Risotto alla Carbonara

IMO Thursday this week sets out to explain a bit of my passion for risotto and blissful experimentation. A few days ago the phenomenal Italian wine writer and philologist Jeremy Parzen posted a wonderful article on the origins of La Carbonara. In the article Jeremy goes down a few theories of how the famous pasta with bacon and egg sauce got its name. As always I was intrigued by Jeremy’s excellent research and interesting way he makes the communication of facts so easy to follow and entertaining. [Read more...]

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Real Risotto for Real Joy

October 19, 2012 by

Real Risotto for Real Joy

This post is taken from something I did last year. I have made risottto more than 300 times in my life and I believe mine is right up there with the best I have had. If you want this rice to blow your doors, follow my lead here and make it like a champion.

Recently, and likely often, I have risotto on the brain. When I began my article on the subject last week I actually intended to share some favorite tips with you and I digressed into telling a passionate college story.

Now I would like to share with you some things I do to make risotti my friends and family enjoy. I have two classes of risotto that I make: A weeknight version with commercially produced stock and a “Special Occasion Risotto” with homemade stocks and usually something like chanterelles or truffles in the mix.

Today I am explaining the basic Risotto Milanese (giallo) taught to me by my dear friend Benjamin and augmented by yours truly over the years.

Great Risotto begins and ends with the Rice:

The King of Rice [Read more...]

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My Dinner with Malcolm Gladwell (Part 3)

May 26, 2012 by

“and now…the rest of the story”

Paul Harvey

Scared to Death

As soon as Gladwell was gone I took a big swig of my now very cold Rwanda and gazed up at the barista. He must have seen the stupid grin on my face because he gave me a “why the hell are you so happy?” look.

Me: Do you know who that was?

Barista: No, should I?

Me: That was Malcolm Gladwell, one of the most important American writers in the world (realizing that was totally sycophantic before it left my mouth)

Barista: Cool, I have seen him in here a few times before

Me: Yeah, I think he is researching here (like I knew something)

Barista: I always thought he was pretty weird-looking.

Me: (Thinking Barista not exactly the picture of normalcy) Yeah, he is amazing..one of my idols…..I decided to announce that I am becoming a writer today and then he appears here man, and I am like, wow this is fate man, this the real fucking deal..seriously Malcolm Gladwell..wait man..wait

Barista: (confused) excuse me?

Me: Sorry dude, gotta get out of here, Gladwell’s coming to dinner (as I am hustling out) [Read more...]

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Roasted 1/2 Chicken with Asparagus Risotto (Camera tools we love)

March 10, 2012 by

Look at the Color of this Bird

This is not going to be a recipe post friends, just some notes about good eating from the home Kitchen. I will describe what I did so if you are adept in the kitchen you may work with what I am describing. If you are not good in the kitchen you may enjoy the photos and you are welcome to dinner with us here anytime :-) [Read more...]

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My Keys to Making Excellent Risotto – Recipe Included

October 25, 2011 by

Today I am talking Risotto (I just like this pic)

Recently, and likely often, I have risotto on the brain. When I began my article on the subject last week I actually intended to share some favorite tips with you and I digressed into telling a passionate college story.

Now I would like to share with you some things I do to make risotti my friends and family enjoy. I have two classes of risotto that I make: A weeknight version with commercially produced stock and a “Special Occasion Risotto” with homemade stocks and usually something like chanterelles or truffles in the mix. [Read more...]

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The Greatest Rice on Earth

October 21, 2011 by

Creamy, savory, and toothsome goodness

As many of you know I have an enormous passion for risotto. I was introduced to this king of Northern Italian dishes in 1991 by my dear friend Matteo and his very talented brother Benjamin. The brothers were Italian born and Benjamin was living in Milano at that time and had come to pay his brother a visit in Dallas where Matteo and I were studying (mostly drinking, smoking, and talking). Matteo and our other roommate Ralph had been touting the culinary prowess of Benjamin for sometime and I for one was skeptical that this guy was going to cook food in my shitty student apartment that was going to blow me away. [Read more...]

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My Dinner with Malcolm Gladwell (Part 3)

April 19, 2011 by

“and now…the rest of the story”

Paul Harvey

Scared to Death

As soon as Gladwell was gone I took a big swig of my now very cold Rwanda and gazed up at the barista. He must have seen the stupid grin on my face because he gave me a “why the hell are you so happy?” look.

Me: Do you know who that was?

Barista: No, should I?

Me: That was Malcolm Gladwell, one of the most important American writers in the world (realizing that was totally gay before it left my mouth)

Barista: Cool, I have seen him in here a few times before

Me: Yeah, I think he is researching here (like I knew something)

Barista: I always thought he was pretty weird-looking.

Me: (Thinking Barista not exactly the picture of normalcy) Yeah, he is amazing..one of my idols…..I decided to announce that I am becoming a writer today and then he appears here man, and I am like, wow this is fate man, this the real fucking deal..seriously Malcolm Gladwell..wait man..wait

Barista: (confused) excuse me?

Me: Sorry dude, gotta get out of here, Gladwell’s coming to dinner (as I am hustling out) [Read more...]

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