Alton Brown & Good Eats

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marrymeflyfree · #1 Post by **marrymeflyfree** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:32 pm

Anyone else hooked on this show besides me? He had a whole episode on coconut cake recently that has had my mouth watering for days...YUM! If I weren't leaving town tomorrow, I think I'd have tried making it by now.

mellytu74 · #2 Post by **mellytu74** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:35 pm

I love this show.

I especially like how AB explains why ingredients do what they do when combined with certain ingredients or are prepared certain ways -- the chemistry of it all.

Some of the stuff I already knew but some is new to me and very interesting.

christie1111 · #3 Post by **christie1111** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:39 pm

mellytu74 wrote:I love this show.

I especially like how AB explains why ingredients do what they do when combined with certain ingredients or are prepared certain ways -- the chemistry of it all.

Some of the stuff I already knew but some is new to me and very interesting.

Every weekday night at 11 is when I watch it.

Since I love cooking and chemistry, he is just perfect for me.

Oh, did you know he didn't do well at all in chemistry in school? He only came to like the subject when he began to try to understand why food behaves the way it does. Basically he said his science teachers would be shocked to see how he has turned out. Somehow I think they must know how it has.

Have you seen either of his mini series on biking across the US in search of food? They are great too.

tlynn78 · #4 Post by **tlynn78** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:41 pm

I don't catch him very often, but I like him. My favorite episode so far was when he was biking and "crashed" a church potluck. LOL

t.

mellytu74 · #5 Post by **mellytu74** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:41 pm

I like the summer biking show, too.

I think it would be cool to drive across Route 66 and see what's still there, as far as really interesting mom-and-pop eateries.

tlynn78 · #6 Post by **tlynn78** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:01 pm

I think it would be cool to drive across Route 66 and see what's still there, as far as really interesting mom-and-pop eateries

.

That does sound fun - I also would love to do the huge, however-many-hundreds-of-miles-long yard sale that's featured on HT occasionally.

t.

gsabc · #7 Post by **gsabc** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:20 pm

I laughingly call Alton my rival for GW's affections. She really enjoys his show, and was upset when they moved the time on us. It's harder for her to watch it at the new time.

silvercamaro · #8 Post by **silvercamaro** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:22 pm

mellytu74 wrote:I like the summer biking show, too.

I think it would be cool to drive across Route 66 and see what's still there, as far as really interesting mom-and-pop eateries.

If you ever decide to do it, don't miss some of the small-town diners on Route 66 between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. (Most people take the turnpike, because it's faster. Many places of great interest are missed.)

Catfish · #9 Post by **Catfish** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:26 pm

And don't forget Iron Chef America.

I think AB is one of the hottest men on TV. Not kidding.

And the one who turned me on (so to speak) to him is my son, who has been watching AB since he was about 9 years old (he's now 14). His goal is to go to AB's alma mater, the New England Culinary Institute. Here is his favorite article of clothing:

http://catalog.fullpond.com/altonbrown/ ... BRN+AB1005

earendel · #10 Post by **earendel** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:27 pm

silvercamaro wrote:
mellytu74 wrote:I like the summer biking show, too.

I think it would be cool to drive across Route 66 and see what's still there, as far as really interesting mom-and-pop eateries.
If you ever decide to do it, don't miss some of the small-town diners on Route 66 between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. (Most people take the turnpike, because it's faster. Many places of great interest are missed.)

Indeed - back in the day, when my mother took us to visit grandparents in Vinita she steadfastly refused to take the Turner Turnpike, so we hit every town along US 66 - Bristow, Stroud, Sapulpa, and everything else in between.

marrymeflyfree · #11 Post by **marrymeflyfree** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:27 pm

mellytu74 wrote: I think it would be cool to drive across Route 66 and see what's still there, as far as really interesting mom-and-pop eateries.

My dad is dying to do this as soon as mom retires and has more time for such trips...he's got everything planned out for it already and everything!

kayrharris · #12 Post by **kayrharris** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:00 pm

His show is easy to follow because he doesn't rush through the whole recipe and explains stuff as he goes along. I end up wanting to make all his recipes when I watch his show, although I never do as I don't cook much.

hermillion · #13 Post by **hermillion** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 5:39 am

mellytu74 wrote: I think it would be cool to drive across Route 66 and see what's still there, as far as really interesting mom-and-pop eateries.

I did this in the summer of 2004. I had my TT packed up and ready on the last day of school, and headed west out of Tulsa as soon as the final bell rang. I have a series of maps, and a great guidebook, so drove on as much of Route 66 as I could, jumping back-and-forth between the original roadway, "new 66" and I-40. I was leapfrogging with a group of French tourists who had started out in Chicago, rented Harleys (complete with an escort/guide van for repairs), slapped on the leathers and played "Wild Bunch" across the country. It was probably one of the most fun roadtrips I ever took! I stayed in original motels, visited Native American sites, saw little towns with art-Deco gas stations, ate in some great diners and restaurants, etc. I took advantage of "teachers get the summer off", took 6 days to travel over 1500 miles, and then walked out to the end of the Santa Monica Pier as the official end of my drive.

If you want to do this, find yourself a copy of the "Route 66 Travler's Guide and Roadside Companion" by Tom Snyder. It's got an intro by Bobby Troup that talks about his inspiration for the song. Lots of good info, easy to follow maps, and fits in your glove box (but don't put it there, as you'll want to keep it handy to watch for what's coming up next). Mine has yellow highlighting that I did while planning, and notes written in the margins to remind me of stuff I saw or things that happened. It's a trip diary.

Now I need to do the Tulsa-to Chicago portion. I've driven to Chicago many times, but it's been turnpike and interstate on previous trips. That may be this summer's adventure!

mellytu74 · #14 Post by **mellytu74** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:09 am

Driving Route 66 is one of our retirement dreams, too.

Another is to spend a month just meandering all over Pennsylvania.

Since my BFF & hubby live in Chicago, we would spend a couple of days there before we started.

We love diners and Mom-and-Pop stores

It was one of the dreams of my late friend, Kathey, who was a reporter with my in Fresno.

I want to do it for us but I'd like to do it for her, too.

As a rule, I like to drive back roads rather than turnpikes/expressways, if I can.

mellytu74 · #15 Post by **mellytu74** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:11 am

tlynn78 wrote:
I think it would be cool to drive across Route 66 and see what's still there, as far as really interesting mom-and-pop eateries
.

That does sound fun - I also would love to do the huge, however-many-hundreds-of-miles-long yard sale that's featured on HT occasionally.

t.

t --

Do you mean the one in Massachusetts? I would LOVE to go there.

I'd also love to go to one of the three or four Renninger's ones out by Lancaster, PA. I've never done it and have wanted to for more years than I remember.

mellytu74 · #16 Post by **mellytu74** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:12 am

Catfish wrote:And don't forget Iron Chef America.

I think AB is one of the hottest men on TV. Not kidding.

And the one who turned me on (so to speak) to him is my son, who has been watching AB since he was about 9 years old (he's now 14). His goal is to go to AB's alma mater, the New England Culinary Institute. Here is his favorite article of clothing:

http://catalog.fullpond.com/altonbrown/ ... BRN+AB1005

Catfish --

We love Frank! And look forward to someday eating a meal he prepared.

earendel · #17 Post by **earendel** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:19 am

mellytu74 wrote:That does sound fun - I also would love to do the huge, however-many-hundreds-of-miles-long yard sale that's featured on HT occasionally.

t.

t --

Do you mean the one in Massachusetts? I would LOVE to go there.

I'd also love to go to one of the three or four Renninger's ones out by Lancaster, PA. I've never done it and have wanted to for more years than I remember.

There's one that runs from Covington, KY to Chattanooga, TN along US 127. It's billed as the "World's Longest Yard Sale" and takes place the first Thursday in August each year. Traffic along the highway is backed up a lot, as you can imagine. elwing has always wanted to do it, but hasn't managed yet.

mellytu74 · #18 Post by **mellytu74** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:57 am

ear--

I forgot about that one!

Yeah, that's another one I'd like to go to.

Catfish · #19 Post by **Catfish** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:20 am

mellytu74 wrote:
Catfish wrote:And don't forget Iron Chef America.

I think AB is one of the hottest men on TV. Not kidding.

And the one who turned me on (so to speak) to him is my son, who has been watching AB since he was about 9 years old (he's now 14). His goal is to go to AB's alma mater, the New England Culinary Institute. Here is his favorite article of clothing:

http://catalog.fullpond.com/altonbrown/ ... BRN+AB1005
Catfish --

We love Frank! And look forward to someday eating a meal he prepared.

Of course you will. When you stop off in NW Indiana on your way to your Rte 66 staging area in Chicago.

Bixby17 · #20 Post by **Bixby17** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:44 am

Alton Brown is both entertaining and scary.

Entertaining for the obvious reasons but scary in how uh persnickity he is about stuff. Like showing how to store your beets.

How do you even think of beet storage, much less showing your viewers how to store your beets.

(I think the spouse and I may be doing a driving tour of South Texas soonishly. I'm not much into car driving to get to places, but Sirius radio in the car makes it a bit less painful.)

fantine33 · #21 Post by **fantine33** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:14 am

kayrharris wrote:His show is easy to follow because he doesn't rush through the whole recipe and explains stuff as he goes along. I end up wanting to make all his recipes when I watch his show, although I never do as I don't cook much.

I never end up making recipes, but I rarely watch cooking shows. I stumbled upon the Food Network a couple years ago and was transfixed for a few months. Then I got over it and the only show I watch now is Good Eats (and sometimes that show with Mark Whatever that shows how stuff is made. Automated assembly lines have always fascinated me).

Anyway, I never make recipes because I'm not really a cook and they just wham bam you. I agree with you that it's easier to follow AB, and I have actually made a few of his. They have all been wonderful. I have done:

French Toast
Mac & Cheese
Steel cut oatmeal

I especially recommend the French Toast. It really is worth the extra effort! Whenever my brother comes out from Nebraska, I have to make AB's French Toast one of the mornings. They are all now snobs who turn up their noses at Wonder Bread dipped in milk and eggs.

kayrharris · #22 Post by **kayrharris** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:18 am

OK, you made me look up the French Toast recipe. I actually have all the ingredients but the bread (and the type of bread does make a difference).
It doesn't look all the hard either.

I just may try it sometime when I have guests. Maybe.

fantine33 · #23 Post by **fantine33** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:25 am

kayrharris wrote:OK, you made me look up the French Toast recipe. I actually have all the ingredients but the bread (and the type of bread does make a difference).
It doesn't look all the hard either.

I just may try it sometime when I have guests. Maybe.

I am ridiculously excited about this! Yes, the bread makes all the difference! My supermarket has a great day old rack and I can get a huge loaf of French bread for 50 cents. So it's a win/win for an Oglethorpe like me!

I don't get the pre-sliced loaves, though. It works much better with thicker slices.

minimetoo26 · #24 Post by **minimetoo26** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:38 am

mellytu74 wrote:I like the summer biking show, too.

I think it would be cool to drive across Route 66 and see what's still there, as far as really interesting mom-and-pop eateries.

We always stop in Williams, Arizona when we are near the Grand Canyon. We call it Radiator Springs, like in the movie Cars. There is a diner/gift shop combo named Twisters where I have to have a chocolate malted, no whipped cream, on every trip. The food is very much sandwich and fries, but you can get a real nice meal at the Pine Country diner around the corner, and if you manage to skip the pie there you can sit at the fountain at Twisters for your shake. Stay for the Wild West show in the street in the evening, and buy the CD of the nation's youngest Civil War re-enactment band, because the money goes to scholarships.

My boys are huge on the Road Less Travelled deal, so it takes us forever to get where we're going, but we enjoy the little things like Calico Ghost Town and stuff like that. Just get used to porta-potties, and carry wipes with you.

That said, I'm tired of the Travel Channel being overrun with food shows. I don't travel to eat; I travel to see and do. Food is kinda boring to me.

tlynn78 · #25 Post by **tlynn78** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:28 am

Do you mean the one in Massachusetts? I would LOVE to go there.

I'd also love to go to one of the three or four Renninger's ones out by Lancaster, PA. I've never done it and have wanted to for more years than I remember

nope...

There's one that runs from Covington, KY to Chattanooga, TN along US 127. It's billed as the "World's Longest Yard Sale" and takes place the first Thursday in August each year. Traffic along the highway is backed up a lot, as you can imagine. elwing has always wanted to do it, but hasn't managed yet.

That's the one. I didn't realize it starts in Covington - my inlaws live near there now... Somehow, I don't think they'd indulge my yard-sale fetish...

t.