Michael Blowhards writes:

Dear Blowhards --

* Would you like some cleavage with that latte?

* Obesity rates in France have doubled in recent years. To blame: television, soda pop, crazy work hours, and junk food.

* The snobs may sneer at her, but the real people back home think the world of perky Food Network star Rachael Ray. I'm a Rachael fan myself. She may overdo the grins and giggles, but if her show helps real people class their eating lives up a bit, why not be forgiving? As an eternal-beginner cook myself, I'm a special fan of her magazine, Every Day With Rachael Ray. The dishes I've prepared from the magazine's recipes have been tasty to eat and fun to make; they haven't taxed my very limited cooking skills either. And the magazine itself -- however middlebrow and friendly it may be -- is a gorgeously-designed and sweetly-edited thing of beauty.

* Joseph Pearce explains why the agribusiness-vs.-organic debate is such a big deal for the Small is Beautiful crowd.

* Niman Ranch is said by some reviewers to sell the tastiest and tenderest grass-fed meat available. Curious, The Wife and I ordered up some of their steaks. A quick sear on both sides ... Time in the oven till just not-bloody in the center ... And it was, it really was, some of the best steak we've ever eaten. I'd characterize it as luxurious yet light -- like filet mignon, only more informal. I'll be sending gift packs from the Niman Ranch out as birthday and holiday presents.

Best,

Michael

So Pearce wants to declare war against agribusiness. Judging by the entire piece he wrote, I'd say his main battle is against strawmen.

Posted by: Donald Pittenger on January 25, 2007 2:12 PM

If Rachael Ray came out with a book listing the great restaurants in the second and third tier American cities that she visits in her travel/food show, it would be a runaway best seller. Who knew that there was great eating to be had in Rushmore, South Dakota, of all places? But she managed to find 3! great places to eat there in a recent show.

Posted by: ricpic on January 25, 2007 3:55 PM

I'm the primary cook for the family and I love myself some Rachael Ray.

And even though I'd never go to the trouble of actually cooking anything like he does, I love watching Alton Brown to get tips I will use (and I've used a bunch), and because he's very entertaining.

Posted by: yahmdallah on January 25, 2007 5:03 PM

I have one of Rachael Ray's 30-minute cookbooks and I like it. But I almost didn't buy it after seeing that she calls sandwiches sammies and cutesies everything up to the point of nausea.

Posted by: Rachel on January 25, 2007 6:16 PM

Michael, on the issue of obesity rates doubling in France: I thought that I read that most new developments in France are Suburban (i.e. less walking, more driving, more "convenient" food).

On the Oragnic vs AgriBusiness: The grand majority of Organic Beef at Whole Foods is grain-fed. What is organic about Cows eating tons of grain in feed-lots?

Personally, I don't care if people want to sell and buy grain-fed beef, but I find the organic label misleading.

Posted by: Ian Lewis on January 25, 2007 9:32 PM

Nothing against Rachel Ray, but Lidia is the one for me. True, I lean toward her probably because she was born and raised in what is now Croatia. But, she works around the kitchen with a minimum of toolage and she uses her hands to mix and crucsh things rather than one more uniquely designed kitchen ware to clutter up a small kitchen. Her food is thick, bubbly, and inviting. I swear you can smell her soups right through the tv. Yeah, there's a bit more time required than Ms. Ray's, but the results are devine.

Posted by: DarkoV on January 26, 2007 8:06 AM






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