"Call it Education...

It was somewhere in between you gave me some sound advice but I wasn't listening."

So say the Modest Mouse lyrics, which remind me of my Grandma trying to teach me cooking skills as a kid. Alas, being the stubborn and unwilling to learn kid that I was I ignored all my Grandma's wisdom and decades of culinary skills and now I have stooped to learning from food shows.

Alas, in order to save you from the same mistakes that I have made I am here to tell you the top four educational cooking shows!

4. Take Home Chef -- Host Curtis Stone
Why? Because the Aussie hottie "picks up" women in the grocery store and convinces them to "take him home" and cook dinner for their significant other. Its educational because Stone takes the women through the grocery store to pick out quality goods and then demonstrates step-by-step how to prepare and cook a gourment meal. When? varies depending on day/time
Channel? TLC
Grade? B-


3. Good Eats -- Host Alton Brown
Why? If you can take the cheesey nature of the show, Alton Brown can really teach you a technique or two in preparing traditional dishes. Its like Bill Nye the Science Guy meets Home Economics.
When? Monday - Thursday 8pm/7c
Channel? Food Network
Grade? B+

2. Giada at Home -- Host Giada De Laurentiis
Why? Without fail, everyone loves Italian dishes. Giada shows quick and easy ways to make Italian meals ranging from pizza and ravioli to lasagna and swordfish penne. She gives ready pointers as well as mini Italian lessons.
When? new episodes Saturday 1pm and Mondays 4:30pm
Channel? Food Network
Grade? A-

1. Barefoot Contessa -- Host Ina Garten
Why? Her back to basics lessons give the audience hints to all things easy. Garten resides in the Hamptons so her cooking reflects the laid-back atmosphere.
When? new episodes Saturdays 1:30pm and Sundays at 1pm
Channel? Food Network
Grade? A

Everyday Italian

College Student Style.

I am completely and utterly obssessed with the Food Network and two its "celebrity chefs:" Giada De Laurentiis and Paula Deen. This week's posts will higlight home-made takes on De Laurentiis' and Deen's niches of the cooking world.

As I aspire to, one day, become a chef. I like trying out these recipes that are on De Laurentiis' show "Everyday Italian" and see just how easy they are. Or in some cases, how much pain-staking detail is required.

My roommates and I attempted to make "Ravioli Caprese." Or as we liked to call it, "rotisserie chicken and ricotta cheese heaven."

The ravioli filling was uber-simple to make. Mostly because the ingredients were already made. In De Laurentiis' recipe you buy a rotisserie from your local grocery store, nothing fancy like bourbon honey (We got ours at Giant for a reasonable $7.00).

Mix shredded rotisserie chicken and about a cup of ricotta (I recommend Sargento's brand, it works best). Why rotisserie chicken, you ask? Because of the way it is cooked -- the meat is mouth-wateringly tender.

(photo: Raviolis in infant stage)

Finally, the dough. Easy enough. Take 2 cups of all-purpose flour and mix with 1 cup SCALDING hot water. The combo makes a flaky dough that's easy to roll out and the best part is there's no waiting. Mix the dough and get to filling your pastries.

The only negative part to this recipe is cutting the actual ravi's. De Laurentiis had this nifty ravioli cutter that popped out cutesy perfect squares of goodness. Ours were more hectagon since we used a pizza cutter and fork.

All in all, this recipe is good but several hands are needed to make the preparation speedy. It's perfect for a dinner requiring a semi-effort, but if you're looking for some super quick eats check out Thursday's post for a Paula Deen recipe trial.


photo credit: Maxim Magazine, Lauren Jost