Who else likes "Good Eats" on Food TV?

[makedah]

I would only catch this show every once in a while. Now, I seek it out!!! Alton Brown is the best. For those of you that haven't seen it, it is a humorous, educational 30-minute cooking show. According to the Food Network website, his shows are offered to schools as part of the Cable in the Classroom program. Alton talks about food chemistry, choosing the best cookware (which is usually never the most expensive) and of course, COOKING! Last night's episode was "Fry Hard" and I learned so much about deep frying, including how to fry things in such a way as to keep them from soaking up too much oil. He made a big, lovely basket of fish and chips that all told had only about a tablespoon of oil in it. (Determined by measuring the amount of oil before and after he finished cooking.)

Each week there are about 3 episodes and they are often repeated. I can't figure out any rhyme or reason to why certain episodes are run at certain times. But you can find the schedule for the coming week at www.foodtv.com (http://www.foodtv.com) For instance, this Wednesday is an episode called "Head Games," when he's going to be talking about selecting, chopping and cooking cabbage.

[SueK]

I find that show really interesting and informative. I learn so much about whatever topic he talks about, plus he has some pretty great recipes he throws in as well. I watched one about Tofu last week, and also caught one recently about pizza making.

[makedah]

Sue -- the one on pizza made me sit up and take notice! (But then, the next one I saw was on poaching. Blegh!) I gotta record the pizza one when it comes on again.

[SusanT]

I've watched Good Eats for about a year and have learned more about cooking from Alton Brown than from any other cooking show. He really makes good cooking approachable. Understanding the "why" makes the "how" much easier.

I also like it that he's in an ordinary kitchen - no fancy professional range - no gleaming stainless steel.

Try his tofu based caesar salad dressing (available at www.foodtv.com). (http://www.foodtv.com).) It's very easy and amazingly good.

[Ralph]

We've found it, too, and absolutely love it! I feel like I should be taking notes since he gives so much information. But, I also feel like I need to tape it to re-watch, since I'm sure I miss lots of things!

A prior posting regarding this show gave reference to the following web-site, which has a FULL transcript of EVERY show. Though it's a fan page, I suspect it's endorsed by the producers.
http://www.goodeatsfanpage.com/index.htm

[makedah]

melman,

When they do repeats, do they just repeat this season or seasons past as well?

[BosunsWife]

I love that show. I was just catching it sporadically, but now I also seek it out. I loved the show he did on tofu. Unfortunately my daughter was acting up so I didn't get to catch it all. I did go to the web site and got the recipe for the "Tall and Tangy Tofu Thangy" a really good smoothy. I fixed it for me and ended up giving half of it to my almost 2 year old who loved it. What a way to give her protein especially since she isn't a big meat eater.

[Leslie w]

I also love the show. I like the fact that he doesn't get too involved w/ recipes. He basically explains how food reacts when you cook it and why it comes out the way it does. I loved the shows he did on turkey and duck. You could apply any of his cooking principals to any recipe you make, and I do.

[Melman]

Makedah - yep, they definitely repeat the previous seasons. The ribeye steak show was just repeated this weekend...I THINK that was just about the first show he ever did. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out if there's any order to the madness.....they seem to just blend in all three seasons at random. I know there's some order to exactly when they repeat whatever show is on at 9:00 pm Wednesday's...I just haven't figured it out. I go to their site at least at some point between Monday morning and Wednesday afternoon just to see what's being shown. ;-)

By the way, I've made quite a few of his recipes. I won't say ALL have had wonderful results (that pan-fried tofu was highly questionable ;-))....but almost all have been fantastic!! Even if I don't intend to make a particular recipe, I always learn something in each show.

[Karen M]

love it - DH tapes it every week. Even when there is a Red Wing's game on a different channel.

We love his method for cooking steaks.

[kwormann]

We LOVE Good Eats!

Kim

[michelern]

My husband got me interested in the show. The first time he saw it, Alton Brown was discussing "the coffee bean" and the proper way to make coffee to prevent the pot from getting too bitter. I watched it last week when he discussed "cabbage" and showed many ways to prepare it. Though I'm not a cabbage fan, he actually made it look good. I recommend the show highly!!!

[JHolcomb]

I love this show. He's smart and funny-my husband even likes to watch this because the show is so cool.

[Jewel]

I think that I learn more ABOUT cooking from 'Good Eats', but I don't really care for his style or his show much. I think I watch Alton Brown to learn, and (blush) I watch Emeril so I can 'ooh' and 'aah' and 'BAM' along with him for an hour and have a blast.

Who else would call an 'immersion blender' a 'boat motor'? I watch Alton, but I love Emeril! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Melman]

Ohmygosh! A topic about my favorite Foodtv Show. I stumbled across Good Eats last January or so. I caught him showing how to cook a ribeye. Now, I'm not a major meat-eater, but even I knew he was not only "cooking" but also teaching and explaining! It only took one show for me to be completely hooked. That is one of the only shows I watch faithfully every week (we're talking all channels...not just Foodtv!)

The schedule is a lot different from most Foodtv shows though. You almost have to look at the website to see when it's on. Basically, remember that it comes on each Wednesday night at 9:00. When new shows are available, they usually alternate weeks between a new show and a return. This week's show is about Leg o' Lamb and grilling. I think this is the last new show of Good Eats' third season so we'll be in for reruns until the 4th season begins (no clue when that might be.)

I also enjoy being able to access the fan pages for the transcripts. I always seem to have a question on exactly how he did something in particular...and I love being able to follow through the transcript to find the answers.

[LSB]

I saw the "ribeye" show a while ago but only part of it. I started cooking steaks like this and they are the best! I saw it again this weekend in its entirety and picked up what is one of he greatest hints I've seen - use kosher salt to clean out your cast iron pan. I tried it and it really works! Just put some salt in the pan and rub it around with a paper towel. I sometimes avaoid using my cast iron because of the clean-up, but no more!

[venus]

I LOVE this show. It's on at 6:30 on Sundays, right when I'm ready to curl up and watch my Sunday night TV. Not only is it full of fun tongue in cheek humour, he makes tons of food that you can actually cook without going through waaaay too much effort and doesn't talk down. I learn so much just by watching.

[Missi]

I just had to reply to this topic even though it is a few days old.
DH and I consider Alton Brown the "Bill Nye" of the food world (Bill Nye is the science guy on PBS). Good Eats is so entertaining and informative. I have really learned a lot from the show and feel it has taken my cooking to a new level. Anyone who hasn't seen it should really check it out.

[makedah]

Melman -- you're right, the ribeye show was his first ever. I'm not going to miss another episode of Good Eats as long as it's on!

BTW -- the cabbage episode was GREAT. I went out and bought a head that night!

[darthchrista]

I really enjoy Good Eats! I agree with everyone else who has discussed how much they have learned just from watching, and I also appreciate the tips for finding just the right tool (pan etc) to do the job.

-Christa

[Melman]

Makedah - which cabbage recipe did you make? I just ordered caraway seeds from Penzey's about 30 minutes ago (along with a long list of other spices). I can't wait to try the recipe he made with the green cabbage.

[makedah]

Melman -- I haven't made anything yet. (I'm still trying to finish the spinach, potatoes and soup dishes in my fridge!) When I do, it will be some version of the cabbage with dressing thing (the one you're talking about). I will probably not use the crushed croutons because, well, that just doesn't SOUND good. I'm imagining little grains all in my cabbage -- yik! I'll probably just modify how I usually make cabbage (with butter and hot pepper flakes) using his tips: not sauteeing the cabbage (and turning it brown) but boiling it and drizzling it with 'dressing.'

Thanks for reminding me about the caraway seeds, I'll have to pick some up on the way home (I'm lucky enough to live across the street from Penzey's)!

[Julie O]

If you like "Good Eats", check out these books---
"Cookwise" by Shirley Corriher (she does guest spots on "Good Eats". Excellent book on food chemistry. Great reference book when things go wrong. Also she's very funny in person, so if you ever have a chance to see her speak, GO.)

"On Food and Cooking" and "The Curious Cook" by Harold McGee--The classic volumes about food science. Again, excellent references if you like this stuff.

"The Inquisitive Cook"-can't remember the authors, but this is a great little book about food science. You can read this in a couple of evenings. You'll never look at food the same again.

Happy Reading!

[Tiger]

Because of this thread I starting watching Good Eats and also really like it. When I was pregnant and bedridden that's all I did was watch Food Tv network. For 5 months all day long!
Since than everytime I turned it on it would give me a bad feeling!! But I think I'm over that now. So I'm slowly starting to watch again. Any other suggestions besides Good Eats?

[Cathy]

That show is GREAT!!!!! Even if it is on a topic that I am not interesting in eating, I always learn something. And his character is priceless. What a kick!

[philamark]

I enjoy Good Eats a lot. I also like Cooking Live on the Food Network with Sara Moulton...on nightly at 7 (Mon thru Fri, although Fri is a repeat). Anybody else watch Sara? You can learn a lot of good tips from her and her guests and I've printed out many a fine recipe from the foodtv website.

[Kristine]

I love Good Eats! Alton Brown is so hilarious, yet very informative at the same time. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[kwormann]

Tiger....I love the specials they have.....last night on Mexico...I enjoy Emeril, Ming and Bobby Flay. I also like Sara Moultin...she isnt afraid to "not know something" and to have to ask others or look up answers. I basically enjoy most shows except Iron Chef...I dont get it.

Kim

[funnybone]

Originally posted by kwormann:
I basically enjoy most shows except Iron Chef...I dont get it.

Kim

LOL - my sentiments exactly. It has to do with the voice dubbing, I think. It's the same reason I can't watch those old Japenese movies with English subtitles.

[makedah]

I love Iron Chef. I HATE Cooking Live. Some of the food looks good, but Sara Moulton acts like such a dummy that I was shocked to learn that she was executive editor of Gourmet. And the viewers calling in are worse.

I have Food Network on as background noise for most of the day.

[philamark]

Makedah: My brother feels the same way that you do about Sara, but I still enjoy her show as she does bring in a lot of interesting guests and cover a broad range of cooking topics, it's usually very interesting.