Wasted Continuum

After some investigation into where I can find a good local butcher shop, I have finally succeeded. Dara Moskowitz, the food critic from the City Pages, wrote a great article on Clancey’s Meats & Fish in Linden Hills. I’m hoping I can check them out soon. Supposedly, the owner, Greg Westergreen, is also a chef. I think I’ll try buying some meat for a dish next week and check out how much it’ll cost to by enough veal to make my own demi-glace. I hope the price is not too horrible.

I ran late today. 7 o’clock, and it was already dark. I didn’t run at Central or Como today. I just ran on the streets by my house. There are a lot more inclines here than at Central. It was a much better workout for my legs. Not a bad time either. Just 14 seconds shy of my record.

Poulet Basquaise
Originally uploaded by JavaJunky

This is my first attempt at one of Anthony Bourdain’s recipe. It was a total success. The recipe from Les Halles Cookbook. I picked one of the easier ones. It was very easy. Simple ingredients. After cooking it once, I know I can throw out this dish in just over half an hour. That’s a very comforting thought. Such a delicious dish with relatively small amount of work. I can’t wait to try out more of his recipes.

This is also my first meal (not counting the apple) that I prepared with my new chef knife. I actually didn’t use it that much since there wasn’t that much prep work.

After cooking this dish, I can definitively recommend the Les Halles Cookbook. His instructions are well-worded and easy to understand. If you can stand being called an “idiot” or told to use your apron as a noose to hang yourself, you’ll love it. Cruel to be kind, right? And if you watch his show enough, or listen to his audio books, you can hear his distinct voice instructing you in your head. Maybe that just me.

Les Halles Cookbook

Originally uploaded by JavaJunky

I just got this yesterday after buying my new knife. I started reading the introduction and it’s already got me hooked. Even if I don’t end up cooking anything from this, I’d still read the whole thing just because Anthony Bourdain is just so good at saying what he wants. Nothing is held back. It’s just the truth and he’s hilarious. If you don’t understand what I mean, go watch No Reservations on the Travel Channel, not the Catherine Zeta-Jones movie that totally ripped the title from it. I warn you, the show is frickin’ addictive.

Les Halles Cookbook is not your ordinary recipe book. It’s contains the recipes that Tony actually serves at Les Halles (only scaled down). However, the manner in which he writes the instructions is in his style of writing. Sarcastic. Mean. Blunt. Humorous. It’s great so far. I can’t say how good the actual recipes are until I try them out. I’m sure they’re great though.