Congratulations to this week's winners!
Thirschfeld won this week's contest for Your Best Use of Lemon, Thyme and a Grill with Veal Chops Lombatina with Roasted Garlic.
Lizthechef (a.k.a. "Meyer Lemon Liz") won this week's contest for Your Best Cucumber Recipe with Creamy Cucumber "Side".
Q&A with thirschfeld
- Thirschfeld's video "Why We Love to Cook"
Describe an early food experience that has influenced the way you think about food and/or cooking.
I wasn't that interested in food when I was young. In college I took an internship at the Austin American-Statesman in Texas and I learned more about regional food than I probably did photography. I didn't know foods outside of meat and potatoes existed or that you could become addicted to Tex-Mex, Mexican or any other kind of regional or ethnic cuisine. My food world was never the same. Upon coming home, the only thing remotely similar to the food I was craving was Taco Bell and I started to cook the food I wanted to eat.
What's your least favorite food?
Mint and chocolate. I have never liked the combo ever since I was a little kid. Just can't seem to wrap my brain around it.
What is the best thing you've made so far this year?
Well, I thought it was a salad I made the other day with baby mustard greens, peas and asparagus with buttermilk ranch but then we had our first earth-to-table dinner this year. There is something about raising, growing and making everything that is on the table that is really satifying. It was a no-bells-or-whistles simple menu of Roasted Cornish Game Hens, Braised Mustard Greens with Cabbage and Potatoes, and Edna Lewis' Spring Peas with Cream and Butter.
Describe your most spectacular kitchen disaster.
It is and probably will always be turning on the heat lamps on Mother's Day not knowing the chef had put 10 Mother's Day cakes with fondant under them.
What is your idea of comfort food?
Collard Greens and Corn Bread
Apron or no apron?
It varies -- at the moment I am back to no apron.
What's your favorite food-related scene in a movie?
Olympia Dukakis in Moonstruck when she says, “You give those dogs another piece of my food and I’ll kick you ’til you're dead,” because if you cook with any passion you have felt this way.
If you could make a show-stopping dinner for one person, living or dead, who would it be?
This question is always so hard. You always want to say someone famous but you know it is family, but this time I will say Edna Lewis. Why? Because I think she would have some sort of worldy wisdom to impart and, although I never met her, it seems like it would be nice to spend time with her.
You prefer to cook: a. alone, b. with others, c. it depends on your mood
I like to think with others and I am working on getting better at that.
When it comes to tidying up, you usually: a. clean as you cook, b. do all the dishes once you've finished cooking, c. leave the kitchen a shambles for your spouse/roommate/kids to clean
Clean as I go without a doubt.
Q&A with Lizthechef
- Lizthechef's Meyer Lemon Tree
Describe an early food experience that has influenced the way you think about food and/or cooking.
My cooking is strongly influenced from having cooked in the kitchen with my mother, both grandmothers and my great-grandmother. They raised me to believe that preparing food for family and friends is a act of giving, nurturing and sharing.
What's your least favorite food?
Green bell peppers, cheap/canned black olives, organ meats and raw and/or undercooked fish.
What is the best thing you've made so far this year?
Food52 has really sharpened my cooking skills, although the judges haven't always agreed with what I felt were my best efforts ;) Right now I am consumed by canning and think I'll have a lot of fun this summer, along with my fellow food52 "canners" MrsWheelbarrow, mrslarkin, KelseyTheNaptimeChef and Sunchowder.
Describe your most spectacular kitchen disaster.
There was the Thanksgiving when I knew my first husband was leaving me, but went along with him and had a big gathering of friends anyhow. Very much the cheapskate, he insisted on my cooking a large turkey in a disposable aluminum pan. A spectacular grease fire climaxed the holiday. Thereafter, my former analyst referred to the event as "The year the wrong turkey went in the oven". He had a great sense of humor -- analyst, not ex.
What is your idea of comfort food?
Noodles/pasta eaten with chopsticks.
Apron or no apron?
No apron, although I kept one of my mother's that her mother made for her.
What's your favorite food-related scene in a movie?
The omelet-making scene in "Big Night".
If you could make a show-stopping dinner for one person, living or dead, who would it be?
I would love to cook for my maternal grandmother, Louise Norcross Coleman. She was cooking risotto and paella back in the 1950s. Her postage stamp-sized kitchen in Morningside Heights was such a creative, exciting place for me. (By the way, she bought my Meyer lemon tree for me during her only visit to San Diego.)
You prefer to cook: a. alone, b. with others, c. it depends on your mood
Alone, alone, alone.
When it comes to tidying up, you usually: a. clean as you cook, b. do all the dishes once you've finished cooking, c. leave the kitchen a shambles for your spouse/roommate/kids to clean
Clean as I go, although my husband frequently does the supper dishes and/or cleans up after dinner parties.
16 Comments on Week 52:
Yay thirschfeld and Lizthechef! Awesome interviews. Loved the video and am very jealous of that gorgeous Meyer lemon tree.
I trade oranges for lemons with my neighbor - almost always have some Meyers, between us - stop by!
What wonderful Q&As! thirschfeld - that video ROCKED, and Liz - I want that lemon tree, and possibly the analyst. The two recipes here are destined for my dinner table. Well deserved wins!
Thank you MrsWheelbarrow. I take that as a very valued compliment
I just *finally* got a chance to watch Tom's video. Somebody get this guy a cooking show, please?
The first time I saw Chef Tom post a recipe, I was awed - got to test one during one of the first EP-shared testings...Still follow every recipe he posts. Lemon tree available but you have to come to SD! Analyst still practicing, makes me laugh when I see him at professional dinners/meetings.
Congrats winners! All 3 recipes are fantastic! Liz, I printed out your recipe for our bbq on Saturday night! Also, Tom, LOVE your video, it is very inspirational.
thank you so much
Thanks and sorry for the delayed reply - sort of in shock after 10 months of trying!
Congratulations winners and runner-up on another selection of great recipes!
Congratulations to both of you. You know, reading this and peeking into the hearts and heads of the winners is pure joy. Sort of makes not winning bearable!
Reading the interviews are always my favorite part of the contest, and this week is no exception. Like drbabs says, I love getting to know you guys better. Great winning recipes this week to finish up the first 52 weeks including the wonderful wildcard!!
Now that's what I call a grand finale! Looking forward to another 52 weeks of your great recipes! Congrats to you both, and to the Wildcard winner.
Congratulations to you both. I love getting to know you better.
Big congrats to you both, and to the Wildcard winner as well! Great recipes, all, and what a way to close out the first 52!
Congratulations to both winners and the wildcard as well. Have to admit the disaters are my favorite part, they always make me laugh (WITH you not AT you!!!) Well deserved wins!!!!!
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