Podchef's Gastrocast Podcast

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The podcast about cooking, food, and the politics of what we eat.

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Gastrocast Cookbook

Gastrocast #36

This week's show is here. This week I talk about dismal sales at the Island's Holiday Boutique, I ponder sponsorship for the podcast, and read a couple of food news items. Then we step into Kitchen Studio to make Turkey Pot Pie--a favorite around here after Thanksgiving. I have a bit of trouble with the dough--but I think it is due to the photo lamps I have in the kitchen, and the fact that I didn't let the dough chill long enough before trying to roll it out.

Flickr Photos Here.

Music:

Suite Gothique - Toccata by Cambridge Guitar Orchestra

by: ChefNeal at 11/30/05 23:09 | link | comments (2)|
gastrocast, turkey

Call for ideas

As I was getting this week's show ready for distribution I was struck with the thought that I am running out of ideas. Well, perhaps not, but the enthusiasm which is usually there just isn't. I'll blame it on the dreary weather and leave it at that. I also had trouble coming up with an "ingredient of the week" this week.

So I am appealing to you, dear audience for some ideas. Are there techniques, or foods, or recipes that you would like to know more about? Perhaps a cuisine, or style of cooking? Should I be doing more vegetarian, or meat, or side dishes?  Ethnic?

Oh, I am sure I can come up with some ideas and keep things rolling, but if you have something that's been niggling at the back of your mind to find out more about, share it with me so I can share it with everyone. In return, I will try to work your requests into future shows, and answer any technical questions. Help guide me to make this a better show.

You can email me a podchef at gmail dot com, or leave a message here on the blog, or in the comments. You can also Skype me.
Would a voicemail caller line be helpful? If enough of you say so--the thing will be done. See, despite what people around me say, I'm not that difficult. . . . .

by: ChefNeal at 11/30/05 16:38 | link | comments (6)|
ideas

A few photos

I didn't have much time on Thanksgiving for snapping photos--but here are a few showing my high heat technique from Gastrocast #34.  


 A very extreme adaptation of it, that is.  Click the photo for a Flickr set.

by: ChefNeal at 11/29/05 16:47 | link | comments |
photos, podchef, thanksgiving, turkey

Open Source

Christopher Lydon kindly mentions us in his Thanksgiving 2.0 show on Open Source. Thanks--much obliged. I have subscribe to the show--which I didn't know was a podcast. My bad. Unfortunately iTunes hasn't caught todays show yet--so I will hear it tomorrow--on Thanksgiving.
Thanks to Bicyclemark for mentioning me to Chris.
Too bad they couldn't get a Gastrocast clip on the air--it's not like it's that hard to steal audio from my feeds. . . . .

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Check out the Gastrocast Cookbook!

by: ChefNeal at 11/24/05 04:50 | link | comments (4)|
bicycle mark, thanksgiving, open source

Gastrocast #35

Try not to think of it as one long show, but two shorter ones packaged for your convienience.



In this week's show I wax lyrical about the holiday season, talk about Pandemic Preparedness, recieve my printed cookbook in the mail during the show and we make a Meringue Roulade with Persimmons in Lime Syrup.

Antimicrobial effects of spices

Music:

Intro and Outro: bad times never felt so good  by Gentlemen Losers
Interim: Ockham's Shaving Kit by George Hrab

Flickr Photos

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Don't forget to check out the Cookbook!

by: ChefNeal at 11/23/05 23:38 | link | comments |
podchef, gastrocast, dessert

Keep it safe

Here are some great tips on holiday food safety--all basic, common sense stuff. The sort of things I assume we all know, so I don't mention them usually. But every once and awhile we all need a reminder. The catchy new twist in Holiday Food Safety Tips for 2005--Avian Flu.  Seems people can't mention it enough. So just in case you are one of those--here are some products you might want to aid in your Turkey preparations this year. 

What the Food Safety article doesn't mention is how to sanitize your countertops, etc after you have dripped contaminated poultry juice all over everything in your attempt to cram a massive turkey in your 30 inch apartment range. For most jobs 1 tablespoon of bleach in a gallon of water will be fine. For those who must know more, here is the propaganda. . . er, I mean facts. Remember, a little bleach can be a good thing--too much is awful. 

Not keen on bleach--use white vinegar.

Above all keep safe, eat great food and have a great holiday!

For extra homework you can read this Village Voice article on Bird Flu, Fearmongering and Greed

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Don't forget to check out the Cookbook.

by: ChefNeal at 11/23/05 14:42 | link | comments |
food safety, thanksgiving, turkey, foodborne illness

What have we learned class?

In two school systems on two sides of the planet, valuable lessons are being learned. No, these are not the fundamentals of reading, writing and 'rithmatic, but critical lessons in sanitation, or the results of the lack of it.

In Wales, Welsh school systems have fallen under the spotlight after an e coli outbreak. Apparently they have been withholding anything from the washrooms which might allow the students making a mess--including toilet paper and soaps. Hmm. . .wouldn't have been safer and better to teach the students about behaviour, sanitation and cleanliness?

At Tufts University--a place I once considered attending for their excellent Veteranary Medicine Program--there is also apparently no paper towels or soap in their lavatories either. Is this some new attempt to spread a new plauge?  No soap to spill--only anitibacterial hand wash. No papertowels--no trash cans to empty.  Just an ill informed and lazy attempt to keep things cleaner.  I have long believed Anti-bacterial products to be a scourge on the Earth.  Not only can they weaken our own immune system, as they leave our homes and make their way into the water system they are killing vital, good bacteria as well as the nasty ones, weakening the environments. Moreover, the nasty bugs soon become resistant to antibacterial agents and become drug resistant. Not Good.

The result of studies at Tufts conclude that overuse of antibacterial products will lead to future problems. The answer--wash with good old soap and water. Hopefully our world educators will remember and learn this lesson. Something common sense tells us we never should have forgotten. Remember, just like I tell my kids--wipe, flush and wash: in that order and only in that order.

by: ChefNeal at 11/18/05 20:45 | link | comments |
e coli, sanitation education, antibacterial soap

Gastrocast #34

Another week, another show.  In this week's Gastrocast we talk turkey and make an inspired Jasmine Tea Rubbed Game Hen with Persimmon Orzo Risotto.


Flickr photos are here.



Music
    Intro and Outro: Show Me by Bullette
    Segues: Forest in the Morning by Fumitaka Anzai

by: ChefNeal at 11/17/05 22:25 | link | comments |
photos, cooking, podchef, gastrocast, thanksgiving, turkey