Check out my progress on A Food Network Education
At the age of 15, I discovered a life-changing form of entertainment. I found myself in need of entertainment during my elliptical session, so I switched on the TV and found this cartoon-voiced chica demonstrating a burger recipe. Though newly vegetarian, I was captivated by the progression of the recipe. Soon enough, I discovered that a half-hour had passed; my eyes remained glued to the screen for another kitchen session with Ray-Ray. I was hooked. Ever since, the Food Network has been the default channel on my television.
Over the years, I’ve learned plenty from the hosts of the Food Network. All those hours logged in front of the TV formed the foundation of my culinary education, informing me on everything from basic kitchen techniques to complementary flavor combinations to cooking equipment know-how. Indeed, I can thank the folks at Food Network for cultivating my inner foodie.
I didn’t realize the extent of my Food Network education until this afternoon, however. Today’s meeting of my Principles of Foods class involved a Jeopardy-esque quiz in which each student answered several questions projected onto a screen; unlike a pen-and-paper examination, I had to face the judgment of my peers as I answered each question. However, I was distracted from my anxieties by listening to my fellow students answer the questions, particularly those involving kitchen equipment. It was clear that most of the class had not been watching the Food Network for the past 7 years. For example, one question was to identify this tool:
The room was silent. The first student hesitated and then guessed, “a potato masher?” Good guess, but no.
The next student: “It’s a whisk!” Wrong again.
‘”A sieve!” Nuh uh.
At first I was incredulous. “Seriously? What’s going on here? It’s a pastry blender, dang it!”
Then I had to step back and gain a little perspective on the situation. “Caroline, not everyone is a foodie; not everyone reads food blogs religiously; not everyone wants to be The Next Food Network Star.”
So all of this is to say Thank you, Food Network, for providing me a fabulously entertaining and delicious education. I never thought you would help me earn an advanced degree in nutrition!
Do you watch the Food Network? What have you learned from it?
Now, let’s get onto the food. I have some TV to catch up on 
My life has been strangely smoothie-less lately. Tragic, really. I rectified the situation this morning with a banana-berry combo featuring unsweetened Spirutein and almond butter. I topped it off with a some Uncle Sam.
Lunch was an on-campus affair, so I packed along a simple salad. To be precise, it was a modified version of my Strawberry Fields Forever salad, using blueberries instead of strawberries. I’m so not looking forward to the end of berry season.
In another class today, we got to talking about how difficult it is for a nutritionist to “sell” black bean burgers and other meat alternatives to an old man with high cholesterol. Being the foodie that I am, I thought, “Ooh. Black bean burgers. I want.” After a rather dry recipe I prepared last week, I took Heather’s genius suggestion and added hummus to the mix (roasted red pepper flavor, to be exact!). Not only did it keep my burgers moist, but it also imparted a lovely kick to the taste experience!
Off to relax with My Life in France. Ciao…or shall I say, “au revoir!”
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I love the Food Network, but I can’t say I learn much from it. I more “Oooo” and “Aahh” at all the butter
I used to watch Food Network all the time, but I haven’t watched it much lately. I have a hard time relating to the shows with my cooking style.
My mom hated the fact that I watched Food Network all the time, she thought it was a waste of time!
I can’t go a day without watching some, I learn so much and get so much creativity from there!
Great story! Sometimes I feel like we’re in our own world – but I love it when a good friend who rarely talks about food mentions something obscure and I get to say, “we talk about that all the time in food blog land!”
Black bean burgers with hummus? That Heather is a genius!
Blueberries are such a neat salad topper idea. Im a huge fan of salads with fruit in them.
oh i can SO relate to this! from food preparation techniques and tools to food products and recipes, i nearly always find myself referencing these things and having to remind myself that most people have no clue what i’m talking about. it’s like that with blogs too…i always forget that most people don’t know about yogurt messes or OIAJ or even simple things like the deliciousness of roasted butternut
Love the bean burgers! How do you like My Life in France? I think it’s a great book!
The food network is pretty education…especially Alton Brown! I didn’t grow up watching a lot of tv, but I watched occasionally. I think I watch the FN more now!
haha the food network has taught me how to make a 5 course 5 star menu using 1 special ingredient in under 60 minutes. also that i should challenge bobby flay because he’ll probably win by default..
Yes, food network rocks! I really learned to cook by watching the show and they always inspire my dishes!! Great eats- especially the salad. Love fruit on salads.
Food network has taught me a lot. From how to prepare dishes to what tools are best for a task. My favorite host is Alton Brown because he goes further into the cooking/baking techniques.
Ahhh…what would I be without Food Network?
That being said, I have to be honest. I second guessed myself with that utensil, because it looks incredibly similair to an egg slicer…haha.
DO share the recipe for the “black bean burgers” and somewhat ”kidney bean balls”
They look delish, and I love the idea of RRP hummus addition.
dude, the question is what HASN’T TFN taught me? i love that channel! and the burgers look great. have a fun weekend!
I knew it was a pastry blender (or pastry cutter, as I learned it). We actually used them in my Foods classes in high school. I made my mom buy me one after those classes.
Food Network has probably taught me the proper names for some cooking techniques, and maybe some other things, but I’ve been cooking for a long time, so it’s hard to say where I actually obtained all of my culinary knowledge.