Wow, I am barely getting a chance to comment on Sunday’s show right now, but what a show it was! Brian insists that the current FN stars would never make it through the challenges these new guys have to go through! It was funny but online Bobby Flay was asked how he’d do on the NFNS and he laughed that he’d be the first or second person kicked off for having a bad attitude (or something to that effect.)
Anyway, the previews were deceiving and I was worried for Melissa but she actually pulled her own and did well. Debbie was bright and bubbly but she got the same “Korean/taste” criticism. Jeffrey was painful to watch because he was going so strong but got killed with the risotto. When it was time for the elimination I literally did not know who was going home and am still shocked that Debbie was sent home. (I think all the negative feedback FN received about her played a part in the decision.) However it happened, I am excited about the final two and would watch either show. As to who will actually win? My vote is on Melissa. Brian thinks it’ll be Jeffrey. We’ll have to wait and see!
Category Archives: tv
NFNS 2010 – Final Two
NFNS 2010: Update
Okay, last night I finally had a chance to catch up on the last two episodes of the Next Food Network Star. (Have I ever admitted out loud that I love my DVR??)
Episode 6: Bye-Bye Michael – Brian and I were going crazy with this episode! First of all I was literally stressing out for the contestants because my major weakness in the kitchen is getting all the food cooked and on the table in a timely manner. I always underestimate how long it will take me, then stress out when things aren’t done. So I was in a tizzy just watching them!
Second, my amusement with Michael reached it’s limit. One more, “Who loves you?” and “Mama’s working it!” and I was going to scream. (Maybe it’s the pregnancy hormones.)
Third, Debbie, Debbie, Debbie. What were you thinking? I remember after the very first episode I was miffed when Debbie said she stayed in budget but never explained that it was only because she didn’t buy so many of the other contestant’s needed ingredients. But that was nothing compared to the martyr role she played at the elimination when she actually left her team out in the cold. I didn’t think she’d be voted off for it (assuming Michael would be next) but it certainly didn’t win her any popularity points. (Brian is still lamenting she was not let go.)
Episode 7: Jamika’s Crash and Burn – I feel so bad for Jamika. She has such a warm way and contagious smile and seemed to be doing so well at the beginning but this week she spent most of her time frowning and being ticked off. She was not my favorite but I wanted so badly for her to do well and really shine. Oh, well.
So who will actually win it in the end? Melissa is still my favorite (and Jeffery my second choice) but I think it’ll come down to Melissa and Debbie. However, I’m not sure if Melissa could win it all. It just seems like Debbie has a greater uniqueness and won’t seem like another Robin Miller or Sandra Lee. I hope I’m wrong.
NFNS 2010: Update
Since I was gone last weekend, I had two episodes to watch of The Next Food Network Star. (And I had to avoid all news of the show since I hate knowing the outcome before I watch the show! I like to savor the as-it-happens drama. LOL!) But it was no surprise when Teddy went home. The guy was so annoying on camera, you felt bad for him. This week’s dismissal of Katie was sad but I think it was obvious she was next in line. (Bella is still upset since she was her favorite.)
As for the rest of the bunch, my favorite is still Melissa even though she can be so hyper and spastic at times. If she could calm down and take a deep breath, she is enjoyable and I’d be most likely to cook her food and relate to her. I also really love Jeffery and don’t think he is “too zen,” but then again, I am used to the California vibe. However, it seems that lately there is something missing with him and I hope he can pull it together and at least get to the top two.
Debbie is funny and friendly and seems to be a fave of the judges but I don’t think I’d ever cook her food. Jamika seems so sweet and has a nice personality but she is definitely next if she doesn’t snap out of the funk she is in. Again, I’m not sure if I’d cook her food but she is enjoyable to watch, or at least she used to be. Lastly, Michael is a character and he cracks me up with his weirdness. I don’t think I’d watch a cooking show with him but he’d be fun to watch (at last for a while) on one of those “educational” cooking shows that interacts with different people and places, sort of like Adam Gertler does.
Speaking of Adam, do you watch his Armchair Judge videos. He is hilarious. Love it! Well, we’ll see what happens next week! š
Michelle Duggar: Model of Motherhood?
Danielle Bean has an interesting post at Faith & Family about Michelle Duggar called The Force of Femininity. Michelle has taken a lot of abuse from the secular world, regarding everything from her giving birth to 18 kids to her hair style. When I first started watching the show I thought she seemed a little fake – how could someone be so “sweet” and calm in the midst of family life chaos? But after watching the show for a year or two, I can see that it is not fake. That’s the way she is and how she lives her life as a wife and mother.
It brings to mind the other reality show Jon and Kate Plus Eight. I used to love the show when it first started. Watching the kids grow up was fascinating but I had to stop after awhile because I couldn’t stomach the nastiness of Kate towards her husband and the lack of charity all around. It is heartbreaking, but not surprising, to see the situation they are in now.
You can’t help but notice the stark contrast between these two ladies and how they react to their husband and children. No one is perfect but Michelle is a humbling reminder to me that I need to be more like her… I need to bite my tongue when the sarcastic remark is about to escape or to take a deep breath before I lose my cool when Andrew dumps out the trash can…again. It is a reminder that my vocation as a wife and mother is a gift from God and I serve Him by serving them. I may never be as calm and patient as Michelle seems to be, but Ive learned that adding a little more sweetness to family life can make things run a heck of a lot smoother and happier!
Recipe from The Cooking Loft: Apple Brown Betty
This morning I saw Alex make a recipe for an Apple Brown Betty on Food Network’s Cooking Loft and it looked so tasty! Guess what we’re having for dessert tonight?!
Apple Brown Betty
Ingredients
6 apples, Granny Smith or Braeburn, peeled and cored
3 lemons, zested and juiced
1 1/2 cups unseasoned bread crumbs
1 stick unsalted butter, melted, plus 1 additional tablespoon for greasing the baking dish
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Equipment: 5 creme brulee dishes, shallow and oval
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F with a rack in the center of the oven.
Place the apples on a flat surface, cut them in half, and then into thin slices. Put them in a medium bowl and coat them with a light layer of zest from 1 of the lemons and all of the lemon juice.
In a separate bowl, mix together the butter and bread crumbs. Season with salt. Set aside.
In a third bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves. Mix to blend and add the apple slices.
Grease each baking dish with the remaining butter. Layer the bottom with the apples and cover with the bread crumb mixture.
Cover the dishes tightly with aluminum foil and place in the center of the oven. Bake until the apples are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove the foil, raise the oven temperature to 425 degrees F and bake until the top browns. Serve immediately.