God will roast their stomachs
Sidin Vadukut -
Friday, May 16, 2008 11:19 AM
Today we have both food for thought and food for err... eating.
Turn back time, oh dear reader, to the very beginning of the latest US invasion of Iraq. When the Americans rumbled into Iraq with several "Mission Accomplished" banners in their backpacks ready for the unfurling.
One of the highlights of contemporary television media at the time was the venerable Iraqi Minister of Information Muhammed Saeed al-Sahaf (MSS). MSS enthralled the world media with his articulate press conferences where he made accurate predictions of the outcome of the war. For instance this description of the US-led attack:
"They are retreating on all fronts. Their military effort is a subject of laughter throughout the world."
and this:
"We're going to drag the drunken junkie nose of Bush through Iraq's desert, him and his follower dog Blair..."
He also made this completely false, inaccurate and outright ludicrous statement:
"Bush is a very stupid man. The American people are not stupid, they are very clever. I can't understand how such clever people came to elect such a stupid president."
Wait a minute...
So while we are now celebrating the fifth anniversary of the liberation from Saddam to the peaceful forces of civil war and sectarian violence it might be good to relive some of the best moments of comrade MSS. Check out all his best utterances and perhaps even buy some tastefull MSS t-shirts and cups too, all at this link: http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/
The above was the "food for thought" bit of this post. Now for the real food bit.
The French Laundry in the Napa Valley is widely considered one of the best restaurants in the world. Reservations are difficult to get and if you call some two months in advance they will probably not laugh loudly in your face.
But thanks to your intrepid blogger who sits late into the night browsing food blogs and gawking at food images you no longer have to shell out the $240 or so to even get a look in at the French Laundry. Instead you can whip some of chef Thomas Keller's delicacies safely in the comfort of your home.
Carol Blymire religiously cooks and uploads eight or so recipes every months from the 1999 bestseller The French Laundry Cookbook on her blog "French Laundry At Home". Her banter is infectious, photos gorgeous and the foods looks stupendous. (She also recommends music to accompany the cooking.) Even if you don't intend to cook any of it just reading through the recipes, especially just before lunch break at the office, can set that appetite on fire in no time.
How can you possibly say no to Pear Strudel with Chestnut Cream and Pear Chips?
Ok now back to my lunch of exquiaite Garlic Chicken sandwich and Snapple at Cafe Coffee Day. Sob.
Picture courtesy: www.frenchlaundryathome.com