Dark Arts Thanksgiving Tips, Old Bay and J.O., and the Judas Principle
Nov 16, 2023
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Dave Chang, celebrity chef, shares Thanksgiving tips for planning and cooking in advance. He also discusses the awkwardness of chefs visiting guests. The podcast covers a range of topics including the origins of Honey Walnut Shrimp, tips for microwaving mashed potatoes, the Judas Principle, and challenges in Asian food concept.
Prepare Thanksgiving dishes in advance to save time on the day.
Negative associations can significantly impact the popularity of names.
Chefs feel uncomfortable when asked to visit guests or let them visit the kitchen.
Baltimore is predicted to win the football game based on its iconic food offerings.
Deep dives
Origins of Honey Walnut Shrimp
The podcast episode delves into the origin of the popular dish Honey Walnut Shrimp. The host speculates that the dish may have been a result of a recipe gone wrong, potentially a misinterpretation of another dish like kung pao shrimp. Despite not personally enjoying the dish, the host acknowledges its popularity and discusses possible theories on how it came to be.
Tips for Thanksgiving Preparation
In this episode, the podcast shares practical tips for preparing Thanksgiving dishes ahead of time to make the cooking process smoother. The host suggests microwaving mashed potatoes, acquiring turkey broth in advance, and making a turkey broth or stock to be used for gravy. The importance of sandbagging certain dishes by cooking in advance, such as green bean casserole and stuffing, is emphasized to alleviate time constraints on Thanksgiving day.
The Impact of a Name
The podcast delves into a conversation about the significance and impact of names based on negative associations. Using the example of the name Judas, the host discusses how one person's actions can tarnish a name's reputation and lead to its decline in popularity. The host reflects on the empathy felt for individuals who share a name with someone infamous and highlights the parallel with other historical figures and their names.
Restaurant Etiquette: Going Back to the Kitchen
The podcast episode discusses the awkwardness and potential problems associated with guests requesting to visit the restaurant's kitchen or inviting the chef to their table. The host shares personal experiences and highlights the discomfort felt by chefs or cooks in such situations. The challenges of determining when to leave a table and the subsequent expectations from other tables are also addressed, ultimately suggesting to avoid asking chefs to come out or visit the kitchen.
Pro Football Food Weekly: Cincinnati vs. Baltimore
In this segment, the podcast uses food as a determining factor for predicting the outcome of the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens football matchup. The food categories considered include sandwiches, steakhouse, seafood, sweets, and special teams. Baltimore is predicted to win based on their iconic offerings like pit beef sandwiches, blue crab, and Old Bay seasoning, highlighting the flavors that represent the region.
The Journey of Opening SumBar
The podcast recounts the challenges and lessons learned during the opening of the Asian-inspired restaurant SumBar. The host shares how the unconventional concept of Asian burritos initially faced resistance and struggled to find its footing. However, the experience of running SumBar late into the night became a creative hub that attracted a diverse crowd. The host reflects on the importance of taking risks and pursuing unconventional ideas, even when they initially encounter opposition.
Closing Remarks: Cincinnati's Guaranteed Loss
The podcast concludes by reiterating that Cincinnati is guaranteed to lose in the upcoming football game against Baltimore, humorously attributing the decisive victory to Baltimore's superior food offerings like pit beef and Old Bay seasoning. The host jokingly suggests making billion-dollar bets on Baltimore's victory and playfully pokes fun at the city of Cincinnati.
Audi E-Tron: Progress You Can Feel
The podcast includes sponsored segments featuring Audi's fully electric vehicle, the Audi Q8 E-Tron. The host highlights the craftsmanship, design, and performance of the car, emphasizing Audi's commitment to progress and a thrilling future.
What are the best ways to plan (and maybe cook) your Thanksgiving feast in advance? Dave weighs in with a couple of tips out of the Culinary Dark Arts textbook.
Dave also talks about the awkward political bargaining that occurs when a chef decides to step out of the kitchen and into the dining room to visit guests.
Pro Football Food Weekly pits Cincinnati against Baltimore—does the city of Old Bay and J.O. Spice have what it takes to overcome Dave’s love of Graeter’s ice cream?
