I'm a huge fan of the Food Network. I watch it like it's my job. My favorite television personality has to be Ina Garten of Barefoot Contessa fame. I have two of her cookbooks and have made her special brownie mix that Food Network sells online.
There are, however, other celebrity food personalities to whom I'm not a crazed devotee. I can't stand chef Bobby Flay. Ever since he had the show Boy Meets Grill, I thought he totally ripped off the name of my favorite childhood TV show, Boy Meets World. Plus, he ruined the Disney Channel original movie Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off. Stay away from Disney, Bobby Flay! Oddly enough, I enjoy his latest show Throwdown with Bobby Flay, even if I watch just to see him lose.
Then there is Paula Deen. At first I couldn't get over the heavy Southern accent, but I think she's had coaching because I understand her better now than when she first appeared on TV. After I finally knew what Paula was saying, I enjoyed her show, but I probably would not make anything she cooks. I like to make recipes that are fairly healthful, but Paula's recipes must be off the caloric charts! To make my point more clear, I'd like to reference a series of articles on the food blog seriouseats.com.
Serious Eats ran a five-part series called Paula Deen is Trying to Kill Us. Based on the recipes chronicled, that statement is entirely true. For starters, there are deep-fried butter balls. That's right, deep-fried balls of butter. The question you're looking for is, why?
Following that appetizer is the bacon-wrapped, deep-fried macaroni and cheese. I love macaroni and cheese, but must it be encased in bacon and deep-fried? Dessert is fudge, but Paula gives it her own southern twist: Velveeta, butter and cocoa powder fudge balls. Yes, dear readers, Paula added Velveeta, a mildly cheese-like substance, to fudge.
Paula has even made brunch a bit more interesting with her bacon, doughnut and egg burger, which is a burger patty, bacon and a fried egg sandwiched between glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts. The last recipe listed is Paula's butter, mayo and cheese whiz spread. Dare I ask, what's on Paula's plate?
- Elizabeth Lundblad is a junior studying journalism and a reporter for The Post. Send her your favorite Paula Deen recipes at el246506@ohiou.edu.
3 Culture
