tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61966868917560138192012-01-06T17:52:19.429-05:00Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.comBlogger351100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-5094229609294863452011-11-18T06:51:00.001-05:002011-11-18T06:51:30.611-05:00

For reasons like this! There will be some experiments in the kitchen today. Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-64533743746351563182011-06-13T13:27:00.007-04:002011-06-13T13:41:10.852-04:00

This my friends is going to blow your minds.Knives are cheap.Yep, cheap.OK, I am aware that some triple folded steel Japanese number is going to cost you out the wazzo....but come on!Back to saving you some cash.I am assuming most of the people that read my ramblings are home cooks and not in a kitchen everyday knocking out culinary masterpieces. So with that established I wanted to give you a

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-742700641526557362011-04-23T20:57:00.002-04:002011-06-13T13:44:46.378-04:00

Working as a chef in a kitchen, running a pass for 6 hours, I eat kind if weird. Well you may find it weird, but it is really pretty common. From 7:30am till staff meal at 6pm I ate. 2 crostini slices from a baguette 3 pinches of bread out of a baguette end with butter 5 spoons of celeriac soup Approx. 8-10 bread and butter pickle slices 1 bite of a donut A 2 bite grilled cheese I made

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-56381483532807757832011-03-15T19:30:00.001-04:002011-03-15T19:30:22.889-04:00

Of course it does right? Otherwise life would get boring, right? Well, a lot has changed and the only thing you folks need to concern yourself with is, and the reason you read this, is the food! Am I right? Ok all of the sorry I have not posted Crap out of the way and I can now tell you what's up. In July I got a call from one of .my rock star chef friends saying that her buddy Sarah

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-87545610821885625042010-07-08T11:00:00.000-04:002010-07-08T11:00:03.681-04:00

This one is going out to Sammy. One of my favorite punk rockers and an awesome cook. See folks, if you request it, you just might get it!This recipe was a quick throw together for a family meal in the kitchen. My first with this company so I had to knock it out of the park right? RIGHT!This is kind of a riff on the Chinese mustard you get in the bag when you order in, but better. a little bit of

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-65548919665218943982010-07-05T17:00:00.001-04:002010-07-05T17:00:00.158-04:00

On the 18th I walked into "the day job" and walked out at 5pm an emancipated man. Free of the cubicle, Free of ActionScripting, HTML, CMYK, RGB and Storyboards. Was it MY choice? I wish I could say that I was that brave. I wish I could be as brave as to get up one morning and take my passion by the hand and walk out. That was not me, but now the change has been thrust upon me and I am going to

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-20533569191912928652010-06-24T17:37:00.001-04:002010-06-27T18:35:52.030-04:00

Episode 3 has come and go. They all seems to be getting better all the time which is good, but it is only making the worst look EVEN WORSE!I am pretty damn happy that Dzintra got the boot. Seriously I would love to see her audition tape just to see what she did so well that got her on the show.OK, on to the good stuff. THE FOOD!The challenge was based on MOVIE TYPES. With my lovely wife by my

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-4417887645664173972010-06-14T10:00:00.000-04:002010-06-14T10:32:48.326-04:00

This week the contestants, minus the WOEFULLY AWFUL Alexis, were started out with a CAMERA CHALLENGE. I really got nothing for you on this one. Not making videos...this season...maybe if you y'all start COMMENTING, I will show my smiling face! HA!Down to the cooking side...finally!The STAR CHALLENGE this week was from Duff of Ace of Cakes fame. They closed down Santa Monica Pier and had the

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-48969734232762392262010-06-08T15:30:00.000-04:002010-06-08T15:43:05.999-04:00

Here we are again, another season of Food Network Star! I have been eagerly anticipating 2 things. One was my acceptance to the TNFNS and once that was not a reality, the beginning of the season!Let me just say, the contestants this year actually seem to have some sort of SKILL that is apparent from the get go. In the past most of the contestants had some KITSCH thing that made them "cool" but

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-74807412012111143772010-04-27T09:30:00.005-04:002010-04-27T09:33:36.344-04:00

CHILI-MACThis goes all the way back to my US Army days.It was ALWAYS an option at the chow hall, easy to make in the barracks and holy crap...you will be FULL.This is one of those things. There is absolutely NOTHING in this recipe that will take ANY SKILL except using a can opener. Seriously.Ingredients:1 box Mac and Cheese (I like the shells for this)1 can Hormel chili(buy it how you like it)

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-68389014109578950362010-04-16T09:00:00.001-04:002010-04-16T09:00:52.046-04:00

NYC is a city of tiny little kitchens inside tiny little apartments. This is not a TV show or a house in the suburbs where I have a nice spot on the counter that my giant stand mixer can stay. NO! I have no space, ok some, but not much. It is all at a premium and well thought out. I wanted to start dropping some knowledge about the things I use ALL THE TIME that does everything I need to do.Let's

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-79825378393102137302010-02-01T12:25:00.000-05:002010-02-01T18:34:25.499-05:00

Oh how the mighty have lost grip on the top of their little moutain of "I AM SO MUCH BETTER THAN YOU"!With what I have to admit was baited anticipation, Amanda and I sat down to the first episode of the new season of NO RESERVATIONS. It featured Istanbul and we are going there in May. WHAT A PRIMER RIGHT? Right.It was a really awesome episode, for someone GOING there, and I even let his little

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-9227255520809706642010-01-25T10:30:00.007-05:002010-01-26T13:27:09.631-05:00

Well the first dinner party of the year was this Saturday nite with very talented Hannah and the incredibly well-read and articulate Brian. We were to have another friend as well, by Aspen, CO had other plans.For my Graduation, I got one of the best books a boy can get. PORK & SONS. Holy crap it is like a bible for pork lovers. Written by butchers and farmers who present the succulent meat in all

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-49737088158743518062009-10-07T14:25:00.007-04:002009-11-10T11:47:16.960-05:00

A little bit ago, aka a bunch of months, I get an email that led to a call with a casting agent in England which led to an "underground supper club" in Astoria (right around the corner from my apartment) hosted by the lovely and talented Tamara and Zora. Oh yeah there was some Jamie Oliver guy there too, but that was not the star of the nite.The wholly unholy food these ladies produced drove me

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-25078679194066739672009-09-01T10:11:00.016-04:002009-09-02T10:20:02.165-04:00

January 10th 2009 until August 30th 2009.That was Culinary School.What seemed like something that was going to last a LONG time, went in a flash of medium diced potatoes, awesome croissants, french, spanish, italian and asian traditional dishes and a ton of foie gras and bacon with a group of great instructors.First of all I would like to thank my instructors and some that were "around" to lay

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-57566824458703507342009-08-17T08:55:00.007-04:002009-08-27T09:45:44.436-04:00

I think I might have to start celebrating an anniversary on the the 16th of August every year.A day so ground breaking and important to my that it is not ETCHED in my mind forever.This day my friends . . .I made my own BACON and HOT DOGS!Yes, it is true. 2 of my most favorite things in the the culinary world from my own 2 hands. Marinated, seasoned and ground the meats, pressed them into casing

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-17125743081727216092009-06-18T09:26:00.003-04:002009-06-18T09:34:37.907-04:00

The masterminds at A Razor, A Sharp Knife are doing something quite amazing. So amazing that I wish I knew earlier and was able to join in or at least GO to it.They are going to cook 3 meals in 24 hours.Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.8 courses per meal.EVERYTHING FROM SCRATCH!They will start prepping Friday nite and get to cooking in the AM on Saturday. I think the best part is that they will be

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-30092990520021781522009-06-17T10:11:00.007-04:002009-06-17T11:14:06.488-04:00

Two episodes in and I am already yelling at the TV.The quickfire this time was an Esquire Magazine challenge. Cook something using "bachelor" ingredients. Alot of them were RIDICULOUSLY easy pairings. Pork chops and coffee, Rib Eye and Maple syrup, T-bone and whiskey, Lamb rack and corn flakes. But there were 2 that were real punches in the gut. Ground beef and pickles and Chicken and maraschino

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-15541345525720715022009-06-10T10:23:00.003-04:002009-06-10T10:26:46.015-04:00

Oh crap, here we go again.Brian has an idea.It is a project.An idea.CAN HE KEEP IT UP?Maybe. Let's see how I do.The project?What Would Brian Cook?Here is the basic idea. When the contestants get a challenge, I will come up with my ideas of what to do. the next day I will write it up here with a short method of preparation/grocery list/recipe and you can tell me if you think I would have been the

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-8038461969772127362009-04-01T10:09:00.002-04:002009-04-01T11:56:39.029-04:00

This Sunday, I busted free the shackles of "breakfast cooking" at school and headed down to BUTCHER BAY for a friends birthday dinner. I had heard nothing but good things, from trusted sources, and I have to say I was a bit excited to have a meal here.When you walk in the front door you get comfortable. Very welcoming decor and personnel. It being a birthday and all, I really saw this as a way to

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-63473406718467463892009-03-26T10:34:00.002-04:002009-03-26T11:53:45.159-04:00

http://www.jamesbriscione.com/He is an ICE Chef Intructor and recently won an episode of CHOPPED on the Food Network.That is all well and good, but the blog he is writing is pretty good and written the way I like to read. The cookbook he has coming out is going to be on my BUY NOW list when it hits stands.

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-31602379927984017342009-03-23T17:13:00.004-04:002009-03-24T09:41:08.791-04:00

WHITE CASTLE WEDDING!My apologize to Billy Idol, but you have to see this.Couple gets married at the White Castle where they met

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-22586415894372142102009-03-23T08:32:00.005-04:002009-03-23T17:12:13.886-04:00

OK, let me just say that I have NEVER made a "good" risotto. EVER. But this weekend I was determined to actually get it right. I was going to watch the Chef, I was going to follow his steps and I was going to get it RIGHT!Yeah, that is not what happened. For the first time in 3 months Chef Ted just didn't like my dish.I know what I did wrong and all but damnit, I hate failure. There was quite a

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-71716544636274396912009-03-10T09:24:00.005-04:002009-03-20T12:27:38.369-04:00

Two tasty techniques and 2 weeks worth of classes teaching me how to do it right!As you look around the Food Universe right now. TV, Books, Magazines are all touting the virtues of braising. And they are RIGHT! It is a damn fine way to cook up some yummy goodness.What I think is missing in these venues is a reality check that it doesn't need to take 5, 6, or 8 hours as I have seen in some recipes

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-4723099496144948482009-03-05T12:00:00.000-05:002009-03-05T13:06:59.393-05:00

There are very few things in this world I like better than an EASY MEAL. Some days you get out of work and the last thing you want to do is crawl into the kitchen, mess it all up, eat and get to clean it all up again. Well, here is the numero uno on my list.BURGERS4 portobello mushroom caps, cleaned and gills removedCanola Oil (for saute, amount to coat pan)Basalmic vinegar (marinade, about half

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-59689671450876321842009-03-02T13:15:00.003-05:002009-03-02T13:43:34.095-05:00

As I had started to mention before, I am loving my new found/re-learned skill of Saute. For years it was bad pans, wrong oils, rough technique and overall lackluster quality.NO MORE MY FRIENDS!I know what my first couple of purchases at Manhattan Panhandler and the supply store across the street will be. Two new saute pans with good, usable sloping sides. The one I HAVE, I have had for years and

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-64710364856851569602009-02-24T12:30:00.000-05:002009-02-24T12:49:46.225-05:00

Now, I bet you are wondering if that title references the updating of the blog or something to do with class . . .Well I will tell you that it is both.After a daunting loss of a post due to a crapped out Word doc and the metric ton of work, study and practice I just never got back on that horse. But I am here today to give you the lowdown and whatever I don't get out of the way today, I will get

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-1750120535620012662009-01-28T09:17:00.003-05:002009-01-28T17:29:30.756-05:00

Chickens, ducks, round and flat fish, lobster, mollusks, veal, beef.If you have some, I would LOVE to get the practice!OK, the shellfish was a breeze considering the fact that we had many MANY crab and clam bakes at my home as a kid. Doing it the "right" way is a little different from what my PopPop taught me, but that is why I am in school right?I think the hardest thing about breaking all of

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-16145346004636506912009-01-15T09:44:00.005-05:002009-01-15T10:46:44.344-05:00

Here in NYC.There was a restaurant called Old Devil Moon.I say WAS because last nite was the last nite it will be open.Many a nite have I tried my best to scarf down the Chicken Fingers, Death Row Steak(with bourbon and red pepper rub) with a side of Steak fries, woof down the AWESOME johnny cakes. and 2 Abita turbos to no avail. Everytime I told myself "get the misdemeanor" but NOOOOO!Anyway,

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-21033039032659702902009-01-13T09:30:00.000-05:002009-01-13T09:39:52.233-05:00

What did I do you ask?Medium Dice, Small Dice and BurnoiseMedium diced 10 potatoes. With what was left over after squaring off taters, I did a small dice and burnoise.10 potatoes AFTER Medium dice , Small dice and BurnoiseThen I boiled my painstaking work for 10 minutes, added some minced shallot, minced garlic, salt, pepper, 1/4 cup of milk and 1 tbsp of butter and made some mashed potatoes to

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-80062194633273118782009-01-12T14:00:00.001-05:002009-01-12T14:00:00.571-05:00

With a little pile of butterflies in my stomach I got up at 6:30am to hop in the shower, eat breakfast, feed the pug and double DOUBLE check my gear (and of course, I forgot an apron, but got it on the way out) and headed off to class. MY VERY FIRST CLASS!Of course, everything I had PLANNED for the "nite before my first class" was thrown out the window. It was a Jonathan Levine gallery nite AND I

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-51224824774290929922008-12-22T08:20:00.005-05:002008-12-22T09:04:05.108-05:00

Saturday nite we FINALLY got Craig and Daria over for dinner at Casa Jones. HOLY CRAP it only took a YEAR! I concocted a mostly drunken meal for them. Knowing that they love whiskey as much as I do, it made it pretty easy to throw something together. Over the previous days I poured over my magazines and books looking for the right combo. I knew what I wanted to cook, just not how to do all the

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-66031058657447754702008-12-17T10:54:00.004-05:002008-12-17T11:29:08.228-05:00

On Tuesday I was finally able to squeeze away from the day job and head over to JB Prince Company to pick up my supplies for ICE! Walking into that store is almost overload. It is inspiring just to LOOK at the tools, implements and serving dishes you can use. That experience alone helped shape up a dinner I am cooking on Saturday for some friends that we have been trying to pin down for MONTHS

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-29977601719795678242008-12-09T08:50:00.000-05:002008-12-09T09:50:13.338-05:00

About a week ago, on a rainy Sunday nite after Thanksgiving, I was invited to a party full of food and new friends.One being, namely, Jaime Oliver.OK, that part is pretty cool. Sit down to a great meal cooked by 2 AWESOME ladies(I will be getting to that) and rap to a damn fine chef with heady opinions about the state of the American kitchen and being a New Yorker who tries to do a fare share of

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196686891756013819.post-31006243115587992812008-12-08T10:10:00.000-05:002008-12-08T10:50:39.982-05:00

On Saturday I headed down to ICE (the Institute of Culinary Education) to get my vouchers for equipment, fitted for my uniforms and get really nervous about the next 9 months.Basically I feel like I am giving birth . . . to myself.For years and YEARS I have loved cooking and I have finally (with a GREAT BIG push from my wife Amanda) taken the step to learn MORE!I think I am pretty damn good, but

Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16366965885458803495noreply@blogger.com0