Hey there! I was thinking this morning how busy it's been and how I haven't been able to blog as much. I really miss it and I'm going to try to do more in the coming months. If you missed me on GMA a couple of days ago, I'll post the video at the end of this blog.
Just wanted to let you know, in plenty of time for the big day, my holiday episode of Cooking for Real airs tomorrow morning at 8:30, then runs again Monday at 3:00pm.
I titled it Sugar, Pumpkin Pie Spice and Everything Nice and it's just that! I have a nice amount of sugar going on, another way to use up that pumpkin pie spice you may have left over from Halloween and Thanksgiving and a new twist on the green bean casserole! It's a really easy menu and the thing I love the most about it is dessert. Now, let's talk about that dessert ....
Sometimes things get cut for time and it's always really hard to pick what doesn't make it. It was REEEEEEEALLY hard for me to part with the topping that goes on the bread pudding, so...only here on my blog will you get the way to truly bring this dish home!! Now, don't get me wrong, it's great without it, but there is just something about the texture you get when you top it this way that I just suggest you try :-). I mean look at the texture ... Crazy. Okay, so here goes addition to the recipe for my Double Chocolate Bread Pudding with Bourbon Whipped Cream:
Follow the recipe as is, but before you put it in the oven make the topping:
6 tablespoons butter, cold and cut into small cubes
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon maldon salt
In a medium bowl combine butter and toss with flour to coat all sides of the butter. Then add brown sugar, pecans, cinnamon and salt. Mix together with your hands to get butter to blend into all the ingredients. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the dish.
Then, continue with the recipe as is, baking it and topping it with the Bourbon Whipped Cream! See, you really get some inside stuff here :-). I taped this episode earlier this year, so I cannot remember if I even allude to the missing topping, but there it is for you and I really, REALLY suggest you try it :-)!!
Ok, please spread the news!! It's the last new ep of the year and I wanna go out with a bang! :-)
Cooking for Real!!! Sugar, Pumpkin Pie Spice and Everything Nice!!
Saturday at 8:30AM and Monday at 3PM
Ok, now here I go on GMA ... a quick note, it's live TV so I accidentally said Mother's in New Orleans puts
fruit "juice" in their bread pudding, I meant to say fruit "cocktail". :-)
Ok, here goes... several things are in the video, but the star was my Cinnamon Toast Pudding!
Hey there! I'm in Las Vegas hangin' out with the crew, well many crews, from Sonic Drive-Ins across the country. Every year they have a convention and celebrate the crew members and leaders and this year asked me to join. I am more than happy to be here because Sonic was my very first job ... ever. Well, I volunteered with the Red Cross, but this was the first paying job, with responsibilities and boy did it really shape me. Probably why I talk about it on Cooking for Real so much. Good thing I do though, because they heard about me and asked me to come hang out. I kept looking for the onion ring clause on the contract, never located it lol. I did however manage to get paid in Cherry Limeade Chips today ... totally a highlight!!!If you are lucky to have a Sonic Drive-In in your area I hope you have car hops with skates, there is just something neat about it. Well today I judged the "So You Think You Can Skate" competition. There was an obstacle course complete with customers, an agility skating course, and then at the end they had a skate off. Take a look at some of my amateur video ...Pretty cool. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being those people from the 70s doing crazy tricks and acrobatics, I'm about a 1. lol. So, I wore the skates a few times back then, but preferred shoes and a smile as my work accessories. That was 20 years ago, wow I feel really old. 20 years later and Sonic has their own brand of skates ... crazy ...Neat huh? Now I have a reason to practice my skills ... just need to buy some knee pads and a helmet teeheehee. Ok, just wanted to share a bit.
Oh, and I'm burying a lead here ... I've just been asked to host the Vendy's here in NYC!! Can wait for all the food truck action!!!
Hey there!! Whatchadoin this weekend?!? I have a few events this weekend at the AC Food and Wine Festival and tickets are selling out fast! I have a few people from the blog that are going, but several tickets are sold so I'm looking forward to meeting new people. Here's the rundown ...
Last year's sold out event Sunset Sliders is back!! This Saturday at the rooftop pool of the Caesar's, I have a menu of sliders, sides and of course drinks. Take a look at the menu;
Spirits:
Rosemary Lemon Starter
Mango Berry Shake
Bourbon Cider Twist
Strawberry Faux-jito
Sliders & Sides:
Sunny's Jerk Lamb Sliders with Mango Habanero Sauce
served with Tostones
Sunny's Chopped BBQ Pork Sliders with Apple-Raisin Cole Slaw
served with Fried Okra
Sunny's Cajun Clam Slider with Spicy Tartar Sauce
served with Sweet n Smokey Onion Rings
Sunny's Southwest Slider
served with Baked Spiced Tortilla Chips
Dessert:
Sunny's Strawberry Fool
That's plenty of poolside chewin and sippin!! Get the remaining tickets HERE ON TICKETMASTER. A little note ... if you'd like to meet, this is the party! I do my best to mingle while eating and I try to keep food off my face for photos :-). Plus, I love a quick food conversation, so join me, it's really a party with me and I brought back the same DJ that killed it last year! Did you miss it/make it last year and want to look at some pictures? Check out my previous AC Food and Wine posts.
Then, right after the Sunset Sliders pool party, come over and hang out with me at Sweet and Stylish at Caesar's as well. It's dessert and fashion combined. There are a jillion different businesses showing up with everything a sweet-aholic can handle. My table will have Double Chocolate Bread Pudding with Bourbon Whipped Cream and on the side my favorite quickie drink, a Shake Shot. Come out to see what else is on deck for dessert and fashion ...GET TICKETS TO SWEET & STYLISH HERE
Then even LAAAATER on that night, join me at the Chef's Party (I'll be the only non chef there!) Every chef from the weekend is expected to be there and we'd love for you to join us!! Tickets to the Chef's Party are HERE.
Hey there! I've been on the road a bit taping a special I pitched to Food Network a few years ago. I kept getting a "no", but as is my motto, I kept trying and finally got a "yes"! I can't say it enough here if you stop by to read about my journey, that it's all about hard work and not giving up. I also believe things happen when they are supposed to so I never really stress when I get a "no", I translate it into a "not right now". Because of that I am extremely excited for you to finally see something I've wanted to share for some time, a behind the scenes look at a big part of my life ... the military! Check me out tryin to take off ...Felt like I was playing Call of Duty!! I don't want to give too much of the special away, but it has plenty to do with the military, my family and food (of course!!).
My dad was a member of the historic 82nd Airbourne as well as an Army Ranger and there are so many things about the military I wanted to share. The special is an hour long and is scheduled to air the 4th of July weekend! I know I talk about the military plenty, but it's kind of like being from another country and always wanting to impress people with all the details and cool stuff. Plus it's just in me. It's part of my life. I just want to share what I'm proud of and give you a peak at things never seen on television before due to my unique access. Here's a little sneak peak ...
Hey there! I'm still working in my kitchens today on the new menus for season 10 of Cooking for Real. The newest season is airing now, with a new episode this Sunday at 11AM! I'll drink to that!!
It's cola, lychee, grenadine and a bit of lychee syrup. It's super sweet and fizzy!! I'm taking a bit of a break between recipes. I finalized 3 or so menus yesterday and a couple of people asked in comments who eats all the food? Well, when I test in the Food Network kitchens usually my culinary staff and I, plus I put out the leftovers out on the community counter for the team lunch. Every one cooking in the huge kitchen that day provides something and together it makes for a pretty nice buffet with people standing and chatting up each other's offerings. That's what happens there, but at home all I do is invite over a few key bellies and it's over. Reminds me of a Seinfeld episode when Elaine had a good/bad idea to open a muffin-top shop, only to find out it was hard to get rid of the bottoms, not even a charity would take them. Who wants bottoms? Anyway, they just kept piling and stacking up the whole episode until she called in ... The Cleaner ...
So, just a little comedic break for the weekend. I was tooling around online and caught a live stream of Charlie Sheen, I'm totally #winning and I'm also aware of how soon that will be old. Teeheehee, but until then, my rescue kittie Cheddar proves she has tiger blood running through her veins, she's totally WINNING!! Take a look ...
Hey!!! I am so excited! I don't know what it is, but this year Super Bowl seems to be bigger and better as far as the entertainment value. I just finished watching people walk and be interviewed on the red carpet ... is that a first? I just finished all the major spokes in my party wheel, take a look ...The chicken wings are dunking in a water and salt brine. I'll take em out 1 hour before kick-off, pat em dry and dredge em. Then, I'm gonna start frying around 30 mins before kick-off. I have 3 different ways I'm making them, honey mustard, honey BBQ and the final is a BBQ rub that tastes like sweet BBQ potato chips. So two sticky, one dry. Then ...That's a 4 layer queso dip for plunging corn tortilla chips and later fingers :-). It was pretty simple to assemble, then I covered it and put it in the fridge. That will come out of hiding around middle of the 1st quarter and go in the oven to get bubbly around the end of the first. I expect it to be done a quarter of the way through the 2nd. Then the chili I made last night is in the fridge, I'll take that out when the nachos are done and it should be done around halftime. This morning we dined on lighter fare to manage the day and I made some ground chicken tacos ...I know, no official breakfast, unless you count chocolate yogurt at 7AM. I haven't done tacos on the show yet, so I may start with my ground chicken taco recipe. Very simple and the light sour cream on top is just blended with cilantro, lime juice, a shake or so of hot sauce and onion powder. That's a great multi use blend for sour cream. I had one taco then got back to work on every thing above. Up next, I'm working on the drink! I have ingredients and I don't know where they'll take me! I'll share! Ok, now since I've been watching pre-game all day a little bit of musical inspiration ... Can you tell me why I'm playing this video football fans???!?!!!!? Enjoy the game!!
Hey there! I have ingredients waiting to be turned into chili for tomorrow's big game, so this will be quick. Just wanted to give you some behind the scenes from yesterday's activities. For the second day in a row I set my alarm for 4:30AM so I could get up in time for a visit to The Today Show. Seems early, but getting my face spackled for the high-definition cameras takes about an hour or so, then getting dressed and over the Brooklyn Bridge through NYC morning traffic takes time, as well as getting mic'd up and briefed by the segment producer.
Friday morning's segment was all about The Today Show's Homemade Chili Cook-off finalists. Three competitors from across the country were flown into town to enjoy the city and possibly get a trophy along the way. A couple of days ago I found out I was judging alongside Man Vs. Food host Adam Richman. I watch that show plenty and just love his energy and my fave part is the fake press conference at the end after he defeats or fails at the food challenge. I was really excited to meet him and turns out he watches Cooking for Real, read my articles when I edited and wrote for Hip Hop Weekly and even listened to me on HOT 97 when I was on the air years ago. Pretty crazy! And he's from Brooklyn! Who knew? We spent plenty of time exchanging local places we like to eat and hang out in our borough. I Love, love, love a food conversation! He has a new book out called America the Edible and continues to shoot his show. Here we are with the finalists before we went on the air yesterday ...That's Michael, me, Kyle, Rhonda and Adam. We all had plenty of time to meet and say hi, then the finalists had to head out to the set to shoot previews for the competition. Here's how it all went down ...
Rhonda was super sweet and I didn't catch it live, but my boyfriend pointed out to me when we watched it on the DVR later that she made a heart shape above her head for me. Sooooo sweet. Thanks for all the kind words backstage Rhonda! Like I said, you are just like me. Someone experiencing life through food among other things! Michael had his sister on hand for support and Kyle, well he brought the fun with his pig call. Pretty unexpected because he was so quiet backstage! Must have been the nerves!! Both Adam and I really loved all of the chili. Kyle's was smooth and delicious, but we wanted more of the apple and maple flavor. Then Michael's was equally good. It smelled like BBQ sauce, but tasted like a big ol bowl of hearty chili. Plus, it was healthy with the turkey and chicken. I think Rhonda's won because it was so unexpectedly powerful with flavor. Both Adam and I were blown away by it instantly. There were big chunks of tender beef and the spice level was so that it was just hot enough to make you want more. Really hard to judge them all because they were the best of the best. Catch their homemade chili recipes on the website.
After having chili for breakfast, I snatched a few bowls of Rhonda's chili recipe (thanks to the friendly crew at The Today Show!) and took it to Martha Stewart Radio for a chat with Betsy and Kim at Morning Living. They loved it too and I shared my recipes for my Southwest Quesadillas w/ Cilantro Lime Sour Cream and my Game Day Chili.
Then, after talking chili, quesadillas and more chili, I headed over to Chelsea Market where Food Network is located for a nacho competition among my co-workers! The internet departments of both Food Network and Cooking Channel along with Food.com put their game day thinking caps on and prepared several snacks for judging ...That's plenty of nachos for lunch, eh? I was judging again and this time around my co-judges were Kelsey's Essentials host, Kelsey Nixon and Food Network Kitchens chef Claudia Sidoti. Claudia develops recipes for Food Network online, cookbooks and the magazine. She was recently at the helm of one of the cool 50-recipe pullouts Food Network Magazine has every issue. Her theme? Nachos!! Here we are all ready to snack and judge ...Take a look at a sample of our lunch ...Those are some serious muffins! Very pretty too! Those were carnitas nachos, made by a self-proclaimed bachelor! Pretty and tasty! Some BBQ inspired nachos with pickles never hurt! We liked how they were individual servings, instead of the traditional pile-up with naked chips on the bottom. Then check out something that took me back to cafeteria time ... Tots!!! Did you know they make hollowed-out tater tots now?? I'm looking on my next browse in the freezer section! Many people made original recipes and some made recipes from Food Network hosts. The muffins were 3 recipes in one, pretty crafty! Here's my paper plate pile-up after all the tasting ... Chili for bfast, nachos for lunch, pretty exciting Friday! Check out who won the competition on FN Dish (bookmark it!), it's Food Network's blog. WHAT?!? You didn't know we have a blog?!? Yup!! Get acquainted by visiting the Super Bowl Nacho Showdown for the winner and more behind the scenes pics! Cooking Channel has a blog too!! Here are the spectators that do all the work to keep our online presence well, present. :-) ... Thanks for feeding us in more ways than one guys!! I hope I'm counted in for the next eating holiday judge's table!
Alright, I'm off to make a pot of chili today, cuz it'll be better tomorrow! Check FoodNetwork.com/BIGGAME for all your last minute tips, recipes and instructional videos. Goooooooo team lol, I can't pick sides really, but I will say that I don't want the JETS to have lost to a loser, so the Steelers better take this one home!!!
Hi there! If you missed it this morning on The Today Show, I prepped an easy recipe for your game day festivities. It's so easy, it's in the title ... Easy Beefy Cheesy Enchilada Casserole. I'm right back at 30 Rock for The Today Show tomorrow as a judge for a chili contest! Tune in and watch us judge, the contestant recipes will be online and I'll give some links after the show is over and I get back home. In the meantime, if you missed us this morning, check out me and Natalie Morales cooking, for real ;-) ...
I also have some recipes on USMagazine.com, take a look. There's a link on the page for funny Super Bowl commercials.
Then, last week I did an article for 5@5 on CNN.com for anyone planning a party. Come on and be the hostess with the mostess with me :-).
Also, don't wander aimlessly on Food Network's website when a food holiday is upon us, go right to the spot ... www.FoodNetwork.com/BIGGAME
Ok, don't forget to catch The Today Show in the morning for ideas on chili as I judged the chili contest! Can you believe I get to hang out twice in 2 days?!? Totally excited! Thanks so much for all your support and good wishes! Also, thanks to everyone that came out to Grand Central Terminal's Super Bowl Bash today! I had plenty of fun and only a few people were mad I didn't have on a Giants jersey :-).
Yeah, really don't have words to describe that plate. And I knew I could write anything before it, would totally disrespect the plate. All the cliches to describe this would seem like a cliche. I mean, I can say "heaven on a plate", but that's just over used. It was more than that. Of course this is from Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles! Then check out a plate from The Ivy ... Yes, AGAIN ... the non-regulation 3-egg huevos rancheros! With out warning from the menu I got my threebie just like Yolk in Chicago. Those are some tiny eggs though, very California healthy, along with the 3 tablespoons of black beans. Look at how they make little teeny corn tortillas to sit beneath the eggs. Very cute and I must admit, I thought The Ivy was all talk and no food for some stupid reason, but when the concierge suggested it for brunch, he was right on! The patio setting was nice, the food was excellent and we even had a slice of red velvet cake that was waaaaay moist. It had a pretty pink frosting to match the color of the cake and the layers were thick, but airy. Very good, make an rsvp, it's in a great shopping area. Then a quick trip to the hills ... My guy took that picture, it was his first time in California and so we did our best to make the rounds on this, his bday weekend! Nice when work and life collide! I was in California for work this past Monday and he came in over the weekend to celebrate. Of course, I had to take him to my favorite taco stand, Lucy's Tacos on Pico and LaBrea. Here's his lap holding our meal ... That's 2 carne asada tacos, 1 carnitas taco, 1 bean and chorizo burrito, 3 bags of chips, 3 pickled jalapenos and 3 little containers of hot sauce. I ate the burrito ... I really love that burrito. I just keeps getting better. Then, someone here on the blog told me the last time I was in California that I hadn't really visited without a trip to The Stinking Rose. So, I put that notch on my belt and downed at least 50 cloves of garlic over the course of dinner and dessert -- garlic ice cream, which by that time I couldn't discern the garlic flavor because I was all garlicked-out). Here's my appetizer ... A strawberry mojito and a jillion garlic cloves bathing in oil. They call it the Bagna Calda. We called it the beginning of the end! Loved it!!!
Ok, that's all the food stuff, here are some pics from my visit to Access Hollywood Live! I ran into Lloyd Boston, he has a book out called The Style Checklist. We have some business associates in common so it was fun to chat and discover common bonds and of course we talked about SAG Award styles. Pretty fun to talk with a pro! Then, Tia Mowry walked in preggers and beautiful! I had no idea she was expecting! Feels like I grew up watching her and she actually said she loves Cooking for Real! How neat! I may have to have her on the show soon now that I have a diner-counter on the set! If you haven't caught her on The Game, it has a new home on BET. Seems it was cancelled on the other network and the fans brought it back! I loved it back then and have to catch up with the new season soon on my DVR. A few minutes after we took this picture I headed out to the set and got to work!
I think I'm in love with Kit and Billy. Really. They have such great chemistry on camera and are hilarious! Hope you catch the show, they just celebrated their 100th episode last week. BTW, so did I! I don't know if I told you, but during taping Season 9 of Cooking for Real, the 100th show came and went ... just another day at work. Thank so much for making it possible! Like my last visit to Access Hollywood Live, Jay Leno's car wasn't there when I arrived, but it was when I left ...
Hey there! Day two is over as we continue to tape the 9th season of Cooking for Real and it was just as fun and exciting as yesterday. Well, I finally got my act together and between the action caught a snap of the newest addition to my set ...Chairs!!! Also if you look close I have a new extension to my counter for guests to lean in and have a bite! This season we decided to have some people come and hang out with me while I cook, for real :-). It looks like a bar or better yet a diner counter!!! Which reminds me ... Teeheehee, totally showing my age. That show was so funny! Ok, then I got a picture right before we finished the last show of the day ...That's Wendy Waxman looking over her selections for the final dishes I'll plate everything on. Each time I go back to tape a new season she has a new additions to my "show cupboards". This time around I'm noticing some really pretty textured and painted bowls and plates. Can't wait for you to see them all! Ok, stick around for more stuff! Day three on the way!
Hey there! That's me and my bestie Natina taping some segments in Brooklyn last Wednesday for an upcoming promotion on Food Network. Can you guess when this may air?? We taped at place I go for a good beer and something ... ANYthing fried to perfection, Chip Shop. Here I am with one one of the owners, Suzanne.
If everyone needs a Cheers, Chip Shop is mine - complete with a visit from my parents that started sober and ended hilarious. Can't wait for you to see what we shot, of course I'll give more deets when I can, but being here promises that you've got the scoop already!
Well, looks like from comments while I'm thinking I'm saving you from the stereotypical boring vacation slide show, I'm actually holding out on ya! I also took counsel from a former blogger and friend, and he too agrees with you in comments, sharing is caring teeheehee. I now feel so bad I didn't post that 15-lb lobster tail last year! Someone asked in comments where I got the Jurassic Park-sized tails ... I got em in Eleuthera, an outer island of the Bahamas that is an inexpensive, must-stay with a jillion empty and beautiful beaches. I just didn't want to over share, as I actually do in person. So, I promise from now on to post pics from vacay, but since everyone has been so encouraging ... how about a VIDEO??!!
Hope you liked my first video. I haven't edited video since I was in training for broadcasting for the Air Force. Back then one of the pieces of equipment was so big we called it a "toaster" and now I'm editing on a tiny laptop. No cords, board or speakers needed. Crazy.
Anywho, the vacay was to Paris, France. Here's a picture from the day we landed ... in the middle of a blizzard!
Here are a couple more food shots ...Far East in France ...There's a huge and growing Asian immigrant population in Paris and we took advantage of it. We ate all over the place, even at the Louvre. This is a cream of asparagus soup I got at the museum. It had the crunchiest little, oil-laden croutons ...
Very smooth and balanced, see the saffron? Then a vegetable terrine at a place on the Champs Elysees ... It needed salt, but I tend to think that about many things. And finally a bowl of rummaged through mussels. The frites were served in a little cup on the side and happily throughout dinner, as I ate them, fresh and hot new ones arrived like a refill of tap water. Loved it!
We ended up in Paris because while I was planning a sunny beach vacation I ran into a really cheap apartment rental in Paris. It was actually cheaper to go to Europe than hitting the Caribbean. Another thing, just in case you are a tripper ... it's WAAAAAAY cheaper to rent an apartment or house on vacation if you are planning. Only difference is no room service, but I actually enjoy cooking and dining out on vacay, as I call it. Plus no crazy hotel and tourist taxes added on to the bottom line of the lodging bill. Even in the lean times I've scrounged and taken a vacation at least once a year since I left home at 18, refueling is important for the battle (military ref. lol), but seriously ... growing up moving around all the time, kinda turned me into a "change of scenery" seeker. So, we booked the trip and immediately began to work on our French. I'd been a few times before in my pre-teens, but it was my guy's first time. All I really wanted to know how to say was, "one more please" and "please can I have some more" lol ...
And now, in the new spirit of sharing ... a final note from my babies ...Meow, meow. :-) That's Truffle on the left and Cheddar on the right. You can buy your cats toys, but they always end up playing with other stuff, the laundry basket is the new thing all of a sudden. Both are rescue cats. Cheddar, or "Ched-rock" was taken to our local vet for boarding and her owners never picked her up and the number they left was fake. I found her 4 months into her extended and caged stay when I made my boyfriend take his cat, yes HIS cat to the vet for a check up. His is a rescue as well, found his on the street years before we met, and very nasty. I keep telling him it's feral lol. Cheddar has a super protruding chest bone, not all of her teeth and when we got her she was a bit ill and in need of some TLC. She's just fine now and she brings me joy everyday, can't believe someone would leave her :-(. Her biggest worry these days is which treats she gets, how many and when. Then my Truffle or "Truffle-duffel" as I tend to call him was at the right place at the right time, I got him from an ASPCA truck during NY Pet Week last year while waiting to meet friends for a trip to Coney Island. Truffle, a Maine Coon, talks allllllll day everyday, very loudly. Cat owners know what I mean. We think it's why he's a rescue, some owners just don't see the beauty in quirks like that, I rather like my kitty alarm clock :-). I mean he is up at 7AM everyday, just talking. To whom? We have no idea lol. If I wanted a quick million I'd record him saying "Hello" and send it to AFV. He also does this very human-like stand on his hind legs when he wants to be picked up, and like a baby he also prefers to be held over the shoulder. Really cute. I know, this totally puts me in the running to be a cat lady, but I'm not, I grew up with dogs and look forward to adding some to the pack soon. Trust me though, rescues are hard to pass up, just ask Lindsey in comments... she was there when I rescued Truffle, he was undeniable.
And in true form, I bury the lead ... My show air times are on the move!!! Until I letcha know, catch new episodes of Cooking for Real, Sundays at 11AM, then catch repeats weekday afternoons (Monday-Friday) at 4PM. Catch it live or set your DVR for the series, or season and let it do the work! This week's episode is "Phonin' in Flavor", I have a tasty frozen drink, I'm grilling some pork and I'm making broccoli shake what the cook is givin' it. :-)
All the ladies were so nice and as I explained to you in the post below, I was worried if Whoopi would make one of her cameo appearances during the segment. Imagine how crazy it felt to watch the show on Friday and see not only that, but Barbara Walters munchin' on one of my PB&J Pancakes! I didn't notice it during the taping because I was caught up in the moment on stage and I remember briefly seeing a monitor with Whoopi on it, but I find when things are live you are hyper-focused and often lose the details for the big picture right after it's over. Kind of hard to explain, it's like saying plenty of stuff consciously and knowingly, then two seconds later when the event is over, you are left wondering if you said all of what you think you said or if you thought to say some of it and didn't get a chance to. Better? I'm just trying to let you know how it feels for me. I'm hyper aware and there's a part of me so hyper aware that it is ready to speak and fill in the blanks at any moment, coupled with movements and other things your body needs to do, I have to say I don't know how to make it work, it just does. I say that because some people ask me when I meet them how I manage to cook, instruct, tell a story and look at the camera. The answer is, I have no idea, it just happens. Anyway, totally off topic, but to bring it back around, I had no memory of Barbara Walters noshin' on my goods, but I was so pleasantly surprised with it all. The video is below, I think my favorite part is when Sherri needed me to slow down on the pancake ingredients. She is hilarious! The yelling at Jeffrey, the beating the eggs joke, I can't believe how much fun it was in just a few minutes.
So, I didn't tell you but I went on a little vacation the day after I taped The View and ended up watching it air Friday with my guy and one of my best friends, just steps from the beach. I just got back today and although I've always made it a practice to go on vacation at least once a year, I've never had the occasion of doing that and watching myself on The View. It was truly a neat moment and I cried like a baby. I am so happy and I think it would be phony to act like all of this is totally normal or expected. This gives me another chance to urge you to chase the dream. Whatever it is, it can bring you some unexpected moments of happiness. I just enjoy cooking and sharing and talking about pretty much everything to anyone, it's what made radio so enjoyable for me. So, to do this job is truly rewarding. It's why I really mean it when I meet you and tell you thank you for watching and even here on the blog, thanks for reading. You are supporting a dreamer willing to do the work and I can't thank you enough.
Ok, stick around these parts because I still have cool information for anyone that has asked in the past about the bowls I use on Cooking for Real, details about them are one of the most asked questions and I have answers! Plus, more behind the scenes stuff from the most recent taping of Cooking for Real. I wrapped just a few weeks back and it looks like the first new episodes from that season begin airing in November. I ate and cooked comforting winter food all summer to prepare and write down my recipes for this new season, can't wait for you to see all the food!
P.S. "radiodugger" over at fnf - thanks, means plenty coming from someone in radio land :-).
Hey there! Remember when I said here that I'm back in the studio and I had a cool visit from the crew at Airman Magazine? Well, they are putting together an article, but they also shot video I have below. Because they are from the same department I worked in while a broadcaster in the Air Force ... they have file footage of me at work back then so it's cut into this short video ... take a look at me at 20, ahem with my real hair and big glasses! :-)
Who knew back then that video would all be archived?? I had a good laugh watching it! I should've worn makeup or something, which btw, I used to get in trouble for the color of my nail polish in the military, too funny. I get more of a kick looking at the old equipment, boy has technology really changed the face of broadcasting and journalism. Those days we checked and double checked sources, these days some journalists are so lazy, they'll take a tweet and use it as a quote to make a full story. Crazy, but also I guess the natural progression with the changing times, eh?
And Didja Know ...
Remember when I was at the "up fronts"? I mentioned it briefly in an unrelated post, then forgot to share, or didn't have time to share a picture of someone I met there ...
Yep, on the other side of me is Andrew Zimmern! The guy between us works with us in the Chicago office and if you didn't know, Travel Channel and Food Network are owned by the same company now, so it was neat meeting a few of the other people at the Travel Channel that day. Andrew was really cool and about to head out on another eating adventure. He asked if I would do a mini Q&A for his blog and I said suuuuuure! It's on his blog now, just click the link to Sunny Anderson on AndrewZimmern.com and read away!
Annnnnd ...
The best is saved for last ... I just got word yesterday that I'm booked for an appearance on The View!!!! Tuesday!!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!! I met Sherri Shepherd last year in New Orleans and blogged about it in my post called Essence Festival Wrap Up. I of course was thinking at the time, boy would I like to cook on The View and feed the ladies and now it's about to happen! My segment is with Sherri and I don't want to give away what we are making, but I am just too excited! Please plan to catch it or Tivo or DVR! More details as they come!
Hey there! I just woke up from a mid-morning nap and thought I'd share the video, some pics and recipe links from this morning's visit to Good Morning America, in that order :-) ... George, Elizabeth and Bianna were so nice! I always liken these visits to a wedding ... there's plenty of planning, lots of primping and prepping and it's over in just a few minutes! I'd say the honeymoon is eating the goods! Here's entire setup in the hallways this morning before they wheeled it outdoors to set up ...Then, before the segment airs, there are usually a few mini segments called "teasers". They usually want you to do something like prep or just stand there and smile while they promote that you'll be on next. I did both this morning. Here I am during the one with action, starting a shred on one of the many pork shoulders we had on set this morning ...If my count is correct there were 7 pork shoulders on that segment. 1 raw and untouched, 1 with marinade and plastic wrap, 1 with marinade and no plastic wrap, 1 on the grill, 1 on the cutting board, 1 shredded and one shredded with my BBQ sauce on it and really if you count the fact that there were plates of my Pulled Pork Sandwiches already made for the hosts and the crowd, that's really 8 pork shoulders!! That's not all, there was the Biden's Pasta Caprese Salad and my Patriotic Berry Trifle as well, all spearheaded and styled by Chef Karen Pickus. Here she is as usual ... beaming and smiling under heat and the pressure of time ...The time it took to slow roast all of that pork deserves a hug alone! Elizabeth really liked the pork and took the dessert to go, I like a woman that doesn't forget the sweets! It was such fun and as George mentioned at the beginning of the video, the pace is so fast he almost didn't make it to the segment! He came running towards me just a split second before you see us say our hellos. I just love that morning energy! I knew yesterday I would be teamed with George, but halfway through the segment is when I noticed Elizabeth and Bianna. They were both so sweet and Bianna's eyes were really pretty. Here we are making our way down the line ...I got a chance to talk to pretty much every one in the crowd and there were some ladies from Dallas, TX and some from further east in the state, a few people from Ft. Lauderdale and even North Carolina. At one point before we went live it just kind of hit me, I was in Times Square, happy and working. I turned to the crowd and just simply blurted "We're in Times Square!!!" and they just erupted in the biggest cheer! I was happy they were just as excited as I was. How neat. Here I am about to pour on my Apricot BBQ sauce ...
Then, like I said it was all over. Hope you caught it! Visit the links from above to get directed to the GMA website and if you don't already have one, get the September issue of Food Network Magazine for complete coverage of my visit to the Vice Presidential residence to cook for and honor our war veterans. Have a great Friday and if you have a 9-5er I hope you get to scoot out a bit early :-).
BTW, you can catch my other recipes on GMA's website with the links below ...
Hey there! I was thinking this morning how busy it's been and how I haven't been able to blog as much. I really miss it and I'm going to try to do more in the coming months. If you missed me on GMA a couple of days ago, I'll post the video at the end of this blog. 
Crazy. Okay, so here goes addition to the recipe for my Double Chocolate Bread Pudding with Bourbon Whipped Cream:
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