Tuesday, Dec. 02, 2008

Food Envy

There are some people who are gifted with the art of cooking. They are so good at their craft, whenever you view their work via a photo they proudly took of their recent creations, you are overcome with hunger...and then jealousy.

I am not one of these people. I can put together a pretty decent sandwich, but when it comes down to sides, I'm still a chips 'n pickle kind of gal. I recently traded putting Ruffles in my sandwiches for healthier spicy sprouts. I am no Bobby Flay, even though I despise him the most out of all the Food Network stars.

If you were a chef, what kind of food would you specialize in? What would be your signature style? Would you compete on Iron Chef if they asked?

My friends always joked they would go on Iron Chef and make a big joke out of it, cooking something simple instead of the mind-blowing entrees the chefs normally concoct. For instance, if the secret ingredient was beef, they would toss a big flank on the grill and make a steak - viola! "If you cut it up, you can make a burrito!"

I would love, love, love to make Italian food. I've always been in love with Italy. And when I say I love something, it doesn't mean I know all about it or studied my encyclopedia. I'm a poser, meaning I romanticize things without knowing the full facts. I've always been that way. Love poetry, but don't know a single author.

Which is why I Googled Mario Batali, my inspiration. He's innovative, scientific, yet remains fresh throughout the years. He's like well aged cheese. I didn't know he majored in Spanish Theatre and Economics. Starting as a dishwasher, he worked his way up, learning the tricks of the trade. Who knew?

I would call my restaurant "Deliciously Bella." Why? Because it sounds better than "Yummy BethZilla."

My menu would be a hodgepodge of Italian/Korean food, called "Koralian." There'd be pastas, caprese, lasagna, bulgogi, potstickers, short ribs... And of course, an American menu for kids with spaghetti and fries. But I wouldn't allow them to scribble on the tables with boxes of crayons...I draw the line there.

In Pullman there was an awesome Italian diner called Sellah's or something like that. The place had all sorts of yummy, fattening food that college kids love. They also let people draw on their place settings and often hung up their creations along the walls. It encouraged a hometown feel, but it was far from the cool-factor of the Soup Cellar in Leavenworth.

In Las Vegas, my girlfriends and I went to SushiSamba, a mixture of Brazilian and Japanese cuisine. Quite brilliant. And expensive.

I don't think I would actually combine entrees to create a hybrid meal. Sushi with salsa on top is one thing, but jap chae potato noodles with pesto sauce over top just isn't appetizing. But perhaps bulgogi meat in lasagna...