More Algerian Cuisine Foodcast Ideas
Besides filming in the Art Center Kitchen I'm taking my cooking posse around Los Angeles county for location shoots. I hope my wife's abilities with the camcorder develop rapidly, she tends to learn most things very quickly but we still expect some wobbly camera work at first. Think of it as a French auteur style food show *cough*.
I've asked my friend Norbert owner of The Beverly Hills Cheese Store to talk about some goat cheeses he carries in the store that remind me of Algerian cheeses. Check out Norbert narrating the debut episode of "Cheese" on the History Channel's Modern Marvels - check your local cable provider for channel information and listings at history.com. I took my friend chef Bruno of Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa there and as he says, "this is a real food store that smells of real food."
We'll also visit Clifford Wright who Coleman Andrews describes as "the reigning English-speaking expert on the cuisines and culinary cultures of the Mediterranean..." He also has a fantastic, larger than life personality.
I'll also have regular shows highlighting seasonal vegetables and fruits (what's in season at certified farmer's markets of southern california). Looking at the list now I'm thinking of various salsa tomatish (tomato salsa), tomato jam, sun (or oven dried) tomatoes packed in olive oil, uncooked tomato sauces for pasta, fruit salads and compotes, date charlottes with berries, and fruit syrups infused with hot and sweet spices. What I will probably do is show a variety of Algerian recipes highlighting a seasonal ingredient or do a three-course menu around seasonal themes.
The recipes on my shows are ones I learned from my maman and aunt Farida and regional recipes I learned or figured out how to prepare. Most of the techniques are the way a modern Algerian woman cooks. The chef in me comes out to make things easier or to apply Algerian dishes or flavors to restaurant contexts. Slow cooking is reserved for lazy weekends, special occasions or entertaining with friends.
Later this year I'll take a road trip up to Northern California to visit some friends and do more filming. Next year, it's off to Slow Food Terra Madre Arabia. And probably to Malaysia...
Stay tuned...
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