My mom told me on Christmas morning that two of my gifts truly showed that I am a nerd. She can say whatever she wants, but those two gifts will make her happy over and over.

So what are those two nerdy gifts? I got a food mill and two brand new glass liquid measuring cups. Now, I know you all know what liquid measuring cup are; you’ve all used them in Ms. Gorelli’s class. But you probably don’t know what a food mill is. I didn’t either until a couple of years ago when I first saw the strange contraption on an episode of The Barefoot Contessa on Food Network, the wonderful, mouth-watering, educational Food Network.

I have always loved to cook and bake, and I’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember. I even cooked most of the dinners for my family when I was still in high school. But then the Food Network came into my life. Here was this TV station where all the people did was cook and eat and talk about food. I fell in love at first bite! There was Rachael Ray who could show how to cook a delicious and nutritious meal from start to finish in just 30 minutes. And these weren’t just any meals - no regular old Lipton dry French onion soup mix meatloaf or jarred sauce over spaghetti noodles. Oh no, there were meals like Everything Lo Mein or Good Fennels Pasta. She gave the world vocabulary words like “sammie” (sandwiches), “EVOO” (extra virgin olive oil) and “stoup” (a hearty soup that’s almost as thick as a stew).

But it was not just Rachael Ray who open my culinary world. There was Giada Di Laurentiis, Ina Garten, Bobby Flay and Alton Brown. They were chefs who really taught me how to make that restaurant food at home. They taught me to chop an onion quickly and neatly. I learned about food like fennel or haricot verts (petite green beans pronounced “harry core vairs”). Who knew? I learned that I need to pat raw meat dry with a paper towel before putting it into a hot, smoking hot, pan to really get a nice brown crust on the meat. I learned that putting a little bit of coffee into chocolate improves the flavor so much better.

Every Saturday morning I watch the Food Network. When nothing else is on, I watch the Food Network. The Food Network. The whole idea of a channel just about food seems improbable, yet I can’t really remember my life before it. The book shelf in my dining room is lined with cookbooks from Food Network stars. Sometimes I read them just to read over the fabulous ingredients and look at the pictures, and most of my dinners come from these books. My family isn’t always as excited as I am about what I see – remember that food mill, the nifty little contraption that is a hand cranking pureeing thingamajig - perfect for making gnocchis or papa al pomodoro? But they are willing to try. In my perfect world, I would have a show on the Food Network or own a beautiful, cozy, little bakery where I served paninis, coconut cupcakes, chicken and dumpling soup and so much more.

The Food Network has opened the eyes, minds and stomachs of America. We weren’t always an adventurous eating crew. We are the people who served Jell-O in some type of mold or salad for the better part of century. But the Food Network taught us how to cook and how to eat out of our comfort level – and we realized we like it.

And so in the immortal words of the great Julia Child: “Bon Appetite!”

[comments]

Posted by "Kelly Klingensmith" on February 20, at 12:47 p.m.

I can understand how people love reality TV. Think about it: it is entertaining and funny to watch. For instance, "Jersey Shore" is so stupid that it is funny. If you cannot tell already I do not like reality TV that much. Honestly, I do not even watch TV anymore. Reality TV is taking over all of the good shows lately.

Posted by "Jacob Iellimo" on February 13, at 12:24 p.m.

I love the food network. However, it is a lot more entertaining whenever I am hungry. I like to see how they prepare different types of common food. I also like to look at different recipes I could make because I also like to cook. So Ms. Mondale, you are not the only one addicted to the food network.

Posted by "Kelly Klingensmith" on February 1, at 9:13 p.m.

Ms. Mondale, I absolutely love this article. For a long time, I was "addicted" to the Food Network. This channel has so many interesting shows from early in the morning to late at night. I love to cook and I wish I could remember some of the recipes used on there because everything looked so amazing! How these people make some of those foods completely amazes me. I wish I was that talented!

Posted by "Sarah Berry" on January 28, at 10:48 a.m.

Ms.Mondale, I am totally with you! I love the Food Network! I am not the best cook in the world, but I do try to make some of the foods I see on TV. (EPIC FAIL!) I try to make the food all pretty like they do on TV and it just never works! I usually end up with my sister yelling at me telling me I'm doing everything wrong anyway. My favorite cook on Food Network is definitely Emeril Lagasse! Great article!

Posted by "Kiersten Horrell" on January 20 at 4:07 p.m.

I love this article. I am also addicted to the Food Network. I can't cook or bake to save my life. Maybe that is why I enjoy watching other people do it so well. I love to see the new recipes though!

Posted by "Melinda McCorkle" on January 19 at 7:37 p.m.

The Food Network always seems to be on my TV at night when I'm trying to go to sleep. Some of the shows are so interesting! My favorite is "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives."

Posted by "Jessica Pastva" on January 12, at 1:27 p.m.

I also have an extreme addiction to the Food Network. I never attempt to make any of the foods I see on there, but they always interest me. I can watch it for hours!

Posted by "Morgan Ceschini" on January 11, at 6:38 p.m.

Ms. Mondale you are so right!!! I love the Food Network!!! Even though I can't cook, I still watch it and try to explain to my Mom how to cook the food I see on the Food Network. I have to say that Rachel Ray is my favorite!

Posted by "Anne Brady" on January 10, at 11:16 a.m.

Ms. Mondale, you are not alone! I am guilty of loving nerdy kitchen gifts too. My mom got my sisters and me this odd banana cutter for Christmas that could be defined as "pointless" but so much fun. And, the Food Network always catches my attention, along with with Williams Sonoma catalog that I love receiving in the mail.

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