My Love/Hate Relationship with the Food Network

Ever since remodeling my kitchen a couple of years ago, I made it my mission to conquer my fear of cooking. It's not that I was a BAD cook, it was just that I never learned. You see, my sweet sweet mother didn't cook that much when I was growing up...it's something my siblings and I joke about. The three or four things that she made were our favorites, so she just kept making them. Anyhoooo, my post-college roommate, Robin, was an INCREDIBLE cook. I call her the gourmet chef when I talk about all the things she would whip up. But I never bothered to learn from her...yes, I am lame.

So, fast forward to the kitchen remodel...and my adventures in cooking!

I think I'm a pretty good cook now...but I never venture too far off of recipes and cook books - I'm sure that will come in good time. But, the more I cook, the more I like to cook, and the more I like to research new recipes.

Enter the Food Network.

I'm an obsessive watcher of HGTV and TLC, so when I started cooking, I was immediately attracted to the Food Network. Lately, at work during lunch, a bunch of us gals will gather with our brown bags and watch it, too! Over the last couple of years, I've found shows that I love and shows that I DON'T love...and because this is my blog, a place where I can espouse opinions, rants and raves, I thought I'd fill you in on what I think of some of these shows!!!



So, the Barefoot Contessa has recipes in Traditional Home, a magazine that I subscribe to...I made her Tuscan Pork once for a dinner party and it was a HUGE hit. Therefore, I love her. Her show is fun, but her voice is so monotone that I can't watch it very often because it makes me sleepy! Also, her recipes aren't exactly low fat...and let's be honest, I've got to keep an eye on my waistline when I cook, otherwise I'd be as big as a house!






The girls at work and I refer to Tyler Florence as our boyfriend. He's got a GREAT show that features interesting meals that don't seem too difficult to prepare....AND HE'S TOTALLY DREAMY! There, I said it. I guess it really wouldn't matter what he made because we think he's so stinkin cute. Got a problem with that? Didn't think so!









I TOTALLY love Giada...but I'm pretty sure she's a puker. I just don't believe that any chef can have that kind of bod naturally and eat Italian food nonstop...










I don't get why people either LOVE or HATE Rachel Ray. Her show is quick, filled with tasty dishes, and nothing she makes appears to be overly difficult or overly amazing...











Duff Goldman is my Jewish boyfriend who lives three thousand miles away. I flippin LOVE Ace of Cakes....it's total entertainment!!! However, I don't watch it to learn anything. Oh wait, I DID make a certain cake for a certain bachelorette party recently with ideas I got from this show...maybe it DOES have educational value. Ha!








I CANNOT STAND SANDRA LEE or her show. Her semi-homemade brand is interesting, but it's a novelty, not something I need to see everyday. And I LOATHE her creepy tablescapes, matching outfits, and theme drinks. I seriously have a visceral response to her show. Sorry, but that's just how it is in my world!





So...what do you think? Do you have a favorite Food Network show? Agree or disagree with any of my personal likes and dislikes? Any recommendations on other shows that I should be watching or TiVo'ing? Similarly, if you've tried any of their recipes that are TO DIE FOR, please pass them along my way!!!

I'm sharing this post with my friends over at Hooked on Houses. Stop on by Julia's linky party to see the other fab things people are hooked on this week!!!