by Ianinfrance » Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:08 pm
Flatterer!!!
I'm in a very odd position, actually. I have been cooking professionally for XX (censored) years, and have a flypaper mind, so almost everything I read about food or cooking sticks. I was trained as a chemist and like all those with a scientific mind, I tend to question what I don't understand and go on niggling at it until I do! I've been making sausages for years, and sometimes they even turn out quite good, though I've very little idea why! However, I'm relatively inexperienced at curing, but have a pretty good understanding of the underlying chemistry. So that makes me a bizarre mixture of bozo and pedant!
Very kind of you to say you enjoy reading what I have to say even if I find it hard to believe!! Next project - on Tuesday will be to start curing some brisket. Limousin cattle that's been hanging 17 days, so it should end up pretty tasty. Best of all - it's on special at - wait for it - €1 a kilo. At that price, it's hard to go wrong. I've also ordered about 3 kg of Entrecote steak at €9 a kilo, but I'm picking that up on the 13th as well as about 4 kg of beef bones to make stock. What fun life is.
All the best - Ian
"The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents, every man wants to write a book, and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching." c. 2800 BC