"al roker" news and stories

Paula Deen had a bit of a freak out last week on the set of the "Today Show" after an NBC staffer accidentally walked into the shot and hid behind a kitchen island.

"Oh my goodness, can you all see? What is he doing in here? Does he work here?" Deen asked Al Roker as she prepared her Nutty Orange Coffee Cake to promote the New York City Wine & Food Festival. "He doesn't have a gun does he? Should we pull out our knives?"

Roker laughed along with Deen, although it became a bit awkward after he asked her what she was making.

"Nervous. That's what we're making -- nerves, nervous," she said. "Is he from this country?"

But all became hunky-dory once more when Deen learned the man did indeed work for NBC.

"Oh so you do work here, well here," Deen said as she handed him a slice of cake.



[Via Huffington Post]

Have a bizarre or touching food-related story to tell? Tell Uncle Al all about it.

Al Roker and the Food Network are compilling a collection of stories about how food changed people's lives (or...something) that they can fit into a yet-unnamed new show.

The press release that Phoodie posted listed the examples: going from homeless to being a restaurant-owner, only eating one food, or making art from food.

I could give them several ideas (see: man who makes bubble gum sculptures, girl who eats nothing but french fries...)

If you want to be casted, e-mail a brief description of your story with contact info and a photo of yourself to michaelraptis@alroker.com, or call (646) 732-9848 to be considered.

• Lots of ideas for your Super Bowl party, including Mini Hot Dogs, Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn, and Linebacker Limeade. Readers sent in recipes too, for everything from pepperoni bread to buffalo chicken cheesesteaks.
• Here's a recipe for something called a Power Pooch Smoothie, which is a dessert for dogs, but it sounds OK for us humans too.
• Win a date with one of these most eligible singles.
• Chinese New Year starts February 7.
• Send your significant other a food-related e-card.
• More recipes: Mashed-Potato-Stuffed Chicken and Sopa de mariscos.
• Also in this issue: ideas for two more parties you might throw, for Oscar night and Mardi Gras; caramel cheesecake; ideas for winter getaways, and what's in Al Roker's fridge.

Al Roker seems like a friendly, easy-going guy and that sense carries into his book, Al Roker's Big Bad Book of Barbecue. A lot of Al's writing focuses on family (and fatherhood) and this book continues that trend. Though not explicitly a "family" book, it is definitely family-friendly, with easy recipes that don't take a huge amount of time to prepare and relatively simply flavors. I flipped though the book this weekend at Whole Foods, where it was on display, and found myself smiling at some of Roker's funny (and occasionally silly) descriptions and anecdotes. He's not an "expert" on barbecuing, but he is an experienced home chef and enthusiastic one at that.  It's refreshing to cook with someone who doesn't seem to take himself too seriously.

Recipes like Grilled Chicken Satay and Salmon with Asian Marinade looked appealing, as did some of the salad and dessert suggestions, like the Caesar Salad with Grilled Croutons and Berry Shortcake with Vanilla Whipped Cream. There are plenty of basic sauces and rubs to spice up your steak or chicken, too.