"cooking shows" news and stories

Wanting to get in on the unscripted programming action, Reuters reports that the Lifetime network is cooking up 3 new shows -- one on weight loss (yawn), one on clairvoyance, and one on cooking.

The latter, called Mom's Cooking, will be a half-hour weekday series that focuses on moms teaching their daughters how to cook their favorite childhood recipes. So far, the channel has ordered 20 episodes with half of them to be shot in New York, and half in Atlanta. I have to give them props for the idea -- it'll be nice to get some classic home cooking on TV that's not from Paula Deen. And getting kids to cook makes it even better.

However ... I wish it wasn't only catered to women, because believe it or not, guys have beloved homemade recipes too. Yes, I know it's "television for women," but at the very least -- mom could teach son sometimes, or Dad could teach daughter. There's no reason for television shows in 2008 to stick so rigidly to old stereotypes.

So, this question is for you guys out there -- What beloved recipes did you learn from mom or dad?

There are several "Rachael Rayisms" (I think she coined the term herself), and we all have our favorite. Or should I say our least favorite of all the ones we don't like.

Mine used to be "EVOO," but that has become such a part of the everyday food lexicon that I consider it a real food term now and not just something that Ray says (in fact, I believe the Oxford Dictionary just added it?). I'm gonna go with "Delish," because it embodies everything that's silly about the worst cooking shows and just overall lameness. Plus she says it in that new Christmas Dunkin' Donuts commercial and it drives me nuts. Other phrases she uses: "You guys!," "Parmigiano Reggiano," "awesome," and the classic "Yum-O."

To get you in the mood, after the jump, 2 minutes and 46 seconds of Rachael Ray saying "mmmmmmm."

Earlier today, Joanne gave you the results of the Food Network Awards, and now chef/writer/adventurer Anthony Bourdain gives his opinion of the ceremony.

Bourdain hasn't been shy in giving his opinion on what he thinks has become of the Food Network (too much focus on "star" chefs, bad food being cooked, an emphasis on too many things that have nothing to do with cooking, etc), and he has some choice words for the awards show:

I am not the best cook in the world, my children will easily vouch for that. Everyday when dinnertime arrives, I am always surprised that I am the one expected to figure out something nutritious, whip it up and serve it on a plate. And although the cooking process does not stir my inner muse, a beautiful kitchen does. I love watching cooking and redecorating shows just for the sole propose of ogling those gorgeous appliances. The classic stainless steal is smart and quietly whispers class and sophistication.

But I like a splash of color here and there.

Currently I am on a red kick, having just purchased a red Oster toaster oven and a lovely red tea pot. But I am starting to see orange pop up in the color scheme. This is not your horrid, screaming orange of the 1970's era, but rather a whimsical, perky orange that says, "Welcome to the new millennium. Let's cook up some fun cookies!" These orange appliances also have the vintage curves of yesteryear to lend a softer and more comforting feel to the kitchen. Who knows, if I had a kitchen chock full of happy and inviting appliances, I might be more apt to cook dinner in a timely fashion.

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