Also, don't misunderstand me. I don't think cooking rice is hard. I think cooking perfect rice that is going to satisfy Colicchio et al is probably not the easiest thing in the world. Especially when I imagine that they do use rice-cooking monkeys, or at least rice cookers, on a regular basis.

They understand the ingredients, they understand the chemical processes in cooking, and they're able to create something that they know will work together, even if they haven't done it before. Because they understand food.

Yes, absolutely!!

I loved Joey's choice of and explanation of how he made his dish. Acknowledging who really make restaurant kitchens work. Also, it did sound delicious!

Sara's (not the cheesemaker) dish sounded good to me (i'm a whore for an avocado) but I wondered about her not making an entree! But good on her for having the foresight to buy premade tortillas. Think of how fucked she'd have been!

Top Chef: It's just baffling to me. I dunno. I mean, I'm sure I eat more rice than any of them, but it's pretty basic. It seems like something that chefs would have to do. Yeah, yeah, rice-cooking monkeys. Where can I get those, again?

I don't understand. Add water to pan. Bring to boil. Add 1/2 the amount of rice than water in the pan. Cover. Simmer on low for 15-20 minutes. how is that hard?

After 20 minutes take off heat and let sit until needed.

Not difficult at all.

Not difficult at all.

In theory. I don't really know since I never cook white rice at home. But I'd guesstimate that in restaurants or takeout, I'd call the rice "good" only about 50% of the time.

Amusing commentary on last night's TC.

And I could swear that Casey's rice was supposed to be "saffron rice" - did you guys see any saffron at all?

And I could swear that Casey's rice was supposed to be "saffron rice" - did you guys see any saffron at all?

I didn't hear that, but I often miss details because my housemate and I are continually making snarky comments throughout.

Lord knows I can be fairly shitty in the kitchen, but I've never managed to thoroughly screw up rice.

I really really wanted Hung to go just for the faux-guileless look on his face as he said, "Too classic?" in response to Colicchio's question about why he thought he was there. Or I would have, if I didn't already want him to go just for his reckless ways with the cleaver. Or I would have, if I didn't already want him to go for saying, "I guess they just didn't understand my concept" of the seasoned professionals who didn't like his quickfire item. He's the Top Chef Figjam.

I still mostly dislike Joey, but it's kind of cute how he and Howie are all OTP in a burly, brotherly sort of way. They did their territorial dance of rage at each other, baring their teeth and displaying their fierce plumage, and now that each is sufficiently impressed with the size of the other's balls they're perfectly peaceable together.

I really really wanted Hung to go just for the faux-guileless look on his face as he said, "Too classic?" in response to Colicchio's question about why he thought he was there.

He needed to be smacked with the broad side of a cleaver for that.

They did their territorial dance of rage at each other, baring their teeth and displaying their fierce plumage, and now that each is sufficiently impressed with the size of the other's balls they're perfectly peaceable together.

Heh. Yeah, my wife pronounced, "Aw! The bears have bonded!"