BLOGHUNGRY

American Express Pairings Event

The good people at American Express flew Popmuse and me to Napa for the weekend for a music, food, and wine event featuring Dave Matthews and Chef John Besh (of Top Chef Masters and The Next Iron Chef fame). The event took place at the beautiful Mondavi Winery and featured a delicious assortment of wine paired with an ambitious tasting menu. I found Besh's pork belly with corn cake, field peas, ham hock broth, and collard green crisps to be the most successful dish of the evening. Other stand-outs of the evening included Modavi Winery's 2006 Chardonnay Reserve and 2000 Sauvignon Blanc Botrytis. While I have never been the biggest fan of gamey meats and animal organs, I found Besh's alligator pies, smoked marrow and oxtail marmalade, and various duck bites surprisingly edible. Following the dinner, Matthews performed a live acoustic set to the room of spirited diners to round out the mix of food, wine, and music.

Celebrity Food Art Series

Being a part time teacher and stay at home dad has made me a little crazy this month. As an outlet for the crazy, I decided to go my art school roots and made a series of celebrity and food themed prints. They are now available for sale on Etsy.

You can get your own collection of these beauties HERE.

Pancakes or French Toast?

When Popmuse and I started dating, I wrote out a long questionnaire for him to answer. It started, because I hate awkward small talk, but ended up really getting to the root of who he is and what his life is about. I had a few questions about favorite Real World seasons, Madonna personas, and more intimate details, but the bulk of it was about food. Here are a few examples involving breakfast foods. I've added my thoughts to help you evaluate that special person in your life. Above all, never trust anyone that doesn't love food as they are likely devoid the capacity to feel.

1. Pancakes or French toast?

If you like pancakes, you are much more grounded and soulful.

If you like french toast, then you are a joyless person who was probably never hugged as a child.

If you write-in crepes, you are more interested in impressions than food.

2. Favorite Cereal?

As long as they are passionate about their answer, you have to respect them. A good answer usually includes a cereal balanced in fiber and sugar with a second mention of a guilty pleasure sugar cereal from your childhood. Extra points awarded to extra details on preferences of crisp vs. soggy or mention of resulting milk flavor in their decision. More details show an awareness of small things and an ability to fine tune everyday experiences for greater happiness.

3. Bacon or Sausage?

If they are vegetarian, then they are either going through a stage best resolved before their mid-twenties or are so deeply sensitive and political that they have taken themselves out of the food chain.

If they prefer bacon, then they are true to themselves and will allow happiness into their lives. Extra points awarded for detail on preferences crispness, seasoning, or food-pairings.

If they prefer sausage, then they are hard core and a little spicy. A links lover usually prefers more structure and juiciness. A patty lover is a true carnivore and is in it for the spicy greasiness.

Bloghungry Needs A Nap... and Dinner

I've had a few parents asking me for healthier dinner ideas that can be made ahead or thrown together quickly. As a new parent myself, I feel your pain and am dedicating August as Food For Parents Month.

Bloghungry and Pop Muse Plus One

Our daughter was born last week 0n 7/7/09. It has been a long and difficult road, but it was all worth it. Bloghungry readers will be happy to hear that she is a good eater and likes to watch Food Network with me. She especially likes Drive-ins Diners and Dives.

BH Meets Evan Kleiman

Ever since I moved to L.A. I have been obsessed with Evan Kleiman. She hosts Good Food, my favorite show on NPR and owns Angeli, my favorite restaurant in town. Basically she is the biggest celebrity in this town of so-called "A-list talent". I'd like to see one of those hacks make a ricotta beet gnocchi with  a sage brown butter sauce. Anyway, I met her yesterday and have since gained a calm sense of fulfillment in my life.

Bloghungry Crashes

So I am officially over my diet. I don't see it as a failure because I did lose weight and have no intention of adopting a long term healthy lifestyle. Lets face it, a healthy lifestyle is a miserable cult and no way to go through life.

Apart from my unwillingness to part with tasty foods, the legal battles necessary for a gay man to have a baby and a marriage have driven me to eat.. a lot. I'm kind of blown away by how expensive and exhausting being gay can be.

Bloghungry's Weight Loss Challenge Continues

It's the end of my 2nd week of weight loss and I have already lost 13 lbs. It's a nightmare but its working out pretty well in terms of results. I'm very into fiber, protein shakes and bars, turkey, chicken, and roasted veggies. I'll work on posting recipes soon.

Bloghungry's Weight Loss Challenge

I am in an Oprah-sized weight loss panic. I have gained crazy weight this year and it's time to regain some control. I am vowing to lose 40 lbs before my baby is born in mid July. I'll post updates in the coming weeks and months.

Holiday Card #3

Happy Holidays! The big news for us this year is that PopMuse and I are expecting. To clarify, I will not be carrying our baby, because I am not equipped for such things. However, our surrogate is fully equipped and is now approaching her 3rd month of pregnancy. Her due date is July 18th. We won't know gender until March, but we've already started making room for baby and are fully ready for the soccer dad lifestyle.