Home > Feeding Frenzy > Archives > 2008 > April > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAre you a top chef threat?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s obvious after viewing all recent comments that Feeding Frenzy readers are pretty savvy diners, willing to go the distance for a favorite food.
I agree, there are certain spectacular dining destinations (including Atlanta these days) where the food offerings greatly enhance the trip. Whenever I am heading out of town to one of these places (San Fran, Charleston, NY, Savannah) I plan my meals as carefully as my activities.
But judging by Bob’s comments, it seems that many of you are also adventurous cooks, willing to travel to farmer’s markets and beyond for fabulous food finds. Which got me thinking about cooking at home verses eating out. Wondering what you make that rivals what you can get in a restaurant.
While there definitely are some things that I feel I can do just as well, other things I would only leave to a “professional.” I saw several shout-outs for fried lobster tails and there’s no doubt in my mind, those are worth traveling for. I could never recreate that type of dish in my kitchen. Same with dim sum and other great Chinese.
But with a little effort and quality ingredients, with some meals, I eat just as well “in” as “out.” I think I make a pretty fierce meatloaf and can grill a steak with the best of them (when splurging on premium meat).
What do you make at home that can put the best chef to shame? What do you leave to the professionals?
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Home cooking
Comments
By Stan
April 15, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
I like my Mac and Cheese better at home than out. Pretty much anything baked at home just tastes better to me. made peanut butter cookies Sunday…droool! I’ve never found homey comfort foods in restos to be at all what I wanted… it’s just way better when made at home.
One thing I don’t do at home is any kind of overly complex dish. It’s just not worth it to me.
Stan
By kara
April 15, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
I think there’s food you make at home and food you order out. I’d never order chicken or meatloaf at a restaurant. I cook with a lot of chicken though, and I make a great meatloaf.
I order nice filet mignon’s out, with bernaise. I wouldnt make that at home. I make a lot of adventurous pasta dishes at home, so generally I don’t get that out.
My best at home dish … hmmm, I make a good chili with all the trimmings. And a really good stuffed turkey.
By Art
April 17, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
I’ve had this same thought in recent years and now, there’s very little that I think is better in a restaurant than what I can make at home. It’s usually more a matter of time and convenience than taste.
By Debra
April 17, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
I agree with Kara, my cooking experience is from growing up in an Italian/Polish neighborhood in New York. The women from the old country were glad to have someone watch them cook. When I go out, I have lobster, and crab, squid, things I wouldn’t normaly cook. I love this section of the AJC, I get lots of ideas here.