Friday, August 31, 2012

Average Betty and Above Average Estonia

Estonia Photo (c) Average Betty
Remember that time you won a Taste Award for Best Web Food Program, which included a fabulous trip to Estonia, but you were too afraid to fly over an ocean, so you asked your dear friend and fellow food blogger, Average Betty, to go on the trip for you, and she had an amazing time, and when your friends and family saw the pictures they couldn’t believe what an idiot you were for not going?

That’s right, I didn’t go on what could’ve been the trip of a lifetime because I’m afraid to fly. Actually, I’m not that scared of flying – it’s the crashing that I’m really not into. Anyway, as you’ll see on her blog, Sara went and represented like a boss.

Below you’ll find a wonderful video recipe she did for Karask, a very traditional Estonian barley bread. The bread looks fantastic, and I'm looking forward to trying it. I insist you head over to Average Betty to get the full recipe, as well as see and read more about the trip

By the way, the painfully cute spoon pictured here is a souvenir that Sara brought back for me. I've heard nothing but great things about Estonia, but that they have freakishly small wooden spoons there tells me all I need to know.

Even though I didn’t make it over there myself, I want to thank the Taste Awards for the honor, and the fine people of Estonia for making the trip possible. Enjoy!

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Screw tradition... add cayenne!!!

Unknown said...

Screw tradition... add cayenne!!!

Anonymous said...

"This is Kiefer cheese, and as you can see it has a wonderful rich taste"

Uhhh... not even in 1080p!

Carol Meyer said...

Hi Chef John! We were just introduced to your blog about a week ago. My kids love you and my husband loves both of your recipies that we've already tried! My 2 yr old comes in my room and says, "Mommy! I want to watch, 'Enjoy!'"

Anonymous said...

Hi Chef John!

I had an incredible dinner tonight. I had my sister over for Friday night dinner together with her guy for the first time in my house. So I decided to go big with an all-French three-course dinner.

For starters I made that French Onion Soup that makes the mimes go chatty. (http://foodwishes.blogspot.se/2008/09/french-onion-soup-so-good-it-will-make.html) I made the chicken stock and beef stock to go with it of course and even baked some French bread to go under the Gruyere cheese, which we assumed, came out of the French speaking part of Switzerland. I’m not very experienced, but I have to go along with you and urge all the people: Make that soup!

For the main course I went with that “Sous vide” technique with some “sirloin stakes” (thanks google for the translation. I can only hope it turned out right.)(http://foodwishes.blogspot.se/2011/01/stovetop-sous-vide-episode-2-ny-strip.html). They were quite amazed with the result. To go with the stakes I made Béarnaise sauce using the same technique as for the Hollandaise sauce: http://foodwishes.blogspot.se/2007/03/hollandaise-101-can-sauce-really-sense.html. (I made the Hollandaise version once with Salmon for my mother. She loved it!) Naturally I served this with French fries all though you don’t want us to.(http://foodwishes.blogspot.se/2009/07/french-fries-so-nice-because-you-cook.html) I didn’t set off any fires.

For dessert I made Chocolate Lave Cake. But I called it “Fondant au chocolat“. (http://foodwishes.blogspot.se/2009/02/chocolate-lave-cake-20-return-of-molten.html)

The whole dinner came out of Foodwishes Chef John and I had a great time. I’m exhausted. But it has been a dream for some time to make this come together. Thank you for all the inspiration and tuition!

Peter from Sweden.

Bethany said...

It's too bad that they couldn't give you a prize or trip that you could enjoy.

Anyway, I'm glad you got a souvenir out it. And now I have one more reason why I need a freakishly small wooden spoon.

Chef John said...

wow, anon! That's quite a meal! :)

Anonymous said...

My FOOD WISH: please teach us to make PENNE AL VERDE (Penne with spinach and toasted pinenuts with cream and fresh parmesan) PLEASE!!! I really want to learn please! please please!! =D

Anonymous said...

@Peter - Yes, Gruyère cheese comes from the French speaking part of Switzerland, more specifically, the Canton of Fribourg.

SushiTree said...

Totally off subject. I just saw the post about you making it to Portland , and long story short, i started a food cart here semi - inspired by your sushi blog about it not translating as fish.A light bulb went off, vegetarian sushi. I made a go of it for three years. And now Im in culinary school still catering veg sushi! Thanks chef John! You R amazing and am sure have inspired many others n their journeys into culinary. Much love. So glad u liked Portland!

Anonymous said...

I have the same spoon in my kitchen that I use for salt.
No kidding.
Keep up the good work.
Tõnu from Estonia

Anonymous said...

To bad you didnt make it here, I would Love to have a photo with you...

bdwilcox said...

There are certain things in life that are worth the risk: a good woman, the perfect job, a great roller-coaster and...A FREE TRIP TO ESTONIA!!!1! Hello????? Who the heck could pass up a free trip like that? If you were that afraid of flying, just ask your doctor for a strong tranquilizer. That way you'd be knocked out before the plane even taxis and wouldn't know it if you went down in a ball of fire. Just sayin'.

skimferella said...

I'm excited to see this recipe. We spent July in Estonia and had many good meals.

You should try to get over your fear of crashing. See if you can get a sedative before flying... The kind where you are so relaxed that you just don't care about anything. The more you fly the less scared you will be.

Or, not.

Anonymous said...

Hi, You can take a boat and travel to Estonia! And planes do not crash that often. Maybe you walk on street and something falls on you. That is bad too. Btw you still have not made pumkin ravioli.

Best
Mariliis from Estonia...

Lish & Matt said...

Hey Chef, my husband and I are heading to Estonia! I remember seeing Sarah's video and thinking "ohh that place looks so beautiful" I'll put in a good word for you :-) keeping it real, peace x