1. Some people like to paint pictures, or do gardening, or build a boat
   in the basement. Other people get a tremendous pleasure out of the
   kitchen, because cooking is just as creative and imaginative as drawing,
   or wood carving, or music.
2. The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got
   to have a what-the-hell attitude.
3. Too much trouble,’ ‘Too expensive,’ or ‘Who will know the difference’ are death knells for good food. … Cooking is not a particularly difficult art, and the more you cook and learn about cooking, the more sense it makes.
4. I have trouble with toast. Toast is very difficult. You have to watch
   it all the time or it burns up.
5. Train yourself to use your hands and fingers; they are wonderful instruments. Train yourself also to handle hot foods; this will save time. Keep your knives sharp. … Above all, have a good time.
6. It is the Americans who have managed to crown minced beef as
   hamburger, and to send it around the world so that even the fussy
   French have taken to le boeuf haché, le hambourgaire.
7. I would much rather swoon over a few thin slices of prime beefsteak,
   or one small serving of chocolate, or a sliver of foie gras than to indulge
   to the full on such nonentities as fat-free gelatin puddings
8. The pleasures of the table — that lovely old-fashioned phrase — depict food as an art form, as a delightful part of civilized life. In spite of food fads, fitness programs, and health concerns, we must never lose sight of a beautifully conceived meal.
9. The egg, that perfect, pristine, primal object – we may not gobble it up as profusely now as we used to, but every mouthful should be memorable…
10. An imaginary shelf labeled INDULGENCES is a good idea. It contains…French butter-cream fillings, gooey chocolate cakes, and all those lovely items that demand disciplined rationing… They are for special occasions,
    and when that occasion comes we can enjoy every mouthful.
11. Wine is essential with anything! Particularly omelettes for lunch.
12. While attitudes about food have changed through these last years, fortunately the principles of good cooking have not. The more one
    knows about it, the less mystery there is, the faster cooking becomes,
    and the easier it is to be creative and to embrace new trends and ideas –
    in addition, the more pleasure one has in the kitchen.
13. The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook

By the way, #13 is my personal favorite.Eat, drink and be merry!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

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