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Home » Uncategorized » Foodie Freebie Friday: Alinea

Foodie Freebie Friday: Alinea

August 17, 2009 · WCC Administr@tr · 49 Comments

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Happy Monday and welcome back! Did you have a good weekend? I hope that you had a chance to relax and perhaps have a little culinary adventure in your corner of the world. Over the weekend, I had a few culinary adventures of my own with What’s Cookin, Chicago including:

Wine & Dine: Australia – We got together to learn more about the cuisine and wines of Australia, with a few recipes to share.

Neighborhood Taste Tour: Maxwell Street Market – We took a trip to this open-air market and got to indulge in some authentic Mexican eats, learn more about new fruits and vegetables and enjoy the sights and sounds.

Now to start off this new week, I’ve got a special Foodie Freebie Friday. Aside from the great food and ethnic neighborhoods that make up Chicago, we certainly have our share of chef rockstars. One such rockstar is Grant Achatz.

Grant Achatz grew up in the restaurants industry since his parents and grandparents owned restaurants in Michigan. Naturally, he decided to enter the culinary field and became a student at the Culinary Instititue of America in New York. Once he graduated, he worked his way up to a sous chef position after four years at Thomas Keller’s renowned restaurant, The French Laundry. He then moved to Chicago to become an executive chef of the restaurant, Trio. He worked three years there before starting his own restaurant, Alinea.

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His culinary point of view takes on molecular gastronomy. Grant takes food to a whole new level and diners are immersed in an experience using all their senses – sight, sound, texture and taste. It’s no wonder that Alinea was named the best restaurant in America in 2006 and is just one of sixteen restaurants in the United States that received 5 stars in 2007.

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But 2007 was a difficult year for Grant, despite the accolades he received for Alinea. In July of that year, Grant was diagnosed with stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth. He underwent aggressive treatment and before the end of the year, his cancer was in full remission. He continues to work on exciting creations at Alinea and just shy of a year after being cancer free, he published this week’s Foodie Freebie Friday – Alinea.

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Spain boasts Ferran Adria’s restaurant, elBulli, to push modern cooking’s boundaries, but the Chicago restaurant Alinea has its own molecular gastronomy wunderkind in Grant Achatz as he takes food in previously unimagined directions. This cookbook presents the exact recipes, grouped by season, from the restaurant kitchen, such as Yolk Drops with Asparagus, Lemon and Black Pepper or Bison with Beets, Blueberries and Burning Cinnamon, along with gorgeous closeup photographs of these jaw-droppingly fanciful creations. The book opens with essays by food world elder statesmen, including Michael Ruhlman and Jeffrey Steingarten, who lavish praise on Achatz’s approach, and Michael Nagrant, who explores the Alinea philosophy through a dish called “Black Truffle Explosion.” Achatz himself eloquently explains 10 techniques he uses at the restaurant to achieve his culinary goals, from “bouncing flavors” to custom service ware and aroma manipulation. Though readers are encouraged to make the recipes, or at least interpret them so as to “craft an experience similar to dining at the restaurant,” where every minute involves intensive engagement with the food, most people will value the book more as a beautifully produced insight into Achatz’s creativity and perhaps a spur to their own, even when they are not making spheres of beet juice or mozzarella balloons. — Publishers Weekly/Amazon

Some guidelines:
– Giveaway is only for those who live in the United States – my apologies to my international readers!
– You must have a valid email address (within your comment or blog link) so that you can be contacted if you win.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment answering:

– If you lost your sense of taste, what foods would you miss most?


Deadline:
Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 12 midnight CST.

ONE WINNER will be randomly chosen by Random. Org’s Interger Generator based on the number of your comment and will be announced on Friday, August 21, 2009. Good luck!

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    August 17, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    Chocolate.. like a chocolate shake, a sundae with hot fudge topping, with peanuts (think m&m's), choc and pretzels, or Vosges with curry & coconut – so many options! I don't really eat a lot of it but's it' what I'd miss the most. Kurt

    Reply
  2. ErinsFoodFiles says

    August 17, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    I would miss peanut butter. Definetely.

    Reply
  3. Ange says

    August 17, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    Mexican. I love the spices used and just everything about it.

    Reply
  4. Rachelita says

    August 17, 2009 at 5:22 pm

    I tend to enjoy food for the texture more often than the taste alone, so this is a good question. Some of my favorite texture foods include quinoa, mousse and yogurt. I believe I would miss south Indian cuisine the most. I find the textures to be ordinary, but the taste and spices to be excellent.

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    August 17, 2009 at 5:22 pm

    I would miss eclairs….I love them, I love the chocolate, the custard filling and the light and fluffy pastry. To me, that is absolute food heaven.

    Reply
  6. Kelsey says

    August 17, 2009 at 6:03 pm

    Oh, such a tough question! I don't even want to think about losing my sense of taste.

    I think I would miss peaches the most. They're my favorite fruit, and I am in heaven right now since it's peach season at the farmer's markets.

    Reply
  7. Unknown says

    August 17, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    I think it's a tie between peanut butter and chocolate. There are so many tastes I love, but I eat at least a little of both of those every day!

    Reply
  8. Kira says

    August 17, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    Oh so many! Curry, red pepper, cumin. Anything spicy!

    Reply
  9. m says

    August 17, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    I would miss cherries!

    Reply
  10. Lindsey says

    August 17, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    I would miss chocolate and strawberries the most.

    Reply
  11. Meg says

    August 17, 2009 at 7:00 pm

    Chocolate and strawberries… on the savory side, garlic and onions.

    Reply
  12. Analie Papageorge says

    August 17, 2009 at 7:00 pm

    I would miss vine ripe tomatoes dusted with fresh tender basil with fresh mozzarella accompanied with my fathers homemade Kalamata extra virgin olive oil.

    Reply
  13. Gambler72 says

    August 17, 2009 at 7:00 pm

    Pork fat… nothing like it 😉

    Reply
  14. Anonymous says

    August 17, 2009 at 7:00 pm

    my aunt's finnish cardamom bread – that would be what I would miss the most

    Reply
  15. Kim says

    August 17, 2009 at 7:36 pm

    I think I would miss my favorite comfort foods the most – pot roast with mashed potatoes and gravy, meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy, and Rocky Road ice cream.

    Reply
  16. DanaC says

    August 17, 2009 at 7:36 pm

    Mine is a tie between coffee and chips and dip. Nothing fancy but both so good!

    Reply
  17. The Maiden Metallurgist says

    August 17, 2009 at 7:36 pm

    Life would be far worse without garlic!

    Reply
  18. Carly says

    August 17, 2009 at 7:36 pm

    Lemon – the juicy, bright tartness of it

    Reply
  19. EJacks says

    August 17, 2009 at 7:36 pm

    Probably garlic – I absolutely love it! And popcorn. 🙂

    Reply
  20. Linda and Matthew says

    August 17, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    I would miss the taste of lemons. Lemonade, marinades, pastas- I just love the fresh tartness of lemons!

    Reply
  21. Jason says

    August 17, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    Its hard to pick a single food I'd miss. Strong flavors would probably be the most missed as you are used to expecting the flavor. Probably something like tortilla soup would be the hardest as it combines things like cumin, cilantro, lime, tomato, and the heat and flavor of chilis.

    Reply
  22. Jules Someone says

    August 17, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    The sweet/salty combo. Caramel and cheese corn mixed together. (Totally a Chicago thing!)

    Reply
  23. ankea97@yahoo.com says

    August 17, 2009 at 9:28 pm

    Chocolate- hands down! I love it in many forms, ice cream, cookies, cupcakes.

    Reply
  24. Alicia says

    August 17, 2009 at 9:53 pm

    Garlic! oh god I would die without garlic!

    Reply
  25. melslatt says

    August 17, 2009 at 10:26 pm

    Does Chardonnay count?

    Reply
  26. Mrs. G says

    August 17, 2009 at 10:26 pm

    Wow, what a question. I would miss Caramel cake.

    Reply
  27. Miss M.J. Ma'am says

    August 18, 2009 at 1:35 am

    I'd miss toast with peanut butter and strawberry jam…my comfort food!!

    Reply
  28. Joanna joey2330@gmail.com says

    August 18, 2009 at 1:35 am

    CocaCola Chocolate Cake for sure!

    Reply
  29. Lena says

    August 18, 2009 at 1:35 am

    I would definitely miss fresh fruit like strawberries, peaches and pineapple.

    Reply
  30. Melly says

    August 18, 2009 at 1:35 am

    Cheese.
    mellisa.willis@sbcglobal.net

    Reply
  31. Jenn says

    August 18, 2009 at 1:35 am

    I would miss strawberries. They are my favorite fruit ever!

    Reply
  32. Kerstin says

    August 18, 2009 at 1:35 am

    Another vote for peanut butter!

    Reply
  33. Nina says

    August 18, 2009 at 5:05 am

    Chocolate! Salsa ranks high too.

    Reply
  34. Diet Diva says

    August 18, 2009 at 5:05 am

    I'd miss citrus fruits…so bright and flavorful!

    Reply
  35. Caroline says

    August 18, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    Citric fruit. Bursting open an orange, lemon, lime, etc., you can almost, but not quite, taste the luscious flavor through its scent. A real tease, until you can actually taste.

    Reply
  36. angela says

    August 18, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    i have dreamed about eating at Alinea for years! Maybe as a celebration when/if i finish my graduate degree… the cookbook looks amazing.

    If i lost my sense of taste, i would miss certain sharp, poignant tastes that i adore: rich, aged balsamic vinegar is probably at the top of my list. Also French mustard. Although it's not a sharp taste, i would also miss the delightful vibrancy of the locally produced extra virgin olive oil i just tasted in Italy.

    Email: matt_owns_me{at}yahoo{dot}com

    Reply
  37. Jennie says

    August 18, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    For me, it would probably be burrito's!

    jennie748 at sbcglobal dot net

    Reply
  38. Jennifer says

    August 18, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    Garlic! I couldn't live without it.

    Reply
  39. Eva says

    August 18, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    I would definitely miss chocolate! I usually try to sneak a little bit every day. =)

    evitawylie at hotmail dot com

    Reply
  40. Unknown says

    August 18, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    mac and cheese

    Reply
  41. Unknown says

    August 18, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    Garlic. I love garlic!

    Reply
  42. Jennifer says

    August 18, 2009 at 8:37 pm

    I love the taste of cumin and of garlic.
    I would also definitely miss chocolate and vanilla.

    Reply
  43. Laura says

    August 18, 2009 at 8:37 pm

    If I lost my sense of taste, I would truly miss all the different cheeses. Oh, how I love cheese. Pineapples and chocolates are probably next on the list. But cheese is my number 1.

    Reply
  44. Kevin D says

    August 19, 2009 at 4:46 am

    At first I was thinking I'd miss chocolate the most, but after a few moments, I know I would miss the taste of a perfectly cooked, medium rare steak!!

    Reply
  45. Erin says

    August 19, 2009 at 11:45 pm

    I think roasted garlic is what I'd miss the most… I will pop whole cloves in my mouth because I love it so much! It is interesting to hear about Achatz's sense of taste as he battled cancer and still cooked away. One of my coworkers from the Chopping Block is going to Alinea this week, and I"m so jealous! Maybe some day I'll get to go 🙂

    Reply
  46. Susan says

    August 20, 2009 at 1:24 am

    I would miss salty/savory foods the most – buttered popcorn, blue cheese,steak with garlic peppercorn rub. I would also miss this really good white wine I tasted/bought/consumed a month ago.

    Reply
  47. Jenny Schwartzberg says

    August 20, 2009 at 6:07 am

    I'd miss so much but I think what I would miss the most are being able to savor perfect hot/iced lattes and real French croissants. Those are subtle and satisfying flavors. I also love complex and robust flavors in foods, so I would miss spices and Greek feta too as well as so many other foods and tastes!

    Reply
  48. Anonymous says

    August 20, 2009 at 6:41 pm

    cheese any cheese all cheese!

    Reply
  49. thisoldbroad says

    September 16, 2010 at 4:46 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Joelen! Welcome to What's Cookin, Chicago. My goal is to share my culinary adventures in hopes to inspire you to embrace life in a delicious way.
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