September 7, 2007
Eating Soybean Porridge With the Amateur Gourmet
[Intro: Today I welcome The Amateur Gourmet as he stops by on his virtual book tour! Canada isn't over yet—I still have a final entry, which will go up this weekend.]
Nothing is more frustrating, more anger-inducing than laboring over a dinner that explodes in your oven, that mocks your goodwill and your hunger, that makes you never want to cook again.
Yeah. Hell yeah. YEEAAAHHH! [shoots a virtual pistol into virtual space, killing a virtual bird]
Adam Roberts, aka The Amateur Gourmet, knows what he's talking about in the introduction to his new book, The Amateur Gourmet: How to Shop, Chop, and Table Hop Like a Pro (Almost)
Of course, Adam doesn't end there. Or else his book would've been really short and depressing.
But here's the catch: floating above the fray is the possibility, the remote but very real possibility, that all of your efforts will collude into something joyous, something extraordinary. The smell of an almond cake baking, the sound of a lamb shank braising, the taste of your very first homemade hollandaise, are such potent sensations that no amount of failure can discourage you once you've tasted success.
...Yeah, I guess that could happen. In a magical land...[strokes chin thoughtfully for symbolic purposes]...
I'm going to assume that joyous and extraordinary results have come from Adam's efforts many more times than they have from mine, which is why he was able to write a book about his joyous and extraordinary results (and more books are surely on the way) while I will never write a book about cooking because it would contain one word: "FAIL." (Or two words: "I FAIL." It depends whether the book needs complete sentences.)
In his book Adam recounts cooking for friends, cooking for family, eating with friends, eating with family, eating alone, eating with Ruth Reichl...yes, there is a theme. But I don't feel the need to summarize the book since amazon.com has already done that for me. (Yay, Internet! It's so smart. It deserves a cookie.) For this leg of Adam's virtual book tour I'll do what I usually do, which is talk about meals I've eaten with other people, instead of something informative like Michael Ruhlman's interview with Adam. I give you pictures, man. Pikchuurrzzz!!...zzz!
- Tofu sign
At my request we ate at Cho Dang Gol in Koreatown, a restaurant known for its tofu soups. Judging from the header of the restaurant's homepage, this tofu appears to be made in a giant vat with the aid of a wooden paddle. Judging from the tastiness of our soups, I'd say the giant vat was no ordinary vat, but a vat of magic. I'll get to that later.
- Banchan
Shortly after we sat down and exchanged a few words ("Hello," etc) our table was blessed with many various types of banchan (potato with dried fish, pickled cucumber, kimchi, kimchi pancake, some kind of smoked fish, and what looked like a dish of raw lettuce but must've been more than that). Banchan for me are like previews before a movie—they may not the main thing, but they work up to the feature presentation/meal, get the excitement going or something. I'm actually disappointed when the previews are over and the real movie begins. Those complimentary bits are fun! And surprising! All that comedy and drama and action! God, I love previews. I mean, banchan. Yeah.
- Adam chompeths
The banchan provided us with something to munch on while we sat in uncomfortable silence.
...Actually, it was really easy to talk to Adam. Duh. Although we've met a couple of times in the past (and by "a couple" I really mean two) I don't think we had ever exchanged more than ten words. But now he was stuck with me! Me and the tofu! Without any escape in sight! Besides the restaurant's entrance, that is.
"It must be really cool to see your book in a bookstore," I commented.
"Actually, it's kind of scary," started Adam. While I initially assumed that seeing one's book staring back at you from the table of a major bookstore would result in thoughts like, "WEE, HAPPY," according to Adam you're more likely to think, "Will that person pick it up? What about that person? ...OH MY GAWD, she's flipping through it." Adam compared the sensation of seeing his newly published book in a bookstore to that of being fresh meat at a dance and wondering who'll approach you and ask if you would join him/her for a song, if anyone. I don't know what Adam's past experience with dances is like, but if I'm to parallel that with my awkward adolescent experiences that means no one would glance at my book, let alone pick it up.
- Foood
It wasn't long before our table was covered in food, much of it soy-based.
- Tea + residual rice
After the waitress had piled two bowls with rice (a mixture of white and black rice), she filled in the master rice bowl with tea, resulting in some kind of tea and residual rice soup. This tastes just like you would expect tea and rice to taste like. If it were up to me I would've just scraped the rice bits out of the bowl, but if you like tea then I guess this is the way to go.
- Spicy tofu soup thing
My spicy soybean porridge arrived at the table furiously bubbling, seemingly threatening to explode its kimchi flavored liquid in my face until it died down and stopped frothing angrily. I filled my spoon with some rice, filled the remaining space with the soft tofu mash mixed with spicy soup and ground pork nubbles and...OH JESUS IT STILL BURNS! But it was awesome, definitely worth killing a few skin cells for, although I would suggest you try to cool it down first before shoving it past your lips and destroying the inner lining of your mouth.
- Part of Adam's order
Adam ordered the classic soybean meal, which ended up being a triple tofu hit of white soybean porridge (like my dish without the spiciness), fermented soybean soup, and hand-made tofu , which is pictured above. The tofu wasn't seasoned with anything else besides a sprinkling of sesame seeds, allowing all the pure watery tofu-y goodness to shine through.
Although Adam isn't adverse to spicy food, he still acclimating himself to the burning sensation. I went straight for the spicy tofu porridge because I craved the burning. Maybe Adam will get it next time. :)
I asked Adam what it was like to meet Ruth Reichl (you know, the goddess of food writing and critiquing and stuff...you DO know, right?), from whom he learned the Ten Commandments of Eating Out (read the book to find out, bwahaha). He didn't say anything negative, just that's she's...intense, doesn't bullshit, has strong beliefs, all very good thing of course. As much as I love her writing, I'm afraid I would vomit in her presence due to nervousness. ...Why am I telling you this?...
I asked Adam if there were any more books on the horizon. A novel is in the works and perhaps another cooking related guide will get the Amateur Gourmet treatment. It all depends on how his new book fares. Noooo pressure. (Remember to check out the book
I usually tell people that I don't cook much, but after talking to Adam and reading his book I realized that I do cook some. Lil' bit. I'm not going to roast a chicken in truffle butter, but if I have a craving for omu-rice or lime cream pie I'm gonna fill the craving, dammit (I've made both within the past week). However, as Adam says in his book's introduction, you're going to fail a lot in the quest to be a better cook. I don't like failing nor messing up. I'm not saying anyone actually enjoys those things, but I think it's harder for me to just learn from my mistakes and move on than most people, or at least Adam. Adam strives to do more with his cooking skills while I...well, I just want something simple that I won't screw up.
I'm not sure what kind of conclusion that was. Kind of...sad, maybe. "Robyn is doomed." I think I need to read the book over again and feel the inspiration come through. It's there in every chapter, yet for some reason I resisted. And I really need to not resist the chapter about knife sharpening because my knife in in serious need of a tune up.
On a more positive note, eating out with Adam is fun! You should try it.
Address
Posted by roboppy at 2:01 AM
Comments (22)
That Amazon thing keeps popping up on my screen - screaming BUY ME NOW!!
Posted by: Doug Cress at September 7, 2007 10:02 AM [#]
agreed with one of the commenters above --- you're a star Robyn! You can blog about walking to a fetid nyc subway bathroom, and make me want to do it too! Everything seems fun (or at least worth..) doing as reflected through your keyboard.
alright, waiting for YOUR book to come to a bookstore near me...hopefully soon
Posted by: dana at September 7, 2007 1:21 PM [#]
I love reading Ruth Reichl's books ! I actually just finished one of her older ones. I kinda went out of order, I read the third one before the second lols. Woops.
Adamn's book is great. I finished it in one sitting -=D
Posted by: wonders at September 7, 2007 4:18 PM [#]
ingrid: Thank you! I'm glad you and others enjoy the enthusiasm, which I sometimes call...INSANITY.
Maria: It was exciting to meet him! Food blogger power COMBINE (cue smoke machines)
First, need a book deal. Then maybe the celeb feeling will come in. Assuming the book got published. ;)
Lisa: Thanks! Those photos are a pain in the butt. I do it all for youuu. ..And me.
Doug: Oh god, I spotted the pop up window stuff and took them down. Yay!
Dana: I order you to walk into a fetid NYC subway bathroom NOW! [points]
Things are fun when you're with friends. :) More people to share the horror with. The horrooor.
I need an idea for a book before I can write one. Damn.
wonders: I don't think I read em in order either. Doesn't matter; they're all great on their own.
Adam's book is a nice little read. I've read it 1.5 times so far, hehe.
Kathy: You're welcome! I'm glad I could give the book a welcoming home. And now..a clean home!
Posted by: roboppy ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.roboppy.net/food/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 7, 2007 5:54 PM [#]
Robin:
You should put together a book based on your eating experiences in Paris...I swear, I have seen lots of travel books with eating recommendations for the City of Light, but your posts have been so informative, so well done, you clearly could fill a niche here that no one else has.
Posted by: tom at September 7, 2007 8:33 PM [#]
I've just finished reading through all your posts from the beginning. I really enjoy your writing and especially your humour. It was nifty, experiencing the changes you've made from the beginning. I'll definitely keep reading. I'm pretty sure I found you from Mamster's column on Serious Eats.
Posted by: Kate at September 7, 2007 10:04 PM [#]
Re. maria~ - well, that's just it... Robyn is every bit the celebrity that Adam is! Seriously, Ms R, you come to DC, I will hook you right up with the food, and you don't even need to blog about it.
Or would I be too nervous to eat?? Oh well, that's always possible, too...
Posted by: Emily D. at September 7, 2007 10:46 PM [#]
Garrett: When I have...
A MILLLLION DOLLAAARS!
I mean never. I mean maybe someday. -__-
Christina: I saw it today at the Borders at my local mall. And that was kind of exciting for some reason!
Tom: Thanks for the suggestion. :) That would be the ideal book...I've actually thought about it, what the cover would look like, how it would be laid out, and I think I need to take another trip to Paris for research. *COUGH HACK COUGH*
Kate: Thank you! My writing totally sucked in the beginning, so I hope reading it wasn't too painful.
Emily: No one should be nervous around me! Nevaaaahhh!! I'm the one who's scared of most people. [goes into a corner...hides...yeah]
Posted by: roboppy at September 8, 2007 1:17 AM [#]
Wow. Don't think i ever saw so much soy cheese on one web page...
Hey , you can cook a good omu-raisu? You're a better cook than I am!
Posted by: Mikey at September 8, 2007 10:03 AM [#]
I love the juxtaposition of going to a "professional" restaurant with The Amateur Gourmet!
Posted by: HomesickTexan at September 8, 2007 10:47 AM [#]
I love your blog. So interesting. The pix are so appreciative...I love food porn!! I like your writing style, and look forward to your adventures.
You know, I adore Ruth Reichl. She is a brillant writer. But I have to say, I used to work with her many years ago....she did a review segment on the TV channel I used to work for....and she is just wonderful. Working at TV stations, I meet a lot of divas, a lot of pretentious or annoying talents...but Ruth was simply wonderful, all the time. She was always pleasant...down to earth, easy to talk to, intelligent...So I don't think you would be too nervous talking to her, because she is just so nice you would not feel nervous-- she puts everyone at ease with her social skills....at least this was my experience!!!!!!
Posted by: chowsue at September 8, 2007 10:18 PM [#]
Mikey: I must admit it was unfinished omurice. ...I didn't make the omelette, I just made the fried rice with egg in it. IT'S IN THERE, KINDA! -__-
HomesickTexan: He's a professional eater! :)
chowsue: Thanks for reading! More adventures are a coming...unless I die in my sleep...
I'm glad to hear that I might not be vomitously nervous in Ruth's presence!
Posted by: roboppy at September 9, 2007 1:09 AM [#]
Hey, I ate a delicious, ginormous Asian meal with Adam too, back in the day when he was expected a virtual punchbowl and virtual karaoke.
Great post, Rob! It may just drag me downstairs from Natural Tofu...
Adam is so handsome!
I love the burning sensation too - makes me feel deliciously alive. sometimes feels like burning alive, but nevertheless quite thrilling.
Posted by: Steamy Kitchen at September 9, 2007 9:48 AM [#]
Ayun: I actually looked at that entry while writing mine to see what people write about when...eating out with authors!...or something. :D EATING THE TOFUS!
Steamy Kitchen: I think Adam was very happy to read your comment. :]
Yes, you know you're alive if you feel the burn! Otherwise your nerve endings ain't working.
Posted by: roboppy at September 10, 2007 3:14 AM [#]
Post a comment
I'll probably reply to your comment on this page. If you have something to ask me that's unrelated to this entry, please email me instead.
After you post a comment, please wait a while before checking if it has been posted. People frequently post the same comment twice by accident. I know that this has to do with the way my site sluggishly handles comments; Dreamhost probably put me on a pooptastic server. If you have any idea how to make MT speed things up, please let me know!
: This is the 
I just wanted to say that I really love your writing and your web site.
Thank you for the really vivid and mouthwatering descriptions... and for your enthusiasm.
Your fan.
Posted by: ingrid at September 7, 2007 4:35 AM [#]