First, I would like to thank all the men and women who have served and are currently serving in the military. Without you, this great country of ours would not be what it is today. I would especially like to salute my dad who served in the Korean War and my Uncle Nick who is no long with us but served three tours in Viet Nam.

Pre Memorial Day Festivities

These photos are from Friday night at our friend Barbecue Bob and Bert’s home. Bob is a wonderful home cook who loves to fire up his smoker. This photos are typically of what many of you may be cooking today so I wanted to share them with you.

I wish you all a happy and safe 2011 Memorial Day. - RG

My wife and daughter prepared these deviled eggs. They went like candy. They always do!

Here’s my buddy Barbecue Bob. Great with joke, better with a piece of pork in his hands.

Barbecue Bob slicing up a rack of spareribs

A plate of spareribs reading for serving.

A plate of Bob’s Barbecue Chicken

Bert’s, Barbecue Bob’s wife, Famous Fancy Cole Slaw

Paula’s Grilled Vegetables

Barbecue Bob’s Son - Alex plating some food. Looks like he loves those deviled eggs too!

A good looking plate of ribs, chicken and coleslaw. That will make my day but wait…
What’s for dessert?

A party at Barbecue Bobs would not be a party without one of Geoff’s incredible desserts. This year he made an outstanding key lime pie - my favorite.

These photos were taken with my iPhone so they may be a little out of focus but you get the point.

1 Edamame - $4.95
4 pcs Water Eel - $11.oo
2 pcs Tuna - 6.00
2 pcs Yellow Tail - $6.00
1 pcs Tobiko Red - $3.00
1 California Roll - $5.50
1 Dragon Roll - $10.50

Watching my daughter eat sushi - PRICELESS

Daddy Daughter Date

Last night my wife and oldest daughter went to the Phillies game against the Colorado Rockies. (Phillies won 2-1, yeah) I had the pleasure of taking my 11 year old out for some sushi. My girls as you can imagine have been introduced to a variety of foods but I am always surprised when I see them eat sushi. My oldest loves the salmon eggs, my youngest fresh water eel.

I remember last year in Park City when my oldest daughter Nell ordered a piece of salmon eggs sushi and using her chop sticks, ate each tiny egg individually. I just watched her in her delight.

What also amazes me when I take the girls out for dinner is how grown up they act. At home, there is often a little whining about the meal, “Daddy, I don’t like this” or “Why are you making me try this?”

When out in a restaurant, stick it in front of them and it’s gone. Last night I thought I ordered a few too many pieces of sushi but we ate every one. I would pick a piece of California Roll and Maddie would grab one too. I choose a water eel sushi, Maddie did the same. I drank a little hot saki, Maddie did not.

My Daughter’s Movie Cost of a Soul Opens Tomorrow

A scene from the movie Cost of a Soul with Maddie Morris Jones, Chris Kerson and Judy Jerome

Photo by Cast Shadow Productions, LLC – © 2011 Cast Shadow Productions, LLC. All rights reserved

On a side note, my daughter Maddie was in a movie called Cost of a Soul that opens tomorrow at 50 AMC theaters around the country. This is truly remarkable because Cost of A Soul is a very, very low budget independent film written and directed by Sean Kirkpatrick, a rising star in the film industry.

The story takes place here in Philadelphia about two veterans who were “returning home from war to discover the home front is nearly as grimy as what they left behind.”  It is a tough, realistic movie about life in the streets of some very tough neighborhoods in Philadelphia and Sean examines how destructive gun violence can be on these two families.

My daughter Maddie’s character is Hope, whose movie dad is one of these soldiers returning home who doesn’t know his daughter has Cerebral Palsy.  Maddie does have CP and limited acting experience but Sean wanted the authenticity of a child actor with a disability. He took a chance with Maddie but I think he’s thrilled he did. She is very believable in the film.

This is not a typical feel good Hollywood movie. In fact, most people are a little down after seeing it because of the reality of the situation. We didn’t even let Maddie see the movie at its Philadelphia premier. Yet it received rave reviews for its direction, cinematography and incredible acting.

So to support the movie and my daughter, I wanted to let everyone know it is opening around the country tomorrow and where to learn more about it and see the trailer that includes some scenes with Maddie. Go to Cost of a Soul

Maddie on the Red Carpet at the Philadelphia premier

Back in 1997, over 14 years ago, I created The Reluctant Gourmet website as a way to teach myself how to cook. I was newly married, enjoyed good food and wanted to learn how to make it myself.  I had to eat so why not learn to cook and eat well!

I was fortunate at the time to know some very good home cooks who were willing to teach me a few tricks in the kitchen but I also depended on cookbooks and cooking magazines. The problem was, they were written assuming you knew the language of cooking, which I didn’t, and that was the reason for The Reluctant Gourmet.

I figured I could find an interesting recipe, research the technique needed to produce it, translate it into an everyday language I could understand and then post it on my website to share with other novice home cooks. It was also a great place for me to keep my favorite recipes.

Now 14 years later, I’m still learning new techniques and recipes and still posting them on my web site along with The Reluctant Gourmet Cooking Blog, Facebook and Twitter.  The site has come a long way and I appreciate all the support I’ve received from you over the years.

What Do You Want Me To Write About?

I am an inquisitive kind of guy and I don’t think I’ll run out of topics to write about anytime soon but I thought this would be a great time to ask, “What would you like me to write about?”

• Is there a particular recipe you want to learn how to make?
• Is there a cooking technique you need help with?
• What frustrates you about cooking for your family everyday, week after week?
• Do you have any fears in the kitchen I can address?

Of course I don’t have all the answers, nor can I guarantee I’ll be able to answer every question but I will do my best.  If I can’t answer a question or find one by doing a little research, I have plenty of chef friends willing to help. Plus, there are other home cooks and professionals who visit and might be able to shed some light on your question.

So here’s your opportunity to have some input into what I’ll be writing about in upcoming posts and on my web site. I look forward to your suggestions, questions, and comments.

RG