The 4-Hour CHEF

[Rob]

I took the liberty to buy the book The 4-Hour Chef by Timothy Ferriss, and got started. I cooked the first meal today, and it was fucking fantastic. I used a technique called braising (which is slow cooking meat in an iron dutch oven. Okay, I was supposed to use an iron dutch oven, but I realized I didn't have one after the fact that I bought the lamb shanks and was ready to prepare them when FUCK! wtf is a dutch oven? Oh yeah. SO, I used a iron skillet instead and covered it with another iron skillet while brazing the lamb in the oven. 2 hours later and it's ready. So tasty!   Anyway, such a good book. I highly recommend. I prepared a dish called osso "buko." The ingredients called for 4 lamb shanks, a bunch of carrots, canned whole tomatoes, salt and pepper, extra virgin olive oil, garlic powder, and white wine. Here's the pic I took of it:

Happy cooking! 

[Rob]

I just got a new knife, which I'm really happy with (recommended in the book): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005MEGX/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00



Here's the list of supplies I'm getting as I type this (only the Basics): http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/the-4-hour-chef-top-gear-domestic/

[Rob]

Harissa Crab Cakes
Total Prep Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients: Egg White, Harissa Sauce, Crab Meat, Scallions, Pepper, Lime

Yum! 

[Rob]

A mashed potato substitute ... cauliflower. "Consume fake carbs that look and feel like real carbs."

Ingredients: Cauliflower, Cashews, Unsweetened Coconut Milk, Salt, Curry Powder, and Ground Cinnamon (to taste)

Total Time: 35 minutes

[Rob]

Bittman Chinese Chicken with Bok Choy

Ingredients: Tamari, grated ginger, grapeseed oil, scallions, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, baby bok choy, salt, lemon juice

Total Time: 15 minutes

I steamed the hell outta that chicken ... the only thing I did wrong was I steamed it too long and I did not hold the sauce overnight for best results, rather, I made it on the spot. Couldn't find baby bok choy where I was shopping, so I substituted with regular bok choy, cutting it in half instead.  My presentation ain't as good as in the book, but it will get better with practice.



 

[Rob]

Eggocado!

A simple breakfast meal that takes about 5 minutes to prep, and 16-18 minutes to cook on 425 F. An egg ... wait for it! ... in an avocado.

[Rob]

Arugula, Avocado, and Roma Salad

Ingredients: Baby Arugula, Roma tomatoes, Salt and Pepper, Balsamic vinegar, Extra virgin olive oil, and avocado.

Total Time: 10 minutes

[Rob]

Union Square Zucchini

Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients: 4 small zucchinis, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, chile flakes, ghee, lemon juice, and S&P.