Comments on: The Dinner Party Matrix

The Dinner Party Matrix

lalex — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:28:23 -0800

The Dinner Party Matrix from Mark Bittman. Drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts grouped by cuisine and ingredient.

By: lalex

lalex — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:33:38 -0800

By: pemberkins

pemberkins — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:10:47 -0800

Yum. Thanks!

By: oddman

oddman — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:00:54 -0800

Hmmm... the recipe for the Latin American pear dessert has oddly worded instructions. 2. Add pears; simmer over medium-low heat until tender, 10 to 20 minutes. 3. When the pears are cool, discard the poaching liquid. I assume he means for you to take the sauce pan off the heat when it's done simmering, and then let pears cool in the water before removing the pears and discarding the liquid. (This is what he says in the other recipes.)

By: munchingzombie

munchingzombie — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:02:57 -0800

Funny, in my world too Martinis account for 1/3 of all drinks.

By: Gilbert

Gilbert — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:19:34 -0800

As my wife and I say, "F'ing Bittman." (we don't actually say f'ing, but you get the point). How does this dude have something like 2,000 recipes under his belt when the people on Food Network are treading water to get barely an eighth of that put up?

By: sonic meat machine

sonic meat machine — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 12:05:17 -0800

Because Bittman actually cooks. Food Network markets.

By: Ralston McTodd

Ralston McTodd — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:47:24 -0800

A lot of Bittman's recipes aren't really what most people would consider recipes; they're more like "Cut up unspecified quantities of these vegetables; sprinkle with dill; serve." Of course, it's still impressive given that he spends most of his time as a food scold these days.

By: Ralston McTodd

Ralston McTodd — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:57:02 -0800

I am going to have to try one of the braised fish recipes, though.

By: IAmBroom

IAmBroom — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 15:27:20 -0800

Ralston McTodd, considering Paula Dean's recipe for peas with butter, or Rachel Ray's Late Night Bacon chef d'oeuvre, you must admit Bittman still comes off looking pretty talented by comparison.

By: snofoam

snofoam — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 15:34:29 -0800

It seems like much of the point to an exercise like this is to show people how they can be creative with basic recipes, making a substitution or two that gives the result a totally different twist. I like this about Bittman. He's just a regular guy who likes making food and isn't afraid to experiment a little. He wants to show you that you could be that guy, too.

By: Ralston McTodd

Ralston McTodd — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 16:45:09 -0800

I do think Bittman can be pretty good when he gets into a less minimalist mode; I particularly like his stuffed cabbage recipe.

By: xedrik

xedrik — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:42:09 -0800

Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Dinner Party Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.