en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/623201 Comments by Linda_S http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/a-chat-with-melissa-darabian/#IDComment31055441 thank you for your response to my comment. I am very distressed at the ugliness of some of the comments. I just won't do that. I like both Jeffrey and Melissa. I'm glad she won because I think she has more usable ideas and menus. My experience using Jeffrey's Harissa Steak sandwich indicates he is vey heavy handed with the spices and seasoning. I made it a second time with about 1/4 the amount he specified, and had a very spicy, flavorful sandwich. People will need to be cautious about using the amounts he specifies. That doesn't mean he is not good at what he does or that his ideas lack merit. It just means people need to be a bit cautious about the amounts of spices they use. Someone on another site commented that he must have a cast iron tongue. I think that may possibly be true. If you don't, you may be a bit overwhelmed when you make his recipes.unmodified. Linda Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:36 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/a-chat-with-melissa-darabian/#IDComment31055441 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/a-chat-with-melissa-darabian/#IDComment31027213 Do most of the people here shop on a per/meal basis? Do you not have basics like carrots, onion, celery in the fridge; some simple herbs and spices on the shelf? Do you toss the leftover veggies in the bag? The rest of the jar of cinnamon, or cumin after you make one recipe? Have you never heard of buying extras of the commonly used canned goods when there is a sale or you have coupons? If you do shop one meal at a time and don't keep basics on hand or keep the extra flour, sugar, spices.... then I can see your complaints about Melissa's meal plan costs. I just made my list of things I need to shop and costed out the items I need to get for this week's show recipes and it will be less than $5. Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:44:30 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/a-chat-with-melissa-darabian/#IDComment31027213 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/a-chat-with-melissa-darabian/#IDComment31026559 I watched Melissa's second show and have the following comments, particularly in regard to the cost issues. I would have to shop for the ground beef because I used what i had in the freezer for a meal earlier in the week. but the amount she used would not be very expensive. I also need carrots since I used mine in a miripoix for my stew and a carrot slaw. I have enough couscous leftover from a previous meal, need to get dates because I am currently out.I have the tomatoes in the cupboard, the spices she used and I always keep a few onions in my crisper. The per portion cost is fair because most people keep basics on hand. My shopping trip would be well under $10 for the specific ingredients I need. to add I thought she delivered a menu with different twists on some otherwise 'usual' dishes. I'm going to try them and I expect them to be quite tasty. Linda Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:31:28 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/a-chat-with-melissa-darabian/#IDComment31026559 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment30862337 That is an inappropriate comment. Is there some reason you need to be ugly to people who like Melissa? I am very disappointed in the maturity level of some of the people who come here to comment.z\\ I like Melissa and her food. I've been cooking since I was a very tiny child. and I still find interesting things in her show. I think a lot of you made up your minds you wanted to sink her because your favorite didn't win.. I don't like the winner from last year but there are many who do. SO he has a successful show and good for him. I hope he stays on FN.I just watch something else when he is on. I wish some of you could offer Melissa the same sufferance. Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:26:49 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment30862337 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment30544357 I found someone who taped the show and was willing to share. My power went off just before the show aired. I thought I'f missed out! Excellent potato-bacon tarte. Delicous, easy and inexpensive, just as she said. Great tip on cutting the bacon. I'm looking forward to the culinary travelogue to Morocco. Who said Jeffrey has a monopoly on that. Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:41:02 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment30544357 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/bobs-blog/2009/08/02/parting-glances/#IDComment30115206 Mari I agree. Good cooking shows in prime time. But I suspect that they are trying to not buck the shows the majors put on at those timesl I guess I sort of understandmm but not hreally. I love all the shows you mentioned. Rachael Ray among them. She is a genuinely nice person and doesn't deserve the ugly comments she has been getting. I've used many of her recipes and find them quick, satisfying and truly delicious. Sun, 9 Aug 2009 05:26:13 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/bobs-blog/2009/08/02/parting-glances/#IDComment30115206 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/bobs-blog/2009/08/02/parting-glances/#IDComment30114716 My son prepared sandwiches based on the Harissa steak sandwich recipe jeffrey posted on hs blog site. We both agreed that Melissa's chicken was much tastier. The Harissa overwhelmed the steak even though we used less than Jeffrey specified. A dressing or condiment should enhance, not dominate the main ingredient, especially something as high end as strip steak. Even a non professional (my son and myself) knows that. So much for the trained professional over the 'mommy; Sun, 9 Aug 2009 05:18:40 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/bobs-blog/2009/08/02/parting-glances/#IDComment30114716 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/bobs-blog/2009/08/02/parting-glances/#IDComment30112898 I don't know any 'moms' who just want to put 'grub' on the table. Most I know want to prepare excellent meals that will satisfy their families and allow them to feel that they have prepared something fine, Don't knock that Betty Crocker cook book. There is a lot of good information contained in it. You want to watch trained professionals. I suppose you are one who thinks only people with degrees from a culinary school can cook. Well, friend, don't look now, but Mario Batali never graduated from any culinary school and he is one of the best and most beloved of the top chefs. And he IS a chef. Melissa may not have a degree in culinary arts but she has savvy, a good sense of what goes together, good organization and knows the technical aspects of cooking just as well as Jeffrey. Linda Sun, 9 Aug 2009 04:52:00 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/bobs-blog/2009/08/02/parting-glances/#IDComment30112898 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/bobs-blog/2009/08/02/parting-glances/#IDComment30016370 But he didn't. He expected to win, But he didn't. I really enjoyed him most of the time, but he had a few lapses also. He had two disasterous dishes, including the risotto which is a basic of classic Italian cuisine and shouldn't have been attempted in that setting. He should have known that.. Then, despite the great sandwich he prepared in his pilot, he fidgeted and swayed from side to side to the point where I found it distracting and my husband, usually a calm and quiet person, shouted at the TV "STAND STILL FOR HEAVENS SAKE!". Melissa came off calm, collected and completely organized. And she was again full of those neat tidbits that characterize her work. I love ti. I'm glad she won.She worked so hard to improve and grow throughout the competition that you had to hope she could carry it off. I also liked the way she accpeted criticism and incorporated it into her approach. I hope we see Jeffrey in a FN program soon; I think that they are working on it. Linda Sat, 8 Aug 2009 05:01:01 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/bobs-blog/2009/08/02/parting-glances/#IDComment30016370 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/07/susies-answers-episode-8/#IDComment29955412 Susie Thanks for the comments on the finale and for answering our questions week after week, even in the face of some of the rudeness. I liked both finalists but preferred Melissa and I am very glad she won. It makes me sad that some of the folks who are passionate about their favorite can't be civil to the winner. She was so gracious to Jeffrey even when it was obvious she thought he was the winner, you would think his fans could offer her at least courtesy. Again, thank you for two winners at the end. I have already tried some of Melissa's recipes and followed her tips with great results and I am far from an inexperienced cook. I am looking forward to her show and will be watching or taping every episode. I hope you do get Jeffrey into a show. He had some great dishes and an interesting POV. Linda S in SC Fri, 7 Aug 2009 16:45:56 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/07/susies-answers-episode-8/#IDComment29955412 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/bobs-blog/2009/08/02/parting-glances/#IDComment29866748 Bob, the Melissa hater have had a field day and that's too bad. She is an excellent cook and has some great tips and tricks to share. She took your criticism well and learned from it. No excuses, just "I need to learn from that". Good for her. I liked her from the start. I thought her 'hyperactivity was primarily a matter of being nervous in a stressfful setting. I don't think a lot of her critics could have done as well. THANKS for bringing her to our homes. I have already learned a lot from her and I am no amateur.. every good cook learns from other good cooks and Melissa is one i will enjoy. Linda PS: have any of the critics noted the great courtesy competing chefs offer one another in some of their contests on another network? Some of the NFNS contestants could learn from them. Linda S Fri, 7 Aug 2009 04:55:37 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/bobs-blog/2009/08/02/parting-glances/#IDComment29866748 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/07/ask-susie-finale/#IDComment29428280 Is this where we ask Susie? SInce the format changed I can't find where the questions are to be posed for her? I really want to know why they stuck her with the Dinner for $10 format. Her Kitchen Survival guide was much more intriguing and gives her much more latitude for her obvious creativity. I hope you will let her revert to that when the first season is done. I hope it doesn't stifle her so much that the show is not a success. She deserves better than that Tue, 4 Aug 2009 15:46:44 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/07/ask-susie-finale/#IDComment29428280 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/07/ask-susie-finale/#IDComment29390640 Maybe all the mommies you know are expert budgeters and expert cooks. But I know more that a few who could benefit from just watching her pilot, let alone a whole series. I also know a few expert cooks who never thought of that potato gratin recipe, (which I have tried, BTW and found to be absolutely delicious) or who never thought to shake the food in a plastic bag instead of in a dish.. One of them commented to me that she was having a hard time thinking she was dumb enough to have missed it. I loved the fact that she uses that one to let her kids help with the cooking. What a delight. Tue, 4 Aug 2009 06:12:27 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/07/ask-susie-finale/#IDComment29390640 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/07/ask-susie-finale/#IDComment29388752 I like Melissa.Have from the start. I'm glad she won, but hope Jeffrey will get a show as well. He has some interesting things to share. I'm deeply saddened to see the hateful angry posts from people who didn't get their favorite, but FN has been a success for a reason. So I'm betting that Melissa will be a success. I would have preferred her pilot concept but I'm willing to bet she will get it into the show they have set up for her. She has a way of getting it done. I loved how she took constructive criticism and used it to develop and grow during the competition. That was impressive and it pleases me to see it rewarded I hear the people who don't want a bunch of $10 chicken dinners.I don't think that 's what you will be getting. I understand she has shrimp on the menu in one episode. I LOVE shrimp. I will be fascinated to learn how she does a shrimp dish for that price. Tue, 4 Aug 2009 05:46:39 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/07/ask-susie-finale/#IDComment29388752