in cooking you've got to have a what-the-hell attitude

this is a terrible photo of the hosts

The Dish podcast (by Waitrose) is my only regular podcast, and I prefer the video version. Hosted by chef Angela Hartnett, along with Nick Grimshaw, it is a series of lighthearted interviews with famous people, conducted while they eat a terrific meal. Toward the end, Nick and Ange ask a series of "rapid-fire" questions. What follows are those questions, adapted to American culture and customs. 

    My favorite episodes (so far): Matthew Macfadyen, Gordon Ramsey (!), and Sandi Toksvig.

 

What is your favorite sandwich filling? 

    crunchy peanut butter with low-sugar strawberry jam

What is your favorite way to eat eggs?

    scrambled hard

What is your favorite herb?

    dill

that's better!

What are your favorite chips?

    sour cream & onion ripples

What is your favorite festive snack?

     Chex mix. The kind without rye chips (feh) and with more Worcestershire sauce, please.

What is your favorite Christmas dessert?

     sugar cookies (preferably with a hint of almond flavor), topped with hard icing

Pannetone or Christmas pudding?

    either of these would make me gag. I'm not fond of candied fruit, nor of 'dense' desserts. How about a nice apple coffee cake or danish ring?  

bacon'ed piggies

Sprouts or parsnips?

     again, this is too British for me. Green beans with a little bacon, please.

Stuffing or pigs in blanket?

     piggies! I also like the bacon-wrapped version, or barbecue-sauced and simmering.

What is your favorite pasta?

     gemelli done simply, like this

What is your favorite fruit?

    fresh peaches

What is your favorite roast meat?

    beef

What is the perfect fried breakfast?

    bacon, one small part-corn pancake, pork sausage, hard-scrambled egg, one piece of raisin French toast, and a piece of ham. All with a shot of orange juice and a pot of very hot tea. Mmm

What are your 15 store cupboard heroes - essentials in the cupboard 

    • diced tomatoes

    • cream of chicken soup (low-sodium)

    • Watkins clear vanilla

    • tomato-basil soup

    • tuna in water

    • lemon pudding mix

    • pizza sauce in a jar

    • Dream Whip

    • frozen peas

    • Adobo with pepper

    • crunchy peanut butter (preferably Skippy Super Chunk)

    • canned mandarin oranges

    • Knorr chicken sides (rice or pasta)

    • sliced water chestnuts

    • milk chocolate chips

What is your favorite bean?

    garbanzo

What is your favorite form of potato?

     crispy thick or curly French fries, extra well-seasoned

What is your favorite kitchen utensil?

    silicone spatulas. I have 3, and at least one is in every batch of dishes I wash.

What is your favorite nut?

    cashews, by a mile

 

 [the title quotation is from Julia Child]