Cooking Archives - Survival Punk

Episode 79 How To Cook Better

November 25, 2015November 25, 2015 James Burnette 323 Comments

How to cook better

How to cook better is the main topic of the week. First though I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. If you are listening to this I am very grateful for you.

In this episode Mike and I give our knowledge on how to cook better. Though neither of us are professional chefs we are both accomplished home cooks. We share with you some of the techniques that allow us to make great food.

We talk about cooking on the right temperature. Do not get a skillet scorching hot for eggs. Some food taste much better when cooked at lower temperatures. The opposite is true with a good steak. Having the skillet blazing hot to ensure a proper sear is best.

We talk about how using acid ( Not the fun kind, sorry) can improve flavors. Using an acid, like vinegar or lemon juice when cooking does a lot to make flavors pop. I always splash any vegetables I’m cooking with some vinegar. You will begin to notice when a dish could have used acid in the future. Also watching Food Network competition shows will make more sense now.

Once again Mike shares his way of cooking a turkey. I will admit that Mike makes the best turkey. Sorry Momma. His turkeys are always so moist and flavorful. No need to drown you turkey in gravy.

We cover many more ways to improve your cooking.

Osso “Buko” Kinda

December 7, 2012December 7, 2012 James Burnette 345 Comments

One of the recipes in Four Hour Chef was Osso “Buko”. Which the version in the book is braised lamb shanks. The recipe is super simple and supposed to be amazingly delicious. I decided to give it a try and of course document it for all of you. If you want to recipe as it is in the book pick it up since I take a few liberties. Now lets get cooking!

Four Hour Chef by Tim Ferriss: Not your grannies cook book

December 3, 2012December 4, 2012 James Burnette 203 Comments

I’ve been following Tim’s work for a few years now and was very excited for his new book Four Hour Chef. Tim has an amazing ability to learn new skills and simplify them for others. Although I do love cooking what excited me most about his new book was the break down of his learning methods. Before he shows you how to make some amazing food he shows you how to quickly learn any skill. Combine meta learning, cooking, a huge section on survival and hilarious life stories and you have me. Let me share some thoughts with you my thoughts on why you should grab this book.

Cooking! From Cereal to Mad Scientist of the Spatula

November 29, 2012November 29, 2012 James Burnette 1,182 Comments

I’ve been a cooking enthusiast for over ten years at this point. I love cooking and can hardly remember my first bachelor pad filled with cereal. Yuck! After getting and beginning to read Tim Ferris’ new book the Four Hour Chef I’ve been more excited than usual. I dawned on me that being able to cook delicious food and do it effortlessly and quickly, are not a common thing. Most people suck at cooking. They try a few things and when they turn out bad get put off of cooking. While this post will not be lead you to becoming a four hour chef you will learn some of the insights that make my food great.

Bread the Final Paleo Frontier

August 23, 2012August 23, 2012 James Burnette 1,276 Comments

What about bread?! I get this question a lot. People can’t seem to fathom that I don’t eat bread or any bread like creation. I try to stick to simple meal from simple ingredients with a focus on whole foods. So the elaborate ordeal of baking does not really appeal to me. I am not big on measuring and following recipes. I prefer to make things up as I go. My only real guilty pleasure being the Paleo biscuits and gravy From the Paleo Comfort Foods Book. I’m southern and need my occasional (once every few months) biscuits and gravy. That being said my buddy Mike from Skills and Gear asked me if I knew about the new Paleo Bread from Julian bakery and if I knew how to make some paleo friendly bread. Today I’m going to show you how to make paleo bread at home.