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Simple Joyful Food

Eat happily

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Binge watch the Chef’s Table series on Netflix. It’s awesome.

June 19, 2015 Leave a Comment
Screen capture of Francis Mallman, Patagona on Chef’s Table

 

It’s been raining here in Northwest Arkansas. Tons.

Torrential tons.

I love it. It energizes me.

For many, rains that seems to never cease brings a melancholy or, at the very least, the overwhelming desire to curl up with a blanket and read a good book or watch a movie. Are you in that camp? In today’s world we no longer have to wait for our weekly episodes of our favorite television shows or brave the elements to head to the movie theater. Nor do we have to settle for whatever the broadcast stations determine that we want to watch. Yes, nowadays we get to choose. And the choices available to us are torrential.

Do you subscribe to Netflix?

Recently they posted a Netflix Original documentary (kinda) called Chef’s Table. I say “kinda” because this series feels more than a documentary to me. It feels like a masterpiece of beautiful cinematography mixed with interesting characters that opens up the mind to the wonderment of innovators in the world of cuisine.  That last sentence was a mouthful to me. Essentially, I think this series is stunning and blew my mind with the beauty and the stories.

 

To be honest, this show owned me at Vivaldi.

The opening score alone that highlights all six internationally renowned chefs in the series are punctuated by one of my favorite scores from Vivaldi’s four seasons. It’s emmy-worthy in my opinion and perfectly introduces the show. In a nutshell, all of your senses are engaged and I really think you will love Chef’s Table. This series is about the chef’s story, their environment, and not so much about the food other than the food is everything. It’s hard to explain, as I have never seen anything like it before.

Here’s a quick overview of the six chefs highlighted in the series. Once you watch them, tell me your favorite.

Francis Mallman, Patagonia

Watch this one first and when you are finished with the others, come back and watch it again. This chef is eccentric and you will find yourself drawn to every second. His island home in Patagonia takes over an hour dirt-road ride and then another hour boat ride. Yet somehow the little island is overflowing with rich food abundance and high quality surroundings. The chef is obsessed with fire and every nook and cranny you will find him firing up a fire and cooking something delightful.

Screen capture of Francis Mallman fire roasting a fish on a boat… that is docked… because, why not?

Massimo Bottura, Italy

While Francis Mallmanis is my favorite episode to watch for the fascination factor, Massimo Bottura is my favorite chef in the series. His infectious enthusiasm is refreshing and he is someone I could just see myself having dinner with along with his wife. A lovely, lovely episode.

Ben Shewry, New Zealand

A quiet man and driven. The scenery is stunning.

Dan Barber, NYC

His NYC restaurant, Blue Hill, has often been on my list of places to eat while visiting the city yet one that keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the list. Now that I feel I know him, that will change.

Magnus Nilsson, Sweden

This one was just okay to me.  Not sure I would want to have dinner with him, ha.

Niki Nakayama, Los Angeles

The lone female chef in the series. The storyline felt a little off for me on this one because it talked about how she was breaking barriers in her cuisine genre but I didn’t really get it.

Wrap it all up with a trek back to Francis Mallmann and your binge watching adventure is complete.

If you don’t have Netflix, I found that the youtube trailer rolls right into the Massimo Bottura episode. Enjoy and tell me what you think!

Eat well, my friend. Eat well.
Lyndi

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hello + welcome

author image of thejoyofeatingwell blogWell hello! Thanks for stopping by. I’m Lyndi Fultz and I have a passion for simplicity.

I believe that planning, prepping, and cooking meals can be a joy and not a daily dreaded chore.

Want to start eating happily? Join me as I encourage kitchen joy by focusing on simplicity.

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simplejoyfulfood

Encourager of eating happily @simplejoyfulfood // local eats @nwafoodie

Lyndi Fultz
I don't really have a sweet tooth yet I always hav I don't really have a sweet tooth yet I always have a "little something" in the pantry to satisfy the little bit of sweet tooth that I have! After a zillion years of blogging, I can count on one hand the number of desserts that I've blogged about. So, when I do create a recipe and actually post it, I'm like, "Look at me, I'm a baker now!" hahaha Actually, it's not all about baking. For example, I just posted a recipe for Instant Pot creme brulee with a touch of lemon. Link in bio, of course! The ingredients are super simple and the pressure cooker makes it super fast and easy. Best of all? It is #lowcarb and #keto!
I don't know about you, but man I love a good sala I don't know about you, but man I love a good salad. The best thing about this salad (okay, besides the taste) is that the ingredients are sooooo easy to make ahead of time. That means you can dinner prep and toss this salad together at the last moment. As all good salad should do.⁠
The stars of this healthy salad are the hearty veggies: sweet potatoes and radishes. You’re going to roast them first. That’s right, roast!
A healthy salad is wholesome. Substantial. Strong A healthy salad is wholesome. Substantial. Strong enough to sail on its own, yet perfectly willing to tag along with the main course. In fact, I think you’ll love serving this salad whenever you may have someone at the dinner table that is drawn to more-veggies and less-meat.⁠
⁠
It’s pretty isn’t it?
Savoring.⁠ Not rushed. ⁠ Not complicated. ⁠ Savoring.⁠
Not rushed. ⁠
Not complicated. ⁠
Special. ⁠
Eating happily is in the moments of a meal.⁠
⁠
Do I do this with every meal moment? I don't, yet I'm trying. And, when I do... it IS really special. Not special like, oooo look at this perfectly grilled filet with candles and fresh flowers. Instead, it's more like, hey - look at this moment we're enjoying  together or alone. It's about savoring, keeping it simple, and really focusing on the moment.⁠
⁠
I recently traveled and someone commented that they could never have me over because they would be embarrassed to cook for me because they don’t cook fancy. That made me sad and I was quick to say how much I focus on the simple things, the simple foods. The ones that aren't fancy! Honestly, mostly my food may look complicated but that's just styling. If you look at my pictures on my IG profile - or recipes on my blog - they're simple. Simple ingredients. Pecans. Beans. Fish. Martinis. :)⁠
⁠
If you ever need encouragement that you're on the right track by slowing down to savor, I'm here for you.
Oh hi! Want to know what makes me cheerful?⁠ ⁠ Oh hi! Want to know what makes me cheerful?⁠
⁠
A well-stocked pantry, that's what.⁠
⁠
I find that keeping a lean and purposeful pantry makes me breathe easier AND - ironically - makes me more creative in the kitchen. Have you ever felt that way?⁠
⁠
I am curious to know what are the top ingredients that you like to keep stocked in your pantry. 
⁠
I'll start:⁠
⁠
1) nuts for snacks⁠
2) canned diced tomatoes (for soup)⁠
3) small yellow potatoes⁠
4) spices⁠
5) pre-made sauces (for last minute assistance)⁠
⁠
Your turn!
Oh, hi!⁠ Are you striving to eat healthy and wan Oh, hi!⁠
Are you striving to eat healthy and wanting more veggies in your life? Maybe you keep saying, "I should eat more fish, or barley, or whatever." 

I'm curious, what ARE you saying you should eat more of?⁠
⁠
I'll start: 
I want to eat more fish.⁠

How I'll accomplish this habit goal: 
Buy the fish. Cook the fish.⁠
⁠
There, simple.⁠
Your turn.
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lyndi@thejoyofeatingwell.com

inspiration

“Just like becoming an expert in wine–you learn by drinking it, the best you can afford–you learn about great food by finding the best there is, whether simply or luxurious. Then you savor it, analyze it, and discuss it with your companions, and you compare it with other experiences.” – Julia Child

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