W.T.191.36

A few Sundays ago we took a small family outing to the movies. I cannot even remember the name of the movie (it was a chick flick and pretty good). My son Ian had driven in his own car and afterwards we arranged to meet for dinner.

Within 3 minutes of getting into my car the phone rang, and it was Ian saying those dreaded words, “I can’t find my car!” Do you remember where you parked it?" I asked. "Of course" he replied, You would have to know Ian to understand that he did know exactly where he had parked the car.

The answer came when I read the sign (there were about a dozen displayed) saying " NO PARKING ALL UNAUTHORISED CARS WILL BE TOWED AWAY. CALL JAL at 281&%^&* for information"

4 hours later and a number of trips trying to find the place, getting his identity from home, and the cash (they only take cash) we got the car. $191.36 was the exact amount Amazing, Astonishing, Disgusting..... if you ask me

It is not right! they almost have a license to steal. They may be authorized by the city but that amount does not reconcile….

I am not going to fight what I believe is a poorly managed program, however I wonder if the strip center owners are aware what it costs their customers (I was one) to get their car back?” “The penalty does not equal the crime?” Let me add the wrecker acted like a vulture as he waited to spot cars illegaly parked in that lot.

THANKS to W.T.191.36 (Wrecker Truck costing$191.36) we had an incredible time together responding to this SANDPAPER MOMENT.

My brother Tony was with us, and I can assure you while the 191.36 stung the empty bottle moment we had together was priceless.Laughing and responding(@#$%^)$%^&*) to the moment.

I have learnt there are other ways to respond to life’s tough moments…

What I really wanted to do was find the wrecker driver and throw him against the ceiling.....but I could not find him.

BIG DEAL!

This week my mom called me 5 times. You may say “BIG DEAL “ well that is correct It is a BIG DEAL to ME!

We live 3000 miles away and I am her oldest 50 year old son…. and it was an extra BIG DEAL when she called me last Saturday and started criticizing the way I had written recipes.

I had sent her the recipes for my upcoming book “Cooking with Clive” to review and edit.
This was the first time in 50 years I had welcomed her criticism. It was an empty bottle moment and one I had not anticipated.
5 empty bottle moments with mom this week. ........

Yes! just talking to mom is an empty bottle moment for me…

There is nothing better than to connect with the ones you love…”THEY ARE BIG DEALS!!

Thanks for sharing your time and talent with me mom, you are my favorite Sous Chef

All you need is love...well that too and 3 tools!

Can you really make it in the kitchen with just three tools? Well, it's a start, and in this cooking lesson I show you the three tools that will make your cooking life a whole lot easier.

The Green Pepper

Demo of the first video in my new cooking series.

Each video will be only a few minutes long.

The idea is that you will be able to quickly learn a new cooking tip in an entertaining format, designed to make it easy and fun for you to pick up.

A new tip will be posted weekly so that within a few months you will have learned a variety of new cooking skills that when combined will take your cooking to a new level.

Match the Photo Contest

WIN A CATERED DINNER FOR TWENTY!
play match the photo contest

GUARANTEED WINNER
Deadline May 1st

Contest Details

Select 20 pictures from the following gallery of photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/24297691@N08/.

The person who matches the most photos used in the upcoming cook book, "Cooking with Clive", as chosen by our publishing team, will win dinner for 20 at their home. Over 80 photos will be included in the book.

The ten runner ups will each receive a first printing, signed edition of "Cooking with Clive".

The Dinner will be prepared by, Chef and Author, Clive Berkman. Dinner includes full service staff.

We will travel anywhere in The Continental USA to serve dinner to you and your friends and family.

The winner will also receive photographs of the event by Photographer David Collins. Your memories presented on a disk.

The Menu will be 7 courses & customized to your taste. Beverages not included.

The value of the dinner and photo shoot is $4000.

Send your 20 selections (by number) by email to clive@recipes4life.org & make sure to include the subject line: Contest

RULES:

*Use the numbers on each picture when submitting choices. Only 20 choices.
*Only one vote per person.
*Closing date midnight CST June 15th 2008
*If there is a tie the entrant with the most picture space in the book will win.
*If there is a still a tie, we will just draw it out of the chef's hat.
*Judges decision will be final on all entries and selections.
*Judges will not look at entry selections until after the book is given to printer.
*No purchase necessary to win.

New York in 3 days... plus some baby back ribs

From Rye to New City The Bronx to Manhattan and places in between. Eating taking photographs and hanging out with family the week was an incredible blurr but an INcredible time.

We went on this 3 day trip to shoot for the book. We did get some amazing shots, and experienced sights sounds and tastes. I love the Italian and Chinese food in New York....... Try this Szechwan recipe for baby back ribs

New York certainly stands as a city of its own. There is no other in the world like New York. Think about it in these terms: Distinct and Designated cultural centers . Little Italy, China Town, Harlem, Upper West Side, SoHo, The Village, Broadway, Grand Central Station, Battery Park, Wall Street.....just to name a few. Each one offering tastes and sights of there own. I find it best to experience each one for about 2-3 hours and then move on.......This trip included a few new ones: Fulton Seafood market, Chelsea Market with some amazing small eateries and the Union Square market open on Tuesdays.....

Also had coffee and dessert at The Russian Tea room........"a treat even at $40"

Szechwan Baby Back Ribs
3 Slabs Baby Back Ribs, cut in ½
2 c Hoisin Sauce
2 tbsp Garlic, minced
2 tbsp Ginger, minced
2 tbsp Chinese Chili Paste
½ c Honey

1. Pre-heat oven to 450F. In a medium-large bowl combine all ingredients, mix well and then refrigerate.
2. In a very large stockpot of boiling water, place the ribs and cook on a slow rolling boil for about 1½ hours or until tender. Remove from heat and let stand for about 10 minutes until warm but not hot.
3. Evenly spread sauce on both sides of the ribs. In the 450F oven place the marinated ribs on a large cookie sheet with cookie rack. Cook for no more than 10 to 15 minutes until the ribs are shiny and the marinade has been baked into the meat.
4. Remove the ribs and let them cool, cut into individual pieces. Take what is let of the marinade and brush onto the unmarinated sides of the rib. Finish ribs by cooking on an outdoor grill.
5. Turn them evenly on the grill until crispy brown on all sides.

6. Allow to rest for 5 minutes cut and start licking your fingers...

What kind of book is it?

Last night I ate dinner in my new favorite Chinese Restaurant Gigi's. From the Hunan on Post Oak famed restaurant. Gigi has put together a wonderful eclectic restaurant in the heart of the Galleria. You almost feel as if you are in another world another place.....Awesome!
The food is fantastic also try the dried beef appetizer, Lettuce wraps with more flavor than a bowl of mixed spices and the sea bass cooked perfectly with a great Chinese finish to the sauce.

While i was there I ran into some old friends and was asked "Is your book a spiritual book?"

The answer is "I believe everything in creation is rooted in the Creator.....but what about the book? is it a cookbook? a spiritual book? a story book? a philosophy book? Here is the answer...

Cooking with Clive
Creating “empty bottle moments” with those you love
This book, I SHARE insights from My life and career in the restaurant business to help us create empty bottle memories with those we love (or are supposed to)
Even today, people ask me, ‘What’s a nice Jewish boy like you still doing in the kitchen?’ I tell them that in a sense, we’re all in the kitchen because it’s a symbol of life, full of joy and spills, glorious successes and burnt dishes, tender moments with and unnerving chaos. The place where masterpieces are created also produces stuff we cart off to landfills. We’re all in the process of learning, growing, and laughing with each other. It’s there that we develop our recipes for cooking and for life.”

—Hardcover, 256 pages, full of color photographs by David Collins www.dmcimages.com (look under upcoming and then then the flicker icon....… $30

Advanced purchase of autographed and personalized copies will be available for here in April.... Book will be released in the summer '08.