I *heart* the Food Network

As I blog today I lay here in bed, (love the wireless) and I watch the Food Network. I love the Food Network. If there is nothing on I always default to the Food Network. (And you know television nowadays, and there is hardly anything good on.)

Right now I am watching Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals. I like Rachael Ray, which is an important distinction, since some people LOVE Rachael Ray. I like that she doesn't measure. She inspires me to work toward "eye-balling" my ingredients. She also doesn't bake, so we have that in common. I also enjoy how she is a cheeseball and she works it. She laughs at her own jokes, she says corny things like "YUMO." She has built an empire on being a food dork, and you have to respect that.

Above Rachael Ray on my Food Network *love* list is Paula Dean. I think I was related to her in a past life. Her recipes are awesome. Fattening and butter filled, but you have to appreciate someone that gives the finger to the "low-fat" and "low-carb" society that we live in. She embodies, "life is too short, so eat it" philosophy that I can relate to. She also loves to eat! She gets a little gross towards the end of the program when she is practically orgasming on camera when she takes a bite of what she has just created.

At the top of my list is Alton Brown, the host of "Good Eats." Alton teaches us cooking techniques via the science and chemistry behind the cooking. He also has some great recipes and tips on cooking gear, which I love. I have the same measuring cup and oil thingy that Alton has.

Now to have favorite hosts means I also have not so favorite hosts. That skinny-big headed-accent faking Giada De Laurentiis bitch needs to go. First off her recipes suck it. Second she has no accent, UNTIL she has to say an italian word, then all of a sudden the Lollipop Headed Bitch is right off the boat from Naples. She needs a cup of shut the fuck up. And she never eats what she cooks, which is weird and stupid.

Here is one of my favorite recipes that I learned from the Food Network:

Paula Dean's Black-Pepper Shrimp (this recipe is super easy)
3 pounds fresh shrimp, unpeeled
8 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons chopped garlic
4 tablespoons freshly ground pepper
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Wash and drain shrimp, and place in a shallow baking pan. In a saucepan, melt the butter, add the garlic, and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Pour the butter mixture over the shrimp and toss to coat. Pepper shrimp until shrimp are well covered. Bake until pink, approximately 5 minutes, turn, bake a few minutes longer, and pepper again. You must use a heavy hand with the pepper.

Serve shrimp with warm bread and salad.