Feasting on Asphalt: River Run DVD Shocker

So, last night I finally get a chance to sit down and watch the copy of Feasting on Asphalt 2: The River Run that has been protecting part of my DVD player from dust for three months.  Yes, even Alton Brown takes a back seat to my three month old :-)

I pop in the first DVD and the menu doesn't have a listing for the director's 9AB's) commentary.  OK, so I pull out the other tow discs: nothing!  What?!  That was the best part of the first FOA set and the main reason i went out and bought the box set.  OK, i see 'deleted scenes' on the menu; let's check that out.  Even more disappointment, there are only a few minutes of unseen footage that never really needed to be seen.  It's not like the first set where there are hours of new footage with Alton's commentary.

I was looking for some real substance in this box set, something more personal from AB that really made me like the guy more as a person and respect the effort he puts into his productions.  Well, let's just say I had to crack open a beer and start watching the director's commentary from the first season of FOA to ease my mind.

New Good Eats Episode: There Will Be Oil **SCHEDULE CORRECTION***

Alton Brown brings us yet another new Good Eats episode next week!  There Will Be Oil premieres TUESDAY, July 29th at 8:30pm EST  (Odd time slot, maybe a new trend?)


From the Food Network Good Eats listing:

"There Will Be Oil
Edible oils offer a wide range of flavors and qualities to confound any cook, so host Alton Brown untangles these potent hydrocarbons and puts them to good use in kitchen and car."

Good Eats Tuna

I can't say that I'd go through the trouble of finding specialized canned tuna, but it was a good attempt by Alton Brown to utilize everyday foods.  The tuna dressing sounds good; I'd probably use it for a cracker dip and add a little hot sauce.  The croquettes remind me all too well of salmon patties which I can't stand, but I'm sure the taste would be more along the lines of the tuna dressing with crackers with panko crumbs added.  I was hoping for one of my old, simple, favorites: cream tuna on toast.  You can easily get by with 'regular' tuna and it might have been a good demonstration of making a basic white sauce.

On the entertainment side this episode was a hit.  The Charlie Tuna knock-off was brilliant and really added to the informational dialog.  The twin Alton MIBs, coupled with the pregnant lady chowing down on potato chips (my wife was in that state not too long ago), was a great way to go in spilling the story on mercury instead of just a short interlude.  I also detected some Popeye themed music in the background which instantly made me think of Jean Claude trying to stomach the canned spinach in The River Run!

On the scale of creativity, science, and pure entertainment we've come to expect in a Good Eats episode: I'd rate this one pretty high.  The culinary aspect could have used a little improvement; I know Alton can do better than tossing together a salad.

p.s.  I'm still fighting my Dutch baby addiction which has lately been strengthened by my new iced coffee addiction :-)

New Good Eats Episode: Tuna, Surprise!

What's Alton Brown up to this week?  Well, looks like he'll be getting a visit from an old commercial icon to see what Good Eats he is able to create with a can of tuna.  A little Sandra Lee influence after her weekend marathon?  We'll have to wait and see :-)

Tuna, Surprise! airs Monday, July 7th at 8:00pm with a follow up at 3:00am.