Cookin' it up With LA Chef David Lawrence
I ran into David Lawrence on Myspace, then an editor friend of mine wrote him up for a California magazine. Not to be outdone, I whipped him up a few questions for a Ragged Blade exclusive on his new cookbook Boy Eats World. So.... eat up!
There's a ton of cookbooks out there already, what makes yours different, special, etc... what are you throwing into the cookin' that other folks don't?
I'm definitely in a crowded market, but I think there's always room for somebody with something to say about food. I hopefully bring an accessibility and approachability to the whole thing with good recipes that are easy to recreate at home.
I'm a cookbook geek. I love reading them from cover to cover so I wanted to write a cookbook that was fun, easy to understand with lots of gorgeous food photos. I wrote the kind of book I like to read. Plus, my Mom tells me I'm cute.
It's my first time having "him" or "her" over for dinner and i really want to make an impression... how do I find out what to cook, or do you have any romantic recipes so my first impression is good?
There is nothing sexier than a man who cooks. There’s no better aphrodisiac than a meal made with your own hands, in your own kitchen, for your special someone, or even your sort-of-special-someone. It doesn't matter if you think you can’t cook.
What you make doesn’t have to be all fancy-pants and towered high on an oversized white plate with dribbles and dabs of esoteric sauce, garnished with white truffles imported from Italy that cost more than one month’s rent! The surest way to score major points in the romance department is to get yourself into the sexiest room in the house. (No, not that one! The kitchen!) Trust me, you'll score major points just for making the effort.
Even if it's a complete disaster and you blow the whole thing, go with plan B: Call for take out and crack open that great bottle of wine you were going to serve with dinner. You'll find some very easy, very sexy recipes on my site's recipe page. I'm talking, Filet Mignon with Blackberry Cabernet Sauce and a killer Chocolate Souffle even you can make.
What are some of the biggest mistakes people make when cooking and is there an easy way to fix it?
They panic. It's never a good idea to hyperventilate over an open flame! Seriously, I think people have bought into the notion that they can't cook. Everyone can cook something! I think fear permeates its way into your cooking and that's why you mess it up, because you told yourself you would. Be confident, have fun and remember, it's only dinner, it's not rocket science.
Start small, by cooking for yourself or someone who loves you and won't judge you. Like I said, you can always call for take out. The best thing is to take the Nike approach.... just DO it!
What's the general nature of the book's recipes.. i.e. formal, party, are you targeting a serious cook or just someone who wants to "make dinner?"
I'm a self-taught cook who was strongly influenced by the home cooking of my Mom, so I don't see myself taking on the Iron Chef any time soon. Boy Eats World! has something for everyone in it, no matter what your level of skill in the kitchen. I don't think cooking should be pretentious or fussy. It should be fun. The book has everything from simple appetizer and dinner recipes to desserts that are sure to impress. And cocktails! There's a killer Mixology chapter with over 20 drink recipes. Is it 5 o' clock yet?
Interesting title... do you really eat that much?
I come from a family of big eaters, but all things in moderation! The title, Boy Eats World! refers to the world I grew up eating in which mostly consisted of down-home Southern cooking. It's also a nod to the world I inhabit now.
When I moved to LA in my early 20's I was exposed to a whole new world of cuisine, a real melting pot and my horizons broadened. Those influences eventually found their way into my cooking. The book is an eclectic mix of good old-fashioned home cooking, fused with more sophisticated world flavors that I've come to enjoy. The recipes are easy, accessible and borrow from several flavor palettes like, Thai, Moroccan, Italian and French that you can get on the table without a lot of fuss, but big impact.
Do you think Americans are more/less obsessed with food than other cultures?
I think Americans are obsessed with gluttony more than other cultures. Everything has to be bigger and better. It's gotten a bit ridiculous. Do we really need a 82 ounce Coke for 49 cents more? I mean, that's bigger than your head! No one is THAT thirsty! I'm just waiting for the day that someone publishes a book called, "Why American Women Don't Get Fat." I think it'll be a while.
Click here to return to Reviews Archives
