Guest Cook: Dan’s 3 Course Italian Meal
Dan introduced himself to me by whipping up a peach caipirinha from my parents’ scanty liquor cabinet offerings. He had driven out to the farm in a rental convertible to meet his best friend’s new girl (that’s me). I asked him some very uptight question about where he learned so much about “mixology,” and he shrugged off an answer about “trial and error.”
That is just Dan’s way. With everything he has skillful ease, and what’s more, he is modest through it all. This is an intoxicating combination for someone who is good at just about everything. Dan seems charmed, and when you are with him, your life feels charmed, too. This might make you want to be with him all the time, but face time requires an international life that pivots on Buenos Aires and Hong Kong. Would that we are all professional bloggers.
I like best when Dan cooks (delicious and elegant), and second best how he came to cook. After teenage summers spent in Canada drinking legally, Dan was hardly impressed by the high school beerfests back at home. Rather than partake of a game of beer pong at a Friday night house party, he would wander into the kitchen, nose around, and cook. I love imagining this. Perhaps this is what makes Dan cool in the face of chaos. Utterly relaxed, he is a hospitable host even in the kitchen (where most hosts come unhinged), making sure you drink enough and barely batting an eye if you spill water all over the kitchen floor or the over-sensitive smoke detector blares on in the background. This is a lesson we could all jot down and keep in our pockets.
agnes: Sarah:
Were I not happily married to the most handsome, smart, and funny man on the planet, I’d be furious with you for not showing a close up of Dan’s left hand ring finger. On behalf of all those women out there not so fortunate as I, throw your sisters a bone and start disclosing the status of all these handsome gourmands.
Cooking for two is always better…
PS: Another fantastic episode. Love your dress, and that funny balloon. Thanks for the giggle!3 years ago
Sarah: APB: Dan is single, and the catch of the century.3 years ago
Baerbel: A great video! You get better all the time, more fun , more thrill and easy to understand. Thumbs up for your “man behind the camera”, too!3 years ago
helen: fantastic! a three course meal without using an oven…suddenly my less than mediocre, postage stamp sized Japanese kitchen isn’t looking so useless.
Thank you Dan and of course the wonderful POP posse.3 years ago
jen!: i just found your podcast and it is definitely one of my favorites! (it’s all about you and “this is a knife”) it’s so cute, clever, and superinformative! i’m looking forward to more loveliness!
also, i don’t know if you’ve been to austin, TX or not, but you’d fit in here like a missing puzzle piece. (this is a good thing)3 years ago
katy of the luke: i’m here with the beautiful, mysterious, charming, innocent and utterly delightful catherine lowell and we are admiring a one d. altman. not for nothing, catherine only eats 4 things. and that list happens to include tirimisu (well, a number of sweet things) and roasted red pepper anything. let lips do what hands do pilgrim indeed!3 years ago
catherine: i love tirimisu3 years ago
Allison: Your parents have hidden all the good liquor upstairs. XOX3 years ago
Sarah: Mom, So that’s where all the booze is!3 years ago