40 Lessons Antoni Taught Us About Food On Season 3 Of 'Queer Eye'
The highly-anticipated season three of Queer Eye is finally here, so if you had plans this weekend-cancel them. This is binge watching material at its finest. Season three follows the Fab Five as they make-over nine heroes in Kansas City, Missouri (one episode features makeovers for two sisters)!
With the entire season now under my belt, I'll tell you this: When I wasn't crying (seriously-this season is a tearjerker), I was HUNGRY. The Fab Five's resident food expert, Antoni Porowski, has definitely graduated from citrus salad and simple guacamole. How about porchetta with a dry rub as an alternative to a boring burger?!
Antoni, cute and charming as always, has plenty of lessons to teach the heroes (and us) in how to prepare, enjoy, and truly appreciate food. Let's begin!
Episode 1 - From Hunter to Huntee
1."Food is love."
Like, duh.
2. Raw zucchini can be delicious.
Antoni recommends shaving the zucchini and adding a bit of olive oil, salt, and lemon juice for a quick and simple veggie dish.
3. Don't think "fancy," think "special."
Going out for a nice meal or cooking something new doesn't have to be intimidating. Antoni explains that when you think of something as "too fancy," such as dining at a certain restaurant or tasting something out of your comfort zone, it sounds like doing so is "elitist" or "wrong." Instead, think of these new experiences with food as "special."
4. Take inspiration from restaurants and bring it to your own kitchen.
If you try something while you're out to eat that you never would have thought to make yourself, take note! Give it your own spin at home.
5. Enjoy food with the right person.
Antoni acknowledges that though stepping outside of your comfort zone when dining out can be intimidating, if you're with the right person, you can "make a whole mess at the table and not even care about it" (as he eats lobster).
Episode 2 - Lost Boy
6. Skip a boring burger-try porchetta.
Antoni tells the camp program director starring in this episode that porchetta with a "nice little rub" is a good upgrade to a normal burger. That is quite the upgrade, indeed!
7. A dry rub for porchetta is super simple.
The one Antoni uses included coffee, chili powder, and brown sugar-all ingredients you likely already have in your pantry!
8. Food (and cooking) can get you through tough times.
Antoni opens up about how food is something that has made him feel better during difficult times in his life.
9. "Roll up porchetta like a meat cigar."
Like so:
10. Porchetta should be tied TIGHT in a uniform pattern.
Again, look at the picture for instruction:
11. Cooking "is care"-and "that's the greatest gift you could give."
An easy, yet special way to show someone that you care for them? Cook them something delicious!
12. Cilantro stems have a purpose!
Antoni says the stems are crunchy with plenty of flavor. He adds them to the slaw that goes on the porchetta sliders. The slaw is made with cabbage, cilantro, mayo, juices from canned chipotle and adobo, and apple cider vinegar, which Antoni emphasizes is "super important" for a slaw.
13. Dijon and cherries go together...apparently.
I'm skeptical, but everyone (including the kids at the camp!) seemed to really enjoy the sliders, which included the tangy and sweet dijon and cherry sauce.
14. Heirloom tomato juice and lemonade go together, too...?!
Yeah, IDK. The Fab Five were drinking it, though, so it's worth a try...right?
15. Tomatoes should not be kept in the fridge.
Keep your "fruit of the summer" in a cool, dry spot, Antoni pleads.
Episode 3 - Jones Bar-B-Q
16. The foundation for BBQ sauce is ketchup.
It's really that simple!
17. We should be enjoying tea more often.
And not just spilling it. Antoni serves the sisters on this episode high tea, which he says is a great moment to sit back, relax, and breathe.
18. The menu for high tea doesn't have to be that fancy.
Antoni prepares little quiches, deviled eggs, cucumber sandwiches, and hibiscus sweet tea. That's do-able, right?
Episode 4 - When Robert Met Jamie
19. Drink water in between beers.
Okay, this may be a bit obvious-but, still VERY important! Do this!
20. "If you put enough butter in anything, it will taste delicious."
Ain't that the truth. Antoni also refers to this as "the easy way out," regarding cooking unhealthy meals. Neither statement is wrong!
21. Measure your ingredients out before you begin cooking.
Antoni always has his various ingredients measured and laid out in front of him before he begins cooking. It seems to make the whole process a lot more efficient and less stressful.
22. Balance is key.
Indulge on the weekends! Make your mac 'n cheese and pizza. It's all about balance in eating, Antoni says.
Episode 5 - Black Girl Magic
23. Antoni's friends ate really well in college.
He says that potlucks are fun to do in college, because everyone can bring their own dish, such as risotto or pasta. UH. I don't know about you, but my college "potlucks" consisted of chips and salsa, delivery pizza, cheap wine, and buff chick dip IF we were lucky.
24. Chicken broth ramen is a "cheap and cheerful" meal that "feeds a crew."
Antoni's recipe includes carrots, ginger, garlic, miso, and red chili paste.
25. Sesame oil adds a "nutty" smokiness to a dish.
It's so easy to find in most grocery stores.
26. Try ground pork for a cheap meal option.
There's more to the ground meat section than beef and turkey!
27. There's an "emotional intelligence" to being able to ask for help when you need it.
Yes, even in the kitchen.
28. Noodles for ramen take "basically a minute" to cook.
And you need to separate the noodles a bit before adding them to the pot!
Episode 6 - Elrod & Sons
29. Making food from scratch makes memories.
Antoni points out that you don't remember the times that your parents made you a microwave dinner-memories are made with good, home-cooked meals.
30. Fish sticks can be semi-healthy.
Antoni's recipe uses Mahi-mahi (which he describes as a lean, flaky fish), and a healthier crust...
31. Crushed macadamia nuts can be used in recipes instead of bread crumbs.
Put the nuts in a plastic bag and pound them. Antoni explains that the nuts crumble nicely, and have a good crunch for the outside of the fish stick (or anything else you're frying).
Episode 7 - Sloth to Slay
32. "Brussels sprouts smell like farts."
I mean. They do...
33. And if you haven't had Brussels that don't taste like farts, it's time to change that.
Just stick with him.
34. There's a very particular way to cut Brussels.
You should cut the bottom part of the Brussels sprout (that doesn't taste very good) off in a "V" shape, so that the leaves stay attached. Then, cut down the center for a cross-section, Antoni says.
35. Cooking steak is shockingly simple.
For the base, Antoni uses butter, a clove of garlic, and sprigs of rosemary. Then, just plop it on the stove!
36. You can use just your hand to tell how much a steak is cooked.
Antoni shows the "touch test,"which entails you pressing the skin on the inside of your hand beneath your thumb, while touching the thumb to another finger to estimate the texture of meat at various cooking stages. To be safe, use a thermometer to tell the temperature of a piece of meat!
Episode 8 - Baby on Board
37. Ground flaxseed is "so good for BMs."
Yes, that's bowel movement. Thank you Antoni, for the digestive tip!
38. Sugar cookies from scratch are as easy as 1-2-3.
Seriously-the recipe for the dough is one part sugar, two parts butter, three parts flour. After the ingredients are blended, form a nice ball of dough. When they're cut and on a baking sheet, cook them in the oven at 350°.
39. Parents: Take advantage of kids' interest in cooking.
Antoni points out that cooking together is great bonding time. Have the kiddos help with an easier task while you're making dinner or bake something for a special occasion (like the baby shower in this episode)!
40. To really impress your friends, personalize their sugar cookies.
Where's mine, Antoni?!
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