Friday, May 30, 2014

Giada + Cast Iron?



Ah, so yes, that just happened.  My chef crush Giada just called me out on her blog last week regarding my stories and recipes in the new Lodge Cast Iron book Cast Iron Nation.

Damn, very cool.  Thanks Giada!

Go buy the book, and read her blog!

Sorry to be short, but I'm off to Paris and the South of France - Life is good!

Oh, and don't forget to read this Business Week piece I was in regarding more . . . you guessed it . . . Cast Iron Cooking!

MM


Friday, May 9, 2014

Mother's Day + Southern Living


For those that know me, I'm more of a great bullshitter than anything else.  Sure, I'm known to boast about things from time to time, yet I realize the importance of persistent humility.

But today I want to be honest... shit - I'm totally stoked!

There's been a few times in my life when I've felt like I've been living in Jerry Seinfeld's 'bizzaro world'.  For those poor, poor souls who haven't watched enough Seinfeld to get my reference, shame on you.  For the rest of you (good, fine folks) - you know what I mean.  Amongst the same's and similarities, sometimes something comes along that completely knocks you off your rocker.

In this business - it's happened a few times... publishing a book, appearing on TV, getting mentions and positive reviews from major publications, being named as one of the best cookbooks by The New York Times, flirting with Kathy Lee and Hoda, and finally signing on to write the next book of my life - A Southern Gentleman's Kitchen.  I've been blessed.

Still . . . opening up this month's Southern Living magazine (the gold standard of Southern food, culture, and hospitality) to read a feature by your boy on cooking momma a delectable Mother's Day brunch... that just took the cake.  Damn, that's just really cool.

I want to send out a huge thanks to momma for the inspiration - alongside her lifelong support and teachings in the kitchen.  Also to the SL team of Lindsay Bierman, Hunter Lewis, Whitney Wright, and the test kitchen and photography crew who helped make this a reality.  Let's do some more!  Lastly, a big thanks to my agent Stacey Glick.

So . . . to get the recipes and so much more - go buy a copy of the magazine.  Treat momma to an afternoon experience she'll never forget!

And better yet?  Since we ran out of room for the whole story - read my introduction to the article below.  Hungry?  Go buy the magazine and get cooking y'all!

Matt Moore - Mother’s Day Brunch

I’ll be honest - buying and giving gifts has never been my family’s forte. For years, we gifted one another for the sake of gifting, like money trading hands in a merry-go-round of wants and needs that seemed neither creative nor thoughtful. Sure, there were moments of triumph, like the time Momma and Daddy surprised my sister Ashley and me with the original Nintendo that Christmas morning in ’86. But there were also those gifts that fell a bit, well . . . flat. I can still see the look on Daddy’s face when Momma bought him a hose rack one holiday - ensuring that green snake of plastic could no longer be casually left strewn outside our back door.

Many years later, we decided to do the unthinkable - we stopped making lists and giving each other gifts for the sake of giving. I know what you are probably thinking. What’s wrong with our family, right?

To be fair, we still share our love through gifts. Instead of forced occasions, we’ll pick up items for each other throughout the year, allowing life’s moments or travels to inspire our thoughtfulness and generosity. However, on the whole, we made a conscious decision to spend our time, effort, and money on the best of all gifts - creating special occasions to enjoy and experience our wonderful family being together.

It started when Momma and Daddy generously replaced the gifts under the tree with a family trip. We’d rather put our money into plane tickets than sweaters. We’ve since enjoyed beach vacations from Florida to Mexico, celebrating life and love for one-another through travels, great food, and many late nights fueled with Paloma’s and Coronas.

In our family, spending more time together also means preparing and sharing some fantastic food. Momma has always been our culinary master - teaching us the techniques and recipes passed down from generation to generation. Her meals have served as the culinary backdrop to some of my fondest family memories. But planning, shopping, and preparing a memorable meal is no easy task. So, after all those years and so many meals, I’ve decided that it’s time I step into the kitchen. Sometimes Momma just needs a break.

That’s where you come in to play. This Mother’s Day, I’m outlining the perfect game plan to pull off an experience she’ll never forget. Instead of taking mom out to a crowded restaurant with a hundred other patrons, I’m outlining some of my favorite, fool-proof recipes that are sure to impress - all in the comfort of your own home. Trust me, even if your mom doesn’t spend much time in the kitchen, she’ll still appreciate your earnest efforts behind the stove. A home cooked meal is one of life’s simplest, yet memorable pleasures.


So, surprise Momma with a brief departure from her everyday routine by demonstrating your love through thoughtful action and a great meal. Think of it this way: Mom has spent her entire life providing for you. Today, she deserves to be pampered. I can think of no better way to pamper her than by providing her with the permission to sit back, relax, and spend some time savoring her greatest creation - you.

Cheers!

MM