Well, in either case, it seems that we were talking about the fascinating topic of boiling things. I believe Talespinner mentioned the British predilection to that preparation style. So, in an attempt to creatively merge the two (since it seems we have some gourmands out there), let me ask this.
What is your favorite story, book, film, or cave painting that has food as a main course.
I can think of the two following as a few films that come to mind, and which has inspired me both creatively and culinarily.
"Big Night" and "Eat, Drink, Man, Woman."
For example, I was absolutely fascinated at the structure of Big Night. It was almost a culinary version of "Waiting for Godot." I also was taken by the amazing dishes that they prepared, and have never looked at a baked pasta dish quite the same.
The same with Eat, Drink, Man, Woman. The exploration of the relationship between a Father and his three daughters, all the while circling around the life and changing times of a chef who is losing his sense of taste. I'm certain I will never de-seed a chile the same way again.
Anyway, here's to the palate, specifically as it relates to art.
Cheers.
Spyder Robinson's stories set in Callaghan's Bar. (Not much food but a lot of alcohol which I hope counts.)
Douglas Adams "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe" - priceless.
There are several SF stories where the aliens arrive and the haman race becomes a prized delicacy. Can't remember any of 'em.
And there was a short story whose writer and title escape me which was set in a future where all food was synthetic and real meat was illegal. An inspector took someone in a cafe to a back room where they served illicit, real food ...
Oh, and Soylent Green. Blech.
Pat
Edited to add: That should be "human race becomes a prized delicacy", sorry, musta bin thinkin' of haman eggs.
[This message has been edited by TaleSpinner (edited November 24, 2007).]
quote:
What is your favorite story, book, film, or cave painting that has food as a main course.
I'm unclear as to your meaning of "main course", so I will refer to ones that food is a memorable part of the "body of work" or title.
Bram Stoker's Dracula (the book, not the movie)
Fried Green Tomatoes
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (What I remember most about it is the exotic dinner scene)
Stephen King's Thinner
The Breakfast Club
Christmas Story
The Godfather
Goodfellas
Silence of the Lambs
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
H. G. Wells' The Time Machine
The Odyssey
[This message has been edited by InarticulateBabbler (edited November 24, 2007).]
We went to a dinner at an Itallian restaurant one New Year's Eve that featured the meal from Big Night. YUM!I don't have much to add, other than to say that I find it rather amusing the lack of description of what people eat in a lot of Science Fiction. I am fascinated by this sort of mundane thing, what do people eat when living in spaceships and the like? So I write it all in. Hydroponics. Fresh produce as an oddity. Soy as an all-purpose food. I find it fascinating.
quote:
I find it rather amusing the lack of description of what people eat in a lot of Science Fiction
And every culture has a version of swedish meatballs.
It was brilliant, and made sense...so I remembered it.