HAGC Radio Interview
Mar 31st, 2009 | By | Category: Out & About | Comments | 11 Comments |Had my first radio interview in many years yesterday. The local public radio talk show wanted to talk with me about Hunter Angler Gardener Cook and the James Beard Awards, and of course I said I would go on the air.
Topics ranged from how I got into this to whether using nitrites in cured meat is “honest” food (it is), to whether I’ve encountered anything that has been “too gross” even for me. That one stumped me, as the immediate answer is “no.” Afterwards I did think of something: I am not planning on making my own sausage casings anytime soon — cleaning out and scraping intestines is a truly shitty job…
If you are interested in hearing the interview, my segment is about 40 minutes into the show. It also includes my friend Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson, who was the inspiration for one of my first-ever blog posts. Forgive me if I was a little rusty on the air and not quite as pithy as I’d like to be, but hey, I did my best.
No need to apologize about being rusty Hank! Tought your interview went quite well. Enjoyed it!
Took advantage of the last day of ‘preserve’ hunting allowed in NC this past weekend. Pheasant and quail were on the menu. Got the dog some work and the extended family some first time wing shooting. On a last minute whim, I tried my southern fried chicken recipe on one of the plucked pheasants last night…minus the soak in buttermilk….which it probably could have used. Have you had any experience using buttermilk as a marinate, or tenderizer with game? I know some duck hunters swear buy soaking their duck breasts in it b/c they don’t like the taste….silly.
I think it’s time to turn up the heat on our friend Hank. As I listened to the interview, I found myself nodding in agreement to so many things you said and I came to a conclusion: this James Beard thing, win or lose, this should be just the beginning.
As we all sit around lamenting the decline of the hunting culture in America, wondering what to do in the face of urban sprawl, video games, and anti-hunting pressure, we have to recognize this opportunity you have given us.
Hank, you are about to enter the mainstream food world with your message of a return to our roots as hunter/gatherers. Your voice is steady, reasonable, intelligent, poetic and philosophical. This is the voice Americans need to hear more of – not Bubba and Elroy whooping it up on OLN over their latest store-bought trophy.
With your blog, I have seen none hunters who start to get it and hunters reaffirm themselves, feel more confidence in the passion they have amidst all the negativity set against them. Like it our not, your voice has become our voice. Do good in NYC.
Congratulations on the attention your food and writing are getting. It’s well deserved. Look forward to hearing about your trip to NY (and someday, to buying the book).
“scraping intestines is a truly shitty job”
GROAN!
“scraping intestines is a truly shitty job”
Prunes and metamucil can make
things a whole lot easier.
ofs
Hey, don’t knock your interview. You did great and didn’t sound the least bit “rusty” or did I notice any lack of pithyness! You were totally articulate. I am so proud of you I am busting my buttons!
That was an honest interview. I dislike pithy for pithy’s sake. Well done -
Enjoyed the interview – congrats on the good attention. Living local, I was happy to learn about your blog through the interview.
Carolina: Yep, I have used buttermilk with pheasants. A good 2-8 hour soak is a very good thing, depending on the bird’s age. Longer and the bird turns to mush.
Kindred: A tall order, this. But I will do my best and try not to let everyone down.
oldfatslow: Feeding a hog prunes and metamucil is apparently a 1,000-year-old tradition among the famous hog farmers of Spain. They say it adds a little you-know-what to the flavor…
Rick: Thanks! And I need to use beer more often, and looking at your blog, I reckon you might be able to help…
Naw man, there’s no way you can let us down. You’ve already gone beyond where anyone’s been before.
great interview….always nice to get a swahili reference in there.