BusyDad |
39 Comments | A look at parenting through testosterone-tinted beer goggles.
The Cast:
BusyDad (Jim)
Working dad doing his darndest
Fury (Marcus)
6-year-old boy and future revolutionary
d Wife (Lisa)
BusyDad’s reality check
Krypto (Dog #1)
Witness to the insanity and chewer of things
BJ (Dog #2)
Yapping spreader of love and poops
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Monday, January 21, 2008
If memory serves me correctly... my newest Iron Chef began his tutelage under legendary Iron Chef BusyDad in the summer of 2005. His journey into the culinary world began in BusyDad's kitchen, honing his creativity by finding ways to turn every kitchen utensil into a gun or a spaceship.
As his apprenticeship progressed, this would-be chef cut his teeth by helping his master cut green beans. With a butter knife. Perhaps his actual teeth may have been a more effective tool for this, but an important lesson was learned. Dull tools sharpen the mind.
And sharpen his mind he did, along with his craft. Known throughout culinary circles as the catalyst for the "kid gourmet" movement, Fury has dazzled critics and playgroups alike with his "rad" interpretation of traditional fare.
Today, I welcome him to Kitchen Stadium as my newest Iron Chef. As this is his debut battle, and seeing as he can't reach the faucet, I have decided to bring his master, Iron Chef BusyDad out of retirement today for a very special tag team edition of Iron Chef.
AND NOW, TODAY'S THEME INGREDIENT... FLOUR!
Allez Cuisine!
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Fukui: Oh! the Chairman has thrown us a curveball today by picking flour as the theme ingredient! So basic, yet complex! Yes, yes. Let's go to our commentator on the floor, Ohta for some play-by-play.
Ohta: Iron Chef Fury doesn't seem at all flustered by today's ingredient, and in fact, he claims it'll give him the perfect opportunity to use a cookie recipe he found on the Backyardigan's website.
Fukui: ahhh... using his deep knowledge of kid's entertainment to his advantage right off the bat. A brilliant strategy.
Ohta: Fukui San?
Fukui: Yes Ohta, go ahead.
Ohta: Iron Chef Fury informs me that he's actually going to cook dessert first! When I asked him about this strategy, he simply replied "because I like it."
Fukui: ohhh. Confidence.
Ohta: Fukui San?
Fukui: Yes Ohta, go ahead.
Ohta: Looks like Iron Chef Fury is pausing in the middle of his cooking to open a Newcastle. He knows what it takes to keep his master Iron Chef BusyDad in the game. He informs me that Iron Chef BusyDad will wander off otherwise.
Fukui: What's that going on down there on the floor Ohta?
Ohta: Ah, the four-legged team member, the family sous chef, Krypto. He peels the potatoes and chops garlic, and I am told he also performs on-the-spot cleanup duties as necessary, Fukui San.
Fukui: Oh, Ohta, I'm noticing some activity in the Iron Chef's corner. Looks like gold and orange wrappers or something?
Ohta: Why yes, Fukui san! You are right. Iron Chef Fury informs me they are Reeses Peanut butter cups. He plans on breaking them up and using them instead of chocolate chips. But first, he needs to test one. No, make that four.
Fukui: Well all that testing of peanut butter cups seems to have paid off. We can smell those cookies all the way here in the stands.
Japanese female star of stage and screen: ooooh! hee hee. That makes me soooo hungry! hee hee.
Ohta: Fukui san!
Fukui: Yes Ohta, go ahead.
Ohta: Iron Chef Fury has told me that his main course is going to be a pizza, but not just any pizza. A pesto pizza. Anyone who says kids don't have a gourmet palate has never spent a day in this kid chef's kitchen!
Fukui: Ohta, it looks like Iron Chef Fury just dumped a load of flour on the counter and is proceeding to roll it.
Ohta: Yes Fukui san. I just spoke to Iron Chef BusyDad. His response? "Rookie mistake." A course correction has been made by the master.
Fukui: Oh! Look at that! Iron Chef Fury is tossing the dough. What shape is that?
Ohta: Iron Chef Fury tells me that he likes his pizza shaped like an amoeba.
Ohta: Oh - Fukui san... this just in. Iron Chef BusyDad has stepped in. He tells Iron Chef Fury that there's no way his amoeba pizza is fitting into the pan. He's fixing it on the fly - a true professional.
Ohta: Fukui san, it appears to me that the Iron Chefs are now ready to top the pizza. Iron Chef BusyDad is discussing their strategy with Iron Chef Fury. Let's listen in...
Iron Chef BusyDad: Ok, Fury let's top this thing. We've got a pesto base... hmmm. Ok, get the mozzarella, shredded asiago, some parmesan...
Iron Chef Fury: Mushrooms!
Iron Chef BusyDad: Good choice, young apprentice. Good choice. Ah! Pancetta. Looks like that'll do it.
Iron Chef Fury: I want corn.
Iron Chef BusyDad: Corn??? For pizza??
Iron Chef Fury: Well, I like corn.
Iron Chef BusyDad: Okaaay, it's your creation. Let's do half and half to be safe.
Fukui: Brilliant twist from the young chef! Have you ever heard of a corn pizza?
Japanese female star of stage and screen: hee hee hee my grandmother loves corn. Maybe she will try some. Hee hee hee.
Ohta: The Kitchen Stadium pantry only has a little bit of shredded asiago left. But Iron Chef Fury is taking no chances. He still gives it a good taste test. Hmmm. Looks like he ate pretty much all of it.

Fukui: Pizza with "essence of Asiago" as they say. Heh heh.
Ohta: it's ready to go into the oven. 15 minutes until judging. Down to the wire, Fukui san!
Fukui: Ohta, what are they doing now? From up here, it looks like they are making a total mess of Kitchen Stadium.
Ohta: Fukui san, that's an affirmative. Iron Chef Fury says that the flour makes for good war paint. They are beaming with confidence that victory will be theirs tonight.

Fukui: And the contestants are plating their final dishes and in 4-3-2-1... The Flour Battle is OOOOVVAA!
Chairman Kaga: And now for the judg-- hey! Kid!
Reader Comments (39)
Busy Dad...you ROCK! Fury ROCKS! Love your blog!
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[BusyDad] ... and that comment ROCKS! Thank you very much!
Oh how I miss Food Network. Listen, can you and Fury present us with a weekly Iron Chef Battle. Maybe we could even work out a competition between our little "Iron Chefs". Mikey and Livey play this all the time and make Benny and myself judge. Let's talk about it, friend!
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[BusyDad] Ah - a virtual Iron Chef Battle Royale! Totally fun. I'm down. I swear, Mishie, between virtual Truth or Dare and this thing, who needs reality??
Dude, I'm rolling! That is absolutely one of the best things I have read all week!! Love this! you are so clever and Fury is just too precious!
Looks.. interesting :-) LOL.
But delicious of course!
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[BusyDad] Thanks Rachel! It was a fun time. Doing this and writing it (it helped that I was BuzzeeDad when I started writing it). The corn pizza was actually pretty good!
Look out Mario, Wolfgang, Bobby, (oh wait, that's the cheesy American version).
How was the corn anyway? I like roasted corn, I was thinking that may turn out okay and you have a culinary genius on your hands.
KEEP BELIEVING
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[BusyDad] I gotta hand it to Fury - the corn pizza wasn't bad at all! I preferred the pancetta side, but nothing wrong with the corn. If it were roasted first and then sprinked on to just melt into the cheese? That would have been pretty gourmet, don't you think?
Mmmmmmmm...I'll take the side with the pancetta and mushrooms please. I'll pass on the corn, though...we'll save all that for Fury.
Oh, and I am totally in love with all those little spice jars in your kitchen!! I am coveting them. Seriously.
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[BusyDad] Hey! You noticed the spice jars! Cool! They are general purpose jars from IKEA. I have so many spices that a regular rack can't handle them. I love to cook, can you tell?
This? Too priceless!
Loved the running commentary! And maybe its me, but corn pizza sounded more interesting than NOT interesting. Hmmm....
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[BusyDad] Thanks :) And it's not just you - corn pizza is definitely interesting. In every way! But surprisingly tasty.
Hee hee hee. This was the um, yes...the best iron chef episode, hee hee hee, yes, ever.
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[BusyDad] Hey! The Japanese star of stage and screen! Can I have your autograph?
OK How did I not know you loved to cook?? And Iron Chef??? LOVE IT! Fabulous post. I'm craving good pizza now. And throw some corn on there too. Yum.
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[BusyDad] We deliver. Especially for those who come out of hiding 4 days early to visit the BDB!
This was totally wonderful! I was laughing from start to finish. And you really had the female Japanese star of stage and screen down. And Fury will be a master chef if he isn't already. Notice the colors on the finished project - the aesthetics alone are amazing! ;-) GREAT post!
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[BusyDad] Thanks Jen! The pizza does look colorful - almost a yin and yang thing going. And yeah Fury has Bobby Flay's number!!
Awesome post BD, love your style! That pizza looks scrumptious!
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[BusyDad] Thanks HuckD! Corn pizza for everyone on Fri nite!
It's official...
I will babysit your pizza-making little jedi any day of the week.
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[BusyDad] Do you do Legos? Come on over!
I'm frickin' cracking up over here! That was so funny!!
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[BusyDad] Thanks!and glad you made it over here LunaNik... Come by and read it again when your blog hopping Fri.
This post was just perfect. The Japanese female comments made me laugh out loud. Looks like a GREAT time.. for all!! :)
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[BusyDad] She cracks me up on the show. Why do they have her? So random... We both had a ton of fun that night. And a nice meal! I'm sure we'll do it again soon. Thanks for visiting, Kim!
lol Amoeba Corn pizza! Lovely1 Gaw...now I'm craving pizza and reeses cups ...I blame you two!!
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[BusyDad] How about a Reeses PB Cup Pizza? I'm suprised Fury didn't think of that one!
Oh so fun! We have some Iron Chef battles around here too, literally! Making four lunches in the morning, the bread, the chips, the juice boxes are flying. It gets pretty brutal.
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[BusyDad] Full contact cooking. That's what I like!
Awesome Post Fury is going to win some hearts with those culinary skilz!! Looks like you guys had fun and the pizza looked yummy...mmmm..
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[BusyDad] And for that reason, I hold culinary enlightenment as one of the cornerstones of effective father/son education.
I love Iron Chef Fury's hair - stylin'!!
Did that ever look like fun. Hilarious too, but that goes without saying. Pizza looked fairly edible too :)
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[BusyDad] Thank you for noticing his new hair do! I'm loving it. It looks like a little samurai. Actually, that's what gave me the idea to go with the Iron Chef theme. If I didn't have to suffer the awkward middle stage of shaggy unstyleable hair, I would sport the same hairdo. I always wanted to be a samurai (or just look like one).
that was INCREDIBLE. loved the pictures, esp fury in his rainbow trout apron. and the one of him throwing the pizza dough in the air was to-die-for. PLS give us another installment of Iron Chef, BD v fury. this was damn cute
and looked like yummy yummy pizza
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[BusyDad] I knew you'd notice the apron. I was waiting for you to comment about it! I really think Fury could give that Cooking with Luis kid on Noggin a run for his money. Iron Chef Fury calls you out kid!
Oh man. I am in love. This post is the best. How funny are you? How come it took me this look to stumble across you?
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[BusyDad] Thanks MommyOH! I am only as funny as this kid's antics. Luckily, this boy of mine is a total riot. I'm piggybacking on his hard work. He'll get me back for this once he realizes his market value.
Very funny! I bet you had a blast doing that. I hope your wife scrapbooks. These are great pictures!
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[BusyDad] So fun - I'm up for a rematch anytime, anywhere. This is actually my virtual scrapbook. It's one of the reasons I started this in the first place. Wanna know what else is cool? Blurb.com can turn your blog into an actual hardcover book!
judge struglas: i love the presentation with the pairing of the pancetta and corn. the crust sits nicely on the palate with a slight crisp. my only criticism would be the addition of something acidic to balance out the corn. overall, a success. thank you chef fury.
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[BusyDad] Damn! I knew we should have gone with the pickle ice cream (Sandy called it!). At least we get an 8 for presentation right?
How in the world do you come up with things like this?? I should just retire my blog since I am no where near your level of blogging !!!! LOL
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[BusyDad] I am a little bit insane and a little bit drunk. You ain't retiring nothin man! Us dads need to be heard/read.
What??? No pizza ice cream? They always put the most bizarre crap in the ice cream machine ;) But that Pizza looked so yummy! I'm tempted to have one for dinner now...however, a la chuck-e-cheese ;)
ROFL...your post was genius :) I sooooo miss the real Iron Chef episodes. The American version just doesn't cut it for me.
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[BusyDad] HAHA!! Totally WTF? Someone's always gotta be making ice cream on that show. MMM Salmon Roe ice cream. I'm glad you had fun reading it! Yeah, old school Iron Chef all the way.
OK, just showed/read this post to the kids. They are all for a throw-down! We'll have to pick and ingredient now.
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[BusyDad] NICE!!! Think about something and email me. A collaborative post across the internet. Totally cool.I need to get a better camera.
This was WAY better than the real Iron Chef!!!! Too brilliant BusyDad. Thanks for the laugh this morning. Now I REALLY have to get back to work ;)
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[BusyDad] Glad this made you laugh (before or after your coffee?). Oh shoot! Work. Thanks for reminding me...
I just absolutely love the way you do these kinds of things (photo journals or whatever). This is great! I'd love a slice of that pizza and yes, I'd take some of that corn/mushroom of Fury's, too. Yum! Looks tasty! He looks so comfortable in the kitchen -- even does that little curved finger trick with his left hand when cutting the green bean. Fab, fab, fab!
You guys look like you have soooo much fun together. It's so great!
Loved this, BD!!
;-)
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[BusyDad] Thanks bimmgee! I love doing the photo posts too -- less writing! haha.Oh yeah - Fury's got skillz in the kitchen. Funny, I never noticed the finger thing on the beans pic. A natural...
omg! this was genius! how witty and FUN!
this was fantastical read (and Fury is a doll! how cute he is!)
plus i think you have a culinary master on your hands...he looked like he meant business...very professional and handsome too....move over Wolfgang!
Corn pizza…who knew?
;o) awesome!
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[BusyDad] Hmmm can you patent a pizza? If I see corn pizza in my grocery freezer Wolfgang is on my hit list. Glad you enjoyed the post :) thanks!
A Newcastle, pizza and Reese's cups? Sounds like a perfect meal!
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[BusyDad] The boys know how to live large!
I feel disgusted and hungry @ the same time. Corn...and ham on pizza...*lol*
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[BusyDad] "Kid Gourmet" - it's an acquired taste...
I think the Japanese female star of stage and screen works for one of my customers.I spoke with her today and she informed me that.
"Hee Hee Hee!..the check is in the mail..Hee Hee Hee!"
Great post B/Dad!
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[BusyDad] haha! that lady is everywhere. making mundane comments at random times in random places.
Busy Dad san
Very nice, very nice!
I'll give a 4 for presentation, 5 for originality and due to restraints on tasting a 10 just because. That's a total score of 19!
*And the crowd goes wild*
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[BusyDad] Not bad for his Iron Chef debut. You are on the guest list at his restaurant's grand opening.
You rock! Mike.
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[BusyDad] Thank you Mike! Fury sends a ROCK ON!
Dude! Nice! I love that the Japanese star of stage and screen had her moment of input. Very entertaining stuff my man, as always!
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[BusyDad] Like a saffron strand, she is a small, yet noticeable ingredient. Joeprah, you keep me motivated!
Brilliant, BD!! Brilliant!!
You guys would beat that fat Italian chef anyday!!
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[BusyDad] Fury vs Mario Batali. Talk about a David v Goliath scenario!
LMAO this is great!!!! OK, once I get that Wii (IF) I'm bringing it over. But only if you guys cook for us!
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[BusyDad] I hope you and the boy like corn. Because we certainly love Wii.
I can't wait for Fury to do a showdown with bobby flay and beat him! :) Unstoppable with that little samurai-do!
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[d Bro] This youngblood is gonna take out all the old lions. Food Network, take notice!