braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaains!

Whenever I'm talking to people about weird and unorthodox foods the topic of brains always comes up. Specifically, live monkey brains. I'm sick of hearing about this so called delicacy that's eaten in parts of East Asia. The consumption of brains as food is not uncommon. However, the belief of eating the brains from a live monkey is down right absurd.

The myth of live monkey brains was likely made popular by the film Faces of Death which staged the eating of live monkey brains. However, there also have been written accounts by people who have eaten or witnessed the eating of live monkey brains. I'm skeptical of these accounts as people can tend to embellish, alter or even fabricate events. A very good example of this is the 2003 memoir A Million Little Pieces written by James Frey.

Another, more familiar, example of monkey brain being served as food (although not live) is in the film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Chilled monkey brains are served as dessert to Indy and his companions by their Indian hosts. Two very important things should be noted:

1. Hindus are Lacto-Vegetarians.
   
2. The monkey is a sacred animal to Hindus.

Never the less, this film was banned in India for its negative portrayal of Indian people and their culture.

I can admit that there may be a possibility of eating cooked monkey brains. Cooked brains is not unusual as it is part of the fifth quarter of meat (offal). Recently, I stumbled upon Chef Chris Cosentino's blog Offal Good. In one entry he details his preparation of calf brains. In another entry he has photos of a market in Turino selling brains right next to testicles and other offal.

Offal is important part of meat and I'm nearly convinced it's responsible consumption of an animal. Brain could very well be good eats when cooked properly. However, the idea of strapping a monkey under a table, opening it's head like a tin can, and then trying to eat its brains all the while the poor monkey kicking and screaming is very unlikely. Just think of the mess...

All myths and urban legends have a deeper theme and underlying meaning. My interpretation of the myth is an underlying fear of the cuisine and practices of Eastern cultures. This myth likely started in the early to mid 1900s when Eastern cultures were being viewed as uncivilized and filled with ancient mysticism and superstition. Anyone from North America or Europe would obviously view Eastern cuisine as strange and unorthodox.

If you want to believe in eating live monkey brains then you may as well believe in the alligators living in New York sewer systems. Heck, I think Bigfoot has more physical and convincing "evidence" than monkey brains do.

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Ratatouille

Disney Pixar released a brilliant film this past summer, Ratatouille. It tells the tale of a rat in Paris, Remy, who dreams nothing but to be a chef. The film follows the adventures of Remy as he forms an unusual partnership with a garbage boy, Linguine, in a famous restaurant. Combined, the duo come together to create some of the most outstanding food in Paris.

I love Pixar films. I had first year about this film in early 2007 and anxiously awaited its release In June. I watched every trailer, preview, interview, and behind the scene featurette I could. Ratatouille came to theatres June 29th but a sneak peak viewing of the movie occurred two weeks earlier. I eagerly attended the sneak peak and adored movie, I haven't watched it since the viewing in the theatre but I recently received the DVD as a gift from a close friend.

I love the script, the characters, the attention to detail, and the food. The film shows the importance of following one's dreams and being true to ourselves. We have to do what we love and not give up on who or what we are. Shakespeare expressed this very simply as, "To thine own self be true."

When Pixar Studios create a movie they immerse themselves into the world of that movie as to do the characters and story justice. For this film animators were given cooking lessons and even worked in a restaurant. Chef Thomas Keller was also taken on as a consultant for the film and allows animators to work in his restaurant the French Laundry. The pinnacle dish in the film was created and stylized by Chef Keller which was then animated.

Upon hearing the news that Chef Keller had a part in the creating process I knew this film was to be special. Thomas Keller has been something of an idol to me ever since I first heard about the French Laundry and read about it in Michael Ruhlman's novel The Soul of a Chef. Keller has won numerous awards for his work at the French Laundry and the restaurant has been acclaimed by a wide array of people to be one of the top restaurants in the United States and even the world. I will dine there one day.

The film touches me on a personal level because I can see parallels with the story and my life. I'm working towards doing something I am passionate about. In the past it has felt like there were forces against me and hindering me. I've now accepted what/who I am and what I love. To thine own self be true...

Oh yeah, I also like the film because of this guy:

Horst, one bad ass Sous Chef. He's killed a man with his thumb.

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