Behind the Bird - Recap

The episode is presented as a documentary, the work of a young filmmaker named Blair McGuffin. Blair was given permission to film her documentary about the "Romancing the Bird" episode. But after the episode wrapped, trouble began to brew.

With a solid inch of snow on the ground, and another half-inch due by morning, the city of Atlanta is paralyzed, the airport closed. The “Good Eats” crew and Ms. McGuffin are stranded together at Alton’s house.

Alton’s sister Marsha tries some high-class finger sandwiches, but the trapped crew isn’t enthusiastic – the sandwiches emerge from the room much faster than they entered, decorating Blair McGuffin’s face and clothing. But the crew keeps Marsha prisoner, to encourage Alton to make them some proper food. Alton realizes the time has come to take charge, and heads to the basement to make his sandwiches. Blair, for her part, seems to have caught the amorous eye of Cousin Ray…

In the basement, we learn how to turn Romancing the Bird’s “Tart Cranberry Dipping Sauce” into a cranberry jam for use on turkey sandwiches. There’s also a short course on toasters that includes the features to look for. Toasting bread has come a ways since that long ago day when Albert Marsh invented “nichrome”, the metal from which those little heating wires are made. Finally, Alton offers some tips that will keep sandwiches together, keep the bread from becoming soggy, and keep the filling where it belongs.

The next morning, Alton is again confronted by video of his bound and gagged sister. Although he likes her better this way, because she’s quiet – he knows he has to do something. So when the crew demands hash, Alton throws some together, in an iron skillet. Why iron? Because most of what goes in the hash comes from the refrigerator; the iron skillet will stay hot because of its mass. Hash is also presented as an excellent way to rid the fridge of ingredients left over from this or that. Except anchovies; those stay in the chill chest.

It’s day seven, and there is little food left. Poor Blair is forced to pilfer the key to the refrigerator, and sneak herself a drumstick – still juicy – as she attempts to elude Ray. About all that can be made is turkey soup. It starts with a stock, which is made from the turkey bones (Alton talks a little about the difference between stock and broth). To this are added vegetables and aromatics, and the brew simmered for a little while.

Finally, on the verge of starvation, rotors are herd, getting louder. Alton’s mother enters and greets her children. She has borrowed Emeril’s V-22 Osprey, which has room enough to carry everyone to safety. But she does want to know how her wreath ended up in the bushes…

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