Cilantro. I ate it. (and a few updates!)

You all donated (more than) $1,000 so far, and I said when we reached the $1,000 mark, I'd eat a handful of cilantro.  I did it.  Here ya go:

(Thanks, Linda, for shooting the video!)

Now, a few updates:

I've added a new book to the list of raffle giveaways for anyone who donates -- Michael Ruhlman's Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking (signed by the author).  Grant has also offered to sign the copy of Alinea, and I've got a signed copy of Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc at Home.

We've also got some goodies to give away, raffle-style, for those who donate $50 or more:

-- The good folks at Whole Foods have donated a $50 gift card;

-- The lovely, awesome people at Central Michel Richard here in Washington, D.C., have donated TWO $50 gift certificates; and

-- Judy Shertzer, managing partner of Terra Spice, has donated what we're calling an Alinea Starter Kit.  She's going to put together packets of all sorts of potions and hydrocolloids... all the things we think are good to get ya started on your journey into the Alinea cookbook.

Now, on to what I'm gonna do at each donation milestone.  I read your comments and your emails and your Twitter replies, and here's what I've decided:

• When we reach $1,000 in donations, I'll eat a handful of cilantro.

• At the $2,500 mark, I'll eat 6 raw oysters. [we're really close, and I'm really afraid]

• At the $5,000 milestone, I'll eat tripe soup.

• At the $6,500 milestone, I'll eat some celery.  WITH NOTHING ELSE ON IT.

• Raise $8,000 (meeting last year's donations) and I'll tap dance in front of the White House.  Yes, I own tap shoes, and no, I haven't used them since 1986.

• Think we can get to $10,000?  If so, I'll eat a softshell crab with a side of durian.

• At $12,500, I'll videotape myself singing some really awful song at karaoke -- New Kids on the Block, Milli Vanilli, Celine Dion, Tone Loc...

• Reach $15,000, and I'll go work the line in a restaurant.

• If we go above $30,000, I'll sweeten the giveaway pot and take one lucky donor to Alinea for dinner sometime in 2010.

• And, if we reach $100,000 in donations to Share Our Strength, I'll not just change my name to Alinea Blymire, I'll take it one step further: I'll change my name to the different sized circles on the Alinea menu.  Don't believe I'll do it?  TRY ME.

So, head on over to Share Our Strength and help them do their great work.

Thanks.  :)

Comments

[Chris]

oh. my. god! I love cilantro, and can't even imagine doing that. you look like you're about to turn green!

[Joanna]

Your expression is just priceless! I actually like cilantro in moderation, but could never imagine forcing myself to shew down a handful that big! Props to you :)

[Kailee]

The grimace on your face is just priceless. Sorry, I laughed!

Anyway, that video TOTALLY made me click over and donate. Come on oysters!!

[Regina]

People enjoy cilantro by not downing an entire handful at once! Good for you though.

P.S. Tripe soup comes BEFORE celery? Yikes.

[lux]

I hate cilantro too, and I feel your pain. Still, I am not sorry that I donated. :)

[Crystal]

You're awesome. :) If I hadn't already donated, I'd go do it right now. Hee!

[Amanda]

That was amazing!

[Jason]

I know it's not called "Alinea at Home", but it seems like there should have been a kit of the hydrocolloids, etc. necessary for so many of the recipes in Grant's awesome book. It's so cost-prohibitive to buy the quantities necessary to just try the recipes. Imagine the progress that could be made if everyone could play with (and learn from) the techniques in the Alinea cookbook!

If Terra Spice (or another vendor) wants to start packaging something like this, I'd be first in line to purchase it.

[Dave]

How about adding the gallon challenge as one of the milestones? Google it if you don't know what I'm talking about :)

[Spooneroonie]

Okay, there are people that live in this house that were kinda disappointed that the "walking around town with a cute cute kitty on her head" option has not been chosen. However, that was completely forgotten as we watched the near-hurling of the nastiness that is cilantro.

You have made my son proud. We are thrilled that you're so close to the Oyster Mark. He hopes you *really* hurl in that one. (Hey, he's nine--he's all about the gross-out humor.)

How much do we need to raise in order to get you to tap dance AND sing NKOTB outside the White House?

[Victoria]

Yikes. One mouthful would have been enough.

I understand that cilantro tasting like soap is genetic. But......I could be wrong.

Having said that, I had the 6 best raw oysters I have EVER had in my life tonight at Pearl. Maybe you'll luck out.

[Kathy]

Wow - celery? You're really serious about this which compelled me to send in my donation just now!

[tomdarch]

Just to be totally mean: unlike basil, CILANTRO STEMS ARE EDIBLE! (Mwahahahahahah!!!) Don't worry - you can sprinkle the chopped stems on the oysters...

Sorry - I used to really dislike cilantro, now I like it. Maybe I'm unknowingly part of some X-Files-esque genetic modification?

[Elizabeth]

That is hilarious!! Can't wait to see you eat some raw oysters. I am with on the insane grossness that they are..but heck for charity?? awesome.

[jordanbaker]

Please let me know if you need a camera person/towel girl when it's time for the tap dancing exploits. I don't have a federal rap sheet yet.

[Judy]

That would have been SO good dipped in rosewater.

[SallyBR]

Oh, dear....

I love cilantro, but the idea of eating a bunch of it grosses me out... You are beyond brave!

I don't mind any of the things of your list, actually - apart from tripe, that would be an ordeal to swallow. Durian I've never had, is it that fruit with the horrible smell?

Good luck, it is all for a great cause!

[shawntelle p.]

Watching you crunch your way through that bunch of cilantro was the highlight of my Saturday. Your awesome sense of humor comes through loud and clear over the video.

[Marcie]

I'll never understand it. I love cilantro!

I think you look so beautiful in that video! Pictures do not do you justice!

[JR Prospal]

OK, my donation is in. I want to see you eat tripe soup. I'd even make it for you...it wouldn't be much of a struggle though, my tripe soup is great.

[amber]

Oh honey, I'm so so sorry about the cilantro. :/ I have that same genetic defect that makes it taste like soap on a stick, so I'm sitting here trying not to gag on your behalf.