Goodbye Children...

Isaac Hayes is dead. That, to me, is very sad.

In a weird sort of way, I kind of grew up on Isaac Hayes. Looking back, he was involved with so many of the things I found entertaining as a kid...

As a performer, Hayes was an impeccable musician and had a knack for choosing "cool" movies to star in.



I love the theme from "Shaft". It's iconic in it's sound and it's outlasted so many other pieces of crap from that period. And let's not forget that he WAS A-Number 1, The duke of New York in what was undeniably John Carpenter's best film evar, Escape from New York. But really, who didn't love his character Hammer in the film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka?




Being that this is a food blog, no Isaac Hayes memoriam would be complete without a South Park mention. Isaac Hayes played Chef, and despite the hypocrisy surrounding his leaving the show, he was just as impressive at voicing a cartoon character as he was at performing music.



One of the most comical South Park bits was when Chef sang the song Chocolate Salty Balls. Yeah, the song is nothing but sleazy double entendres, but get this: There really is a recipe for Chocolate Salty Balls...

Featured in his 2000 cookbook, Cooking with Heart & Soul, Hayes gives a small back story about how he had once made them for Matt Stone and Trey Parker and how it ultimately became one of their funniest segments.

So in honor of Mr. Hayes, I present to you: Chocolate Salty Balls

1 C Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/4 Corn Syrup
1 Cup Milk Chocolate Bits

1/4 t Salt (not Kosher)
3 T Confectioners Sugar

In a bowl, mix the Graham Cracker crumbs and Corn Syrup.
Using a Spoon or Melon Baller, shape into balls and set on wax paper. Hold in refrigerator.
Using a double boiler, slowly melt the chocolate.
Gently dip the Graham Cracker balls into the chocolate and place on the wax paper to allow to set.
In a small bowl, mix the Salt and the Confectioners Sugar.
Once the chocolate has set, rolls the balls in the Salt\Sugar mix.

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Isaac Hayes' goofy-assed association with Scientology notwithstanding, he was a gifted performer on so many levels. He is one performer I will miss. Also, if I find out that his death was due to one of those Purification Rundown things, I'll make it my life's work to meet Tom Cruise solely for the purpose of kicking him in the nuts.