ta name="google-site-verification" content="LnUtT_d1nKFEi6qCVRa2VtURKXcUowdpcm2UMwFTZUk" /> hummus recipes: December 2007

Monday, December 31, 2007

Top Eats 2007


  1. BLT Prime, New York - As much as it pains me to list not one but two NYC restaurants as my top picks for 2007 Eats, I have to hand it to Chef Laurent Tourondel. That guy really knows how to seduce your palate - and it does it in a way that is at once elegant and casual, keeping in mind the sophistication of today's modern diner, but also paying homage to familiar favorites. My experience at BLT Prime was perfect from start to finish. The bartender knew just what to make me (how I adore a psychic bartender) and the hostess and wait staff were on point the entire evening. But, that's New York, always a notch above San Francisco in their expertise in the service industry. What stood out for me most of all? My steak. A bone-in rib eye that had just the right amount of seasoning, char, and was cooked perfectly. It was the best piece of meat I have had in years, even beating out the butter-soft Wagyu steak I had at Craftsteak in 2006. All of the sides were perfect, too, washed down with a very, very special bottle of wine. BLT Prime, you are the Chrysler Building of restaurants for me.
  2. BLT Fish, New York - BLT Fish was actually my first introduction to the BLT world. I went there with Denise, who is a very discerning foodie and a pleasure to dine with. We were both blown away - from the presentation, to the taste, to the little touches like giving us a bag of home-made cotton candy to take home after our meal. What's really cool about BLT Fish is that you can go casual and stay on the first floor, which is "shack"-style, or go up to the more upscale 3rd floor, which is very elegant. Either way, you will be sure to have a great experience there.
  3. Mission Beach Cafe, San Francisco - Other than Garcon, I have probably dined at MBC more times than at any other restaurant in San Francisco this year. It is my go-to place for lunch, and I have taken no fewer than 5 people there to introduce them to the fine food of this lovely neighborhood space. They do things the way I would do them in my fantasy restaurant - using Heath Ceramics dinnerware, serving Blue Bottle Coffee, and having a pastry chef as a partner. The cannele's are to die for - a perfectly caramelized dome of goodness housing a soft custard center. The owner, Bill, is a doll, and we have a nice chat every time I am there - he remembered me from my Yelp review the first time I went there - soooo nice! What won me over was the Turkey Sandwich - now, I am not someone who craves turkey or sandwiches for that matter, but this one is superb. It's the combination of turkey, aoili, and slow-cooked bacon that makes every bite a joy. I get it every single time I am there. Dylan is almost always my waiter and he is so cute I could take a bite out of him like a cannele. One time, Jill and I did ask if we could adopt him, and he didn't say no.
  4. Bushi Tei, San Francisco - another discovery made with Denise on one of our monthly dinner nights. Bushi Tei has Japanese food like I have never had it before - the cooking style borrows from French cuisine, but there is something wholly Japanese in the experience. Every dish is artfully presented with a delicate marriage of flavors and textures that you have to concentrate in order to fully savor every bite. I had my birthday dinner here, and they could not have been nicer or more accomodating. All of the dishes are delicious, but the standout one for me is definitely the foie gras/pumpkin custard. Heavenly. Everyone always gets a kick out of the suped-up toilet in the bathroom - it puts other toilets to shame with its many features, including a self-raising lighted seat that is triggered when you walk into the room. Like the entire experince at Bushi-Tei, it's far from the ordinary.
  5. Cyrus, Healdsburg - I am usually very critical of restaurants that get so many accolades, because more often than not the hype far exceeds the food, and the atmosphere is too serious and self-conscious. Not so at Cyrus. I was treated to dinner here by my friend Shelley, and when I say treated, I mean treated. Dining there is a masterpiece in orchestration, matched by inventive, forward cuisine that is both sophisticated and playful. Like seeing a superb art collection, it's almost overwhelming to have course after course of so many amazing things (we did the Chef's Tasting Menu which I would highly recommend). The cheese course alone was portioned enough for a party of 6 and was incredibly rich and flavorful. After dining here, an appropriate follow-up would be a marriage proposal. It's that special.
  6. Two, San Francisco - best restaurant in San Francisco? Nope, not even close. But I have had so many fun experiences at Two this past year, that it brings a smile to my face just thinking of it. Two used to be the stuffy Hawthorne Lane, and chef David Gingrass and his wife decided to give it a huge makeover. Now, it's a semi-casual, small-plates oriented establishment, with an impressive bar menu and modern decor. Communal dining is encouraged, and Two is best for a group rather than for an intimate dinner. I think just sitting at the bar with a Grapefruit Martini and one of their amazing Raviolo's would do it for me. I had the pleasure of meeting David on my first visit there, and he is a really nice guy. Next year I am determined to take one of the cooking classes offered at Two and sharpen my culinary skills under their direction.
  7. Aziza, San Francisco - another sleeper in our midst, Aziza remained hidden to me until just this year. Moroccan food in the Richmond, using sustainable resources and with a drink menu to knock your socks off? Who knew? Well, I know now. Beautiful flavors, bursting with seasonal freshness, and artfully presented, at prices that won't break the bank. There are so many dishes still to try - I can't wait to go there again. And again, and again, and again...
  8. 900 Grayson, Berkeley - I was introduced to 900 Grayson when I was in Berkeley picking up a gift for Kirsten. The jewelry designer that I had gone to visit recommended it. It's in a converted house, which I love, and my server was so nice that I immediately felt at home. This is so important when you are dining alone - and I think that your senses are super-heightened because all you have to focus on is your meal. Well, my meal was darned near perfect. I was so excited that I could barely contain myself - I went right home and wrote a glowing review on Yelp, and then told everyone about it as well. I went there again with my friend Sean on a very busy lunch hour, and while the wait was excruciatingly long, the food was excellent. The chicken and waffles (a California legend of a dish) is worth a special trip.
  9. Chez Spencer, San Francisco - I got to pick the restaurant for our anniversary dinner, so I was certainly not going to miss the opportunity to dine at Chez Spencer, which had long been on my list of must-try spots. It was not at all what I was expecting, and at the same time totally satisfying. Everything is just a little bit odd, in a good way. The location is remote, the decor is neither fancy nor casual, and each dish has about one twist that makes it not run-of-the-mill. Unfortunately, these twists twisted in the wrong direction for Charles, who did not enjoy his meal at all. But back to me....I loved it! It's French, and the service is disciplined (which I like), but I wouldn't be afraid to show up in jeans (which I also like). Now I just have to find someone to go with me....
  10. Brenda's French Soul Food, San Francisco - unfortunately, Brenda's is suffering from too much press and it is a bitch to get in to (waiting in line sucks) - but the damned beignets and Creole food are too good to pass up. Ken and I went here for lunch on a weekday (hours are 8-3), and had a great time. The food is hearty, fairly-priced, and well-executed. It is really hard to find good New Orleans style grub in the city, so Brenda's definitely fills a huge void. Po' Boys, Gumbo, Croque Monsieurs, Fried Oyster Omlettes, and 4 kinds of Beignets - all ready to wash down with home-brewed Watermelon Iced Tea. Yum! I am usually still smiling even after leaving the restaurant and having to pass by the trannies and druggies that populate this lovely section of the Tenderloin.
Honorable Mentions:
- Too many to name! Just a few: Lahore Karahi, Fino, Barndiva, Weird Fish, The House, Plumpjack, Woodhouse Fish Co, Sociale, Garabaldi's....and on and on and on....

Bon appetit, everyone, and Happy New Year!

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Top Reads 2007


  1. "Water for Elephants", Sara Gruen - I just finished this book a few days ago and it goes to the top of my list. Wonderful, wonderful read - for anyone who likes a good story with a bit of history. The author is female, but the protagonist is male and I think men will enjoy this book as much as women. Set in the 1930's, it gives us insight into the world of the traveling circus, a world that I have a love/hate relationship with (afraid of clowns and death-defying acts, love animals, hate whips, don't like big crowds, fascinated by freaks...). Archival photos are at the start of every chapter, fueling the imagination with the details of reality. Great for a Book Club selection (coincidentally, we are discussing it with my friend Amy's group in late January). Well-developed characters, colorful and engrossing.
  2. "Year of Wonders", Geraldine Brooks - Not for the weak-stomached! Another in the genre of historical fiction - this time, the setting is 17th century rural England, at the time of the plague. The heroine is a maid, intelligent and hard-working, with the strength and faith to survive even the most heart-wrenching atrocities and personal loss. The story moves quickly and it is a fast read, and it is well-written and never trite. Being a spectator to the horrors of the plague and all of the mis-steps they make trying to drive it from their village is like watching a train-wreck in slow motion. But the important thing is who and what survives, and what it means for their futures.
  3. "Julie & Julia", Julie Powell - So this was my first time reading a book based on a blog, which I guess is something that we will probably be seeing in the literary world more and more. Perhaps because of that, the flow is a little bit awkward (I know that I don't write in the same way every day, and most likely Julie did not, either). However, I really enjoyed this book. Julie gives herself the seemingly overwhelming task of making every recipe in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking", and she does this with limited tools and resources, and a self-described crappy Long Island kitchen. It is not what she cooks that stands out (wayyyyy too many aspics and things with bones), but the journey and her ability to stick it out. In other words, it's a great metaphor for life. She is forthcoming about her mistakes and emotional breakdowns, and most of us can relate to that. It was both inspiring and validating to me, in terms of wanting to take on something new and meaningful in life, and finding the strength and stamina to see it through.
  4. "Eat, Pray, Love", Elizabeth Gilbert - this is the book I have most recommended this year to my women friends - it seems to have struck a chord all over the nation. I bought it in an airport bookstore the week that I quit my job, thinking that it would be the perfect thing for me to read, and it turns out that it was. The book is written in 3 parts, and takes place in 3 different locations. Eat = Rome, Pray = India, and Love = Bali. Elizabeth Gilbert takes us with her on her journey, and her self-depreciating voice is like that of an old friend. She's imperfect but determined (similar to Julie Powell, above), and the lessons she sets out to learn are not always immediately evident. But again, as in life, truths reveal themselves to her along the way, and the people that she meets become vital instruments in her self-discovery. It's unusual that a non-fiction book is also a page-turner - this one is just that. It's one that when you finish it, you sigh, sad that it is over and happy for having been along for the ride.
  5. "The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets", Eva Rice - loved loved loved loved this book! I bought it prior to going to London this summer (I like to read books set in the place where I will be traveling), after reading a staff recommendation at Books Passage in Corte Madera. And to be honest, I really liked the look of the cover. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down - I was immediately swept into the world of 1950's England and the wonderful characters in the story, especially the teenage protagonist Penelope and her effervescent friend Charlotte (who I imagined as Kate Winslet, like her character in "Heavenly Creatures") . It's hard to believe that this is a first novel - every detail is so well-developed and the prose reads beautifully. Funny, touching, poignant - I can't wait to see what Eva Rice has in store for us next - a must-read!
  6. "On Chesil Beach", Ian McEwan - the minute this book graced the cover of the New York Times Book Review this summer, I was anxious to read it. McEwan is one of the best writers of our generation, and I am a huge fan of his work. "On Chesil Beach" is a book to be savored. As with many of his other books, it centers around a bittersweet love story, and a fateful series of events. It's not a long book, but requires concentration to fully appreciate each moment. Definitely one of the better works of fiction in the past several years
  7. "A Man Without a Country", Kurt Vonnegut - in one of those "perfect dinner party" scenarios, Kurt Vonnegut will definitely be one of my invited guests. As a long-time fan of his fiction, I really enjoyed reading his quips on life and its many lessons. Vonnegut seems to stand for people to be firmly rooted in reality, and not to get too high and mighty lest they fall - and at age 82, he had every right to feel that way. What a loss to have this wonderful author and his dark humor no longer among us.
  8. "The Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast", Bill Richardson - what a lovely little book, which I never would have found on my own. My friend Jessica gave it to me as a present, telling me that it was special, and she was absolutely right. The small world created by these endlessly amusing brothers, their Canadian B & B, and the odd assortment of guests, is greatly entertaining, in the same way "Lake Woebegone Days" is during a good episode. It's darker, without the Unitarian bent, so that's even better. I loved that it celebrated individuality and people who love animals and love to read. Pleasantly odd and wonderful.
  9. "The May Queen", ed. Andrea N. Richesin - I enjoyed this collection of short stories about women in their 30's by first hearing excerpts read by the authors during a live reading. It was a great way to get introduced to the book. All of the stories are very different, but with the common theme of women dealing with life and its many joys and challenges. I was so excited when I saw that Tanya Donnelly, from the band Throwing Muses and Belly, was one of the contributors! Also, I was lucky enough to talk to and befriend Nicky Richesin, the book's editor, which has been a gift unto itself.
  10. "This is Not the Life I Ordered", Jackie Speier, Deborah Collins Stephens, Michaelene Crisini Risley, Jan Yaneniro - You think you've had a bad day? Just read a few of the hardships that these women (and the other contributors) have had to face, and your problems will suddenly seem like a walk in the park. The point is not to diminish what you are going through, but rather to show how anything, no matter how great or overwhelming, can be overcome. There are little exercises at the end of each chapter which I didn't do, but are handy if you feel compelled to treat it like a workshop. I chose to take the general ideas and consider them in general relation to my own life. One of the important take-aways is that we are not alone in our struggle, and relying on our community of either other women or loved ones is not only advised, it is necessary.

Top Flicks 2007


  1. "Paris, Je T'Aime" (2006) - in a year where good TV seems to have usurped movies ("Weeds", "Californication", "Project Runway"), this movie wins my vote both on the quality and quantity level. In the 20-odd movies-within-a-movie, about 10 are outstanding, 5 are very good, and the rest are fair to good. But all are entertaining, and with different points of view in the City of Lights. I went to see this movie by myself one afternoon, in the lovely Clay Theater in Pacific Heights, and it was wonderful to disappear into for a few hours. I really felt like an armchair traveler. A great DVD rental, as you can watch it over several nights and really have time to process and all of the stories. Star-and-director studded.
  2. "Marie Antoinette" (2006) - I'm so mad that I didn't see this movie in the theater when it first came out. I watched all of the trailers with anticipation, then was put off by the negative critics' reviews. Ugh. I love this movie. Based on Antonia Fraser's biography, the film strives to give the viewer a close-up look at the life of a very young Dauphine, who later became Queen of France. Instead of portraying her as merely a vain spendthrift, you come away realizing how young she was, and how poorly equipped to rule a country. She was a teenager with a disposable income who liked to have fun, and found herself married to a dull, cold and awkward young man. But after 7 years of trying to consummate their marriage (!), the relationship matures as both young people grow out of their childhoods. The colors and attention to detail in this film are stunning! Like a beautiful Laudree confection or a pair of handmade Manolo Blahnik shoes, every piece of fabric and accessory is more beautiful than the next, showcasing director Sophia Coppola's wonderful taste. I think the modern soundtrack, much of it from the equally excessive '80's, works very well.
  3. "300" (2006) - Graphic novel cum epic, with more washboard stomachs than at Gold's Gym in the Castro before Pride weekend. Mmmmm mmmm. The story is that of the classic hero, sacrificing himself for his principles and his people. The cinematography is beautiful, staying well within the fantasy realm but not going so far as to be confused with a video game. I appreciated the strong female characters, especially the king's wife. A great ride, will make you want to be a Spartan.
  4. "The Golden Compass" (2007) - this was a great follow-up to "Narnia" for me - i.e. a children's fantasy done right. I have not read the books, but was immediately drawn in to the story and Lyra's journey. I watched this movie with a class of 5th graders who were so engrossed that they didn't utter a peep during the entire thing. The adult roles were well played by Daniel Craig (yummers) and Nicole Kidman (less Botox, please!), and the little girl was cast perfectly. The Armored Bear stole my heart. Looking forward to future sequels.
  5. "Factory Girl" (2006) - again, a lot of hype and then panned by the critics, so I waited a while before seeing it, thinking that I was going to be disappointed. Wrong again! "Factory Girl" was a great movie, with Edie Sedgewick exquisitely played by Sienna Miller. They captured the time period and New York perfectly. Guy Pearce seemed such an unlikely choice for Andy Warhol, but I think that he's the best I have seen so far.
  6. "Waitress" (2007) - I saw this on a plane, and really enjoyed it. One thing that they should really warn against, though - after seeing this movie, you must have access to a pie or a restaurant that serves pie. There was no pie on the plane and I had to resort to my imagination. Imagination does not taste like pie. Anyway, I thought that this film was cute and heartwarming, but not as overt in its quirkiness as "Little Miss Sunshine". Keri Russell and Nathan Fillion (you will always be captain to me, Nathan!) have good chemistry and are enjoyable to watch. The supporting actors are very good and add the comedic touch - it was sad watching writer/director Adrienne Shelly's wonderful performance, knowing that she was killed during the making of the movie. It's a nice legacy to her talent, which hopefully will not be soon forgotten.
  7. "Black Snake Moan" (2007) - total sleeper of a movie, similar to "Freeway" with a character not unlike Reece Witherspoon's, played by Christina Ricci. I think that the marketing for this movie confused a lot of people, wondering if they should be going to see it for a chance sighting of Ricci's tits or some good freaky outbursts by Samuel L. Jackson. It has both, but also a good story, which is the part that they forgot to mention. I really liked the characters, and even though it was a little predictable, it was fun to watch. Justin Timberlake is good in a supporting role.
  8. "Sherrybaby" (2006) - I have to thank Virgin Atlantic Airlines for bringing this movie to my attention - I never would have heard of it otherwise. Maggie Gyllenhal is wonderful in a very gritty role of an young ex-convict trying to put her life back together. She looks the part - strung-out, selfish and ready to manipulate anyone to get what she wants. Her growth is very realistic, with more than a few painful setbacks before she finds a reasonable path to follow. Sherry is one of those characters that you are at first hesitant to like, but in the end find yourself rooting for her. And the age-old lesson that drugs and addiction are very, very ugly is laid bare here.
  9. "Green Street Hooligans" (2005) - Very interesting view into British football clubs and hooligans. Elijah Woods is an American who becomes reluctant recruit into the gang-like violence of the local community, through the football clubs (a modern-day Frodo in modern-day London, with no ring to help him). It's well-played, and un-sentimental, however with a good message of fighting for what you believe in. Adrenaline-pumping.
  10. "Easy Rider" (1969) - it's true, I had never seen this movie until last week. How un-American of me! It was the perfect thing to watch on Christmas Day. I can see why it caused so much of a sensation at the time that it was made - all of those notions of freedom and such. I don't know that we've really come all that far in the almost 40 years since then (yes, we are that old) - our tolerance for appearances may have improved, but alternative lifestyles? Not so sure. Young Jack Nicholson, Dennis Hopper, and Peter Fonda fit their roles perfectly, and the fact that they didn't fully compose a screenplay makes the dialog so much more natural. Plus the fact that they were actually getting high during the campfire scenes - you can almost feel it. The restlessness of life and its journey rings true today, and the movie, while definitely a product of its generation, is meaningful to watch today. Fonda's chopper and American flag jacket are film icons for good reason - Wyatt is a worthy poster-boy for counter culture and all that it stands for.
Honorable Mention:
  1. "The Bourne Ultimatum" (2007)
  2. "I am Legend" (2007)
  3. "Lady in the Water" (2006)

Kale and White Bean Soup

In an (seriously unsuccessful) attempt to eat healthy, I bought a bunch of kale from the farmer's market this weekend. What would be healthier than green leafy vegetable? The real question was how I would cook it. After searching high and low, I decided on Kale and White Bean Soup from Epicurious.com.



I pretty much follow the recipe except that I used only 1 Qt. of chicken broth and 4 carrots, didn't use cheese and smoke sausage. I think because of all these changes, my soup tasted like it was missing something. So I added about a tablespoon of soy sauce. (I was tempted to add fish sauce but was afraid that it would take over the soup....)

The soup came out perfect - light and hearty at the same time. (Is that possible?) I guest it's because the lack of meat in the dish.

Top Tunes 2007


  1. The Fratellis, "Costello Music" - this is by far my favorite album of 2007. Every single track is rock-solid. They play the shit out of their guitars while giving you enough pop hooks to keep your foot tapping and head bobbing. They are good songwriters, mixing genres like rock-abilly and punk with Brit-pop, and are not afraid to put together a pretty refrain without taking themselves too seriously. Why is it that Scottish bands, and people, are so much more fucking awesome than everyone else?
  2. Kate Nash, "Made of Bricks" - between this album and Lily Allen's "Alright Still", I chose Kate Nash as the more appealing/promising artist. She leans a little more towards the indie genre, while still being fun and girlish. Her voice is also more mature and interesting, and I think she actually plays an instrument. Mostly, I can't resist an album with a song entitled "Dickhead" - that's just too good. [Note: US release of this album will be in 2008]
  3. The Shins, "Wincing the Night Away" - since their incredible 2001 album "Oh, Inverted World", this band has yet to put out one disappointing album! I keep waiting for their sophomore slump, but it never comes. I don't always understand their lyrics ("New Slang" wins for most beautifully obscure song ever), but they are very nice and poetic and you can tell that James Mercer is a word-lover - he trills words like "crucible" and "repulsive" with attention to each one and its natural rhythm. Safe to say that they are my favorite band of the decade so far.
  4. The Kooks, "Inside In/Inside Out" - this album is just really enjoyable, and their sound seems more established than their short history on the music scene would indicate. I can never get "Ooh La" out of my head: "Pretty pretty pretty petticoat..."
  5. Amy Winehouse, "Back to Black" - it's so sad that Ms. Winehouse's social antics seem to overshadow the fact that she is an absolutely amazing artist. "Train-wreck" or not, I had the opportunity to see her in concert this Fall, and it was her performance that blew everyone away. Her songs have that underlying sensuality that reminds me of that scene in "Hairspray" when the kids just can't stop dancing to the "dirty" music. This album blurs the lines between age, sex, generation, and race in a timeless way. An instant classic.
  6. Mark Ronson, "Version" - Mark Ronson is a genius in arrangements. I have always been a fan of good re-mixes, the cardinal rule of which is that they must be respectful to, but sound completely different than, the original. Ronson totally gets this, and in addition to successfully interpreting beloved songs such as "Stop Me" by the Smiths, he manages to add his own signature sound to each track, so that the album is completely cohesive. I like Lily Allen's version of the Kaiser Chiefs "Oh My God" equally as much as the original, and more than any of the tracks on Lily Allen's solo album. A must-have album and great for parties.
  7. The Stanton Warriors, "Stanton Sessions Vol. 2" - apparently, I have seen the Stanton Warriors perform live twice in the last two years. The first time (the time I don't remember) was at Burning Man in '06, after a jamming performance by Freq Nasty and Bass Nectar. The second time was at Fabric in London this November. This is the first electronica album that I have really gotten into in a while, and now it stands among my favorites with Thievery Corporation and Kruder & Dorfmeister. What I like is that they incorporate different styles of music, like reggae and rap, into their beats, sort of like Thievery, but more driving. If you see me car-dancing these days, you can be sure that I am listening to the Stanton Warriors.
  8. Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins, "Rabbit Fur Coat" - this is not a new album, in fact it was released in January 2006, making it almost 2 years old. But I heard it for the first time late this year, and immediately fell it love with it. Jenny Lewis has a beautiful and pure voice, reminiscent of Alison Krauss, but her lyrics have a darkness, edge and campiness that is fitting with her L.A. roots. The Watson Twins are wonderfully weird as well - they have a Southern gothic quality that I find so appealing. The standout track is "Rise Up with Fists" - my favorite line being : "it was not pretty, but she was (...not your wife)" Goooooood stuff.
  9. The Decemberists, "Picaresque" - another not new album (2005), but new to me! The Decemberists had been on my radar for a few years, but I had never gotten around to buying one of their albums. I finally did late one night, one of those late, late nights when I was searching the internet desperate for new music, and I was very happy when I finally bought it. Their sound is pure American indie, with a twist: kind of Violent Femmes meets Billy Bragg, pleasant with a slight sneer and reminiscent of traditional ballads from lands afar.
  10. Hard Fi, "Once Upon a Time in the West" - not as good as their amazing debut album "Stars of CC TV" but still great. It was between this and the Kaiser Chiefs "Yours Truly, Angry Mob", and I probably like both albums equally, but "OUATINW" has less-silly lyrics. Oh what are you going to do, it's pop. I am kind of a sucker for their ballad-driven songs - takes me back to the '80's in a very good way (like a Housemartins way).

Honorable Mentions:
  1. Spoon, "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
  2. Bloc Party, "A Weekend in the City"
  3. Kaiser Chiefs, "Yours Truly, Angry Mob"
Could Be Contenders*:
  1. LCD Soundsystem, "Sound of Silver"
  2. Robert Plant/Alison Krauss, "Rising Sand"
  3. Wilco, "Sky Blue Sky"
* (I keep seeing these albums over and over on Top 10 lists, but I have yet to buy them. However, they sound REALLY promising)

Saturday, December 29, 2007

You're the Tops!

2007 is drawing to a close. So often, we are so anxious to look forward that we forget to look back. But now is the time for reflection on the year that is about to pass, and in honoring it, we can turn to that age-old tradition: the Top [5 or 10] List.

No movie/book has used this concept better than "High Fidelity", which is rife with Top 5 Lists, ranging from the general to the specific, and always followed by some kind of argument or discussion. So in preparation of the onslaught of my personal Top 10 Lists that will be coming your way over the next several days, here is a quote from that great film:


Barry: Top 5 songs about death. A Laura's Dad tribute list, okay? Okay. Leader of the Pack. The guy fuckin' beefs it on his motorcycle and dies, right? Dead Man's Curve. Jan & Dean.
Dick: Do you know that right after they recorded that song Jan himself crashed his car...
Barry: It was Dean you fuckin' idiot...
Rob: It was Jan. It was a long time after the song.
Barry: Okay, whatever. Tell Laura I Love Her. That would bring the house down - Laura's Mom could sing it. You know what I'd want? One Step Beyond by Madness. And, uh, You Can't Always Get What You Want.
Dick: No. Immediate disqualification because of its involvement with The Big Chill.
Barry: Oh God. You're right!
Dick: Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - Gordon Lightfoot.
Barry: You bastard! That's so good - that should have been mine... The night Laura's daddy died. Sha na na na na na na na na! Brother what a night it really was. Mother what a night it really... angina's tough! Glory be!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Take Two and Call Me in the Morning

I admit it. I own the DVD of "the Judy Garland Show - Christmas Special". And I LOVE IT!! Here are two clips from the show: a medley of songs by the whole gang, including a very young Liza, and then Ms. Garland and Mel Torme sing "the Christmas Song". Merry merry to all, and to all a fabulous fur collar and a cocktail!



Feliz Navidad!


Afrikaans: Geseënde Kersfees
Afrikander: Een Plesierige Kerfees
African/ Eritrean/ Tigrinja: Rehus-Beal-Ledeats
Albanian:Gezur Krislinjden
Arabic: Milad Majid
Argentine: Feliz Navidad
Armenian: Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Azeri: Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Bahasa Malaysia: Selamat Hari Natal
Basque: Zorionak eta Urte Berri On!
Bengali: Shuvo Naba Barsha
Bohemian: Vesele Vanoce
Brazilian: Feliz Natal
Breton: Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat
Bulgarian: Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
Catalan: Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou!
Chile: Feliz Navidad
Chinese: (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
Chinese: (Mandarin) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan (Catonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
Choctaw: Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito
Columbia: Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
Cornish: Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
Corsian: Pace e salute
Crazanian: Rot Yikji Dol La Roo
Cree: Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
Croatian: Sretan Bozic
Czech: Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Danish: Glædelig Jul
Duri: Christmas-e- Shoma Mobarak
Dutch: Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! or Zalig Kerstfeast
English: Merry Christmas
Eskimo: (inupik) Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo!
Esperanto: Gajan Kristnaskon
Estonian: Ruumsaid juulup|hi
Ethiopian: (Amharic) Melkin Yelidet Beaal
Faeroese: Gledhilig jol og eydnurikt nyggjar!
Farsi: Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
Finnish: Hyvaa joulua
Flemish: Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar
French: Joyeux Noel
Frisian: Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
Galician: Bo Nada
Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr!
German: Fröhliche Weihnachten
Greek: Kala Christouyenna!
Haiti: (Creole) Jwaye Nowel or to Jesus Edo Bri'cho o Rish D'Shato Brichto
Hausa: Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!
Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka
Hebrew: Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova
Hindi: Shub Naya Baras
Hausa: Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!
Hawaian: Mele Kalikimaka ame Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
Hungarian: Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Icelandic: Gledileg Jol
Indonesian: Selamat Hari Natal
Iraqi: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish: Nollaig Shona Dhuit, or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat
Iroquois: Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson honungradon nagwutut. Ojenyunyat osrasay.
Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie
Japanese: Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Jiberish: Mithag Crithagsigathmithags
Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Lao: souksan van Christmas
Latin: Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!
Latvian: Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu!
Lausitzian:Wjesole hody a strowe nowe leto
Lettish: Priecigus Ziemassvetkus
Lithuanian: Linksmu Kaledu
Low Saxon: Heughliche Winachten un 'n moi Nijaar
Macedonian: Sreken Bozhik
Maltese: IL-Milied It-tajjeb
Manx: Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa
Maori: Meri Kirihimete
Marathi: Shub Naya Varsh
Navajo: Merry Keshmish
Norwegian: God Jul, or Gledelig Jul
Occitan: Pulit nadal e bona annado
Papiamento: Bon Pasco
Papua New Guinea: Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu
Pennsylvania German: En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!
Peru: Feliz Navidad y un Venturoso Año Nuevo
Philipines: Maligayan Pasko!
Polish: Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie
Portuguese:Feliz Natal
Pushto: Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha
Rapa-Nui (Easter Island): Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Rhetian: Bellas festas da nadal e bun onn
Romanche: (sursilvan dialect): Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal e bien niev onn!
Rumanian: Sarbatori vesele or Craciun fericit
Russian: Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Sami: Buorrit Juovllat
Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Sardinian: Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou
Serbian: Hristos se rodi
Slovakian: Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce
Sami: Buorrit Juovllat
Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Scots Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil huibh
Serbian: Hristos se rodi.
Singhalese: Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Slovak: Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovene: Vesele Bozicne Praznike Srecno Novo Leto or Vesel Bozic in srecno Novo leto
Spanish: Feliz Navidad
Swedish: God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt Ã…r
Tagalog: Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon
Tami: Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal
Trukeese: (Micronesian) Neekiriisimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech!
Thai: Sawadee Pee Mai or souksan wan Christmas
Turkish: Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian: Srozhdestvom Kristovym or Z RIZDVOM HRYSTOVYM
Urdu: Naya Saal Mubarak Ho
Vietnamese: Chuc Mung Giang Sinh
Welsh: Nadolig Llawen
Yoruba: E ku odun, e ku iye'dun!

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Butternut Squash Beef Stew with Red Wine

This is my first time cooking butternut squash. I bought it on a whim from the farmer's market. I actually didn't know what to do with it. I googled for butternut squash recipes and found a lot of them - soups, stews, crisps, pies, etc. I was tempted to make this better than pumpkin pie. But I don't want "pumpkin pie" I want to taste butternut squash. So I decided to make stew. I want to eat meat. I got the idea from Epicurious.com's Braised Meat with Butternut Squash but I didn't exactly follow the recipe.



Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 pounds beef chuck - cut into cubes

  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 2 medium onions - chopped

  • 3-4 cups of water

  • 1 butternut squash, peeled - seeded and cut into cubes

  • 1 cup red wine

  • A few bay leaves

  • A pinch of crushed dry red pepper

  • Salt and pepper

Directions
  1. Coat the beef in all purpose flour. Heat oil in a large stock pot. When the oil is hot, sear the beef. When all the sides are brown, add chopped onions. Stir occasionally.

  2. When the onions become translucent, add water, red wine, the squash and bay leaves. Let cook until boiled. Reduce heat to simmer. Season with dry red pepper, salt and black pepper.

  3. Let simmer until the beef is tender - about an hour or more. Serve 4 - 6 servings.


The stew came out very nice and full of tastes. I think I was a little heavy handed with the red pepper so the stew was hotter than necessary. The sweetness from butternut squash blended nicely with red wine's sharpness. I might want to put celery in the stew the next time I make it because I got really soft texture from the stew and then the beef... There's no other texture in the middle. Celery might help with that.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Everyday Goddess


Kristina gave me the book "How to Be a Domestic Goddess" for Christmas, a book I have long been coveting and longing to see on my cookbook shelf. Nigella Lawson is a TV personality that I have admired for a long time now, and have enjoyed her books "Forever Summer" and "Nigella Bites" for several years.

What first attracted me to Nigella was of course her stunning looks and seductive voice - she is like the Bettie Page of home cooking. She makes no apologies for her beautiful breasts, sensuous lips, and luxurious mane of raven hair. In her early shows, she would sometimes be coming home from a party, in a cocktail dress, and dying to whip up something greasy and satisfying. So that would be the featured recipe. In almost every episode, she can be seen sneaking into her darkened kitchen late at night, in her robe, eager for one more spoonful of whatever concoction had made it to the dinner table that night. She tastes what she makes, often sticking a long finger into her mouth and smiling a knowing smile - she knows exactly what she is doing, and does it well. And why not? Food is passionate, full of scents and textures and tastes, and why not enjoy it as such?

I think it is liberating for the modern woman to let go of the "Superwoman" concept, encouraged by the Martha Stewarts of the world to measure themselves on their abilities to balance home, work and family while making their own paper and raising livestock. Come on. It's ridiculous to think that you can do it all, but you can have fun in the kitchen, and you can be at once successful, domestic and sexy. And not perfect.

Here is Nigella talking about "How to Be a Domestic Goddess" - I think it shows just how smart she is, and what drives her passion for baking, and life.

This is a book about baking, but not a baking book – not in the sense of being a manual or a comprehensive guide or a map of a land you do not inhabit. I neither want to confine you to kitchen quarters nor even suggest that it might be desirable. But I do think that many of us have become alienated from the domestic sphere, and that it can actually make us feel better to claim back some of that space, make it comforting rather than frightening.

In a way, baking stands both as a useful metaphor for the familial warmth of the kitchen we fondly imagine used to exist, and as a way of reclaiming our lost Eden. This is hardly a culinary matter, of course: but cooking, we know, has a way of cutting through things, and to things, which have nothing to do with the kitchen. This is why it matters.

The trouble with much modern cooking is not that the food it produces isn’t good, but that the mood it induces in the cook is one of skin-of-the-teeth efficiency, all briskness and little pleasure. Sometimes that's the best we can manage, but at other times we don’t want to feel like a post-modern, post-feminist, overstretched woman but, rather, a domestic goddess, trailing nutmeggy fumes of baking pie in our languorous wake.

So what I’m talking about is not being a domestic goddess exactly, but feeling like one. One of the reasons making cakes is satisfying is that the effort required is so much less than the gratitude conferred. Everyone seems to think it's hard to make a cake (and no need to disillusion them), but it doesn’t take more than 25 minutes to make and bake a tray of muffins or a sponge layer cake, and the returns are high: you feel disproportionately good about yourself afterwards.

This is what baking, what all of this book, is about: feeling good, wafting along in the warm, sweet-smelling air, unwinding, no longer being entirely an office creature; and that’s exactly what I mean when I talk about ‘comfort cooking’.

Part of it too is about a fond, if ironic, dream: the unexpressed ‘I’ that is a cross between Sophia Loren and Debbie Reynolds in pink cashmere cardigan and fetching gingham pinny, a weekend alter-ego winning adoring glances and endless approbation from anyone who has the good fortune to eat in her kitchen.

The good thing is, we don’t have to get ourselves up in Little Lady drag and we don’t have to renounce the world and enter into a life of domestic drudgery. But we can bake a little - and a cake is just a cake, far easier than getting the timing right for even the most artlessly casual of midweek dinner parties.

This isn’t a dream; what’s more, it isn’t even a nightmare.

Very Important Test

8


OK, so the kiddies would pretty much kick my ass. How about you?

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Chocolate Matzoh Crunch

I bookmarked this recipe more than a year ago meaning to try but could never find plain matzohs. I don't know why my supermarket only carried garlic, egg and onion varieties but no plain. But finally, I saw them on the shelf last night.

I saw this recipe back in April last year on David Lebovitz's blog. It looked quite simple. Just boil butter with sugar, pour over sheets of matzohs. Bake. Spread chocolate chip over and sprinkle sliced almond and salt on the top.



Mine didn't come out as pretty. I didn't toast the almonds. I intentionally forgot it. :P For some reason, they didn't want to stick to chocolate. On the other hand, my matzohs got totally stuck to aluminum foil underneath. The caramel seeped through matzoh holes and glued them together. I had to use some force to break them apart.

Nevertheless, it was still very simple to make and they came out delicious. Salt surprisingly brought out more chocolate-ness out of the chocolate chips.

Now I have to figure out what to do with the rest of my matzohs.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Lovin' My New Oven!

Cranberry-Orange Bread, from "The Silver Palate Cookbook"


Food-Processor Cookies, from "Donna Hay: Off the Shelf"


Blueberry Muffins, from "Nigella Lawson: How to Be a Domestic Goddess"


Want a bite? :)

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

By Popular Demand

"Senate Bean Soup" from the Culinary Institute of America Book of Soups
- According to legend, this soup was frequently found on the menu at the U.S. Senate dining room. When the weather became hot, it was discontinued. There was such an outcry, however, that it soon reappeared. Just to be certa
in that they would never be without their favorite soup again, the Senate actually passed a bill requiring that it be offered every day that the dining hall was open.

I can think of no better use for a leftover ham bone than as a main ingredient in this wonderful soup. This time of year, many people get spiral cut hams, but end up throwing away the bone after the meat is gone. What a waste! We were at Val's Restaurant in Daly City last night, and I had ham on the bone for dinner - I barely ate half of it and took the rest home, excited to have an excuse to make my favorite home-made soup recipe the next day.


"The Culinary Institute Book of Soups" is a great book to have in your pantry if you love soups like I do. Because it is not written by a celebrity who is trying to share their point of view with the home cook, the recipes are straighforward and reliable.

This soup takes about 3 hours total to make, which is about 40 minutes of hands-on time and the rest is the simmering and cooking. It's nice for a Sunday supper or post-holiday comfort meal. It is well worth it, and if you make it, be sure to follow the directions well, and don't omit any ingredients - the results will not disappoint you. It's also very cost-effective, even if you go out and buy a smoked ham hock instead of using a leftover bone. The recipe suggests that you serve the meat of of the bone as a garnish - I prefer to cut it up and add it back to the soup so that you get bits of ham with each bite.

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/4 Cup dry navy beans (or Great Northern beans)
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 carrots, finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks, finely diced
  • 1 garlic clove, finely minced
  • 1/2 medium onion, finely diced
  • 1 Quart chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 smoked ham hock (or leftover ham bone with meat on it)
  • 1 yellow or white potato, peeled and diced
  • Sachet: 3-4 whole black peppercorns & 1 clove, enclosed in teaball or cheesecloth
  • Salt, to taste
  • White pepper, to taste
  • Tobasco sauce, to taste
Directions:
- Sort thru beans, discarding any bad ones. Place the beans in a large pot and add enough water to cover them by at least 3 inches. Bring to a boil, remove from heat. Cover and soak for 1 hour. Drain the beans, rinse in cold water, set aside.
- Heat the oil in a soup pot over moderate heat. Add the carrots, celery, garlic and onion. Cook over low to medium heat until the garlic has a sweet aroma and the onions are light golden brown, about 5 minutes.


- Add the beans, broth, and ham hock. If necessary, add enough water to cover the beans by about 1 inch. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 1 hour.


- Add the potato and the sachet. Continue to simmer over low heat until the beans and potatoes are tender enough to mash easily, about 30 minutes.
- Remove the ham hock from the soup. When it is cool enough to handle easily, pull the lean ham away from the bone and dice. Reserve the meat. (I put it to the side and add it back to the soup as a final step).
- Puree about half of the soup until smooth. Return to the pot. If necessary, thin the soup with additional broth.


Season with the salt, pepper and Tobasco sauce. Serve in heated bowls or cups.

Mmmmm mmmmm good!

One is the Lonliest Number


It's hard to upstage an actor like Will Smith - whether or not you think he's got the dramatic chops, you can't deny his screen presence. However, in the movie "I am Legend", what really blew me away were the scenes of post-Apocalyptic New York.

Manhattan is too familiar to too many people to be able to use substitute cites in its place. When films use Vancouver or other cities, it's painfully obvious. "Legend" was filmed on location in New York, and all of the familiar landmarks, large and small, are there. At first I thought that they had shot the street scenes and then added the details later - the abandoned cars, trees, grass growing through the concrete. After reading the production notes, I saw that they actually closed down the streets and added the elements of nature specifically for the film. Wow. Dealing with the logistics of that would take an army of people, and making it happen would seem a task more daunting than fighting off the Infected.

I remember being in the New York City in the winter of '94, when there was a snowstorm that brought the city to its feet. I was trying to get home from work, and set out from my office to walk the 15 blocks to the train station. The streets were completely empty, all vehicles immobilized by the heavy blanket of snow covering the ground. I walked down 5th Avenue, right down the middle, marvelling at the complete silence. I had never heard this sound, or rather the absence of sound, in the city before. There was not a soul in sight, and as I listened to the rhythmic crunch of my boots on the snow, I felt completely alone in the world. It was both magical and eerie - I wanted to lie down and make a snow angel, right then and there! But without anyone to share that with, it seemed kind of pointless. Instead, I focused on getting home, to our apartment in Hoboken, where it was warm and where my husband and kitties were waiting for me.

In this way, I could relate to the main character of Robert Neville as he navigated around the deserted urban landscape. New York is familiar as much for its physical attributes as it is for the unique energy that is the pulse of the city. You can feel it immediately whenever you are there - it sweeps you into the flow and carries you through its streets at a pace all of its own. Without that, it is just a shell, a faded and tattered photograph of the people that make the city one of the greatest in the world.

Mind Your Manners


Growing up, table manners were something that we were taught from a young age. No matter how casual the circumstances, the basic rules were enforced - this was my parents' way of ensuring that their children would behave appropriately in any environment, and also to teach us to respect our meals and the household in general. The discipline was not always kind - elbows resting carelessly on the table were smacked off of it, and bad behavior resulted in threats to send the offender into the basement to finish their meal. Telephone calls and television were verboten during meals. As hard as it was, I will always be grateful for these lessons, as they have served me well time and time again. A designer that I worked for once stopped mid-sentence as we were dining together and remarked, "You have the most lovely table manners!", which was such a nice compliment. It is definitely a sign of being brought up well.

Witnessing poor table manners is always shocking and disturbing to me, especially in a public place. So often I see people dressed to the hilt, spending hundreds of dollars on a meal, only to roughly saw away at their steak or grip their fork using a crudely shaped fist. It seems so contrary - all of the pomp and circumstance of fine dining coupled with the behavior of hobos around a campfire.

There is an article in the Spring issue of Gastonomica magazine about the history of table manners. It includes a chart which cross-references 3 different sources of manners on a range of subjects, so that you can see which ones have either remained the same throughout the years or been adapted to the times. Here is an example:

2007 Web Page, Ball Sate University:
Never chew with your mouth open or make loud noises when you eat. Although it is possible to talk with a small piece of food in your mouth, do not talk with your mouth full.

1922 Emily Post's "Etiquette":
All rules of table manners are made to avoid ugliness; to let any one see what you have in your mouth is repulsive; to make a noise is to suggest an animal; to make a mess is disgusting.

1609 William Phiston:
Some thrust so much into their mouthes at once, that their cheeks swel like bagpipes. Others open their Jawes so side, that they smacke like Hogges: some blow at the nose. All which, are beastly fashions. To drinke or speake when thy mouth is full, is not only slovenly, but dangerous.

It's amazing to me that with all of the advances in technology, medicine, and culinary technique that the simple act of civilized behavior at the table still eludes some of our population, and that the "beastly fashions" still rear their ugly heads.

Psycho-Cat Christmas

I love this video. The host, Chris Leavins, is kind of a combination of Joel McHale from Talk Soup, and David Ducovny. "Hello, Jesus. I'm a cat". Ha!

*cough* *sputter* *yack* ....(hairball)

Monday, December 17, 2007

(Red) Velvet Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

I remember people loved red velvet cupcakes. But it's just cupcakes made from oil and vinegar with a little bit of cocoa and a LOT of red color. I wondered if people would still love them without the red effect. So I made these -- the (red) velvet cupcakes from exactly the same recipe.


Brownish perfectly domed cupcakes


And then I frosted them with Godiva Chocolate Liqueur Buttercream.



The result: I guess how the cupcakes look affects how they taste as well. For some reason, I remember the red velvet cupcakes more velvety than these brownish ones. Maybe it's the frosting. I was a little heavy handed with the alcohol. But isn't that a good thing? More alcohol? Maybe the cupcakes are just better with cream cheese frosting.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Maybe I Don't Want to Know


Last night I had a really weird dream. I have no idea what it meant. I was with some people in a room and all of a sudden there were 2 squirrels at the window, and they put on a little show for us, holding things in their paws, talking in funny voices, etc. They were delightful!

After the show was over, it was time to go. We were taking a train somewhere, so everyone started gathering their luggage together. I had my suitcase but couldn't find my purse anywhere. "Damn it! I think those squirrels stole my purse!"

Then I heard twittering laughter from outside, and the culprits scampered away with my purse and all of its contents.

"You guys, I am so screwed! I have nothing, no I.D., no money! All of my credit cards were in there. Damn it!" I was livid.

"Well, Liz" someone said, "You really ought to watch your purse more carefully. They are squirrels, after all."

"Those bastards!"

See? I just don't want to know.

Chocolate Spice Cookies

I found this Chocolate Spice Cookie Recipe on Epicurioius.com a while back. Wow... a chocolate cookie recipe with only half a stick of butter and it makes 36 cookies! I couldn't wait to try it.

And then I did.



I can't decide if I like these cookies or not. They are very soft. I baked them at exactly 10 minutes at 350 degrees according to the recipe and the warning not to over bake. I guess I'm used to eating cookies with some kind of crunch in them. They are chewy and not overly sweet.

The spice combination was interesting although I don't know if I like this much clove in chocolate cookies. Maybe I'll try just cinnamon and no other spice the next time.

These cookies are also very difficult to drop. The batter was very sticky. So I decided to buy cookie scoop for my next batch. :)

Hello, Lover!


Merry Christmas to me! That's right, I got a new oven. Before you go thinking that I am the luckiest girl in the world, let me tell you about my old oven. It had a few...problems.

- Missing front piece of glass covering the door and door handle. This is because it spontaneously combusted one day, in a flurry of glass shards, all over the kitchen. When the oven was ice-cold. I am still finding fragments of glass to this day.
- Missing plastic piece which covered the handle, and the spring for the door. This meant that the handle would get just as hot as the oven, and because it was missing the spring, the door would not stay open. I had to hold the handle with a pot holder, open the oven, balance the piping hot handle against my hip, and get whatever it was I was baking into the oven before getting a first degree burn on my hip. I was sometimes successful.
- Temperature gauge had Alzheimer's. It would take about an hour to head up, and then when the beeper went off to tell me it was at 350, I would tweak it slightly and it would say the actual temperature, usually around 125. Then we would go back and forth with this up and down temperature throughout the entire cooking time. I used to get furious, then I realized that it was just old and forgetful. "Hello...where was I? How did I get here? What is your name? Oh, all right...hello?"
- Cooked unevenly. In order not to have things turn out half-raw and half-burned, I constantly had to rotate the pan to ensure even cooking.

In short, totally fucked up.

So off we went to Home Depot, and ordered our new oven. We have a very old kitchen, circa 1960, so appliances have to be in the Betty Crocker Easy-Bake oven size. Charles did the research, and found the one you see above, ready for delivery. It came yesterday, and he and one of his employees had it installed by the end of the day. The old oven is next to the garbage, in peace at last.

I started re-reading all of my cookbooks, from Julia Child to Charlie Trotter to Gale Gand, to my newest one by Nigella Lawson (thanks Kristina!). I bought ingredients to make a blueberry pie from scratch. I clipped out a recipe for Jacques Pepin's favorite pound cake.

And the food item that took the maiden voyage in our new oven? Heat and eat Nestle's Toll House Cookies! Hahahahaha. Well, I can't think of anything better to accompany the Laguna Beach Marathon. God bless America, and God bless my new oven!

OMG OMG

And here we go, straight from highbrow to lowbrow. So I am channel surfing, trying to find a show to have on in the background while I complete my Christmas cards. Rick Steves' European Christmas Special! Excellent! But oh no, it's over and now they are trying to get me to pledge money, nooooo.....

Flip. Flip. Flip. Flip. *pause* Flip back.

OMG! It's a "Laguna Beach" Marathon! Of the first season, no less, the season that I have never seen.


Hello, my friends! Oh, how I have missed you. What drama lies in store, I wonder? LC is failing her senior year and she can't go out?? Steven and Kristen are hooking up? Oh, ya'll, it's going to be looooooong night.

You may underestimate my addiction to Laguna Beach. Let me tell you a little story, actually two. So, last year I was driving to the Alemany Flea Market with Jude. I am anxious to share some news.

Me: Oh, I wanted to tell you that one of our friends got a new car. It's a BMW, like a 4 X 4. I just can't remember who it is...

Jude: Which one of our friends would get a BMW 4 X 4?

Me: Hmmm. Ummmm....oh. Never mind.

Jude: What?

Me: I remembered who it was.

Jude: Who?

Me (sheepishly): Kristin from Laguna Beach.

Jude: Liz! You have been watching that show WAY too much.

Me: I know.

(Hysterical laughter ensues)

***********************************************************

And here is incident #2:

I have this dream in which Charles tells me he was friends with Kristin Cavilleri in high school. I say "What? You never told me that. You have to introduce me!" So Charles agrees to take me to a party at Kristin's house. I am soooooo nervous. I really want those girls to like me. When we get there, Kristin comes up to us and tells me that she really likes my barrette. I am so happy!

When I woke up, I was so mad that it wasn't true.

***********************************************************

Well, bitches, I gotta go. Me and my friends are going to Cabo (episode entitled "What Happens in Cabo..."), and you know what that means! Drama!!

Love, Part Deux

Wow, how cool is this? Thanks, S., I absolutely love it.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Love


"Without love, I am nothing" (13:1)

Journaling

I found this piece of writing that I had written during a workshop last month. It reminded me of how much you can learn about yourself just from the exercise of putting thought onto paper. The assignment was to go to a place in your mind and write about what you saw there.

I was in an open field surrounded by trees, and when I left the field to go walking, each direction led to the different departments of my mind. Some were bright and sunny and this is where I found my friends. Some were very still and somber and this is where my thoughts were with things that were sad like my great-uncle dying. The most scary area for me was the darkness, and this is where I journey alone without friends and family. This is where I step in with only me as my guide and I have to trust myself and have faith that I will find my way. It feels like walking in the dark and I don't know what is around me. But there is a part of me that likes this, too. Because I do know myself, and in that sense, it's familiar.

I have copied it here exactly as I wrote it. One thing that I found interesting after having read it again, is that when I talked about going into the darkness alone, I switched from past to present tense. I don't think this was a mere grammatical error - I think that it is in that part of my mind where I am presently (perhaps not fully in it yet, at least standing at the edge looking in), and where I definitely was in that moment.

Journaling can be wonderfully calming. I remember feeling very blissful after diving deep into my thoughts and emotions that day. I have to remember to do it more often, especially during the most stressful of times (which are the times I feel least like writing). Some of the benefits are outlined below, from the about.com website, with some links:

Definition: Journaling, though not an official word found in Webster's Dictionary, is a coin termed to describe the act of writing about one’s thoughts and feelings (on paper or via computer). Journaling has many benefits that range from stress management to sharpened mental skills to health and wellness, and more. Research on journaling has shown that it’s more effective to write about your thoughts and feelings surrounding a stressful event, rather than just your feelings or your thoughts alone. Read more on how to start journaling to make this healthy practice a regular part of your life.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Cranberry Pear Cobbler

I decided that I like cranberries. They are pretty. They are super tart - which means that they must be healthy - full of Vitamin C and antioxidant and etc. (And I was right!)

I also decided that I don't like cobbler - this fluffy quick bread thingy over baked fruit. I much prefer crisp with oatmeal and nuts.

Here is my latest attempt at cobbler: cranberry pear cobbler. I like how the fruit came out. I just wish there's some crunch in the topping.



Maybe it's me. Maybe I don't know how to make a good cobbler. Maybe it's the too little sugar or too little butter....

Israeli Salad

From my few years eating a few Israeli salads, I have never seen the same recipe. There are a few ingredients that have to be there: cucumbers, tomatoes, and maybe onions. Other than that - I guess if you can chop them you can put them in there. I have had avocado, feta cheese, parsley, oregano, mint, all kinds of nuts, etc. I have even seen leaves in there. Leaves! I'm not talking about herb. But lettuce... Preposterous.

One thing though about Israeli salad - the dressing is very simple: olive oil, lemon, salt and pepper. Although I have seen and tasted garlic in there - but I guess that still follows the rule of keeping it simple. Most of the flavor comes from vegetables in the salad.



This is my version - for this particular time.

Ingredients
  • 1 large cucumber

  • 3 tomatoes

  • 1/2 onion

  • 1 carrot

  • 1 red bell pepper

  • 1 cup frozen corn - defrosted

  • 1/4 cup pine nuts

  • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

  • lemon juice from 1/2 lemon

  • salt and pepper

Directions
  1. Vigorously clean all the vegetable.
  2. Peel the cucumber and carrot. Uniformly cut all cucumber, tomatoes, onion, carrot and pepper into tiny cubes.

  3. Toss all the vegetables and nuts together.

  4. In a small bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, a pinch of salt and a few shakes of pepper until combined. Toss with the salad. Serve immediately. For normal people this probably gives 4 portions. But I got only 2.

Monday, December 10, 2007

It's in the Cards



Some people dread the idea of writing their annual holiday cards to friends and family - I actually enjoy it. I love picking out the card - it's usually a reflection of what I am into this year, whether it is graphic pop art, something small and sweet, or a bit of good-natured humor. When I was bitten by the crafting bug, I used to make my own hand-stamped cards, but that is a labor-intensive process that really should begin production in October. For the past couple of years, I have tried to make sure there was something hand-done about my selection - whether it was letterpress cards from Oakland's wonderful Carrot & Stick Press, or a design from local SF company Mototormouth Press (some of you will remember my Penguin & Snowball cards from last year - I bought those from the artist personally! Check out the super-cute game on the website). I buy a lot of cards, usually 80-100, so often I am forced to buy 2 different designs just to reach those numbers. But I try to stick to the same card company, at least.

This year, I am sending out hand silk screened cards by a company called Great Arrow out of Buffalo, NY. Silk screening is a very precise craft, requiring a skilled and steady hand to get the layering just right. Each one is slightly different, like a piece of art. It reminds me of the many printing mills I visited in my career in fashion and home textiles, and I suppose it's a bit of an homage to that as well.

So I've cracked open my address book, a lovely one from Fabriano that I have had for about a year or so, and cards will be going out in the next couple of days. As I write this, new cards are being delivered into my mail slot and I am looking forward to reading them, running my hand over the paper, and having a moment appreciating the thoughtfulness of the sender. That is what a card is after all, a physical representation of a nice thought, brought to you old-school style: in a hand-written envelope with a stamp on it, delivered to your door.

May you be in receipt of many of these thoughts, written or otherwise, throughout the holiday season!

Three's Company



Music is a wonderful mood-enhancer, and I have to admit I am a big sucker for Christmas songs, a guilty pleasure I indulge when no one is home. At full volume, and with singing of course! My favorite era is the 50's and 60's when they would do wonderful television specials and people really dressed up and everything just seemed like one big cocktail party. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is a sweet and sexy anthem for the season. I love the original version of this song by Dinah Shore and Buddy Clark, but this one with Ann Miller and Fred MacMurray in a threesome with Dinah Shore is a whole lot of fun.

Picture Perfect


How of-the-season is this horse standing under a wreath and "Merry Christmas" sign? We were walking around Sonoma on Saturday, and he was just there, seemingly posing for a photo op. At first we thought he might be tied to the spot, but when we walked by on our way back, he was in another part of the yard. Someone wisely said that he must be taking his union break.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Signs of the Times

Sometimes I see signs that just make me crack up. Here are a few that have recently caught my eye:


This one is from a park in Sonoma. What the hell do you get to do in this park, anyway?


This is from a bathroom in Princeton, NJ. Poor baby! First he falls on his head, and then his has to dispose of his own dirty wipe. Where is his mother???



I saw this one in front of a house in London. It seemed like a new take on the "Beware of Dog" sign. Watch out for those disabled people! They bite!


Another one from London, in Leicester Square. This sign was completely surrounded by concrete, so unless you happened to bring your jackhammer or superhero strength, digging would probably not be an option.

Of course, if you "really" want to laugh, check out the "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks. (originally posted by my friend Jessica in her blog) Hilarious.