Chez Panisse

How can food taste so good? A simple beet, cauliflower salad is transformed into a mouth-watering delicacy. Traditional Indian spices are combined with potatoes, chickpeas, turnips and chard to create a to-die-for entree. What can I say that hasn't already been said about Chez Panisse?

Holden and Music

As a respected member of CD group, Uncle Altaf acknowledges the importance of introducing music to Holden early and often.

For the uninitiated, two members of the group make mix CDs to share each month. Music, musicians and other geeky things are discussed, snacks are eaten and a merry time is had by all.

Mad Men

Trusting recommendations from friends, I'm watching "Mad Men" via Netflix and I have to say, I'm not sure I get it.

It's a series about a group of advertising executives (and their wives) set in 1960s New York City. The lead character, Don Draper (pictured above), reminds me of a cynical Michael Steadman from "Thirtysomething," and I really like that one of the secretaries played the president's daughter in "West Wing." But, overall, it's just very soapy ... oh, and everyone smokes ... A LOT!

Shrimp Etouffee

In honor of Mardi Gras, I made shrimp etouffee last night and, boy, was it yummy. I tried it on a whim and didn't really know what to expect, but it's got an unusual spicy, smoky flavor. It took a bit longer than I usually spend making dinner ... what with the chopping and whisking and "stirring constantly" ... but it was definitely worth it.

Here's my friend Mona's recipe:

Serves 6

4 cups fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 bay leaf
1/3 cup butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Cooking spray
1½ cups chopped yellow onion
2/3 cup diced celery
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 tablespoon salt-free Cajun seasoning
1½ teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, divided
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (about 30 shrimp)
4 cups hot cooked long-grain rice

Combine first 4 ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat; bring to a simmer. Cover and remove from heat.
Melt 1/4 cup butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Add flour to pan; cook 8 minutes or until very brown, stirring constantly with a whisk. Remove from heat. Add 1 cup broth mixture to pan; stir with a whisk until smooth. Add remaining 3 cups broth mixture, stirring with a whisk until smooth; set aside.
Melt remaining 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon butter in a large Dutch oven coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add yellow onion, celery and bell peppers to pan; cook 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender and onion is golden, stirring occasionally. Stir in 3/4 cup water, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add tomato paste, Cajun seasoning, garlic, salt, black pepper and red pepper to onion mixture; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add reserved broth-flour mixture and Worcestershire sauce to pan, stirring well to combine; bring to a simmer. Cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add green onions, 1/4 cup parsley and shrimp; cook 3 minutes or until shrimp are done. Discard bay leaf. Serve over rice. Sprinkle each serving with 2 teaspoons remaining parsley.

Kate

I know I've already gushed about "The Reader," but can I say how thrilled I am that Kate Winslet won the much-deserved Best Actress Oscar last night. I read that the role of Hanna Schmitz was originally meant for Winslet who had to pass because of a scheduling conflict. Nicole Kidman (yuck!) was chosen in her place. Thank goodness she got pregnant and backed out, so the role went back to Winslet who did an outstanding job! Go see this movie.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

As you may have noticed, I keep a running list of the books I read on this blog. Partly, it's for me ... I started reading a book I'd already read until I saw it on my list ... and it's also to recommend good ones. One of the best books I've read in some time is Khaled Hosseini's "A Thousand Splendid Suns." Again, it's a character-driven story set in Afghanistan. And I thought it was even better than his bestselling "Kite Runner."

Andrew Bird

My CD group introduces me to all sorts of music. One of the artists who's shown up more than once on compilations is Andrew Bird. On a bit of a whim, I bought Brian and I tickets to see him last night at the Fillmore.


The show was fantastic! Andrew's first instrument is the violin and he often played it with his guitar strapped on his back. He used loops and other fancy electronic stuff in the most beautiful way. It was a lovely evening of great music.