Moules Provencales

Ingredients:

1 Tbs Olive Oil
3 Cloves of Garlic, minced
1/2 Small Yellow Onion, finely diced
1 Large Tomato, diced
1/2 Cup of White Wine, dryer = better
2 Lbs Mussels, scrubbed

Directions:

Heat olive oil in large pot on medium/high heat.  Saute garlic and onion until translucent, about 3 minutes.  Stir in tomato and cook for another 2 minutes.  Add muscles (but be sure to discard the ones that are already open before cooking - they are dead and not fresh enough for cooking) and wine.  Cover and cook until the mussels open, about 5 minutes.  Now, some of the mussels may not open after cooking - these are also bad and can make you sick if you eat them).  Salt and Pepper to taste.

Serve with some crusty sourdough bread.


To Do:

• Cut your losses

That is all.

I make the same Mis-teaks - I haven't changed a bit - I'm still not over it

Girls is annihilating the TV game.  It's everything - laugh-out-loud, awkward, a-little-embarrassing-to-be-watching (if your dad (or mom) was in the room, someone would definitely leave, or turn off the TV), honest, outrageous, shrewd and without-a-doubt my #1 show.  You could say - that's not saying much since you don't watch enough TV to know whats really out there - or you could say - it's huge that you take the time from your rigorous and OCD schedule to take a chill pill, and enjoy this show.  I'd personally go with the latter.  This blurb about Girls segues into this band, The Echo-Friendly, which I heard during the closing credits on the show last week.  

The Echo-Friendly has a two woman (well, one of them is actually a man, but I hate that the word 'man' encompasses women too - so I switched it up - to be annoying) vocal exposition with a complicated past.  Once lovers, now friends and neighbors, that must spend copious (i love this word - reminds me of secretions) amounts of time together to make music, good music (some about past relationships - maybe their own - probably so), that gets played on awesome TV shows, that I watch, and later blog about.  Man, what a small world.  Anyway, they only have 2 songs on itunes right now, but I thought that I had read somewhere that they will be releasing a full length EP sometime soon, but now I can't find the deets.  I'll keep you posted if/when I hear anything. 

Strawberry Short Cake-Pops!!

 Ingredients for Cake:
1 1/2 cups of Egg Whites (about 12 eggs)
1 1/4 cups Confectioners' Sugar
1 cup All-Purpose Flour
1 1/2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
1 1/2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Sugar

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Whipped Cream Frosting (yes. I just said that)
1 pint Heavy Whipping Cream
4 oz Cream Cheese
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/3 cup of Granulated Sugar

2 16oz containers of Strawberries

Directions for Cake:

Measure egg whites, adding or removing whites as needed to equal 1-1/2 cups. Place in a mixing bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, sift confectioners' sugar and flour together three times; set aside. Add cream of tartar, extracts and salt to egg whites; beat on high speed. Gradually add sugar, beating until sugar is dissolved and stiff peaks form. Fold in flour mixture, 1/4 cup at a time. Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Immediately invert pan; cool completely before removing cake from pan.

Directions for Frosting:

Warm cream cheese to room temperature so it is very soft.  I placed mine in a bowl in the oven when the cake was finished baking.  The oven was off but still warm.

Place mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 20-30 minutes (this step makes the whole process much easier).

Place heavy whipping cream in cold bowl and mix on high, add vanilla extract, and gradually add sugar until cream begins to become frothy and stiff peaks begin to form (about 1-2 minutes).  Lastly add softened cream cheese until well blended.  You may add additional sugar to taste.

I cut the strawberries width wise so they function better as layers for the cake pops. 


Spotify is amazing.  I've been a user since November and I have a serious addiction.  There is no other place on Earth where you can find just about every song, ever made, and listen to it however many times you want for FREE! Sure, if you use the free version you get an occasional ad, but its worth it, in my opinion.  You can share playlists with your friends, they can add songs to the list, they can share your list with their friends.  I'm giving a spiel about Spotify because it has changed my life.  I had this epiphany the other day that maybe I should go to med school or at least take the MCAT, I mean really, I'm only 30 and I have a lot of time on my hands literally and figuratively, so why not?!?! Then I realized I have Spotify and I can just listen to hours and hours of music and think about things that I have no intentions of ever doing. Or maybe I do.  I can't say for sure right this second.  I sorta like my free time and to ride my bike.

I'm also loving the new Counting Crows album, Underwater Sunshine. 

Video Blog

All of the below videos are from bands that I have seen in the past 3 weeks.  There are more, but these are the ones I feel are worth sharing. 

An Horse - Camp Out

Washed Out - Eyes Be Closed

Canon Blue - Indian Summer

Memoryhouse - The Kids Were Wrong

I'm in a list mood.  I make a ton of lists.  I even started saving my lists.  I figure someone may want to check them out one day when I'm famous.  Famous for what you ask?!?!  Just things.  Famous for loving my cat.  Or taking the most showers in a day.  Hmmmm?  I wonder if there is a record for that.  I bet I could beat it.  I take a ton of showers.  I shower because I have anxiety- then my armpits sweat - then I get cold - then they keep sweating - then I feel like I smell - but I actually have a super human olfactory sense - so I have to shower - a lot - to warm up - that's rational - I think.  Bassey thinks my showering is the reason our electric bill is so high.  I know.  You would think its the water bill that would be outrageous.  But water is pretty cheap, its the electricity it takes to warm the water that I need to keep extra clean, and warm, and sweat free that is making the electric bill so high.

I got off track.  I wanted to share a list.  My favorite list is the one I keep next to my bed.  When I try to sleep, well I just can't, and I think about things, things that I think are amazing and I keep telling myself I have to remember this because it's a fucking fantastic thought.  So I lay in my bed just reminding myself of this great idea - committing it to memory - then I realize I'm no longer thinking about what I was just thinking about and I forgot the idea.  Then I'm pissed at myself for forgetting, and for being too lazy to just write it down, but that would require sitting up, turning on the light, putting my glasses on, looking for the pen that I just had on the bedside table which has mysteriously disappeared (Jane!) and writing it down. So, I don't actually have a list.  But I will. Soon.

Passive...

Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Ingredients:

8 Rice Wrappers

1/2 bag of rice vermicelli

2 Carrots, cut in strips

2 Cucumbers, cut in strips

Cilantro, chopped

8oz of Firm Tofu, cut in strips

8oz of Shrimp, peeled, de-veined

1/2 Tbs of Soy Sauce

1Tbs of Olive Oil, divided in half

Ingredients for Peanut Sauce:

2 garlic cloves, minced

Juice of 1 large Lime

1/3 Cup of Hoison Sauce

2 Tbs of Peanut Butter

1/2 Cup of Water

Directions:

• In a small pan with 1/2 Tbs of olive oil, cook shrimp on medium heat until entirely pink, about 3-4 minutes.   Set aside when completed.

• Add an additional 1/2 Tbs of olive oil and the soy sauce to the pan, add the tofu and cook until lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes.  Set aside when complete.

• Bring a medium saucepan of water to boil. Boil rice vermicelli 3 to 5 minutes, or until al dente, and drain.

• Fill a large bowl with warm water. Dip one side of the wrapper into the hot water and rotate at a brisk pace until the wrapper is entirely saturated and soft. About 5-10 seconds per wrapper

• In a row across the center, place a row of shrimp/tofu or both, a handful of vermicelli, cilantro, carrots, cucumber, leaving about 2 inches uncovered on each side. Fold uncovered sides inward, then tightly roll the wrapper. Repeat with remaining ingredients.



• In a small saucepan, place the Hoison, water, lime juice, garlic, and peanut butter.  Simmer on medium heat, stirring frequently until ingredients are well mixed and the sauce begins to thicken, about 5 minutes.



Serve Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce


Right, I'm listening to Jewel.  It wasn't unintentional.  I was scrolling through my music, I saw Jewel, and I was like "helllzzzz yeah," in my head, of course.  Its been about 3 days since I've had a solid cry, and yes, its only been that long, and I think I may be feeling something in there that needs to come out.  I feel bad for people.  People that have to be on the receiving end of my tears.  They happen at the most inopportune times, like when a cute commercial comes on the TV, or when Troy and Abed have a bromantic/BF/I-love-you-man moment (What? I'm into them), or well in a few other awkward situations that may be too personal/embarrassing to mention here (but use your dirty minds and you may just get what I'm saying (or probably not)).  I sorta recently read an article about a man who had a terrible accident (head trauma) and then had uncontrollable sobbing for years - he was humiliated - he would cry for any emotion at all.  This story is pointless because I can't remember what was wrong with him, or how they (the doctors) fixed him.  I need a fix - and quick.  The point is there is no point.  I just cry sometimes. I thought listening to Jewel would help (get it out), but I guess I don't really feel like crying right now.  I guess I'm happy (bummer).

Jukebox the Ghost



Bassey and I got a photo op with Ben.



Jukebox the Ghost originated in DC in 2003 (under a different band name, Sunday Mail) while attending GWU (heck yeah! I get stoked about DC bands).  Though, they now claim they are from Philly, their Wiki page lists their origin in both places (booyah), none of this matters, I'm just rambling and showing my affections for my city (you heard me - MY city).   Jukebox the Ghosts' third album is set to release June 12, they have debuted the track Somebody here on NPR. 

I have a serious series of questions for my own personal analysis on Men and Women, actually just 2 questions.

1) Are you a male or female?

2) When you listen to a song, do you first hear the music or the lyrics?

Please leave in the comments.  Thx.

Mascarpone, Spinach, and Artichoke Pasta

Ingredients:

8oz Whole Wheat Pasta

1 16oz can of Quartered Artichoke Hearts (or from frozen package)

1 small Red Pepper, diced

3 cups of Fresh Spinach

2 tsp of Grated Lemon Rind (aka Lemon Zest)

Juice of 1 Lemon

4oz of Mascarpone

1/3 cup of Chopped Walnuts

2 Tbs of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper

Directions:

• Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain in a colander over a bowl reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water. 
• In a separate small bowl, combine Mascarpone, lemon zest, salt and pepper.  Set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.  Add red pepper and artichoke hearts, saute 2-3 minutes.  Add walnuts. 
• Stir in 1 tablespoon of oil and lemon juice; stir for 1 minute.  Add Pasta, pasta water, and spinach; cook for another two minutes, stirring frequently until spinach wilts.
• Fold in cheese mixture until well mixed.  Salt and Pepper to taste.

True Story: This pasta dish was awesome - I liked it so much I didn't offer to share with anyone (Bassey) and instead ate all that I made for two days straight -breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Mascarpone (the cheese used to make tiramisu) in combination with the lemon zest was the perfect combination of sweet and tangy.  My mouth just watered thinking about it - this was literally the best idea I have ever had (in the kitchen, I mean - I have a plethora of other great ideas too - Wait. I can't think of any right this second, but believe me, I've got them)!  Anyway, this was really easy and if you buy the pre-cooked pasta that only takes a few minutes to cook you could potentially have an ingredients-to-mouth time of about 20 minutes.  

One Red Martian @ SXSW

One Red Martian  sucked Bassey and I off 6th street into a dark-dingy-hole-in-the-wall bar with the lure of their rock ballads and catchy lyrics.  This self described piano-medal-band inspired originally by Bend Folds Five, Zeppelin, and Floyd and more recently by Muse has been rockin'-out together for the past 6-7years.  They currently play most of their shows in Dallas, Texas where they all grew-up and live while maintaining part-time jobs to keep themselves afloat.  They are currently organizing a tour of the east coast this summer and in 5 years hope to be making a living off making music (which I'm sure they will). They are too cute (it's probably not cool to call a serious rock band cute - but they are - sorry guys)!

The Lumineers @ SXSW

The Lumineers have been mentioned here before and after seeing them live at SXSW I can say with the utmost certainty that this band is going to be infamous (maybe even the next Decemberists of the indie/folk genre).  I have their album on preorder from itunes and April 3rd cannot come fast enough.

Bassey is awesome (nuff said) - after The Lumineers set and during my starstruck daze she bravely got an interview with Neyla who so beautifully, "adds the nuances with cello and mandolin," to the bands, "acoustic/indie/folk" sound.  According to Neyla "the boys [Wes and Jeremiah] started the band 5 years ago in NJ before relocating to Denver two and a half years ago [where Neyla responded to a craigslist ad and soon became their 3rd member].  They have been diligently touring the Midwest for the last year and a half  but things really started exploding for the band when "we hired management a year ago that helped us out and got us a slot on The Heart of Dixie [a series on the CW]."  Before that Neyla describes the rise of the band as, "a slow climb in their perspective."

For what they thought was going to be the last song of the set the band went sans amps and electronics and jumped down on the floor with crowd and did a completely acoustic song surrounded by fans.  Then another brave soul requested the song, Slow it Down, off their soon to be released album.  So the "boys" played it and...it was mesmerizing.

Y La Bamba @ SXSW

This chic is hot.  She intimidates me.  I was too scared to ask her for an interview.  I basically get real crampy in my guts and my heart starts to palpitate whenever I even think that I might ask a band for an interview, but on this one I couldn't even get off my picnic bench.  Y la bamba from Portland, Oregon have intense Latin quintessence with their lead singers roots planted deep in Mexico.   Their sound is heavy - it feels sad and energetic simultaneously - her voice is riddled with pain - I have so many emotions I can't focus on just one.  Someone help me.

Sean Waterman & You Can't Win, Charlie Brown @ SXSW

Sean Waterman is originally from NY, but currently resides in Atlanta, he started playing guitar when he was 9, he wanted to quit because it made his hands hurt, but his mom was like, no way man, I already paid for these lessons, so you suck it up and learn to play guitar.  So he did (thanks mom).  And now he makes beautiful music.  Sean mostly tours in SoCal and the lower east coast.  This years SXSW is his first and I feel pretty lucky to run into him.  He self describes his music as singer songwriter with a blues and rock influence.  His inspiration stems from Springsteen, Dylan,  and Marley (you can tell).  He will be playing in Fredricksburg, VA (my hometownish area) later this month.  Check him out. 

You Can't Win, Charlie Brown

This Portuguese sextet from Lisbon likes to make music and that's pretty much it.  Really.  That's it.
They released their debut album Chromatic in May of last year, though they have been together since 2009 you can tell that they really care about the music they produce and perfection is their goal.  I would have thoroughly enjoyed this show if a pair of sunglasses (at night) wasn't spewing his self worth and music knowledge all over me and Basseys good time.  Jerk.  Who talks during a show anyway?!?! 

Craig Finn - Rented Room

I'm definitely not a videographer, photographer, writer or anything at all that has to do with any of the previously mentioned.  In my defense I like good sh+t.  And Craig Finn is good.  I loved The Hold Steady and I like his new band (even though its only called Craig Finn they are working on a band name like - Craig Finn and the Heartbreakers (oh wait, that's Tom Petty)).  I took this video after one too many combo's - if you don't know what that is - then I guess you've never been to brunch in DC.  Not.Missing.Much.  Anyway, that's my excuse for wobbly video (even though the real reason is that I pushed myself to the very front of the crowd with a meager, "excuse.me." that got all the frontrowers salty then they got all nudgey).  The video is of my favorite song, Rented Room, off their debut album, Clear Heart Full Eyes.

I'm at SXSW today, officially....Get Ready.

Spicy Mango Fried Rice

I don't feel at all chatty today.  Probably because my running shoes are giving me blisters on the insides of my arches (weird, right?) and every step I take is uncomfortable (I hate to be uncomfortable).  I was thinking I would post a pic of them (the blisters) but then I thought better of putting a picture of my feet in the same post as this awesome dish.  I like soccer. Swag.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of Raw Cashews
1 1/2 cup of Peas
1 cup Carrots, sliced
3 tablespoons Grape Seed Oil, divided
1/2 medium Red Onion, diced
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Ginger, minced (fresh or jared)
2 teaspoons crushed Coriander Seed
1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
4 cups cold Jasmine Rice, cooked and cooled
3 tablespoons Soy Sauce
1 tablespoon Sriracha hot sauce
1 Tomato, diced
1 Mango, peeled and cubed
5 basil leaves, chopped

Directions:

Cook rice according to directions on package and place in refrigerator for cooling.

Preheat a large pan over medium heat. Toss in the cashews and dry toast them for about 5 minutes, flipping occasionally. They should be browned in some spots.

Turn the heat on the pan up to medium-high. Add peas and carrots, cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until seared.

Transfer peas and carrots to the same plate as the cashews.

Add the red onions to the pan along with another tablespoon of oil and a dash of salt. Toss for about 3 minutes, until onions are slightly charred but still firm. Add the garlic, ginger, coriander and red pepper flakes, and toss for 30 seconds are so, being careful not to burn.

Add another tablespoon of oil and about half of the cold rice. Toss to coat, then add in the remaining rice, tossing once again. Cook for about 3 minutes, tossing often, until warmed through.

Add the soy sauce, Srirachab tomato, and toss. Cook for another 3 minutes, until the rice has browned sufficiently and the tomato is slightly broken down.

Add the peas, carrots, cashews, mangoes, and basil leaves. Cook just until mangoes are heated through and basil is wilted, a minute or two.

Recipe adapted from the Post Punk Kitchen.

The Lumineers

Download new EP here

The Lumineers are not for your mouth and they do-NOT kiss in bars.  That's huge.  I've never been much for kissing in bars (bold face lie - I was 21 (or 30) once).  Their first full length album will come out later this month, but until then you can download their EP above (for free!!).  They will be at SXSW and I will not miss their show (because I will be there too...I just got the goosies thinking about it).  I'm running out of band-review-type-material-today so I will just say I've been wearing out this EP and I will buy their new album as soon as it strikes.

Side Note:

Have you ever fallen down the rabbit hole?!?! You know, gotten yourself into a complete mental mind-fxxk where you turn every little presumably normal thing into a sign for this one particular thing you really want.  For example, a fortune.

Let me preface.  Its just a typical Wednesday and you're at your favorite lunch spot getting an egg drop soup and spicy tuna roll.  You get your check and your fortune cookie, you're excited for your fortune because you're a little superstitious and you could use a little good fortune.  So you open your cookie (and eat the entire thing because if you don't the fortune will not come true), and you think the stars have aligned and it's all going to go the way you imagined (in your delusional little head)...and you blow the whole thing way out of proportion...like way out of proportion.. and you send a pic of your fortune to your best friends, they think you have lost your GD mind (they actually tell you that).  And you have, you really have.

So here I am.  In the rabbit hole.  The good thing about my situation is that I know I'm in the hole (and there is a cute family of baby bunnies in here to keep me company).  The bad thing is that I know I'm in and instead of making the resolution to get-it-together and get out, I just keep burying myself deeper and deeper (its sorta warm in here, I may be near the Earths core).  Then my raw-vegan-Lent diet went out the window and I failed.  I'm a failure.  Can someone get me a wine, please.

Heartwrenching Song

So... the lead singer of Fleet Foxes, Robin Pecknold, and his GF just broke-up (srsly like 24 hours ago).  Then he put this insanely emotional song on his twitter page.  Try not to cry.  I dare you. 

Olivia, In A Separate Bed by Robin Pecknold


Update: Sorry Folks I think he took the song down.  I can't find it anywhere.