the holiday movie season

It's been a little bit slow this season in terms of me getting out to see some flicks. First, I had to dig myself out of a foot of snow, then a parking lot full of slush to get to the theater. Thank goodness we're in the thaw and that is over now. Here's the super abbreviated summary of what I've seen lately:

Yes Man -- funny throwaway Jim Carrey comedy. Zoe Dechanel is, however, very charming in this.

The Day the Earth Stood Still - Bland sci-fi remake. Renter.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Sweeping epic fairy tale of huge proportions. Loved it.

Australia - another sweeping epic that I loved. Loved very much.

Special mention - Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont. This has been in my Netflix queue for years now and I finally caught it on Starz. I found it touching, charming and absolutely lovely. I could be a new Rupert Friend fan as well. Very Orlando Bloom.

Txori

It's pronounced Cho--ri. And it's pure heaven. I went here with Karl and Angie and Dan 9 days ago -- the first day of Winter Storm 2008. It started snowing as we finished up our nth tapas. From the moment we walked in I was sold. It was casual, yet sophisticated and simple -- and cozy. The staff wore logo'd tees and the tables were intimate.

But mostly the food was fantastic. I can't stop raving about it. But alot of times, the atmosphere of a place can count for quite a bit in overall experience and this place just spoke to me.

Everything was excellent, but especiall the tortill espanola, this oxtail thing, duck with butternut squash puree, and this duo of octopus -- one grilled and one served as a salad. The octopus was so tender. It was quite amazing.

Save Three Sheets!

My beloved HD drinking program, Three Sheets, is in jeopardy. The MOJO network, which is where it lived until December 7 is going off the air and no other network has yet picked up the series -- including a whole bunch of taped, but yet unaired episodes.

Including LONDON NEW PUB CRAWL. Can you imagine missing that? I think not!

Sign a petition! Write a network to pick up the show! It would be a shame to let this one slide into oblivion. Plepius thanks you.

Here's Comedy Central feedback form:http://www.comedycentral.com/help/questionsCC.jhtml

Here's the Travel Channel form (they also have an HD channel):
http://www.travelchannel.com/About/Viewer_Relations

Here's the form for Discovery Channel (they also have an HD channel):http://extweb.discovery.com/viewerrelations

Cioppino

I know I poo-poo the Rachel Ray 30-Minute Meal, but I've made a few of her recipes and they usually turn out pretty tasty -- and in 30 -35 minutes or so, no less! I made this (with a few modifications on my part) and it really hit the spot on a cold, cold day.

Ingredients
1/4 cup (3 turns around the pan in a slow stream) extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 to 3 flat fillets of anchovies, drained
6 cloves garlic, crushed
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup good quality dry white wine
1 (14-ounce) container chicken stock
1 (32-ounce) can chunky style crushed tomatoes
4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed (about 1 tablespoon)
1 handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 1/2 pounds cod, cut into 2-inch chunks
Salt and pepper
8 large shrimp, ask for deveined easy-peel or peel and devein
8 sea scallops
16 to 20 raw mussels, scrubbed
A loaf of fresh, crusty bread, for mopping

Directions
In a large pot over moderate heat combine oil, crushed pepper, anchovies, garlic, and bay. Let anchovies melt into oil. The anchovies act as a natural salt, the pepper flakes will infuse the oil, providing heat.

Chop celery and onion near stove and add to the pot as you work. Saute vegetables for a few minutes to begin to soften and add wine to the pot. Reduce wine a minute, then add chicken stock, tomatoes, thyme, and parsley. Bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to medium low.
Season fish chunks with salt and pepper. Add fish and simmer 5 minutes, giving the pot a shake now and then. Do not stir your soup with a spoon after the addition of fish or you will break it up. Add shrimp, scallops, and mussels and cover pot. Cook 10 minutes, giving the pot a good shake now and again.

Remove the lid and discard any mussels that do not open. Carefully ladle stew into shallow bowls and pass bread at the table

Here's one that looks good

Voila! I think the fresh berries really makes this dessert. It's a layered mousse cake king of thing I think. Tres bon!

8 years ago....

8 years ago I went to cooking school at the Cordon Bleu in Paris. A classmate just posted a bunch of pics online so I downloaded about 100 or them or so. Here is our entire class on croissant day. I remember eating like 10 pain au chocolate that day, fresh out of the oven. Pure heaven. Ahh....good memories. The other bonus? I didn't take very many pictures of the food we made. Now I have some! Really, it looks a lot less appetizing than I would expect. I will post one next....