film stock

Recipe: Vegetarian Potato Latkes

2008-11-07T10:15:00.004-05:00

Sometimes you can't beat the classics. This is one of those instances. Don't mess with latkes! Serve these with homemade applesauce, organic sour cream and freshly snipped chives. Incredible. Simple. Classic. Unbelievably good!INGREDIENTS:2 cups coarsely shredded baking potatoes3 eggs2 Tbsp flour1.5 tsp salt2-3 Tbsp shredded or finely minced onionFreshly ground pepper to tasteOil for shallow

Why does this look so familiar?

2008-10-16T14:37:00.002-04:00

Wow. Deja vu!Is the McCain campaign getting strategy ideas from Batman reruns? It would seem so.

Recipe: Vegetarian Gumbo

2008-10-16T10:01:00.003-04:00

This is a fantastic and incredibly easy gumbo. It's a nice dish to serve if you're trying to please a group that's a mixed bag of vegans, vegetarians, seafood-lovers and meat-eaters. You can make the vegetarian gumbo as a base and then have everyone top it as they please at the table: with soy cheese, shredded Monterey jack, grilled shrimp, sausage, you name it. No matter what you have on top,

Charlie Goes to Candy Mountain

2007-01-23T12:24:00.000-05:00

Cute Alert: Baby Panda Sneezes!

2007-01-17T09:38:00.000-05:00

Strozzapreti: Recipe

2006-12-18T10:05:00.000-05:00

Special Guest blog by Jeff!We had a delicious meal last night from a recipe out of a 1970s vegetarian Italian cookbook, authored by the incomparable Romagnolis, the currently out-of-print "Romagnoli's Meatless Cookbook,' about the little-studied, little-known segment of Italian vegetarian cooking called cucina di magro.They call these "priest-chokers." They are little bite-sized balls made of a

A Very Barney Christmas

2006-12-17T01:01:00.000-05:00

My sister told me about this "Daily Show" parody of the annual Barney Christmas video, i.e. our retarded, soul-deprived president's annual attempt to humanize himself with a video of an unwitting and un-consenting dog. (Hello, PETA? Doesn't this qualify as cruel exploitation of an innocent animal?)The actual parody comes in at about 5:30 on the vid if you're in a hurry, but the five minute, 30

The Christmas that Wasn't

2006-12-11T17:52:00.000-05:00

I'm not a total Christmas-hater, but this made me laugh...

4: Film Review

2006-12-05T13:30:00.000-05:00

"You'll either love it or hate it," has become a total cliche when it comes to describing movies, but in the case of the Russian film 4 by Ilya Khrzhanovsky, it probably holds true. Whichever way you end up feeling about it, it does tend to provokes strong emotions... Considering which, I'm surprised the film didn't seem to make a bigger splash here in the US (maybe I just missed it.It's rare

So Nice - Bebel Gilberto

2006-11-17T09:55:00.000-05:00

So Nice!

C'mon, Get Happy

2006-11-14T12:42:00.000-05:00

I typed out "Happy Days are Here Again" in my most recent post, and when I did, it totally reminded me of the existence of this little clip.If you're not happy already, this clip will help get you there. So cute! Why isn't TV still like this?

Humble Pie: Recipe

2006-11-14T12:04:00.000-05:00

I don't know any Republican politicians, but if I did, I'd serve them up a nice big slice of this recipe... Humble Pie... to mark the one week anniversary of the best political event of the past decade. (On the other hand, you might find this way too delicious to ever share with Republicans.)It's a great "winter pie" in that there's no expensive fruit or nuts to buy. You probably have everything

Celebrate Good Times!

2006-11-08T07:56:00.000-05:00

From front page New York Times:Today's House victory signaled a sea change in the political dynamics of a government that has been dominated by Republicans for a decade.

Vote Today!!!

2006-11-07T17:17:00.000-05:00

(Warning: This video contains shocking images of the terrible tragedy that is the Bush administration)

Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce: Recipe

2006-11-03T13:45:00.000-05:00

Shady's back, ya'll!My friend Cindy brought me about 2 pounds of cherry tomatoes from her parents' garden, all different shapes and colors: red, yellow, green, tear drop round, oval like little jewels. And like little jewels they sat inn my fridge. And sat. And sat. I couldn't think of what to do with them. No one eats that much salad. Finally, I hit upon the idea of turning them into sauce. I

Astrud

2006-10-20T12:11:00.003-04:00

Hey, kids! Sorry I've been away so long. It's been a crazy couple months! But I'm gonna try to get this sweet baby up and running again if you're still with me...Have a look at some Astrud Gilberto meantime.

Francoise Hardy - La Maison Ou J'ai Grandi

2006-08-20T17:34:00.000-04:00

Devi Ritonare

2006-08-20T17:31:00.000-04:00

The best. Evah. Thank you. That is all.

Head On!

2006-08-04T16:33:00.000-04:00

I saw this totally surreal ad for a totally surreal product on CNN the other day.It reminds me of an ad that characters in some dystopian sci-fi movie might be subjected to. You know the kind of movie I mean, like Farenheit 451 or BladeRunner, where mindless masses are manipulated by mega-corporations into buying useless products, drawing attention away from the obvious signs that it's a

Pickle Surprise!: Recipe

2006-07-06T18:44:00.000-04:00

Here's a recipe for ya... A little Pickle Surprise.Jaw-droppingly bizarre. We love it.Hey, where's the pickle? Haaaaaaam.

All Bow to Miss Sandra

2006-06-29T13:29:00.000-04:00

If you have a life, you may have missed this little cat fight between the execrable cast of The View and the divine Miss Sandra Bernhard as she goes OFF on Laura Bush. Watch as that blonde-haired fascist clone-freak Whatsername leaps to Laura's defense. Things get downright chaotic.Love her. Love HER!

Joni and Johnny

2006-06-24T15:57:00.000-04:00

Joni Mitchell and Johnny Cash are two totally iconic performers you don't often think of together. Here they are performing the beautiful and haunting "Girl from the North Country" on Johnny Cash's TV show in the late '60s.

FilmStock Home Shoppin'

2006-06-23T13:13:00.000-04:00

I don't usually shill for products on this site, but here are two I can't resist putting up on my blog.First there's these cool coffee mugs. Instead of leaving those unsightly coffee stain ringmarks, they leave patterns in a lovely floral design.And then there's this awesome Yoda backpack, allowing the wearer to look and feel like a Jedi in training a la Empire Strikes Back (at least that's the

Survey Proves: New Yorkers are Nice

2006-06-21T09:51:00.000-04:00

My recent, very fun trip to New York City planted the sneaking suspiscion in my mind that the prevailing idea that New Yorkers are rude and pushy might be a myth.Now science has confirmed my observation. New York, despite a reputation as a fast-moving, tough-talking town, ranked as the world's most polite major city in a recent study conducted by Reader's Digest (Well, I know it's not the Lancet

Astrology Songs

2006-06-20T07:57:00.000-04:00

I'm not huge on astrology, but it can be amusing and fun, especially when you find that the descriptions of the various sign-types match up, eerily and accurately, with the personalities of the people you know.It's even more fun if said descriptions are sung as groovy pop tunes by a slightly tone-deaf tuxedo dude while a Go-go girl dances interpretively in the background.Follow this link to find

Kiawah

2006-06-08T10:43:00.000-04:00

Jeff and I are off (again)! This time to Kiawah Island for a huge family-style vacation. Lots of biking, playing with the niece and nephews, sitting on the beach, swimming, drinking gin and tonics, playing bingo and yahtzee... and of course, cooking!Jeff and I are responsible for two meals while we're there. It's quite an experience cooking for 13 people instead of 2!!!! Here are the menus we

Dufus Ain't Right

2006-06-07T11:12:00.000-04:00

I have to admit I have mixed feelings about Rufus Wainwright's up-coming tribute to Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall. In case you don't know: On June 10 or therabouts, singer Wainwright will recreate Judy Garland's legendary performance at Carnegie Hall in 1961. There was a lengthy article on Wainwright's tribute to Judy published in the Sunday "Style" section (ironic, considering his outfit in

Peach Cobbler: Recipe

2006-06-01T13:14:00.000-04:00

Peach season is almost here!Try this peach cobbler with a very high easiness to awesomeness ratio.Awesome Over Easy Peach Cobbler * 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) * 1 cup flour * 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder * 1/2 teaspoon salt * 1 cup sugar * 1 cup milk * 3 cups peeled and sliced fresh peaches, with their juices 1. Preheat oven to 350 F.2. Put the butter in a 9x13 baking dish and put

Amy Sedaris' Cheese Ball Recipe

2006-05-30T11:41:00.000-04:00

I'm a big fan of Amy Sedaris and her soon-to-be-a-movie TV show Strangers with Candy. I'm an even bigger fan now that I've seen her PETA anti-fur ad campaign (right) that she did in character as 46-year-old teenage runaway Jerri Blank, photographed by designer Todd Oldham. And of course, I went off the charts and into stalker territory when I found out she makes old-fashioned cheese balls to sell

Design-A-Loaf: The Magic Robot Recipe Maker

2006-05-26T09:01:00.000-04:00

I'm in total awe of this vegan-loaf "recipe generator" designed by Jennifer "Schmoo" of the blog Vegan Lunch Box. Just choose your ingredients--whatever you have in the pantry and fridge--and voila... The computer will tell you what's for dinner and how to make it! Just click the loaf to be taken there.... or read on to try the recipe I made. Happy loaf generation!Katherine the Great's Amazing

Yuca Tamales: Recipe

2006-05-23T12:11:00.000-04:00

Recipes for authentic, really good vegetarian tamales are few and far between. I recently came across this unusual recipe for Yuca Tamales in the incredible book The South American Table by Maria Baez Kijac which I checked out from the library this weekend. The original recipe called for a meat garnish, which I've omitted. Tamales de YucaRelleno (filling): 2 Tbsp canola oil1/2 tsp ground annatto

Superstar in a Housedress: DVD Review

2006-05-19T08:43:00.000-04:00

Andy Warhol's "superstars"--the strange mixture of misfits and the super-wealthy, the fame-seeking and the druggies and dragqueens who hung around him--are so often so overshadowed by the Warhol myth and fame that it's easy to forget that these were people and artists themselves, many who had interesting and succesful careers entirely apart--before and after--the Warhol phenomenon. Jackie Curtis

Buddha's Delight: Recipe

2006-05-18T10:55:00.000-04:00

For years I've seen these packets of dried vegetables at Asian groceries. I've always been curious about them, but never knew quite what to do with them. Inside the package is an intriguing mix of dried vegetables and pasta. They vary from pack to pack and from brand to brand, but usually they include something along the lines of: dried bean thread noodles, shitake mushrooms, dried seaweed, dried

New York: The Last Stand: Days Three and Four

2006-05-17T12:47:00.000-04:00

Flash SlideshowThe next morning, Tuesday, Jeff and I started off with breakfast and coffee at Zabar's on the Upper West

New York: Day Two

2006-05-16T13:45:00.000-04:00

Flash SlideshowOn our way back to the subway after the amazing Blossom Dearie show we walked along Broadway towards

New York Trip: Part One

2006-05-15T10:27:00.000-04:00

Flash SlideshowJeff and I stayed at the Chelsea International Hostel on West 20th Street. It's a very central location,

We're ba-a-a-ck!

2006-05-11T20:29:00.000-04:00

Jeff and I just got back from NYC this afternoon. What a great trip!I've travelled all over--and though there are lots of great cities out there--my recent research proves conclusively that New York truly is the greatest city in the world. I can't wait to write about our whole adventure, but I'm totally exhausted right now. More soon...

Start Spreadin' the News

2006-05-05T12:07:00.000-04:00

Jeff and I are headed to New York City this week. We're going to the Metropolitan Opera twice. First we'll be seeing Tosca, then we've got tickets for Rodelinda. On Sunday night we'll be clinking cocktails listening to jazz great Blossom Dearie at the Skylight Room Cabaret. I'll post the full report (plus pics and food reviews!!) when we get back next week. Until then ... eat well and watch only

Pressure-Cooker Vegetarian Gumbo: Recipe

2006-05-04T10:04:00.000-04:00

This is a recipe for gumbo that uses a pressure cooker. I've adapted it from "Great Vegetarian Cooking Under Pressure" by Lorna J. Sass, which--along with a pressure cooker--I would call absolutely essential in every vegetarian kitchen. The beans require no soaking, and you can make this whole recipe from start to finish in about 30 minutes.Feel free to experiment with the combination and amount

Bad Girl Liza

2006-05-03T17:47:00.000-04:00

Just when you thought you couldn't possibly love Liza Minnelli more than you already do, someone goes and digs up this gem and posts it on YouTube.There's so much to admire here I don't know where to begin: the eye-popping, jaw-dropping costume and scenery changes, the inexplicable slow-motion "dream" sequence, the glamorous Studio 54-style dance steps, the suggested meta-narrative of street

Ganmo: Recipe

2006-05-02T11:08:00.000-04:00

To call ganmo the "Japanese tofu burger" will give you some idea of what it's like, but also does it some injustice. Like almost all foods Japanese, it's a delicate balance of flavors built on centuries of tradition. ("Ganmo" is also the name of a Japanese anime character. Logically enough, it's an egg-shaped chicken.)No matter what you end up calling these little bites, you'll definitely think

Old Skool Macs and Cheese: Recipe

2006-05-01T15:55:00.000-04:00

The first time Jeff and I tried to make this recipe from The New York Times, I looked it over and was all, "There's a mistake in here. They don't even tell you to cook the pasta before you bake it!"Turns out... That's the total glory of this recipe. You just mix everything together with the dry pasta and then pop it in the oven. The pasta cooks in the goop.And man, what tasty goop it is. Mmm.

Stephen Colbert Part 2

2006-05-01T08:50:00.000-04:00

This is the second part of Colbert's performance. (See below)

Stephen Colbert at the White House Correspondents Dinner

2006-05-01T08:43:00.000-04:00

This is comedian Stephen Colbert speaking at the White House Correspondents Dinner this Saturday night (April 29, 2006). He satirically lambastes the Bush administration and Washington culture in front of Bush himself as well as big time Washington power players. This performance will soon be legend. FilmStock love it!!

Apple Brown Bette (Davis): Recipe

2006-04-28T09:03:00.000-04:00

The Buford Highway Farmer's Market where Jeff and I went shopping last week with my sister sells giant bags of mixed apples that are a little bruised or otherwise less than perfect for $1.99. I bought a bag, and most of the apples were awesome, but there were three that I thought were too bruised to eat, so I decided to make this recipe.It's the perfect recipe for those "leftover" apples. It

Roasted Tempeh "Sausages": Recipe

2006-04-05T12:37:00.000-04:00

This recipe makes really awesome tempeh "sausages" which compare to the Morningstar Farms or other grocery store brands, but it usually works out to be a fraction of the cost. (I love those pre-packaged veggie deli meats, but they're just waaaay too expensive. I mean, shouldn't they cost LESS than meat???!)The spice mixture is very amenable to experimentation and substitution. I tend to like

Liza with a Z: Return to TV

2006-03-31T07:39:00.000-05:00

This weekend marks the return of the television special "Liza with a Z." If you missed the special the first time around when it was on TV live in the early 70s, well, it was just too bad, because, unless you were hanging out with Liza at her place late at night and she just happened to switch it on, you never, never got the chance to see it again because it's never been rebroadcast.Until now.

FilmStock Presents... A Special "Recipe of the Future" North African Stuffed Peppers with Rice Pilaf, Chickpeas, Preserved Lemons and Feta

2006-03-30T07:46:00.000-05:00

Usually on FilmStock, I write up recipes the day after I make them.But today I give you the excitement of "The Recipe of the Future!" This is what I plan to make tonight for some guests that are coming to town. I've never made it before, but just thought it up while looking at the ingredients in my kitchen.Preserved lemons are a North African condiment. They are whole lemons preserved in salt.

Dusty rules.

2006-03-24T08:58:00.000-05:00

My New Look for Spring

2006-03-22T13:41:00.000-05:00

I've been selling lots of stuff on eBay lately (It's one reason, regular readers may have noticed, that I haven't been posting on my blog as often. I've been too busy: making non-stop trips to the post office or carefully editing every word in my listing descriptions as if they're the newly-discovered sonnets in the collection of a long-lost poetic genius or else seeing how many different ways I

Fever: The Music of Peggy Lee: DVD Review

2006-03-21T08:36:00.000-05:00

As famous as Miss Peggy Lee is, I still think that she's always gotten short shrift as an artist. I think her ability to interpret songs and "make them her own" (as they say on American Idol, sorry) and to just put real soul-bearing emotion into the sound waves, well she just surpasses other twentieth century singers whose reputations and myths for one reason or another have become unjustly much

Houston's Veggie Burgers: Recipe

2006-03-21T07:47:00.000-05:00

When I was a kid, my family used to go to Houston's a lot. (It's a chain in Atlanta. I'm not sure what other cities have them, but they're sort of like an up-scale, more expensive TGI Friday's. I don't think they have much to do with Houston the city and nothing at all to do with Whitney Houston the singer).I can see now it was a pretty cheesey, overpriced affair but I remember I used to like the

RoboFish

2006-03-16T02:28:00.000-05:00

Ok. Now I've seen everything.

Sorority Girls from Hell

2006-03-15T10:31:00.000-05:00

I'm not usually a big fan of sketch comedy. It usually just seems kind of loud and overstated and too reliant on stupid old stereotypes and in the end not that funny to me. But for some reason I thought this was a total scream.I think you'll love it, too. Watch the glory that is Sorority Girls from Hell!Requires QuickTime.

Claire's Chocolate Peppermint Dragon Princess Cake: Recipe

2006-03-14T14:10:00.000-05:00

My niece was very specific about what kind of cake she wanted at her 9th birthday last weekend. Chocolate cake with pink peppermint frosting with a dragon on top. I had my marching orders and made this cake. It was a hit with kids and grown-ups alike... We finished every morsel.The cake is adapted from a recipe by Edna Lewis, and the frosting is your basic 7-minute boiled frosting with peppermint

Vegetarian Philly Cheese "Steak": Recipe

2006-03-10T11:15:00.000-05:00

The following recipe was written by my sister. She said it was so good she can't even tell me. Sister J's Best Vegetarian Philly Cheese "Steak"We made this last Saturday night. It was very good. I used soy provolone to make it vegan. The recipe is a variation of one that I found in Eating Well Magazine1 med. onion 4 portobello mushrooms sliced w/o stems1 red bell pepper minced oregeno to taste (

Tempeh Cakes with Thai Flavors: Recipe

2006-03-08T12:31:00.000-05:00

1 package of tempeh (8-12 ounces) 2 lime leaves2 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste2 cloves garlic1/2 inch piece of ginger 1 Tbsp dried or fresh shredded coconut1 egg 1 tsp salt oil for sauteeing or shallow (or deep) frying1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.2. Form the mixture into little patties about 2 inches wide by 1/2 inch thick.3. Heat some oil in a frying

Out with the old, in with the new

2006-03-07T14:19:00.000-05:00

I was in a thrift store this weekend, and I saw a fondue pot. Now, I already have a fondue pot, but I just really liked this new one. It was enameled cast-iron with a heavy cast-iron base and came with a set of cool fondue forks with wooden handles and a matching stand. It looked like it had never been used.I'm getting rid of my old fondue pot, throwing it up onto eBay.G'bye, old fondue pot.

Real Life Simpsons Intro

2006-03-07T12:42:00.000-05:00

Check out this British ad which recreates, shot for shot, the intro to The Simpsons TV show with real actors. Very trippy.

Belle and Sebastian: A Film Stock Reminder

2006-03-06T13:02:00.000-05:00

Don't forget tonight is the big night for the Belle and Sebastian concert broadcast live from the 9:30 Club in Washington DC on NPR.org starting at 8 pm. Alt-country-pop group The New Pornographers will open.My sister also let me know that Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian will be interviewed by my favorite public radio diva Terry "The Probe" Gross on Fresh Air this afternoon in anticipation

Swiss Chard and Goat Cheese Galette

2006-03-03T13:33:00.000-05:00

This is a great savory pie for spring. It's very simple to make... but very impressive when you bring it to the table.Swiss chard stems have a very distinctive flavor, earthy and strong like fresh beets. If you don't like that taste, leave the stems out and use more leaves.You can make the filling and dough ahead of time, and then throw everything together when you're ready to eat. Swiss Chard

Belle and Sebastian Live on NPR March 6

2006-03-02T16:03:00.000-05:00

I just found out one of my favorite bands Belle and Sebastian will be broadcasting a live concert on NPR's website Monday night, March 6 starting at 8 pm EST.It's especially welcome news because the band is skipping my hometown of Atlanta this tour.Check out the concert's website on NPR.org or by clicking on the picture.

Spring... and new look for Film Stock

2006-03-02T08:54:00.000-05:00

Flash SlideshowSpring comes early to Atlanta. It's the best time of year in our fair-ly awful city.I can't stand cold

Eggplant Puree in Seasoned Yogurt: Recipe

2006-03-01T14:04:00.000-05:00

You can think of this recipe as a variation on the classic Middle Eastern dip and sandwich spread baba ghanouj.Eggplant purees or baigan bharta are also classic in India. This one has seasoned yogurt. It's delicious right after you make it, but it achieves greatness if you let it sit for a day and use it as a cold dip or sandwich spread the next day.Eggplant Puree with Seasoned Yogurt1 eggplant (

Claire's Smoothies: Recipes

2006-02-28T14:59:00.000-05:00

My niece Claire is eight (almost nine) years old. She recently did a report on smoothies for school. I think she did such a great job, I asked her if I could reprint some of her recipes and thoughts about the subject here. Enjoy Claire's Smoothies!CLAIRE'S SMOOTHIESIntroductionFor as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed smoothies. Whether in winter or summer, smoothies have brightened my

Keith Haring Interactive Coloring Book

2006-02-27T12:00:00.000-05:00

Create your own Keith Haring masterpiece online.This site is way too much fun.

"Karhi" Indian Yogurt Soup: Recipe

2006-02-22T23:15:00.000-05:00

Karhi is an Indian dish made from spiced yogurt, usually served with rice. It's not often seen here, either in Indian restaurants or on American tables... And that's a shame. It's inexpensive, simple to make, nutritious and, most importantly, very delicious.Kahris really run the gamut, from tangy to sweet, from a thick, almost pudding-like consistency to creamy soup, depending on the whim of the

Brokeback Mountain: The Lego Version

2006-02-22T11:29:00.000-05:00

Every so often a film comes along that touches audiences in such a way that they recreate the most memorable scenes with Legos.I guess this guy has a lot of time on his hands. And a lot of Legos. And he uses them to recreate scenes from Brokeback Mountain.More Legos here.By the way: If you haven't gotten a chance to read Annie Proulx's excellent short story "Brokeback Mountain" on which the movie

Le Parkour: A Film Stock Special

2006-02-21T12:42:00.000-05:00

Is it just me or are the Olympics especially boring this year?Those phony "guts and glory" athlete profiles that NBC has included as part of its spotty, fragmented coverage of the games are nauseating. And so many of the athletes they've been promoting have bombed or acted deplorably.That's why I was so excited to discover my new favorite spectator sport on the Internet a few weeks ago. You can't

Dogville: DVD Review

2006-02-19T11:24:00.000-05:00

I don't usually like director Lars Von Trier's film, and I almost always loathe Nicole Kidman (I think she ruins just about every film she's in) which is why I was so surprised to find that I liked Dogville (2003) so much.Dogville tells the story of Grace, played by Kidman, a woman on the run from the mob who takes shelter in a small, poor town in the mountains. Slowly, Grace is able to get past

Flatbread: Recipe

2006-02-16T10:38:00.000-05:00

These are great, easy, fun little breads to make. You don't even need an oven.King Arthur bread flour, if you haven't tried it, is really awesome in this recipe (and many others). It's practically becoming a cult with some home-bakers and I can see why. Any type of flour will make a good flatbread, though.Flatbread1 cup lukewarm water2 tsp or 1 package yeastAbout 2 1/2 to 3 cups bread flour (or

The Meatrix

2006-02-15T11:01:00.000-05:00

I love this little flash movie about factory farming.(I hear there's a sequel on the way. Coming soon to a computer screen near you... The Meatrix: Revolting.)If you still haven't seen the original Meatrix click here or on the picture to be taken to the movie.(It's amazing to me that so many meat-eaters STILL think their meat was raised on a sunny little farm. The film is funny and informative

Not the Wind, Not the Flag

2006-02-14T16:25:00.000-05:00

Two monks were arguing about a flag. One said, "The flag is moving."The other said, "The wind is moving."The sixth patriarch happened to be passing by. He told them, "Not the wind, not the flag: mind is moving."Wind, flag, mind moves,The same understanding,When the mouth opensAll are wrong.-From the 13th century Zen text "The Gateless Gate" by Ekai, called Mumon

Richest Chocolate Cake Ever: Recipe

2006-02-14T11:14:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!This is the cake I make every V-Day for my baby, my greatest, my own personal Sanrio character. It's so rich I'm not even sure it qualifies as a "cake." There's no flour in it, no baking soda or other leavening, no milk. None of that whimpy stuff to get in the way of the pure chocolate.The texture is somewhat like cheesecake... and the taste, whoah, the taste is like

Corn Muffins: Recipe

2006-02-13T12:11:00.000-05:00

Nothing says "Celebrate good times!" like a big plate of fresh, steaming-hot corn muffins. And if those corn muffins are all in the shape of little ears of corn, it just says, "Why hold back, my little child of the corn? Cut loose and party!"On Saturday, Jeff and I went shopping at Ranch 99, our favorite Asian supermarket here in Atlanta on Buford Highway. I found a little cast-iron pan that made

Store Wars

2006-02-10T12:40:00.000-05:00

This little video about organic food is so totally cute and hilariousClick here or on the picture to be taken to the video.

Vegetarian French Onion Soup: Recipe

2006-02-10T10:41:00.000-05:00

Getting a really rich broth is key to the success of this classic French soup. That's not always easy to do with veggie broth, but I think I've come pretty close. Mine uses a combination of vegetable broth, wine, butter, miso, mushroom soy sauce and nutritional yeast.There's not much work to the recipe, but it does take a long time to cook the onions slowly, in the right way. The flavors just get

Fosse: DVD review

2006-02-09T12:24:00.000-05:00

All together now... from the top, people... With jazz-hands!The DVD Fosse (2002) is a record of the recent Broadway show of the same name, a tribute to the legendary choreographer Bob Fosse. As with any such recording of a live show, there's a bit of immediacy and intimacy--particularly important when it comes to dance--that's lost.I have mixed feelings about musicals, too. I suppose deep down I

Sparkling Vodka Lemonade: Recipe

2006-02-08T13:53:00.000-05:00

Spring comes early to Atlanta. Sadly, we're not there yet, but Jeff said he saw some Canadian geese flying back north today. And the other day when we were on the traffic island in front of our building harvesting ginkgo nuts (Mary, don't ask) he said he saw a dandelion.What better way to get ready to welcome the spring than to drink one of these sparkling lemonades?For a non-alcoholic kid's

Castle in the Sky: DVD Review

2006-02-07T08:21:00.000-05:00

Castle in the Sky (1986) is an early animated film from Hayao Miyazaki, who later went on to create the films that made more of a mark in the international market, including Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle and, of course, Spirited Away.Castle in the Sky shares some the of the features of those films: incredible animation; inventive storyline; detailed, invented worlds; an environmental

Chocolate Fondue: Recipe

2006-02-06T13:36:00.000-05:00

Here's a surprisingly easy vegetarian dessert. Vegans can substitute soy milk for the cream and milk.You can make the selection of things to dip into the fondue as simple or as complicated as you'd like. Just a few strawberries are great, but you can also have on hand: plain, unfrosted sponge cake, pound cake or butter cake cut into cubes; chocolate chip, sugar or peanut butter cookies cut into

A Tale of Two Sisters: DVD Review

2006-02-03T09:40:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had the strange feeling that there really is something in that tiny space between the stove and the floor? And maybe it's, like, watching you?A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) is Korean director Kim-Jee Woon's brilliant psychological horror film, an attempt to follow in the footsteps of internationally successful Japanese horror films like Ju-On and Ringu. Tale of Two Sisters is like

Baked Olives: Recipe

2006-02-02T10:17:00.000-05:00

Here's an easy recipe that smells so good when it's baking, you'll wish you could bottle and sell it. The smell of hot bubbling wine, herbs and olives is so good, it ought to be illegal.Baked olives are a great little finger-food to serve with cocktails, the perfect appetizer for a Greek dinner of spanikopita and stuffed grape leaves, or just a great little nibbler to set out before any meal.You

Contempt: DVD Review

2006-02-01T09:56:00.000-05:00

Contempt (1963), originally titled Le Mepris, is a film which details the hopelessly tangled, failing relationship between a playwright--currently contemplating selling out as a screen-doctor for a Hollywood film based on The Odyssey--and his wife. It's a sort of mini-scale odyssey of arguments and miscommunications, revealed and hidden emotions.It's also director Jean-Luc Godard's ironic

Stir-fried Rice with Beet Greens, Tofu and Ginkgo Nuts: Recipe

2006-01-31T08:47:00.000-05:00

Jeff and I just got back from vacation and haven't had a chance to go shopping. We threw this together from things we already had in the kitchen and were totally surprised by how awesome it came out.Ginkgo nuts are available in cans at Asian grocery stores. That's what we used in this recipe, but if you can find them in a fresher form, go for it. If you can't find them at all, substitute baby

Tybee Time: The Full Report

2006-01-30T16:02:00.000-05:00

Jeff and I just got back from our three-day trip to Tybee Island yesterday. What a short, strange trip it's been (I swear it seemed to last all of twenty minutes).On Thursday, I was all business, getting ready to go. I dropped Jeff off at work early in the morning, came home and packed up all our clothes and all the food I'd been preparing that week. It took me a long time to get the car loaded

Tipping the Velvet: DVD Review

2006-01-30T09:40:00.000-05:00

Tipping the Velvet (2002) is the BBC mini-series adaptation of the novel by Sarah Waters, telling the story of Nan--a working class girl in 1890s England--who falls in love with a travelling music hall performer, a male impersonator named Kitty. Nan (played by Rachel Stirling, the daughter and spitting-image of British actress Diana Rigg) eventually follows Kitty to London where they form a

The Perfect Gin and Tonic: Recipe

2006-01-26T10:30:00.000-05:00

Whenever I'm on vacation at the beach, it is a personal rule of mine to drink exactly one gin and tonic every day.It's 100 percent vegetarian, 100 percent vegan, 100 percent cruelty free. The quinine in the tonic helps to protect you from malaria, so it's also totally healthy.One secret to making a good gin and tonic: a small glass. A gin and tonic should be a small, sipping drink in my opinion,

Spanikopita: Recipe

2006-01-26T09:06:00.000-05:00

Spanikopita is such a delicious classic: a rich, tangy spinach and feta filling tucked inside layer after crispy layer of crumbly filo dough.It occured to me while I was making this--one of my all-time favorite vegetarian recipes--that "spaniko" is probably Greek for spinach, and "pita" means, like, bread, as in pita bread. So spanikopita is precisely 'spinach-bread' in Greek. Right? (Maybe this

We're off!

2006-01-26T07:56:00.000-05:00

Jeff and I are driving down to the beach this afternoon. It's freezing in Atlanta right now. I'm hoping for warm weather on Tybee, but it may end up being cold. (I'm packing hats, gloves, sweaters, jackets, shorts, bathing suits, T-shirts and sandals, so we'll be ready, whatever. If it's cold, we'll just bundle up and walk on the beach and look for shells or something.)We're bringing the

Coconut Green Curry Eggplant and Tempeh: Recipe

2006-01-25T09:19:00.000-05:00

This is a vegetarian recipe with a high easiness to awesomeness ratio. It only takes a few minutes of actual work, and people will be all, "You MADE this?!"The rich, spicy, complicated flavors come from the combination of coconut and green curry, both of which come in convenient cans. I buy the Maesri brand in the vacuum packs which you see pictured. You can also buy it on-line in cans. It should

The Testament of Dr. Mabuse: DVD Review

2006-01-24T10:13:00.000-05:00

The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933) was the last film made by Metropolis and M director Fritz Lang before he fled Nazi Germany.Dr Mabuse was a character that Lang returned to throughout his career: first in 1922 with the silent serial Dr. Mabuse the Gambler, then with the black and white talkie Testament in 1933 just before he left Germany for Hollywood, and finally in 1960 with the color horror

JT Leroy Disaster Granola: Recipe

2006-01-23T13:13:00.000-05:00

Jeff and I are going to Tybee Island this weekend. As usual when we travel anywhere, we're bringing all our food with us. Every meal, every snack, all our booze, coffee and tea will be served right by us in our hotel room. Both of us kind of dislike restaurants, plus I'm really cheap.I decided this morning to make the granola, which is our typical "on the road" breakfast. I wish the story ended

Stir-Fried Soba Noodles with Miso, Rutabaga and Broccoli: Recipe

2006-01-23T07:58:00.000-05:00

This is a great dish, really tasty, fresh and colorful. Jeff didn't want to put rutabaga in it at first. But we were both surprised by how good it was. It's a natural with the buckwheat noodles.Synopsis: Cut and roast the rutabaga in the oven. Boil the noodles and blanche the broccoli. Stir-fry everything together.Serves 2Ingredients: 1 medium rutabga root6-8 ounces soba (Japanese buckwheat

Hero: DVD Review

2006-01-20T09:24:00.000-05:00

Hero (2002) is the film to watch if you've got one of those home theater flat screen HDTV plasma-driven surround sound mega-systems. It's a visual grand opera in which every shot is a mini-aria.Hero is a Kung fu epic set in Ancient China, telling the story of four assassins and the king they want to kill. In fight scenes, they float, fly and bounce

French Toast: Recipe

2006-01-19T08:29:00.000-05:00

Nothing says, "Dude, you're awesome," like a plate of homemade French Toast. Make it tomorrow morning for someone you love... or heck, make it for yourself. I made some for myself this morning, and it was absolutely delicious. And it did make me feel totally awesome.French toast is a vegetarian dish, but it does use eggs and milk. I'm also offering a delicious vegan version, right after the

D.O.A.: DVD Review

2006-01-18T09:26:00.000-05:00

D.O.A. (1949) is a film noir whose gimmick--a man has taken a slow-acting poison and attempts to solve his own murder--doesn't seem enough to carry a whole movie.In addition, the plot device of removing the character from his usual surroundings at the beginning of the film--he's on vacation in San Francisco--is a double-edged sword. It heightens the sense of displacement, paranoia and uncertainty

Cheese Fondue: Recipe

2006-01-17T10:13:00.000-05:00

I recently came across a great find in a thrift store, something I'd been looking for for a long time: a fondue pot. And not just any fondue pot.My fondue pot is so groovy, so 70s, that just a glimpse of it caused me to be instantly transported back into the era of flares, shag carpeting, clogs, conversation pits, peasant blouses, game rooms and faux wood paneling. It even says "fondue" on the

Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed: DVD Review

2006-01-16T09:20:00.000-05:00

Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed (2004) is an excellent documentary that tells the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first black Congresswoman and the first black woman to make a serious bid for the presidency, running as a candidate for the Democratic nomination in 1972.One of the films strengths is its strong reliance on footage from the period, rather than contemporary interviews (of which

New Wok: The Dramatic Conclusion

2006-01-13T08:06:00.000-05:00

Well, the continuing story of the wok has come to its shocking conclusion.After having ordered the new wok (Episode 1) and after having waited in a spirit of great anticipation (Episode 2), the new wok finally arrived (Episode 3).I pulled it from the box. There she was. In my arms at last. Gorgeous, shiny, flat-bottomed, newly-pressed, carbon-steel. A new, better wok to replace the old, lacking