The Man's Machine

Hi everybody! How was your friday? Mine was quite and with good company, my dearest Laia and Rocío! Laia and I went to Rocio's house this evening just for talk about our inminet trip to Berlin on January... guess ehat? We've got the tickets!! So, from January the 15th until the 20th, you could find us at Berlin!!

And after this short notice, I would like to thank you! Yes, you all! Finally, I've got 101 followers, I cannot believe it! When I started blogging I never imagined I would have more than 30 followers... but here I am, thank you all, who read me, comment me and encourage me about continuing this project. Thank you so much, it means a lot for me!

Today I dyed my hair, yes! It's red, of course, but the color is so brilliant now!

I love how red looks on me!

And my lovely Cris came this evening to my home with this lovely cakes... they were so delicious! I made some coffee and we had a little chat; since she's studying for her exams I haven't seen her in weeks! But of course, her exams are more important than me!

I think I haven't told you before, but I'm a translator and writer in a small blog about the series "Skins". Some time ago I translated an interview we did with questions from fans at Ollie Barbieri;the guy who plays JJ in the third season of the serie... and I would like to share it with you here. I think that you can read the interview in spanish and english here at Skins, El foro; but if you can't, please, tell me and I'll blog about it! The only thing that I can say about Ollie is that he's really cute and very smart; and he was son kind and friendly!

At the moment we're trying to contact the rest of the cast... I would like to interview Jack O'connell; he plays Cook in the third season, a character adored by some and hated by others, but certainly not indifferent for the fans of the serie.

Ollie (left) and Jack (right).

Luke Pasqualino, Jack and Ollie.

 

 

The cast at FHM Magazine

Have you ever see "Skins"? Wich one is your favourite character from the 1st and 2nd generation?

And before I leave, one thing more... the title of this post is a Jamie T's song; I adore his music and if you haven't listened him, you should!

Enjoy your weekend :)! And again... thanks for being there!

PS: I forgot it, yesterday I was (again) the cover of Trendtation... here you can see the picture!

Cool :)

My Favorite Kitchen Tools

I use the following kitchen tools all the time whether I’m cooking or baking. In one way or another, I couldn’t cook without them—or at least I couldn’t cook with as much ease and grace as I do. If you are searching for a stocking stuffer or a little something to give to a friend or loved one who cooks, look no further. You can find many of these items at Sur la Table or Bed, Bath, and Beyond, except where noted. Best wishes for a lovely holiday seasons filled with wonderful food coming from your kitchen.

Japanese knives. These are just the best. When I reach in the drawer for a knife, I reach for one of these. They keep their sharpness. In the Bay area, you can find great Japanese knives at The Japanese Woodworker in Alameda, CA or Hida Tool and Hardware in Berkeley.

Microplane grater. Great for grating cheese, ginger, lemon zest. Easy to use. I really like the handle on mine. If you grate a lot, it will grow dull—in which you need to get yourself a new one.

Pastry cutter. I’ve called for this tool in a number of recipes on this blog, including Apple Crisp, Apple Crumb Pie, Biscuits, and the Breakfast Cake. Probably others as well. Lots easier to clean than the Cuisinart and easier to use than your fingers.

Silicon pastry brush. I use this to paint anything that calls for being painted. Its primary advantage is ease of cleaning. Most pastry brushes have bristles like paint brushes and are the dickens to clean, especially if you’ve been painting with butter or an egg yolk mixture.

Silicon spatula. I love these most when I am trying to get every last drop out of a mixing bowl. They work better than anything else. Period.

Egg beater. Of course you can also use a whip or an electric mixer, but the hand egg beater works really well for whipped cream without the extreme effort of the whip or the noise of the electric version.

Measuring pitcher. This pitcher has the advantage of being able to read the measurement by looking down inside the pitcher itself as opposed to the traditional one which you read from the side. Why didn’t someone think of this sooner?

Potato ricer. I think making really excellent mashed potatoes is both a science and an art. You use the ricer after the potatoes have been properly boiled. The riced potatoes are light and fluffy ready for the warm cream, butter, and salt. No lumps.

Suribachi. This Japanese bowl has a rough surface on the inside and comes with a wooden pestle. The rough surface makes it really easy to make a paste of ginger and garlic, for example. I find it much easier to use than a regular mortar and pestle. You can find them at a store selling Japanese cooking equipment, like Tokyo Fish Market in Berkeley.

Lemon juicer (electric). You may have noticed that I use a lot of lemon/lime/orange juices in my food. I just love the citrusy flavor. This machine makes it so easy to squeeze your juices. Those glass pitcher juicers are hopeless.

Spice/coffee grinder (electric). First off I want to say that I no longer ever use this grinder for coffee. If you want to use yours for both, make sure to clean it out very well between times. There is nothing that grinds up hard spices—like star anise or cinnamon sticks (broken up)—better than this kind of grinder. The one in the photo is over 30 years old but new models abound.

Halibut and Fall Harvest Saute

   

   

The end of the year brings to a close the harvest and root vegetables that define fall cooking.  And so, last night I put that lonely butternut squash on the countertop and the old parsnip in the vegetable drawer out of their misery.  I shouldn't have waited, for this dish is tasty, easy and a good way to prepare fish.  Too often, we think of a piece of white fish and rice and the need for a sauce.  Dover sole cooked in butter can be nice, but hardly inspiring.  Likewise, a hearty fish stew can be involved and take time with different types of seafood and cooking times.  This meal combines the heartiness of a broth and root vegetables, along with a sauteed fish for a healthy meal.  I found it in Food & Wine, October 2004, and it serves faithfully every fall.  What's more, if you happen to cut up too many vegetables, just put the extras along with a diced leek in another pot and simmer with chicken stock for 20 minutes.  You'll have one of the best soups you've ever tasted.  Serves 2.

Ingredients:

3 tbsp butter

1 large shallot or half a small onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 cup diced, peeled butternut squash

1 cup diced, peeled potato

1 small parsnip, peeled and diced

1/2 cup dry white wine

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1 bay leaf

1 1/4 cups low-salt chicken stock

1 tbsp olive oil

2 halibut fillets

salt/pepper

2 tbsp flour

Directions:

In a large saucepan, melt 2 tbsp of butter over low heat.  Add the chopped shallot and garlic and cook until softened, abotu 3 miutes.  Add the squash, potato and turnip and cook over medium heat until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add the wine, thyme and bay leaf and cook a few minutes until the wine reduces by half.  Add the stock, cover and simmer over low heat until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until just smoking.  Season the halibut with salt and pepper and then dredge through the flour, shaking off excess.  Add the halibut and saute until golden, about 3 or 4 minutes per side.  Stir in the remaining tbsp of butter to the broth, serve into bowls, and place the halibut on top to serve.

Happy, happy, happy!

Question: Have any of you Blogspot users converted to Wordpress? What do you think?

My blog is getting ready to undergo a major overhaul. I will soon be found under domain name preventionrd.com and will be a Wordpress blogger (I'll miss the good'ol Blogspot days, I'm sure!). Thomas is the mastermind behind what will ensue, and I am VERY excited about it! I will keep you posted as to what this transition will mean for my posting, but please bare with me!

 The sweet Ashley of Kiwis and Cocktails passed the Happy 101 Award on to me (THANK YOU! Two in a week...this is exciting for an award virgin!)

The rules are:
1. List 10 things that make you Happy

2. Tag 10 Bloggers that Brighten your day

10 things that make me happy (there's a lot!)...

1. Scoring a goal in a hockey game!

2. Seeing my puppy shake like a jitter bug because she’s so excited to see me!

3. A good glass of red wine, Chianti preferred.

4. Going on a long, effortless run.

5. Waking up with not a THING to do

6. Finding new, fun finds at the grocery store

7. Husband playing with my hair

8. Long dinners with my family filled with inappropriateness and laughter

9. Helping others reach their health and nutrition goals

10. Looking at my wedding pictures. I truly had the wedding of my dreams.

10 blogs that brighten my day...

Caitlin of Healthy Tipping Point 

Gina of The Candid RD 

Katie of Faith Food & Fitness

Andrea of Andrea's Wellness Notes  

Paige of Running Around Normal 

Cait of The Twenty-Fifth Year 

Biz of Biggest Diabetic Loser

Rebecca of Chow and Chatter 

Cassie of A Pinch of This and a Dash of That 

Mari of Namaste Mari

I love to read ALL of the blogs I follow, it was hard to narrow it down! Keep the happiness going by sharing 10 things that make YOU happy and 10 blogs that brighten your day!


On a completely unrelated and shameful note...Jersey Shores is quite possibly as addictive as crack cocaine. Puppy whined at 5:20 this morning (alarm wasn't set to go off til 6:20), and instead of rolling over to go back to bed (what I usually do, especially by Friday!), I got up......AND WATCH JERSEY SHORES BEFORE WORK. I have reached a new level of overly inappropriate TV viewing. 


Run #3 on the new treadmill was a nice recovery run of 3.1 miles with a leisurely warm-up and cool-down. LOVE having a treadmill at home. Though, I must admit, the morning workouts have not ensued as I had originally planned. HOWEVER, the important thing is getting in the workouts whether it be morning, noon, or night...and I'm doing that!


What are you up to this weekend? Shopping, shopping, and baking?


Tonight is husband's Christmas party and we're driving around in stretch Expedition limos to see beautiful Christmas lights, and then out for a wonderful Italian dinner (Chianti, woot!). I'm really excited! Have a WONDERFUL weekend...TGIF!!!!!!

My recipe on JamieOliver.com

I think I call it a day mate!

It was a Friday surprise to see my recipe today being featured on Food Wise section at JamieOliver.com. I am now now encouraged to concoct more recipes. Looking forward to be featured again soon. Now I am excited to cook this weekend for Christmas dinner. One down, two more to go!

Have a delightful weekend!

hugs,
joanie xxx