Monday, November 26, 2007

Proof

Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0
created with QuizFarm.com


You scored as James Bond, Agent 007

James Bond is MI6's best agent, a suave, sophisticated super spy with charm, cunning, and a license's to kill. He doesn't care about rules or regulations and somewhat amoral. He does care about saving humanity though, as well as the beautiful women who fill his world. Bond has expensive tastes, a wide knowledge of many subjects, and his usually armed with a clever gadget and an appropriate one-liner.

83% James Bond. Also 76% Jack Sparrow and 68% Lara Croft. A somewhat conflicted hero, apparently. You can take the silly quiz here.



Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Make this sweet potato recipe

Make this delicious twist on sweet potatoes and you shall be a hero at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

Sweet Potatoes au Gratin

5 to 6 medium sweet potatoes
3 cups heavy cream
1 stick butter
1/4 cup chopped parsely
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 cups grated swiss cheese
Salt & pepper

Slice the sweet potato into 1/8 inch slices. (Square off the sweet potato prior to slicing. Round is fine, but square slices will fit into the baking dish better.)

In a saucepan, heat the cream, butter, and herbs, on low heat. Season with salt and pepper. Stir until butter is melted. Place a single layer of the sweet potato slices into a buttered 3 quart baking dish. Pour about a cup of the cream mixture over the sweet potatoes. Add a layer of Swiss cheese. Continue with sweet potato, cream and cheese layers and finish with Swiss cheese. It's quite runny and expands while baking, so a bit of room at the top will keep it all in the dish.

Bake for about 40 minutes at 375, or until potatoes are tender, check after 25 minutes.

Plan plenty of time to let it sit. 30 minutes will help everything firm up. Serve and enjoy! Makes 6-8 big servings.

Don't be afraid to make lots - the leftovers reheat very well.



Sunday, November 18, 2007

The hardest working band in show business

Friday, November 16 at First Avenue: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings.

100 days

I got 2 words to describe this show: DAMN!

Energetic and non-stop, the show opened around 10 pm with the throw-back Dap-Kings for a few introductory tunes. And they never stopped playing once. As soon as one tune ended the next would start in a seamless flow of tight horn hits and funky rhythms. Sharon Jones, who's apparently 51 years old (!), was brought on stage after a classy and lengthy introduction by the fast-talking lead guitar player, and she proceeded to shuffle, sing, dance and belt with endless energy for the next 90 minutes.

This show was nothing but good old-fashioned class, which was enhanced by the guitar player's fast talking. I'll offer a quote that he said prior to Ms. Jones' return to the stage during the encore:

(The Dap-Kings had come back up on stage and were vamping, while we expected Sharon to come back on stage.)

"Ladies and gentleman, I must inform you that due to contractual obligations the time has come when we have played the allotted songs in the allotted time. Yes, that's right ladies and gentlemen, I am sorry, the show is over."

The crowd boos in disbelief. The band came back up on stage just to tell us THAT?!

"But when one door closes, another door opens, and while the show may be over, the party has just begun!"

Incredible. See them when they come to your town and in the mean time listen to their album, 100 Days 100 Nights, or buy it from Daptone Records. You won't reget it.