Saturday, January 31, 2015

January 31, 2015



Shakespeare in the Park this season. Waterston as Prospero looks interesting. Never read or saw Cymbeline, I guess it's about time.



Was going to do fish today but no fish-mongers today at the Greenmarket, no mushrooms either.

Chili time ! Going to be a patchwork of my own recipe and the one that was just in the NYT. Shell steaks were on sale, so the cubed meat will be a better cut. So far the eats for the Super Bowl are: Sliders, Chili , Rice and Beans, Pizza, 100 Wings and the massive amount of stuff that comes with the six-foot hero.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

January 29, 2015



I knew Beer had Health Benefits.



Not as much Snow as predicted.



Side Trip to Hudson Eats and Mighty Quinn's. The Beer is Allagash White.



My free chocolate croissant.



Morton's Grille for soup and a Rib-Eye.



This is a candle holder.



The Hobbit:The Desolation of Smaug,Extended Edition, has a nice added scene with Beorn.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

January 28, 2015



Birthday week, just read the New Yorker's review on two new Seneca Biographies. Sold ! Starbucks gave me a free large Espresso, now Panera has a free pastry.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

January 27, 2015



I usually start the morning with TWC's NY1. Today was amusing with Pat Kiernan riffing on Snow news, bringing up his Canadian background regarding snow. The Traffic and Rail report still ran with no traffic and no rails operating. Channel One is excellent with their predictions, they called this one as 12" - 18". As the Daily News says: Snor’easter. I will go to work, getting picked up.



Smaug:: Did you think I did not know this day would come, that a pack of canting dwarves would come crawling back to the Mountain?

canting:  sanctimoniously, hypocritical.



Texas Chili via New York Times:

Ingredients

1 tablespoon whole cumin seeds
1 ½ teaspoons whole coriander seeds
4 pounds beef chuck roast or steak
1 teaspoon salt, more to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus extra as needed
1 large yellow or white onion, chopped, plus extra chopped onion for serving
6 large garlic cloves, minced
4 to 7 large fresh green jalapeƱos (depending on how much heat you like), stemmed, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons masa harina or 1 corn tortilla, torn into pieces (optional)
2 tablespoons ground pure chile powder, such as pasilla, Chimayo or ancho
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 (12-ounce) bottle Negra Modelo beer
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, or 3 10-ounce cans Ro-Tel canned tomatoes with green chiles
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
3 whole dried large red chiles, such as New Mexico or guajillo
Chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
Fritos or warmed flour tortillas, for serving

Preparation

In a small heavy skillet, toast cumin and coriander seeds until fragrant. In a mortar and pestle, or in a coffee grinder, grind to a powder and set aside.
Meanwhile, roughly cut beef into 2-inch cubes, or slice it against the grain into pieces about 1/4-inch thick by 1 1/2 inches square. Sprinkle with salt.
In a large, heavy pot over high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Working in batches to avoid crowding the pan, brown the meat, turning occasionally until crusty. Adjust heat to prevent scorching. As it is cooked, remove the meat to drain on paper towels. Add more oil as needed for browning, but do not clean out the pot.
To the empty but crusty pot, add onion, garlic, jalapeƱos, masa harina or tortilla (if using), chile powder, cumin-coriander powder and oregano. Cook, stirring, until onion has softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add meat, beer, tomatoes, chocolate, whole dried chiles and 1 quart water. Bring to a gentle simmer and simmer about 1 1/2 hours, or until meat is fork-tender. Remove the dried chiles. Taste and add salt if necessary.
Serve immediately or let cool and refrigerate. The chili tastes best one or two days after it is made.
Reheat over low heat if necessary and serve in bowls, sprinkled with chopped onion and cilantro. Add Fritos for crunch, or dip tortillas into the spicy gravy.



Monday, January 26, 2015

January 26, 2015



All storms are now named. This one is Juno. Looks like the amount is going down. Now only 12" - 18". I know I am leaving my car in a garage tonight and taking Public Transportation until this blows over. Alternate side parking suspended but you still have to feed the meter. WHAT GIVES WITH THAT ?

Sunday, January 25, 2015

January 25, 2014



The Smithsonian Channel has a great show on new discoveries about Stonehenge.
It is amusing to see all the Senior Citizen targeted ads on this channel: Medicare plans, Consumer Cellular and AARP.



Snow is coming. How much ? Maybe a lot.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

January 24, 2015



Horace Greeley in the Sun.



Jaume Plensa's Chloe at the Grand Central Hyatt.



Madison Square Garden. Third win in a row for the Knicks.



Chipolte Chicken Pizza, done well by a place nearby.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

January 21, 2015



I needed shades or blinds, I couldn't decide. Temporary solution: Paper Shades from Home Depot. They look pretty good too.



Glad to see Smith and Wollensky has rejoined Restaurant Week although it is Lunch only. Surf and Turf is my choice.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

January 20, 2015



Just about finished with Jim DeFelice's Omar Bradley:General at War and I discover he is part of American Sniper.

Monday, January 19, 2015

January 19, 2015



MLK day, Alternate Side Parking suspended but you must feed the meter. Learned that one several years ago. My new place makes me park at meters, working out so far because I arrive home when they are near expiration and I leave for work before they start. A day like today, you have to look for a good spot.



Raffetto's was closed today so I went to Fairway for some Red-Pepper,Mozzarella & Basil Ravioli.



18 seconds, a new record.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

January 18, 2015



M. Emmet Walsh in Blade Runner, watched it on demand the other night. Then watched The Mighty Quinn. I had forgot he was in it. I downloaded Girl Watcher by Yellowman after watching it.



Getting ready for some good Football today.



Bloody Mary warm-up and Knish Nosh Franks and Knishes for the games.



Omar Bradley: General at War By Jim DeFelice is next in line to read.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

January 17, 2015



Finally able to download the NYS/NYC tax instructions. A refund will come but I can't file until January 20th. My program says January 22nd is next needed update. I would like to have the money before President's day.



This is my third month in my new place. Negatives: more expensive, less room, moving after 27 years in the same place was extremely taxing. Positives: closer to work, better neighborhood, kitchen is modern, oven is great, quiet.



Indian Ladder Farm Stout - Other Half Brewing Co.



A fine brew with which to watch B-Ball.

Friday, January 16, 2015

January 16, 2015



Ok, Restaurant Week participants will be available by February 2nd.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

January 11, 2015



Rokhat Kosher Bakery on Austin Street. I had read about it and finally dropped in today. Outstanding bread, guy went to the back to give me a fresh round. I toasted it up at home, real nice.



My team won, played more than I thought I would. I am sore but feel good.

Saturday, January 10, 2015

January 10, 2015



Tonight is my yearly Alumni Basketball game. I will be the oldest player on the floor.

Thursday, January 8, 2015

January 8, 2015



Joe's Crab Shack by the Queens Center Mall. My boys said it was good, so I got some take-out. Nothing special but edible. Place is big with lots of dining space. Parking is easy.



Tax Time ! Filing starts January 20th. The refund cycle is informational and not guaranteed to be accurate. I will get refunds, not much, but they take out a lot so I'm happy for something.



Another great tip: charge your I-Phone or I-Pad while it is in airplane mode. It is quicker.

Monday, January 5, 2015

January 5, 2015



Today is 1515 or 1/5/15. Time to play the numbers.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

January 4, 2015



Mad Max Fury Road's trailer makes this remake look like a must see. George Miller is still the director.





Today's NYT crossword references "Delaware Water Gap" painter George (INNESS.)



Here's a shot from Sparrow Bush.