a raisin in the sun - completed

so yes. i did it. i sat through a raisin in the sun starring sean "puff daddy/ p. diddy/ diddy" combs. and yes, it was painful. every time mr. combs didn't know what to do with his eyes, all of the poorly thrown temper tantrum monologues, and the melodramatic extra-deep breaths... it was too much. it just left me wishing someone had told him that this was a dream of his that should have been deferred...

claire huxtable was moderately entertaining. i think she must have been better on stage.

the best part of this remake was the unexpected cameo of john stamos. but once again, the casting let's the viewer down again... it's just hard to imagine someone who looks like a greek immigrant to be an accurate representation of the catholic neighborhoods of chicago.

to sum it up... a raisin in the sun remake was bitterly disappointing. i knew it would be, but some things you just have to see to believe.

a raisin in the sun

i want to see the 2008 made for tv version of a raisin in the sun. you might call me crazy. but i think crazy is casting sean "p. diddy" combs as walter lee younger - the character immortalized by sidney poitier's 1961 performance. it's so crazy that i just have to see it. and let's be real, you want to see clair huxtable just as much as i do...

***photo from LA Times (see link)

apricot crisp

this looks amazing. perfect for apricot season, which is here!!! at least i think it's here since i saw them at the farmer's market. i got this from Smitten Kitchen. hopefully i can get around to making it this weekend. sounds like a great "on your way to work" breakfast.

Apricot Crisp

Fruit Base
1 pound apricots
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon flour
Grated fresh nutmeg, a pinch

Crisp Topping
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons, 2 ounces) butter, melted
6 tablespoons turbinado or regular sugar (turbinado, also sold as Sugar in the Raw, gives an excellent crunch)
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or a mixture of whole wheat and all-purpose flour)
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Prepare fruit: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pull apart apricots at their seam, remove pits, and tear them one more time into quarters, placing them in a small baking dish (one that holds two to three cups is ideal). Stir in sugar, flour and pinch of nutmeg.

Make topping: Melt butter and stir in sugar, then oats, then flour, salt and almonds until large clumps form. Sprinkle mixture over the fruit. Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes and serve warm.
Although you could dust this with powdered sugar and serve it warm with vanilla ice cream for dessert, as I noted, it is on the tart side for an after-dinner treat. Truly, this excels cooled in the fridge overnight, and mixed with a scoop of plain yogurt for a weekday breakfast that will cure you of all weekday breakfast doldrums. It sure did for me.

Kolokithokeftethes

yep. it's greek for zucchini cakes. they're so good with tzakiki.

tropic thunder

i can't wait til 08.15.08. tropic thunder.

what do you mean you people???

i'm hoping that this one is good for the politically incorrect soul.

bigger, stronger, faster*

my dear friend worked on this documentary about steroids and other anabolic substances. it's pretty crazy to see these guys. Finally his work with all those manly men is getting released to the big screen! it's in the queue because i have to see it!!! you should see it too!!!

here's the official movie site - bigger, stronger, faster*

the film is in limited release. check here for local listings and dates. anyone interested in seeing it on friday?

can't wait to see it... and take it out of the queue!

banana bread - completed

yes. i did it. i baked. hopefully, this is a small step in the right direction. perhaps one day, i will be able to admit that i know how to bake. not quite yet though. i made banana bread using this recipe from Simply Recipes. i did make some changes, and my how good it turned out!

consider these changes:

1. instead on 1 cup sugar, put 1/2c. brown sugar, 1/2c. sugar
2. use all 4 bananas because mine came out a bit dry
3. bake for only 50 minutes

*** yes. these are finally my photos. :)

roasted spiced sweet potatoes

another recipe i want to make from Smitten Kitchen. i just need a spice grinder... they look amazing!

***picture from Smitten Kitchen

Roasted Spiced Sweet Potatoes
Adapted from Gourmet, January 2002

Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 45 min
Servings: Makes 4 to 6 servings.

1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes (the latter will make them quite spicy, so using according to your preferences)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 pounds medium sweet potatoes
3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Coarsely grind coriander, fennel, oregano, and red pepper flakes in an electric coffee/spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle. Stir together spices and salt.

Cut potatoes lengthwise into 1-inch wedges.

Toss wedges with oil and spices in a large roasting pan and roast in middle of oven 20 minutes. Turn wedges over with a spatula and roast until tender and slightly golden, 15 to 20 minutes more.

banana bread

i'm going to try and make this today. i got this recipe from Simply Recipes.

Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour

Method

No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.