April 21, 2010, 10:08 AM Video of the Week
Fairmont chef Jason Dalling made delicious poached eggs served with sauteed spinach and topped with hollandaise in a recent Frugal Foodie. He made the sauce as Epicurious recommends, but I'm curious about this method which uses a blender. I sense a Sunday experiment ahead.
April 12, 2010, 05:07 PM From the Mouths of Babes A few years ago, Leslie Zemeckis interviewed me about Lili St. Cyr and burlesque for her documentary Behind the Burly Q, which comes out this month.
Alan Alda, who shared stories about growing up back stage of the burlesque circuit, gave gossip columnist Cindy Adams a juicy preview. He told Adams:
"See, I have memories from the time I was 1 1/2. I'd be in the wings watching these strippers. Surprising how much I remember. I even remember what they wore. People who study memory say something becomes embedded when an emotion is reached. As a baby, I'd watch my father interacting with naked women. I have clear memories of him performing. These things remain with me vividly and are as much a foundation to my acting career as anything."
April 09, 2010, 02:46 PM Bottoms Up It's that time of year when I start to consider what my summer cocktail of choice will be. It takes serious deliberation and a lot of taste tests. This Cucumber Gimlet from Bon Appetit has definitely landed a spot on the leader board.
Cucumber Gimlets 2 large cucumbers 1/2 cup of gin 4 teaspoons 1 tablespoon sugar 1 cup ice cubes 4 lime slices
Slice four 1/4-inch-thick slices from 1 cucumber. Peel and coarsely chop remaining cucumbers; transfer to processor and pur￩e until smooth. Pour through fine strainer set over large bowl, pressing on solids in strainer. Discard solids in strainer.
Mix 1 cup cucumber juice, gin, lime juice, and sugar in pitcher; stir until sugar dissolves. Add ice; mix well. Immediately strain mixture into 4 small Martini glasses. Garnish with lime and cucumber slices and serve.
Note: I found two cucumbers produced enough juice to double this recipe.
Bottoms Up, a semi-regular feature, appears when life calls for a drink.
April 07, 2010, 09:12 AM Video of the Week
For the Frugal Foodie with Birch & Barley Chef Kyle Bailey, I made my first attempt at adding video to the column. I definitely need some practice, but it does make rolling gnocchi more clear.
April 05, 2010, 11:40 AM Put Down That Bagel Several years ago my dad was diagnosed with celiac, essentially an allergy to gluten, which is found in wheat, rye or barley. Thus began my family's love affair with rice crackers -- especially the wasabi flavored ones.
Years later, I was surprised to find out my friend Erin, left, had it as well as it's not usually diagnosed in someone so young. She told me her story -- with a surprise ending -- about her experience with it for Woman's Day.
While, giving up bread and pasta sounds like a pain ignoring celiac can be dangerous. It keeps the body from absorbing nutrients and can lead to other health problems like osteoporosis and liver disease. The cause is unknown, but there is a genetic component and immediate family members of anyone with celiac should be tested.
March 31, 2010, 10:22 AM Video of the Week Past Tense entered a video contest and needs to be in the top twenty-five viewed videos. So, of course the video of the week is our entry.
March 30, 2010, 01:40 PM The Mailbag
My mailman has been delivering true signs of spring all week -- the solution to all your fears about tank-top weather in book form.
March 29, 2010, 11:26 AM Excuses, Excuses * A heli-skiing accident in the Alps left me unable to type. * I traveled to the Arctic and lived off the grid for the last few months. * I was felled by some sort of flu so rare it has yet to earn an animal name. These were just a few of the excuses I toyed with as an explanation for why I left this blog to languish. The truth is far less exciting ... I've just been busy. Here's a short sampling of the things that have kept me from blogging: * The delicious Frugal Foodie * The datinglives of variousWashingtonians. * Bloody Mary's worth a long sip. * What music chefs play. * And, of course, this.
August 28, 2009, 10:44 AM Bottoms Up It's time to make like the Go Gos and take a Vacation (all I ever wanted). Before I slip away (vacation, had to get away), say cheers with a Tom Collins, my favorite summer cocktail.
Tom Collins: 2 ounces simple syrup 2 ounces lemon juice 4 ounces gin dash of club soda
Mix simple syrup, lemon juice and gin in shaker. Pour over ice. Top with a dash of club soda and a lemon wedge.
Bottoms Up, a semi-regular feature, appears when life calls for a drink.
I'm the author of Gilded Lili: Lili St. Cyr and the Striptease Mystique. As a freelance writer, I cover more than the uncoverings of burlesque stars. I also write about food, travel, health, entertainment and more.
A few years ago, Leslie Zemeckis interviewed me about Lili St. Cyr and burlesque for her documentary 
It's that time of year when I start to consider what my summer cocktail of choice will be. It takes serious deliberation and a lot of taste tests. This Cucumber Gimlet from 
Several years ago my dad was diagnosed with celiac, essentially an allergy to gluten, which is found in wheat, rye or barley. Thus began my family's love affair with rice crackers -- especially the wasabi flavored ones. 
* A heli-skiing accident in the Alps left me unable to type. 
It's time to make like the Go Gos and take a 
