Recipe Sunday: Weeknight Heirloom Tomato Tart

This time of year (at least where I live), having puff pastry in the freezer is like having half of a meal made before even starting to cook.

Just throw something pretty on puff pastry, add some cheese, and (wowza!) dinner’s on the coffee table in 30 minutes.

And because I hang out at the farmers market with my husband selling his wares, that means I get to know the vendors. They’re nice and generous. Sometimes they slip me extra tomatoes because they know that I’m a tomato geek. Continue reading →

A Liberal’s “Adventure in Odyssey” Part 1

“Adventures in Odyssey” is a production of Focus on the Family, with all the Real True Christian implications that that carries. Though from my standpoint, it’s pretty engaging and well done, except that it often brings you right back to its main point about how you are a sinner and need to accept Jesus. So, before we begin talking about the show itself, let’s start with a basic introduction to the people of Odyssey.

When I sat down to write this, I forgot how much there is to this radio show. That’s understandable, since this show has been airing for about 30 years, but that also means that one post isn’t going to be enough. Continue reading →

Recipe Sunday: Not Really Pad Thai

If you are looking for an authentic Pad Thai recipe, close this browser tab immediately and go to your nearest Thai restaurant. If you are Thai, my apologies for this bastard recipe. If you are looking for a yummy recipe that kind of reminds you of Pad Thai and can be whipped up using ingredients that you have at home, then this recipe is for you. Continue reading →

The Hollywood Caller: “Can We Talk?”

joan_riversThis is my ideal day. Saturday morning: I love to get up to go to a museum. I always take a taxi, and only open the door into the bike lane. Because I love to see how many Citi Bike riders I can pick off. I love to spend mornings at MoMA, where I eat M&Ms and I sneeze on Jackson Pollocks, just to see who can tell. I try to get to a Mets game if they’re in town, because they have a great ticket plan: If you buy one, you get one free; if you buy two, they let you pitch. — Joan Rivers [Vulture]

Joan Rivers was an icon. She was controversial, acerbic, offensive sometimes, spot on often, and the last of the real “take no crap” broads in showbiz. No, not in Hollywood or the movies, or on television…showbiz. Showbiz meaning that she was a consummate performer. Brooklyn born, a Phi Beta Kappa from Barnard College educated, and one of the quickest wits to walk the planet even at the age of 81. Rivers could get up on a stage in her twilight years and make the biggest “man’s man” blush as she regaled an audience with raunchy and ribald humor while dressed to the nines, heels in place, hair perfected, and face…a work of dizzying craftsmanship. And that’s all we’re going to say about that. Continue reading →