November 2007
Wed 21 Nov 2007
This Alien Shore, by C. S. Friedman
Posted by benstraw under Fiction , Fantasy , Sci-Fi , BooksNo Comments
Wed 21 Nov 2007
Wed 21 Nov 2007
Mona Lias Overdrive, by William Gibson
Posted by benstraw under Fiction , Fantasy , Sci-Fi , BooksNo Comments
Wed 21 Nov 2007
Count Zero, by William Gibson
Posted by benstraw under Fiction , Fantasy , Sci-Fi , BooksNo Comments
Wed 21 Nov 2007
Neuromancer, by William Gibson
Posted by benstraw under Fiction , Fantasy , Sci-Fi , BooksNo Comments
Wed 21 Nov 2007
Starship Troopers, by Robert A. Heinlein
Posted by benstraw under Fiction , Fantasy , Sci-Fi , BooksNo Comments
Wed 21 Nov 2007
Stranger In a Strange Land, by Robert A. Heinlein
Posted by benstraw under Fiction , Fantasy , Sci-Fi , BooksNo Comments
Wed 21 Nov 2007
Tue 20 Nov 2007
Hashed Brussels Sprouts With Lemon Zest
Adapted from ”The Union Square Cafe Cookbook,”
by Michael Romano and Danny Meyer (HarperCollins, 1994)
Time: 25 minutes
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus grated zest of 1 lemon
2 pounds brussels sprouts
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons black mustard seeds or poppy seeds
1/4 cup dry white wine or vermouth
Salt and pepper to taste.
1. Place lemon juice in a large bowl. Cut bottoms off sprouts, and discard. Halve sprouts lengthwise, and thinly slice them crosswise. The slices toward the stem end should be thinner, to help pieces cook evenly. As you work, transfer slices into bowl with lemon juice. When all sprouts are sliced toss them in juice and separate leaves. (Recipe can be prepared to this point and refrigerated, covered, for up to 3 hours.)
2. When ready to serve, heat oil and butter over high heat in a skillet large enough to hold all sprouts. When very hot add sprouts, garlic and seeds, and cook, stirring often, until sprouts are wilted and lightly cooked, but still bright green and crisp, about 4 minutes. Some leaves might brown slightly.
3. Add wine, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, 1 minute more. Turn off heat, add salt and pepper to taste and stir in the lemon zest, reserving a little for top of dish. Transfer to a serving bowl, sprinkle with remaining zest and serve.
Yield: 10 servings.
Source: New York Times, November 2006
Tue 20 Nov 2007
String Beans With Ginger and Garlic
Posted by benstraw under recipes , reference , Stuff I look AtNo Comments
String Beans With Ginger and Garlic
Time: 20 minutes
Salt
2 1/2 pounds string beans (French-style slim haricots verts work especially well), trimmed
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup minced fresh ginger (about 6 inches ginger root, peeled)
4 medium-size garlic cloves, minced.
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and fill a large bowl with ice water. Working in two batches, boil beans until just tender but still crisp and bright green. Start testing after 4 minutes or so, being careful not to overcook. When done, plunge beans into ice water to stop cooking, lift out immediately when cool and drain on towels. (Recipe can be made to this point up to a day in advance and kept refrigerated, wrapped in towels.)
2. When ready to cook, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a wide skillet over high heat. Add half the beans, half the ginger and half the garlic, and cook, stirring and tossing constantly, until beans are heated through and ginger and garlic are softened and aromatic. Sprinkle with salt, and remove to a serving dish. Repeat with remaining oil, beans, ginger and garlic. Serve.
Yield: 10 servings.
Source: New York Times, November 2006.
Sat 17 Nov 2007
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Map of the effects of the SF bay oil spill.
Sat 10 Nov 2007
Fri 9 Nov 2007
Thu 8 Nov 2007






