Last night I attended the 63rd Annual Radio and Television Correspondents Dinner. It was fun, and overall I think I liked the evening more than last year's dinner.
The evening started with cocktails. A gin and tonic and then a Dewars (neat).
Sat with colleague's Terry and Todd, plus Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), Patrick Murphy (D-PA [and only 34!]), and Norm Dicks (D-WA). Rep. Dicks also brought along his lovely wife Suzi.
Red wine and water accompanied the following meal:
New Orleans Cajun Salad
Texas Rubbed Tenderloin of Beef
Paired with Fennel Crusted Orange Roughy
Mississippi Mud Pie
The entertainment portion of the evening followed dinner. Some awards were given out, and there were a few speeches. President Bush was rather funny and deft. There was some other absurdities followed by more uncomfortable laughter.
Post-dinner time was spent at the Fox News after-party, then some other after-parties which grew increasingly lame with time (Beatles cover band, including bad hair and accents). The open bars, though, weren't the only thing that prevented me from heading home for an early evening. It was a great blast for me to hang out with former NewsHour colleagues as we stuck random stuff into a chocolate fountain.
Anyway, let this be the first and last time I write about any party that I attend (until the Nobel Prize dinner, fingers crossed).
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Friday, March 30, 2007
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Food Writer?
My desire to celebrate Tet is directly proportional to my need for a giant bowl of pho, especially as DC's weather has decided to start resembling winter.
A former Boston resident, I have traditionally been able to temper the New England chill with Beantown's excellent Vietnamese eatery, Pho Pastuer.
While I hear that there are great Vietnamese restaurants directly outside the ten square, for those that rely on Metro's time tables a trek to Fall's Church can seem more ambitious than a trip to Boston.
My simple solution, make your own pho and share it with friends. Throwing a 'Tet party' is not only an excellent way to acquaint yourself with the sounds, flavors, and history of Vietnam, but it is also an excellent excuse to participate in communal dinning, while celebrating a second new year.
I culled the following pho recipe from a number of books and websites -- then I made it vegan for a historian friend in St. Louis. To increase the lipid to broth ratio simply brown some chicken thighs in the oil and onions. Remove when almost cooked, then add chicken (instead of vegetable) broth. Place chicken back in broth after 10 minutes.
2 chopped onions
4 star anise*
1 cinnamon stick*
2 whole cloves*
2 tsp of black peppercorn*
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tbs sugar
1 tbs salt
2 tbs fish sauce (optional)
96 oz of stock
2 tbs olive oil
*bound together in tea bag or cheesecloth for easy removal
Add oil and onion to a stock pot over medium heat. When the onion is translucent add the stock, anise, cinnamon, clove, and peppercorn. When broth starts to boil add sugar, salt, ginger and fish sauce. Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the seasoning bundle and add rice noodle. Ready after 5 minutes.
Using your preferred steaming method, steam any combination of the following till glistening: bell pepper (red), baby corn, carrots, mushroom, tofu, broccoli, bok choi, etc.
Serve noodles and broth in a deep bowl with vegetables. Side with fresh basil, cilantro, mung beans, and sriracha.
A former Boston resident, I have traditionally been able to temper the New England chill with Beantown's excellent Vietnamese eatery, Pho Pastuer.
While I hear that there are great Vietnamese restaurants directly outside the ten square, for those that rely on Metro's time tables a trek to Fall's Church can seem more ambitious than a trip to Boston.
My simple solution, make your own pho and share it with friends. Throwing a 'Tet party' is not only an excellent way to acquaint yourself with the sounds, flavors, and history of Vietnam, but it is also an excellent excuse to participate in communal dinning, while celebrating a second new year.
I culled the following pho recipe from a number of books and websites -- then I made it vegan for a historian friend in St. Louis. To increase the lipid to broth ratio simply brown some chicken thighs in the oil and onions. Remove when almost cooked, then add chicken (instead of vegetable) broth. Place chicken back in broth after 10 minutes.
2 chopped onions
4 star anise*
1 cinnamon stick*
2 whole cloves*
2 tsp of black peppercorn*
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tbs sugar
1 tbs salt
2 tbs fish sauce (optional)
96 oz of stock
2 tbs olive oil
*bound together in tea bag or cheesecloth for easy removal
Add oil and onion to a stock pot over medium heat. When the onion is translucent add the stock, anise, cinnamon, clove, and peppercorn. When broth starts to boil add sugar, salt, ginger and fish sauce. Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the seasoning bundle and add rice noodle. Ready after 5 minutes.
Using your preferred steaming method, steam any combination of the following till glistening: bell pepper (red), baby corn, carrots, mushroom, tofu, broccoli, bok choi, etc.
Serve noodles and broth in a deep bowl with vegetables. Side with fresh basil, cilantro, mung beans, and sriracha.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Sticky Toffee Pudding.
If you are one who thinks that the English haven't added much to the world's exquisite culinary profile, I beg you to reconsider. Yesterday, Rachael and I made some sticky toffee pudding. And in short -- this gooey not-too-sweet date cake was awesome. Not quite as good as Cafe Moto's legendary Date Cake, but Martha Stewart's recipe is an excellent facsimile.
And also,
If you are one that thinks that Rod Stewart has added nothing meaningful to the world's joyous musical catalog, I beg you to reconsider. The other day I listened to some of the Skullcrushing Hummingbird Radio show on the Portland Radio Authority, broadcast over the Internet, and I was surprised by the Faces. Performing their 'As Long as You Tell Him' the Faces feature a young Ron Wood and Mr. Stewart at his best. For proof, check out this song on the SoKT.
And also,
If you are one that thinks that Rod Stewart has added nothing meaningful to the world's joyous musical catalog, I beg you to reconsider. The other day I listened to some of the Skullcrushing Hummingbird Radio show on the Portland Radio Authority, broadcast over the Internet, and I was surprised by the Faces. Performing their 'As Long as You Tell Him' the Faces feature a young Ron Wood and Mr. Stewart at his best. For proof, check out this song on the SoKT.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Even if Death Were Good.
Two day cold / old / State of the Union coffee has little to offer. But being gratis I drink on and can't help but to think that as the stale brew ages its decomposition tastes mightily like motor oil. Yay! caffeine. Yay! decomposition.
Speaking of decomposition -- and the rot inherent in all things material -- reminds of this upbeat song I had forgotten -- till now -- about death.
'Dying is Fine' is a pop master work that combines the energy of caffeine with the addictiveness of nicotine. I first found out about Ra Ra Riot from a good friend, whose good friend, is a former member of "the riot". My knowledge of the band and their music ends there, but I really do love this song, sing along, and check it out in the SoKT.
Speaking of decomposition -- and the rot inherent in all things material -- reminds of this upbeat song I had forgotten -- till now -- about death.
'Dying is Fine' is a pop master work that combines the energy of caffeine with the addictiveness of nicotine. I first found out about Ra Ra Riot from a good friend, whose good friend, is a former member of "the riot". My knowledge of the band and their music ends there, but I really do love this song, sing along, and check it out in the SoKT.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
peanut butter + honey + cinnamon
I have some big plans for the future of Knock Twice.
Not only do I plan to start a found sound podcast (hopefully this weekend), but I will also be building a web based MP3 player, similar to the one on Celebrating Sagan, that will include sounds and music that are pertinent to Knock Twice.
Additionally I have some posts and pictures planned that detail some of my recent experiences in Europe.
Last night I went to bed at 9:15 and this morning I woke up, having decided to apply for a Fulbright. We will see where this goes.
In the meantime, check this:
2 slices of wheat bread
peanut butter of choice
honey
cinnamon
Both a change of pace and an excellent sandwich.
Not only do I plan to start a found sound podcast (hopefully this weekend), but I will also be building a web based MP3 player, similar to the one on Celebrating Sagan, that will include sounds and music that are pertinent to Knock Twice.
Additionally I have some posts and pictures planned that detail some of my recent experiences in Europe.
Last night I went to bed at 9:15 and this morning I woke up, having decided to apply for a Fulbright. We will see where this goes.
In the meantime, check this:
2 slices of wheat bread
peanut butter of choice
honey
cinnamon
Both a change of pace and an excellent sandwich.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Pie in the Sky.
For those that don't know -- my great weakness in life is pizza. I cannot get enough pizza. Pizza my 'go to' food of choice. When I first moved to Boston six years ago the preponderance of good pizza by the slice (paired with a lack of physical activity)did a number to my body. My once lean agile form had become (and remains) lumpy and uninspiring. While I no longer partake of the pie on a daily basis (less than one pie in an average month) I am still constantly drawn to its song. What more, though I enjoy my regimented and thorough work out routine, this exercise has yet to put a significant dent in my weight / fat ratio. What can I say, I am still paying for the excesses of my youth.
In Short.
I move to DC. A pizza joint is across the street. The pizza pretty much sucks. Murder. New owner. The pizza is much better.
The tasteless creations of Washington Pizza have been transformed into flavorful, well constructed pies. While it seems unlikely that DC will ever have the solid pizza tradition that great cities like Boston, New York, Chicago, and of course St. Louis share, I can say that the pizza situation in Columbia Heights is looking a lot brighter. And for that, body-begrudgingly, I am thankful.
In Long.
Click there for a longer, more boring, and more graphic account of the above.
In Short.
I move to DC. A pizza joint is across the street. The pizza pretty much sucks. Murder. New owner. The pizza is much better.
The tasteless creations of Washington Pizza have been transformed into flavorful, well constructed pies. While it seems unlikely that DC will ever have the solid pizza tradition that great cities like Boston, New York, Chicago, and of course St. Louis share, I can say that the pizza situation in Columbia Heights is looking a lot brighter. And for that, body-begrudgingly, I am thankful.
In Long.
Click there for a longer, more boring, and more graphic account of the above.
