Le Creuset

Anyone who knows me might say I have a bit of an intense personality, but it really doesn't take much to make me happy. As you might have figured out from this blog I am happiest when I'm with my family, traveling, cooking, eating, dancing, participating in theater, and serving. I love to entertain and perform and be social (even better when all three together). 2010 started off with a bang, but this past week was tough with quite a few ups and downs - so I needed a bit of therapy this weekend. Saturday night I went to see A Little Night Music on Broadway (more on that later), but an even better highlight of the day was shopping the 50% off Homegoods sell at Bloomingdales. Rarely do you ever find Le Creuset on sale so addicts don't pass up the opportunity when it comes along. I very happily added a beautiful turquoise braiser to my collection which already consists of a 5 qt. yellow oval french oven and various stoneware pieces. I absolutely LOVE my Le Creuset and I highly recommend adding anything from their stellar collection to your kitchen.

Today I couldn't wait to christen my pot so I made Mango Chutney Pork Loin with Sweet Potatoes and Onions. The recipe called for grilling but I roasted it in the oven instead. It turned out so juicy and tender and my roommates gave it 5 stars. The rosemary made the apartment smell divine and it was healthy. Most importantly, it made me VERY happy! Ah, life's simple pleasures.

The 1st Test Nest

The Test Nest has hatched and I thank my friends for their wonderful support and interest and for telling me to charge more money (hehe, when steak and fish are involved it will definitely be more expensive). I’m very excited to keep this going during the year. The 1st menu and its courses worked very well together. A gourmet twist on a classic pasta dish. The menu and ratings by my fantastic guest testers is as follows:

Mocktail: Grape Sparks (not worth keeping)
1st Course: Apple and Mesclun Salad with Orange-Ginger Dressing and Homemade Asiago-Pepper Bread
- Dressing was 4 stars – I kept the salad light because of the heavy stuffed pasta main course, but guests thought I could have added more mix ins. The bread was rated 5 stars.
2nd Course: Butternut Squash Cannelloni with Sage-Walnut Cream Sauce (4 stars)
- A sweet and tangy butternut squash filling layered with spinach, rolled and baked. The Sage Walnut Cream Sauce was perfectly complimentary although I’ve made note to add more walnuts. Note: the cream sauce turned a little dark after sitting out so make sure to serve right out of the oven.
Dessert: Tea with Pistachio Shortbread (4 stars)
- Buttery, nutty cookie was a perfect light end to the meal.

Guests also left with a little package of shortbread to remember the evening.
Other recipes that I tried during January that I should note include:
Grilled Monster Pork Chops with Tomatillo and Green Apple Sauce
Cinnamon Raisin French Toast (try the buttermilk French toast recipe with Cinnamon Raisin Bread)

During February I plan to have two Test Nest nights. I’m even going to take advantage of Cupid’s holiday and make sure hearts and chocolate are part of each meal. For some reason, even though I dislike V-day I have lots of heart cookware including cake pans, tartlet and cupcake molds (thanks to making Hilary’s Wedding Cake/Chocolate Cupcake and topping bar) – so I figure I better put it to good use.

Finian's Rainbow

This past week two shows closed on Broadway – Finian’s Rainbow and Ragtime. This coming Sunday Bye Bye Birdie will close. All three shows had a shorter run than I’m sure was hoped and expected (especially Finian’s as it was Critic’s choice from the New York Times). Thankfully I caught the revival of Finian’s Rainbow before Christmas. The show premiered in 1947 and was made into a movie starting the fabulous Fred Astaire in 1968.

Overall the story is a lame, unrealistic love story (the producers describe it as whimsical) made delightful by fabulous dancing, spectacular music, magical tricks and appealing scenery. The stand out in the cast was Christopher Fitzgerald, who just might be one of my favorite Broadway actors. If he is on the bill you know he will give a top notch performance. As the leprechaun Og, Fitzgerald adds a one-of-a-kind enthusiasm and creativity to the show. His role provides him the opportunity to be whitty, charming and funny, as he does so well. Fitzgerald originated the role of Boq in Wicked and should have received the Tony Award for his role as Igor in Young Frankenstein (he stole the show).

I’ve seen Cheyenne Jackson in a few Broadway shows and so far I enjoy his role on NBC’s 30 Rock. Interestingly enough, I’m not sure he has the skills to be more than the hunky guy – but he does hunky so well that it is good enough for me. His wonderful voice is an added bonus. I enjoyed seeing Jim Norton as a cheesy, happy Irish father versus the scattered old man dropping the F bomb in The Seafarer (for which he won a well deserved Tony Award in 2008).

Broadway is suffering! These shows need to run longer in order to make money (typically 12-16 months to recoup costs of production). The amount of talent that goes into producing these shows is mindblowing and they deserve to stay alive, especially in an economic crisis. Support the arts - go see a show! There are discount tickets (TKTS, Theatermania.com, hitshowclub.com, broadwaybox.com), lotteries and rush tickets (check out regularly updated story at Playbill.com). You can afford it!

Test Kitchen

In 2010 my new hobby is going to be starting a test kitchen. Concept: I cook a gourmet menu, invite 5 diners to cover the cost of the food, test out/perfect recipes and cooking skills, rate recipes, throw away bad ones.

I've wanted to do something like this for a while but never had the time. Since I'm currently freelancing I have a little more flexibility. I'm going to track all of the recipes in an excel sheet and I think it will be very interesting to see the results at the end of the year. How many Martha Stewart recipes were 5 stars (I swear she never fails me), how many Real Simple recipes did I throw away (usually they are so bland). I might even rate difficulty. I really enjoy creating dynamic menus (it's just so fun to bring out hidden flavors, sweet vs. salty, etc... when putting together a full menu). Maybe I have a nack for it? I figure the test kitchen will help me learn how to better prep and prepare the full menu so that I have meals ready on time. It will help me improve techniques and it's no fun to cook for only me. I love to entertain.

So, I need help deciding on a name for the concept. Here are my top three - which is your favorite?

1) Cuisine a la Mode
2) Test Nest
3) Harlem Kitchen

Career Transition for Dancers - 24th Anniversary Jubilee

I write reviews for exploredance.com, and online dance community resource. I recently went to and reviewed the 24th Anniversary Jubilee concert celebrating the mission of Career Transition for Dancers which enables dancers to define their career possibilities and develop the skills necessary to excel in a variety of disciplines.

Here is the review for your reading pleasure: http://www.exploredance.com/article.htm?id=2945

Solar Decathlon

I had the opportunity to go down to DC and work at the DOE's Solar Decathlon. While positioned as the representative for the Anatomy of House exhibit, I learned so much about solar panels, electricity, water heaters, windows, R-value, etc... Unfortunately, I don't have much of an ability to change my current apartment to be more energy efficient, but I do believe in this purpose. If you want to learn about important ways you improve the energy efficiency of your home - visit www.energysavers.gov. Remember to research tax credits and rebates.

20 different universities created concept homes to show how new homes can be constructed with unique and livable architecture while also creating homes with solar roofs and completely efficient systems. Each one of us should try harder to do our part to be more green and make changes in our lives and homes to use less energy. I need to do more.

Click here to see a virtual tour of my favorite home, Alberta.

Also check out this applicable TED Talk about building cities/communities that provide opportunity for innovation. A smart concept to look at for improving the world: http://www.ted.com/search?q=Paul+Romer&x=0&y=0

Burn The Floor

I recently saw Burn the Floor on Broadway. The show which focuses on Ballroom dancing is a hit with the press and public. Towards the end of the summer the show was grossing the largest revenue out of the other 19 Broadway shows and playing at 98%. Thanks to the help of TV shows "Dancing With The Stars," and "So You Think You Can Dance" Ballroom dancing is on the rise. Ballroom studios in the NYC area have enjoyed increased enrollment (especially the first couple years these shows graced TV).

Burn the Floor is two hours of non-stop beauty, creativity, and daring tricks. Adrenaline packed, all 32 dancers (each with a bio full of various championship titles within the amateur and professional ballroom industry) captivate the audience with fluid transitions between dance forms and dynamic technique. During the length of the show the dancers don't get much time to rest. I'm astounded by their stamina as I'm aware of how difficult it is to dance at their intensity for the duration of this show.

Choreographer and World champion Jason Gilkison starting dancing as a young boy in his grandfather's studio. Less and less we hear of cultural and family traditions such as this being passed down through generations. My parents grew up with Fred and Ginger and followed the same style in their high school dances. I pray this show and the TV shows will help the world move away from the "teddy bear hug" dance forms.

While most of the ballroom dance styles were briefly represented the focus was on the Latin dances. I would have liked to have seen the same intensity that was brought to the Latin choreography displayed in the complexity and grace of the Standard dances - rather than putting the Standard dances on the backseat. There was only one couple whose core discipline was Standard, the other couples were focused in the Latin discipline.

Burn the Floor does reinvent Ballroom - but it is not a typical Broadway show. There is no story line, plot, or script. The show is 100% dance, and to be honest I'm surprised yet ecstatic that the show made it to such a high bill as Broadway. The limited engagement was extended from October to January 3, 2010 - so come to Broadway and watch one of the greatest displays of Ballroom dance to ever hit the stage.