Down With Oppression

And when I say oppression, I mean this insanely oppressive heat wave.



I was over this last week, when it was-- oh, hey!-- totally hot.

Rockin' The Kitchen Like It's My Job

Who's up for some more foodiness tonight? Because I'm still all about Campaign for a Less Fat Coco while attempting to zero in on easy things that I really like as to not be deterred from said campaign. Dig? Dig!

I really did not want to make dinner tonight. The heat has been oppressive and draining this past week. Anything involving a flame or radiant heat does not appeal to me at this juncture. However, I just spent $6.00 on two organic chicken breasts and I'll be damned if those sweet little cluckers die in vain because I'm too lazy to appreciate their sacrifice and make something delicious out of them. So, I changed into the thinnest, shabbiest t-shirt I own, slid on my garden clogs and fired up the grill.

2o minutes later:



I ain't tryin' to brag, but this was one of my best experiments yet. And you can do it, too! Here's how it all came together:

1. Take a boneless, skinless chicken breast. Rinse and pat dry with a paper towel. Rub completely with olive oil. Sprinkle salt and black pepper on both sides, rub in to the chicken breast. After I do this, I go turn on the grill and let the chicken sit out to "sweat" a little.
2. Once the grill is hot 'n' ready, turn the heat down to medium-ish and throw the breast on. Get yourself a portabello mushroom. This is a personal preference, but I never rinse or wash mushrooms under water. They absorb water quickly, and that screws up the texture IMHO. Rather, wet a small piece of paper towel and spot-wash the mushroom, removing all dirt. Drizzle with olive oil, put on the upper grill rack (or the non-heated side for indirect grilling).
3. Hang out a bit, then remove the mushroom. I think I left it on for 5 minutes, tops. Just enough to get it tender and give it a couple grill lines. Then, remove the mushroom (leave the chicken). Go inside, get yourself a small baking pan and put your grilled shroom on it. Sprinkle generously with feta cheese and drizzle with olive oil. A dusting of Hungarian sweet paprika is good if you have any. Place under your oven's broiler until the feta starts to melt together and brown slightly. Remove da shroom; set aside.
   
4. Get a dinner plate, throw a handful of baby spinach leaves on it, squirt some bleu cheese dressing on the spinach leaves (go easy, though, too much will overpower everything else) and sprinkle with some pre-cooked, crumbled bacon on top. Not too much, just enough to give the end result a slight smoky flavor.
5. Yank the chicken off the grill, and cut into strips. If you put it on the spinach leaves while it's still really hot, it'll wilt the leaves which is good for texture. Arrange the chicken, garnish with sundried tomato (I like the julienne-cut tomatoes that come in a pouch).
6. If you're like me, dice the Hell out of everything and mix it all together. Best salad ever. Filling, tangy, smoky and nutritious!

If anyone makes this, let me know what you think!

Now, I order you to cast your gaze upon my handsome boy.

Loitering at the Shop 'n' Rob

It appears when I made that wrong left turn in Smuteye, I ended up in Springfield.

Fish Don't Fry in the Kitchen, Beans Don't Burn on the Grill

As part of an on-going effort to become less fat, I have been cooking pretty much all of my own food for the past few weeks. Gone are the days of grabbing a quick bite; I have forced myself to slow down... take a breath... and plan my meals. That's not to say I have sworn off delicacies from joints like Popeye's or Taco Bell, but those occasions will be few and far between. It's been very rewarding, physically and spiritually, to make grocery lists, take my time at the store or the farmer's market, select everything from veggies to meats to seasonings in its natural state and then turn it into something tasty from my very own kitchen. It's kind of zen, really. I recently came across a hellagood marinade for chicken. Here's the recipe for anyone who wants it:

Really F***ing Good Marinade

1/4 cup chopped shallots (shallots are awesome for cooking, I've discovered)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
2 teaspoons soy sauce
6 garlic cloves, minced

Just mix all that stuff together and let the chicken marinate at least overnight (I prefer a couple days). The sugar in the honey makes the chicken breast caramelize slightly on the outside when grilled. Another thing I've learned in the cooking trial and error process is that if something calls for fresh herbs or juices (rosemary, thyme and lemon juice/rind in this case), using fresh as opposed to dried or bottled makes an enormous difference. Huge.

For dinner this evening I took the grilled chicken and cut it into thin strips width-wise, and put it on top of a bed of baby spinach leaves and yellow squash chunks (both raw) with a little shot of bleu cheese dressing.

Good stuff.

Here, Have Some Nostalgia on Me

Hey, remember the sputtering little line-drawn fellow from The Great Space Coaster? I had forgotten all about this strange interstitial segment until this evening. When I was a kid, I thought he was just speaking gibberish. Now, it is quite clear that he speaks in Italian gibberish. How hot is that? Almost as hot as the nightclub jazz playing in the background.

Here's a memory refresher:



And here is more than you ever realized you've wanted to know about La Linea: Wikipedia entry

My Li'l Labor of Gov

Looka here... the site I design and maintain has been mentioned in the local paper! It's the fourth version of the website that I've been responsible for, and I think this version is our best yet.


(click for larger image)

State redesigns alabama.gov

Montgomery Advertiser | 05.30.07
LINK

By RICK HARMON

Alabama's Web site has been ranked as one of the country's top 10 state Web sites for the past three years, and it just got better.

The Web site, www.alabama.gov, has introduced a new layout and a suite of new interactive tools. Included in this year's enhancements are a new interactive picture-in-picture window that provides technology enhancements for images, calendar listings, and featured services. This feature eliminates the necessity to click through numerous screens to find information. Instead it displays the information immediately to the visitor.

The site includes everything from weather reports, including an Alabama hurricane center with up-to-the-minute satellite photos, to Alabama trivia, including a state timeline.

*****
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact:

Alabama's Official State Web Site Receives a New Look

www.alabama.gov

MONTGOMERY, Ala. May 29, 2007 Ranked as one of the top ten state websites in the nation three years running by the Center for Digital Government, Alabama is striving to continue this trend in 2007 with the release of its new site design and state-of-the-art technology. Previous visitors of the site may notice significant changes to the design elements and may be compelled to spend time exploring the new technologies and tools implemented to enhance the visitor's experience.

With alabama.gov serving as one of the State's largest publications and 24/7 communication tool, the site remains focused on creating efficiencies through the use of technology. The site maintains its established alabama.gov icon, but has introduced a new layout and a suite of new interactive tools. Included in this year's enhancements is a new interactive picture-in-picture window providing technology enhancements for images, calendar listings, and featured services. This feature eliminates the necessity to click through numerous screens to find information, but instead displays the information immediately to the visitor. Additional services such as RSS feeds and Podcasting (syndication feeds), enhanced mapping tools, wireless live help, and language translations have also been added.

"The State of Alabama is excited to unveil the latest version of alabama.gov," said Jim Burns, Chief Information Officer for the State of Alabama. "In addition to providing a new look and feel to the website we have focused on building upon past successes, as well as introducing new and exciting features that will entice visitors to return frequently."

alabama.gov has revolutionized where and how visitors can access information they are looking for and also introduce them to new and innovative tools and information. Through this new design, Alabama hopes that users will continue to associate Alabama's official website with convenience and efficiency.

About Alabama Interactive
Alabama Interactive is the official eGovernment solutions provider for the state of Alabama. The company builds and manages interactive government services on behalf of the state and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC (Nasdaq: EGOV).

About NIC
NIC manages more eGovernment services than any provider in the world. The company helps government communicate more effectively with citizens and businesses by putting essential services online. NIC provides eGovernment solutions for 2,600 state and local agencies that serve more than 61 million people in the United States. Additional information is available at www.nicusa.com.

An Open Letter to Phil Collins

Dear Phil Collins,

GET BACK BEHIND THAT DRUM KIT. You heard me, get back behind that drum kit where you belong. Nobody is arguing the fact that you are an amazingly talented drummer. Granted, you're no Terry Bozzio or Neal Peart, but you do shine.

Before you took the mic, Genesis were mind-blowing pioneers of the most symphonic and experimental prog rock. Sure, they might have gotten the most of their run as relatively unknown cult sweethearts before you became frontman. And, okay, Genesis didn't have the popularity with Peter Gabriel on lead vocals that it had with you. But there are two reasons for that:

1. Complete removal of creativity and, ultimately, creative edge. Sizzle? Gone.
2. Selling out.

The 80s critically wounded several legitimate, talented musicians. Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton... but you... YOU... you took a whole band down with you. Down into the sludge-laden mire of pith like I Can't Dance and Invisible Touch. And, good lawd, who could forget Don't Lose My Number? Listen up, Phil, only one band and one band alone can perform a song about someone losing someone's number and that is STEELY MUTHAF***ING DAN. Why Genesis? Why could you not have taken the high road and let Genesis burn out naturally, like a shooting star? Why could you not have just started a new band, called it Phil Collins and the Sweaty Hawaiian Shirt Smiley Lads or something? No jackets required!

Now, I know some will argue that you improved what was once merely a weird, arguably flailing, inaccessible, live performance-oriented band. To that I say: Give me The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway and Peter Gabriel in a huge daisy costume any day. The only good thing to come out of Peter Gabriel leaving Genesis was his solo recording Solsbury Hill, inspired by his departure from the band, and now included (for some unknown reason) on every movie trailer this side of Siam.

So, to sum up: Stick to the drums, Phil Collins. It's what you do, and believe me, you've done enough.

Most Sincerely,
Colette

P.S. I hate your stupid cockney accent.
P.P.S. I will admit that I do like Land of Confusion. And, okay, I like Abacab too. BUT THAT'S IT.


Phil Collins, showing little to no pride in himself. It's what he does.