Unusual 2 Tasty

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

23 Funny Total Debauchery Mardi Gras Photos

From Denny: Fun, frolic and general silly debauchery is what it's all about at the New Orleans Mardi Gras. Take a look at this year's craziness.

Green makeup almost nude by Infrogmation @ flickr

Mardi Gras alien by Infrogmation @ flickr

How 'Bout 'Dem Beads, woman? photo by Infrogmation @ flickr

Coffinmobile three wheeler by Infrogmation @ flickr

Mardi Gras feathers by Infrogmation @ flickr

Jackson Square New Orleans Mardi Gras by Infrogmation @ flickr - someone is in need of a push-up bra or corset...

Photo by Infrogmation @ flickr - Only in New Orleans at Mardi Gras can you walk into a coffee shop without your shirt on if you are female.

Big Chicken parade by Infrogmation @ flickr

Leopard drummers by Infrogmation @ flickr

Blonde Beth photo by Infrogmation @ flickr

Pink bunny and friend photo by sfmission.com @ flickr

Unique grocery - I'll say! - photo by sfmission.com @ flickr

Santas in the house photo by sfmission.com @ flickr - Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. - VICTOR BORGE

Bike riding lion photo by sfmission.com @ flickr

Stimulus check costume photo by sfmission.com @ flickr - The Human Race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter. - MARK TWAIN

Welcome to Viagra Falls photo by sfmission.com @ flickr

I have no idea photo by sfmission.com @ flickr

Men wearing fake female photo by sfmission.com @ flickr - I wonder what PETA would have to say about this? :)

The whole costumed cast photo by sfmission.com @ flickr

Gorilla and woman photo by sfmission.com @ flickr

Funny white hairs photo by sfmission.com @ flickr

Funny Mardi Gras stripes photo by sfmission.com @ flickr

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Olympics Seafood Dish: Pan Roasted Black Cod, Sunchokes, Lentils and Mushrooms

From Denny: This recipe looks divine and so simple too! Now that's a win-win in anybody's book. The Vancouver Winter Olympics recipes are great fun to explore and this one comes from the restaurant at Grouse Mountain Resort.

Food Network's chef Giada De Laurentiis assists the executive chef at the resort, Dino Gazzola, in showing us how to make his signature dish. He is so laid back and easy to follow. Basically, this is a simply prepared fish with braised lentils, oyster mushrooms and sunchoke puree.

Recipes Featured:

Pan Roasted Black Cod
Sunchoke Puree
King Oyster Mushrooms
Braised Beluga Lentils

*** Black cod fish is also known as Sable fish in Canada, even though it is not part of the cod family of fish. Sunchokes are also known as Jerusalem artichokes.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Pan Roasted Black Cod

From: Dino L. Gazzola, executive chef at Grouse Mountain Resorts, Ltd.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 x 5 oz. skin on, black cod filets
• 2 oz. olive oil
• Sea salt
• Fresh ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Season black cod filets with salt and pepper. Carefully lay the black cod into the skillet skin side down. After 3-4 minutes, flip and cook an additional 3-4 minutes.

To assemble: Spoon sunchoke puree and spread evenly in a circle onto desired plate. Top with oyster mushrooms. Place black cod on mushrooms and sauce with braised lentils.

Sunchoke Puree

From: Dino L. Gazzola, executive chef at Grouse Mountain Resorts, Ltd.

INGREDIENTS

• 7 oz. peeled sunchokes, cut in half
• 9 oz. chicken stock
• 4 oz. cream,
• Sea salt
• White ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

Simmer sunchokes and chicken stock over medium heat until tender. Add cream and simmer an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat and puree until smooth in a blender. Season and keep warm.

King oyster mushrooms

From: Dino L. Gazzola, executive chef at Grouse Mountain Resorts, Ltd.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 large king oyster mushrooms, bases trimmed to remove tough ends
• 2.5 oz. duck fat
• Sea salt
• Fresh ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Slice mushrooms lengthwise 1/4 inch thick. In a heavy bottom skillet, heat duck fat over medium high heat until melted. Add mushrooms and turn and cook until golden brown. Transfer to paper towel and keep warm.

Braised beluga lentils

From: Dino L. Gazzola, executive chef at Grouse Mountain Resorts, Ltd.

INGREDIENTS

• 7 oz. beluga lentils
• 1 oz. finely diced carrot
• 1 oz. finely diced white onion
• 1 oz. finely diced celery
• 1 oz. finely diced leek, white only
• 2.5 oz. duck fat
• 4 oz. red wine
• 7 oz. veal demi
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• Sea salt
• Fresh ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Cover lentils with abundant cold water in a heavy-bottomed pot. Bring to a simmer and cook until tender. Remove from heat, strain and rinse under cold water to cool.

Heat duck fat in a heavy-bottomed pot, over medium heat, until melted. Add vegetables and sauté until soft. Add lentils, veal demi, red wine, thyme and bay leaf. Simmer together until liquid has reduced by 1/4. Keep warm.

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Monday, February 15, 2010

Vancouver Olympics Indian Veggies Recipe, Coconut and Curry

Photo of a similar dish by Dyanna @ flickr

From Denny: The networks sure are cranking out the food stories, complete with recipes during this Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada! This is a little lovely for the vegetarian crowd from Vancouver's most famous Indian restaurant. You can easily make this Coconut Curried Vegetables dish at home to enjoy.

From NBC: Vancouver’s most famous Indian restaurant, Vij’s, doesn’t take reservations and doesn’t need to. But you don’t have to travel to Canada to taste what the fuss is all about. Here, the owners offer a recipe for coconut curried vegetables.

Coconut curried vegetables

From: Vikrim Vij, owner of Vij's

INGREDIENTS

• 1 med. cauliflower, cut into medium pieces
• 1 med. eggplant, cut in 1 1/2" cubes
• 2 lg. red bell peppers, cut in 1 1/2" cubes
• 2 lg. ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1 1/2 tsp black mustard seeds
• 1 lg. onion, finely chopped
• 2 lg. cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 level tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 15 fresh curry leaves (available at most Indian grocers; they should be green, not brownish green)
• 1 can of pure coconut milk
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves
• 3-4 tablespoons canola oil

DIRECTIONS:

In large saucepan heat oil over medium heat for one minute and add curry leaves and mustard seeds. Wait until they start to sizzle and let sizzle for approximately 30 seconds or until a few start to pop. The curry leaves will cook and become shriveled. Immediately add garlic and onions. Sauté until onions are golden brown. Add tomatoes and all powdered spices. Continue to saute until the oil separates from the tomato “masala.”

Add coconut milk. Bring to a light boil, add eggplant, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add remaining vegetables, cover pan and cook to taste, approximately 15 minutes. Turn heat off, stir in cilantro.

*** THANKS for visiting, come back often, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers - and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

42 Funny Political Cartoons 13 Feb 2010

From Denny: This has been a fun week with the New Orleans Saints winning the Super Bowl against all odds and "expert" opinion. America, and the world, loves the underdog story because we all can easily identify with it. Congrats go to the Saints and their loyal fans! When I think back on the time of the devastation in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and the lousy government response from the political partisans, President Bush and VP Cheney, and yet with all that stress heaped on top of them the New Orleans Saints fans still found a way to support their team.

Even the owner tried to move the team right after the hurricane because he thought he wasn't making enough money. What a jerk. He kicked the average guy when he was down and then rubbed his face in the mud. The only reason the team was not moved is because the NFL Commissioner also thought the Saints' owner was an insensitive jerk and denied permission for the move.

People without jobs and without homes went scrambling to find enough money to buy football tickets to keep the team in New Orleans. Amazing people, don't you think? Definitely, this Super Bowl win went far beyond just the sport of football, digging deep into the emotional psyche of a city and a culture. Congratulations goes to you, the people of New Orleans for your perseverance, tenacity and faith in the impossible.

Super Bowl Champs, the New Orleans Saints:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by R.J. Matson - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by J.D. Crowe - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Joe Heller - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Cartoonists had a lot to say about America's Not Love Affair with big banks on Valentine's Day. Then there is the usual suspect of not-bi-partisanship highlighted in the area of dysfunctional relationships, so appropos for the love holiday:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Nate Beeler - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Pat Bagley - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by David Fitzsimmons - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by John Trever - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Randy Bish - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Arcadio Esquivel - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Iran, oh, Iran, oh, Great Odious One, Oh, Great Bomb Maker Who Will Blow Up The Planet, Oh, Hearth and Home of the Great Satan selling foreclosed opposition protestors' homes as new vacation property to party loyalists - how do we (not) love thee? Answer: About as much as you love us. The Russians look at Iran, turn to each other, "At least we're out of the Hate Them Doghouse with the world."

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Nate Beeler - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by John Cole - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Cameron Cardow - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Mike Keefe - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

NASA and the dream of space exploration looks like it will slowly fade into oblivion unless we recover our National Treasury by stopping these idiot two-front wars that get us nowhere:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Adam Zyglis - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Ares - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

And then there's wild-eyed ditzy Sarah Palin who is a complete embarrassment to all intelligent and competent women on the planet... the easiest comedy of all is lampooning a hypocrite that claims everyone else is a hypocrite and "let me prove it, wink, wink."

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Joe Heller - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Jimmy Margulies - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Monte Wolverton - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by John Darkow - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Dave Granlund - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Mike Keefe - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Prez Obama and Politics... these pictures are truly worth a thousand words!

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Daryl Cagle - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Nate Beeler - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by R.J. Matson - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Andy Singer - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Bob Englehart - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Pat Bagley - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Joe Heller - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Jeff Parker - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Steve Greenberg - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Milt Priggee - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by John Darkow - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Jianping Fan - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Paresh Nath - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Let's here it for consumer confidence in the Almighty Toyota:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Manny Francisco - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Canada, our delightful neighbors to the North, who still hold the longest running Gold Medal in moral decency for an entire nation, are sponsoring the Winter Olympics. They came in under budget and a year ahead of time on many projects. Let's hear it for moving corruption out of the business process and look at what can be accomplished in a short amount of time. Are the American lobbyists listening? Maybe they should take a continuing education course from the Canadians about delivering a quality product to the people:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Cameron Cardow - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Patrick Chappatte - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Larry Wright - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Like Al Gore and his movie, An Inconvenient Truth, didn't warn us and yet it seems no one saw this coming: the unusually severe winter weather across America:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Brian Duffy - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

And the best for last because this is how all decent people are feeling about politics these days since our leaders fail to listen to us, the voters, or do anything practical. Remember us? We are the guys who hired you and the guys who will fire you: