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Showing posts from September, 2007

Songs of the Week: from the late Ephraim Lewis

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"Drowning In Your Eyes" Feel the ground it's slipping away Like a sigh that greets the close of day Feel the water's welcoming arms Embrace me in their quiet calm I can't hear what you say anymore Just the sound of trees on the ocean floor Irresistibly drawn from the shore I'm drowning in your eyes I'm floating out to sea Helpless on the restless tide That flows between you and me Moving slowly as if in a dream The colours change from blue to green All around me reflections of you In forests deep I'm passing through In the swell of the storm we're as one We're dancing in the morning sun Could it be that we've only just begun I'm drowning in your eyes I'm floating out to sea Helpless on the restless tide That flows between you and me I'm drowning in your eyes I'm floating out to sea Helpless on the restless tide That flows between you and me Lying here beside you I try to reach you but you're so far... I'm drowning in

Saturday Beefcake: Dessert

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Not exactly a dessert tray, but you can still take your pick.

Saturday Beefcake: Something on the Side

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Swiss Chard with Currants & Feta Swiss Chard, 500 grams Garlic, one large clove, finely chopped Virgin Olive Oil, two tablespoons Sea Salt, one half teaspoon Ground Black Pepper, one quarter teaspoon Dried Currants, three tablespoons Water, one third cup Feta, crumbled, one third cup 1. Cut the stems and center ribs from the chard, careful to remove any tough parts near the base 2. Cut the stems and ribs crosswise into one eighth inch slices and coarsely chop the leaves 3. Heat the garlic in the oil in a large 4 quart pot 4. Add chard stems and ribs, salt, pepper 5. Add currants and cook, stirring about one minute 6. Add chard leaves, water, and increase heat to moderate 7. Cover. Cook for about five minutes until leaves are tender. 8. Remove from heat. Stir in feta.

Saturday Beefcake: Main Course

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Golden Turkey Sausage Turkey Sausage, one kilo Virgin Olive Oil, two tablespoons Onion, chopped, about six cups Sea or Kosher Salt, one half teaspoon Ground Black Pepper, one teaspoon Butter, unsalted, one half stick Granny Smith Apple, one, large, cored, peeled, finely chopped Broth, one and three quarters cup, vegetable or unsalted chicken 1. Lightly score the sausage 2. Heat one tablespoon of the oil in large skillet and brown half the sausage: about four minutes 3. Transfer to a bowl and clean skillet. Add remaining oil and repeat process with remaining sausage. 4. In the newly clean skillet cook the onions in the butter for fifteen to twenty minutes. Salt. Pepper. 5. Stir the apple and the broth into the onion mixture. Stir occasionally and simmer briskly for about six to seven minutes. 6. Add sausage. Stir. Simmer for a minute. Speaking of simmering, here is Rusty Joiner, truly a main course.

Saturday Beefcake: Primo Piatto

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Whole Grain Pasta with Chicken Chicken Strips, 500 grams Broccoli Florets, 500 grams Whole Grain Spaghetti, 500 grams Oyster Sauce, premium brand, one half cup Hoisin Sauce, two tablespoons Sesame Oil, one tablespoon Garlic and/or Anchovy Paste, two teaspoons Peperoncino, crushed, to taste Scallions, chopped, one half cup 1. The concept here is much like Pasta alla Verdura except that chicken is involved. 2. The chicken is cooked in a large pot in water, enough to eventually cook the spaghetti. Cook it for about three minutes. 3. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon while the water is still boiling and throw the broccoli and cook uncovered for about three to five minutes. 4. Remove the broccoli with a slotted spoon and drain. 5. Return the water to boiling and add salt. Cook the spaghetti. 6. While the pasta cooks, shred the chicken. 7. Reserve one cup of the water before draining the pasta. 8. Add one third of the reserved water, the hoisin and oyster sauces, sesame oil, the garlic

Saturday Beefcake: Bottoms for Cocktail Hour

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Artichoke Bottoms Artichoke Bottoms Sour Cream Alfalfa Sprouts Soy Sauce Egg Yolk, hard cooked 1. Spread each bottom with sour cream 2. Top with sprouts 3. Sprinkle the soy sauce over the sprouts 4. Top with half an egg yolk. 5. Bottoms up from recipetips.com: Artichoke Bottom The fleshy base section of the artichoke, which is referred to as the artichoke bottom. The artichoke is a tall plant that is a relative of the thistle plant and native to Mediterranean regions, but is also grown in other parts of the world. It consists of tough, pointed, green leaves that are tightly packed around a gray-green base or bottom. It is the fleshy base of the leaves and the fleshy center or heart of the artichoke that are the sections of the plant most suitable for eating. Artichoke bottoms have a tender texture and flavorful taste, similar to the artichoke heart. The bottoms, like the heart, can be served as snacks, appetizers or as a tasty ingredient for salads and other side dishes.

Saturday Beefcake: AFternoon Delight

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Have a snack ... Or two ...

Saturday Beefcake: Lunch

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A Spanish tortilla as opposed to a Mexican tortilla is also an Italian frittata. Whatever you call it, it's great for lunch. Have something delicious for lunch and still quite healthy. Chickpea Tortilla/Frittata Virgin Olive Oil, four tablespoons Onion, chopped Red Bell Pepper, chopped Garlic Cloves, four Peperoncino, chopped, one half teaspoon Spinach, 500 grams, clean, shredded Chickpeas, cooked, 400 grams Eggs, six Parsley, chopped, two teaspoons Coarse Salt Ground Black Pepper 1. Heat half the oil in a large skillet 2. Add onion, pepper, garlic and saute for about about ten minutes. 3. Add the shreds of spinach. Stir them into the mixture. Add the peperoncino. 4. Beat the eggs in a bowl. Salt. Pepper 5. Add the chickpea mixture to the bowl. 6. Wipe out the skillet. Add the remaining oil. Make sure the skillet remains relatively hot. 7. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and cook over low heat for ten minutes until the tortilla/frittata is almost cooked through. 8. At this po

Saturday Beefcake: Something Healthy for Breakfast

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We have it on good authority that many are up the Grove and the Island sucking up the last drop of party to be had. May we suggest something healthy for breakfast. Pumpkin Seed and Apricot Muesli Jumbo Rolled Oats, 50 grams Golden and/or Dark Raisins, one tablespoon Pumpkin Seeds, one tablespoon Almonds, chopped, one tablespoon Apricots, dried, three tablespoons, chopped Orange Juice, fresh, two tablespoons Apples, two, small, peeled, grated Milk, nonfat or soy, three tablespoons 1. Mix everything except the apples and milk 2. If you do this the night before, it will give the mixture a softer texture 3. Add apples when ready to eat. Mix. Pour the milk over it. Sweet

Friday's Main Event: Saludos a Todos

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From Latino Gay Men of New York: Hello everyone! Saludos a todos! Latino Gay Men of New York has planned 2 fantastic events for you! 5 October 2007: A Special Screening F En El Fuego Come join us as we screen a film by award-winning filmmaker Dante Alencastre documenting the struggles that transgender and lgb people in Peru face on a daily basis. A discussion will follow. 2 NOVEMBER 2007: Dia de los Muertos Celebration In November we will be hosting a very special celebration of El Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) with poetry, music and an altar. Save the date for! This celebration will be open to ALL people, not just Latino or LGBT folks, so be sure to invite all of your friends too! Also, if you know how to play a musical instrument and would like to be a part of the celebration respond at lgmny@hotmail.com. First Friday Forums are always at the same time and place: 1st Friday of > each month, from 8-10:30pm at the LGBT Center at 208 W 13th St. If you would like to lear

Gay Thursdays: A Boy's Own Story

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Twenty-five years ago in September, 1982 what was virtually an instant gay literature classic was released--Edmund White's A Boy's Own Story . After States of Desire , White said he wanted to do one life in depth. He came up with an individual journey, a personal history, a personal American history through adolescent territory. Although it is the story of a teenage homosexual coming to terms with his sexuality, it is also the picture of a boy growing into manhood and coming to terms with his power and his power to love. The reader is invited to think through a retrospective into internalized oppression, into pre-liberation consciousness. "When I was child and wanted an older lover, he was envisioned as a savior, someone who would free me from the tyranny of my parents, who would value me." (E.W. in States of Desire ) White referred to the 60s--at the time of the book's release in 1982--as an era of unconscious in Art in which the artist struggled to get at his ge

The Wednesday Word: As the World Turns ...

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... taking a chance on love. chance (chns) n. 1. a. The unknown and unpredictable element in happenings that seems to have no assignable cause. b. A force assumed to cause events that cannot be foreseen or controlled; luck: Chance will determine the outcome. 2. The likelihood of something happening; possibility or probability. Often used in the plural: Chances are good that you will win. Is there any chance of rain? 3. An accidental or unpredictable event. 4. A favorable set of circumstances; an opportunity: a chance to escape. 5. A risk or hazard; a gamble: took a chance that the ice would hold me. From Dartmouth newspaper: Eisenhower was president, a postage stamp cost 3 cents and Jean Passanante '75 was toddling around her parents' house in Olivette when As the World Turns debuted on Aug. 2, 1956. Now, as head writer, Passanante is helping to usher the soap into its second half-century. Passanante got the job last April, moving up from co-head writer. Before ATWT , as it&#

Tuesday Talent: Alice Ghostley

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This weekly feature originally titled, The Tuesday De-Briefing, has to do with those talented individuals who need to be in the public's eye more often on account of the many gifts they possess. Of course, most are fetching young men--something that would not be lost on lusty Bernice Clifton, the last public persona created and played to a large audience by Alice Ghostley who recently passed away at the tender age of 81. Of course, Ms Ghostley had a career than spanned decades, therefore, there is no reason to call for appreciation of her talent. 'Tis sad in these parts because her Bernice is a source of much inspiration. From the excellent Designing Women Tribute site : ... keeping up with Bernice can be extremely difficult since she has an arterial flow problem above the neck that causes her to behave rather outrageously. Bernice sends the group health tips and enters everyone in contests. She's been known to phone Suzanne to say, "if you're not going to eat all

Extended Weekend with Thorsten Kaye and Cameron Mathison

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From Carolyn Hinsey: All My Children star Thorsten Kaye (Zach) has ... declared this "The Year of the Dance" in honor of his co-star and friend Cameron Mathison (Ryan), who debuts Tuesday night on Dancing With the Stars . "I was going to offer a free round of drinks to fans for every week that he wins, but I can't really afford that since ABC didn't pick up the show that I pitched, 'Drinking With the Stars,'" jokes Kaye. Kaye will offer weekly reviews of his pal's performance on SoapOperaWeekly.com. Copied from the message board on TK's official site: Hey Guys, Didn't really know where to post this , it seemed that this was the busiest place on the message board. I need a favour...my dear friend Cameron is dancing on television (why?...I don't know) and I ... made a bet with some people that he would win the whole thing...my vote alone is not gonna be enough...so please ...show some love...If he does win, there will be a big party i

Song of the Week: Valerie Simpson

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When Valerie Simpson's first solo album was released in 1971, Rolling Stone immediately reviewed it as a neglected masterpiece, a designation not lost on the likes of Luther Vandross. She and her husband-collaborator, Nickolas Ashford already had a resume with credentials a yard long. Perhaps Motown didn't quite know what to do with the producer of Diana Ross' solo album--a producer with some obvious influence on Diana's delivery. Perhaps there was less effort put behind it than there should have been for work of this magnitude. Hard to say, but surely easy to speculate. Here are, for you, dear reader, three songs from the two solo albums she recorded before taking to the airwaves with Nick. Here is also access to some of their history: From Warr.org Exposed (Valerie Simpson: 1971) At this point Simpson sings with a gospel flavor that brings her surprisingly close to fellow New Yorker Laura Nyro. Most of the tunes here are not radically different from Ashford & Sim

Saturday Beefcake: Dessert

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His name is Josh, aka, sex on a stick. 'Nough said.

Saturday Beefcake: Dinner

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This is a piatto unico combining first and second courses: Teriyaki Salmon Salmon Fillets, 4 at 125 grams each, skinless Soy Sauce, two tablespoons Dry Sherry, one tabelspoon Brown Sugar, two tablespoons Garlic Cloves, two, crushed Ginger Root, freshly grated, one teaspoon Sesame Oil, one tablespoon Sesame Seeds, two tablespoons Scallions, two, chopped Rice Noodles, 250 grams, cooked Cilantro leaves, chopped, three tablespoons Preheated Broiler 1. Place the fillets in a foil-lined broiler pan. 2. Mix together, soy sauce, sugar, sherry, garlic, ginger, half the oil with a couple tablespoons of water. 3. Brush the mixture over the salmon and set it aside for ten minutes. 4. Cook the salmon under the broiler for five minutes. Be sure to turn it halfway through. Brush with more of the soy mixture. 5. Heat the remaining oil in a skillet add the noodles and green onions. Heat thoroughly. Stir in the cilantro. 6. Serve the salmon over the noodles. If this were a classic Italian meal, this wo

Saturday Beefcake: Snack

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Uplifting and calorie free.

Saturday Beefcake: Lunch

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Moroccan Tomato & Chickpea Salad Red Onion, one, thinly sliced Chickpeas, cooked, 400 grams Tomatoes, four, chopped Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice, four tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil, one tablespoon Fresh Basil, Fresh Parsley, or Mint instead of Basil, one handful chopped Paprika, pinch Cumin, ground, a dash Coarse Salt Freshly Ground Black Pepper This is very simple and to the point, as should be all afternoon delights following a morning of hard work and/or play: mix all together and then put it aside for ten minutes or so. This can accompany a main course such as a grilled chicken breast, or do it solo. Eating chickpeas regularly is very beneficial as are most afternoon delights.

Saturday Beefcake: Breakfast

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Orange Mascarpone French Toast Part One: Oranges Sugar, one half cup Part Two: Mascarpone, 500 grams, room temperature Orange Marmalade, five tablespoons Honey, teaspoon Coarse Salt Orange Juice, freshly squeezed, one half cup Part Three: Orange Juice, freshly squeezed, one half cup Milk, two cups Eggs, four Cinnamon, a pinch Nutmeg, a pinch Vanilla, one half teaspoon Unsalted Butter Almond oil Twelve Slices of Favorite Bread 1. In part one you are making the topping for the finished product. 2. Gingerly peel the skin from the oranges making sure that the bitter white doesn’t come along with it. 3. Cut it into thin strips and boil three times to remove bitterness, straining the water after each time. 4. After the third draining put the rind strips aside, and add the half cup of sugar and a half cup of water in the same pot and simmer until the sugar is dissolved. 5. Return the rind to the pot and simmer for about fifteen minutes. Cool the rind. Refrigerate. 6. To make the mascarpone fi