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Showing posts from July, 2011

Your Sunday Sermon and Stud: The God Dionysus

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Dionysus , also commonly known by his Roman name Bacchus , appears to be a god who has two distinct origins. On the one hand, Dionysus was the god of wine, agriculture, and fertility of nature, who is also the patron god of the Greek stage. On the other hand, Dionysus also represents the outstanding features of mystery religions, such as those practiced at Eleusis: ecstasy, personal delivery from the daily world through physical or spiritual intoxication, and initiation into secret rites. Scholars have long suspected that the god known as Dionysus is in fact a fusion of a local Greek nature god, and another more potent god imported rather late in Greek pre-history from Phrygia (the central area of modern day Turkey) or Thrace. According to one myth, Dionysus is the son of the god Zeus and the mortal woman, Semele (daughter of Cadmus of Thebes). Semele is killed by Zeus' lightning bolts while Dionysus is still in her womb. Dionysus is rescued and undergoes a second birth from Zeu

Thank You and Goodnight Beefcake

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Something Mexican for Your Main Saturday Beefcake Meal

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Isthmian-Style Scallop Ceviche Ivy Stark Dos Caminos 4 to 6 servings Ingredients: 1 pound sea scallops 1 cup lime juice, plus juice of 1 lime 2 tablespoons flavorless oil, such as canola or grapeseed Juice of 1 orange Juice of 1 grapefruit 2 habanero chiles, seeded and thinly sliced 1 tablespoon thinly sliced scallions 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro leaf 1 1/2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger 1 1/2 teaspoons Maggi seasoning sauce 1 teaspoon rice vinegar Salt to taste Method: Slice scallops crosswise into 1/8-inch thick slices. Place scallop slices in glass or porcelain dish and pour 1 cup lime juice over them. Refrigerate 30 minutes. (Don't marinate too long—the scallops will toughen.) Drain the scallops and and toss with oil, juice of 1 lime, orange juice, grapefruit juice, habanero chiles, scallions, cilantro, ginger, Maggi sauce, and vinegar. Season with salt to taste.

Saturday Beefcake Classic Puttanesca Redux

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And this week's primo piatto before that multiple course entree is a version of the Italian classic named for whores. Not a big stretch. Spaghetti alla Puttanesca 400 grams of Spaghetti 50 grams of sliced black olives (spicy semi-bitter)(pitted and sliced) 50 grams of sweet butter 4 filets of anchovy (chopped and de-spined) 2 cloves of garlic (sliced) spoonful of capers spoonful of parsley 200 grams of ripe tomatoes (sliced into sections) olive oil, salt 1. saute the garlic and anchovy in a bit of oil and the butter. 2. In sequence add the capers, the olives and finally the tomatoes and then let the mixture cook over low heat for 15 minutes. 3. Of course, the spaghetti has been cooking and when it's ready marry it well with the above sughetto . 4. Garnish with the chopped parsley. See last week's first course for how far you can go with this.

Healthy Saturday Beefcake Redux: Puttanesca

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We've said this about Pasta Puttanesca —whorish pasta—it is a piquant and easy sauce from the Roman working class, which is now a classic national dish, much like most whores. There are many definitions of what a whore is and many languages have so many different words that refer to it. Sophia Loren used to glory in playing them on screen. The common thread seems to be overt and frequent sexual expression. Like almost anything there's a good and bad side to it. Sometimes it means just having fun. Well, anyway it used to. Well, this is Ellie Krieger's version. Perhaps it will engender some healthy play time and, of course, here is a healthy specimen or two from Falcon.

Saturday Beefchecca Redux

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Only those who are Italo-American among the readers here would verily understand the above's play on words and meaning. Most who come here would also understand the inherent beauty of Italian athletes wearing Italian underwear. Italian culture, especially that which continues to reside on the European Continent, has consistently had a love/hate relationship with the marginal elements in Society. It's evident in many ways, sometimes in the names given to notable dishes in the cuisine. This web log has already made note of Pasta Puttanesca. Suffice it to say that loose women, remunerated or not, have been revered in a way for centuries on the Italian peninsula, especially in Art, which always imitates life. One need only point to the likes of Musetta and everything the name and the characiter implies. In a similar fashion the rich culture of the Italian peninsula even in the pejorative sense has much nomenclature applicable to those who practice the love that dare not speak its

Saturday Beefcake Redux: Fruits of the Sea

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It is the sun and sea that embellish summer living. It is the sea that is the source of life and why it is often connected to the mother goddess. After the appetizer, the heat is cranked up a bit here with some very delicious and accessible dishes. The accompanying images have been around for years except for one rather recent one which seems to fit in with the rest. Saturday Beefcake is about enjoying the good things and affirming life. Enjoy. Fusilli del Marinaio [Pasta with Scad Sailor Style] Fusilli, 600 grams Fresh Scad, 400 grams Spinach, 300 grams Black Olives, 200 grams Tomatoes, Strained Pulp Dry White Wine, half glass Extra Virgin Olive Oil Parsley, small bunch Sea Salt, Ground Pepper 1. Clean, wash and quickly braise the spinach. 2. Once the fish is cleaned, cut into fillets and then cut into small cubes. 3. Chop together the garlic and parsley and then saute them in the olive oil. 4. Add the fish and let it absorb the flavours while cooking for about two minutes and then ad

A Very Good Beefcake Morning to You

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Friday Feature: Tom Mandel at Ido Sushi

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Bryan Adams, Dire Straits, Bon Jovi, David Johansen, B-52s, Cyndi Lauper and Tina Turner among others have someone in common—Tommy Mandel. New York City is chock full of hidden gems and this musician’s musician is one of them. He can be heard creating wondrous sound on the piano at Ido Sushi, another hidden gem in the Big Apple, in lower Manhattan on Seventh Ave South at Bedford. Tom can make wonderful music and with him it's all bout the music. He is a magician when it comes to creating great sounds. Sometimes he is joined by other musical magicians and the creativity simply flows. Tora and Jane Ido provide you with the best Sushi and Japanese cuisine this side of Tokyo. Come join us on Tuesday evenings. It will make your midweek all the more livable. If you're very fortunate Giovanni may sing a pop aria or two. Where: Ido Sushi 29 Seventh Ave S @ Bedford When: Tuesdays 7:30pm to 10:45pm

Gay Thursday: Odds 'n Sods

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Wednesday's Word: Steven Colbert

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Tuesday Talent: Dan Savage

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Monday Muse: Thomas Roberts

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Hot Enough For You? Your Sunday Spanish Studs

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