The Column of Life

Today we pause to remember LGBT activist Harvey Milk, who was murdered on this day in 1978. We think he would be pretty pleased that Tammy Baldwin would be the first out lesbian elected to the Senate, and that our President has pronounced his support for marriage equality. We have come a long way, but there is still work to be done

Was Lincoln gay? Historic common sense : With the new Steven Spielberg film “Lincoln,” the debate about the late president’s sexuality is once again on the front burner. Let’s be clear: The detractors’ points are simply illogical. Any ser...

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'Tis that time of year when many inhabitants of the United States of America start that long journey until after January 1st into overindulgence. The task begins now with Halloween with its tricked treats and ends with the New Year with its tricks and the call for designated drivers. In between there should be much dieting, while placing emphasis on the treadmills and related accessories. Easier said than done. It is that very reason that John Antorino's image graces today's entry. He is a man who obviously knows how to handle the temptations of overindulgence while at the same time exemplifying what one might be better choosing to indulge in, so to speak. The recipe choice is very appropriate for the time of year and very much an exceptional suggestion for indulging either over or under. Scaloppine di Tacchino Seasoned Flour (sea salt & ground pepper)             2 Eggs, large beaten with milk 2 Cups Fresh beadcrumbs 3 Cups fi...

Anything good worth having once is more often than not even better the second time around. Leftovers have much to do with the spice that is life's variety. Last Saturday's salad made a look into one of the options available thatJulee Rosso provides. Once again a variation on one of her recipes makes its way here. Turkey & Brown Rice Salad Extra Virgin Olive Oil Fresh Orange Juice, 4 tablespoons White Wine Vinegar, 1 tablespoon Fresh Basil, Minced Ground Black Pepper Zest from 1 Orange 1.5 cup of Cooked Whole Grain Rice (Basmati or Wild Rice is okay or a mixture) Dried Apricots, finely chopped, 2 tablespoons [or substitute chopped currants and pine nuts of equal amount] Cooked Turkey Breast, sliced thinly, 250 grams 4 Fresh Apricots, pitted and cut into thin wedges Fresh Washed Green Beans, quartered 1. Combine the olive oil, orange juice, vinegar, basil, pepper and orange zest into a small bottle, shake and set aside. 2. Combine the rice and dried apricots, toss we...

...with Pro Wrestling icon Tom Zenk ...

These recipes have appeared in the past on these pages during this time of the year. Here they are again to help get through the horrible ordeal of leftovers. Quick Turkey and Cannellini Soup Extra Virgin Olive Oil, two teaspoons Leeks, two, using white and green parts, cut into quarter inch rounds Sage, fresh, one tablespoon (quarter teaspoon, if dried) Broth, about a liter Water, two cups Cannellini Beans, cooked, 500 grams Turkey, white meat, about a kilo 1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven, medium high heat. 2. Add leeks, cook, and stir often for about three minutes. 3. Stir in sage; continue cooking for about 30 seconds. 4. Add broth and water, increase heat and bring to a boil 5. Add beans and turkey. Cook uncovered. 6. Stir occasionally, until heated through (three minutes). Spiked Cranberry Relish Fresh Cranberries, 500 grams Sugar, one half cup, at least Orange Juice, freshly squeezed, one quarter cup Grand Marnier, a double shot Pecans, coarsely cho...

Disheveled Mitt Romney Spotted Pumping Gas in La Jolla: PHOTO Looks like he and Ann have chosen to re-locate to a very blue area.

After having enjoyed a delicious taste treat at Zabar's called a panini it might be opportune to explain that panini is the plural for panino which technically is the diminutive form for pane, Italian for bread. Panino  means roll or "small bread" in Italian. A panino imbottito or farcito  is a sandwich on a roll. Italians simply refer to it as a panino , panini in its plural form. In Italy, at least a few years back, a sandwich pressed on a grill was referred to as toast , which is being marketed here as panini in both singular and plural. I guess panino or toast is too difficult for English speaking Americans

Mon Dieu! Get some.

Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Bread Whole Wheat Flour, two cups Baking Powder, four teaspoons Sea Salt, one teaspoon Brown Sugar, two teaspoons Peanut Butter, one cup (any style) Milk, one and one half cup Eggs, two Sultanas, or Dried Currants, one cup Pre-heated oven 350F 1. Mix flour, baking powder, salt and sugar 2. Add peanut butter, mix with fork until the mixture looks like cornmeal 3. Add the milk and eggs, stir until thoroughly mixed 4. Lightly grease a loaf pan with peanut or almond oil 5. Bake for about 50 minutes

Spanakotiropita Spinach, fresh, one kilo, chopped Onion, one, chopped Garlic, two cloves, chopped Virgin Olive Oil Parsley, chopped, five tablespoons Feta Cheese, 250 grams Eggs, three, slightly beaten Phyllo Dough, 20 sheets Butter, unsalted, one half cup, melted Pepper Coarse Salt Nutmeg, fresh, grated Baking Dish (9x14) buttered Preheated oven 375F 1. Saute the onion and the garlic in olive oil in a large sauce pan. 2. Add the spinach when the onion is translucent. Stir until it is somewhat cooked down. 3. Pepper. Add parsley and remove from heat. Cool. Drain any excess liquid. 4. Crumble the feta cheese in a large bowl. Add the eggs. Grate the nutmeg to taste. Add cooked spinach mixture. Stir well. 5. Unfold the dough on a on flat surface. Cover it with a clean, damp towel. 6. Place the top sheet in the baking dish. Brush with butter. 7. Repeat the process until there are about ten sheets of phyllo dough on the bottom. 8. Add the spinach mixture, the...

Main Entry: 1snack Pronunciation: \ˈsnak\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English snak bite, from snaken to bite, perhaps from Middle Dutch snacken to snap at — more at snatch Date: 1757 : a light meal : food eaten between regular meals ; also : food suitable for snacking