Starting in the Basement

First, I tried out the butternut squash recipe yesterday but didn’t make it to the sweet potatoes.  I substituted sage for the thyme but I think that was a mistake.  The pieces of squash were also too large.  I will try again with fresh thyme and smaller bites of squash.  It was good but not amazing.  And everything I make has to be amazing.  Obviously.

On Saturday I went with a few friends to see Precious:  Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.  I’ve been hearing about this movie for a long time so I was excited to see what all the hype is about.  If you haven’t heard of it, the movie is about a 17 year old girl living in Harlem with a horribly abusive mother and a rapist for a father.  She is pregnant with the second child from her father and she can’t read or write.  The principal at her school recognizes a problem and sends her to an alternative school.

The acting in this movie was really great and it totally broke my heart.  At one point I was almost sobbing.  I know that I have grown up very sheltered and privileged but when I see movies like this and hear about these situations I feel so naive.  I am always amazed that people have lives like Precious and continue to live.  I also thought about my clients a lot because I am sure that many of them come from horrible situations and I just help them with a little portion of their life.  Sometimes I intentionally try to stop them from telling me more about their lives because it is just too sad and I don’t want to feel sorry for them.  I want to help them and believe that what I do will make a difference.  Otherwise, what is the point?

The other interesting experience with this movie occurred in the theater.  We went to the downtown Boston theater and it was full.  Full of people from all parts of the city and a lot of little kids (definitely not an appropriate movie for kids).  The crowd laughed at a lot of parts that I did not find funny and there was a lot of yelling at the screen.  It was definitely a different experience than if we had seen it in our local artsy theater.

I recommend going to this movie with some friends and sharing dinner afterwards to discuss.  There is a lot to talk about, including Lenny Kravitz as the nurse (so cute!) and Mariah Carey as the social worker (not cute at all).

Unlike last year where I spent all Thanksgiving week preparing for a large Thanksgiving feast, this year I am taking it easy.  Our neighbor has invited us over and only requested a vegetable.  Of course I am taking this task very seriously.  I am going to test out these two recipes today.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Butternut Squash with Browned Butter and Thyme

I have to admit I’m a little depressed about Thanksgiving this year because we will be spending it with virtual strangers.  Even worse than that are the rest of the weekend days when we have no guests to entertain, no leftovers to cook up or parties to sleep off.  I’ve been trying to think of good distractions for next weekend to keep myself from getting depressed but I haven’t come up with anything.  Ideas??

Whip It

“Whip It” is written and directed by Drew Barrymore and stars Ellen Page.  It is the story of young girl who works her way into a Roller Derby team in Texas.  I think this movie is still playing in some theaters and if so, GO SEE IT!  It is an almost perfect movie.  There is action, food fights, first loves, hair pulling and of course, lessons learned.  I think Frenchie even laughed more than I did, so men, don’t be afraid.  Take your woman to this girl power movie and show her your female side.  The Sarah’s are going to have to update their exco class on Drew Barrymore after this one.

An Education

I cannot resist a good coming-of-age film and this one did not disappoint.  ”An Education” is about a young girl, almost 17, who meets a much older man, played by Peter Sarsgaard, who seduces her and forces her to grow up very quickly.  The actress that plays Jenny was absolutely perfect in the role and Peter Sarsgaard is her perfect playboy.  Kind of creepy and sweet at the same time.  There are also some very funny parts involving her parents and the ditzy friend.  Go see this one for sure.

A Serious Man

I fell asleep almost immediately at this movie.  Maybe because we went to the late show and I am really a 90 year old man.  Anybody see this movie and like it?

Up

“Up” is the newest Pixar movie about an old man who floats his house to South America with a young boy in tow.  I rented this movie and watched it at home last week.  It would have been great in the theaters and I’m bummed I missed it.  But it is definitely worth a rental.

Since I have started cooking in my own kitchen, going out to eat has become different.  Unfortunately, I am often disappointed because I realize I could have easily made whatever I just ordered.  I now try to order the most interesting thing on the menu or something that I would never make.  I also try to think of what I would make if I ran my own restaurant.  Obviously it would just be all my favorite foods together on one menu.  Here is a sample of the fall menu at Emily’s Bistro.

Breakfast would be fresh, homemade biscuits with raspberry and blackberry jam. Sandwiches with optional eggs, bacon, cheese and avocados.  Banana pancakes.  Oatmeal with brown sugar, dried cranberries and peanut butter.  And of course fresh fruit salad and pastries for everybody.

Lunch would be sandwiches served on french bread with coldcuts, fresh mozzarella and yummy tomatoes.  Butternut squash soup, chili and giant salads.  The giant salads would be reasonably priced and significant enough to fill you up for over an hour.  And while I appreciate that some people want dressing on the side, it will only be by request because there is nothing worse than trying to toss your salad on your tiny little plate while tomatoes and lettuce go flying.

Dinner would be hearty beef stews cooked for hours, grilled steak with chanterelle cream sauce, freshly baked breads and of course, more giant salads.

Dessert would change every night to whatever I felt like making.  Pies with chantilly, light and fluffy cake with sweet sweet frosting, cookies, brownies and maybe even some candy.

I am not sure I would actually enjoy having my own restaurant but right now it seems a hell of a lot better than other things I could do.  : )