Artist's Cookbook: Oso Negro's Giriama Fish Curry

Artist's cookbook is a new segment on Write. Click. Cook. Listen, that profiles an artist (that we haven't previously mentioned) and a recipe that they've submitted. First up is Oso Negro, an unsigned, South African hip hopper (and recovering Scientist) who relocated to North America as an infant. Oso Negro (pictured above, photo taken by Lucky Tucker) works closely with his pals Stork and Nick B. (all former members of h-boms) to create catchy, kitchen bouncing, hip hop.

Oso Negro's recipe is a traditional curry that originally came from the cookbook A Taste of Africa by Dorinda Hafner. He has tweaked it slightly to fit his own palette (and sings the recipe in his song "Break it Out featuring Stork"). For more information about Oso Negro check out his Facebook page.

Oso Negro's Giriama Fish Curry (adapted from Dorinda Hafner's recipe)
(printable version)

-6 cloves garlic, chopped
-2 teaspoons cumin
-4 red snapper fillets
-4 tomatoes, chopped
-5 green onions, chopped
-1 teaspoon ground turmeric
-3 Tbls. extra virgin olive oil
-2 cups coconut milk
-salt
-freshly ground black pepper

1. In a large skillet stir-fry the garlic and green onions in olive oil until onions become bright green. Add cumin and turmeric and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

2. Stir in the red snapper and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes.

3. Stir in the coconut milk and simmer slowly for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sauce reduces to a creamy texture.

4. Serve immediately with basmati rice.

NOTE: The traditional recipe calls for a glowing piece of charcoal to be added to the dish before serving. This is not recommended for the average kitchen!

Oso Negro-Break It Out featuring Stork

Download the song and video here.

Where we eat: Evos slathered with Xiu Xiu and Murder By Death

When I was kid every Sunday after church my family would go out to eat fast food. Be it McDonald's, Wendy's, Hardees it didn't matter. If it was fast, greasy, and obese, we partook.

About twelve years ago I quit fast food altogether. Part of it was dietary, part of it an outcry against oppressive corporations. Things changed when J-Fur and I relocated to Tampa. Fast food again became a part of our diet because of Evos, a Tampa based, vegetarian friendly, fast food restaurant (I love their American Champion Burger and Air Fries).

Evos has all the staples: burgers, hot dogs, chili, shakes, fries, salads with none of the guilt. Perhaps my favorite thing about the restaurant is their ketchup options. There are four different flavors of ketchup: garlic, mesquite, cayenne, and regular. If you live in California, Florida, Georgia, or North Carolina and you have the chance, check out Evos for a healthier, tastier, alternative to fast food.

Xiu Xiu is finishing up some European dates before returning to the US and embarking on a cross country tour with the Tuneyards. "Gray Death" is the first track on their brand new album Dear God I hate myself, released yesterday on Kill Rock Stars (buy it here).

Xiu Xiu-Gray Death

Murder By Death's new album will be released on April 10th (via Vagrant Records). They will also be embarking on a US tour (including a stop at SXSW) in early March. From their new album is the very enjoyable "Foxglove." Thanks to BrooklynVegan for posting the track.

Murder By Death-Foxglove

As seen on:

Kale and Wheat berry Soup seasoned with City Light

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today which is not good, considering my half marathon is less than a week away and I am missing some big training runs. But what are you going to do, illness knows no timetable. Hopefully a big bowl of Kale and Wheat berry Soup, ripe with antioxidants, can help speed my recovery.

Kale and Wheat berry Soup (adapted from February 2009 Veg Times)
(printable version)

-1 cup of wheat berries
-olive oil
-6 oz shiitake mushrooms
-12 cloves of garlic
-1/2 cup brown rice vinegar
-4 cups of vegetable broth
-400g bag of kale

1. Soak wheat berries in cold water overnight.

2. Heat olive oil in a saucepan. Add shiitake mushrooms and saute for ten minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional two minutes. Stir in vinegar. Cook until vinegar is nearly gone.

3. Mix wheat berries, mushroom mixture, vegetable stock and one cup of water in a stock pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for twenty minutes. Add kale and cook for twenty minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

*The flavor of this soup didn't reach its best until the day after I made it. I would recommend allowing time for the flavors to combine, before eating.

Just like the combination of many ingredients creates a great soup, the same can be said for music. City Light, a Banter Media & Managment band, combines the production of Nick Andre and Denver Dalley, with the songwriting of Matt Shaw and Andy Fitts. The four collaboraters, who reside in three different parts of the country, used the mail system to create an album that combines indie rock, hip hop and electronic music. Their album, Burned Out Bright, is now out (purchase here). "Apologies" and "Prove me Wrong" both come from that album.

City Light-Apologies

City Light-Prove Me Wrong

Tofu Piccata larded by A Grave with No Name

My friend BH has made some wonderful recommendations lately via my facebook page. First she told me about pasta ponza which I adored. Her next suggestion was an Herbed Polenta made by Giada De Laurentiis. While looking at the recipe I read some of the comments and one lady said that she teamed the Polenta with Chicken Piccata. Traditionally Piccata refers to meat or fish that is sliced, sauteed and served in a sauce containing lemon, butter and spices. I decided to follow the "tradition" except replace chicken with tofu. Not to toot my horn too much but...boy am I a genius.

Tofu Piccata with Herbed Polenta (adapted from Giada De Laurentiis recipe)
(printable version)

-1 block of tofu
-sea salt and pepper
-flour
-6 Tbsp. unsalted butter
-olive oil
-1/3 cup of lemon juice
-1/2 cup of veggie stock
-1/4 cup capers

1. Drain the tofu. Place inside a paper towel on top of a plate. Put another plate on top and allow excess moisture to squeeze out (I left it there for about an hour).

2. Slice the tofu into rectangles. Season with salt and pepper and dredge in flour. Shake off excess.

3. In a large skillet melt butter and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. When butter and oil sizzle, add tofu and cook for three minutes. When tofu is browned, turn over and cook for three additional minutes. Remove tofu from heat and place on a plate.

4. In the same pan add lemon juice, stock, and capers. Bring to a boil. Return all the tofu to the pan and simmer for six minutes. Remove tofu and serve with Herbed Polenta.

As I was discussing (and critiquing) last years major indie media machines choices for song of the year J-Fur and a friend both said "We love albums, you love singles." I knew they were right. I had spent most of last year enjoying singles, not albums. This year I've tried to balance things a little better by checking out some albums (I already bought five, way more than last year). One album that I got my hands on recently, via Lefse Records, is the new one from A Grave with No Name, Mountain Debris. I enjoyed the whole album, haunting and whispering one moment, shoe gazing at the next. I chose to share "Silver" and "Underpass" with you because I think those tracks best illustrate the bands varied song styles. For a full review check out Pitchfork's entry on the album.

A Grave with No Name-Underpass

A Grave with No Name-Silver

Savory Onion Pie encased with care by The Cast of Cheers

There was a time that I swore off alliums altogether. I remember it well. It was late 1998, right after a basketball game. I sat down to read Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov (one of my favorite books of all time) and slogged through twenty, thirty, forty pages all about an onion being peeled. I skimmed most of the passage, thinking that it was completely stupid. The following day we were asked to write an essay dissecting the "parable of the onion." It was at that point, as I put pen to paper, that I thought (expletive deleted) onions.

But, as things go, onions are one of J-Fur's favorites and eventually I had to face my past head on. I made it through. Now I do things like this:

Savory Onion Pie (adapted from Valentine Warner recipe)
(printable version)

For the Crust:
-1 1/2 cups of flour
-17 Tbsp. of butter
-3 egg yolks

For the onion pie:
-12 white onions
-1 stick of butter (8 Tbsp.)
-5 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
-1.5 Tbsp brown sugar
-1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
-2 tsp sea salt
-Parmesan

1. To make the pastry. Put the flour in a food processor and pulse with butter. The mixture should look like crumbs. Add the egg yolks (one at a time) and pulse until the ingredients are combined. Remove from the food processor and form dough into a ball (do not knead). Wrap in cling wrap and store in the fridge for two hours.

2. Dice the onions. Melt the butter in a large pot with a lid. When butter is melted, add the onions. Cook for two hours, stirring occasionally.

3. Preheat the oven to 390 degrees and grease a tart pan (mine was non-stick so I didn't bother with the greasing).

4. Add the vinegar, sugar, mustard and salt to the onions. Caramelize the onions (be careful not to burn them) by cooking for another thirty minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Roll out the dough. Line the tart pan with it (leave a little hanging over the sides if possible). Cover the pan with foil and bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until the crust is golden. Remove the foil and cook an additional five minutes.

6. Remove the crust from the oven and fill with the onion mixture. Use a spatula to smooth it. Top with Parmesan cheese and pepper. Return to the oven and bake another ten minutes. Serve immediately.

As you can tell, this dish took a long time to prepare. So instead of the normal three to four songs by various bands, I listened to an entire album. This time it was The Cast of Cheers, an Irish band that reminds me a lot of Bloc Party. The bands first album, Chariot, won't be released until April 1st but they are currently offering it free at their bandcamp site.

Here are my favorites:

The Cast of Cheers-Goose

The Cast of Cheers-I am lion

The Cast of Cheers-Tip the Can

Baker's Dozen: Interview with The Delta Mirror

Consider this the calm before the storm or perhaps, more appropriately, the medical school before the residency in the emergency room. With SXSW, an album release and a residency at the Echo in Los Angeles all happening in March, things are about to get hectic for The Delta Mirror (whose track "He was worse than the needle he gave you " was part of our February Love Potion Mix). Recently I had the chance to interview (via email) the band as part of our Baker's Dozen series on Write.Click.Cook.Listen.

TB: Who is The Delta Mirror and how did you guys begin making music together?

TDM: We're Karrie, Craig and Dave. Dave and I have been writing music together since I can remember only it started out unrecognizably different. It became apparent that we couldn't really do everything we wanted once we started playing live. Karrie's added a lot to our sound. Our lower frequency parts tended to be more drony and less groovy until she came along. I think it's a good mix.

TB: You and David started as a hip hop duo in the late 90's. What elements of hip hop do you incorporate into The Delta Mirror?

TDM: I guess it throws people when we say we used to make hip hop, but we had more noisy electronica sensitivities even then, so the stuff we were doing might not be what some people are picturing. We're not pulling tricks out of our 90's repertoire or anything. We're not even sampling anymore really. I think Dave just comes from that world as a producer just like I do as a writer. It turns out Karrie was listening to some of the same stuff during those years. Some of the most exciting music that came out in the mid/late 90's was made from records and samplers.

TB: Your Myspace page mentions the Big Pink and Fuck Buttons as bands that you share a common interest with. What similarities exist between you and those two bands? How is the Delta Mirror different?

TDM: That's really just for PR purposes, so that writers have a sound to reference, but those are bands that we all have a lot of respect for. I think we're obviously a lot different, but it seems they have a similar approach in some areas. Our new material probably lends it self more to that comparison.

TB: You are preparing for the release of your first LP Machines that Listen, an album that contains 9 tracks each about a different room in hospital. Were you guys spending a lot of time in the ER when putting this album together?

TDM: No nothing like that. I wrote "Malpractice" about a girl who lives in a hospital, then I wrote "He was worse than the needle he gave you" about someone identifying a body in a Morgue and realized that I had a theme going and wanted to see if I could keep it going. Those were the only two songs on the record that came from real people and real experiences. The rest are fiction.

TB: "And the radio played on" explores a dying elderly man's last moments with his wife. It is an emotional song (both lyrically and musically) but doesn't over do it. Was there ever a point in the writing of the songs where you felt you were overdoing it and had to take a step back or scrap something entirely? What is your secret for finding just the right amount of emotion?

TDM: We just all tend to write really moody stuff I think. The concept added to that though. I was thinking that The emotions that are felt in a hospital are felt in a pretty extreme way. Where but in a busy ER can you find that brand of fear? And could any day to day pleasantry outshine the happiness in a maternity ward? There aren't really any exceptions to this rule either. "A Room for Waiting" is about the frustration of a patient waiting to be seen. That one comes from personal experience too actually.

TB: The band has received a lot of attention recently from music sites such as Pitchfork, My Old Kentucky Blog and Stereogum. You've also gotten some love from Urban Outfitters. Is this something you sought out or did this exposure just sort of happen? What type of response have you gotten from fans?

TDM: I think we have Lefse to thank for that. They're a great label, and have put a pretty good team together to promote this record. That sort of stuff rarely ever just happens, but now that it's starting to, we're getting a really good response.

TB: There are plans for an album full of remixes from Machines that Listen, later this year. What can you tell us about that?

TDM: We'll be announcing the track list soon, but so far we have one from Alias that you can hear on Stereogum (click on link). You can expect to see tracks by Boom Bip, Bomarr Monk, Phaseone, City Light, Odd Nosedam, Healamonster & Tarsier, Thriftcar and Bus Driver. There will be a few more by the time it's released as well. I think hearing someone else's version of our song is the most flattering experience I've ever had.

TB: Days after the release of Machines that Listen you will be playing some shows at SXSW. What are your live shows like? Will you do anything different at SXSW?

TDM: We actually play the songs from this record a lot differently than they are on the record. It's noisier with more guitar. Aside from some new material SXSW will most likely be business as usual, but we're trying to get a different cover ready for each night of our residency.

TB: Speaking of covers, you do a version of TV on the Radio's "Blind." What is your take on cover songs? Any other covers that are regular part of your repertoire?

TDM: We just try to take a song and do it the way we would have written it I guess. I don't want to ruin the surprise, but we have a few good ones. We're recording them all to give away as a free download soon. TV on the Radio is done and should be up soon.

TB: What are the bands plans for the rest of the year?

TDM: Well we'll put out the remixes and collection of covers and then this summer we're doing a full US tour. We're also hoping to quit smoking and start eating better.

TB: Does The Delta Mirror get to do much cooking? Any special recipes you care to share?

TDM: On a good day we'll be eating Quinoa with Tofu, Kale and homemade sauce. On an EVEN BETTER day we'll be mixing macaroni noodles with butter, soy milk and nutritional yeast to make the best mac 'n "cheese" ever!

TB: Anything else you would like to say?

TDM: Boobs

Here is a video of The Delta Mirror performing a live acoustic version of "Hold Me Down Just Don't Let Me Go."



A Song About the End live @ Mountain Bar Los Angeles

the delta mirror | MySpace Music Videos

Their song "It was Dark and I Welcome the Calm" posted at Above the Fold.

The Delta Mirror-It was Dark and I Welcome the Calm

An Open Letter to Pepperidge Farm signed by Mitch Hedberg

Dear Pepperidge Farm,

J-Fur has taken to eating your cakes a lot recently. She finished three whole cakes in a span of a week and a half (including one in less than 24 hours). I woke up this morning to find there are two more in my fridge (see picture on left). Do you think we could work out a sponsorship deal or something? Perhaps I extol the virtues of your product (of course since I've never tried one of your cakes I will have to make it up) while you send us free cakes so that J-Fur can be freely satisfied? Let me know.

Tender B.




I'll have a new interview posted tomorrow. Have a great day.

Super Bowl Fare: Mushroom and Roasted Red Pepper Tostados with Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Sick Like Sinatra, Motopony and Mudkids

If you are looking for something to cook up today that isn't cocktail weenies check out this entry on Dinner Party. Lisa gives you options from appetizers to main courses to desserts. You won't be disappointed.

J-Fur and I will be celebrating the Super Bowl by eating Mushroom and Roasted Red Pepper Tostadas. Because there won't be enough to share with the rest of the party (and what do they care with all those traditional meat options) this will be our pre-party meal.

Mushroom and Roasted Red Pepper Tostada (Adapted from Real Simple July 2009)
(printable version)

-2 tbls. olive oil
-12 ounces button mushrooms
-3 roasted red pepper, thinly sliced
-1 poblano pepper, thinly sliced
-2 cloves of garlic
-salt and pepper to taste
-1 cup of corn kernels, frozen
-2 large tortillas
-1 cup of colby jack cheese
-1/4 cup of cheddar cheese
-romaine lettuce, ripped into small pieces
-salsa

1. Heat 1/2 of the olive oil in a wok over medium high heat. Add the mushrooms, poblano pepper, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook for three minutes, tossing occasionally. Add roasted red peppers and continue tossing and cooking until vegetables are tender and liquid is evaporated.

2. Stir in the corn.

3. Heat broiler. Brush the tortillas with the other half of the oil. Broil the tortillas, about 45 seconds per side, until crisp. Top the tortillas with a mixture of colby jack and cheddar cheese. Broil until melted (about 45 seconds). Top with vegetable mixture, romaine lettuce and salsa.

For the first time in a long time I don't hate both teams playing in the Super Bowl tonight. In fact, I would be fine with either team winning or losing. I am pulling for the Saints (sorry Lisa C.) slightly more because they are the downtrodden, never won anything team (reminds me of my team the Eagles). Musically I showed no favoritism. I prepped the tostados to tunes from both sides.

Not sure if he is a Saints fan (probably not considering he is from Chicago) but Owen Ashworth of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone gets the honorary nod because of his sampling of "When the Saints, Go Marching In" at the end of his song "Optimist vs the Silent Alarm." This song is off of his 2009 release Vs. Children



A legit Saints song comes from Sick Like Sinatra, a New Orleans band. The song is a little bit of a mess at the beginning (a lot of elements going on at once) but when it clears up it is a pretty catchy tune. Download and listen to the song here.

Honorary member of the Colts bandwagon is Motopony. I have been listening to the song "Seer" a lot recently (thanks to KEXP blog).

Motopony-Seer

There is no question about where the Mudkids (first mentioned here) loyalty lies. Their song "Do it again (Go Colts '10)" is pretty self explanatory.



Enjoy the game, the commercials or avoiding television at all costs...whatever your traditional Super Bowl celebration.

Southern Style Tofu Barbeque basted with Yuck, Jonsi and Lo-Fi-Fnk

J-Fur and I sauntered home from the library last Thursday and were surprised when the smell of grilled onions, peppers and barbeque hit our nostrils. Using our bloodhound scent we tried to discern where it was coming from. To our left kids played lacrosse with no grill anywhere around. On our right was a thai restaurant, an Indian one and an Italian Cafe. Of course there was also a Dominoes...

Wherever the smell came from it inspired me to cook some barbeque tofu which I did this evening. I coupled it with steak cut fries because that is how I like to roll (no pun intended).

Barbeque Tofu
(printable version)

For the tofu:
-1 block of tofu cubed
-1 green pepper sliced finely
-1/2 an onion sliced finely
-olive oil

For the sauce:
-1/2 cup ketchup
-2 Tbls. brown sugar
-2 Tbls. Vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
-1 Tbl. cider vinegar
-1 dash hot pepper sauce (I used Frank's)
-1 tsp garlic powder
-1/4 tsp mustard powder-
-1/4 tsp salt

1. To make the sauce I used the recipe located here.

2. In a frying pan heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add tofu and cook for fifteen minutes (or until tofu starts to turn dark brown on all sides).

3. Add onion and green pepper and cook until onions are translucent and peppers are dark green (about seven minutes). Remove from heat.

4. Add entire batch of barbeque sauce and stir until coated. Turn the heat back on low and cook tofu and sauce for three minutes.

5. Serve on your favorite rolls.

While completely inappropriate for this dish, Yuck is a band I have been enjoying a lot lately. Their song "Automatic" is very subtle and reminds me of being on a raft in the middle of the ocean.

Yuck-Automatic

Jonsi (of Sigur Ros fame) is preparing to release his debut single album Go on April 5th. The first single to be leaked off the album is the beautiful "Boy Lilikoi." Despite what the Groundhog says this single tells me spring will indeed be here soon (of course in Florida it is always spring until the summer).



Lo-Fi-Fnk's new song "Marching In" grabbed my attention as soon as I came across it on My Old Kentucky Blog. Perhaps it is the dreaminess. More than likely it is the infatuation I have with the New Orleans Saints football team.

Lo-Fi-Fnk-Marching In