French Fry Po' Boy Slathered over The Distant Sounds, Betty Airs and Poly Styrene

My co-worker Caylee and I were having a conversation a few weeks ago and I told her that "I run so I can eat." We both had a laugh about that. While this statement was a joke there was some truth behind it. I don't necessarily run so I can eat but I pay a lot less attention to what I eat because of the miles I log. To illustrate this, I downed two French Fry Po' Boys yesterday and thought nothing of it.

It seems on my trip to New Orleans I missed one of their most intriguing Po' Boys, a french fry and gravy topped version. It wasn't until Vegan Crunk mentioned it in a post that I realized such a thing exists. Seems like you can get them here. I had to try it out for myself, even if it wasn't absolutely authentic (which considering the gravy I probably couldn't do anyways).

Vegan French Fry Po' Boy
(printable recipe)

-4 potatoes, julienned
-olive oil
-salt
-pepper
-garlic powder
-onion powder
-paprika
-vegan gravy
-4 hoagie rolls

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash and slice the potatoes (I used a mandoline this time but normally make them steak cut).

2. In a metal bowl mix the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika (I don't measure these, I just play around with the taste). Place the potatoes in the bowl and flip around with your hand until they are all covered with spices and oil.

3. Dump the fries onto a baking sheet. Place in the oven and cook for 15-20 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side. Continue until fries have reached desired crispiness.

4. While the fries are baking, make the gravy.

5. Toast the hoagie rolls. Top with french fries and gravy. Carb your heart out.

When making something of this nature one require music that is fast and full of energy (after all, how else are you going to burn of all those carbs). For me it started with Betty Airs. These guys are a Sydney four piece that knows how to bring it 50's style. March saw the release of their first EP, Creepin' it Real, which you can get at their bandcamp page. "She's the Juan" is their lead singer. Thanks to Triple J Unearthed for bringing them to me.

Betty Airs-She's the Juan

Next it went towards The Distant Sounds who have concocted a foul-mouthed mournful motif that takes place moments after that evil girl tramples on your nut sack. "Mon Amour" is from their new EP Blue Light. Get it for free from their bandcamp page.

The Distant Sounds-Mon Amour (via Swedesplease)

Poly Styrene once led X-Ray Spex. Now she does it on her own as evidenced by "Thrash City." This is her second single released prior to the upcoming Generation Indigo which is due in the US on Tuesday.

Poly Styrene-Thrash City

Creamy Cauliflower Mac Run Through the Veins with Forbidden Friends and Black Books

It was either the delirium that comes from being so close to a race or the desire to give myself as much of an edge as I could that I picked up my latest issue of Runner's World and scoured the Athlete's Palate section for something good to cook. What I found was an old friend, Mark Bittman, offering a scaled down version of macaroni and cheese. Bittman's mac and cheese contained no cream or butter and pureed cauliflower took the place of some of the pasta. It took me a few bites to get into it but once I fell, I fell hard. Unfortunately my race time didn't do the same. And to think, I spent the week telling people what kind of blood runs through my veins (it is Tiger in case you didn't know). For the Creamy Cauliflower Mac recipe, go here.

There is a highly addictive band from Portland called the Thermals. Love these guys (and the fact that they will be coming to Tampa with Matt and Kim). The lead singer of the Thermals, Hutch Harris, has another band called Forbidden Friends. And while the Thermals don't go particularly well with Creamy Cauliflower Mac, Forbidden Friends do. "Tiny Hands" is from a 7" of the same title that will be released March 15th on Kill Rock Stars.

Forbidden Friends-Tiny Hands

Black Books are a laid back Austin dream pop band whose song "The Big Idea" has been whirling around my head since its release (February 15th). It reminds me of the track that Band of Horses should've put on their last album but didn't (and that was a big mistake). Currently Black Books only has a 10" out. The band is hoping for a full length release this November.

Creamy Garlic Hummus Tahinied with Screaming Females

A few weeks ago I read the book Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall. The book profiles some of the worlds greatest athletes and what their secrets are for performing at such a high level. One section of the book profiles what these athletes eat (the suggestion is that in order to be a good athlete one should "eat like a poor person"). Scott Jurek, a prolific ultra marathoner in the US, eats hummus during his races over 59 miles. This got me thinking, if it works for him why not try it out myself. I made a big batch of hummus and took it with me on my next long run. It worked.

Creamy Garlic Hummus
(printable version)

-1 can of chickpeas
-1/3 cup tahini
-Juice from 1 lemon
-5 cloves garlic, crushed
-1/2 tsp sea salt
-3 Tbsp olive oil
-2 Tbsp water
-pinch of cayenne

1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas and set aside.

2. Combine the tahini with lemon juice and blend in a food processor (or blender) until frothy. This step is imperative for making a creamy hummus, creaming these ingredients before adding the chickpeas.

3. Add garlic, salt and olive oil to tahini. Blend.

4. Combine remaining ingredients in food processor. Blend until smooth. Serve with toasted pita, sandwiches, chips or vegetables.

I am a little late to the The Screaming Females party. After all, the New Jersey band made lots of noise last year with Power Move, their third album (and first on Don Giovanni Records). But being fashionably late to parties is my forte. Hey, at least I showed. The Screaming Females new EP, Singles, was released in February. "Arm over Arm" and "Zoo of Death" can both be found on this EP ("Bell" is from Power Move). The band will be embarking on a US tour in May.