Last Monday night KO and rad bro RCO met up for dinner. It was a blast.
The cheese and jamon were highlights. Yum. Thanks again, Rob. To boot,
Beth~ in from Brooklyn for the night!~ joined us for a drink. Such pleasure!KO, RCO & BP (MC! MC!), Barcelona, New Haven, 6.23.08

India and Damon, Pastis, 6.25.08

Goes great with KO's bacon martini...Mmmm...bacon...via dlisted

source: dlisted

Miranda Kerr @the Victoria Secret Show in LA, Dec07

Made bread today. It was delicious!12.9.07

Vote today for our friend Dan Lubell's kraft cheese spot!
He's a finalist and needs your votes!!! Watch his entry here(it's the one on the far right with the dancing toast, see pic below)
and then show your support with your vote! Love us some grilled cheese!Make Us Some Grilled Cheese!

Eggplant Casserole

Giant turkey (what do you call them?!) drumsticks?! legs?! @the Big E! 9.26.07

Agawam, MA., 9.26.07

Queens of the Stone Age Team Up With
Celeb Chef Anthony Bourdain For Weirdest Holiday Special Ever
If you are Anthony Bourdain, the punk-rock-loving world-renowned chef and star of the hit Travel Channel show No Reservations, sometimes you find yourself in Berlin boozing with Queens of the Stone Age. As the cocktails flow, the conversation morphs from the Ramones to kitsch, and before you know it you're talking about super-cheesy Christmas variety-show specials in the Bing Crosby-hosts-David Bowie tradition. The result? Last week QOTSA played "Silver Bells" (renamed "Turkey Bells") for a holiday-themed episode of No Reservations. "We just got a call saying, 'Hey, we have a weird idea,'" frontman Josh Homme told us. "So when people come to us with that sort of a statement we are all ears."Here's the plot: While Bourdain cooks a traditional holiday feast at his Connecticut home, the Queens are rocking tracks including "Sick, Sick, Sick," "3's & 7's" and "Make It Wit Chu" at an ungodly volume in the basement rec room. When the band emerges, they're sporting appalling Christmas sweaters. "QVC graciously sent us the worst sweaters of all time," Homme explains. "I think someone Googled the word 'horrible' and that's how we found them." Bourdain, ever the arbiter of good taste, hasn't recovered: "Those Christmas sweaters were just the most terrifying things I've ever seen in my life. Beyond Sandra Lee on some really awful hallucinogen."
While Homme and Bourdain aren't giving up the whole story, they revealed the episode will involve karaoke, surly adolescents and a Japanese businessman. "It's a traditional Thanksgiving/Christmas meal with turkey, all the trimmings, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie ... some Christmas carols ... and a vicious brother-on-brother knife fight," Bourdain said. "We spent a fair amount of time spraying stage blood onto my niece and nephew's face. What's a holiday special without violent mayhem? I think it's an honest reflection of the holiday season."
Though Homme is slightly worried the band has ruined "ten years of credibility" by participating in this holiday nightmare, it was worth it: "Most of the time, if you tried to suggest that we get into sweaters like that we would probably just drink you under the table and leave you for dead, but this is a special case. That bastard. I'll never forgive him and I'll never forget him."
by Elizabeth Goodman
source: RollingStone

Dessert!!!
This super delicious dessert was created by a Polish chef, mixing every yummy
ingredient available, including creativity and love. It even has a poppyseed cake layer!A Polish Drunk, Thanks to RobZ for the introduction

Before Ava's birthday party, we headed over to my parents' place
on the Quinnipiac River for a brunch...Among the guests~ my Aunt Ann
(in the middle, next to my mom, BCO, and like BCO, sporting a pair of
one-of-a-kind KatyO earrings) and the always lovely Audrey Downey.The gang posed for me before everyone had arrived, but you know the drill:
Get the group shots when you can! It can be like herding cats!
On the far left, fellow CRH alumn (and American hero) Jack Downey and on the
far right, fellow Oliver (and one of my heroes) Rob (minus his beautiful wife Adrienne).Finally, what brunch would be complete without a hurried pic of yours truly
with my pop, RGO?! Thanks to RCO for taking the shot in a snap!Fair Haven, 5.27.07

Sally's Saturday night was a revelation...Aside from the "plain" pie
(red sauce, garlic and parm) we also tried (for the first time ever!) the
mozz pie with onions and meatballs...A most decadent and fantastic feast!Sally's, New Haven, 3.31.07

Maybe you already know this one, but KO was schooled in the tricky way
of saltines recently and just can not not share...Check this out: Next time you are out
with some friends, ask them if they think they can eat five saltines in one minute.
And bet them they can't! KO was a big fan of saltines in high school and was
quite certain (not cocky, mind you, but convinced) this was right up her alley.
Well, it turns out, it's no easy task. KO tried eating 3 at once and with a swift quickness
the saltines became a mean matza ball in my mouth. Perhaps it was my technique?
Well, it's valid that you ask. Maybe if you broke them up into bitty pieces? KO is not
sure it's possible, but if you find a way, DO let me know! Saltines suck all the moisture
out of your mouth, and with all beverages being off-limits, it really is a rousing and
amusing challenge. For the record, KO spewed crumbs everywhere and never got past 3!

(Saran Wrap)-Sealed Dinner Is Served, Westville, 1.26.07

Anywhere and everywhere you go, you can hear people going on and on
and on and on about food...what to get, where it's best, and debating both for
hours on end...with passion, conviction, sincerity, intensity...For serio, my hometown
knows food! The love/quest for the perfect eating experience is epic~ eternal!Sally's (is love) flashbackYankee Doodle flashback

Daddy and KO went to the most photogenic/yummy oyster bar
in Williamsburg on Saturday...It was so very lovely...We indulged...Williamsburg, 1.20.07
*********************************************************************************
Then, Sunday, KO finally had the good fortune of trying cassoulet...
You may recall when KO discovered & decided it was worth experiencing...
Finally to fruition! And oooh sooo decadent and yes! Deeelicious!Pastis, NYC, 1.21.07 (thanks again to JK)
**********************************************************************************
And...Last night KO joined Annie and WordHumper in Prospect Heights...
They were in full-on meal-mode. Annie's order was ambitious! Yum!
Her sandwich was straight outta Dagwood: Huge & hero-style!Prospect Heights, 1.22.07

(Source: PINKNEST)

The only thing I can think of when I look at this picture~
snapped late last night~ of the most surprisingly spectacularly
delicious pasta is Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder scream-singing "Dirty Frank!"Dirty Pasta (!) is followed up by one that might need a warning label...
I like to think of this not so much as naked cook in the kitchen? (no! not really!)
but more like hey! Veal chef! So wrong yet simultaneously yummy, right!New Haven, 1.13.07

The Pastis Burger, medium rare, with egg, bleu cheese, NYC, 1.8.07

Adrienne's beautiful bread, New Years Eve, VermontBackstage pass to photograph the bacon, Tanglewood, Vermont, 1.1.07Waking up wanting hot wings leads to happiness at Archie Moores, New Haven, 1.6.07Sunday, and such perfect nachos, Brooklyn, 1.7.07

Ami, Katy and the sacred feast of Sally's...Sally's, New Haven, 1.5.07

New Haven, 1.5.07

Christmas was especially awesome this year.
A new tradition was born: Rob and Adrienne hosted everyone at their place.
They shared their loving and generous spirits and created the most spectacular feast.
It was an amazing day, filled with warm, wonderful moments and superb people...My parents are the cuteness in the kitchenThe family is extended...the table was tooThe main course: Oh decadent display (get in my belly)!Rob's chowder was a hug from heaven on earthSue's dessert completely changed my life (and maybe my waist size? d'oh)BCO and Grace exemplify the tidings of comfort and joy at the table Kevin, Andy and Ace give Sue a picture to be cherishedAnn and Gary show the love with BCOKevin and his father Mike beam after a long and glorious dayAdrienne thanks Kim for the Coach bagRob shares some laughs (Christmas Eve)
And RGO and BCO (aka Santa and Mrs Claus)
epitomize the love and happiness of the holidayNew Haven, 12.25.06

By the way: You'll be pleased I'm sure to know that I got most of
the gifts on my wish list. Still holding out for that $20,000...

Last night, after figuring out the Good-Will-Hunting-grade math equation of packing
my life Tetris-style into my car, I rejoined Matt Lum in the web-rynth for one last night
of research and ridiculousness. Our resonate friendship! Sigh. How I love Matt Lum! Also in
the house was Kellie, Matt's incredible flatmate, preparing the perfect chili for a cook-off taking place today. Matt and I were obliged to taste-test, along with cornbread both
moist and crumbly, and I can honestly (and let's face it~ obviously) call Kellie's win...Kellie cookin'...Will you marry me?!
Cornbread...your butt is coming along with me for a ride!Matt, as per usual, stuck close to his magical (yet logical! and functional!) web-rynth.He snapped this shot of me (bundled in blankets and by the laptop) in the wee hours.Before heading to Matt's, I packed up the stash from Nik's place.
He "forcibly" took custody of the legendary Jim Beam Field Tester hat
(a gift from Kevin Black, Chicago 05) but I was already plotting the hand-off anyway...
the only thing I wanted was the farewell photo. Thus, the ghost of the hat...
Thanks Nik! Enjoy~ marvel at!~ the magnetism of that hat, my friend. Love you!LA, 12.14.06

New-to-KO Cool Things:
*Mr Breakfast, a super site dedicated to all things breakfast! Everywhere!
*Bette Midler singing "I'm hip" from Bath House Bette...
*Cassoulet...finally looked into what it is...looking forward to trying it!

Found a cool blog called Pinknest.
She features lots of food reviews and recipes. Yum!
KO appreciates the recipe for
Brussels Sprouts Lardons:
2 tablespoons good olive oil
6 ounces Italian pancetta or bacon, 1/4-inch dice
1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts (2 containers), trimmed and cut in 1/2
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup golden raisins
1 3/4 cups chicken stock

Heat the olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan and add the pancetta. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the fat is rendered and the pancetta is golden brown and crisp, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the pancetta to a plate lined with a paper towel.
Add the Brussels sprouts, salt, and pepper to the fat in the pan and saute over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until lightly browned. Add the raisins and chicken stock. Lower the heat and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the sprouts are tender when pierced with a knife, about 15 minutes. If the skillet becomes too dry, add a little chicken stock or water. Return the pancetta to the pan, heat through, season to taste, and serve.(Pinknest via "Barefoot Contessa at Home")

It's with a dash of humor and a dollop of delight
that I offer you this recipe (from The Stranger) for
a true cult classic...not that KO (or The Stranger, for that matter)
recommends you try this, mind you...Just, you know, for kicks and giggles...
POT BUTTER
You will need...
Double boiler or heat-safe bowl that fits inside a saucepan
Storage container
Rubber gloves
Cheesecloth
Rubber band
1/8 oz. bud or 1/4 oz. shake
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)
Grind or crumble weed until fine.
Fill bottom pot halfway with water, place butter and weed in top pot (or heat-safe bowl).
Set double boiler on stove over medium heat for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Meanwhile, prepare storage container by rubber-banding a double layer of cheesecloth over top.
Wearing rubber gloves, pour butter mixture through cheesecloth into container.
Remove cheesecloth and squeeze remaining pot butter from it. The butter is hot and will burn--wear the rubber gloves.
Cover butter and place in fridge to solidify. Pot butter will keep in fridge for one month or freezer for one year. Recipe makes enough to get two people very high or four people moderately high.
We tested the butter on a baked sweet potato. It melted swiftly into the hot, orange flesh, adding a conspicuous but tolerable grassy flavor, producing a nice, mellow high.
(Find more recipes here)*KO as a kid with former New Haven mayor Ben Dileto;
*the pot leaf was a "gift" from a friend & got stuck to picture accidentally @CC/97

Friday night KO met up with our friend Ted. KO worked with Ted on The Dead Girl,
and he's been working in Portland since, so this was a bit of a reunion. We convened
at The Hump, a sushi restaurant at the Santa Monica airport. The name amuses because in several KO stories the local hangout is called The Hump. I digress...
The sushi was pretty good, the sake was pretty great...we had a pretty amazing time.At the bar: Octopus (above) and Lobster (below)Thanks Ted!The Hump, Santa Monica, 11.24.06

Kellie's cranberry horseradish sauceMore of Kellie's spreadKellie preparing the delightsMatt enjoying some tea after (round 1 of) the feast,
the gathering is thankfully thankful and fabulous*Hollywood (unofficially the "Betty Crocker/Betty Cocker" Thanksgiving),
officially "Heaven" c/o Kellie and Matt, 11.23.06

***Thank you thank you Kellie and Matt!!!

Just sooo wrong...Oh so right. Had to be done. And what else is there to say?!(source: BrandSpankin'...Bravo Brando!)

We all know Angelina Jolie gives her time and money to the less fortunate,
but is she giving away her food too?! Is Angie on a hunger strike?! Maybe she's
sympathizing with Kate Bosworth and opting for White Hot Anorexia? What's going on?!
Is anorexia the new humanitarian charity of choice? Angie: Eat something! Please!

Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday! My bday weekend was a blast.
Yesterday was amazing~ so many friends got in touch to send their love and support!
I'm sure you all know how much you mean to me, but to reiterate: KO loves you alot!
My birthday celebration ended with a decadent dinner at Cafe. It was an intimate affair.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! KO hearts you all so hard & long time alot!!!
And, I gotta say, 30 feels pretty right on~ so I've got that going for me, which is nice. No birthday is complete without a round of Drambuie! Superb! Bliss! Cheers!Birthday Dinner Crew: Reeve, Chris & Val, Cafe Des Artistes, LA, 11.4.06

KO (by KO), Bday Dessert, Cafe Des Artistes, Hollywood, 11.4.06