Bookstore Haul ][: Volume 11 — The Flat In my Tire

broderic on November 4, 2017

Had a coupon for ye ol’ Bookstore. Twenty percent off a cookbook. Also, had another couple of coupons. Twenty percent off of any one item. I used the cookbook one.

The cookbook I picked up is another one that I want to use to synthesize my recipes rather than following them. I don’t really cook. I try to make some food. I’m going by feel most of the time. And these cookbooks that kind of explain the science help guide me. Maybe my food may turn out decent.

Also, on the way out I picked up a National Geographic. It’s been a while since I read one of these. I picked it up because the cover had the happiest places on the planet. Lord knows I need some happiness at the moment. I am really sad at the moment. The most recent event to make me sad is that my truck has a nail in one of the tires. Flats make me angry sad. I hate this about owning a car. Now I have to get this tire fixed. Groan. Just great. I hate flats.

Cook’s Illustrated Cook’s Science
National Geographic November 2017 Issue

Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Kimchi

broderic on October 28, 2017

I had some kimchi in my fridge. It’s been in there for little bit more than a month.

I had some Brussel sprouts in my fridge. They’ve been in there for the better part of a week.

Looking for some dinner tonight, I decided to forgo eating takeout and decided to make a Frankenstein’s monster of a dish: Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Kimchi.

First, I quartered the Brussel sprouts before tossing them in olive oil with salt and fresh ground pepper. It wasn’t a whole bag, but six or seven tiny heads of them. I threw them in my toaster oven broiler for about 10 minutes. Not that long really more like 8 minutes. I didn’t want to overcook them and start smelling the stink. I was just looking for a little browning on their edges.

With the kimchi, I just chopped it into smaller pieces, the better to eat them. When the sprouts were done, I just tossed both in a bowl along with left over fried tofu.

That’s it. It’s alright. I know that I should’ve put it on top of some fresh rice. That would’ve been even better.

I’ll still have some sprouts in the fridge.

The Foreigner

broderic on October 27, 2017

The Foreigner was advertised (if one had seen its commercial) as a vehicle for an old Jackie Chan to become the Chinese Liam Neeson — old man out for revenge on those who took his child. The reality is that it was a political action thriller about the Irish IRA.

Hunh?

Jackie Chan did kick butt, but it was mainly Pierce Brosnan trying to terrorize the U.K. for the sake of ancient Irish grudges.

HUNH.

All I’m trying to say is that it must’ve been a bait and switch on Jackie Chan, too.

Anyway. Meh. I’ve seen worst.

3 of 5 stars.

Blade Runner 2049

broderic on October 25, 2017

I’m giving Blade Runner 2049 a decent star count because I love the first one from the 80s. I watch that one and know that every anime derives from that film. Yes, even K-ON! LOL!

Anyhow, this version hews very close to the Philip K. Dick story, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” It’s a sadder L.A. A more empty place where those who got off world did. And those left in the detritus of the world. Dark and somber.

The film didn’t make any money like its predecessor. So in 10 years, we’ll look back and call it genius.

4 of 5 stars.

American Made

broderic on October 23, 2017

American Made stars Tom Cruise and was directed by Doug Liman. They look to be a combination that’s up and coming. I wonder if Liman can work well with Cruise. They seem to like each other as this is their second go the first being Live, Die, Repeat.

3 of 5 stars.