Monday, January 31, 2011

This Can't Be Origami!


PBS has a fascinating program, Between the Folds, that highlights the work of the recently deceased French artist, Eric Joisel, among others. I've never seen anything like these "sculptures" made with just one piece of paper that is never cut or glued. Read the notes on the Joisel's Saxophonist - amazing! And he speaks English very well, so you can hear him talk about being a "folder." Somehow, "folder" doesn't seem to do justice to his art.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Microwave Epiphanies


Not Your Mother's Microwave Cookbook has turned out to be a gem for me. Here are some of the ideas I hadn't heard before:
  • Toast nuts on a paper plate or doubled paper towels on HIGH for about 2 and a half minutes per 1/2 cup of nuts, stirring every 45 seconds.
  • Toast 1 cup of coconut, sweetened or not, on a paper plate or glass pie plate on HIGH for 2-3 minutes, stirring every minute.
  • Peel up to 6 fresh tomatoes in a ring on a double layer of paper towels by cooking on HIGH for 15 seconds, let stand for 10-15 minutes, then peel. Love this one!
  • Peel up to 4 fresh peaches with 1/2 cup hot water in a 2-quart microwaveable bowl, covered with a lid or plastic wrap with a few holes in it. Cook on HIGH for 60-90 seconds, let stand for 5-10 minutes, drain and peel.
  • Ripen an avocado or banana (for cooking only) by placing on a paper towel and pricking the skin once or twice. Cook on DEFROST for 2 minutes, turn over and cook on DEFROST for 30-60 seconds more.
  • Peel up to 4 green chiles or 2 bell peppers by rubbing all over lightly with oil, placing them on a microwave plate and piercing a few places on each side. Cover with wax paper and cook on HIGH: 3 minutes for chiles; 2 minutes for peppers. Turn over and cook on HIGH for 1-2 minutes more. Wrap in damp kitchen towel for 10 minutes and rub off the skins.
What else is there about microwaves that I don't know? Let's hear.