All the latest Vampire News. . .

Well, new releases anyway.  And there is a lot to look forward to this spring.  I'll put this together chronologically by release date.  That way I show no preference (or have to decide on a preference).

First, the next story in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward was released March 27.  "Lover Reborn" is Tohrment's story.  Personally, I have been waiting for this story.  For those who have not read these books, they are best read in order.  Each book focuses on a particular couples love story set in the overarching storyline of a war for vampire existence.  I really like the big story in these books-- Ward has developed a very unique version of the vampire world.  I guess that I am not alone in this as the books in this series are NY Times bestsellers.  The dialogue is particularly good in these books.  All the slang is great!  Really worth checking out just for that.  In general, this book seems well received by fans.

Typically, some fans of any series always complain that a series has become stale, flat, and used up, but really a series is meant to continue to serve up more of the prior successful formula.  If fans get tired, then it is time for them to move on.  In all of these series, the complaints are the same concerning this, and I for one am getting tired of people making those comments in otherwise positive reviews.

"Deadlocked" is book 12 in the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris, and it will be released May 1.  There are a lot of Sookie fans out there, so there is a lot of buzz about this book.  These books have gotten a lot of notoriety because of the hit show on HBO "True Blood."  There is already a waiting list at our library.  For me, the books differ significantly from the show.  Though I do like both.  But I think everyone is waiting to see what happens with Sookie and Eric in this next mystery.

The next installment in the Morganville Vampires series, "Black Dawn," will be released on May 1. "Black Dawn" is book 12 in the Morganville Vampires Series by Rachel Caine.  This is one of my favorite series.  The vampires are pretty traditional, but the take here is that they basically all live in a small college town in Texas.  LOL!  Okay, so I did go to college in Texas for awhile, so maybe this hits a particular chord with me.  But this series has great characters and is very plot driven with romance more on the side.  The humans in town have to tithe both cash and blood to the "protection" racket of a vampire sponsor.  These stories definitely need to be read in order.  Most books have cliffhangers from one book to the next.  Can't wait for this one!

"Dark Shadows" will be released on May 11.  Scream!  I can't believe it!  I loved this show, watching it as reruns as a kid.  With Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins directed by Tim Burton, of course, this one is a send up of the show.  A comedy set in the 1970s.  That is actually a relief.  Too much vamp stuff is too serious.  This is a must see for me.  Loved the show.  Love this cast.

"True Blood" (4th season) is released on DVD May 29.  For all those who missed the original airings.  Or those who want to watch in preparation for the next season.  We like to have themed DVD release parties.  Then watch casually from one episode to the next straight through nightly.

"Snow White and the Huntsman" is released June 1.  Okay, so this isn't a vampire movie.  But many vamp fans feel a connection to Kristin Stewart through "Twilight" (obviously).  And this movie looks dark and gothy to me.  It seems to have the promise of entertainment.

"Kiss The Dead" the new installment in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series is released on June 5.  Believe it or not, this is Book 21 for Anita.  This is the original paranormal romance/mystery series-- the genre maker.  I personally think this is still one of the best and a must read for every new addition to the stories.  Of course, again, you will hear many "fans" whine about the storyline changes, etc.  I think it is interesting how much Anita has evolved over the years, actually.  More than many characters do.  This is a must read!  And the Anita T-shirts sold on Laurell K. Hamilton's site are great-- check them out.

"True Blood" returns June 10 at 9 pm.  Okay.   Need I say more?

"Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter" released on June 22.  I am ashamed to admit that I haven't even read the book yet.  I'm going to have to get around to that right away.  Well. . .  after the next few books on my list.  And it is a "Lend Me" for the Nook, so if you know someone, you can get a free e-read of it.    


Okay, zombies are not Vampire News, but they are the undead, too.  And I'm still mourning the loss of "Walking Dead" in my Sunday night routine of mental prep for the week ahead.  I guess the scheduled return is (alas!) in September, but no date is set as of yet.

Easter Brunch, Tiki Style

It's always Tiki Time at Trader Vic's.  And they serve up a fabulous buffet brunch.  I'm speaking, of course, of the original Trader Vic's in Emeryville, CA where the Mai Tai was invented.  We love to go to Trader Vic's, and we have been going there for Easter for years.

We always start with drinks.  "I'll have 2 Mai Tais, the old way.  Please."

My daughter enjoyed the Strawberry Banana Slushy. 

And our friend enjoyed the Tropitini off the Easter Cocktail Menu.

 On to the food.  This year's menu--

The shell chandelier in the party room.  The chandelier is actually stunning.  This picture doesn't do it justice.

The carving station.

Pastries

Chocolate dipped strawberries

We had a lovely table in the bar area next to a window.  I think I prefer the bar area-- it is a bit more relaxing and you can hear the music better.  We enjoyed the view of the Marina and stayed all afternoon.  Last year, they gave everyone leis, and I missed them this year.  They were just the cheap plastic ones, but they were fun and part of the atmosphere since everyone was wearing one.  But what I really missed was the seafood bar.  Last year, they had smoked salmon with capers and cream cheese, sushi, shrimp cocktail and Ahi Poke with taro chips.  Why eliminate that?!  It was my favorite.  I ended up feeling too full this year with the elimination of the lighter fare options.  And how can you have a Tiki buffet with a seafood bar?!  To top it off, the price increased this year by $9 for adults.  I did enjoy myself this year, but I left feeling a bit saddened by the degradation of the experience.

Keep your eyes on the Trader Vic's site for their upcoming events.  They usually offer  buffet brunches for Mother's Day and Father's Day.  And they are starting to have live music on some Wednesdays and Saturdays.

 

 

Aloha!

Spa Week is Back!

And not a day too soon! No!  You say, "What is Spa Week?"  I have been participating in Spa Week for at least the last 5 years.  Spa Week is an annual event where the top spas in North America offer full-service treatments for just $50.  This Spring the dates for Spa Week are April 16 - 22.

I always take full advantage of Spa Week by booking several appointments.  There are participating spas in most major cities.  There are 15 participating spas in the San Francisco Bay Area.  You can get the full scoop at the official website--

My favorite spa in the Bay Area is Body By Melisa.  This spa is a special secret among East Bay women.  It is located at the top of Piedmont Avenue.  Here is a look at the cozy facilities:

Waiting Area (though, I don't ever really wait!)

Treatment room with the Far Infrared Sauna on the left

Treatment room over-looking Piedmont

The beautiful Melisa (though she does have other aestheticians working at the spa, too)

So. . . here are the secrets about this spa.  Spa Week is actually Spa Month!  That is, $50 treatments are offered for the entire month of April.  And there is another Spa Month in the Fall, too.  But here's the real secret:  she can take years off your face in just a few treatments!  Shhhh----  yes, it's true, and without invasive treatments or injections.  At least, that has been my experience and all of my friends, too.  It's truly a great birthday gift for the special girlfriend! 

How?!  Through SkinBella Particle-free Dermabrasions.  Her site says, "The Facial Rejuvenation is a multi-step method, cleansing and prepping the face, neck, and décolleté, with exfoliation and an specially selected enzyme mask and then the Dermosonic® rejuvenating ultrasound treatment. Dermosonic® programmed ultrasound enhances facial skin by directly stimulating new collagen and elastin production. Ultrasound also provides sonophoresis for deep penetration of the Oxygen Botanical™ products utilized in the Facial Rejuvenation, further enhancing their effectiveness."  You can learn more here.  And this fabulous treatment is only $50 this month!  Regularly, it is $135, which is still a bargain if you're in the market for more youthful skin.  Did I say the treatment concludes with a relaxing shoulder massage?  It does.  Beauty and Bliss.  What more?

Here's what's more. . . the spa also offers three other $50 treatments for Spa Month:  Body Scrub, Massage and Dermosonic Cellulite reduction.  I'm booked for the cellulite treatment next week.  And I can't wait.  I always feel so much slimmer and detoxed afterward.  It's a renewal of my commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

So the secret is out.  Don't wait to book, because appointments fill up fast during Spa Month.  If you call, expect to leave a message and be called back or book online here.

Go in bliss and beauty. . .

Sookie's Chicken Casserole

A Southern comfort food classic.  It does use Campbell's Cream of Chicken and Celery soups, but it doesn't taste like one of "those" recipes.

 
 This recipe is from The Sookie Stackhouse Companion by Charlaine Harris, published in August last year.  This book is a great reference for fans.  There is a new short story, a very cool map of Bon Temps, character references, and many of the recipes referred to in the book.  Lots of these recipes are Southern classics, but for some of us they may not be readily a part of our daily lives as others.  I decided to write about Sookie's casserole, because it is awesome.  And of course, I'm a huge fan so I made it straight away.  Then I tuned it up a bit.  And I have a few prep hints.  Here is the recipe as it appears.

2 cups cooked rice

Nonstick cooking spray

4 large cooked chicken breasts, boned and diced

8 oz. sour cream

1 can (103/4 oz.) cream of chicken soup

1 can (103/4 oz.) cream of celery soup

2 tsp. poppy seeds

1 roll butter crackers, crushed

1/2 stick margarine, melted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

Spread the rice on the bottom of a 9 x 13” casserole dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Combine the chicken, sour cream, soups, and poppy seeds, and mix well. Spread over the rice. Sprinkle the crushed crackers over the top and drizzle with the margarine. Bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Submitted by Beverly Battillo

And here's my version.

3 cups cooked rice

2 T. olive oil

1 small onion, diced

2 large celery stalks, diced

4 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts, diced

8 oz. sour cream

1 can (103/4 oz.) cream of chicken soup

1 can (103/4 oz.) cream of celery soup

1 roll butter crackers, crushed

1/2 stick margarine, melted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

Make the rice.  Grease 9 x 13” casserole with vegetable oil or butter.  Spread the rice on the bottom of the casserole. (I don't use spray oil on non-stick surfaces anymore.  It destroyed the surface of one of my All Clad non-stick pans, literally turned it into a super-stick pan.  Williams-Sonoma said that I voided my lifetime warranty on the pan by using spray oil on it.  Now I don't use it on pans or even my fine ceramics anymore.)

Heat olive oil in a heavy pan.  Lightly saute onion and celery for a few minutes.  Add diced chicken and saute until just barely done.  This will become a rather juicy saute as the meat releases juices.  Don't over cook the meat.  The chicken will become too dry, and the liquid adds extra flavor to the casserole.  Add the sour cream and soups and mix well. (I omitted the poppy seeds because I know people who prefer not to eat them.)  Pour/spread creamy mixture over the rice in casserole. Sprinkle the crushed crackers over the top and drizzle with the margarine. Bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

I used Ritz crackers.  The easiest way to crush them is to put the whole roll, still in their wax paper wrap in a plastic bag for extra protection, then pound lightly with a meat tenderizer mallet.  After that you can simply open the package and sprinkle over the casserole.  

I really think the addition of the vegetables is important.  And the meat juices released in the pan are great when mixed with the soups. 

I served it with a Caesar salad and white wine.  I love Caesars, but lots of steamed fresh veggies would be great, too.  And obviously, we are still enjoying that Bogle California Chardonnay.

Enjoy!

Super Yummy Salmon Patties Recipe

My family calls this recipe "Crabby Patties" after the much loved treat from "Sponge Bob;" although, this recipe contains no crab and is strictly salmon, it is a variation of a crab cakes recipe.  These are healthier, because they are baked not fried.  And I use leftovers from a large rail of baked salmon.

To bake the salmon, I choose a large cut with the skin on.  I rinse it and place it on a baking sheet lined with foil.  I squeeze half a lemon over it, then drizzle with oil.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Sprinkle with capers.  Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes.  My husband likes to tent it with another sheet of foil, which is poaching the salmon, but I like it baked without the top foil.  Remove the salmon from the skin to serve.  Great with rice and salad or a vegetable.  Save leftover meat for salmon patties.

So this recipe is really 2 nights meals; though my husband looks forward to the salmon patties so much that he makes sure to buy a big enough portion of meat that there are leftovers for the salmon patties meal.  I served this meal with saffron rice, white beans and steamed broccoli, but the patties are excellent with a Caesar salad for a brunch or light dinner.

Salmon Patties (Crabby Patties)

2 Tablespoons butter

1 Tablespoon olive oil

½ large onion, minced

2 beaten eggs

½ cup half and half

1 cup plain Progresso bread crumbs, plus extra for coating (about another cup)

about 2 cups cold flaked salmon (more or less, no need to measure)

¾ cup minced celery

½ teaspoon dry mustard

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

2 Tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon paprika

Melt butter in oil.  Sauté onions lightly, about 3 minutes. 

Beat eggs, and beat in half and half.  Stir in bread crumbs.  Break/flake cold salmon into large chunks with fingers and add to egg bread crumb mixture.  Add the celery, mustard, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and paprika with onions. Stir to combine, but do not mix to the point of breaking up the salmon too much.

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm.

Preheat oven to 350º.

Shape into patties approximately 2 to 3 inches in diameter.  Pour about 1 cup of the Progresso bread crumbs into a shallow dish and coat patties in crumbs.  Place on a baking sheet. (They don't need to be placed too far apart, as they won't rise like cookies do.)  Bake for 15 – 20 minutes, then turn and bake for another 15-20 minutes to brown each side to a light crisp.

Serve with saffron rice and salad.

Enjoy!

Atomic Pork Chops Recipe

Here's another one for all you fans of the atomic age.  Too much of the food back then was made with a can of Campbell's Cream of . . .  I'm just not a big fan of that style of cooking.  Though I will admit that I made the Sookie's casserole recipe from the recent installment, The Sookie Stackhouse Companion.  We all loved it.  Classic southern comfort food.

I digress, back to the recipe at hand.  These pork chops were a Sunday favorite dinner, growing up with June (well, really Rae) in the 1970s with my Malibu Barbie.  My mom was married in 1955, but she kinda waited until the last minute to have her kids-- a woman ahead of her time.  This is a one dish meal with rice and mandarin oranges cooking in the same dish as the pork chops.  The tart sweet little oranges are great with the chops.  I like to accompany with a salad.  This salad is simple: spring greens, celery, apples, with a light vinaigrette topped with blue cheese crumbles.

My mom always prepared the entire meal on the counter-top in her electric skillet.  I like to do it in two steps: prepare on the stove in my large All-Clad Saute pan and finish by baking in the oven in my Emile Henry rectangular baker covered with foil.  I love the Emile Henry ceramic pieces.  They are pretty enough to bring to a party as serveware and the glaze cleans up like a fine non-stick surface.

Without further ado---

Atomic Pork Chops

Pork chops (I like the boneless thick cuts for this recipe.)

¾ cup Flour

salt

pepper

garlic powder

olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 large cans mandarin oranges

1 can chicken broth

½ teaspoon ginger

¼ cup + white wine

1 teaspoon salt

pepper to taste

Rice (1 ¾ cups)

Rinse chops and pat dry.  Mix flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in shallow bowl.  Dredge chops.  Coat bottom of large pan with oil.  Brown chops.  Remove chops to large oven proof roasting pan with lid.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Add onions to pan and sauté.  Drain oranges, reserving juice.  Set slices aside.  Combine reserved juice, broth, ginger, wine, salt and pepper.  Add to pan and deglaze.  Add rice (enough that it is half of the juice mixture).  Bring to boiling.  Mix in orange slices.  Add to roasting pan with chops: pour over the chops and spread the rice evenly with liquid for proper plumping.  Bake in oven 45 minutes.  Serve with salad.

A nice glass of white wine is great with this dish.  And there is plenty left of that bottle after you add a little to the recipe.  The wine is not really noticeable; it just adds some complexity to the flavor.  So we've been enjoying Bogle Chardonnay recently.  It's a great bottle of wine in the $10 range-- and often cheaper on sale right now at Safeway.

 Cheers!

Girl Scout Cookies

It's Girl Scout cookie season!  Yes, Girl Scout cookies have a season, and we are at the mid-point.  Sales officially began February 13 and will end on March 18.  So stock up on your favorites now.  Cookies freeze well.  Some people even prefer them frozen!

The money earned from cookie sales is split between the girls' troupe and the administrative council.  Here in Northern California, our council is working to protect our campgrounds with a long term conservation easement.  Girl Scouts have always been ahead of the game in the environmental protection and conservation front.  And Girl Scouts are all inclusive.  They do not discriminate socially or economically, providing financial assistance to those in need.  So support your favorite Girl Scout by eating those yummy cookies!

We don't have an office or local extended family to sell to, so we are peddling cookies out of our wagon on the CAL Berkeley campus.  This picture with "State of Mind" in the background is apropos.  Walking down infamous Telegraph Ave calling out, "Giiiirrl Scout Cooookiiees!" is more Mad Magazine than Norman Rockwell in the mix of serious students, jocks, tie dyes, addicts, and homeless.

This is the 100th year of Girl Scouting!  Celebrate with us!  Hit the cookie trail!