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Read the rest of the review on GoodBAMMSho!

Posted in Recipe Experimentation, Snackin' with Sarah Sellers

Tagged food, recipes, American Idol, Lyndsey Parker, Reality Rocks, California Cuisine, Avocado, Tortilla Roll-Ups

Sarah Jaffe Enchants at Hometown Gig in Dallas [Review]

Posted on May 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

When most people were camped out on a patio filled with tortilla chips and margaritas, I was anxiously awaiting Denton singer/songwriter Sarah Jaffe to take the stage at the Granada Theater in Dallas. Personally, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend Cinco de Mayo then with the talented North Texas native.

Sarah brought two local artists along for the ride starting with electro pop group Zhora. Unfortunately I was finishing up my Cinco de Mayo celebration and didn’t make it out for the set but after listening to some tunes online, it sounds like it was a good show!

I did make it out to see John Singer Sergeant, aka John Dufilho, and must say my initial reaction was…confused. I’m not familiar with the Dallas born musician and was excited when the curtain raised to a full band, full sound, and what I was hoping to be a captivating live show. I did some minor research over my Mexican Martini earlier and read nothing but stellar reviews about Mr. Dufilho’s new musical escapade.

Posted in Concert Reviews, Music to My Soul

Tagged GoodBammSho, Granada Theater, Indie, John Singer Sergeant, music, Pop, Review, Sarah Jaffe, Zhora

Everything but the Kitchen Sink Stir-Fry

Posted on May 6, 2012 | 2 Comments

I am terrible about reusing left over ingredients. I usually run by the store on my way home from work, mistake number one, so I don’t have a chance to glance over what I’ve got sitting in my fridge. So inevitably I end up throwing away loads of produce every month. I would hate to see what that equals out to monetarily.

So after last week’s Fish and Chips Redux I challenged myself to utilize what I already had in the fridge. With a ton of veggies left over from a few other recipes I thought a stir-fry would be the perfect choice. Hence, the name, Everything but the Kitchen Sink. I literally grabbed everything I had, chopped it up and threw it in a wok.

I wasn’t planning on documenting this recipe so the measurements and photos are a bit sparse. The point is, you can take whatever you have leftover and make a perfectly easy and healthy week night meal.

Posted in Recipe Experimentation

Tagged Asian Chicken Stir-Fry, food, Healthy Recipes, Quick and Easy Recipes, recipes, Veggie Stir Fry

Cinco de Mayo: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted on May 5, 2012 | 2 Comments

For all you history buffs out there Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the “The Day of the Battle of Puebla” and an opportunity to celebrate the pride and freedom of the Hispanic population. Contrary to popular belief it is not Mexico’s Independence Day which is actually celebrated in September. [Thank you Wikipedia for those nuggets of information.]

For me, Cinco de Mayo means a day to celebrate two of my favorite things, Mexican Food and Margaritas, or for anyone…another excuse to spend Saturday afternoon drinking the day away on your favorite patio.

So for today’s post I thought I’d break down what makes Mexican food so amazing. Let’s get to it. Continue reading →

Posted in Heaven to My Taste buds

Tagged Best Mexican Food, Cinco de Mayo, Dallas, food, mexican food, recipes

Song of the Day: Sarah Jaffe “Glorified High”

Posted on May 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

TGIF everyone! Another Friday has arrived and another busy weekend ahead. I’m super stoked to see Sarah Jaffe’s headlining show at the Granada Theater tomorrow night. I’m a new fan of Sarah and have been listening to her second studio album, The Body Wins, nonstop since it’s release last week. I’ll be reviewing the show for GoodBAMMSho so look out for a full report early next week.

The Texas native’s calming vocals blend beautifully with haunting piano licks and perfectly placed orchestral melodies. Not to mention she’s a phenomenal songwriter. The Body Wins is simply, refreshing.

I’ve completely fallen in love with the female voice again with all of the fantastic vocalists on the scene lately. As a singer growing up around big voices it’s easy to get locked into the typical “pop” sound with soaring high notes and exaggerated vocal runs. Artist like Sarah Jaffe tap into the simplicity of the female voice, the beautify of those warm tones so many singers forget to tap into (myself included). I’m inspired!

Check out her current single Glorified High below and have a fantastic weekend!

Glorified High:

Photo Source: Music is Amazing

Posted in Song of the Day

Tagged Glorified High, Indie Music, music, Sarah Jaffe, Song of the Day, The Body Wins

Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers: Fish Bites with French Fries & Summer Slaw

Posted on May 3, 2012 | 3 Comments

Last night was 60′s/Britpop night for the remaining 5 contestants on American Idol so I decided to cook up a hodgepodge of traditional pub grub (think Bangers and Mash and Shepards Pie), for Lyndsey Parker’s Reality Rocks blog. I’m keeping the English theme going for tonight’s recipe with a take on (in my opinion) the most popular dish to come from across the pond.

One of the fondest memories of my trip to England when I was a kid was sitting on a park bench with a grease soaked newspaper, filled with crispy cod and beautifully fried chips (french fries to us here in the states). That moment I now blame for my obsession with deep fried potatoes, flaky white fish and tangy fried fish dips – i.e. tartar sauce, malt vinegar and of course, cocktail sauce.

So tonight, I’m busting out the Canola Oil and filling up the dutch oven. Time to fry some sh**!!

Check out tonight’s recipe on Yahoo! Music’s Reality Rocks HERE!

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Recipe Experimentation, Snackin' with Sarah Sellers

Tagged American Idol, British Food, Fish and Chips, food, Lyndsey Parker, Reality Rocks, recipes, Summer Slaw

Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers: Bangers and Mash Mini Pies

Posted on May 2, 2012 | 4 Comments

First things first, I GOT A NEW CAMERA!!!! Now does this mean I know how to operate said camera, not really. It means me and a few glasses of Pinot are going to tackle the inch thick manual this weekend. It’s a gorgeous Canon T3i Rebel with a Speedlite flash and zoom lens. I’ve been using my mom’s Nikon which is WAY more technical but I was just starting to understand some of the main settings. So bare with me on the photos, I’ll get the hang of it pretty soon [fingers crossed]!

This week on Idol the remaining 5 contestants are tackling British tunes so I’m sticking to some traditional English fare for Lyndsey Parker’s Reality Rocks Blog post. Tonight’s recipe is a bit more time consuming then a normal snack, but I promise you your taste buds will thank you.

Check out tonight’s recipe feature on Yahoo! Music HERE!

→ 4 Comments

Posted in Recipe Experimentation, Snackin' with Sarah Sellers

Tagged American Idol, Bangers and Mash, food, Lyndsey Parker, Mini Pies, recipes, Shepards Pie

Song of the Day: 2:54 “You’re Early”

Posted on April 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

London based siblings Colette and Hannah Thurlow make up the dark and dreamy 2:54. It’s hard to turn on Sirius XMU without hearing their latest single “You’re Early” and I’m definitely not complaining. I’m not usually drawn to dreary chick rock but this is different. It has an allure, an edge that keeps you drawn into every drum roll and guitar lick. Colette’s vocals are pretty enticing as well.

Check out another tune, Got a Hold, on Fader and look out for their debut album to hit stores next month.

You’re Early:

What’s everyone up to this weekend??

Photo source: NME

Posted in Song of the Day

Tagged 2:54, Indie Rock, music, Song of the Day, You're Early

Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers: Herbed Goat Cheese and Prosciutto Wrapped Grissini’s

Posted on April 26, 2012 | 2 Comments

Last night the final 6 Idols sang songs from the legendary band Queen, plus a tune of their choice. Since Freddie Mercury was quite the fan of Indian food, I kicked off last night’s performance round with some Spicy Indian Kebabs with a Masala Dipping Sauce. Tonight, a rich appetizer and bubbling toast to the legendary rock band.

For tonight’s recipe I reached out to one of the best cooks I know, my best friend. Back in college, whether it was a late night post “studying” snack or mid morning breakfast, she knew how to hook a roommate up. So here’s to Melanie and her inspired appetizer dish!

Check out tonight’s recipe, featured on Yahoo! Music’s Reality Rocks blog, HERE!

Posted in Recipe Experimentation, Snackin' with Sarah Sellers

Tagged American Idol, Champagne, food, Goat Cheese, Lyndsey Parker, Prosciutto Grissini's, Reality Rocks, recipes, Yahoo! Music

Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers: Indian Spiced Kebabs in a Spicy Masala Sauce

Posted on April 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

The top 6 are performing on American Idol so in honor of tonight’s theme I’ve cooked a “Queen” inspired dish for Yahoo! Music editor Lyndsey Parker and her Reality Rocks blog. Apparently the British front-man, Freddie Mercury, loved Indian cuisine so I came up with a spicy and delicious snack in his honor!

One of my favorite Indian (some argue it’s more English) dishes is Chicken Tikka Masala. Cooks Illustrated has an amazing recipe for the popular entree so I’ve used a version of their Masala sauce as the foundation for my dish. The rub for the chicken turned out way better then I expected. I have a multitude of Indian spices tucked away in my spice drawer so I thought, what the hell, I’ll let my nose guide me…and it worked!

Word to the wise, if you don’t remove the seeds from the Serrano it is VERY spicy, but if you’re in to burning your face off like I am, I would leave them in.

Check out tonight’s recipe on Reality Rocks HERE!