Author Archives: Sarah Goode

Song of the Day: Frank Ocean “Sweet Life”

July 27, 2012 By in Song of the Day Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

I am sooo excited to announce I will be opening for a Grammy Award winning R&B artist, September 29th, at the House of Blues in Dallas, TX! Unfortunately I won’t be able to reveal who the artist is until Monday. So in lieu of  my big announcement I wanted to highlight one of my current R&B favorites for today’s Song of the Day, Frank Ocean.

I was instantly hooked to Ocean’s sound after hearing the ethereal hit Thinking About You [check out my cover here]. Aside from his buttery [yes I just said that] vocals, his melodies and visual lyrics are all the reasons why I love R&B music. His debut studio release, channel ORANGE, has been on rotation in my earbuds all week. So take a listen [or 10] and have a fabulous weekend!

For those of you in the DFW area come hang out with me at the GoodBAMMSho official launch party at the Live Oak Musical Hall and Lounge in Ft. Worth.

Happy Listening!

Sweet Life:

Image Source: The Telegraph

Basil Fruit Tarts with Creamy Yogurt

July 22, 2012 By in Recipe Experimentation Tags: , , , , , , 1 Comment

For most of my life I’ve loved summer. What’s not to like? Long days, ice cream, warm nights on the lake, fresh fruit, swimming pools….then I moved to Texas. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Lone Star State, but damn it’s hot. Thank god this summer hasn’t been remotely as excruciating as the last, in fact, it’s reminded me of all the reasons I love summer.

Basil is one of my favorite herbs to grow. It’s super easy and produces an abundance of fresh basil the entire spring and summer season. So  when the heat started to pick up I wanted to put some of the beautiful leaves to use before the sun burned them all up. Oh and lets not forgot all of the amazing fresh fruit on hand!

I made two versions of the tarts, one with yogurt and one without, but for the sake of this post I’m sticking with the yogurt tarts…delish!

Ingredients

Simple Syrup

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp fresh lime juice
  • 1 sprig basil (5-6 leaves)

Tarts

  • 8 tart shells
  • 1/2 cup light n’ fit vanilla yogurt
  • 1/2 cup blackberries
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 1/2 cup kiwi, quartered
  • 1/2 cup strawberries, quartered
  • 16 small basil leaves for garnish

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small saucepan heat the water and sugar over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in the lime juice and basil. Let the simple syrup rest until cooled and the basil has infused into the liquid. Strain into a small bowl and set aside.

Pierce the tart shells with a fork on the bottom and sides of the tart shells to prevent puckering. Bake until lightly golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool.

Remove the shells from the tins and spoon one tablespoon of yogurt into each shell. Fill with the fruit and drizzle with the simple syrup. Top with two sprigs of basil.

**Side note: you could also mix all of the fruit together in a large bowl with the simple syrup then fill the tart shells.

Bon Appetit!

Song of the Day: Hooray for Earth “True Loves”

July 20, 2012 By in Song of the Day Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

Happy Friday everyone! Sadly I have to give the cliche apology for not posting any food blogs in a while…things have been crazy, but definitely in a good way. I have a lot of exciting things happening musically that I can’t wait to share with you guys. I’m currently in the studio with Goode Vibes Music writing, making music and getting ready for a HUGE gig in September [details to come]. I promise though…a simple, delicious, and semi-healthyish tart recipe is in my future this weekend.

Today’s song of the day isn’t a new song, but I love it, so I thought I would post it for your listening enjoyment this beautiful Friday afternoon. It’s big, complex, moving and has that unique sound you can only find coming out of NYC.

Happy listening!

True Loves: 

Image Source: BeatCrave

Sofar Sounds, Songs from a Room: My New Favorite Way to Watch a Show [Review]

July 17, 2012 By in Concert Reviews Tags: , , , , , , , 7 Comments

Check out my latest review for GoodBAMMSho!

Ahhh the living room. Whether it’s a tiny apartment in NYC or a mini mansion with a 100 inch TV, I would make the assumption that the majority of people spend the better part of their relaxation camped out in the confines of their living room. From movie night to dinner time it’s one of my favorite places to be, so why not invite some of the best local talent to join you.

Sofar Sounds, Songs From a Room, brings secret “pop-up” gigs into the homes of people all over the world. It’s hush hush. So secretive in fact, you don’t even know who’s playing until you walk through the door. This past Saturday I was fortunate to land on the guest list and attend Sofar’s latest event in the small music hub of Denton, TX.

A long stream of cars lined the quiet suburban street with musicians and music lovers filing in with excitement lingering on their faces. When I approached the house my social anxiety started to creep up but was swiftly knocked down by the cordial smiles and friendliness of the Sofar staff. Buckets of ice were waiting by the door for guests to chill their beverages and the regulars were quickly spotted holding their decorative cushions to mask the hard wood floors. This was already one of the coolest things I’ve done in a while.

On the bill for the night’s show were 4 talented acts from Austin, Denton and yes, Portsmouth, UK. First up, UK artist Tom Bertram.

Flanked in some pretty awesome purple socks and a thick British accent, Tom Bertram had the most unbeatable intro of the night.

“Our first performer is a singer songwriter from Portsmouth. He’s performed alongside Noel Gallagher and yes, he’s even performed for the Queen.”

Come to find out he also played for a few Twilight premieres across the pond (cue the swooning of hundreds of teenage girls everywhere). Tom only played a few songs before taking over the duties of MC for the rest of the night and I must say, he did a phenomenal job.

Opening with his first worldwide single, She’s Like a Drug, he immediately reminded me of a young Pete Yorn with his soulful tone and love stricken songs. Ending with his unreleased single You Give me Love, Tom showed off some serious talent and charisma that kept everyone charmed throughout the evening.

Tiny toy pianos, a banjo, stand-up base, accordions, and a lot of creativity came with the next group…Austin based  quartet trio, Haun’s Mill. Husband and wife duo Nord Anderson and Eliza Wren and bassist Courtney Jackson filled the room with their unique musical style that blended a bit of Indie, Folk, Country and yes, “Spaghetti Western” as the band likes to call it.

Eliza’s delicate voice whispered beautifully within tunes that seemed to come from another era. No amps, no speakers and did I mention a mini toy piano?? I was completely transfixed by the instrument of my childhood while Eliza played next to Nord’s soulful voice and Courtney’s bellowing plucks. Brilliant.

Ryan Thomas Becker and Last Joke was definitely my favorite band of the night. The musical foursome had a vibe that was 100% passionate and completely entertaining.

The group’s chemistry was solid throughout the set, trading off bluesy licks with an original Denton feel. The University of North Texas continues to churn out some of the DFW area’s finest local musicians in this small town music hub. With musicians like Ryan Thomas Becker and his friends it definitely won’t stay a hidden gem for long.

One of my favorite tunes from the “Six Songs Written for Our Friends” EP was The Train. Melancholy, raw and emotional, Ryan and the boys left everything out on the living room floor with this performance. The vocals were powerful and the melody flowed perfectly into each string and beat of the drum. Loved it! Not to mention, apparently the Last Joke have “the greatest Tumblr blog ever”….so I guess you better check it out HERE!

Sofar did a great job bringing together 4 unique bands to one room. Each sound meshed perfectly together, making for a pretty cool way to spend a Saturday night.

The Backwater Opera is definitely one of the quirkiest groups I’ve seen live. With their playful banter and curious musical inspirations, “this is a song about a sandwich”, the group closed out the show with infectious grooves comprised of bluegrass and classical music.

Besides the fact that the group was funny and engaging, these guys and gals were some kick ass musicians. Playing a hand full of instrumentals this group really showcases the amazing talent this small town has to offer. Marisa Korth had an insane tonality that showcased her bluegrass roots next to Robert Sherwood and Carlo Canlas’ harmonies. Crazy talented and an overall fun group to see.

Thanks Sofar Sounds for spoiling me into thinking I need to see every band now in the comfort of my own living room. Check out their website and get on the waiting list, the experience is an absolute must!

Until the next show! Happy Listening!

Song of the Day: Ellie Goulding “Hanging On”

July 13, 2012 By in Song of the Day Tags: , , , , , , , 1 Comment

It’s crazy to think it was just two years ago when I first wrote about British songstress Ellie Goulding. Ever since then I’ve been completely captivated by her unique vocals and refreshing sound. Lights is just now making the radio circuit in the US, two years after it’s release, but Ellie is already on to new music and a new album.

Ellie’s follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut is definitely heading in a new direction with her cover of Active Child’s track, Hanging On. “Here’s the beginning of my new journey. Enjoy and share responsibly,” Ellie wrote on her Facebook account Tuesday.

At first I wasn’t 100% sold on Tinie Tempah’s rhyme on the track but I’m loving Ellie’s pain stricken vibe throughout the entire song.  Love it, love Ellie, and I’m definitely ready for some new music!! Keep it coming!

Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments field below.

Hanging On (ft. Tinie Tempah):

 

Song of the Day: Grizzly Bear “Sleeping Ute”

July 6, 2012 By in Song of the Day Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

Ahhh the boys are back. Grizzly Bear recently released the first track off their follow-up to  the 2009 critically acclaimed album, Veckatimest. The currently untitled record is set for a September 18th release on Warp Records, followed by an international tour.

In typical Grizzly Bear style the track meshes together hard hitting drum beats, Daniel Rossen’s signature guitar playing, and the always dynamic vocals that lace perfectly in-between the multiple layers of music. I can’t wait for the new album. Now if they’ll just add a Dallas date to their tour I’ll be set!

I hope everyone made it through the mid-week 4th of July festivities. Check out the new track and have a great weekend!

Sleeping Ute:

Image Source: Sickest Addictions

Creamy Orecchiette with Herbs & Shrimp

July 5, 2012 By in Recipe Experimentation Tags: , , , , , , 2 Comments

I’ve been on a major salad kick the last few weeks and have been trying to avoid my true loves, Mexican food and pasta. All the leafy greens and chicken have got the job done but the pasta craving hit me pretty hard the other night. Like all “master dieters” will say, instead of fighting the craving I decided to give in and opt for a guilt free, summery pasta to quench my carb craving.

I adapted the recipe from Cooking Light’s Orecchiette with Peas, Shrimp, and Buttermilk-Herb Dressing with just a few minor changes. It wouldn’t be dinner in my house if we didn’t eat past 9pm so needless to say I was starving by the time the pasta was done. I ate it hot (which was delicious) but I would definitely suggest letting the pasta cool (for 20-30 minutes) or refrigerate overnight. The flavors the next day were even better then the night before.

Ingredients

Serves 4

  • 8 ounces uncooked orecchiette pasta
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt, divided
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 8oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 1/2 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced radishes
  • 1 cup frozen green peas
  • 1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup fat-free buttermilk
  • 3 tbsp minced fresh chives
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
  • 1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp ground red pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. While the pasta cooks heat the olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium high heat. Saute the onions until tender; add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Stir in the mushrooms and cook until tender.

Add the shrimp and saute until mostly cooked through and translucent, around 2-3 minutes on each side. Add the green peas and radishes, saute until heated through. Remove from the heat and stir in the pasta. Use a splash of the starchy pasta water to scrape up any brown bits from the pan. Set aside.

Combine mayonnaise and remaining ingredients, including the remaining 1/2 tsp salt, in a small bowl; stir well with a whisk. Pour over the pasta and toss until nicely coated. Enjoy hot or refrigerate overnight for a tasty pasta salad lunch.

Bon Appetit!

Song of the Day: Kimbra “Settle Down” + Bonus Track

June 29, 2012 By in Song of the Day Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Alright I’m officially ashamed. Yes, probably the biggest song of the summer, Gotye’s Somebody that I Used to Know, has been out for quite some time, but I just recently took the time to research the female vocalist on the track. Much to my pleasant surprise the artist singing through my headphones is an uber talented vocalist, songwriter and completely captivating to watch onscreen.

The New Zealand native has been writing music since she was a kid (literally) and recently released her debut album in the states this May. Her first single off Vows was written when Kimbra was just 16 years old. Featuring unique layers of vocal harmonies and catchy drum beats Settle Down, better yet, Vows is a refreshingly different and completely fun album. The most impressive thing about Settle Down is watching her perform it live [check out the video below]. Needless to say I’m completely captivated, blown-away and have been listening to her music non-stop ever since.

Check out two of my favorite tracks off the album, Settle Down and Cameo Lover, and quickly run to get the rest of her music. She’s currently touring the US and will be landing in Texas with Gotye in the fall so check her out if she comes to your town.

Settle Down:

Cameo Lover:

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Chicken

June 28, 2012 By in Recipe Experimentation Tags: , , , , 2 Comments

My obsession with red bell peppers continue. The hubby was craving something peppery and full of Mexican flavor tonight so I thought why not whip up some delicious stuffed peppers. I found a recipe on Buns in My Oven [super cute blog name by the way] that looked might tasty so I thought I would try my own spin on it.

So here you are, stuffed RED bell peppers with chicken, cheese and well, a whole bunch of other yummy stuff!

Serves 8

Ingredients

  • 1 can fresh corn kernels, rinsed and drained
  • 2 rotisserie chicken breasts, no skin, shredded
  • 4oz reduced fat cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup light sour cream
  • 1 tsp fresh lime juice
  • 1 tbsp jalapeno, diced
  • 2 tbsp green onion, chopped
  • small can diced green chiles
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chile powder
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp  cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 cup shredded jalapeno jack cheese, divided
  • 4 large red bell peppers, halved and seeds removed
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix the corn and the next 12 ingredients, through the black pepper, in a large bowl.

Add 1/4 of the cheese and mix together until well combined.

Spoon the mixture into the bell peppers and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

Top with the panko bread crumbs and bake for 30-35 minutes until the filling is heated through and the peppers are tender.

I served them with some yummy black beans. Just heat a sauce pan with 1 tsp of oil and saute 1 tbsp of chopped jalapeno pepper, 1 tbsp chopped green onion and 1 minced garlic clove until tender. Add 1 can of low sodium black beans [rinsed and drained] and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Stir in a dash of cumin, salt, and chile powder and cook until liquid is mostly reduced. Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly.

Serve this up with some spicy salsa and guacamole for a complete Mexican dish.

Bon Appetit!

Chicken Roll-Ups with Sundried Tomatoes, Basil & Goat Cheese

June 26, 2012 By in Recipe Experimentation Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
  • 1 tsp kosher salt, divided
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 3 tbsp goat cheese
  • 4 sundried tomatoes, divded
  • 8 large basil leaves, torn
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Sauce

  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large shallot, minced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme, minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • salt and pepper

To prepare the chicken assemble the salt and pepper, goat cheese, tomatoes, basil and lemon zest in an assembly line.

Starting with one chicken breast at at time sprinkle with salt and pepper and dot with 2 tsp of goat cheese.

Top with one tomato, diced.

Two large basil leaves (torn).

And finish off with a few sprinkles of lemon zest.

Tightly roll the chicken and wrap with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour.

To prepare the sauce heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large dutch oven.

Sear the chicken on both sides until nice and golden brown.

**Tip: if the chicken is sticking to the pan it’s not ready to be turned. Remove the chicken from the pan and cover with foil. Set aside.

Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and saute the shallots until tender.

Add the garlic and thyme and saute until fragrant. Add the white wine and slightly reduce, stir in the chicken broth.

Whisk together the flour and lemon juice and add to the pan. Bring to a boil and simmer on medium low until the sauce has reduced and is slightly thickened. Add the chicken back to the pan and cook, covered, for 7-8 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

Remove the chicken from the pan and slice. Melt the butter and season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle over the chicken.

I served the chicken with a mixed green salad with goat cheese, raspberries, sundried tomatoes, walnuts and lite balsamic vinaigrette.

Bon Appetit!