Items of note

Here are some things you might find interesting. I did.

*If you missed Grey’s Anatomy last night (as I did because I was at yoga finding my nirvana) you can watch it on ABC.com. If you have a laptop you can take a bubble bath and watch it at the same time.

* For a counterpoint to Al Gore, this is a compelling documentary of a group of scientists (fancy that!) with an interesting take on the global warming issue. Despite the use of facts and graphs I did not find it boring at all. I have studied this stuff and even taught an environmental science course (which is kind of like Al Gore teaching a global warming course when you think about it) and I must say I am more convinced by the scientists.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4520665474899458831&q=BBC+Global+Warming

*While working at your computer you can listen to the most wonderful streaming music http://www.kcdx.com/ is Rock and Roll, nonstop and it streams right to your computer. Bookmark this spot.

*My (second) favorite columnist is back! Camille Paglia is once again writing for Salon.com on the second Tuesday of each month. Her razor intellect, wit and Teflon coating make her the best reading this side of Doug MacEachern!

* For a compelling novelization of the horrific experiences of the Lost Boys of Sudan as seen through the eyes of Valentino Achak Deng, read Dave Egger’s “What is the What”. I could not put it down. Eggers himself has an interesting story and is the editor of the Best American NonRequired Reading. Wiki them for more info.

* Here is a perfect recipe for a rainy spring dinner. It uses my favorite all time small kitchen appliance: the stick blender with food processor attachment. If you don’t have one it is worth putting on your birthday present list; better than perfume, as the aroma of the cooking food is the best perfume you could want.

Asian Split Pea Soup

1 cup dried split peas
4 cups water
½ tsp salt
Combine and cook over medium heat or in a pressure cooker until the peas are tender.

Meanwhile, in a food processor combine:

1 onion, chopped
4 large cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp dried red chile flakes
1 T coriander seeds, ground
2 tsp cumin seed, ground
½ tsp ground tumeric
¼ cup fish sauce
2 tsp light brown sugar

In the bottom of a heavy bottom soup pot heat 2 T oil until very hot. Add the above mixture and cook until the color deepens and it becomes very aromatic, about 8 minutes.

Add: 4 cups chicken broth.

Cook about 20 minutes at a slow simmer. Add the cooked peas and continue to cook for several more minutes.

Puree with an immersible blender or in batches in a regular blender.

Serve topped with a dollop of plain yogurt, chopped cilantro, mint and cucumber.

Makes 4 servings.