I thought I would change the pace this week to keep things interesting.

Believe it or not, I do not spend all of my time in the kitchen!  Admittedly, I do spend a lot of time on my computer and other devices trying to stay on top of the restaurant scene, food trends, recipes and lots of non-food related things I find interesting!

I thought I would dedicate this post to some articles I have read, places I’ve visited, and even a product or two that I use (no, this is not a lifestyle blog and I am not getting paid to promote anything) to see if any of it inspires you as it inspires me.  Let me know what you think of posts like this. I have had fun putting it together.  I could envision doing a post like this every few months.  So grab a cup of your favorite beverage and link along with me…

∼

Remember I mentioned the sweet grain, Sorghum in my post Dinner with Chef Matthew Gaudet?  Much to my surprise, I found some at a local market (you can also buy it here).  Recently, The Boston Globe published a recipe for a Sorghum Pilaf with Shitakes that I made this week.  I served it as a side dish for some pork chops and while I don’t think it was technically a pilaf, it was delicious.  Sorghum is gluten free and it has a mildly sweet flavor so I am looking forward to experimenting with it in the kitchen.  I am thinking about using it to make a Greek inspired grain salad with feta, tomatoes, olives and a lemony vinaigrette.

A relatively big thing happened in the local restaurant industry last weekend when a chef whose restaurant was just nominated for a James Beard Foundation award as best new restaurant, “insta’d” a picture of two female patrons that he said had barged their way into seats at the bar, treated his staff horribly, and threatened to give them a bad review on Yelp.  I follow this chef on Twitter and saw it unfolding.  Chaos ensued, lots of comments were offered, many in support of the chef’s actions.  Yet, Instagram took down the picture.  I did not agree with the chef’s approach and the restaurant, high on my list to get to, may never be reviewed here on The Kitchen Scout as a result.  Evidently, Devra First, the Boston Globe restaurant critic was in my camp.

Have you ever heard of Hamantaschen’s?  They are a cookie served during the Jewish holiday of Purim which is approaching.  This recipe looks delicious and I am going to try them soon.

Ok, enough about food.

Are you a fan of Downton Abbey?  Were you shocked that last week was the finale of Season 5?  I wish there were at least two more episodes to get us through the bulk of the winter!  In case you hadn’t heard, Maggie Smith (is she everyone’s favorite?) announced that next season will be her last, although nobody seems sure the series will extend beyond that.  Julian Fellowes is developing a new series for NBC called The Gilded Age that we’ll all hopefully be equally addicted to if Downton ends.  In the meanwhile, this is a fun You Tube of  “Sh!t the Dowager Says”.

Speaking of Downton, do you read this column?  It provides a quippy recap of each new episode as it airs.  And here’s a related book that is on my list to read, in the summer on a beach.  Clever title.

Right now, I am reading this for my book group which is historical fiction about that time when Thoreau accidentally set 300 acres of Concord’s woods on fire.  Yes, that Thoreau.  I am also reading this for a luncheon I am attending in town next week where the author is speaking. It’s a quick read and a wonderful story of humanity.

Would you say you are a neat and tidy person or is there room for improvement?  I am definitely in the latter camp.  Marie Kondo and her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up has taken the publishing world by firestorm and I need to read it ASAP.  Her last name is being used as a verb (I “kondo’d my bathroom drawers) so clearly she has arrived.

A female psychiatrist thoughtfully writes about Medicating Women’s Feelings in the New York Times.

Want some tips on how to reduce food waste in your home?  Read this for some ideas.

Have a few minutes?  This is a series of interviews that Vogue has put together with well known celebs.  The subject of the interview is asked 73 questions in rapid fire.  Some are better than others.  I particularly love the first interview with SJP.

Rob Lowe was not one of the celebrities interviewed, but here is proof that he doesn’t age here.

Last weekend, I saw this woman in concert at Symphony Hall.  Her voice is astounding and it seemed to leave her body so effortlessly.  She and her husband are costarring in a show at the Williamstown Theater Festival this summer, and she will recreate her Broadway role as Billie Holiday in an HBO special.  I can’t wait.

Speaking of Broadway, my husband and I recently saw Fish in the Dark, Larry David’s new show while it was still in previews. We wanted to laugh out loud and we definitely did.  While in NYC, we also took in the 9/11 Memorial Museum which was incredibly moving.  One of the victims was a year ahead of me in college and was a friend, although I hadn’t seen him since he graduated.  At the end of the tour, there is an opportunity to learn about all the survivors whose families provided the museum with photographs and audio stories.  It was very powerful and I got to see my friend’s story.  Rest in peace, Frank Doyle.  We also visited this museum which is great if you are short on time.  We really enjoyed the exhibit Lincoln Speaks which runs through June 7.  And of course, we had some wonderful meals including here and here.  I highly recommend them both!

On the topic of museums, a horrific act in Iraq.

and just for fun…

I LOVE this Shampoo from Beautycounter.  It smells like grapefruit and is toxin free!

These boots got me through this snowy winter looking reasonably fashionable.

∼

So, what do you think of this type of post on occasion?  Please let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading!   Until next week…

One Year Ago:  Apricot Chicken