Simmered Soul

06/08/2018

I remember reading “Kitchen Confidential” in one sitting. I used to save episodes of “Parts Unknown” for nights I was riddled with insomnia. Somehow, Anthony Bourdain’s signature voiceovers and boundless sense of adventure made me feel less isolated in the middle of all of those pointless night shifts alone. The advice he took willingly from his dad, “Don’t be a snob”, is advice that just about anyone in the culinary world could benefit from. Be real, speak the truth, and listen more than you talk. The power food has to connect us all is limitless. I just wish he believed it as much as he taught it to the rest of us. RIP

06/21/2017

Beat the Heat! 🎧 ICE ICE BABY! 🎧

06/08/2016

Here is a dish inspired by Prince:

Prince was once asked in a 1984 interview with Time Magazine if there was anything he couldn't do. It took him some time to come up with a response. Eventually, he conceded: "I can't cook." Photo: Rolling Stone This seems to be his only shortcoming. Measuring in at a modest 5 ft, 2 in., he was a...

05/27/2016

Music can inspire cocktails, too!

Listen to this playlist of 2016's songs of summer, each paired with the perfect cocktail, because sipping along is way more fun than singing along.

04/15/2016

The right music is everything-

Shaun Hergatt, Tony Maws and others tell on the soundtracks of their lives in the kitchen.

04/09/2016

Things change and get strange
With the movement of time
It's happening right now
To you 🎻

For more on the Avett Brothers, click here: http://bit.ly/QX6wCT The Avett Brothers perform "Down With The Shine" in this extended session of Billboard's Tas...

03/03/2016

Super-talented Jason Isbell

03/03/2016

Shovels and Rope

02/27/2016

A post I wrote last summer and their opening song from last night's show at the Beacon NYC: Shovels and Rope "Swimmin' Time"

The skies are murky.  The heat hangs heavy in the air. The darkness and dampness of a storm a-brewing is ideal for listening to Shovels and Rope.  The minor chords and themes of swelling flood waters fill the humid air.  Ominous. I know it's too early for the light to have gone.  The first drops fal…

02/26/2016

"I don't believe all music is good. I believe some music is bad for people to listen to. I think it makes their taste worse, I think it makes their lives worse, I think it makes them worse people. Some things you have to refuse, not because of other people's image of you but because it will gradually erode you until you are making music that's not good for people and you're not challenging listeners and you're not challenging yourself. I believe that, and I will always believe that if I have my way." -Jason Isbell
http://www.gq.com/story/jason-isbell-king-of-americana-music

Meet the new king of Americana music

02/19/2016

Cook something tonight to honor Harper Lee - you have to love these dishes from Tasting Table inspired by 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

Honor the late Harper Lee with these dishes from To Kill a Mockingbird.

02/09/2016

"When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout. What’s going on? Anita Collins explains the fireworks that go off in musicians’ brains when they play, and examines some of the long-term positive effects of this mental workout."

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-playing-an-instrument-benefits-your-brain-anita-collins When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brai...