Nothing gets me more excited then roasting a chicken (a detailed recipe on roasting chicken will be coming in the fall), but who wants to turn on the oven when it’s 90+ degrees out?  So, when a whole chicken is not an option turn to chicken thighs to satisfy your bird cravings. Thighs, in my opinion, are the most flavorful […]

The Best, and Most Affordable, Wine You’ve Never Heard Of: Aglianico

If I were a high school guidance counselor I’d tell each one of my students (well at least the ones who displayed some intellectual curiosity) to go and pursue studies in any one of the cognitive sciences: neuroscience, cognitive psychology, neurobiology, etc.    Our knowledge about how the brain works is just starting to develop and I predict a sort […]

The American Scholar recently ran an article on why a Harvard or Yale education may not be the best decision for most high school or post graduate students.  The article is very compelling and argues that the Ivies are creating careers and not minds – an important distinction in higher education.

(photo courtesy of tastfood.info) Like most Italian dishes in the US, Eggplant Parmigiano (American-style) is a gross misrepresentation of the authentic dish from the mother country.  Here’s a simple Eggplant recipe that will give you the essence of eggplant and cheese: 2 medium sized eggplants (they can be your typical supermarket type, but make sure they are free of any […]

I’m convinced that your average American citizen has the financial IQ of a cockroach.  After all, where else in the Western world is the savings rate less than 1 percent (the instinct in the US is to spend rather than save and that’s a problem)!  Read the latest on America‘s financial disaster (consumer debt and the mortgage crisis).

You can always count on HBO to experiment with new series and this summer is no exception with the premier of Generation Kill. Generation Kill is based on Evan Wright’s book which follows the Marines of the First Recon Battalion through the first forty days of the Iraq War. The series is nicely done, including a great performance by the […]

The LTK Bar and Kitchen poses the question what does dining in the 21st century look like?  And according to the Boston-based restaurant it includs wi-fi and IPODS that can be docked at patron tables: “What does dining in the 21st century look like for the city of Boston? It includes a high-tech atmosphere which includes: WiFi access, and an […]

I’ve been keeping a list of my favorite movies viewed over the last 10-15 years (mostly via my Netflix subscription and my local rental place).  The list doesn’t include too many blockbusters, but I can guarantee that each movie will blow your mind and make you re-think life or some specific topic.  Here’s the list (in no particular order): Fracture […]

I think Fava beans are the culinary world’s secret weapon; they are versatile, flavorful, and full of nutrients.  My wife recently made a tremendous Fava bean Gazpacho.  Here’s the list of ingredients: 1 bag of dry Fava beans 4-6 scallions salt and pepper to taste olive oil chicken stock 8-10 basil leaves Start by soaking the beans overnight in a […]