Lisbon On My Mind

One of my favorite things to do is travel, and these days just a click of the mouse can take you to some pretty fantastic places. The New York Times recently published a list of the 53 hot places to travel in 2008, and number two was Lisbon. I have to say that I don't know too much about the city other than its being home to a language that’s vaguely decipherable thanks to my fast-fading high-school level Spanish skills. It is, however, an up-and-coming European destination full of equal parts cutting-edge modern art and ancient historical landmarks. It’s also apparently cheaper than the average European city (which sadly may not be saying much), so I’m sold.

Something else that’s piqued my interest in Lisbon is a book coming out this spring called CODEX 632, a tale about Portugal and Christopher Columbus during the Age of Discovery which is set in Lisbon and serves as a pretty fascinating guide of sorts to its monuments and neighborhoods. The writer, a Portuguese journalist, really knows his stuff. So for now, I’m happy being an armchair traveler.

Crime Time

"Why didn't anyone ever tell me about this movie?" asked my husband last night after we finished watching Serpico for the first time. It is one of the greatest cop movies around. And Al Pacino's preformance is inspiring. Here is the trailer from 1973:



One of the great things about this movie is the different undercover 'outfits' Pacino dons for his work. From meatpacker to rabbi, this adds a comic touch to an otherwise intense film. So with the nor'easter heading in this weekend-I encourage you to add this to your watching list and then maybe pick up Peter Mass's book of the same title which the movie was based on.

And if you're interested in current true crime stories head over to http://incoldblogger.blogspot.com/ maintained by today's leading true crime writers.

Let them eat cake

It's always a good day when there is a birthday. A favorite around here is the red velvet cupcake from Buttercup Bake Shop.

For a full size alternative, here is a scrumptious recipe for Red Velvet Cake taken from Katherine Hall Page's newest, THE BODY IN THE GALLERY:


Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups sifted cake flower
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 oz red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temp)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease and flower two 9-inch round cake pans.
3. Sift the flower, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together and set aside.
4. Cream the sugar and butter.
5. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
6. Add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar, alternating with buttermilk.
7. Add the food coloring, vanilla and vinegar. Beat well.
8. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a toothpick or broom straw comes out clean.
9. Cool on a cake rack.

Frosting

• 8 ounces cream cheese (room temp)
• 1 box (1 lb.) sifted confectioner's sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temp)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Cream the butter and cheese.
2. Add the sugar, beating until the mixture is fluffy.
3. Add the vanilla and beat some more.
4. Fill and frost the cake.
   

Serves 6-8

Enjoy!

Subliminal Message (You Will Love Him)

I can't wait for this Thursday, aka Kevin Nealon Night O' Funny. Nealon, who's book comes out in May 2008 and is humorously titled YES, YOU'RE PREGNANT BUT WHAT ABOUT ME?, is doing stand up at Caroline's this Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I've been a fan of Kevin since he first put on a matching sweatpant/shirt combo and pumped people up as Hanz & Franz on Saturday Night Live. Therefore, I'm tres excited about seeing him live this Thursday.

I only hope he does subliminal man. Watch Kevin call Barbara Walters a hooker. In good fun, of course.

Seen Baby Seen

I finally saw Gone Baby Gone this weekend. Ah, crushingly beautiful. You know you've seen a film (and not a mere movie) when you leave the theater aching to talk about it. Luckily I saw it with a group of friends and a good discussion emerged. Word on the office floor is that Dennis Lehane's new manuscript -- just as mesmerizing.

If you haven't seen the film (and you should, come Oscar time you don't want to be out of the loop) watch the trailer here.