Kieran's Favorite Things - January Edition - Yes, I' am Ripping off Oprah

This is my first monthly blog on my favourite things and yes, I'am certainly ripping off Oprah.  No, nobody is winning anything and what is under your chair is dust.   But, you know positivity spreads and saying nice things about stuff can't hurt anybody. I can't say that I have seen more than a few episodes of Oprah (went out of my way to watch the Lance Armstrong interviews), but I know from watching The Daily Show with Jon Stewart the gist.

Hooray to Google Image

So, what is Kieran liking in January!

Star Talk Radio:

Star Talk Radio Podcast featuring Neil Degrasse Tyson, who describes himself as "your own personal astrophysicist."   This is a weekly podcast discussing astronomy, cosmology, physics, science-fiction, and space exploration.  Neil Degrasse Tyson is charming, funny and just good spirited person.  You may have seen him on various talk shows as he does the circuit.

He's picking up where one of my previous heroes Carl Sagan left off and he's hosting the 'Cosmos' TV which will air again on the National Geographic Channel and Fox - March 9, 2014.  I started listening to this podcast in Mexico last November and I'am hooked.  He has a revolving cast of New York comedians co-hosting with him and he's able to get great interviews with people such as Jon Stewart, Buzz Aldrin, Joe Rogan, Whoopi Goldberg, astronauts and university professors.  I thoroughly enjoy listening to this on the treadmill at the gym or in the car on a long drive.  One imperfection is that I find it often silly that he discusses with his co-host conversations that are previsously taped and edited of proper interviews.  I can understand editing an interview. Just not discussing what was just said with another person, especially when you are asking for commentary from a comedian on another far more successful comedian. The podcast is available at their website or on Itunes.

Preview of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey

Dried Fruit:

When I grew up Grandma would often have dried figs for Christmas and Winter time.  Now my grandparents live in a senior home and I have fend for my own snacks.  My preferred grocery store had a sale various dried fruits and on impulse I bought them.  Now I'm addicted to Smyrna Figs, California Plums (aka prunes), Malatya Apricots and Tunisian Dates.  They do contain potassium sorbate which is one of those lousy preservatives and should be avoided in large amounts.  Also, they contain fiber, vitamins and minerals.... which is better than a tasty bag of chips I'm trying to avoid. At $4 a bag these are reasonable, tasty and travel well.  We ate half a bag when we walked around the Zoo a few weeks ago.

Messini Authentic Gyros

3 Kinds of Gyro from Their Webiste

Messini Authetic Gyros restaurant on the Danforth - Mrs. Shopaholic and I ate there last Saturday for lunch and we were happily full.  I love a Gyro, but throw in some French Fries as part of the delicious combination of pork, tzatziki, tomato, onion, and toasted pita, and you have a winner.  Sure this bastardized Greek food, but it tastes great and does not cost an arm and a leg.  We had lunch with Greek salad, plate of fries and two ginger ales for $20 with tax and tip.

The restaurant has always been busy when we have went and the decor is not fabulous, but what you are getting is a generous portion at a fair price.  The service was also reasonably quick and our food came hot.  Other favorites on the menu is the plate of home style fries covered in feta cheese and oregano.  In my mind this great fast food time in lieu of the traditional burger.  Bon Apetit!

Comments? Thoughts? Suggestions?  Have a favorite thing to recommend?  Go for it below.

  

Mediterranean Orzo Salad Recipe

This is a great pasta salad that can be made year round, but is probably best in the summer with BBQs or with Greek food.  It easily serves 10 people and has proven to be a crowd pleaser with my friends and family.  This salad takes about 25 minutes in prep time and majority of the work can be done while the orzo is boiling in the pot.  

 

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Mediterranean Orzo Salad Recipe
This recipe has 3 components: Boiling the pasta, making the salad and making the dressing.
Boil the Pasta:
	In a large pot of boiling salted water 2 cups of Orzo pasta
	(Takes about 10 minutes for Al Dente)
	(Rinse in cold water, let drain to cool pasta)
Preparing the Salad:
	1 Sweet Red Pepper Diced
	1/2 English Cucumber Diced
	3/4 Cup Crumbled Cow's Feta Cheese
	1/3 Cup Drained Oil-Packed Sun-Dried Tomatoes Chopped
	1/4 Cup Fresh Parsley Chopped
	1/3 Medium Red Onion Diced or 2 Shallots
	Risotto Rice Cooled and Drained
In a separate small bowl combine and whisk:
	1/4 Cup Lemon Juice (about 1 medium Lemon squeezed)
	1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
	1 TSP Liquid Honey
	1/4 TSP Dried Oregano or 1 TBSP Chopped Fresh Oregano
	1/2 TSP Salt
	1/2 TSP Pepper
Combine salad and dressing in a serving bowl. Refrigerate for at least 1/2 prior to serving.  The salad will keep easily in the fridge for hours and will keep in the fridge for several days.

Ingredients for Mediterranean Orzo Salad Recipe

Note: I substituted dried parsley for fresh parsley.

Salad Ingredients Prepared

Salad Ingredients Prior to Tossing

Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Ingredients Combined

What I've learned in making this salad:

• Orzo may look like rice, but it is really just special grain size pasta.  It can be found next to the penne and spaghetti at most grocery stores.
• The directions on the pasta says 8 minutes to cook and boil.  I find the pasta never boils to 'Al Dente' per the instructions of the package.  Normally it takes 2 minutes longer in boiling salted water.

Comments, suggestions or thoughts?  Please add them below.