Again, the end of 2011 leaves me in the mood to make lists. Here are listed the songs I keep coming back to this year, not necessarily the most played, but my favorite. Some may be older than I am....
Life is a Highway - Tom Cochrane. This may be my life's anthem and the greatest song ever.
http://www.tomcochrane.com
Soldier - Ingrid Michaelson. This song makes me feel, even at my age, that I can accomplish anything
http://www.ingridmichaelson.com
You and Me - Elizabeth and the Catapault. Just love the groove.
http://www.elizabethandthecatapult.com
Rainmaker - Harry Nillson. For the days when Life is a Highway is not the best song ever, this song is.
http://www.harrynilsson.com
Dyamite - Taio Cruz. Because every time I hear it I think of hockey (either playing or spectating).
http://www.taiocruzmusic.co.uk
One Step Away - Ratt. Because I am true to my roots. And Ratt was a damn fine band.
http://www.therattpack.com
Without Me - Eminem. A little because he is from Detroit. But mostly, because I dare you not to dance. Seriously. At least if you are over 18.
http://www.eminem.com/splash
What's Victoria's Secret? - Rick Springfield. For too many reasons to name.
http://www.rickspringfield.com
Beautiful, Dirty, Rich - Lady Gaga. Again, I dare you not to dance.
http://www.ladygaga.com
Walking in Memphis - Mark Cohn. Because we saw him in concert at The Ark this year and he is as funny as he is talented.
http://marccohn.net
Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes. Because it has the best bass riff ever and because Michigan beat Notre Dame at football.
http://www.whitestripes.com
Tonight, Tonight - Hot Chelle Rae. See Taio Cruz. And The White Stripes. This song was also played at the greatest dance party ever (aka the Post-Game Celebration at Michigan Stadium after the 2011 Notre Dame Game).
http://www.hotchellerae.com/us/home
Radio Nowhere - Bruce Springsteen. No good reason - just that this song always sounds like a good idea. And it always rocks.
http://www.brucespringsteen.net/news/index.html
I'll get the top-played songs of 2011 out soon. But I wanted to get this list of the songs I loved in 2011 out as well.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Lists, Lists, Lists - Where I Loved Eating in 2011
There is something about the end of the calendar year that lends itself to lists - so expect to see quite a few in my blog over the course of the next few days.
Here's my list for where I loved to eat in 2011. We did some traveling this year, but I'm going to constrain my list to Southeastern Michigan (aka the best place on earth).
Logan, Ann Arbor. I love this restaurant. The food, the wine, the experience. Make a reservation and take your time - this restaurant is meant to be neither a quick nor an inexpensive meal but it is so worth both the time and the money. http://logan-restaurant.com/
Giovanni's, Detroit. Again, I love this restaurant. Hands down, the best Italian food in the area. Use the valet parking and make reservations, but absolutely visit. http://www.giovannisristorante.com/
Afternoon Delight, Ann Arbor. Yum! Breakfast after the farmers market on Saturday mornings. You can't beat it in Ann Arbor! http://www.afternoondelightcafe.com/
Beezy's Cafe, Ypsilanti. Best egg salad sandwich anywhere, ever. Breakfast is also amazing (try the French toast or the chorizo scramble). Faygo in bottles as well. Love the vibe of this restaurant. http://www.beezyscafe.com/
West End Grill, Ann Arbor. Very, very good food and excellent wine. http://www.westendgrillannarbor.com/
Tony's Coney, Canton. Unfortunately, out of business but it was the best Coney Island restaurant I've eaten in (ever) and I miss it, so I'm including it.
Bill's Hot Dog Stand, Ypsilanti. Just go, get 2 coney dogs with onions and root beer (during the time of the year Bill's is open) and enjoy. Life is short. Eat here a few times a year. Bill's doesn't have a website, so I'm including a link to their reviews on Yelp. http://www.yelp.com/biz/bills-drive-in-ypsilanti
Conor O'Neill's, Ann Arbor. Or maybe I just love drinking here. I always get the Ploughman's Sandwich and it is good, but I love Harp on tap. And the maps of Ireland all over the establishment. http://www.conoroneills.com/annarbor/
Bode's Corned Beef House, Plymouth. I never deviate. Scrambled eggs, corned beef hash, rye toast, and coffee. http://www.bodehouse.com/
Taqueria Lupita, Detroit. Perfect, authentic tacos. http://www.taquerialupitari.com/
Here's my list for where I loved to eat in 2011. We did some traveling this year, but I'm going to constrain my list to Southeastern Michigan (aka the best place on earth).
Logan, Ann Arbor. I love this restaurant. The food, the wine, the experience. Make a reservation and take your time - this restaurant is meant to be neither a quick nor an inexpensive meal but it is so worth both the time and the money. http://logan-restaurant.com/
Giovanni's, Detroit. Again, I love this restaurant. Hands down, the best Italian food in the area. Use the valet parking and make reservations, but absolutely visit. http://www.giovannisristorante.com/
Afternoon Delight, Ann Arbor. Yum! Breakfast after the farmers market on Saturday mornings. You can't beat it in Ann Arbor! http://www.afternoondelightcafe.com/
Beezy's Cafe, Ypsilanti. Best egg salad sandwich anywhere, ever. Breakfast is also amazing (try the French toast or the chorizo scramble). Faygo in bottles as well. Love the vibe of this restaurant. http://www.beezyscafe.com/
West End Grill, Ann Arbor. Very, very good food and excellent wine. http://www.westendgrillannarbor.com/
Tony's Coney, Canton. Unfortunately, out of business but it was the best Coney Island restaurant I've eaten in (ever) and I miss it, so I'm including it.
Bill's Hot Dog Stand, Ypsilanti. Just go, get 2 coney dogs with onions and root beer (during the time of the year Bill's is open) and enjoy. Life is short. Eat here a few times a year. Bill's doesn't have a website, so I'm including a link to their reviews on Yelp. http://www.yelp.com/biz/bills-drive-in-ypsilanti
Conor O'Neill's, Ann Arbor. Or maybe I just love drinking here. I always get the Ploughman's Sandwich and it is good, but I love Harp on tap. And the maps of Ireland all over the establishment. http://www.conoroneills.com/annarbor/
Bode's Corned Beef House, Plymouth. I never deviate. Scrambled eggs, corned beef hash, rye toast, and coffee. http://www.bodehouse.com/
Taqueria Lupita, Detroit. Perfect, authentic tacos. http://www.taquerialupitari.com/
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Best Lasagna Ever
No, seriously. I don't know what quirk of fate made this lasagna different than all the other lasagnas I've produced over the years, but it was different. And it was good. This recipe takes some time because you will make the sauce from scratch, but it is worth the effort and really, it isn't that much work to put together - it just takes about 4 hours.This recipe makes an 8 x 8 pan's worth of lasagna.
For the Sauce:
1 yellow onion, chopped fine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground sirloin
1 14.5 ounce can tomato sauce
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1 6 ounce can tomato paste
3/4 cup water
1 tsp dried basil
1.5 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp dried oregano
dash salt and a few grinds of pepper
Brown the meat in a big pot and drain. Return the pot to the heat and add the onion and garlic and continue to cook until they are soft. Add the tomato sauce, paste, water and seasonings and simmer 2 hours over low heat. I turn off the heat and let the sauce cool for a few minutes before I assemble the lasagna.
Heat your oven to 350.
For the Lasagna:
6 no-boil Lasagna noodles
2 turkey Italian sausages, cooked through and sliced into 1/2 inch thick pieces
4 cups fresh spinach - rinsed, spun dry, and chopped (remove the thick stems first)
1 container ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 cup shredded parmesan
2 cups shredded mozzerella
Spray an 8 by 8 cooking pan with non-stick cooking spray. I put a piece of aluminum foil on my pan and then spray it - it makes the clean up much easier.
Mix the cheeses and eggs together in a bowl.
Begin layering the Lasagna:
Sauce
2 noodles (side by side)
Cheese
Spinach
Sauce
2 Noodles
Cheese
Italian Sausage
2 Noodles
Sauce
Cover pan with foil and bake for about 60-70 minutes and until the Lasagna is completely heated.
Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
For the Sauce:
1 yellow onion, chopped fine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground sirloin
1 14.5 ounce can tomato sauce
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1 6 ounce can tomato paste
3/4 cup water
1 tsp dried basil
1.5 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp dried oregano
dash salt and a few grinds of pepper
Brown the meat in a big pot and drain. Return the pot to the heat and add the onion and garlic and continue to cook until they are soft. Add the tomato sauce, paste, water and seasonings and simmer 2 hours over low heat. I turn off the heat and let the sauce cool for a few minutes before I assemble the lasagna.
Heat your oven to 350.
For the Lasagna:
6 no-boil Lasagna noodles
2 turkey Italian sausages, cooked through and sliced into 1/2 inch thick pieces
4 cups fresh spinach - rinsed, spun dry, and chopped (remove the thick stems first)
1 container ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 cup shredded parmesan
2 cups shredded mozzerella
Spray an 8 by 8 cooking pan with non-stick cooking spray. I put a piece of aluminum foil on my pan and then spray it - it makes the clean up much easier.
Mix the cheeses and eggs together in a bowl.
Begin layering the Lasagna:
Sauce
2 noodles (side by side)
Cheese
Spinach
Sauce
2 Noodles
Cheese
Italian Sausage
2 Noodles
Sauce
Cover pan with foil and bake for about 60-70 minutes and until the Lasagna is completely heated.
Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
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