Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies

Hey Mrs. BA - A candidate for next year's bakeoff? From Just a Taste

Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies
Yield: Makes 10 (3-inch) hand pies
Prep Time: 1 hour (includes chilling)
Cook Time: 15 min

Ingredients: 
For the dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes 
• 1/2 cup cold sour cream 

For the filling:

• 2 cups small diced (peeled) Granny Smith apples (See Kelly's Notes) 
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/4 cup sugar 
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour 
• 8 store-bought soft caramels, roughly chopped 
• Large flake sea salt (See Kelly's Notes) 
• Egg wash (1 egg lightly whisked with 1 Tablespoon water) 
• Crystal sanding sugar (optional) 

Directions: 
Make the dough: 
Whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder in a large bowl.

Add the cubed butter to the bowl and use your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture is the consistency of wet sand.

Stir in the sour cream (the dough will be very wet), and then turn the dough out onto a well-floured work surface.

Knead the dough a few times until it comes together, adding more flour, 1 teaspoon at a time, if the dough is too sticky to handle. Roll the dough into an 8x10-inch rectangle and dust both sides with flour before folding it into thirds as if you were folding a letter.

Rotate the dough 90º and roll it out again into an 8x10-inch rectangle. Fold the dough again into thirds then wrap it securely in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes while you make the filling.

Make the filling:
In a small bowl, combine the apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, sugar and flour, stirring until thoroughly mixed. Set aside.

Assemble the pies:
Preheat the oven to 425ºF.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and unfold it onto a well-floured surface, rolling it out to a 14x14-inch square. (See Kelly's Notes.)

Using a 3-inch circular cookie cutter or cup, cut out as many circles as possible. Re-roll the scraps and continue cutting out circles until you run out of dough, ensuring you end up with an even number of circles. (You should have approximately 20 3-inch circles.)

Place six of the dough circles on a Silpat or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Spoon a small portion of the apple filling into the center of each circle, leaving enough of a border around the filling. Top the apple filling with a portion of the chopped caramels and a pinch of sea salt. Place a second dough circle atop each filled circle then use a fork to crimp the edges together, sealing each pie.

Brush each pie with the egg wash, and using a sharp knife, cut two or three vents on the top of each pie. Sprinkle the pies with crystal sanding sugar (optional).

Bake the pies for about 15 minutes, or until they're golden brown.

Remove the pies from the oven and allow them to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Repeat the filling and baking process with the remaining dough circles.


Kelly's Notes: 

• The cubed apples should be no larger than the size of corn kernels to ensure they become tender during the quick 15-minute bake time. 
• Large flake sea salt is available in most supermarkets. My preferred brand is Maldon Salt. 
• If the dough is too firm to work with after refrigerating, allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting out the circular shapes. 
• If the sour cream in the dough makes it too sticky at any point in the rolling out process, just simply sprinkle a pinch of flour atop the wet areas and continue rolling.

A Day Off to Golf!

The Brave Astronaut is taking the day off tomorrow to golf in the annual St. Ambrose Men's Club Golf Tournament.  This will be the first time all year that I have swung a golf club as I have been suffering from a pinched nerve in my neck since the end of March.  I have been through a variety of treatments, including seeing my chiropractor regularly (whose playing in the tournament with me today, which may be a good thing), an orthopedist, physical therapy, and most recently acupuncture (I had a treatment just today - to be ready for tomorrow).

I have had back pain since 1985, when, as a Senior in High School, I broke my leg.  As a result, I started to walk differently and threw out my back.  After the initial examination, it was determined that I don't have a fully developed L5 vertebrae (I know, you're jealous).

So here's a list of "21 Struggles People With Back Pain Know to be True."  Here's hoping that I can get through 18 holes tomorrow.

1. You’re on a first name basis with your chiropractor - well, I am.
2. You know what good posture is, but can’t make yourself use it regularly
3. Heated back pads are a lifesaver
4. The icy-warm of tingle of pain cream is such a relief … 
5. … But you can’t stand the way it smells.
6. Your medicine cabinet is like a who’s who of painkillers and muscle relaxers.
7. And you’ve gone on a “trip” or gotten queasy when you’ve taken them on an empty stomach.
8. Kinesio tape has become an art form to you, but damn if it doesn’t itch after a couple of days.
9. Electrotherapy makes you look and feel like a cyborg.
10. You have found out the hard way that massages can be anything but relaxing.
11. You’ve had a head rush from spinal decompression exercises.
12. After a while you can pretty much read your own x-ray.
13. You’ve tried every type of stretch. Flexibility can help relieve pain.
14. You’ve even tried less traditional methods to get more flexible.
15. Over time you’ve learned to embrace your back brace.
16. MRI machines always make you feel claustrophobic.
17. You know firsthand that the hardest part about falling down is getting back up.
18. You even tried alternative treatments, in spite of how painful they look.
19. You get strange looks at work when sitting in a pain-free position.
20. You wouldn’t even dream of picking up something heavy off the ground.
21. After icing your back daily, an ice bucket challenge looks like child’s play.

Creamy Greek Noodle Soup

LBA was just mentioning the other day that he wouldn't mind seeing soup as a main meal more often.  Mrs. BA makes an outstanding baked potato soup and outdid herself with several varieties when the parish Men's Club sponsored "Soup and Stations" one Friday during Lent.

I've previously posted of my love for Avgolemono Soup.  Here's a similar soup that would probably go over well at the Launchpad, despite the fact that if we're eating soup, it's probably cool and that's going to just make Mrs. BA mad.

From the Washington Post Food section, September 17, 2014

Creamy Greek Noodle Soup

Ingredients

• 1 large carrot 
• 1/2 small onion 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• Kosher salt 
• Freshly ground black pepper 
• 4 cups homemade or no-salt-added chicken broth 
• 1 cup thin dried egg noodles (sometimes called soup noodles) 
• 1 lemon 
• 2 large eggs 
• One 4-to-6-ounce chunk cooked boneless, skinless turkey breast (may substitute cooked chicken) 
• Handful fresh dill 

Directions
Cut the carrot and onion into small dice; piling them together is okay.

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, stir in the vegetables. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes or until the carrots have softened.

Increase the heat to medium-high; add the broth and bring to a boil, then stir in the noodles. Cook for 3 or 4 minutes, until the noodles are almost done (al dente), then reduce the heat to low. Taste, and season lightly with salt and pepper.

Cut the lemon in half. Squeeze the juice, without any seeds, into a medium heatproof bowl. Whisk in the eggs until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Gradually ladle about 1/2 cup of the broth mixture into the egg-lemon mixture, whisking to incorporate and temper it. (It’s okay if a few noodles sneak in.) Gradually ladle in another 1/2 cup. Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Drizzle the tempered egg-lemon mixture into the saucepan of broth and noodles, whisking constantly for 2 minutes. The soup should come together and look creamy.

Shred the turkey or cut it into bite-size chunks. Finely chop the dill. Add both to the soup. Taste, and add a final pinch each of salt and pepper as needed.

Divide among individual bowls. Serve warm.

The most prolific and king of horror - Stephen King

Today marks the 67th birthday of the King of Horror, Stephen King.  I have long been a fan of the Maineac author - having read my first King novel, Salem's Lot, while on vacation in Maine.  Needless to say, I did not sleep well that week.

According to BuzzFeed in identifying the "11 Essential Stephen King books, notes that  "Stephen King is one of the most prolific authors in the world, with more than 50 books in print, and more coming out every year . . . So many people criticize King, without even realizing that they enjoyed movies that were written by him: Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and Stand By Me, for example . . . Good luck, and happy reading." (My comments in italics)

1. The Stand -  For me, the writing of Stephen King starts and ends with The Stand. It is an epic, post-apocalyptic horror story that begins with “Captain Trips,” a deadly virus, and ends with a massive showdown, good vs. evil — the last stand. I can still remember the opening scene, the family running from the medical facility, crashing into a gas station, miles away — handing the story to the immune Stu Redman. It’s a big book, the uncut version clocking in at 1,100 pages, but it needs to be this big. We have so many storylines to follow, people to root for, and miles to cover, crossing the United States, one horrific moment after another. We root for Mother Abigail, the spiritual leader; Larry Underwood, the rock star; Nick Andros, a deaf man from the Midwest; and Frannie Goldsmith, a teenager. We meet the “Trashcan Man” and of course, the dark spirit, Randall Flagg. While people often list The Stand, The Shining, or It as his best work, if I had to pick one as my favorite, it has to be The Stand. This story is a rollercoaster ride of tension and hope, a beautiful narrative that left me in tears. I tend to keep books around and while I have excessed some of the King books out of my library - this one is and will always be on my shelf.
2. The Shining - Due to the famous film by Stanley Kubrick, and the performance of Jack Nicholson, this may be King’s most well-known book. I recently re-read it for the first time in 30 years and it still holds up. And the ending, the father-son story — I can see why King hated Kubrick’s version; it lacked so much heart. Where The Stand holds tension over 1,100 pages, The Shining is an exploration of one man, Jack Torrance, falling apart, losing his mind to the Overlook Hotel, and the abuse and suffering that his family endures. I wondered, when I re-read this, if it would still scare me — and you know what, it did! And the same places, too — those damn hedge animals. This is really a classic King title, and one that puts the vulnerable Danny Torrance (REDRUM! REDRUM!) front and center, while also flipping back and forth between the quickly eroding mind of Jack, and the worrisome, helpless mother, Wendy. This is an iconic book, another essential King read.  I have seen the movie, but can't confirm that I have read the book.
3. It - Another massive book, also over 1,100 pages, It is another favorite King book of mine. It introduces us to the horror that lurks in the sewers of Derry, Maine, and a creepy clown known as Pennywise. We follow a cast of misfits, “The Losers Club,” first as children, and then later, as adults. What’s the line? “We all float down here.” Not only does King build on the vulnerability of a handful of kids trying to fight and defeat a terrible presence after the disappearance and eventual death of Georgie Denbrough, but King makes them come back to face the evil as adults. There has always been some controversy over the “bonding scene” between Beverly and the boys, with many fans saying it put them off the book altogether, but I never saw it that way — more like soldiers surviving a war, a blood oath and bond that could never be severed. It’s dark for sure, though.  I have read the book and have seen the movie and fully commiserate with those who hate clowns.
4. The Dead Zone - I think what draws me to this book over many other King titles is the noble, but complicated, cause of Johnny Smith. Imagine if you were this man, or if you knew him, and he said that certain events were going to transpire? That the president, or some other politician, was going to cause the end of the world through his selfish acts? You’d say he was crazy, right? So we root for Johnny, because we know he’s telling the truth, we know the obstacles he’s up against, and we want to see him win. And of course anything involving luck, the occult, or any sort of supernatural powers is always a fascinating read. We feel for Johnny when his fiancée moves on; we see the sad, sordid life he’s living, and we feel sympathy, empathy. And in the end, he is the hero, and we’re one of the few who know about his secret. And that’s part of King’s appeal, sometimes, that he lets us peek behind the curtain, lets us know about what dark magic is happening in the shadows. It’s also one hell of a good movie, starring Christopher Walken. And Martin Sheen as a crazy President, years before West Wing.  This book is very well done and the movie version is true to the book.
5. The Long Walk - This is such an original book. Long before The Hunger Games, there was The Long Walk. Originally written under his pseudonym, Richard Bachman, King’s The Long Walk first came out in paperback but was later collected in The Bachman Books. Part reinstated draft, part lottery, much like in It, King uses the vulnerability of youth in 100 young boys to show us a dark and horrific story, where only one boy will survive. And that’s part of what makes it such a compelling read, right? From the very beginning, we know they are all going to die, all but one. Who do we root for? Who do we hate? There are so many kids to know, with Raymond Garraty as the protagonist. Over time, we get to know their stories, and everything changes. There are odds on the contestants; a heavy favorite is married; one may be the son of the Major, the man who runs the event; another, a loner, has alienated everyone but Ray; a group of the boys form “The Musketeers”— the plot getting more and more complicated, and heartbreaking, as the story unfolds. It’s a powerful book that’s sometimes overlooked when talking about Stephen King. And it’s a thin one, only a few hundred pages!  Because they were "hidden" for a while before it was revealed who Richard Bachman was, I am not sure if I have read this - but I probably have.
6. Pet Sematary - This starts out, as many of King’s books do, as a sweet, innocent story, with a family moving to the country. But even though they are surrounded by nature and kind neighbors, it doesn’t take long for the horror to creep in — in the woods and the highway that runs so close by the house, where a pet or child might easily wander out into the rumbling semis and speeding cars. King likes to ask a lot of “what if” questions in his books as he chases the rabbit down the hole. And this story is no exception. If memory serves me correctly this novel has some pretty intense sex scenes, which King usually avoids, and that offsets the darkness and violence — there’s plenty of that, don’t worry. It’s definitely one of his creepiest books. When you ask yourself what lengths you would go to for your family, to fix things, to undo a horrible accident, do you have limits? King doesn’t. Now, as a father, this book is sort of off limits for me.  But I remember reading it (and seeing the movie).
7. Salem’s Lot - I thought about leaving this book off the list just because vampires have been so overdone lately, but then I remembered that this book was written in 1975, and that it’s one of my favorite vampire novels, so I had to include it. I love the way King takes a classic monster, or situation, and places it in a contemporary setting. What WOULD it look like if vampires existed now, in contemporary society? What if children started to disappear? The tension in this book is palpable, using the small town and isolation to his benefit (as he often would over the years) as well as a small band of good-hearted people who are striving to protect their own, to right a wrong. These vampires do not sparkle — they are violent, eternal, and terrifying.  As noted earlier, this was the first King book I read, and I was hooked . . . and scared to death.
8. Needful Things - This one may surprise a lot of people, and it may not make a lot of lists, but it always fascinated me. Once again King masters the small-town life, tapping into the hopes and dreams of wholesome, simple people. But there are so many secrets, so many wishes, and so many debts to be paid. And as those wishes are granted, more base desires bubble to the surface — jealousies, resentments, and hatred. The tension that King builds for the first 250 pages increases, layer upon layer, until the satisfying climax, at the end of another mammoth 1,000-page book. This was deemed “the last Castle Rock story,” and it definitely ends with a bang. Being a King fan, you learn to invest in sturdy bookshelves, that’s for sure.  Castle Rock features so prominently in King's books and this one did not disappoint.
9. Night Shift - I had to include one of King’s short story collections, and when I look at the stories that are in this collection, his first, it’s just packed full of some of his best short fiction. Many of these stories were first published in “men’s magazines” such as Cavalier, Penthouse, and Gallery — which is where a lot of authors got started back then; it’s how they paid their rent. “Night Surf” would go on to become The Stand. Obviously, “Jerusalem’s Lot” has ties to Salem’s Lot. And, many people, when selecting their favorite King story ever, mention some that are in here: “Quitters, Inc.,” “I Am the Doorway,” and “I Know What You Need.” Also, several of these stories were later made into feature length films, as well: The Lawnmower Man, Children of the Corn, Cat’s Eye, Maximum Overdrive, Graveyard Shift, and The Mangler. When it came out, it also included FOUR previously unpublished short stories, which is kind of unheard of. While all of his short story collections are worth picking up, this is my favorite, possibly because it was my first collection of his. King has since gone on to place stories in the best magazines and journals around — the Paris Review, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, etc. I don't know if I would have included this collection, if we are picking a short story collection, I definitely go with #10
10. Different Seasons - Part of what makes this collection of four novellas so interesting is the very fact that King focused on the often ignored and underappreciated novella. These four novellas have gone on to garner a lot of attention. “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption” became one of the most loved movies of all time, and was nominated for an Academy Award. “Apt Pupil” also went on to become a major motion picture. And in case you forgot, “The Body” became the movie Stand By Me, another very well known, and loved, film. For those that think King is a windbag, going on way too long, this may be the book for you. It’s got more substance than a short story collection; you have more time with each of the stories and characters, but you could also finish off an entire novella in a few hours. But really, it’s always about the writing, right? Don’t worry about the length. This is a fantastic collection of stories, and another essential King book.  When you look at the stories here and see what they went on to become, that's why this one belongs on the list.
11. The Dark Tower series - BOOKS: The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger (1982); The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three (1987); The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands (1991); The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass (1997); The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla (2003); The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah (2004); The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower (2004); The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012). Yes, I cheated and included all eight books as my 11th selection. It’s hard to know where to even start with this series. What I do know is that the opening line to The Gunslinger is one that has stayed with me since I first read it some 25 years ago: “The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.” Gives me chills just to say it — it always does. If The Stand was an epic novel, this is so much more, an expansive universe that touches on so MANY of King’s other books as well. How’s it go? “All things serve the beam.” Inspired by the poem “Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came” by Robert Browning, it starts with a lonely gunslinger, Roland Deschain, a man with a mission, and many secrets. Along the way his group, his ka-tet, expands to include Jake Chambers, Eddie Dean, Susannah Dean, and the bumbler (a kind of dog-like thing), Oy. They are on a mission to find the tower, and to save the world by defeating The Man in Black (who has many different forms) and The Crimson King. Roland is the last living member of a knightly order known as gunslingers and the last of the line of “Arthur Eld,” his world’s analogue of King Arthur. This is such a unique mix of genres that it’s really hard to compare it anything. There have always been those who mention the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and I suppose there is that. Many have said that Roland resembles “the man with no name,” a Clint Eastwood character, and I see that as well. King has described it as his “magnum opus,” which simply means “great work,” and I think that’s accurate as well. This series is brilliant. I’ve never cared so much about so many different fictional characters, have never been so invested, have never cried so hard or so often while reading something. When they released the eighth book, a side story, many years after the seventh (and supposedly last) book came out, I gobbled it up in one day. That’s the kind of passion King creates in his fans, the kind of spell he casts.  I never got into this series. 

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Misery, Carrie, The Talisman, Black House, Firestarter, Doctor Sleep, The Eyes of the Dragon, 11/22/63, The Green Mile, Under the Dome, Dolores Claiborne, and, of course, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (non-fiction).

Now go and take this quiz to see if you are as crazy as me about Stephen King.

How Much Stephen King Have You Read?

100 Best Animated Movies

Tomorrow night will, of course, be pizza/movie night at the Launchpad.  Last week (as there is most weeks) there was discussion as to what movie we should watch.  At one point in the negotiations, SoBA noted that he's only allowed to watch animated movies. LBA, Mrs. BA, and I all called him out on it - then we watched Star Wars.

Here's a list from Time Out of the 100 best animated movies.  If the Brave Astronaut clan has seen the film, I've noted that in my comments.  How many have you seen? (via kottke)

100. Peter Pan (Disney, 1953) - this is a little disappointing having this at the bottom of the list.  Of the Disney classics on this list, I've seen most if not all, but the boys haven't yet - in some cases, they seen (by request) the lesser sequels to some of the Disney films.
99. Millennium Actress (anime, 2001) - I don't have a lot of exposure to the anime genre - and haven't seen the majority, if not all of the ones on this list.
98. Feherlofia (1981)
97. Perfect Blue (anime, 1997)
96. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (anime, 1984)
95. Little Otik (2000)
94. Night on the Galactic Railroad (1985) - it's got cats in it, but I've not seen it
93. Kirijou and the Sorceress (1998)
92. James and the Giant Peach (1996) - the boys may have seen this, but I don't recall seeing it
91. Gulliver's Travels (1939) - I've seen this, but the boys have not
90. Goodbye Mr. Christie (2011) - it may be animated, but it's not a kid's film
89. ParaNorman (2012) - the boys have seen this
88. Ernest & Celestine (2012)
87. Bugs Bunny / Road Runner Movie (1979) - a timeless classic and one the boys have seen as I too have
86. The Tale of the Fox (1930) - the world's first feature-length stop-motion animation
85. Coonskin (1975) - another cartoon, but not a kid's movie
84. Castle in the Sky (anime, 1976)
83. Ghost in the Shell (anime, 1995)
82. Alice in Wonderland (1951) - I've seen it, of course
81. Robin Hood (1973) - Also seen by me
80. The Lord of the Rings (1978) - I've not seen the "real films" and have a vague recollection of having seen parts of this animated version of the book
79. The King and the Mockingbird (1980)
78. Kung Fu Panda (2008) - this is one of those ones that we've all seen and the boys have also exposed themselves to the sequels, though most, if not all of them are never as good as the first
77. Faust (1994) - a blend of both live-action and animation
76. Coraline (2009) - I think the boys have seen this
75. Paprika (2006)
74. Heavy Traffic (1973) - as noted in the description, "A grubby New York City, a murderous cast of characters and plenty of off-color jokes — Walt would not approve."
73. Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (anime, 2004)
72. The Lion King (Disney, 1994) - Hakuna Matata, baby!
71. Rango (2011) - we went through a phase where we watched this, a lot.
70. Pom Poko (anime, 1994)
69. Porco Rosso (anime, 1992)
68. Aladdin (Disney, 1992) - with the unfortunate departure of the "Genie" from this world, I'm trying to get this onto the movie night calendar.
67. Frozen (2013) - Mrs. BA took the boys to see this (or maybe it was my MIL), all I know is that it wasn't me - thank God
66. Sleeping Beauty (Disney, 1959)
65. Neon Genesis Evangelion: the End of Evangelion (anime, 1997)
64. King Kong (1933) - B&W stop-action classic
63. Jason and the Argonauts (1963) - Argo F*&K yourself, oh wait, that's a different movie
62. Heaven and Earth Magic (1962)
61. Only Yesterday (anime, 1991)
60. Kiki's Delivery Service (anime, 1989)
59. Animal Farm (1954) - I actually saw this in school as part of an English class, where we had read the book
58. The Illusionist (2010)
57. Lady and the Tramp (Disney, 1955)
56. Wreck-it-Ralph (2012) - the Brave Astronaut clan owns this movie
55. Whisper of the Heart (anime, 1955)
54. Tangled (Disney, 2010) - we've also all seen this movie
53. Mind Game (anime, 2004)
52. Tokyo Godfathers (anime, 2003)
51. Sita Sings the Blues (2008)
50. Fritz the Cat (1972) - another film that had Walt Disney turning in his grave
49. The Lego Movie (2014) - don't be such a bon vivant - of course, we've seen this movie!
48. The Castle of Cagliostro (anime, 1979)
47. Allegro Non Troppo (1976) - a Fantasia knockoff
46. Waltz with Bashir (2008)
45. Monsters, Inc. (2001) - a very popular film at the launchpad
44. The Little Mermaid (1989) - I think the boys have seen this
43. Cinderella (1950)
42. Mary and Max (2009)
41. The Secret of Nimh (1982) - I've seen this, and have proposed it to the boys, but got no interest - it also violates the rat/mouse move embargo in place by Mrs. BA
40. When the Wind Blows (1986)
39. Walking Life (2001)
38. Consuming Spirits (2012)
37. How to Train Your Dragon (2012) - enjoyed by both LBA and SoBA
36. Wall-E (2008) - I've not seen this, but the boys have
35. Chicken Run (2000) - this has been played at the launchpad
34. The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)
33. Beauty and the Beast (1991) - one of my favorites
32. Toy Story 3 (2010) - just don't make me watch the end, again
31. Finding Nemo (2003) - just keep swimming, just keep swimming
30. Toy Story 2 (1999) - I would actually swap 2 and 3
29. The Jungle Book (Disney, 1967) - I got the boys to watch this recently
28. Princess Mononoke (anime, 1997)
27. Watership Down (1978) - a borderline not for kids move, it's very powerful
26. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999) - never.
25. Persepolis (2007)
24. Bambi (Disney, 1942) - stay out of the meadow, Bambi!
23. 101 Dalmatians (Disney, 1961) - one of my most favorite Disney classics
22. The Triplets of Belleville (2003)
21. Fantastic Planet (1973)
20. Up (2009) - Squirrel!
19. Ratatouille (2007) - I like this one a lot, too
18. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) - I showed this to the boys recently, they seemed to enjoy it, but not as much as I did when I first saw it.
17. Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) - we've seen at least one of the W&G movies, but I don't recall if it was this one.
16. It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012)
15. Grave of the Fireflies (anime, 1988)
14. Akira (anime, 1988)
13. Fantasia (Disney, 1940)
12. Alice (1988)
11. Yellow Submarine (1968) - I think the boys could watch this, though not in the state that most have probably watched this movie.
10. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) - seen by both boys (I've seen parts of this also)
9. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) - Tim Burton, not for me.
8. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney, 1937)
7. The Iron Giant (1999) - I think LBA has seen this
6. Dumbo (Disney, 1941) - I still have trouble watching this one, though most of the Disney films start off with this tragic beginning, for some reason, this one is the most emotional for me.
5. The Incredibles (2004) - enjoyed by all at the Launchpad
4. Toy Story (1995)
3. My Neighbor Totoro (anime, 1988)
2. Spirited Away (anime, 2001)
1. Pinocchio (Disney, 1940)

In my opinion, missing from the list:

• Cars
• Pocahontas
• A Bug's Life
• The Aristocats
• The Fox and the Hound
• Winnie the Pooh
• I would even cast a vote for Mary Poppins, though primarily a live-action film

Coffee-Caramel Creme Brulee

Hey, I own a torch.  I like coffee.  Why aren't I eating this?  From this list on BuzzFeed of coffee desserts.  There's lots of other yummy desserts here, this one is the best of the bunch, imo.

Coffee-Caramel Creme Brulee
from Bon Appetit

INGREDIENTS 

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided 
• 1/4 cup dark-roast coffee beans (such as French roast; about 3/4 ounce), crushed with mallet in plastic bag 
• 1 cup sugar, divided 
• 1/2 cup water 
• 2 cups half and half 
• 8 large egg yolks 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 8 teaspoons raw sugar* 

PREPARATION 
Bring 1 cup cream and coffee beans to simmer in heavy small saucepan. Remove from heat; cover and let steep at least 20 minutes and up to 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 325°F. Stir 2/3 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to boil, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush. Boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber, swirling pan occasionally, about 11 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Add remaining 1 cup whipping cream (mixture will bubble up). Stir over low heat until caramel is smooth. Stir in half and half. Strain coffee-infused cream into caramel cream; discard coffee beans in strainer.

Whisk yolks, salt, and remaining 1/3 cup sugar in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in cream mixture. Strain custard into large measuring cup.

Arrange eight 2/3- to 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups in roasting pan. Divide custard among ramekins. Add enough warm water to roasting pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins or custard cups.

Bake custards until just set in center, 65 to 70 minutes. Transfer custards from water bath directly to refrigerator. Chill uncovered until cold, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.

Sprinkle top of each custard with 1 teaspoon raw sugar. Using kitchen torch, melt sugar on each custard until deep amber. (Alternatively, preheat broiler. Arrange custards on small rimmed baking sheet; broil until sugar topping melts and browns, about 2 minutes.) Refrigerate custards until sugar topping hardens, at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour (do not chill longer than 1 hour or topping will start to soften). Serve custards cold.

*Also called turbinado or demerara sugar; available at most supermarkets and at natural foods stores.

To Remember

Today our nation will pause, as it has done for the past thirteen years, to remember, to reflect.


The events of September 11, 2001 are seared in our minds.  On that particular day, I left for work, dropped my car off for service, and when I picked it up that afternoon, the world had changed.  Each year since starting this blog, I have posted to remember the day.  Feel free to go back and read the previous posts:

• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009, this post included my contribution to Project 2,996
• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013

Take a minute today.  Take several minutes.  Remember. 

Banana Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

SoBA is after me to produce some more banana bread.  Think he would notice if I make this substitution?  From averiecooks

Banana Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins (vegan)

Baking with zucchini keeps everything so soft, moist, and you can't taste it. The muffins taste like banana bread. The one-bowl, no-mixer muffins are vegan and healthy. No butter, no eggs, the chocolate chips are solely sprinkled on top, and they're made with coconut oil. It adds a nearly imperceptible undertone that’s sweeter and more fragrant than canola or vegetable oil, but substitute if you’d like. Between the softening powers of coconut oil, the creamy bananas that add tenderness, and the moisture-enhancing powers of zucchini, these are some of the softest and moistest muffins. They continue to get softer as the days pass, and the flavors marry together and tasted better the second day. You'll never complain about eating your vegetables after these muffins. 

Yield: about 11 medium/large muffins
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: about 18 minutes, note reduction in oven temp after 10 minutes
Total Time: about 40 minutes, for cooling

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar 
• 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted (vegetable or canola oil may be substituted) 
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed 
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened vanilla almond milk (coconut, soy, rice, cow's milk may be substituted) 
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1 cup ripe mashed bananas (about 2 small/medium bananas) 
• 1 1/4 cups shredded zucchini, measured loosely laid in cup (not packed in or squeezed; about 1 medium zucchini, I didn't peel it) 
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1 tablespoon baking powder 
• pinch salt, optional and to taste 
• about 11 teaspoons mini semi-sweet chocolate chips divided, about 1 teaspoon for each muffin (regular-sized chips may be substituted)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Spray a Non-Stick 12-Cup Regular Muffin Pan very well with floured cooking spray or grease and flour the pan; set aside. (I don't prefer the cosmetic look of muffin liners and I am not sure if the paper will stick to the muffins). 
2. To a large bowl, add the first 6 ingredients, through cinnamon, and whisk to combine. 
3. Add the bananas and whisk to combine. 
4. Before adding the zucchini, put it in a paper towel and squeeze tightly for about 10 seconds to remove some moisture. After squeezing, you should have about 3/4 cup of compacted shreds. Add zucchini to bowl and stir to incorporate. 
5. Add the flour, baking powder, optional salt and stir until just combined; don't overmix. 
6. Using a large cookie scoop, 1/4-cup measure, or spoon, turn batter out into prepared pan, noting that the recipe yields 11 muffins. If I try to make 12 given my muffin pan, the muffins are too skimpy but pans vary. Each cavity should be filled to about 3/4 full, but not exceeding or batter could overflow. 
7. Sprinkle the top of each muffin generously with mini chocolate chips, about 1 teaspoon each. 
8. Bake at 400F for 10 minutes, reduce oven temp to 350F and bake for 8 minutes, or until muffins are set, domed, golden, and a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Allow muffins to cool in pan for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until they've firmed up and are cool enough to handle. It's normal for muffin tops to be flatten as they cool. Muffins will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. I find the muffins get softer over time and taste better on days 2-3 after the flavors have married.

Grilled Rack of Lamb

Today is Labor Day.  The unofficial end of Summer.  But my grill sees year round work.  I've even made leg of lamb on the grill when the oven died one Easter.  Labor Day is the day usually set aside for that one last cookout with friends and family.  But if I'm making this . . . it might just be me.  OK, me and Mrs. BA.  Maybe LBA and SoBA.  Maybe.  We did have Mr. C in DC's outstanding Brazilian Beef Ribs on Saturday evening - so the grill quota is good.  And yesterday, we took in many fried fair foods at the Maryland State Fair.  Recipe from Spoon Fork Bacon

Easy Grilled Rack of Lamb with a Creamy Feta-Horseradish Sauce 
Serves 3 to 4
Ingredients
Creamy Feta-Horseradish Sauce:

• 1/2 cup crème fraiche 
• 2 ounces feta, crumbled 
• 2 tablespoon buttermilk (optional) 
• 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish 
• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper 
• pinch of sea salt 

• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced thyme 
• 1 teaspoon minced marjoram (oregano is fine) 
• 1/2 teaspoon minced rosemary 
• 1 rack of American lamb 

Directions

1. Preheat grill to 375˚F. (over high heat)
2. For the sauce: Place all ingredients into a food processor and whip until smooth. Adjust seasonings and set aside. 
3. French the ribs of the rack (unless you’ve already had a butcher do so for you) and wrap the tips of each rib with about an inch of aluminum foil.
4. Place the thyme, oregano and rosemary into a small bowl and toss together. Set aside. 
5. Once the grill is hot, brush both the rack and grill with extra virgin olive oil and generously season the rack with herb mix, salt and pepper, on both sides.
6. Place rack on the grill, fat side down and sear for about 4 minutes. Flip the rack and continue to sear for 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the flames to medium and cover the grill. Allow the rack to grill with the cover closed, for about 6 to 8 minutes (keeping a close eye out for flame ups), uncover the grill allow the rack to continue to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. This will give you medium to medium-rare results. For a medium to medium-well rack of lamb, keep grill cover closed for 8 to 10 minutes. 
7. Remove from heat and transfer the lamb onto a cutting board and loosely cover with foil. Allow the lamb to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
8. Serve rack with sauce and roasted radishes.

Blackberry Chocolate Chip Cookie Crumble

From Love and Olive Oil

Blackberry Chocolate Chip Cookie Crumble
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients: 
For Filling:

• 16 ounces (3 cups) fresh blackberries 
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar 
• 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 
• pinch salt 

For Topping:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 
• 1/3 cup old-fashioned oats 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips or chopped semisweet chocolate 
• flake sea salt (such as Maldon) 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. To prepare filling, toss blackberries with flour, sugar, and lemon juice. Divide filling among four 6-ounce or two 12-ounce ramekins and arrange on a baking sheet (to catch any overflow). 
3. To make topping, beat butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Mix in vanilla. Add oats, flour, and salt and mix until incorporated. Dough will be slightly crumbly. Stir in mini chocolate chips. Generously crumble over top of blackberries. (You may not need to use all the topping, that's ok, it's basically an eggless oatmeal cookie dough so munch away!) Sprinkle with more chocolate chips (if desired) and flake sea salt. 
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until fruit filling is bubbling and cookie topping is light brown and crispy. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving warm with vanilla ice cream.

Watermelon Margaritas

Last week was the Annual Meeting of the Society of American Archivists.  And there may have been some drinking.  This week, LBA and SoBA and at Camp BA's Sister and Camp Nana, respectively.  There may be more drinking.  Perhaps one of these lovely summer coolers.  From Sugar and Charm

Refreshing Watermelon Margarita

• 3 ounces fresh watermelon juice 
• Juice of 1.5 limes 
• 1 ounce fresh-squeezed orange juice 
• 2 ounces tequila 
• 1 teaspoon sugar or agave 

Add all of the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake for 20 seconds. Strain over a glass with ice.

It's A Beautiful Night for Baseball!

Tonight is the annual outing where I invite 200 of my closest archival friends to a baseball game during the Annual Meeting of the Society of American Archivists.  With the SAA Annual Meeting here in Washington, DC this year, that means the Washington Nationals.  Tonight, the Nats will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (which was the team that we saw the first time I organized this outing, lo these many years ago).

Here's a post that came out on BuzzFeed back at the beginning of the baseball season on why "Baseball is the Best Sport for Anxious Fans." (click the link to see the associated pictures with the text below)

We all know the horror of watching your closing pitcher blow a lead. But for the overall anxious among us, baseball provides invaluable respite.

1. There are 162 games in a season. Day One! So filled with hope! With so many games on the schedule, losses are easier to stomach than in other sports… 
2. Each game is roughly three hours long. So over the course of a season, you invest an unspeakable amount of time and nervous energy into baseball that might otherwise be pent up in anxiety.
3. Baseball stadiums are significantly less stressful than arenas for other sports. Your team is down by 5 runs? Shrug it off, go buy yourself a $25 hot dog. So get out there, the sun’s good for you. Just don’t forget sunblock.
4. The pace of the game is rarely stressful due to its slow pace. We all know those strikeout, fly out, ground out innings. Which gives you time to get to know your favorite players and their quirky personalities.
5. However, something exciting could happen at any moment, which helps keeps your focus on the game and not on external stressors. Honestly, whose day wouldn’t be made better by a Bartolo Colon home run? 
6. Following the game closely could actually stimulate your brain in a calming way.
7. Diving deep into the world of complicated statistics can be tranquilizing for the more obsessive of us. 
8. Nostalgia, considered a reprieve from emotional distress, goes hand in hand with baseball. Much has been written about the traditional and ritualistic nature of the game. Richard Skolnik says “Baseball memories are said to be memories of America’s youth, and to represent rich receptacles of traditions and values as meaningful as the greater socio-cultural context in which the game is played.”
9. Even after the stressful end of the season, you have a long offseason to recover.
10. Yet nothing puts a smile on your face like waking up and realizing pitchers and catchers are set to report that day.

International Left-Handers Day! Celebrate with me!

Today is known as International Left Handers Day (and yes it's also the day after Mrs. BA's birthday).  It's also the middle of "SAA Week" here in Washington DC, the Annual Meeting of the Society of American Archivists is underway.

The Brave Astronaut is left handed, and despite my urgings, thought I was going to get SoBA to be a lefty, but that doesn't look like it will come to pass.  But here's a list of 59 others that "if the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, then they (we) are in their right minds!"

1. Robert De Niro - "are you talking to me?"
2. Angelina Jolie
3. Prince William
4. Robert Redford
5. Sarah Jessica Parker
6. Barack Obama - the last several presidents have been left handed.
7. Keanu Reeves
8. Jerry Seinfeld
9. Nicole Kidman
10. Julia Roberts
11. Bill Clinton - see?
12. Lady Gaga
13. Seth Rogan
14. Mary-Kate Olsen
15. Owen Wilson
16. Bruce Willis
17. Lisa Kudrow
18. Morgan Freeman
19. Diane Keaton
20. Mark Wahlberg
21. Tom Cruise
22. Tim Allen
23. Matthew Broderick - so if both he and Sarah are lefties, what about their kids?
24. Justin Bieber
25. Oprah Winfrey
26. John Slattery
27. Ben Stiller
28. Emma Thompson
29. Paul McCartney
30. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
31. Jay Leno
32. Demi Moore - sigh.
33. Prince Charles - sure there's a father-one, see #3
34. Celine Dion
35. Bill Gates
36. Martina McBride
37. Drew Carey - there's a lot of funny on this list.  I'm pretty funny.
38. Matt Lauer
39. Whoopi Goldberg
40. Richard Simmons
41. Jon Stewart
42. Goldie Hawn
43. Ron Perlman - The Beast!
44. Pierce Brosnan
45. Teri Hatcher
46. Kevin Richardson
47. Dan Aykroyd
48. David Bowie 
49. Spike Lee
50. January Jones - so should Roger and Betty have a thing?
51. Eminem
52. Ashley Tisdale
53. Dennis Quaid
54. Ed O'Neill
55. A.J. McLean
56. Niall Horan
57. Greg Kinnear
58. David Letterman
59. Jim Carrey

Brie and Butter Grits with Honey and Raspberry Compote

Doesn't the title of this post make you weep with joy?  I get a little misty eyed.  I might need to take several moments if this gets prepared in the Launchpad Kitchen.  From Food 52

Brie and Butter Grits

• 1 cup water 
• 1/2 cup milk 
• 1 pinch salt 
• 1/2 cup grits or polenta 
• 1 tablespoon butter 
• 2 tablespoons Brie cheese 
• 2 to 3 tablespoons honey 

Raspberry Compote

• 1/3 cup fresh or frozen raspberries 
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar 
• 2 tablespoons slivered almonds

1. In a medium pot, bring the water, milk and salt to a boil. Add the grits and lower to a simmer, stirring occasionally. After 2 minutes, add the butter, the Brie, and 2 tablespoons of the honey. Taste to adjust the sweetness according to your preference. Simmer for another 3 to 4 minutes and serve in a bowl.
2. For the raspberry compote, simply add the raspberries and the sugar to a small pot and simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes. Top the grits with the slivered almonds, raspberries, and add a bit more honey or brown sugar if desired. Enjoy!

Nixon Resigns!

Forty years ago, the words above are what was on the headlines of most of the newspapers of the day.  Having announced his resignation the day before, the 37th President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon, left the presidency - becoming the only man to resign the presidency.  Nixon was facing almost certain impeachment over the Watergate crisis any may have very well been removed from office after a lengthy trial.

I remember very clearly - the Brave Astronaut family was on vacation at the beach when my parents called me in to watch the television - telling me to watch, this was something I would likely never see happen again.  Forty years later, it hasn't.

Nixon of course went on to "rehabilitate" himself and became an elder statesman before his death in 1994.  The pardon he received from his successor, Gerald R. Ford, certainly helped, too - although Ford took a lot of heat for pardoning Nixon.

Campfire Potatoes

Mrs. BA likes the summer - she likes flank steak.  She likes to have baked potatoes with her flank steak.  I could probably sell her on these. From Epicurious.

Campfire Potatoes
Bon Appétit | August 2009
by Maria Helm Sinskey

Yield: Makes 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• 16 medium Yukon Gold potatoes (about 2 inches in diameter), halved 
• 3 tablespoons coarse kosher salt 
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 
• 4 unpeeled large garlic cloves, smashed 
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 
• 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves 

Preparation
Place potatoes in medium saucepan. Add enough cold water to cover by 1 inch. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons coarse salt. Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer. Cook potatoes until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain. Return to saucepan. Add remaining ingredients to potatoes; toss to coat. Cool.

Arrange four 12-inch squares aluminum foil on work surface. Divide potato mixture among foil squares and place 1 garlic clove atop potatoes on each square. Crimp to seal. Store packets at room temperature up to 2 hours or in refrigerator up to 2 days.

Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Place potato packets on grill and cook until heated through and sizzling, turning occasionally, about 15 minutes. Transfer packets to serving plate and pierce foil with grill fork to release steam. Open packets carefully (hot steam will be released).

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Bars

I am a sucker for good strawberry-rhubarb items.  And the Smitten Kitchen has not steered me wrong.  Now I just need to get Mrs. BA to make these for me.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp Bars
Adapted from One Bowl Baking

I’m starting to think that these bars might be magic. First, they taste like dessert, not health food, thank goodness. But, they just happen to be pretty low in sugar, butter and use a chock-ton of oats. You could replace the butter with coconut oil to make these dairy-free, and as there’s no egg in it, they’d also then be vegan. You could use white whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour to make them even more wholesome, and although I didn’t audition it, I suspect a gluten-free baking flour mix would work here too, because the plain flour isn’t a majority ingredient. You could eat them warm with a scoop of ice cream or cold for breakfast with a dollop of plain yogurt. And you can make them with whatever is in season; the original recipe calls for thinly sliced apples and adds cinnamon to the crumb mixture but too impatient for spring/summer, I used strawberries and rhubarb. Oh, and did I mention you make the whole recipe in your baking pan so it literally could not be faster? Seriously, what are you waiting for?

* Updated with two changes to reduce softness: I did a bunch of retesting and have come to the following conclusions: the bars are more crisp and cookie-like (as photographed here, and sadly, not what everyone was getting, based on comments) without the heaped 1/8 teaspoon baking soda and with an additional 1/4 cup (and even up to 2 tablespoons more, yes, really) flour. These amounts are now reflected below. They’re tender when they come out of the oven but once chilled in the fridge, become cookie-like in their crisp base; I recommend keeping them in the fridge. I’m so sorry if any of you were disappointed in these bars; I hope you’ll find the recipe now to be as wonderful as promised. 

Yield: 16 small bars, or 8 large ones;
Recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9×13-inch baking pan, where they will come out a little thicker

• 1 cup (80 grams) rolled oats 
• 3/4 cup (95 grams) plus up to 2 tablespoons (15 grams) extra all-purpose flour 
• 1/2 cup (95 grams) light brown sugar 
• Heaped 1/4 teaspoon table salt 
• 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, melted 
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, but helps firm up the filling) 
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice 
• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) granulated sugar, divided 
• 1 cup (125 grams) small-diced rhubarb (from about 1 1/2 medium stalks) 
• 1 cup (155 grams) small-diced strawberries 
• Powdered sugar, for decoration, if desired

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. For easy removal, line bottom and two sides of 8-by-8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. No need to bother (and no greasing needed) if you plan to serve them right in the pan, as I did.

Place oats, 3/4 cup flour, brown sugar and salt in bottom of baking pan and mix. Pour melted butter over, and stir until clumps form. If the clumps feel soft or look overly damp, add the remaining 2 tablespoons flour. Set aside 1/2 cup of the crumble mixture. Press the rest of the crumb mixture evenly in the bottom of the pan.

Spread half the fruit over the crust. Sprinkle it evenly with cornstarch, then lemon juice, and 1/2 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Spread remaining fruit over this, and top with second 1/2 tablespoon sugar. Scatter reserved crumbs over fruit and bake bars for 30 to 40 minutes (firmer fruits will take longer), until fruit is bubbly and crisp portion is golden and smells toasty and amazing.

Let cool in pan; I do this in the fridge, where they become crisp once chilled (less so at room temperature). Cut into squares and sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving. Store leftovers in fridge.

Soft Pretzel Buns

"These Pretzels are making me THIRSTY!"

I like Pretzels.  Dipped in Mustard.  This would bring the burger into a whole dimension. From the Smitten Kitchen.

Soft Pretzels Hot Dog Buns, Hamburger Buns and Knots
Adapted from Zingerman’s Bakehouse via the NYTimes

I’m sharing three dips below today, the standard baking soda bath which when brushed with an egg wash will produce a bronzed and lightly pretzel-flavored crust; a concentrated baking soda bath recommended by Harold McGee which produces about the same baking soda color and a slightly stronger pretzel flavor though I’m not entirely convinced it makes enough of a difference to be worth the extra effort; and finally one made with a food-grade lye bath, which produces the dark, crackly authentic pretzel finish you see in the photos here. Pick the one that you’re most comfortable with and prepare to make a habit of it. 

Yield: 14 hot dog buns, 12 hamburger buns, 32 tiny soft pretzel knots, 12 to 16 large soft pretzels knots (12 the size you’d see at a beer hall) or 16 sandwich rolls

Time: 2 hours (1 1/2 hours rising time)

For dough

• 1 tablespoon barley malt syrup or dark brown sugar 
• 2 tablespoons lard or softened or melted and cooled unsalted butter 
• 2 tablespoons instant or rapid-rise yeast 
• 2 cups lukewarm water 
• 6 cups (about 30 ounces) all-purpose or bread flour 
• 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 

For dipping (pick one)

• 1/4 cup baking soda (for standard baking soda bath), 1 cup baking soda (for concentrated baking soda bath) or 1/4 cup food-grade lye (for darkest, most authentic finish and flavor)
• Water 

To finish

• 1 large egg (for baking soda methods only)
• Coarse sea salt or pretzel salt 

Make dough: In a mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), stir together syrup or sugar, lard or butter, yeast, water and half the flour. Add kosher salt and remaining flour and stir just until mixture comes together in a shaggy mass. Turn out onto counter (or attach dough hook to mixer) and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, until smooth and supple. Cut into desired number of pieces (see Yield above) and let rest 5 minutes before shaping.

To form hamburger buns or sandwich rolls, form each piece into a ball and stretch and tuck the sides under, forming a neat round. To form hot dog buns, form each piece into a 7-inch log. To form pretzel knots, roll each piece into a rope (traditionally, the ends are skinny and the center is fat). Lift the ends, twist them around each other once and bend the twist back, pressing the ends onto the ‘belly’ at about 4 and 8 o’clock. Stretch the “shoulders” of the pretzels out as much as desired.

Transfer formed pretzel buns and knots onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper (for easiest removal), giving each room to grow. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes (no need to cover them, but I could not resist lightly covering them with plastic to protect from drafts), then in the fridge for 1 hour or overnight. If using concentrated baking soda bath, you’ll want to begin prep now. Heat oven to 250 to 300 degrees F. Spread 1 cup baking soda on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake baking soda for one hour. You’ll have about 2/3 cup when you’re done; you’ll use it in a minute. Because of its concentration, it’s best to use latex gloves when touching it.

Heat oven to 425 degrees F.

Dip your pretzels:
For standard baking soda bath: Bring 1 quart of water to a boil. Add baking soda (and step back, it foams up quickly) and stir to dissolve. Remove from heat and poach pretzels for 1 minute on each side in solution. Use slotted spoon to transfer pretzels to baking sheet. Continue until all pretzels are poached.

For concentrated baking soda bath: Bring 1 quart of water to a boil. Wearing latex gloves, add concentrated/baked baking soda from previous step (step back, it will foam up) and stir to dissolve. Remove from heat and poach pretzels for 2 minutes on each side in solution, then rinse off the excess dipping solution in a large bowl of plain water. Use slotted spoon to transfer pretzels to baking sheet. Continue until all pretzels are poached.

For food-grade lye bath: Place 1 quart of cold (never warm, unlike the baking soda methods) water in a glass or plastic bowl (lye can corrode reactive metals. I did this an empty sink, to keep it the most contained). At the minimum, wear latex gloves for protection, but to take better precautions, wear longer gloves or long sleeves, an apron and goggles (swim or onion goggles will also provide protection!) and mix lye slowly and carefully (so not to splash) into the water until dissolved. Dip pretzels for about 10 seconds on each side and place on baking sheets. Continue until all are dipped.

Bake pretzels: If using either baking soda method, beat egg with a teaspoon of water and brush it over poached pretzels for improved glossiness. If desired, make slashes in buns (I like a criss-cross on round buns and three diagonal ones on hot dog buns; slash deeper than you think necessary or the lines will disappear, as mine did in this batch). Sprinkle pretzels with coarse or pretzel salt and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating tray once to get an even, dark color. Transfer to rack. Serve warm.

Do ahead: Soft pretzels are always best warm from the oven. They will not keep well overnight; in a container or bag, the salt will dissolve and the tops will become wet — it’s very unpleasant. I find it easiest to form them the night before and just dip and bake them before taking them where we will eat them. Once baked, they’ll be good to eat for up to 6, but will be best in the first hour or two.

***
Rye pretzel variation: You can swap up to 1 cup of the flour for a dark rye flavor for a more complex flavor.

Yeast exchange: If you only have active dry yeast and want to use it here in a 1:1 exchange, you can do so by stirring it into the lukewarm water (not over 115 degrees F) and letting it sit for 5 minutes (it should dissolve and look a little foamy) before adding it when you’d add the water to the dough. The rising time should be approximately the same, but I’d still suggest that the first time you make it, you keep an eye on it in case it takes more or less time.

Where to buy pretzel salt: I just use a coarse sea salt (often La Baleine brand, but this time, something from a bulk bin) Amazon, King Arthur Flour, from Morton brand and many other places online.

Where to buy food-grade lye: You can order it from Amazon or Modernist Pantry, but if you’re in NYC, as of Tuesday morning, the Williamsburg location of Brooklyn Kitchen sold it in small and large bottles and had at least 18 (yes, I counted) bottles in stock, inexpensively.

55 Essential Movies Your Child Must See (Before Turning 13)

Another Friday, another movie night.  Here's a list I found a few weeks ago, courtesy of Entertainment Weekly.  There are just a few that I haven't seen.  See my notes below in italics.

1. The Muppet Movie - the original.  always worth watching.  Seen by Brave Astronaut, LBA, and SoBA
2. Toy Story - the first and the best.  I can't watch the end of Toy Story 3 - I keep getting some dust in my eye.  Seen by all
3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas - do not, repeat, do not watch the Jim Carrey version.  Seen by all.
4. Babe - I've seen it. The boys have not.
5. Mary Poppins - a tradition like no other, no wait, that's the Masters.  But this is the film equivalent of the Masters.  We own the move, but the boys have not yet seen it.
6. Beauty and the Beast - Disney classic - not seen by the boys.
7. The Little Mermaid - I may not have seen this one all the way through - also not seen by the boys.
8. Finding Nemo - very popular at the Launchpad.
9. The Red Balloon - I saw this film in school.  It would not be interesting to the boys, I'm pretty sure.
10. Pinocchio - Brave Astronaut yes, LBA and SoBA not.
11. Annie - I saw the Broadway play.  It was also produced at my high school.  The movie version is OK.
12. The Kid (Charlie Chaplin) - one that I haven't seen.
13. Wall-E - two that I have not seen
14. The Sound of Music - see #5
15. The Lion King - I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.  Unfortunately LBA and SoBA have been duped by "unauthorized" (read bad) sequels.
16. The Wizard of Oz - the flying monkeys are still a bit much for me, definitely for SoBA.
17. Singin' in the Rain - the title track is on my iPod.  Not seen by the boys.
18. Miracle on 34th Street - again, the original, in black and white, not colorized. May not have been seen by the boys.
19. The Iron Giant - third I have not seen, but I think LBA has seen this.
20. ET, the Extra Terrestrial - I liked this move, but have not shown it to the boys.
21. Elf - when we were in NYC at Christmas last year, we all went on the Buddy the Elf tour of New York City.
22. How to Train Your Dragon - I haven't seen this, but the boys have, and saw the sequel last month.
23. Star Wars - another popular choice at the Launchpad, and the "crown" in the canon.
24. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - I have never gotten into the Potter mania, but LBA enjoys the movies.
25. Pee-Wee's Big Adventure - was never a big fan, but have seen most of this movie.  Have no plans to show to the boys.
26. March of the Penguins - not seen in the movies, but seen on TV. When Mrs. BA was pregnant with SoBA, he used to kick at the sound of Morgan Freeman's voice.  Although, when it comes to penguins, the go to movie is more likely to be Happy Feet.
27. Home Alone - a good movie, but not one I think the boys need to see anytime soon.
28. The Black Stallion - not on the favorites list.
29. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - again, the original, not the Johnny Depp version.  Gene Wilder is Willy Wonka. Seen by me, I don't think the boys, yet.
30. Yellow Submarine - really, by age 13?
31. Who Framed Roger Rabbit - seen by Brave Astronaut and by both LBA and SoBA (I think)
32. The Incredibles - enjoyed by all of the members of the Launchpad.
33. The Lego Movie - because everything is awesome!
34. The Princess Bride - possibly the go-to movie at the Launchpad
35. The Goonies - I was never a big Goonies guy, but the boys have seen this recently.
36. A Christmas Story - I have never been a big fan of this movie, either.
37. West Side Story - see #30
38. It's a Wonderful Life - I own this movie and watch it at least once at Christmastime.
39. Duck Soup - not a big Marx brothers fan.
40. Back to the Future - seen by me and LBA.
41. Young Frankenstein (that's Frahnkensteen), I might need to show this to the boys.
42. Edward Scissorhands - not a big Tim Burton (or Johnny Depp) fan
43. Lord of the Rings - LBA has been making some noise about reading these books, and I think has seen parts of the movie.
44. The Karate Kid - LBA has seen the new one, but I don't think he has seen the original.
45. Stand By Me - In my top ten of favorite movies.
46. Fantastic Mr. Fox - LBA and SoBA have seen this, I have seen pieces of it.
47. Big - I have watched this movie a lot - but not yet for the boys.
48. Some Like it Hot - see #30, really?
49. Raiders of the Lost Ark - another very popular choice at the launchpad.  Mrs. BA and I make the boys close their eyes for the end - LBA asked the other day when he would be old enough to keep his eyes open.
50. Pirates of the Caribbean - see #42
51. The Avengers - LBA may be ready for this, but not SoBA yet.
52. Titanic - ship sinks, boy dies.  
53. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - not a big fan
54. To Kill a Mockingbird - Stand up, your daddy's passin'
55. Jurassic Park - may still be a little too scary for the boys.

Steak Mock Frites

It's not a secret that Mrs. BA loves her some steak frites.  Here's a steak frites recipe (from the New York Times Magazine) that you can try at home.

Steak Mock Frites
by Sam Sifton
There is no better, more reliable restaurant dish than steak frites. It is perhaps America's favorite French food, a cheeseburger deluxe recast for date nights, celebrations, feasts. Few make the dish at home, though: The frites are too labor-intensive for all but the most project-oriented cooks. Here, then, is a recipe to fake out the fries, one that will take even a relatively neophyte home cook little more than an hour to make. The aim is great steak, a delicious sauce of maître d'hôtel butter, and potatoes with a terrific quality of French fry-ness, supreme crispness, with soft and creamy flesh within.

TOTAL TIME 1 hour

For the mock frites

• Kosher salt 
• 8-12 new, baby or C-grade potatoes 
• 3 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola 

For the maître d’hôtel butter

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 
• 2 teaspoons thyme leaves, minced 
• 1 small shallot, peeled and minced 
• 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 
• Splash Champagne or white-wine vinegar

For the steak

• 2 pounds beef steak, like boneless rib-eye, approximately 1 inch thick 
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil, like canola

Preparation 

1. Preheat oven to 450. Set a large pot filled with salted water on the stove. Add potatoes, turn heat to high and cook, gently boiling, until they are softened, approximately 15 minutes. Drain potatoes, and dry them well.
2. Grease a sheet pan with half the oil, and put the potatoes on the pan. Using a potato masher or the bottom of a heavy glass, gently smash each potato, pressing it down to a thickness of less than an inch. Drizzle the rest of the oil over the smashed potatoes, place on top rack in the oven and allow to roast until the exteriors are golden and crunchy, approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Add salt to taste.
3. Make the maître d’hôtel butter. Put the butter on a cutting board and, using a fork, cut the other ingredients into it until the butter is creamy and smooth. Scrape the butter together with a chef’s knife, and form it into a rough log. If making it ahead of time, you can roll it tight in a sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use. 
4. As the potatoes finish crisping, make the steaks. Set a heavy-bottomed skillet — or 2 if your steaks are large and you are cooking them in 4 pieces — over high heat, and let it sit for a few minutes. Shower the steaks with an aggressive amount of salt and pepper. Add the oil to the pan, and shake to distribute. It will almost immediately begin to smoke. Place the steaks in the pan, and allow to sear, unattended, for 4 minutes, until they have developed a serious crust. Turn the steaks over, and cook for an additional 3 to 6 minutes for medium-rare. Remove steaks to a warm platter to rest. Top each steak with a tablespoon of the butter.
5. Remove the potatoes from the oven, and season them with salt and a grind of pepper. Place 2 or 3 crunchy potatoes on each plate, then nestle a steak up beside them. Top each steak with pats of the remaining butter. 

YIELD 4 servings.

The Babe Takes the Field

LBA wrapped up another season of baseball last month, as did SoBA on a developmental clinic for T-Ball.  The two of them are pretty rabid about baseball.  They really enjoyed their trip to Cooperstown in April (as both Mrs. BA and I did as well).  At the Hall of Fame, there is a special exhibition devoted to "The Babe."


Today marks the day (July 11, 1914) when Babe Ruth took to the bump for the Boston Red Sox to begin his pitching career.  Ruth pitched seven innings to lead the Sox over the Cleveland Indians 4-3, giving up five hits over six innings. 

Born in Baltimore in 1895, George Herman "Babe" Ruth, was the first of eight children, although only he and a sister survived past infancy.  Ruth was constantly in trouble with his parents and school officials - and was sent to the St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys until the age of 19.  In 1914, he was signed as a pitcher by the Baltimore Orioles who shortly thereafter sold him to the Red Sox.  He was given the nickname Babe, primarily due to his youth.  He of course, went on to legend as a New York Yankee.

Strawberry Balsamic and Olive Oil Breakfast Cake

Here's a simple recipe for a bread/cake that might be a big hit with LBA and SoBA.  They are a bit nuts about strawberries.  From Food 52 via C in DC.

Strawberry Balsamic and Olive Oil Breakfast Cake
Author Notes: Balsamic vinegar and strawberries are a classic pairing. Balsamic vinegar and olive oil are a classic vinaigrette. Surely, I thought to myself, all three must come to sweet-and-sour harmony in a cake. This recipe came together in my head as I thought about the theme of this contest. I knew I wanted to take the vinegar idea in a sweet direction. Vinegar caramels came to mind, and then I thought of a tartly sweet caramel sauce. That made me think of upside-down cakes, and all at once, the recipe came together. I decided to build on the usual technique for making an attractive upside-down cake: spiral your fruit or toppings at the bottom of the pan, pour over a caramel-based glaze prepped on the stovetop, pour your batter over that, bake, cool, and invert to oohs and ahhs. In order to make sure the flavor of the vinegar was heightened and emphasized, I wanted to include it in both the glaze and the cake. Olive oil cake seemed an inspired pairing with the balsamic vinegar, and so I adapted an olive oil cake recipe I'd worked on previously, swapping in balsamic vinegar for the rosewater I'd previously featured. To keep the aesthetic of the cake spring-like, as a match for the season and the strawberries, I used golden balsamic vinegar instead of its darker, thicker sibling. This cake comes together quickly. Dense and moist, with an intriguing tartness to offset the jam-like quality of the strawberries, it is rich with eggs and not too sweet. Oh go on, make it for breakfast.
Serves 8

Ingredients - Golden balsamic vinegar glaze and strawberry spiral

• 1 pound fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup brown sugar 
• 1/2 cup golden balsamic vinegar 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 1 tablespoon honey 

Ingredients - Cake 

• 1 cup sugar 
• 1/4 cup golden balsamic vinegar 
• 1/2 cup buttermilk 
• 3 eggs 
• 1 3/4 cup cake flour 
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 2/3 cups olive oil 

Preparation 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. Spray an 8-inch cake pan with olive oil spray. Line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper (this is an important step -- it will help your cake release from the pan after baking without disturbing the arrangement of your strawberries). Spray again with olive oil. 
3. Remove stems and slice strawberries vertically. Arrange them in a spiral, starting with the outside layer and overlapping slightly at the bottom of the cake pan. 
4. Combine the brown sugar, golden balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and honey in a stainless steel pan and whisk to emulsify. Bring to a boil and stir frequently until thickened enough that it drips more slowly from your stirring spoon. Remove from heat and pour carefully over the arranged strawberries. 
5. To make the cake batter, start by whisking together in one bowl the sugar, buttermilk, vinegar, and eggs. 
6. In another bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: the flour, baking powder, and salt. 
7. Add your wet ingredients to your dry ingredients in three stages, stirring to incorporate each time. 
8. Add your olive oil in 3 stages, folding and stirring to incorporate each time. 
9. Slowly and carefully pour the batter over the strawberries. Don't pour too rapidly, or you'll displace your carefully-arranged spiral. 
10. Bake for approximately an hour. The cake is done when the top is golden and it has pulled away slightly from the edges of the pan. 
11. Cool for 10 minutes, and then run a knife between the cake and the pan to make sure it is completely loosened. 
12. Put a flat plate atop the pan, and then, using potholders to protect your hands, quickly flip the cake while holding the plate tightly to the pan. 
13. Slowly lift the pan, and the cake will be sitting, covered in parchment paper, on the plate. Peel off the parchment paper and be greeted by a beautiful spiral of sweet-tart fruit atop a golden cake.

Happy Birthday America!

Today is Independence Day!  The 238th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence.  I'm hoping there may be time for a viewing of 1776 today - but there are also birthday festivities to be attended to today - it is the Brave Astronaut's father's 85th birthday!

Here's a list of weirdness regarding the 50 states that make up our great country.  From BuzzFeed.

1. In Alabama, it is illegal to salt a railroad track.
2. Alaska has a cat serving as honorary mayor of Talkeetna.
3. Arizona has the most well-preserved meteor crater.
4. Arkansas is the home of the World Duck Calling Championships.
5. Fortune Cookies were invented in California.
6. Colorado has almost as many ghost towns as it does live ones.
7. Lollipops were named in Connecticut.
8. Delaware is the only state without a national park.
9. Florida is home to the psychic capital of the world (but you already knew that, right?)
10. Georgia hosts the largest poultry convention in the world.
11. Hawaii is the only state that is rabies-free.
12. Idaho hosts the world championship porcupine race (being held this very day!).
13. The official language of Illinois is American, not English.
14. Indiana has the first successful goldfish farm.
15. In Iowa, it is illegal to kiss for longer than five minutes.
16. Kansas is the home of the first Pizza Hut.
17. Kentucky was the site of the nation's first hand transplant.
18. Louisiana holds an international joke-telling contest.
19. Until 2003, Maine produced 90% of the country's toothpicks.
20. The official state cat of Maryland is the calico, because it matches the state flag.
21. Frozen Food was invented in Massachusetts (thanks, Clarence Birdseye!)
22. In Michigan, you are never more than six miles from a lake.
23. The State Flower of Minnesota, the pink and white lady's slipper, can live for a century.
24. Shoes were first sold in pairs in Mississippi.
25. Missouri sold the first loaf of sliced bread.
26. In Montana, humans are outnumbered by elk, deer, and antelope (no word if they are playing or not).
27. Arbor Day began in Nebraska.
28. In Las Vegas, Nevada, more than 6,000 pounds of shrimp are consumed each day.
29. The first potato was planted in New Hampshire.
30. New Jersey has the most diners (duh).
31. The first atom bomb was tested in New Mexico.
32. Packaged toilet paper was first produced in New York.
33. North Carolina is also known as the Furniture Capital of the World.
34. North Dakota is the least visited state.
35. Ohio is home of America's Best Bathroom Contest.
36. Oklahoma is home to more astronauts than any other state (really?).
37. Oregon houses the largest collection of carousel animals.
38. Pennsylvania produces the most mushrooms in the US.
39. The State Drink of Rhode Island is Coffee Milk.
40. The State Dance of South Carolina is The Shag.
41. South Dakota is home to the Mashed Potato Wrestling Contest.
42. The Architect of the Tennessee State Capitol is buried in the walls.
43. Texas produces most of the country's helium.
44. Utah consumes more Jell-O than anywhere else.
45. Vermont is the only state whose capital does not have a McDonald's.
46. More Presidents came from Virginia than any other state.
47. Father's Day began in Washington.
48. West Virginia shipped the world's largest shipment of matches.
49. Wisconsin is home of the Hamburger Hall of Fame (and museum).
50. Wyoming is the state with the fewest people.

Car Games for the Long Road Trip

The Brave Astronaut clan is readying itself for the big trip north to celebrate Brave Astronaut's dad's 85th Birthday!  We usually amuse ourselves with the Alphabet Game (it really has helped both LBA and SoBA learn to read) and the License Plate Game on long car trips.  Here's a long list of other car games that you can give a whirl the next time your in the car. From BuzzFeed.

1. Car Cricket (Baseball) - Probably the oldest game of all. Each player takes it in turns to bat. One run for each car you pass, two for motorbikes, four for a van, six for a bus or truck. If it’s a red car, you’re out, and the next player goes into bat. Variation: Car Snooker. You get one point when you see a red one, then you have to wait for a different color: yellow (two points), green (three), brown (four), blue (five) – etc. If you see a white car, it’s a foul, you lose four points, and it’s the next person’s go.
2. The Yes/No game - How hard is it to avoid saying “Yes” or “No”? Harder than you think. Whoever is ‘It’ has to answer all questions without saying “Yes” or “No”. The classic tactic is of course to say “You said ‘yes’ just now” - to which the inevitable response is: “No I didn’t!”
3. Think of Something - Each child is asked to think of an object with a particular characteristic. The game’s success depends on the parents varying the question to suit the ability of the child. Young children might have to think of something green, or made of wood, say, the older ones might have to come up with something Japanese, or Elizabethan, or soluble. It’s a great learning tool as younger children aspire to the knowledge of their elders.
4. Car-color bingo - An easy game for younger children. Pick a color, score a point for each color you drive past. The winner is the first to reach, say, 20. Insider knowledge: if you want to win, pick silver.
5. 5-4-3-2-1 - Players take it in turns to spot an interesting object, out of the window. Say it’s a cow: they then shout “Cow! 5…4…3…2…1”. The other players have to locate, point to and say the name of the object before the countdown reaches one. Whoever identifies it is the next spotter. You can add to your score the number the questioner reached. Not one for the driver, obviously. 
6. Character counting - How many characters are there in your favorite films and TV shows? Each player takes it in turn to name a character, with others helping out if they get stuck. It’s a collaborative game, where you’re all working together. Suggestions: Harry Potter, Star Trek, Star Wars, Disney films, Lord of the Rings and so on…
7. Countries of the world - The first player names a country beginning with A, such as Afghanistan. The next player then has to think of a country that begins with the last letter of the country just named – Norway, for example. You can make the kids think of cities as well if you want the game to be easier.
8. The name game - The first player say the name of a well-known figure, including a description of what they’re famous for – such as “Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister”. The next player has to name someone who shares the same first or second name: “James Brown, singer”. It continues – by specifying the occupations, you prove the person you’ve named is real. 
9. Name that tune - Each player takes it in turn to hum the theme tune to a well-known film or TV show: whoever guesses it correctly gets the next go.  My mother and I used to play this with the "seek" or "scan" buttons on the radio.  First to identify the song when it stops on a radio station, wins.
10. Alphabet shopping - The first player begins: “I went to the supermarket and I bought an apple.” The next player has to think of something you can buy in a supermarket beginning with B, and so on. You vary the game by visiting other shops – bookshops, record shops and so on.
11. Uncle Bobby - Uncle Bobby reads books but not magazines. He’s a good accountant, although he can add, but he can’t subtract. He eats noodles, but not pasta. He likes the color green, but not blue or red. Uncle Bobby, of course, only likes things that have double letters in them. Once each player works out the rules, they can take part by saying other things Uncle Bobby likes and dislikes. And if that’s getting old, Aunt Jemima only likes things ending in a vowel.
12. What has an eye but no nose? The answer, of course, is a needle. It’s a game that can be extended endlessly with little mental effort – you’d be surprised how many body parts are used figuratively in everyday speech. Here are some examples:
• What has a tongue but no teeth? A shoe. 
• What has teeth but no lips? A comb. 
• What has legs but no arms? A table. 
• What has arms but no hands? A coat (or chair). 
• What has hands but no fingers? A clock. 
• What has a neck but no head? A wine bottle. 
• What has a face but no hair? A watch. 
• What has ears but no cheeks? Corn. 
13. Celebrity Challenge - You think of a well-known figure – they could be real, or from a cartoon, say; the kids have to ask questions about their lives and accomplishments to work out who the person is. “Dead or alive,” “Real or imaginary”. Make sure you mix things up when it’s the kids’ turn by dropping in random questions like whether they like mashed potato or own a hairdryer. 
14. Car Singalong - Try to do it this well. Somewhere at the launchpad is a sing-along book.
15. Scavenger hunt - You can actually go the extra mile here and prepare a list of items for kids to look out for on the journey, and print it off. If it’s a route you know well, customize the list by adding things you know you’re going to pass on the way. - Dog walker - Police car - Ambulance - A ‘School’ sign - McDonald’s - A dog in another car - Someone picking their nose etc. 
16. We’ll be there before you can say… “Sixteen slimy serpents slithered surreptitiously on the silver sand as they sped silently southwards.” Or “On Monday morning I made a model of a magical mouse with many mandibles, and mailed it to a man in Manchester.” It takes a bit of thought to come up with alliterative sentences. Learn the phrase, try to get the kids to repeat it word-for-word. 
17. BONUS: I feel sick! Not a game – but a couple of tips for when you hear those words. Opening the window does actually help, as does closing your eyes.

Shrimp Scampi

Mrs. BA and I were just saying earlier this month that we would like to introduce shrimp in the Brave Astronaut menu cycle. From the Pioneer Woman.

Shrimp Scampi
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 Tablespoons Butter 
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil 
• 1/2 whole Medium Onion, Finely Diced 
• 4 cloves Garlic Cloves, Minced Or Pressed 
• 1 pound Large Shrimp, Peeled And Deveined 
• 1/2 cup White Wine 
• 2 whole Lemons 
• 4 dashes Hot Sauce (I Used Tabasco; More To Taste) 
• Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste 
• 8 ounces, weight Angel Hair Pasta 
• Chopped Fresh Basil To Taste 
• Chopped Fresh Parsley, To Taste 
• 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese 

Preparation
Boil water for pasta; have it ready.

Heat olive oil and melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook for two or three minutes, or until onions are translucent. Add shrimp, then stir and cook for a couple of minutes. Squeeze in lemon juice. Add wine, butter, salt and pepper, and hot sauce. Stir and reduce heat to low.

Throw angel hair pasta into the boiling water. Cook until just done/al dente. Drain, reserving a cup or two of the pasta water.

Remove skillet from heat. Add pasta and toss, adding a splash of pasta water if it needs to be thinned. Taste for seasonings, adding salt and pepper if needed.

Top with grated Parmesan and minced parsley and serve immediately.

Happy Birthday to Brave Astronaut's Dad!

Next week the Brave Astronaut clan will travel to New York to celebrate my father's 85th birthday.  He turns that milestone on July 4th - but as I have long said, it didn't mean anything to him, as he was born in France.  But once he moved here, when he was 7, he was given a really cool birthday for the rest of his life.

There is to be a big blowout party and perhaps there will be some sightseeing in the city this year.  And the opportunity to use some of these quintessential New York terms (from BuzzFeed).

1. Hot Garbage: 1. a distinctive scent exclusive to NYC, particularly in the months of July and August. 2. an odor that can be compared only to the recesses of hell or a heaping bowlful of sewage 
2. Deli/Bodega/Corner Store: 1. terms used interchangeably for the store at which you can buy pretty much everything you need ever. 2. place you will usually find an adorable cat who is also sassy and cool 
3. Plain Slice: 1. a piece of cheese pizza. 2. a form of miracle sustenance that works both as a respectable lunch and dinner as well as satisfying drunk food FOR A DOLLAR omg 
4. Brick: 1. really fucking cold. 2. November through March 
5. …But It’s the Law! 1. used most often in cabs that refuse to take you from one borough to another. 2. what you will be yelling in a drunken haze, just outside the Williamsburg Bridge, with a slab of pizza dangling out of your mouth at 4 a.m. when the cabbie doesn’t give a shit 
6. Train: 1. general term for the NYC subway. 2. form of transportation in which an empty car during rush hour is a clue you are about to encounter the most horrifying stench and/or sight of all your years 
7. Waterbug: 1. a giant, terrifying cockroach; palmetto bug. 2. proof that the devil is real and it walks (sometimes flies) among us
8. Hero: 1. a sandwich commonly/erroneously referred to as a “sub” in other parts of the country. 2. that dude who sees you racing through the turnstile and holds the train doors open for you even though everyone else on the train is all like, “WTF, shithead, we have somewhere to be” and you’re like, “Wutevs, so do I, assholes” 
9. Nutcracker: 1. a delightful homemade alcoholic beverage typically sold on trains or in parks out of a suspicious cooler or backpack. 2. responsible for your blackout and having your every possession stolen after you pass out on the train ride home 
10. Bridge-and-Tunnel Crowd: 1. fake-ID-toting youngsters from Long Island and New Jersey drowned in hair gel, teetering on 5-inch heels, clubbing and doing Jägerbombs yolo-style. 2. the worst humans ever (but actually sort of fun to party with if you’re super wasted) 
11. Houston Street: 1. a pretty cool street on which to hang downtown. 2. the pronunciation of which is the No. 1 way to spot a tourist or newcomer to the city 
12. Schmear: 1. a coating of cream cheese (i.e., on a bagel). 2. what you’d be wise to ask for at Russ & Daughters, Hot Bialys, etc. 
13. The City: 1. used by outer-borough folk to describe the borough of Manhattan. 2. impossible to travel to from an outer borough on the weekends (aka when every train you need is down and/or running on another train’s line and/or running as a “shuttle” for approximately five stops) 
14. Magnolia Bakery: 1. place with nice enough but overrated cupcakes made famous by Sex and the City. 2. where you will find every last tourist pretending to enjoy the best dessert of their entire life before their next stop at Times Square
15. Times Square: 1. literally hell. 2. where otherwise normal-functioning humans curiously forget that legs can be utilized for movement purposes

Salted Caramel Cookie Butter Bark

What is the Cookie Butter that you speak of?  I must have some, NOW!  Here's a whole host of recipes from BuzzFeed and one in particular from Wine and Glue.

Salted Chocolate Cookie Butter Bark

Ingredients

• 3 cups of chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate), divided 
• 1 cup of Cookie Butter 
• 1 cup of powdered sugar 
• 2 TBSPs butter, softened 
• 1 tsp Kosher salt 

Preparation

1. Line a pan with wax paper. 
2. Melt 1 1/2 cups of the chocolate and spread it thinly and evenly over the wax paper. Stick it in the freezer for a half hour. 
3. While that’s in the freezer, combine the cookie butter, powdered sugar, and butter. 
4. Pull the chocolate out of the freezer, spread the cookie butter mixture over the frozen chocolate. (I used my fingers, so much easier!!) 
5. At this point you could throw it in the freezer again, but I didn’t. Melt the remaining chocolate and spread it evenly over the cookie butter mixture carefully so as to make a smooth layer without mixing in the cookie butter mixture. 
6. Top with the salt, you may not need the full 1 tsp. 
7. Stick the whole thing in the freezer again. I let mine freeze overnight and it broke up really nicely.