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Ontario Flooring is one of the biggest and most well established floor coverings companies. Emerson's have been in flooring business for years. our company products and services are economical and guaranteed. All of us at Emerson's offer all types of commercial and residential flooring products and services. Emerson's uses most up-to-date tools and Tec-machines .We all from our company are expertise to take care of any kind of flooring undertakings. Youll be able to get in touch with Our Company pertaining to home and office restorations any hour and any time. You can also contact at Emerson's for brand new construction and repairing. Specialists at our company tend to be extremely intelligent and much more able to sort out any of flooring issues. Ontario Flooring technicians have the capability to solve all of your floor coverings issues. In
Are you searching for the branded and high class office and home flooring solutions around Ontario, e mail us at Ontario Flooring; around you'll be receiving the best advice possible, plus a product that will be suitable for the position, all expertl
Ontario Flooring Ontario Floor installers Ontario Floor installation Flooring Ontario Floor installers Ontario


text: TomTomXL Last response: September 20, 2011 4:15 AM in Toms Network Share LindaO August 25, 2011 1:03:24 PM Hello, How can I update my tomtomXL? More about : tomtomxl hang-the-9 August 25, 2011 8:18:29 PM There are a few XP models, check for the manual instructions here http://www.tomtom.com/support/support.php?ID=3 m 0 l ncc74656 September 20, 2011 4:15:17 AM tomtom XL's all use the tomtom home application. you can download it on tomtom's website. that will update everything you need once you make an account. from there you can also buy new maps. m 0 l Can't find your answer ? Ask ! Publish Read discussions in other Toms Network categories Article Discussions Polls

subset: commoncrawl


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Software Map
Project Tree
Operating System > POSIX > Linux
Browse By:
5 projects in result set.
|0. KRASH - KRASH : Kernel for Reproduction and Analysis of System Heterogeneity is a tool capable of generating of reproducible load on different elements of a parallel system.
|Activity Percentile: 77.78
Registered: 2008-11-26 13:21
|1. GGen - GGen is a both a library of reference random graph generation methods and a website providing analysis of several key properties of the generated graphs.
|Activity Percentile: 66.67
Registered: 2009-01-06 10:30
|2. pacmap - PACket MAniPulation framework
|Activity Percentile: 55.56
Registered: 2010-02-22 14:54
|3. cadse - A CADSE appears, to the developer, as an "intelligent" high level Eclipse workspace, which "knows" the concepts of the domain, and knows the "best" way to map them toward programming artifacts.
|Activity Percentile: 0.00
Registered: 2009-02-05 08:27
|4. S_GPU - This library provides an efficient sharing of the GPUs present on an hybrid computer between several processes, MPI tasks for example.
|Activity Percentile: 0.00
Registered: 2009-12-23 13:25


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New to Chico State and Butte College?
We hope that everyone is having a great summer so far! We wanted to take a moment to welcome incoming freshmen and transfer students to Chico State and Butte College! If you are interested in getting involved in a Christian community during your time in Chico, we would love to meet you! We will be having a lot of events (BBQ's, Farmer's Market, Capture the Flag, etc.) starting August 18th, and we would love for you to join us and...
Welcome to Chico!
We are so excited to welcome back all the returning Chico students and welcome in the new students! We will have a booth at Farmer's Market tomorrow night, so if you are new to Chico come grab some free sunglasses and info on getting connected! If you returning to Chico, come by and say hi! If you want to get connected and hear more about events Chico Cru is doing, just fill out this quick survey and we will get...
Check Out our Upcoming Events!
Keep updated on our upcoming events that we would love to see you at, or meet you there! If you want more information, or want to be contacted about events fill out this quick survey: http://chicocru.com/get-connected/ and we would love to get you plugged in! Here are the events we will be doing during the first week of school! Check out our Cru at Chico State Facebook page for more specific event information. ...
Get Plugged into a Community Group!
Community groups are a great way to get connected to other students in your residence hall or year in school. We value authentic community and creating a safe environment to grow in your faith and learn more about Jesus. If you are interested in getting involved in one, please check one out! FRESHMEN {Meet in Sutter Plaza at 6pm every MONDAY} SOPHOMORES {Meet at 444 West 4th Ave at 8:00pm every MONDAY} JUNIORS {Meet at 342 Normal St. at 8pm every TUESDAY} SENIORS {Meet at 1009 Neal...
Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Cru is?
Chico Cru exists to provide each and every Chico students with an environment to investigate God, explore the idea of having a personal relationship with Him, and grow in community with one another.Learn More
Community Groups
Community Groups are a great way to get involved with Chico Cru. At Community Groups, we learn what the Bible has to say and what it means to be in a relationship with Jesus.Learn More
Knowing Jesus and Making Him Known


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Harvey Shapiro (poet)
|Harvey Shapiro
|Harvey Irwin Shapiro
January 27, 1924
Chicago, Illinois, United States
|January 7, 2013
(aged 88)
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, New York
|Cause of death
|Complications from surgery
|Bachelor's degree in English
Master's degree in American literature
|Alma mater
|Yale University
Columbia University
Former editor of The New York Times
|Years active
|1953-2006 (poet)
1957-2005 (editor)
|Edna Lewis Kaufman (divorced)
Harvey Shapiro (January 27, 1924 – January 7, 2013) was an American poet and editor of The New York Times. He wrote a dozen books of poetry from 1953 to 2006, writing in epigrammatic style about things in his everyday life. As an editor, he was always affiliated with The New York Times in some capacity, mainly in the magazine and book reviews, from 1957 to 2005.[1]
Early life and the war[edit]
Harvey Irwin Shapiro was born in Chicago on January 27, 1924 into a Jewish family from Kiev.[2] He spoke Yiddish. When he was a boy, his family moved to Manhattan and later to Long Island. He studied at Yale University but joined the Army Air Forces when World War II broke out. He flew 35 combat missions over Europe as a B-17 tail gunner and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He returned to Yale to earn a bachelor's degree in English in 1947 and a master's degree in American literature from Columbia University in 1948.[1]
Newspaper career[edit]
Shapiro spent the first half of the 1950s teaching English at Cornell University and Bard College. He then became an assistant editor at Commentary magazine and was the poetry editor at The Village Voice and a fiction editor at The New Yorker before joining The New York Times in 1957.[1] He worked in various editorial positions there—The New York Times Magazine, The New York Times Book Review from 1975 to 1983 and deputy editor of the magazine. Perhaps the most notable non-achievement at The New York Times was in 1962 when he had read that civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had been put in jail. He phoned Dr. King's foundation, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and suggested that, the next time King was put in jail, he should compose a letter to publish.[1][2] This letter became the Letter from Birmingham Jail, after Dr. King was arrested for the Birmingham campaign in April 1963. Shapiro's superiors would not allow him to print Dr. King's letter in The New York Times, but the letter was printed elsewhere 50 times in 325 editions, including Dr. King's own book Why We Can't Wait.[1]
Shapiro continued to write poetry while working as an editor, publishing a dozen books, such as The Eye (1953), The Light Holds (1984) and National Cold Storage Company (1988). He also edited an anthology entitled Poets of World War II.[1] His poetry often displayed a subtle sense of humor.
Personal life[edit]
Shapiro was married to and later divorced from Edna Lewis Kaufman. He resided in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn until his death on January 7, 2013 after complications of recent surgery.[2] Shapiro is survived by his two sons, Saul and Dan. He was 88 years old.[1]
- ^ a b c d e f g Fox, Margalit (January 7, 2013). "Harvey Shapiro, Poet and Editor, Dies at 88". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
- ^ a b c Schachar, Natalie (January 9, 2013). "Harvey Shapiro (1924-2013)". Tablet Magazine. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
- 1924 births
- 2013 deaths
- American people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent
- American male poets
- The New York Times editors
- Columbia University alumni
- Yale University alumni
- Bard College faculty
- Cornell University faculty
- United States Army Air Forces enlisted pilots
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
- Writers from Chicago, Illinois
- 20th-century American poets


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- Report: #641150
Report - Rebuttal - Arbitrate
Complaint Review: Smart Business Plus, LLC
Smart Business Plus, LLC2502 E. University Phoenix, Arizona United States of America
Smart Business Plus, LLC Jessey L. Cloutman, CEO Not only are they scamming consumers, they can not even pay the employees Phoenix, Arizona
*UPDATE Employee: SIMPLY HORSE MANURE
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I worked for this company for about a month, took over for the Customer Service Rep. who had shut the ringer off on the phone. In that time frame, I witnessed many clients not getting calls returned, while trying to sort out the mess the last CSR had left, I found marketing campaigns that had been purchased for several thousands of dollars that had not been implemented even after 6 months.
This company is in so much financial disarray that during the time I worked there all of the employees only would receive a portion of the payroll that was due them on Friday, and that was cash under the table, then we would receive the rest of our pay a few days later. The office on University has been shut down and this business is being operated out of Jessey Cloutmans apartment located at 255 N. Pomeroy #10 Mesa, AZ 85201.
I was let go on 9/14/2010 and told by Jessey that he had another job lined up for me and that he would contact me on 9/15/2010 with the location information on the job and that he would have the $378.00 that he owes me for payroll on 9/16/2010.
I have attempted to contact Jessey Cloutman several times in the past 2 days by phone, which goes directly to voice mail and you are not able to leave a message, I have sent him text messages the past 2 days that have gone unanswered as well.
If anyone reading this has been a victim of this company, you all need to start sending complaints to the Arizona Attorny Generals office. Only if they receive a lot of complaints on this company will anyone who has spent money with this company be able to get their money back...I will probably get screwed out of my payroll andhave to go to the Industrial Commission of Arizona...
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 09/16/2010 09:42 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Smart-Business-Plus-LLC/Phoenix-Arizona-85034/Smart-Business-Plus-LLC-Jessey-L-Cloutman-CEO-Not-only-are-they-scamming-consumers-the-641150. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
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#1 UPDATE Employee
AUTHOR: Leslie Baldwin - (USA)
SUBMITTED: Friday, September 17, 2010POSTED: Friday, September 17, 2010
I work for this company, and nothing on this posting is accurate. The affiliates of this business are making money from their web businesses, the employees are paid on a weekly basis, as well as receiving bonus spiffs for work above and beyond what is expected from them....
I stand behind this rebuttal 100%, and tell you right now that the person who wrote this complaint has never worked for Smart Business Plus, LLC and has no affiliation with this company in any way.
The only complaint that I have is that Rip Off Report does not investigate any of the complaints posted on this forum. Anyone can post on this site, whether the information is valid or not.
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You've done it! You're a semi-popular menswear blogger that people love, hate, and love to hate. You get to work with dope brands and make money at J.C. Penney appearances with Nick Wooster. People compliment you all the time about how good your blog is... and you absolutely hate it. In fact, you hate it so much, you vent about how hard it is to be so successful and popular that it stresses you out—all the traveling, the complimentary dinners, the thirst-DMs from wannabe models just isn't worth it. Boo-hoo dude. So Internet fame is not all it's cracked up to be. No one feels sorry for you bro, you get paid to blog about clothes.
The 10 Corniest Things Menswear Bloggers Do On Social Media
3. Hating your fame
Watch Now


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There is a group of Albertans being treated as second-class citizens. They have a second-class illness and get second-class treatment in our so-called universal health-care system. How else can you describe a health-care system that either refuses to treat or knowingly aggravates a patient's condition. Whatever happened to: "First, do no harm?" My mom is […]
By Howard Feldman and Carole Estabrooks One of the biggest threats to quality of life and health in aging is the loss of cognitive abilities and functional autonomy associated with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. The projections of the number of Canadians living with dementia are staggering, with over 750,000 individuals affected today, a doubling by […]
A Calgary-based organization wants to make everyday errands like grocery shopping or visiting the bank easier for people with vanishing cognitive abilities by creating Alberta's first "dementia-friendly" communities in the southwest Calgary neighbourhood of Signal Hill and the nearby town of Okotoks. As the country's aging population increases and more people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's […]
Calgarian Padmaja Genesh knows what it's like to have a family member with dementia. Her father-in-law was diagnosed with it in 1999, and the family's experiences spurred her into a career change. At the time, she was working as a family physician. But these days, she works as a learning specialist with the Alzheimer Society […]
Three-quarters of nurses in southern Alberta who treat residential dementia patients frequently experience distress from being unable to give patients what they need, a new study has found. The findings from the University of Lethbridge also report that one-third of those nurses also engage in unhealthy behaviour because of those circumstances. "If things don't get better, […]
Seth Rogen stars in the kinds of films that would cause any self-respecting parent to shield their child's eyes. His cult classic, Pineapple Express, is a "stoner crime drama" about duelling drug mafias. North Korean officials have called Rogen's upcoming film, The Interview, an "act of war" for a fictional plot that has his character scheming to assassinate leader Kim Jong-un. In general, we wouldn't advise that kids copy his shenanigans.
Although the actual cause of Alzheimer's disease and most other dementias is not yet known, research has succeeded in identifying the factors that put people at greater risk for Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
Trish Neufeld and her mother didn't always get along. They were opposites. Neufeld was an award-winning documentary filmmaker. Her mom, Patricia Graham, was a businesswoman. "She was for community, people, public service. I was for art, making movies and having fun." So they argued. They also talked and texted every day, sharing every challenge, triumph and heartbreak. They were best friends.
Police are asking the public to help find an elderly man suffering from dementia who has gone missing.
Based on the evidence of the beneficial effects of music and stimulation on people with dementia, organizations in Canada and the U.S. are among those supporting the Music and Memory: iPod Project , and the use of portable digital devices to deliver personalized music to people with dementia.
Kate Newby was once every young, video game addicted boy's worst nightmare: a gamer mom. Newby, who plays Marion, the mom in Games, Linda Griffith's new drama exploring the impact of gamer culture on one family's life, has been there and done that in real life with her real life son Aidan, who is now 21.
A blood test for Alzheimer's capable of predicting whether a person will develop dementia has been developed in a breakthrough hailed by campaigners.
Tackling crosswords and puzzles can help 80-year-olds to retain the brain-power of a 70-year-old and even delay dementia by keeping the mind sharp, researchers believe.
As a teacher in a small northern Alberta village 60 years ago, young Marshall Bye fell deeply in love with Evelyn, a fellow teacher and "the best dancer in the district." "I said, 'that's the gal for me.' She loves dancing and we've danced all our lives," said Bye, 85.
The Canadian Medical Association is calling for a national strategy on dementia, as the number of cases is expected to double within 20 years.
A 91-year-old woman diagnosed with dementia who had no previous artistic experience has discovered a creative outlet that she has been able to express in a series of paintings now being exhibited at the Jewish Community Centre. Lola Penn's unique story is also told in a two-channel video, which records her painting together with her son Ian and Eri Ishii, both Vancouver artists.
For Ralph Klein's family and friends, it was a cruel double blow.
Rockyview General Hospital staff are being directed to keep a closer eye on patients as the result of a newly released review into a case in which a woman with dementia fatally choked on hospital food.
Former prominent Calgary forensic psychiatrist Dr. Aubrey Levin may have numerous physical health ailments and early stages of dementia, but he easily meets the legal criteria for fitness to stand trial, a jury was told on Friday. Crown prosecutor Bill Wister argued Levin does not have to meet a high standard in order to be fit for trial. He just has to be able to understand the nature of the charges against him, the potential consequences of a conviction and be able to instruct counsel.


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Latest Galleries
First Look: The CW's 'The Flash,' 'iZombie,' 'The Messengers' and more
Also the first images from The CW's 'Jane the Virgin'
May 15, 2014
First Look: CBS' 'Stalker,' 'Battle Creek,' 'The Odd Couple' and more
CBS also offers looks at 'Scorpion' and 'The McCarthys'
May 14, 2014
The Most Embarrassing Songs By Pop Queens
Every pop star has songs that are best left forgotten. Except who can forget these?
May 13, 2014
Big questions we have about the 2014 Cannes Film Festival
Comebacks look in play across the board
May 13, 2014
FOX's 'Wayward Pines' looks a lot like 'Twin Peaks'
M. Night Shyamalan's limited series stars Matt Dillon, Juliette Lewis, Terrence Howard
May 12, 2014
First Look: FOX's 'Gracepoint' images add Anna Gunn and Nick Nolte to 'Broadchurch'
You can't see David Tennant's American accent in the pictures
May 12, 2014
Ancient Egypt gets sexy in new photos from FOX's 'Hieroglyph'
Drama series created by 'Pacific Rim' producer Travis Beacham
May 12, 2014
14 Spookiest Moments In The New NBC 'Constantine' Trailer
Ranked from least to most likely to keep you from ever sleeping again.
May 12, 2014
Terrence Howard leads FOX and Lee Daniels' new hip hop drama 'Empire'
The Danny Strong-scripted show also stars Oscar nominee Taraji Henson
May 12, 2014
FOX's new comedies including 'Mulaney,' 'Weird Loners,' and 'Bordertown'
Take a look at FOX's new comedies for the upcoming season
May 12, 2014
'Red Band Society' Cast gallery
Here is the cast of 'Red Band Society' from Steven Spielberg
May 12, 2014


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Hi - I've done all the work and am ready to release my wordpress site however I've been running Joomla for a couple of years and there are tonnes of links on Google etc to the articles on there.
I've replicated all of the content onto the wordpress site but what's the best plan to get google (and googlers!) to the new site rather than the old. If I turn the joomla off entirely then all those links will be dead until google catches up and indexes and refreshes it's database which won't be good for traffic so that's not a good idea. What I'd love is to get Joomla to redirect every page to the equivalent on wordpress, is this possible?


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Just in case you have any leftovers after the holiday, I thought I'd share some of the best Thanksgiving leftover recipes with you today! Sometimes, one of the best parts of Thanksgiving is all the leftovers! Enjoy!
Friday Fab 5: Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Pudding with Maple Whipped Cream Recipe
This post is sponsored by SPLENDA®. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting brands I love so I can keep bringing you more fabulous recipes! Thanksgiving is coming up fast, and this Homemade Pumpkin Spice Pudding with Maple Whipped Cream recipe is something you MUST bookmark! Forget the usual boring pumpkin pie, and try these… [read more]
Friday Fab 5: Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
Tick tock, tick tock…ready for Thanksgiving? Here are five unique Thanksgiving dessert recipes that would be easy desserts for the big day! You can never have too many desserts, right?


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Articles in Spices
Winter is making its presence chillingly known, and when the bitter winds and icy storms appear, so do the runny noses and sore throats. I've discovered that a key friend in these situations is also one of my favorite ingredients: ginger. The spicy root, while better known for curing nausea, also has secret anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting powers that make it a handy natural defense against winter germs. With its subtle heat, ginger even gives that extra warmth needed to sustain you in the frigid months. Luckily, there are several easy and delicious ways to incorporate ginger into your diet, so you can give both your immune system and your tastebuds that warm fuzzy feeling.
Ginger Immuni-Tea
Try this bright tea to warm up your immune system and clear up your sinuses. Add several pieces of peeled sliced ginger (or a teaspoon of ground ginger) to three cups of water. Bring the water to boil and simmer 5 minutes. Add a teaspoon of turmeric (another anti-inflammatory immune booster), a pinch of cayenne pepper (decongestant), a tablespoon of lemon juice (vitamin C infusion) and a cinnamon stick (anti-inflammatory, bacteria-fighting, and antioxidant-rich). Simmer 5 more minutes, then strain into a mug and add a spoonful of honey (sweetens the spice). You can adjust measurements — just err on the careful side with cayenne and turmeric, which pack a strong punch. Prefer a shortcut? Combine the ingredients in a mug and pour boiled water over them, stirring well. Looking to really heat things up? Add rum or whiskey — it's a Ginger Hot Toddy! A bit of a cheat on the health front, but will definitely help you stay warm.
Ginger Smoothie
This is a great option for when you're on the run. Fresh ginger infuses refreshingly tart spice into any smoothie. Options include: mixed berries, milk, honey and banana; pineapple, coconut water, yogurt and cinnamon; mango, orange juice, ice and banana; strawberries, banana, milk and honey; carrot (juice), lemon juice, banana and mint; or kale, apple, lemon juice, blueberries, cinnamon, banana, milk and honey. Go wild with variations. I use frozen berries or banana to thicken, but you can add ice if using fresh fruit. Pick your preferred milk or yogurt — I go with almond and goat, respectively — and same goes for greens (like substituting spinach for kale). Toss it all in the blender with a few peeled slices of fresh ginger for a smooth and tasty immunity boost.
Ginger-Miso Marinade/Dressing
Here's a zesty way to incorporate ginger into your lunch or dinner. Combine several peeled slices of ginger in a blender with a few tablespoons of miso, soy sauce, rice vinegar and about 1/4 cup olive or canola oil, a scant teaspoon of sesame oil, a clove of crushed garlic, a squeeze of lemon juice and/or orange juice, and salt and pepper to taste (and chopped scallions or fresh cilantro if desired). After a few minutes you have a mouthwatering, immune-empowering, Asian-inspired paste that can be used as a marinade for meat and veggies, a dressing for your favorite salad, or even a sauce for stir-fry.
Ginger-Spiced Granola
Granola is the perfect snack: portable, versatile and filling, with lots of protein and flavor. If you're a granola addict like myself, it just makes sense to create your own. It's easy and enables you to add all your favorite elements — including ginger!
More from Zester Daily:
» Zesty citrus fruits brighten winter meals
» Satisfy winter appetites with hardy soups
» Forget souvenirs; Bring home spices instead
Here's a good starting recipe:
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 50 minutes
Total time: 65 minutes
Yield: 6 cups
4 cups oats (substitute other grains, like oat bran or quinoa)
1/4 cup each of your favorite nuts, roughly chopped (I use almonds, walnuts and pecans)
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger
1/4 cup each of dried fruit (figs, raisins, cranberries, apples, cherries — or a combination)
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup molasses (optional)
1/3 cup maple syrup (substitute agave or honey)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1. Combine oats, nuts, coconut, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, salt, ginger and dried fruit in a large bowl.
2. On medium-low heat, combine coconut oil, molasses, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a saucepan. Stir until sugar dissolves. Pour sauce over dry ingredients and combine.
3. Lay out granola on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 275 F for 20 minutes; turn the pan; bake 20 to 30 minutes more until golden brown.
Again, feel free to personalize! Don't like granola too sweet? Scratch the maple syrup and sugar. Wild for luscious clusters? Don't stir while baking. And if you still need more ginger: Add 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger to the dry ingredients or shave fresh ginger into the saucepan mixture.
Main photo: Create a ginger tea with tumeric, cayenne pepper, lemon, cinnamon and honey to keep colds away. Credit: Copyright 2016 Rose Winer
When was the last time you cleaned out your kitchen pantry? I mean really cleaned it out? Sure, you try to stay on top of it, but the next thing you know you've got expired cans of tomatoes dating back to 2009. Oh, wait, maybe we're talking about me.
More from Zester Daily:
» Three canned foods to save your day
» Four winter remedies hidden in your pantry
» Pantry antipasto to please a crowd
Not long after 2016 made its debut, I opened up my pantry door to find not the can of beans I was after, but pure chaos. I practically needed a machete to hack through the jungle of "vintage" condiments, dusty spices and botulism-enhanced canned goods. How did I let it get that bad? I resolved then and there to mend my disorganized ways.
I began by taking every single thing out of the cabinet and surveying the damage. Holy Moses, was there any edible food in there? These are just some of the treasures I unearthed:
- Cardamom seeds that expired in 2007.
- A half-used pouch of never-good-in-the-first-place taco seasoning, "best enjoyed by" May 2008.
- Two nearly full, expired bottles of Old Bay seasoning.
- Truffle salsa brought back from a trip to Umbria in 2007.
No one likes a braggart, but I think I set some kind of record with this one: a bottle of Chinese five-spice powder from 1995!
Taking on the challenge
Three large grocery bags could barely contain all the forgotten food items I hauled out to the trash bin. I didn't know whether to feel triumphant or ashamed.
The fun part was starting with a blank canvas. After tossing all the expired stuff, there wasn't much left. (As much as I love having six different olive oils and five varieties of vinegar at my disposal, these items do not actually qualify as food.) A trip to the grocery store soon remedied that, and I returned with peanut butter, oats, polenta, pasta and other staples for my sparkling-clean cabinet.
Bottles and boxes tend to go rogue once the pantry door is closed, migrating to who-knows-where the minute your back is turned, so I also picked up a couple of baskets and a Lazy Susan to help keep everything in check.
Olive oils are now happily segregated in one of the baskets, placed in the front of the cabinet for easy access. My vinegar collection resides on the Lazy Susan, where a quick spin lets me find the bottle I'm looking for in seconds. Pastas and grains live together in harmony on the third shelf, and baking supplies stand ready on the bottom-right shelf. Few projects I've taken on lately have given me such satisfaction! Sometimes I open the pantry door just to admire the lack of clutter.
Starting fresh
Now that all my pantry foods are neatly organized and unlikely to poison my dinner guests, all I have to do is keep them that way. My pantry got out of control because I kept adding new stuff without purging the items that were past their prime. Well, there'll be no more of that.
You too can start 2016 with a tidy pantry filled with still-edible foods. Just follow these tips:
Create groupings that make sense. For example, store all your baking supplies together, so you don't end up buying multiple bottles of vanilla extract and jars of molasses. The items will be easier to locate, and you won't have duplicates taking up extra space.
Pay attention to "use by" and expiration dates. If an item is stamped with a "use by" or "best by" date, that doesn't mean it's unsafe to eat when that day comes; it means the product's quality can no longer be guaranteed. An expiration date, however, means "eat at your own risk."
When you buy canned goods, place them behind the older ones on your pantry shelf, so you'll remember to use them before they expire. In general, the shelf life of foods canned in liquids is one to two years.
Staying on track
Dried beans seem like they should last forever, but that's not the case. According to the U.S. Dry Bean Council, beans that have been stored longer than a year may never get soft enough, no matter how long you soak or cook them. They'll last longer if you keep them in an airtight container.
Check your spices. Dried herbs tend to lose their color and flavor after a year. Ground spices last longer, up to three years. If you have the time and patience to grind whole spices as you need them, you can keep them up to five years.
Move that honey! For decades I made the mistake of storing honey in the pantry, then gnashing my teeth when it became hard and crystalized. Well, guess what I learned while researching this article? Honey never expires! It just hates being kept in dark places. If you leave it out on the counter, it will remain fluid and keep its lovely amber color.
Look out refrigerator, I'm coming for you next.
Main photo: Start off the new year with a well-organized pantry. (Magnifying glass for reading expiration dates optional.) Credit: Copyright 2016 Tina Caputo
Given how easy it is to make harīsa, the ubiquitous chile paste of North Africa, I've never had much use for those inferior tubes of the stuff. Harīsa is the most important condiment used in Algerian and Tunisian cooking, and you need to make this recipe and keep it in the refrigerator before attempting any other Algerian or Tunisian recipe you might have in my or others' recipes.
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It's hard to believe that so essential a condiment could evolve only after the introduction of the New World capsicum after Columbus' voyages. It's thought that the chile entered North Africa by way of the Spanish presidios that dotted the coast in the 16th century or came up from West Africa overland from the Portuguese holdings there.
Harīsa comes from the Arabic word for "to break into pieces," which is done by pounding hot chiles in a mortar, although today a food processor can be used. This famous hot chile paste is also found in the cooking of Libya, and even in western Sicily where cùscusu is made. In Tunisia it would be prepared fresh at home. The simplest recipe is merely a paste of red chile and salt that is covered in olive oil and stored.
Harīsa is sold in tubes by both Tunisian and French firms. The Tunisian one is better, but neither can compare to your own freshly made from this recipe.
I first became intrigued with making harīsa from a preparation made by Mouldi Hadiji, my Arabic teacher more than 30 years ago. I concocted this version, based on a Berber-style one I had in Djerba, from a recipe description given to me by a merchant in the market in Tunis, who unfortunately provided measurements that could last me a century (calling for 50 pounds of chile).
Some cooks also use mint, onions or olive oil in their harīsa. You also don't have to use the exact dried chiles I call for, but at least one should be quite piquant.
Be careful when handling hot chiles, making sure that you do not put your fingers near your eyes, nose or mouth, or you will regret it. Wash your hands well with soap and water after handling chiles. After you make your first harīsa, with all the modern conveniences, I hope you can appreciate what exacting work this was, making it in the traditional mortar — 50 pounds of the stuff!
Prep time: 1 1/4 hours
Yield: 1 cup
2 ounces dried Guajillo chiles
2 ounces dried Anaheim chiles
5 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground caraway seeds
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground coriander seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Extra virgin olive oil for topping off
1. Soak the chiles in tepid water to cover until softened, 1 hour. Drain and remove the stems and seeds. Place in a blender or food processor with the garlic, water and olive oil and process until smooth, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides.
2. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl and stir in the caraway, coriander and salt. Store in a jar and top off, covering the surface of the paste with a layer of olive oil. Whenever the paste is used, you must always top off with olive oil making sure no paste is exposed to air, otherwise it will spoil.
Variation: To make a hot harīsa, use 4 ounces dried Guajillo chiles and 1/2 ounce dried de Arbol peppers.
Note: To make ṣālṣa al-harīsa, used as an accompaniment to grilled meats, stir together 2 teaspoons harīsa, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons water and 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves.
Main photo: Harisa. Credit: Copyright 2016 Clifford A. Wright
Long before there were Christmas lights, cards, trees or even Santa Claus, and before there were Christmas cookies, richly frosted Yule logs or candy canes … there was gingerbread.
At least since the Middle Ages, what we loosely call gingerbread — richly spiced cookies, wafers and honey breads — has been part of the winter holiday season. There's a street in the medieval heart of Prague named after spiced honey cake makers. And we know that the Bavarian city of Nürnberg (Nuremberg) was a gingerbread exporter in the 14th century, as was the Dutch city of Deventer not much later. Ever since, the scent of Christmas has been that of gingerbread.
In much of central and northern Europe, the holiday season stretches for several weeks, beginning on St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6) and ending a month later on Epiphany (around Jan. 6). St. Nicholas was a semi-mythical 4th century Middle Eastern bishop, the sometime patron saint to merchants, sailors and thieves. In his modern incarnation, he is mostly known for rewarding good children and punishing the bad.
The Netherlands Santa: An old bishop and his servant
In the Netherlands, the white-bearded bishop (known there as Sinterklaas) arrives each year (supposedly) from Spain, accompanied by a black-faced companion named Black Pete. The tradition of an African servant seems to derive from Holland's not altogether savory colonial history. That it endures is baffling to most outsiders even if the Dutch insist that it is all just good fun.
America's Santa Claus is largely derived from Sinterklaas, though he has no sidekick, is much jollier (perhaps because of the remittances from starring in Coca Cola ads?) and hails not from sunny Spain but from the North Pole.
Dutch bakers and their aromatic dough
Whereas edible Santas are usually made out of chocolate, Saint Nicks come in the form of gingerbread; these may be the original gingerbread men. Dutch bakers follow medieval tradition by continuing to press richly aromatic dough into elaborately wooden molds carved in the shape of angels, animals and hearts, but most especially Sinterklaas. Since the large cookies are the mirror image of the mold, the Dutch named them speculaas — derived from the Latin word for a mirror — a term that they now use for any kind of gingerbread.
This shape, along with the distinctive spicy scent, announces the season. The winter treats are richly flavored with exotic, Eastern spices. In the Middle Ages, it was widely believed that spices such as cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon originated in the Garden of Eden, which was supposedly located somewhere east of the Holy Land. Accordingly, martyred saints, or their remains, were believed to emanate sweet and fragrant spice — and, naturally, so did their gingerbread images.
Moreover, some of these original edibles were literally precious because of the high cost of the Eastern aromatics. Imported from half the world away by ship, camel and ox cart, the spices were both expensive and rare. Accordingly, how much and which of these costly seasonings ended up in the cakes depended on the time and place. The British were fond of ginger, so we call our spice cakes "gingerbread." In Germany and other parts of central Europe, the local "gingerbread," or Lebkuchen, often contained no ginger whatsoever. The famous Nürnberg interpretation was made with cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom. And the cheap versions, sold at country fairs, were concocted of rye flour and honey and were barely spiced at all.
In the days when sugar was an elite treat, the peasantry often grated this inexpensive Lebkuchen on their porridge in lieu of sugar. Meanwhile, the French have their own spice bread, or pain d'épice, and add anise to the usual sweet spice masala.
Many varieties of spicy treats
Yet no one is quite as obsessed with gingerbread as the Dutch. Food historian Peter Rose has documented some 47 varieties of speculaas, and that doesn't even include the pepernoten (spice cookies) handed out by black-faced Netherlanders on St. Nicholas Day.
Nobody can touch the Dutch when it comes to the quantity of spice in their gingerbread. This too is part of a colonial legacy, when the little country controlled the world supply of nutmeg and cloves. Today, the Dutch make cheese studded with whole cloves and often include nutmeg along with salt and pepper when setting the table. Not surprisingly, some speculaas has the kick of a cinnamon red hot. Most Netherlanders wouldn't be able to tell you what goes into speculaas spice, since they buy the mixture already mixed, but cloves and nutmeg are typical, as is white pepper.
No matter the recipe, it seems purposely made to ward off Holland's damp winter chill. A bite of sweet, intensely spicy speculaas sends a warm glow throughout your body. It's not hard to understand why this was once thought an edible morsel of paradise.
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Speculaas With Almond Filling
This recipe is loosely adapted from the Dutch culinary historian Christianne Muusers. She suggests putting a little rose water into the almond filling, which adds yet another layer of aroma to this profoundly spiced treat. Though just about everyone in Holland will just reach for a package of prepared speculaas spice, it's worth grinding your own spices — they'll be much more intense. I like to use muscovado, a natural brown sugar, in the dough, although another brown sugar will certainly work.
Prep time: About 45 minutes
Baking time: About 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Yield: 2 dozen pieces of speculaas
Spice Dough:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup natural demerara sugar (or substitute light brown sugar)
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom seed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 stick) cold, unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 1/2 ounces (about 1 cup) sliced almonds
Grated zest of 1 lemon
1 large egg
2 tablespoons heavy cream
Almond filling:
10 ounces almond paste
1 egg
1 tablespoon rose water
1 lightly beaten egg for brushing
2 dozen to 3 dozen whole blanched almonds for decorating
1. To make the dough, combine the flour, demerara sugar, spices, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a food processor. Pulse to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the butter pieces are about as big as flakes of oatmeal. Transfer mixture to a bowl. Stir in the sliced almonds and lemon rind. Stir together the 1 egg and the cream. Sprinkle this over the flour mixture, then gently toss this mixture with your hands until you have a rather dry dough. If it doesn't hold together, add another tablespoon or two of cream. It should be about the consistency of pie dough. Cover and refrigerate overnight; this allows the flavor of the spices to infuse the dough.
2. Make the filling by putting the almond paste into a food processor and gradually adding the egg and then the rose water, teaspoon by teaspoon. You need the filling to be spreadable but not runny. This may be made a day ahead and refrigerated.
3. When you're ready to bake the speculaas, set your oven to 350 F. Take half the dough and roll it out on a floured board to about a 1/4-inch thick round or rectangle. (If it feels too hard, let it sit out for half an hour before rolling.) Transfer this to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use plenty of flour when you're rolling out the dough, and don't worry if it breaks as you are transferring it — you'll most likely need to cut it and patch it anyway to form an even round or rectangle.
Almond paste filling
4. Spread the almond paste over the dough, leaving a border of about 1/4 inch naked. Roll out the rest of the dough, drape it over the filling, and even out the dough to make a smooth edge. Brush generously with lightly beaten egg, using the brush to smooth out any cracks and crevices. Using a knife, trace diamonds over the surface. Decorate the top with whole, blanched almonds.
5. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven until firm and a rich brown. Make sure to cut it into pieces before it cools completely. I usually cut it into squares or diamonds of about 2 inches.
Main photo: Speculaas With Almond Filling are best when made with freshly ground spices. Credit: Copyright 2015 Michael Krondl
It's pretty darn easy to take even somewhat modestly priced cuts of meat from good to great by grilling — and saucing. Sure, how you prep in advance counts. A concentrated 24-hour marinade for the meat is a great bet. A long, lingering overnight rub creates a crust. I love both methods and use them often. But that requires one ingredient I don't always have, and I bet you don't either: time.
Having a busy life doesn't mean compromising on taste. It's all about finding, transforming and using great last-minute flavors. That means great sauces.
Here are some new sauces ready to take that steak into prime time. Make all of them and set up a bar. They each make about 1 cup, which leaves room for leftovers, and last up to three days if covered and refrigerated.
Amontillado Sherry Romesco Sauce
Looking toward Spain? How about an Amontillado Sherry Romesco from the Catalan region? Often made with roasted peppers and tomato, this version is creamy from roasted garlic, deeply flavored from the toasting of the almonds and a bit off the beaten path as a result of the balancing act of Amontillado sherry and sherry vinegar. I double this recipe and use it as a dip for all sorts of grilled vegetables, and even as a pasta sauce with crumbled sheep's or goat's milk cheese. By the way, this sauce is vegan and genuinely versatile
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes (if using roasted garlic and roasted peppers, total time is less than 10 minutes)
Yield: About 1 cup
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 heads garlic
1/2 cup blanched almonds, finely ground
3 roasted red peppers, best-quality store-bought or homemade (see Kitchen Tips), peeled, seeded, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup dry Amontillado sherry
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon piment d'Espelette (see Kitchen Tips)
1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika, pimentón de la Vera preferred (see Kitchen Tips)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Slice off and discard the root ends of the garlic heads, and place them, cut-side-down, on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle each with 1 tablespoon oil. Wrap aluminum foil around the garlic. Roast for 30 to 40 minutes, until very soft. Let cool to the touch, and squeeze the pulp from the skins. Take the remaining oil and pulp and place in the bowl of a food processor and set aside. (If you would like to do this ahead of time, the pulp and oil will keep, covered, in the refrigerator, for 2 to 3 days.)
2. Meanwhile, set a heavy sauté pan or cast-iron pan over high heat. Add the almonds and cook, stirring, for 2 to 4 minutes, until they are pale brown in color. Reduce the heat as necessary so the almonds do not burn.
3. Add the toasted almonds, roasted red peppers, sherry, sherry vinegar, piment d'Espelette, smoked paprika and salt to the bowl of the food processor along with the roasted garlic pulp and process until smooth and thick.
Kitchen Tips
Want to roast or grill the peppers from scratch? Heat a grill or gas stove top. Holding the peppers with long-handled tongs, place them right on the grates of the hottest, highest flame and allow them to blacken all round, turning occasionally and working in batches as necessary. Place the warm peppers in a heat-resistant bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Cool to room temperature. When the peppers are cool to the touch, peel off the skin. Remove and discard the the stems and seeds. It's fine if there is a little burnt skin left on the peppers; do not rinse them.
Piment d'Espelette is a mild chili pepper grown in the town of Espelette, in the south of France, in the Basque region. The whole peppers are sold dried; piment d'Espelette is also available in dried, powder form and as a paste.
Smoked paprika, or pimentón, originated in Spain. Where regular paprika is made from ground peppers, smoked paprika is made from grinding peppers that have been smoked first. Not surprisingly, this endows the spice with a smoky flavor. Its distinctive flavor is a hallmark of Spanish cooking, but it makes a delicious accent to many dishes. It is available in both sweet and hot varieties.
Smoky Tomato and Pomegranate BBQ Sauce
If you're an all-around Mediterranean food lover, the Smoky Tomato and Pomegranate Sauce will be up your alley. This sauce is a mixed homage to Chef Yotam Ottolenghi's ketchup, rich spiceways and vast talent — and my fixation with pomegranate molasses as a sweetener in barbecue sauces of every type. This sauce is complex, I will admit, and takes about half an hour. It is even better the second, third or even the fifth day — and wait until you add it to a ho-hum turkey or chicken meatloaf, serve it over a grilled halloumi cheese or slathered onto lamb skewers.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Yield: About 1 cup
2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1 tablespoon smoked paprika (see Kitchen Tips)
1 tablespoon Urfa pepper (see Kitchen Tips)
1 teaspoon kirmizi pepper (see Kitchen Tips)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, dark green and spicy preferred
1/2 small onion, roughly chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 cup tomato paste, San Marzano preferred
6 cloves garlic, peeled and grated
1/4 cup pomegranate molasses
2 teaspoons brown sugar
Juice and zest of 3 limes
1. Toast and grind the spices: Heat heavy skillet or cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the cumin and fenugreek seeds and toast for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Remove the pan from the heat. Transfer to a dedicated coffee or spice grinder and grind to a powder. Add in the smoked paprika, Urfa and kirmizi peppers and cinnamon and grind to combine. Set aside.
2. Reheat the skillet until hot. Add the olive oil and heat until it shimmers. Add the onions and salt and cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until translucent. Add the tomato paste, stir, and cook for 1 minute. Add the garlic and stir well. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the pomegranate molasses and brown sugar and stir until the sugar has dissolved. With a rubber spatula, scrape into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade.
3. Add the toasted and ground spices, lime juice and zest and process until smooth.
Kitchen Tips
Smoked paprika, or pimentón, originated in Spain. While regular paprika is made from ground peppers, smoked paprika is made from grinding peppers that have been smoked first. Not surprisingly, this endows the spice with a smoky flavor; it has also been described as woodsy. Its distinctive flavor is a hallmark of Spanish cooking, but it makes a delicious accent to many dishes. It is available in both sweet and hot varieties.
Urfa Biber is a Turkish red pepper from the region of Urfa. It is a dark purple or maroon color and is surprisingly soft; it looks and feels like ground raisins. The peppers are available from Kalustyan's online and at many other large spice purveyors, as well as at high-end specialty markets and health food stores.
Kirmizi pepper is a mixture of sweet and hot peppers that have been crushed, salted, dried, ground to flakes and then coated with olive oil and roasted. The mixture originated in Turkey. The flavor is a combination of fiery heat, salt and sweetness.
The seasonings might sound exotic, but fear not. Well-stocked grocery stores, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Fresh Market and spice shops will be your best bet, but they are all available online.
Cilantro and Mint Sauce
This dipping sauce can lean Indian or Latino; it can be tossed on hot pasta or used as a salad dressing; it can be added to miso soup or to guacamole. This is a wonderful and sprightly alternative for chimichuri sauce with grilled steak, lamb or chicken.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Yield: About 1 cup
1 large bunch fresh cilantro, stems and leaves
1 large bunch flat-leaf parsley, stems and leaves<
1/2 small bunch fresh mint, stems and leaves
1 1/2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
Juice and zest of 2 lemons
1/2 jalapeño pepper (or more if desired), seeds, stems and ribs removed (see Kitchen Tip)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1. Combine the cilantro, parsley, mint, ginger, lemon juice and zest, jalapeño, salt and black pepper in the bowl of a food processor or blender and pulse until the mixture forms a smooth paste.
2. While the machine is running at medium speed, slowly drizzle in the oil through the feed tube and blend until smooth and creamy.
Kitchen Tips
This will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 days, but it will separate and should be re-blended before using.
The chemicals in chili peppers that cause that wonderful feeling of heat on the tongue can cause a not-so-wonderful feeling if they get into your eyes. Avoid touching your face or eyes after cutting one.
Super Mustardy BBQ Finishing Sauce
This barbecue sauce is simple to make and packs a lot of flavor. It is perfect with many flavor dense proteins — beef, lamb, dark meat turkey or chicken, and tempeh. It's also tasty on thinly sliced eggplant or thickly sliced summer squashes. Use it a dipping sauce on the side.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Yield: About 1 cup
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 small red onion, peeled and diced
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard, very strong preferred
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1. Heat the canola oil in a medium saucepan over moderately high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the pepper and vinegar and stir for 1 minute. Stir in the ketchup, mustard and brown sugar.
2. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until sauce reaches the desired thickness.
3. Refrigerate, tightly covered in a bottle or jar.
Kitchen Tips
We prefer to cook the long-cooking proteins (chicken, turkey, and even eggplant) without any sauce at first, over a medium heat, with the fattiest or skin-covered side down first, to help keep the natural sugars from burning and allow time for thorough cooking. If it's a quick-cooking item, such as beef or tempeh, you can brush the sauce on just before you start cooking. Slather on plenty of the sauce 1 to 2 minutes before you plan to remove the food from the grill.
Israeli-Style Amba Sauce
Amba is a condiment made from mango and vinegar and plenty of spices. It is a traditional topping for sabich sandwiches, a popular street food in Israel. There is a popular Indian version, which is chunky, oniony, tart from vinegar, and salty. The Israeli version is based on an Iraqi amba, which is a thin liquid made from green mangoes and plenty of lemons. Like all popular classics, amba has hundreds of variations, and many versions that cross between Indian and Iraqi style. My version is inspired by several of these (including Einat Admony's recipe in her book, "Balaboosta," and a wonderful version from Food52), but I did rather liberally adapt them all to create an amba with an unusually thick and creamy texture. This recipe blew us away my test kitchen chef (just sayin'). Just wait until you try it with grilled steak, lamb or chicken, or try it instead of mustard and/or mayo on any sandwich for a nice change.
Prep time: 35 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 60 minutes
Yield: About 1 cup
2 tablespoons honey, mild floral preferred
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 3/4 cups water
1 package (6 ounces) dried, unsulfured and unsweetened mango slices, preferably Trader Joe's, roughly minced
1 fresh large unripe mango, peeled and cut into rough ½-inch dice
2 tablespoons mild olive oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled, cut in half, and finely minced, green centers removed
1/2 tablespoon toasted ground coriander
2 teaspoons fenugreek leaves (see Kitchen Tips for sources)
2 teaspoons toasted ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
2 teaspoons fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon Urfa pepper, optional
1. Pour the honey, lemon juice, vinegar and water into a small saucepan and set over medium heat. Add the chopped dried mango and the fresh mango, stir well, and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 25 minutes, or until the all the mango pieces are soft.
2. While the mango is cooking, set a small, heavy saucepan over high heat. When it is very hot, add the oil and garlic, and stir for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Remove from the heat and add the coriander, fenugreek and cumin. Mix well. It will take on the consistency of a paste.
3. Add the garlic paste to the mango mixture and stir well. Add the turmeric, salt, Urfa pepper and stir well.
4. Remove the mango mixture from the heat, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes. With a rubber spatula, scrape the mixture into a food processor or high-speed blender and process until smooth. The sauce is ready to serve and will keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Main photo: Heaven is a summer steak sandwich with a tasty sauce. Credit: Copyright 2015 TheWeiserKitchen
In a recent stroke of luck, I was able to join my parents on a last-minute trip to Laos. Naturally, the first thing on my mind was: What will the food be like? Never having encountered Lao cuisine in the United States, I had no idea what to expect. So my palate was piqued when we arrived in Luang Prabang, the country's former northern capital at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.
A foodie adventure
Once settled in we immediately sought out some local food and stumbled across a restaurant off the main road, named Bamboo Tree. Lured by the enticing scents of coconut and lemongrass and by a menu on which we recognized nothing — always a good indicator of foodie adventure — we sat down. The menu told of the restaurant's Lao chef and owner Linda Moukdavanh Rattana, who was raised cooking in her family's Lao restaurant and whose favorite dish was something called "Secret Soup," which combined classic local ingredients. Ordering it was a no-brainer.
Coconut milk and chilies
The soup arrived with a handsome buttery orange color that foretold of coconut milk and chilies, with green hints of basil and kaffir lime leaves. One slurp later I was in gastronomic exotica, floating through a savory journey of creamy coconut offset by tangy lemongrass, spicy ginger, citric lime, aromatic basil and kicking chili heat, rounded out by a rich harvest of vegetables. Somewhat to my culinary embarrassment, I am not usually a fan of coconut- and chili-based food — Thai, mostly — since I tend to find it too cloyingly sweet, spicy or oily. But this soup opened my taste buds to the complex yet comforting flavors these ingredients can have when plucked fresh and combined in a meticulous way that allows each subtle flavor to come forth. If this was Lao food, I needed to learn more. When I heard Linda offered cooking classes, I signed up.
Three key ingredients
As our class visited the local market for ingredients and choose dishes to cook (obviously my vote was for Secret Soup), I took my culinary questions to the source. According to Linda, the three key flavors of Lao cooking are galangal, lemongrass and kaffir lime. Although these ingredients also appear in Thai and other Southeast Asian food, Linda affirmed they form the triumvirate base of Lao cuisine.
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Among these ingredients I became particularly fascinated by galangal, which I had never seen before, and coconut milk, which I usually find too overpowering. Linda informed us that while related to ginger, galangal is much harder in texture and has more earthy and citrus flavors — so the two should never be substituted. As for the fresh coconut milk, it is easily found in Laos and its freshness is crucial for creating a dish that isn't too creamy or sweet. But where fresh milk is hard to come by (as in the United States), one can substitute pure canned milk that avoids sweeteners, emulsifiers and other additives. Either way, adding coconut milk at both the beginning and end of the cooking process is key to balancing the chilies' heat without veering toward overly sweet.
Complex flavors
As with many Lao dishes, Secret Soup embodies a larger theme of Lao cuisine: years of mutual culinary influence with neighboring countries. For example, Laos and northeastern Thailand (Isan) were once part of the same country, leading to a shared culinary heritage. The Secret Soup contains items typically associated with Thai food, such as coconut milk and chilies, while also emphasizing the complex umami flavors, aromatic fresh herbs and spicy edge apparent in both Lao and Thai dishes. Yet the soup also displays typical Lao spicy-sour-bitter notes — from the blend of galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime and chili — instead of classic Thai sweet-sour flavors. Other Lao dishes might delicately indicate that the Lao originally migrated from China, carrying Chinese techniques with them, and many foods in the Laotian capital Vientaine still carry the legacy of French Indochina.
Authentic Lao cuisine
These similarities, according to Linda, often make it difficult to identify "authentic Lao" cuisine. In fact, the close correlations between Thai and Lao food are the reason for the seeming lack of Lao restaurants in the United States. Many Lao restaurants are established under the guise of Thai, since the latter have achieved more mainstream popularity. But a number of Thai places can actually be identified as Lao through traditional Lao dishes such as sticky rice — the staple food of the Lao — papaya salad, fermented fish paste, or others, such as Secret Soup, based on the three key Lao ingredients. Ultimately, Secret Soup was not only my first taste of Laos — it also gradually expressed the country's elaborate history of culinary exchange, appropriately lending the dish's title new meaning. Just as I pass on the recipe from Linda here, you can carry on the tradition by translating the culinary complexities of Laos to your own dinner table.
Bamboo Tree Secret Soup
5 stalks lemongrass
10 slices galangal
1 handful each of shallots, onions and garlic, sliced
2 tablespoons sunflower or soybean oil
5 kaffir lime leaves
3/4 pound of chicken filet, sliced
2 cups coconut milk, separated
1 to 2 teaspoons chili paste, amount to taste
1 handful mushrooms, jelly, oyster, maitake or combination
1/4 handful potato, cubed
1/4 handful green beans or long beans
1/4 handful eggplants, cubed
3 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons soybean paste
1 teaspoon chili powder
Red chilies, to taste, crushed
2 cups water
5 basil leaves
3 tablespoons lime juice (kaffir or regular)
Extra coconut milk (optional)
1. Finely chop lemongrass, galangal, shallots, onion and garlic.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil over high heat in wok, then stir-fry lemongrass, galangal, shallots, onion, garlic and kaffir lime leaves until golden brown.
3. Add chicken, stirring over high heat. Stir in 1 cup coconut milk and the chili paste, cooking for a couple minutes.
4. Stir in the other ingredients, finishing with the rest of the coconut milk and the water. Cook for 10 minutes.
5. Just before serving, add the basil leaves and lime juice, and more coconut milk, if preferred.
- Galangal, kaffir lime and lemongrass can be ordered online or found in specialty Asian markets. Do not substitute for any of these ingredients as they are crucial to the soup's flavor — but they're also just for flavor, so don't eat them!
- For the chicken, I would suggest sticking with white meat, which works very well.
- Add the rest of the coconut milk, and the water, gradually — you can use less than the recipe calls for, depending on how much of the coconut flavor you prefer. But also make sure to taste the final result after everything cooks, since you may end up wanting to add in that extra coconut milk before serving.
- If your wok isn't large enough for all of the ingredients, transfer to a pot on high heat after the first cup of coconut milk and the chili paste are added.
Main photo: The buttery orange broth of Secret Soup hides a plethora of fresh vegetables alongside lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime and chicken. Credit: Copyright 2015 Rose Winer
Want a fresh way to spice up your summer grilling routine? Pair those grilled meats with Indian condiments.
While Indian foods are better known for their spicy heat, there are several Indian condiments that can cool off your summer table while appealing to a range of palates: sweet, spice, tart or savory.
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Spices known for their cooling qualities include cumin, cayenne and black salt. The cooling spices are all part of the prescription for summer for Ayurveda: the thousands-years-old holistic approach to health and wellness.
Carrot and Cucumber Raita With Almonds
A raita is an Indian-style cucumber salad, paired with natural yogurt. In this version from my cookbook, "Spices & Seasons: Simple, Sustainable Indian Flavors," I add freshly grated carrots and crunchy almonds.
Prep time: 15 to 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
2 medium cucumbers
1 medium carrot
2 tablespoons almonds, coarsely ground or sliced
1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves, minced (optional)
3/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Freshly ground black pepper
A sprinkle of red pepper flakes (optional)
1. Peel the cucumbers and grate into a mixing bowl, discarding any whole seeds.
2. Peel the carrot and grate into the same bowl. Add the almonds and mint, if using.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the yogurt, salt, sugar and black pepper until well mixed. Stir into the cucumber mixture.
4. Garnish with the red pepper flakes, if using.
Mint and Cilantro Chutney
Spicy, green and fresh, this classic condiment is found year-round on the Indian table and can be served with most any dish. Traditionally, it derives its tartness from unripe green mangoes. This recipe simplifies it by using lime juice instead.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 cup
1 bunch cilantro (about 3 cups)
2 bunches mint leaves (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 green serrano chilies
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon black salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons oil (mustard or canola)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1. Place all of the ingredients into a blender.
2. Grind mixture until smooth. This chutney will keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, but the color will darken because of the lime.
Tamarind and Date Chutney
This tantalizing recipe is a superb alternative to barbecue sauce. It's great on chicken wings or mixed with mayonnaise and drizzled over your favorite protein.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Yield: 1 cup
1 jar tamarind paste (I prefer Swad or Laxmi brands)
1 cup chopped, pitted dates
1/2 cup brown sugar or jaggery
1/2 teaspoon black salt
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
2 dried red chilies
1. Place the tamarind paste, dates, brown sugar, black salt and 2 cups of water in a pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes. Cool slightly.
2. Meanwhile, place the fennel and cumin seeds in a heavy skillet and toast until the seeds darken and smell fragrant, about 20 to 30 seconds. Add the chilies and toast for a few more seconds.
3. Grind the seeds and chilies in a spice grinder until powdery.
4. Blend the tamarind mixture in a blender until smooth. Return to the pot, stir in the spice mixture and cook for another 5 minutes.
5. Cool and store in air-tight jars in the refrigerator for up to three months.
Indian Onion Relish
A popular feature in many Indian restaurants, this smoky, tangy condiment is a nice substitute for your usual relish on grilled hot dogs.
Prep time: 2 hours
Yield: 1 cup
2 large white onions, finely diced
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
½ tablespoon black peppercorns
1/3 cup tomato ketchup
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons black salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon red cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons minced cilantro
1. Chill the diced onions in the refrigerator for an hour.
2. Lightly toast the cumin seeds and black peppercorns and grind to a powder.
3. In a mixing bowl, add powdered spices, ketchup, lime juice, black salt, sugar and the red cayenne pepper and mix well with the chopped onions.
4. Return to the refrigerator and chill for another hour (or up to 6 hours) before serving. Garnish with cilantro and serve.
Pear and Raisin Chutney
This chutney from my cookbook pairs well with grilled tofu, pork or fish — and is wonderful added to a burger. Or serve it alongside a basket of warm tortilla chips.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Yield: 3/4 cup
4 to 6 medium red pears, cored and diced (not peeled)
1 lime
1 tablespoon oil
1 1/4 teaspoons fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons finely grated ginger
2 tablespoons malt or cider vinegar
1/3 cup sugar or brown sugar
1/3 cup mixed raisins
1 to 2 tablespoons chopped dried sweetened cranberries
2 long green chilies (young cayenne or Italian), minced
1. Place the pears in a colander and squeeze the lime juice over them.
2. Heat the oil on medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the fennel seeds and wait until they sizzle and turn a few shades darker, about 20 to 30 seconds.
3. Add the red pepper flakes and stir.
4. Add the pears, ginger, vinegar, sugar, raisins and cranberries and stir. Let the sugar dissolve and bring the mixture to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, until the raisins swell and the pears become soft — but not mushy.
5. Sprinkle with minced chilies before removing the heat.
6. Store and use as needed. This mixture will keep in the refrigerator for six to eight months.
Citrusy Roasted Beets With Tempered Spices
A cross between a salad and a light pickle, this healthy condiment adds a gentle tartness to tender young beets. This recipe is a lighter and healthier version of the traditional beetroot and cheese salad, and is dairy- and nut-free.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
3 medium red beets, greens removed
3 medium yellow beets, greens removed
2 to 3 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ginger paste
1/2 teaspoon black salt
1/2 lime
1 orange or Clementine, cut in half
Several grinds black pepper
1 tablespoon cilantro, finely chopped
1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Wrap the beets in foil and roast for 35 to 40 minutes. Allow beets to cool and then peel and cut into wedges.
3. Heat the oil in a wok or skillet. Add the fennel and mustard seeds. When they begin to crackle, add the garlic and ginger paste and sauté lightly until the mixture is fragrant.
4. Stir in the roasted beets and black salt and mix well.
5. Squeeze in the lime juice and orange or Clementine juice and mix well.
6. Stir in black pepper.
7. Garnish with cilantro and serve.
Slow Cooker Plum, Date and Rhubarb Chutney
This beautiful tangy ruby red chutney can be made with plums or any stone fruit of your choice. It takes a lot of cooking to obtain its deep jam-like consistency, which can be challenging during the summer, but I use the slow cooker in my recipe to keep my kitchen cool.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 3 hours in a slow cooker
Total time: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Yield: About 3 cups
1 pound of rhubarb, trimmed and cut into small pieces
4 pounds of purple plums, stoned and coarsely chopped
4 tablespoons minced ginger
3 to 4 star anise
1 large stick cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons red cayenne pepper
1 cup of chopped and seeded dates
1/2 cup chopped almonds (optional)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1. Place the rhubarb, plums, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, dates, almonds (if using) and the maple syrup in the slow cooker and cook on high setting for 3 hours.
2. Stir the mixture occasionally to help with the consistency.
3. After three hours you should have a fragrant, sticky and colorful medley.
4. Remove the whole spices and save the chutney in a clear jar and use as needed to perk up your meal.
Classic Cucumber Raita With Mint
Omnipresent on the summer table and year-round in India, this is the more traditional version of raita. I sometimes add dill instead of — or alongside — the mint and serve this as the perfect pair to salmon.
Prep time: 25 minutes, plus 1 hour for chilling if you prefer the raita chilled
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
2 medium-sized English or Persian cucumbers (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 1/2 cups of day-old natural yogurt
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
1/2 teaspoon black or Himalayan salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon sugar
Cayenne pepper (optional)
1. Peel the cucumbers.
2. Grate about three-quarters of the cucumbers and finely chop the rest, keeping the chopped cucumbers separated from the grated cucumbers.
3. Place the grated cucumbers in a mixing bowl.
4. In a separate bowl, add the yogurt and beat well.
5. Mince the mint leaves and add to the yogurt.
6. Add the black salt, cumin, black pepper and sugar and beat well. Gently fold in the grated cucumbers.
7. Top with diced cucumbers and sprinkle with cayenne.
8. Chill up to an hour or serve immediately.
Main photo: The heat of the chilies in this Chili Peanut Relish is nicely balanced by the creamy, crunchy peanuts. This quick dish — you can make it in about 10 minutes — is delicious with fish and vegetables. Credit: Copyright 2014 Rinku Bhattacharya
Professional chefs and home cooks are discovering artisanal salt with a vengeance. No longer content with 50-pound bags of Morton or Diamond Crystal flake salt, chefs are using a bewildering array of salts from around the world in a dizzying variety of ways.
The reasons become clear on a visit to J. Q. Dickinson Salt-Works in Malden, West Virginia, where CEO Nancy Bruns is a seventh-generation salt-maker. In 2013 Nancy and her brother, Lewis Payne, revived their family's historic salt-making business high in the Allegheny Mountains. In the past two years, their salt has become a favorite with chefs across the country. I spent the day at the salt-works and discussed the importance of salt with a variety of chefs who use Dickinson's handmade product.
The reasons that artisanal salt has become important are many, but seven reasons keep coming up.
Artisanal salt adds unique flavor
Whether it's rock salt from the Himalayas or open-air evaporated salt from the Mediterranean coast of France, each form of artisanal salt has its own flavor profile.
Aaron Keefer, trained chef and culinary gardener at The French Laundry in Napa Valley, California, says the flavor of artisanal salt is hard to describe. "Any salt makes things taste better, but artisan salt has a more rounded flavor that adds a little something extra to the dish that you can't put your finger on, but in the end you know it's better."
Good stories make good salt
Artisanal salt always comes with a good story. Dickinson's Salt-Works began just after the American Revolution, when Bruns' ancestors began processing salt from the local briny pools. By the time of the Civil War, it was the biggest salt producer in the country. By the end of World War II, commercial salt production in West Virginia had essentially disappeared.
"I love the story," Keefer says. "Dickinson's salt was very popular, then it was defunct, then it was brought back in modern times." But for Keefer, the heart of the story goes back even further: "What made it stand out for me is that the American Indians used it, and the method of extraction was unique."
Bruns knows that there's more to branding than simply a great product. "We have a great story which makes it a very authentic brand," she says. "Seven generations of salt-making in one family on the same land is hard to beat."
Balance: Minerality vs. salinity
The key to an artisanal salt is the balance between minerality and salinity. A pink Himalayan rock salt has enough iron to give it its pink color. Celtic sea salt might have far fewer trace minerals. But each type balances the amount of the chemical sodium chloride, and the other minerals in the water source.
Bruns sources her product from a 400 million-year-old underground sea that geologists call "the Iapetus Ocean." "Our source is very protected," she says. "We are not drawing our brine from an exposed, open ocean where there is always the possibility of contamination." The initial brine from her 350-foot well is rich in magnesium, calcium, potassium, manganese and especially iron. Bruns, a former chef, processes the brine to create a salt that has a unique appeal for other chefs.
Matt Baker, executive chef at City Perch Kitchen + Bar in Bethesda, Maryland, has become a fan of Dickinson's salt: "The grain is nice and plump, so it holds its shape well while also having a medium level of salinity to the finish on the palate."
Terroir: As vital in salt as it is in wine
Like wine, artisanal salt has terroir, the word winemakers use to describe that indefinable sense of place that gives each wine its unique personality.
Dickinson's salt is pumped from more than 300 feet below the ground and evaporated in a series of small hoop houses. Dickinson Salt-Works uses handmade techniques drawn from a 200-year-old legacy. "We think of our salt as an agricultural product," Bruns says. "It comes from the land, and we move the brine several times to maximize the flavor."
Ian Boden, chef-owner of The Shack in Staunton, Virginia, says that good artisanal salt "has the taste of its place," and Dickinson's salt certainly does. "You can tell that it's harvested from underneath a mountain because its mineral content is so high. It's like using Hawaiian black salt — it has that earthy, funky, ash flavor. Except it's not ash, it's the mountains of West Virginia."
The texture of artisanal salt adds contrast
Unlike the quickly dissolving grains of highly refined industrial salt, the texture of artisanal salt brings contrast to a dish. What most of us think of as texture is the result of a combination of factors including crystal structure, grain size and moisture content. Sometimes, it is texture alone that makes an artisanal salt memorable. All salts are either mined from rock or evaporated from saltwater lakes, springs or oceans. The majority of artisanal salts are evaporative, and the method of evaporation has a profound impact on the texture of the salt.
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Chef Boden says the unique character of Dickinson's salt comes from its texture, which is the result of the solar evaporation process. "To be brutally honest, if you lined up 15 salts, I couldn't tell you where each one came from, but I think there's definitely a difference. If you lined salts up, I could tell by feeling it that it was Dickinson's salt, most definitely."
Chefs from east to west agree that Dickinson's salt has a texture that can't be beat. Baker of City Perch Kitchen + Bar discovered Dickinson's salt through the restaurant's mixologist Adam Seger and hasn't looked back. "I instantly fell in love with the salt. What makes it great is its subtleness and medium-size grain."
Keefer has also noticed the distinct texture of Dickinson's salt. "It seems like all salts are shaped just a little bit differently. I like the grind on it — the flake on it — it's a good all-around salt. I've used it both with fish and with meat and been very happy with the results." Keefer adds, "Try as many different salts as possible and you'll find a favorite."
Artisanal salt gives a pop of flavor at the finish
Artisanal salts are more expensive than industrially produced salts because of the time and resources required to produce them, but this increased price this doesn't stop chefs from using artisanal salts in a variety of dishes. Keefer explains: "Everybody's concerned about the price of artisan salt, but a little goes a long way. Use it as a finishing salt, not as a base salt."
"Salt is there to make things taste more like themselves," Boden says. But finishing salt is used in a slightly different way. "You put a little finishing salt on the dish and you get a pop of something unexpected. That's really what we're using it for — that textural and salinity contrast on a finished plate."
Each chef uses finishing salt in a distinct and personal way. Baker reports: "We use Dickinson's salt to finish a lot of our meats and fresh dishes like burrata cheese, seared tuna and foie gras torchon. The texture of the grains makes it melt in your mouth perfectly with a clean finish."
The unexpected: Artisanal salt inspires creative chefs
Artisanal salt pumps up the flavor in unexpected dishes like desserts and cocktails. "I like to add a pinch of salt to a lot of my desserts — whether I'm making a cherry pie or chocolate frosting," Keefer says. "I don't put in enough to make it salty, but a pinch of salt adds a surprising amount of flavor."
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Baker has found a variety of unique applications for Dickinson's salt. "At the bar we use it to rim our Forbidden Fruit Margarita and our Bloody Maryland." Baker even uses Dickinson's nigari (a by-product of the salt-making process) as the starter for his house-made ricotta cheese. He couldn't be happier with the results. The nigari, which is traditionally used to make tofu, "gives the cheese a fresh bite of salinity and a hint of pepper."
Dickinson Salt-Works has recently introduced a salt with a finer grain. Chef Boden at The Shack plans to experiment with it in his own take on traditional charcuterie, curing and fermenting. "It's something I want to do. It brings a certain earthiness to the components."
Artisanal salts are as varied as the almost endless places across the globe in which salt is mined or harvested. And it is these unique flavors and textures that inspire chefs — and the rest of us — to use artisanal salt in creative and ever-evolving ways.
Main photo: Every variety of artisanal salt has a unique flavor profile, thanks in part to the type and quantity of minerals it contains. Credit: Copyright 2015 Susan Lutz


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In terms of photos, the Digital Entertainer Live can display JPEGs only, but it can play various audio files. These formats include MP2, MP3, WMA, AAC, WMA Pro and Lossless, WAV, LPCM, Vorbis, AC3, M4A, and Dolby Digital encoded streams. Dolby Digital was a welcomed addition to the compatibilities list, and the interface will display a Dolby logo when the audio stream you're playing is encoded as such. We should note though, that Dolby Digital audio can only be played via an HDMI connection.
Unlike some clunky and laggy interfaces we've seen on digital media streamers in the past, the Digital Entertainer Live's GUI is easy to use and surprisingly quick. The device's included remote control is small, but logically laid out with all the functionality you need to begin enjoying networked media and Internet content.
Built into the Digital Entertainer Live's menu system is a YouTube channel, presets for live Internet TV stations (via VuNow), and access to pay-per-view movies through the Roxio CinemaNow service. Its YouTube video quality was great, though some TV stations on the VuNow service were so pixelated they were unwatchable.
The Digital Entertainer Live has an impressive amount of preprogrammed access to various entertainment sites around the Internet including Joost and Crackle. The stream quality for these sites was fine, though your connection speed will ultimately dictate your personal experience.
Finally, we tested the Digital Entertainer Live's built-in compatibility with the PlayOn software that gives you access to CBS, Hulu, Netflix, and other content via a network-connected PC. (There's no Mac version yet.) While PlayOn worked as well as we thought it would, we were a bit disappointed in the way the Digital Entertainer Live presented the content. Navigating through Hulu folder after folder and dozens of shows wasn't ideal. We would rather have seen some sort of simpler interface here. Regardless, streaming did work well, and if you're thinking about going with the Digital Entertainer Live, you may want to add PlayOn to the cost of owning the device.
Overall, the Digital Entertainer Live is certainly a much simpler, more easier-to-use version of any networked digital media streamer we've tested. While it's not perfect, it certainly brings media streaming down to a level that's easy to understand and set up. Those who want a more do-it-yourself experience should look at the Netgear Digital Entertainer Elite.
Priced about $130 online, the Digital Entertainer Live will give you the basic digital streaming experience you need. Sure, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles can do everything the Digital Entertainer Live can and more (especially considering PlayOn works with them as well), but for the price and for those seeking a mostly painless experience, the Digital Entertainer Live should cover you.
Disclosure: CNET News is published by CBS Interactive, a unit of CBS.


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Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic AAS65
This program is a partnership between MVCC, Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare EMS Center, and the SUNY Institute of Technology. It is for individuals who are certified Emergency Medical Technicians. It provides the education and hands-on training necessary to function in and out of the hospital setting as an Emergency Paramedic. The paramedic course of study consists of a minimum of 722 hours of academic and clinical instruction provided by the Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare EMS Center. MVCC equates this instruction and certification to 36 hours of transfer credit. The student is required to take an additional 37 credit hours of course-work at MVCC leading to the A.A.S. degree. This program supplements the basic EMT certificate by providing an opportunity for students to pursue their A.A.S. degree and continue their studies at the SUNY Institute of Technology for a Bachelor's degree in the Health Services Management curriculum. This program is ideal for firefighters, ambulance attendants, and law enforcement personnel. Individuals interested in this degree program who do not meet the prerequisites of Chemistry and Mathematics may take these courses at MVCC. The basic EMT course leading to certification can be obtained at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare EMS Center.
Goals & Outcomes
To prepare the students to communicate and interact effectively with instructors and peers.
- Students will communicate and interact effectively with instructors and peers through on-line and/or classroom interactions.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of appropriate legal and ethical behaviors.
- Graduates of the program will successfully pass a state certification examination.
- Graduates of the program transfer with full junior level status to a four-year institution in a related field of study.
- Graduates will be employed in the EMS/Paramedic field within 6 months of graduation.
- Graduates are satisfied with the preparation provided by the College.
- Employers of the graduates express satisfaction with the preparation provided by the College.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to display and interpret statistical information. (MA110).
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the use of data to provide emergency health care.
- Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology.
- Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information.
First Semester
ED100 College Seminar
This course is an opportunity for students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in college. Students learn the importance of the faculty-student and advisor-advisee relationship, develop time management techniques, apply effective study skill techniques, recognize the implications of living in a diverse society, utilize college resources, and explore career and transfer requirements. Collaborative projects are included. Students matriculated in a degree program must take this course in their first term of study. See when this course is offered ...
BI216 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1
This course covers the structure and function of the human organism and the regulatory processes that operate within a living system. It introduces general anatomical, physiological, and chemical organization, and includes the integumentary (skin), skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Laboratories involve vertebrate dissection, the use of prosected human cadavers and human skeletal materials, microscope work, non-invasive human experimentation, and possibly animal experimentation. Prerequisite: One year of high school chemistry or equivalent preparation, or permission from the Dean of Life and Health Sciences. High School Biology or its equivalent recommended. Students enrolled in Life and Health Sciences Center programs are recommended to complete this course before beginning their specialized program coursework. See when this course is offered ...
EN101 English 1: Composition
EN101 English 1: Composition C-3 Cr-3 This course focuses on several kinds of writing-self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive, and others. A minimum of five essay compositions are required. The course emphasizes the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations.Prerequisites: The required developmental reading (DS051 Essential Reading & Study Skills, or SL115 ESL4: Advanced Reading, and/or writing courses (EN099 Introduction to College English or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition) or permission of the instructor or designee. Student Learning Outcomes: 1) Demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas in a clear and concise manner through informative, argumentative, formal and informal writing at a level suitable for successful college students. 2) Develop a practical and fundamental understanding of the relationship and interaction between the writer and the reader while exploring human knowledge, values, ethics, language, and social institutions. 3) Broaden the student's intellectual autonomy and their ability to use language for the purposes of reading, writing, learning, communicating, and critical thinking. 4) Gain a practical understanding of primary and secondary sources and how to properly utilize and cite these sources. 5) Discuss the history and methodology of rhetoric and composition. 6) Exhibit clear concise writing skills in both professional and academic writing. 7) Achieve a level of writing fluency satisfactory for success in college courses. 8) Display a clear understanding of proper documentation procedures to avoid plagiarism. See when this course is offered ...
IS101 Computers and Society
This course provides knowledge of relevant computer skills and a solid foundation in the terminology and concepts of computer technology. Experience is provided with a variety of microcomputer software applications, including word processing, electronic spreadsheets, graphics, file management, and integrated software. Concepts and terms focus on preparing for a technologically oriented society and using the computer as a tool for productivity, research, and communication. See when this course is offered ...
Social Science Course - Choose One
PY101 Intro General Psychology
This course introduces the many and varied facets of psychology. Emphasis is on interactions of individuals in their cultural, social, and economic environments as determined by their cognitive, behavioral, and emotional experiences and training. See when this course is offered ...
SO101 Intro Sociology
This course gives an understanding of and a feeling for the society in which we live. The concepts and theories discussed relate to humanity, its culture and society, and to those forces that contribute to the smooth operation of this society as well as those forces that contribute to conflict and social problems. Topics include culture, socialization, stratification, population, and patterns of social organization. See when this course is offered ...
Second Semester
BI217 Human Anatomy & Physiology 2
This course, which is a continuation of BI216 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1, involves the study of structure, function, and regulation in the human organism. Topics include blood, peripheral nerves, the cardiovascular system, lymphatics, the respiratory system, the excretory system, the endocrine system, the reproductive systems, the digestive system, and metabolism. Laboratories involve vertebrate dissection, the use of prosected human cadavers and human skeletal materials, microscope work, non-invasive human experimentation, and possibly animal experimentation. Prerequisite: BI216 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1, permission from the Dean of Life and Health Sciences.. Students enrolled in Life and Health Sciences Center programs are recommended to complete this course before beginning their specialized program coursework. Students with transfer credit for BI216 Anatomy and Physiology 1 must complete a three-hour orientation to the use of prosected human cadavers before participating in the BI217 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 laboratory. Transfer students must meet with the Dean of Life and Health Sciences thirty days before beginning this course. See when this course is offered ...
EN102 English 2:Idea&Values Lit
This course encourages a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in imaginative literature. Emphasis is placed on the use and development of critical thinking and language skills. Library-oriented research is required. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN106 English 1: Composition and Reading. See when this course is offered ...
MA110 Elementary Statistics
This course introduces probability and statistics. Topics include graphs, tables, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, normal distribution, correlation and regression, probability, and inferential statistics. This course is available in two formats: lecture only, or lecture plus laboratory using technology. Prerequisite: An appropriate placement test result or MA090 Essential Math Skills or MA 091 Introductory Algebra, or equivalent. See when this course is offered ...
Health Care Elective - Choose One
HC100 Intro to Health Care
This course introduces the field of healthcare for people interested in the field. Topics include an introduction to the healthcare delivery system, a brief historical overview of U.S. healthcare, healthcare settings and programs, members of the healthcare delivery team, roles of healthcare professionals, legal and professional ethics, healthcare organizations and agencies, medical record content, risk management, continuous quality improvement, epidemiology (morbidity and mortality), and interpersonal communication skills. See when this course is offered ...
MR115 Law in Health Care
This course introduces the legal aspects of health information, with emphasis placed on civil law and how healthcare settings are affected by law and by non-governmental rulemaking bodies. Topics include a review of the history of common law, the primary sources of law, tort law, the court system, corporate liability, medical staff issues, and consent to treatment, confidentiality, reporting obligations, and patient rights. It discusses the principles guiding the control, security, and usage of health information. (Spring semester) See when this course is offered ...
Third Semester
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