Archive | 8:39 pm

Fried Neckbones & Some Home Fries

10 Jul

Check out this funky track by the great Willie Bobo — it’s making me hungry for some Soul food. Not so much a song as it is a groove. Bobo was a trailblazer in the field of Latin jazz and he influenced many later musicians including Santana and Los Lobos.

Hungry for seconds? The enjoy the below track called “Spanish Grease.” Santana fans will surely recognize the tune, although it has been totally re-mixed for modern day tastes by Richard Dorfmeister. I normally don’t care for a lot of the hip-hop/acid jazz remixes, but this one is pretty darn tight.

Homemade Banana Bread

10 Jul

Got a few extra bananas lying around? If so, make yourself some homemade banana bread. I made some this morning and it turned out great. I tweaked the original Louisiana recipe by adding some chopped pecans — gave it a nice, nutty crunch. It’s even good for breakfast as a pan perdu (essentially French toast).

Give this recipe a try —

  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 2 medium bananas, sliced
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla, mix well. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt, stir into the butter mixture until smooth. Finally, fold in the sour cream, walnuts and bananas. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
  3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool loaf in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Best Garage Bands of All Time?

10 Jul

Let the arguments commence. Your thoughts??? Step right up!

The Shadows of Knight is a solid choice — can’t argue with their inclusion. The Pretty Things is a slightly more daring choice, but I am OK with that too. But the Len Price Three? That to me is simply Steven trying to sell music on his own Wicked Cool label. The band is good, sure. But there is no way they belong in the Top 4 and Little Steven surely knows that. As for the Chesterfield Kings, they are indeed a fine band and they’ve been around for quite a while. Longevity is a plus for sure. However, many consider them a tribute band. And if you are talking longevity, wouldn’t the Rolling Stones make this list? They were pretty much the original garage bad boys.

Here are The Pretty Things in action — nothing pretty about it (or them). That being said, the drummer does have an amazing hair helmet. Take a gander, won’t you?

I will agree that Little Steven has the best show on radio at this time. He does a great job and keeps things entertaining from week to week. Visit his site at www.littlestevensundergroundgarage.com

Commander’s Palace Opens in Destin, FL

10 Jul

Executive Chef Danny Trace grew up outside of New Orleans and has been with the Commander’s Palace Family of Restaurants since graduating from Johnson & Wales in 1995. His enthusiasm for fishing  and hunting forged his love for cooking (and influenced his decision to move to Destin, the lure of the water and the fishing are an everpresent temptation).

This is what the bar will look like at the Destin location

http://www.commanderspalace.com/destin/index.php