Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Staying In: Tips for TV, cooking and more

Staying in tonight? Here are some suggestions to help you make the most of your evening at home.

Our staff has come up with all sorts of options, including the best of what's on television, a DVD to watch, a book you might want to read, even a recipe to try - complete with shopping and pantry item lists - from our Chronicle Food and Wine staff.

So kick back, hit the kitchen or the couch, and enjoy.

This vegetarian (if you use vegetable broth) main course can hold on the stove while you answer the doorbell from tonight's trick-or-treaters.

Will Ferrell gets the Mark Twain Prize tonight (actually, he got it a couple of weeks ago, but the special airs tonight). The award is presented at the Kennedy Center and is often a pretty funny show. The prize took a big left turn last year when it awarded the Twain bust to Tina Fey. Both she and Ferrell are deserving, to be sure, but I also miss the old-timers (sorry, Billy Crystal). But seriously, in past years, the award went to people like Neil Simon, Bob Newhart, Lily Tomlin, the late George Carlin and the late Richard Pryor. There seemed to be an obvious decision to go younger with the Fey award, which was all well and good, but, guys, aren't there still a few older greats around who should be honored? Do the names Carol Burnett and Tim Conway ring any bells - just to name two? Anyway, Ferrell gets "busted" at 9 p.m. on PBS. And, yes, it should be very funny.

Now that NBC has kicked "The Playboy Club" in the bunny tail, Brian Williams takes the 10 p.m. slot today with his new magazine show, "Rock Center." Yes, it's supposed to make you think of "30 Rock." Not sure a news magazine show at 10 p.m. Monday is a sure thing, but the competition is "Hawaii Five-O" and "Castle" on CBS and ABC, respectively, while KTVU has the Channel 2 local news on Fox. Maybe if Williams wore a bunny suit ...

We're going to Kansas City, where the Chiefs host the San Diego Chargers in a "Monday Night Football Game" at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN. Hockey fanatics, start spreading the word: The San Jose Sharks trip the lights fantastic against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden at 4:30 p.m. on Versus.

Horrible Bosses Three guys with horrible bosses decide to kill their bosses in this occasionally funny, sometimes disturbing and often awkward comedy. There are a few hilarious moments, but there are so many uncomfortable, tin-eared moments in between that it's hard to recommend it. Jennifer Aniston is funny in a small role. Rated R. 100 minutes.

Makes 8 cups; serves 4-8.

Serve this over rice, noodles or polenta.

Shopping list:

Pantry items:

The recipe:

1 bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, cut into 1/2-inch dice

1/4 pound green beans, trimmed, blanched, cut into 2-inch pieces

Heaping 1/4 teaspoon dried sage or 3/4 teaspoon chopped fresh sage Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Toss the squash and onion with 2 teaspoons olive oil; spread out in a baking pan and roast for about 20 minutes, until squash is partially cooked.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a large saucepan. Add the garlic, fennel and bell pepper. Saute briefly, just until softened.

Add 4 cups broth, the squash, onion, mushrooms, beans, corn and herbs. Bring to a boil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, until the broth is reduced and has thickened slightly. Add more stock, if the consistency is too thick. Adjust seasonings and serve.

Note: If using canned vegetable broth you might want to add a dash of balsamic or red wine vinegar to cut the sweetness.

Per cup: 110 calories, 5 g protein, 21 g carbohydrate, 2 g fat (0 g saturated), 1 mg cholesterol, 15 mg sodium, 5 g fiber.

Source: http://www.sfgate.com

No comments:

Post a Comment