Daily Loaf

There will be no runoff election in Afghanistan this weekend (I know, we were all looking forward to the revote between Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah).  Karzai’s in, but what, if anything, will this mean for the U.S. interests?  Reportedly President Obama will meet at least two more times with his advisers on the strategy going forward.

As those discussions continue, the  young State Department official whose resignation was made public is getting  lots of face time.  Matthew Hoh appeared this morning on The Today Show, and yesterday on CNN

St. Pete Times/Miami Herald/Bay News 9 released a series of polls over the weekend, and it’s policy more than policy-makers that is most provocative in those results.

And on Sunday talk, Fox News gave Rush Limbaugh a platform for the first half of their one-hour program yesterday.  Too bad nothing interesting came out of it, other than the odious comment that President Obama’s appearance at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware last week was nothing more than a publicity stunt, according to Rush.

Most interesting was Joe Lieberman on CBS, saying he’d rather have nothing happen with health care reform than to allow for a government-run public option.

Download the report here.

Earlier this week hopeful young ladies attended the Tampa Breeze tryouts to become part of the bay area’s hottest sports team.  The St Pete Times Forum was loaded with prospective players suited up in T-shirts, short shorts, and shoulder pads.  The Lingerie Football League may sound cute, but it’s no joke. These girls are ready to play hardcore smash-mouth football, all while looking hotter than any cheerleaders safely yelling from the sidelines.

Read the rest of this entry »

In the St. Pete Times food section this week:

Is cooking your new resolution? Janet Keeler touts the filling carb goodness of gnocchi, simple Chicken Tortilla Soup made from rotisserie chicken and Sweet and Sour Pork Stir Fry.

John and Colette Bancroft review the Argentinean 2007 Silvertop Torrontes.

Read the rest of this entry »

In the St. Pete Times:
Colette and John Bancroft review Don Miguel 2007 Gascon Malbec from Argentina
Janet Keeler presents a side dish to the everyday rotisserie chicken: Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower with Lemon and Garlic as well as side dishes no Who in Whoville could resist.
Laura Reiley shares her thoughts about the Lakeview Grill in Clearwater.

Holiday party cocktails from mixologist LaTonya White, like the “Speyside Christmas Carol” made with Glenlivet and Godiva caramel liquor.
And rejoice in the warming potential of grits in the slow cooker, featuring recipes from Andrew Schloss

In the NY Times:
Julia Moskin says butter holds the key to the best holiday cookies.
Recipes:
Currant Ginger Shortbread
Orange Butter Cookies
Wine critic Eric Asimov’s best wine books, including Robert Parker’s Wine Buying Guide
Jeff Gordinier interviews celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito
Featured recipes: Risotto with Roasted Winter Squash, Pureed White Bean and Winter Squash Soup, Fennel and Citrus Salad, Braised Flanken with Pomegranate

• Laura Reiley gives props to the dining destinations found at Wesley Chapel’s new Wiregrass shopping mall: Cosi and Cantina Laredo, as well as beer hall Brass Tap.
• Collete and John Bancroft offer up value-conscious Thanksgiving wine suggestions.
• Janet Keeler inspires us create something different with Thanksgiving leftovers: Turkey and Potato Casserole.
• Panicked in the kitchen? Get holiday meal help over the phone.
• Laura Reiley says mash more than just potatoes this Thanksgiving.