Coq au Vin Blanc.

I adapted this recipe and it turned our rather well. So I’m posting it here. Pretty darn good for the depths of winter.

COQ AU VIN BLANC

INGREDIENTS
8 strips bacon, sliced crosswise into 1-inch pieces
3 medium onions, peeled and roughly chopped
8 boneless chicken thighs
8 ounces button mushrooms, halved or sliced
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
3 teaspoons herbs de provence
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 bunch kale, leaves only, torn into pieces
1 bottle Noily Prat dry vermouth (750 ml)
3 cups chicken stock
unsalted butter
salt and pepper

1. Place large flameproof casserole, dutch oven, or other heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add bacon, and cook until most of the fat has been rendered. Add onions and sauté until softened, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mixture to plate, leaving behind as much liquid fat as possible.

2. Place pan over medium-high heat and melt a few tablespoons of butter. Working in batches (do not overcrowd pan), brown chicken pieces on both sides, transferring them to a plate after they are browned. Add additional butter as needed to prevent chicken from sticking.

3. Pour in enough vermouth to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the brown bits. Add mushrooms, garlic, and the herbs de provence. Sauté about 1 minute. Return chicken pieces, onions and bacon to pan. Add the rest of the vermouth and chicken stock, and stir in carrots and kale so they are submerged. Raise heat to bring to a boil. Partially cover, turn heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour.

4. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve in deep bowls with crusty bread.

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3 things about Mercedes Kane’s BREAKFAST AT INA’S

Breakfast at Ina’s [2015]

1. His job was to chop the chocolate.
2. “You’re too stupid to eat here.”
3. No Christmas decorations.

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3 things about Michael Radford’s NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR

Nineteen Eighty-Four [1984]

1. The smell of dead insects and cheap perfume.
2. He cradles Winston in a half-embrace.
3. Teeth, snout, whiskers.

Watch this now.

This viewing was of the version of the film that features only Dominic Muldowney’s score. It is a wonderful score. But I also appreciate the version that uses Eurythmics’ soundtrack, which was the first version I ever watched. It’s kind of interesting that, just like Brazil, this is a film that exists in multiple versions that each has its own merits.

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3 things about Werner Herzog’s LO AND BEHOLD, REVERIES OF THE CONNECTED WORLD

Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World [2016]

1. The historic computer has its own scent.
2. Werner volunteers himself for a one-way ticket to Mars.
3. “Have the monks stopped meditating? They all seem to be tweeting.”

It’s easy to take for granted that Warner Herzog, now past the age of 70, is still making films every bit as vibrant and engaging as a youngster. Here we have a documentary about the internet. And he doesn’t feel to need to resort to visual tricks or gimmicks to tell his story. He combines an open-eyed curiosity about the world and technology with the wisdom of a disciplined filmmaking that prioritizes people over things. It’s the only way to explore what the internet means for our species.

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3 things about Paolo Sorrentino’s YOUTH

Youth [2015]

1. “They’re mute.”
2. Close. Then, faraway.
3. Offscreen, stepping into air. Silence. Far below, horrified commotion.

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3 things about Mike Mills’ 20th CENTURY WOMEN

20th Century Women [2016]

1. “Wondering if you’re happy is just a shortcut to being depressed.”
2. Goof: “The Big Country” is not the first song on the second side of More Songs about Buildings and Food.
3. As part of her Y2K plan, $16,000 in gold coins in a safety deposit box at the Bank of Montecito.

Thoroughly wonderful.

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Kenny Burrell cocktail.

I’ve been entranced by the guitar stylings of Kenny Burrell at least as far back as the first time I heard his masterpiece Midnight Blue. So I offer up this libation in his honor. It spotlights (albeit subtly) Plantation’s newest rum.

KENNY BURRELL COCKTAIL

2 oz. Hamilton Guyana Rum
.5 oz. Plantation O.F.T.D. Overproof Rum
2 teaspoons honey syrup
5 drops ‘Elemakule Tiki Bitters

Add ingredients to a small tumbler. Add a jumbo cube of ice and stir for five seconds. Garnish with an orange peel, press play on “Chitlins Con Carne,” and serve.

(Thanks Anthony for the bitters!)

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3 things about Philip Kaufman’s INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS

Invasion of the Body Snatchers [1978]

1. Why the name change from Miles to Matthew?
2. He’s only able to destroy his own pod.
3. Her left cheek caves in, begins to crumble.

3 other things.

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3 things about Michael Winner’s SCORPIO

Scorpio [1973]

1. Burt in blackface.
2. A toast to dinosaurs.
3. Compulsive flower arranging.

Ugh. Michael Winner was behind some of the most mediocre films on the 70s and 80s. Nothing new here at all.

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3 things about Alan Arkin’s LITTLE MURDERS

Little Murders [1971]

1. “I really nearly trust you!”
2. He slowly shuffles to the other end of the subway car and takes a seat. AS he sits down, the man to his right pulls away slightly
3. A monument to Victor Herbert catches his eye.

3 other things.

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