Wade on Birmingham

Archive for February, 2016

The Birmingham channel: Primary warmup

Monday, February 29th, 2016

A look at Birmingham in videos …

Pre-show fun with the band Florida Georgia Line in 2014 at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Pelham. From Florida Georgia Line.

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks Saturday at Miles College. From ABC 33/40.

Philip Kimani performs at Laborers in Christ Ministries in Homewood. From Kikuyu Diaspora Television USA.

Promotional video for the Birmingham Water Works. From Vulcan Media.

WIAT-42 segment with Chris VanCleave, a k a the Redneck Rosarian, before his appearance at the Birmingham Home and Garden Show earlier this month. From Redneck Rosarian.

Music from Faith Apostolic Church in West End. From Adrienne Nixonforfac.

Taj India on Southside says thank you. From Linked2 Social.

A look at the nonprofit group Animal League of Birmingham. From Starnes Publishing.

Promotional video for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Alabama, featuring Ruben Studdard. From Telegraph Creative.

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio speaks Saturday at Samford University. From ABC 33/40.

Christian rapper TobyMac performs “Til the Day I Die” earlier this month at Legacy Arena downtown. From Amber Smith.

Sightseeing tours of the Virgin Mary in Sterrett. From Medjugorje Apparitions.

Americana singer-songwriter Sara Syms performs “Fade to Blue” earlier this month at Moonlight on the Mountain in Hoover. From Sara Syms.

Doc McKenzie performs in December at East Birmingham Church of God in Christ in Woodlawn. From Jerol Tyson.

The 2007 Miles College Marching Band. From ShowtimeWeb.

Michael Board II and Imani Love perform “Fences” by August Wilson at the 2013 National Forensics League National Tournament in Birmingham. From Imani Love.

A trip to Railroad Park and more. From Randy and Anna.

Emily Dave performs “Jar of Hearts” by Christina Perri for her Anti-Valentine’s Ukulele Special. From Emily Dave.

The Block’s music video karaoke with Justin Bieber’s “I’ll Show You.” From The Block Birmingham.

Talking to a supporter downtown at Saturday’s rally for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders. From Effectiveness Activator.

Road trip to see R5 perform at Iron City on Southside. From FS PJ.

Flying from Birmingham to Atlanta in January. From Trizity Tube.

• • •

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The Birmingham channel

bonus spin

Monday, February 29th, 2016

Do you risk it all
for a chance at happiness
or spend the day safe?

• • •

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Books: Excerpt from Kathy G’s ‘Food, Fun and Fabulous’

Sunday, February 28th, 2016

Kathy G. Mezrano - Food, Fun and Fabulous

The following is an excerpt from Birmingham caterer Kathy G. Mezrano’s “Food, Fun and Fabulous.” Kathy G. and Company has been a city fixture for more than 20 years. Mezrano draws on her Lebanese heritage and Southern roots for her first cookbook, which features recipes and ideas for many party themes. 

In this excerpt, she shares her dishes based on fresh produce from farmers’ markets.

• • •

Chapter 6: Farmer’s Table

The farm-to-table movement basically refers to food that is ultra-fresh. Produce is harvested at the perfect moment — as opposed to picked early and then left to ripen in a box while it gets shipped from who knows where — and other products are sourced just as fresh as can be. This concept is near and dear to my heart. I have a special appreciation for local fresh produce, because my dad had a wholesale produce business for 50 years.

When I was growing up, we always had the freshest produce in season. We were doing farm-to-table long before it was chic. But I’m glad it’s popular now, because what better way to get excited about creating and sharing wonderful meals than going straight to the source. When you start with fresh and delicious ingredients, the rest is a breeze.

Yellow Tomato Gazpacho

Golden tomatoes are a new twist on a refreshing summertime favorite. You can also use red or green tomatoes. Or try layering all three in a mini-pilsner for a unique presentation. The soup is thick enough that the layers will stay intact beautifully.

Yield: Six to eight 1/2-cup servings

  • 12 ounces fresh ripe yellow tomatoes, cored
  • 2 cups mango puree
  • 1 1⁄2 teaspoons champagne vinegar
  • 1 1⁄2 teaspoons hot sauce
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, small diced
  • 1⁄2 medium red onion, small diced
  • 1⁄2 medium white onion, small diced
  • 1⁄2 jalapeño, minced
  • 1⁄2 small zucchini, small diced
  • 1⁄2 small yellow squash, small diced
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
  • 1⁄4 cup olive oil
  • Juice of one lime

In large pot, boil enough water to cover tomatoes. Add tomatoes to boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes to blanch them. Pull them out of the pot, and immediately transfer to ice water. Once cool, peel tomatoes, and cut in half. Gently squeeze over a fine-mesh strainer sitting inside a bowl to remove the seeds. Reserve the juice.

Puree tomatoes and combine with reserved tomato juice and all other ingredients. Season to taste with lime juice and cilantro. Chill and serve.

Okra Casserole with Tomatoes

This is one of my dad’s specialties. He and my mother both loved to cook but, of course, when he cooked, she was the prep chef! Okra is one of my favorite Southern vegetables. It’s so versatile — you can fry it, pickle it, stew it or bake it. People usually love it or hate it, there’s no meeting in the middle, and that’s just fine. If you’re a fan, this is one delicious way to enjoy it.

Yield: 8-10 servings

  • 2 pounds baby okra
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
  • 3-4 ripe tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon organic chicken base

Wash and trim okra. Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until translucent and set aside. Sauté whole baby okra in same pan, add salt and pepper. Remove okra and line it up in rows in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Spread onion and garlic mixture on top of okra. Slice tomatoes in 1⁄2-inch rounds. Arrange on top of the okra mixture. Mix teaspoon of organic chicken base (I like Better Than Bouillon brand) with 1 cup warm water. Pour over mixture, and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

corn pudding

Corn Pudding

Corn pudding goes with everything. It’s wonderful with grilled meats, chicken or fish. I like to use a sweet corn such as Silver Queen, but bicolor corn works as well. It may be baked in a buttered casserole dish or in individual ramekins. Be sure to use a water bath when baking.

Yield: 8 servings

  • 8 ears sweet corn
  • 1 Vidalia onion, minced
  • 1 quart half and half
  • 4 eggs, whisked
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • Salt and white pepper to taste
  • Nutmeg, dash

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Shave corn off the cob and use the back of the knife to scrape all the corn milk. Sauté onions in butter until translucent, add corn and half-and-half, and simmer until tender. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Blend in food processor or blender until smooth and kernels are no longer whole.

Whisk in eggs and pour the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch buttered casserole dish or ramekins and cover. Place the baking dish into a larger baking dish and add about 1 inch of water to the larger pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until set. Remove cover and bake until crust is golden.

farmer's market pizza

Farmer’s Market Pizza

Everyone loves pizza, and what a great meal for the whole family. Any combination of summer vegetables may be used. I like to add some fresh pesto and garnish with fresh basil just before serving.

Yield: 1 pie

  • Pizza crust (prebaked or dough)
  • Fl
our
  • 3 tomatoes, variety of heirloom, Roma and globe
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1⁄2 cup basil pesto (see below)
  • 2-3 heads of sweet corn, roasted
  • 8 ounces mozzarella, sliced
  • 3 tablespoons basil, chopped
  • Handful of arugula
  • Handful torn kale
  • 1⁄2 cup Parmesan
  • 1⁄2 Vidallia onion, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Sprinkle flour onto baking sheet, then lay prebaked pizza crust on top, or roll out pizza dough with a rolling pin before placing on the sheet. Spread pesto over pizza crust.

Cut roasted sweet corn off the cob and spread it over pesto. Cut tomatoes into slices, laying them on top of the pesto and corn. Sprinkle salt and pepper over tomatoes. Add sliced mozzarella and kale leaves to pizza top.

Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Garnish with arugula and Parmesan.

Basil Pesto

  • 2 cups spinach leaves
  • 4 cups basil leaves
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1⁄2 cup olive oil
  • 2 cups fresh Parmesan, grated

In food processor, process spinach, basil and garlic, and with processor running, slowly add oil. Pulse in Parmesan, and set aside. Mixture should be thick.

Hit the Produce Stands

Wherever you are, whatever the local produce and products, you can just feel the excitement in the air when the farmers’ markets open in late spring and run through the summer. Here in Birmingham, markets pop up everywhere — in hospital lobbies, corporate parking decks, downtown parks, community developments and Pepper Place Market, which is a personal favorite.

Our farmers grow everything from heirloom tomatoes, Silver Queen corn and okra to rattlesnake beans, lady peas and Chilton County peaches. In addition to the produce, there are farm-fresh, free-range eggs, pork and beef products, Alabama’s McEwen and Sons’ organic grits and cornmeal and other great offerings.

Our local chefs strive to preserve our Southern heritage and work with farmers to support locally grown food. So, if you want farm-to-table inspiration, you have to go to the farm — or at least the fabulous markets. Make a day of it!

• • •

“Food, Fun and Fabulous” (December 2015, Inspired Intermedia)

Kathy G. Mezrano

#sundayread for Feb. 28, 2016

Sunday, February 28th, 2016
enthusiastic library patron

Photo: Lisa Clarke (CC)

My picks for #sundayread for Feb. 28, 2016:

More posts from Wade this week:

The latest #sundayread tweets

hollywood’s sure bets

Sunday, February 28th, 2016

Adaptations and
reboots crowd out the beauty
of fresh ideas.

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no lives matter

Saturday, February 27th, 2016

We discard human
lives as easily as we
pretend otherwise.

• • •

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the nobel prize of snapchat

Friday, February 26th, 2016

She gathers the world,
not through cuteness or humor,
but through metasnark.

• • •

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bumps in the road

Thursday, February 25th, 2016

Time for a big change:
Switching to the crunchy style
of peanut butter.

• • •

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the pit

Wednesday, February 24th, 2016

Wet branches and smoke
bathe the skinned pig for hours
below, low and slow.

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virtual realities

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016

We take baby steps
into this frontier of strange
actors and warped views.

• • •

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The Birmingham channel: The voice and the idol

Monday, February 22nd, 2016

A look at Birmingham in videos …

Promo for the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham. From Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham.

Interview with retired teacher Faye Mills. From Sarah Lane Davidson.

Highlights from the 2016 Birmingham Junior Challenge, part of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, earlier this month at Calera’s Timberline Golf Club. From Hurricane Junior Golf Tour.

Resellers make a trip to Birmingham. From Alabama Pickers.

Promotional video featuring Horsefeathers Farm owners Don and Candye Lundy in Columbiana. From Horsefeathers Farm.

Approach and landing at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. From Jason Clarke.

Report on the newly reopened Lyric Theatre downtown, and its place in history as a once-segregated venue. From Wochit News.

Country artist Blake Shelton’s surprise free concert on Jan. 30 at Iron City on Southside. From Stratosfilm.

Vestavia Hills’ Darry Yoga Studio performs at the Chinese New Year Festival earlier this month at Boutwell Auditorium downtown. From Wu Darry.

“American Idol” winner Fantasia sings “Summertime” on Valentine’s Day at the BJCC Concert Hall. From ACEntric_Rugrat.

L.A. pop-rock band R5 performs at Iron City. From Ms. Shino.

A look at the Birmingham Girls Choir, based at Edgewood Presbyterian Church in Homewood. From Morgan Walston.

“The Voice” contestant Melanie Martinez performs “Mrs. Potato Head” in October at Saturn in Avondale. From Austin Bryant.

Singer-songwriter Bryson Tiller performs “Right My Wrongs” earlier this month at Iron City. From LyfeGoalz TV.

A look at the Charlie’s Angels fund-raiser luncheon for the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation. From Fowler Davis.

Sunset over Railroad Park from LIV Parkside apartments. From Hawley Schneider.

Claudia Garcia Jou of Akron, Ohio, competes at last week’s Samford Invitational indoor track and field event at the CrossPlex in Five Points West. From TheWangConnection.

Iowa Christian metalcore band For Today performs “Foundation” earlier this month at Zydeco on Southside. From Chris J.

Driving through downtown and Southside with Ailson Lopes. From Show de Turismo Pelo Mundo.

Earlier this month, Metropolitan Tikhon visits St. Symeon Orthodox Church in the Highland Park neighborhood. From Shea Cole.

Excerpt from British documentary on the civil rights movement in 1963 Birmingham. From General Certificate of Secondary Education History Files.

New Orleans alternative rock band Mutemath performs on Valentine’s Day at Iron City. From Mallory Campbell.

Interview with rider Austin Stroupe after racing last weekend in Arenacross at Legacy Arena. From Amsoil Arenacross.

Interview with Jamie Whitehurst, director of development at Birmingham Aids Outreach in Lakeview. From Kacey Tanveer.

Time-lapse video of “Watch Your Step,” an art installation using herbs and spices by Samford assistant professor Stephen Watson. From Stephen Watson.

M&H Valve’s Menzo Parker talks about his manufacturing job in Anniston; Rick Davis of the Birmingham Business Alliance explains why manufacturing is important to Alabama’s fiscal health. From Alliance for American Manufacturing .

Jo Ellen explains the table leader role for the Banquet for Life. From Sav-a-Life Vestavia.

A documentary on Kelly Ingram Park. From Courtney Cannon.

Kansas City musician A.J. Gaither performs on a cigar box guitar earlier this month at the Nick on Southside. From Colin Cunningham.

Jesse J. Lewis on big changes at the Birmingham Times. From Alabama NewsCenter.

A trip through last week’s World of Wheels at the BJCC Exhibition Halls. From phoenixfyre71.

• • •

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The Birmingham channel

everything is weakness

Monday, February 22nd, 2016

Showing weakness. Tears.
Brave face. Admitting something.
Disease. Family.

• • •

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#sundayread for Feb. 21, 2016

Sunday, February 21st, 2016

My picks for #sundayread for Feb. 21, 2016:

More posts from Wade this week:

The latest #sundayread tweets

lazy people don’t panic

Sunday, February 21st, 2016

Lazy people don’t
panic. Let industrious
folk shoulder the blame.

• • •

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the pancake man

Saturday, February 20th, 2016

He spins golden discs
of morning shine to delight
breakfast partisans.

• • •

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