Urbanite

Fashion Week: Kara DioGuardi dishes on Ellen, new season of 'Idol'

Tuesday September 15, 2009 5:59 PM By Julie Gordon

Badgley Mischka front-row guests Kara DioGuardi, left, and Bethenny Frankel (AP)

“American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi is grateful that Ellen DeGeneres will be the newbie this season. “Last year was really difficult for me, making the transition from being behind the scenes ... to people asking me, ‘What do you think?’ and being scrutinized in every which way,” Kara, who joined “Idol” last year, told us before Badgley Mischka. So, what does Kara think that Ellen, who is replacing Paula Abdul, will bring to the judges’ table? “She’s going to be able to tell these kids what it takes to be a star, which is a big part of making it in the music industry.” During Badgley Mischka, Kara was seated back-to-back with former "Idol" constant Constantine Maroulis; the two chatted over their shoulders before the show began. Cute!

Know your spices: Indian cooking for beginners

Tuesday September 15, 2009 5:48 PM By Ya-Roo Yang

Indian food can intimidate even the most experienced home cooks. People often think Indian cooking requires complicated culinary techniques, saintly patience, and hard-to-find ingredients. But nothing is further from the truth.

Bal Arneson writes in “Everyday Indian” that Indian food is often prepared by women with many other household chores to complete and in areas where fuel is scarce; so, cooking times have to be quick. She also points out that, with the exception of legumes, most dishes took take no more than 20 minutes.

The Pomegranate Shrimp recipe in Monica Bhide’s “Modern Spice” uses three spices other than salt and cooks in a few minutes. And, Aviyal, a simple vegetable curry from South India, while requiring a medley of vegetables, achieves its flavors from a simple blend of yogurt with cumin, chilies, coconut and curry leaves.

Misconceptions
“The perception of Indian food is that it’s spicy, greasy and incredibly foreign,” said Floyd Cardoz, chef at Tabla, whose book “One Spice, Two Spice” aims to demystify Indian cooking.

Ms. Bhide explained further: “I think people are overwhelmed by the list of spices and ingredients they see in many classical recipes along with the need for special equipment like tandoors. Not many Indian homes make Tandoori naan using a Tandoor, I can assure you.”

“For the longest time, the Indian food served in Indian restaurants was wealthy mogul cuisine,” said Mr. Cardoz. “The food eaten in Indian homes tends to be very regional and seasonal.”

Stock up
From the bread based, buttery diet of Northern India to the spicier, rice and vegetable-heavy grub of the South, the basic spices and flavoring agents remain the same.

The home cook can make an enticing array of basic Indian dishes with cumin, turmeric, garam masala, and coriander seeds in the pantry, and onions, garlic, ginger and green chilies in the fridge.

Add some spice
Spices are either toasted to enhance the flavors or blended with yogurt, cream or coconut milk for sauces and soups.

A typical recipe may ask the cook to toast the cumin and turmeric and then stir in aromatics such as minced ginger and/or onions to create a unique flavor before adding main ingredients such as vegetables or greens. Once the basics are learned, the cook can begin to adjust the spices and experiment with different main ingredients.

Cardoz recommended that the beginner try a couple of different spices in daily cooking: “Purchase whole spices in small quantities and grind them with a new coffee grinder,” he said. “This will serve as an introduction to spice flavors, without radically changing the way you eat. Once you understand basic spice techniques, you can play with more adventurous combinations.”

Bhide agreed: “I would suggest picking one spice like cumin and trying it different ways — dry roasting, ground, or tempered in hot oil; then layering it with a different spice such as cayenne or turmeric. Once you learn how to cook with spices, you will master Indian cooking.”

Luckily for most New Yorkers, procuring these spices means one quick trip to Kalustyan in Manhattan or Patel Brothers in Jackson Heights. For homebodies, both stores accept orders online.

Five Great Indian Cookbooks for Beginners
Mangoes and Curry Leaves (Artisan Books 2005)
by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Daguid
It’s not just a cookbook, it takes you on a journey of the whole subcontinent.

Modern Spice (Simon & Schuster 2009)
by Monica Bhide
A sassy updated take on Indian recipes for those who likes to entertain.

One Spice, Two Spice (William Marrow 2006)
by Floyd Cardoz
Indian recipes from the chef at Manhattan’s popular Tabla Restaurant.

Everyday Indian (Whitecap Books 2009)
by Bal Arneson
Easy to follow healthy Indian recipes from Canada’s favorite Indian cooking instructor.

Grains, Greens and Grated Coconuts (iUniverse Books 2007)
by Ammini Ramachandran
A personal look at South Indian vegetarian cooking, with history and stories of dishes and recipes.

Q AND A: Ammini Ramachandran
The author of Grains, Greens and Grated Coconuts — a collection of recipes an essays, Ammini Ramachandram is also a culinary educator and writer on South Indian Cooking. On Friday, she will be teaching a class on south Indian cooking geared to the home cook at the Institute of Culinary Education. We caught up with her.

AMNY: Why do you think Indian cooking is so intimidating to most American home cooks?
AR: Unfortunately it is a matter of perception. Some of the tastiest and simple dishes from India are never served in restaurants and remain unknown to the Western world. Words like spicy and hot are always associated with Indian food in America. People tend to think that Indian food requires a wide variety of spices as well as other ingredients and complicated cooking methods.

AMNY: How do you make Indian cooking more "user friendly" for beginner cooks?
AR: To make Indian dishes more approachable, in my cooking classes I try to include dishes that use only a few ingredients and one or two spices. Of course, not all Indian dishes are very simple. I always try to explain why a spice or ingredient is included, and what it does to the quality, aroma, and taste of a particular dish. And in the end I suggest short cuts, variations, and whenever possible, substitutions with ingredients readily available in American Supermarkets.

AMNY: What do you think is the key to Indian cooking?
AR: Understanding spices is the cornerstone of Indian cooking; spices provide endless possibilities for flavoring and they distinguish one dish from another, define the flavor, and heighten the taste. The characters of most spices are adaptable; it depends on when during the cooking process they are added, and how they are integrated in a dish. The more you learn, the more fluent you will be in the language of spices.

AMNY: What is a simple dish you start a beginner with?
AR: One such simple dish my students have always enjoyed is Puzukku, a traditional Kerala dish made with red beans and squash flavored with green chili peppers, fresh curry leaves, salt and fresh coconut. The only spice that goes in is turmeric.

AMNY: Any other advice for the beginner cook?
AR: Approach Indian cuisine with an open mind - not every Indian dish is spicy hot. An unmistakable feature of Indian cooking is the different methods available for flavoring with spices. Cooking is an expression of the cook's personal tastes and preferences. The delight in cooking Indian food is not necessarily derived from the end product alone, but from the endless possibilities available for flavoring a dish. Use recipes for ideas and suggestions. Improvise, but never let a cookbook order you around.

Fashion Week: Mena Suvari 'spaces' out

Tuesday September 15, 2009 5:03 PM By Michelle Regalado

Mena Suvari and boyfriend Simone Sestito sit front row at the Rebecca Taylor show. (Getty)

Actress Mena Suvari made a statement at the Rebecca Taylor show in a Rebecca Taylor faux fur vest, black Topshop gloves and Giles & Brother jewelry. And for fall, her staples include similar items that are "all about comfort" yet have a “metallic, spacey” vibe (her words, not ours). "I love mixing and matching," Suvari said. Well, then this collection was right up her alley. Mixing urban edge and spring simplicity, the runway looks combined ruched dresses in vivid oranges and fuschias with structured jackets and cashmere sweaters. Corset-inspired bustiers, knit skirts and flowing tanks also stood out. “The show was amazing,” said Suvari, 30. “The colors and silk fabrics were beautiful.” Later on, Suvari continued her support of the desiger with a brief stop at the after-party at Rm.55 at the Dream Hotel. 


 

Fashion Week: Mariska Hargitay's quality time with her son

Tuesday September 15, 2009 4:47 PM By Julie Gordon

Mariska Hargitay is trying to squeeze in extra time at Central Park with her 3-year-old son, August, before the weather gets too chilly. “We try to get there as much as we can, especially with winter being as brutal as it is,” the “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” star and California native told us before the Lela Rose show. But when she isn't playing with little August, or hanging out at favorite New York spots such as Babbo, Hargitay on the set of "SVU," which premieres for the season Sept. 23 at 9 p.m. on NBC. This season, Christine Lahti joins the long-running cop drama as an assistant district attorney. "There's a new energy, a change ... because it's a very character that's in the squad room," Hargitay said. "She really shakes things up a bit."

City parks next target of smoking ban

Monday September 14, 2009 7:13 PM By Jason Fink

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is once again telling smokers to snuff it.

The city’s war on tobacco – which includes a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants and a graphic ad campaign – may soon mean a prohibition on lighting up at parks and beaches.

“Smoking is responsible for killing over 7,000 New Yorkers a year,” Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said Monday. “We don’t think it’s too far to say that people shouldn’t be smoking in parks, and to try to protect our children from getting addicted to tobacco.”

The proposal, part of a report on the city’s health goals for the next three years, is in keeping with Bloomberg’s aggressive focus on promoting healthy habits.

“It’s absurd.  It’s getting to the point that we can’t do anything on our own,” Brian St. Just, a 33-year smoker from The Bronx, said. “We should be trusted to make our own decisions.”

The city already has banned trans fats, mandated that calories be posted in some restaurants and recently began a public campaign against sugary drinks.

The approach has won plaudits from many public health experts, even as some say it goes too far.

“This is Mike Bloomberg’s nanny government again,” said City Councilman Tony Avella, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor in today’s primary. 

Christine Hirschl, 44, a smoker from Manhattan, agreed.

“It’s not about smoking anymore, it’s about your rights,” she said. “It’s almost like we have no free will.”

Few details were given on how the ban would be enacted and enforced.

Smoking is already banned in playgrounds in city parks. The ban’s enforced by Parks Department “peace officers” who can issue summonses.

A spokesman for Bloomberg, Stu Loeser, said the administration has “not decided on a single strategy for reducing second-hand smoke in our parks.”

San Francisco and Los Angeles have similar bans, as do other cities, counties and states, including Utah, Louisiana, Maine and California.

“I’d love to see no smoking anywhere,” Irvin Kelly, 32, of Astoria, said when told of the proposal. “How about a world where the air is clean?”

Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who said she believes a ban would require legislation, expressed support.

“Obviously, I’m going to need to see the specifics of it, but it’s a concept I’m very open to,” she said.

Audrey Silk, the founder of Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment, called the proposal “a form of bigotry.”

She said she found the idea of prohibiting smoking on beaches hypocritical.

“While everyone’s sunning themselves under the carcinogenic sun, they’re going to complain about the smell of smoke,” she said.

The AP and Anndrew Vacca contributed to this story

Do good and see the world

Monday September 14, 2009 6:37 PM By Kathleen Willcox

Relief Riders International sends participants to help Indian villagers.

If an extravagant vacation is out of the question, but the idea of another staycation feels, well, underwhelming, you may want to make a creative compromise: combining volunteering with traveling.

While hard numbers are tough to come by, experts say “voluncationing” is on the rise.
Studies indicate that mixing beneficence with pleasure increased by about 30 percent this year; last year about 100,000 Americans took voluncations.

There’s a sort of Oprah “pay it forward” sensibility that many may find appealing as they themselves struggle economically, said David Clemmons, founder of Voluntourism, an organization that sets up volunteer-travel packages.

Simultaneously, there’s a hipster cachet to the notion of “traveling through India on horseback and helping villagers, or lodging at an organic farm in Spain and milking goats,” he said. Bonus: The trips are usually tax-deductible.
The cost, type of work, length of stay and quality of room and board vary, but there’s something out there for almost everyone.
 

Foodies
WWOOF
wwoof.org
For the food-obsessed, it would be tough to beat the plethora of opportunities (such as cheese-making, viticulture and harvesting) available through World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.

In return for a few hours of assistance each day, WWOOF hosts offer farm-fresh food and
board at farms around the world.

The work is light and travelers have plenty of time to escape the farm and explore local sites. There’s no cost, except for transportation and any additional activities.

Environmentalists
City slickers pining for the great outdoors have numerous cut-rate options.

Sierra Club
sierraclub.org
The Sierra Club runs trips worldwide in which participants help rangers restore parks, assist on research projects at whale calving grounds or poke around archaeological digs.
Trips last a week and the cost varies — many are about $500, including room and board.

American Hiking Society
americanhiking.org
The American Hiking Society offers service trips — including stewardship projects such as trail maintenance, bridge renovation and installation of drainage structures — around the U.S. The trips range from easy (day hikes) to very strenuous (five to 15 miles of rugged backpacking each day) and cost about $250, which covers food and accommodations.
 

Animal lovers/humanitarians
Best Friends Animal Society
bestfriends.org
The Best Friends Animal Society is the country’s largest sanctuary for abused animals, nestled on 33,000 acres in Utah. Best Friends offers a program in which volunteers feed, clean and spend time with the animals (and take advantage of the surrounding gorgeous scenery). Accommodations cost about $65 a night.

Relief Riders International
reliefridersinternational.com
If money isn’t an issue, there’s always a 15-day horseback-riding trip through India with Relief Riders International. Participants can explore southern Rajasthan and help villagers set up medical camps. Cost: $6,300 (room and board included; airfare is not included).

Notes from Fashion Week: Day 5

Monday September 14, 2009 6:30 PM By Perrie Samotin

Kim Kardashian and Kelly Rowland sat front row at Jill Stuart’s Spring 2010 show yesterday afternoon.  (Getty)

The fifth day of Fashion Week kicked off yesterday, and we were privy to an array of très juicy front-row sightings and conversations. Here’s a sampling:

* We caught up with Olivia Palermo before the Carlos Miele show, and she told us she and her “City” co-star Whitney Port have a good relationship — despite drama during the first season of the MTV show. “We’ve never had any hard feelings,” Palermo said. “On the show there’s an entertainment value to it. Things are played up.” Also notably present at Miele was French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld.

* Jill Stuart’s Spring 2010 show at the New York Public Library was filled with familiar faces (as well as stunning clothes and extra-Amazonian models). The first celeb we spotted was an overdressed Bethenny Frankel, engaging in some big-time mugging. She was followed by fellow New York “Housewives” Kelly Bensimon, Jill Zarin and LuAnn de Lessps. Could they have been shooting? Notably absent was Ramona Singer. Hmm. We also spied two Jersey “Housewives,” sisters Dina and Caroline Manzo. Also first-row? Pretty young things Kim Kardashian, Kelly Rowland, Rachel Bilson, Nicky Hilton, Shenae Grimes, Amanda Bynes and Leigh Lezark.

*Top Chef” judge and editor at Food & Wine, Gail Simmons dished with Newsday’s Robert Kahn before Jill Stuart’s runway show yesterday, saying it’s her dream to see the series go international. “Spain is where the most exciting culinary innovations are happening,” said Simmons. “Italy, France or London would do, too.” Though we like the show set here in NYC the best, we'd be into that.

Backlash against Kayne's VMA stunt comes from far and wide

Monday September 14, 2009 6:15 PM By Heather Haddon

Kanye West takes the microphone from Taylor Swift as she accepts the "Best Female Video" award during the Video Music Awards (AP Photo)

Kayne West won’t be living this one down anytime soon.

A laundry list of stars — from Pink to Donald Trump — were united yesterday in decrying West’s strange antics at the Video Music Awards Sunday, where he crashed the stage to declared that pal Beyonce Knowles deserved the Best Female Video award more than winner Taylor Swift.

“That moment was Taylor’s moment and she didn’t deserve that,” Kelly Rowland, Beyonce’s former bandmate from Destiny’s Child, told amNewYork before the Tracy Reese runway show at Bryant Park yesterday.

West was scheduled to perform last night on the debut of Jay Leno’s new primetime talk show along with Beyonce’s husband, Jay-Z.

On Sunday night, as Swift stood with her award during the televised event, West stole the microphone from the 19-year-old country music singer, declaring that Beyonce deserved the prize for her “Single Ladies” video. Swift, who is to appear on the View this morning, never finished her acceptance speech and Beyonce looked mortified. Beyonce later called Swift back to the stage after she won the Best Video of the Year award.

“Of course, Beyonce being as gracious as she was, saved the day,” Rowland said.

Meanwhile, Trump yesterday called for a boycott of West and told TMZ that his antics were “disgusting.” On her blog, singer Kelly Clarkson chalked up West as a “sad human being.” Singer John Mayer, American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert and singer Katy Perry also slammed West’s move on TMZ.

West apologized yesterday on his blog, saying he felt like he “messed up everything.”
“That was Taylor's moment and I had no right in any way to take it from her. I am truly sorry,” he wrote.

Wanna get away? This week's travel deals

Monday September 14, 2009 5:23 PM By Courtney Crowder

Discounts at almost 300 New England regional hotels: The New England Inns and Resorts Association is offering different ‘Autumn Packages’ that vary by hotel but all promise lots of fall-themed fun. One autumn package features a two-night stay for two for $359 in the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport, ME, which includes $25 in dining credits, bicycle rentals, daily breakfasts and a build-your- own scarecrow kit. Another package features a $220 two-night stay at the Nordic Village Resort in Jackson, NH, which also includes two passes to the famous Maze at Sherman’s Farm. Most packages are available through Oct. 31. Call 603-964-6689 or visit NewEnglandInnsandResorts.com for more information.

$310 Vermont resort vacation: The Smugglers’ Notch Resort is offering a $310 AutumnFest Package, through Oct. 12, that offers a two night stay in a one bedroom condominium, for two adults and two kids, including full use of pools, family entertainment venues and guided hikes. The resort also has a special program called Kids’ Connection, developed for children ages 16 months to 7 years. Those that stay with the AutumnFest package will receive a 50 percent discount on the Kids’ Connection services. Call 800-451-8752 or visit smuggs.com/fall to learn more.

Downtown San Diego for $99 a night: In the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, the luxurious US GRANT HOTEL is debuting a new $99 nightly rate to commemorate the hotel’s upcoming 99th anniversary. The discount offers guests a savings of $170 per night when compared to the hotel’s normal rate. In 2006, the hotel underwent a $58 million restoration and now offers 270 guestrooms and 47 suites all with original period artwork. The Grant Grill also incurred an extensive refurbishing and is offering a brand new cocktail menu. Call 866-837-4270 or visit usgrant.net for more information.

InterContinental hotel points will now pay for flights: The InterContinental Group recently announced the Flights Anywhere program, which will allow Priority Club Rewards points to be used toward paying for airline tickets. These points can be used in addition to regular frequent flyers miles or points, and will have no blackout dates. The points can also be combined with cash. Call 888-211-9874 or visit priorityclub.com/flightsanywhere.

California wine country for $139 a day: With Elderhostel’s ‘A Taste of Provence Package,’ guest over 55 receive a five night stay at the Bishop’s Ranch in Healdsburg, CA, three meals a day, wine tastings, culinary demonstrations and trips to a local winery, olive press and cheese store. The five-night vacation takes place between either Oct.11-16 or March 14-19 and adds up to $695 per person. To redeem the package refer to promo code 1144RJ when booking. Call 800-454-5768 or visit elderhostel.org to learn more.

Airfare and three-night accommodations in D.C. for $449: Enjoy the nation’s capital with roundtrip airfare on JetBlue and a three-night stay at the Alexandria-Historic District Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, for $449 per person. The deal is ongoing, but is based on weekend stays from September through December. The price does not include the taxes of $21 per person. Additional hotel choices are available and will come with additional costs. Call 800-538-2583 or visit jetblue.com for more information.