Mimosas

Traditionally made with Champagne, I make mine with Prosecco, a bubbly wine from Northern Italy. I find it more dry and less bubbly and in my opinion it is a waste of money to use a better quality Champagne to achieve the same end. Trader Joe’s, sells an excellent Prosecco for $6.99. Need I say more?

1 bottle of Prosecco
1 carton of Orange Juice with the Most Pulp
1 bottle of Triple Sec, or Cointreau - optional

Fill glasses with Prosecco, to 3/4 full. Add a generous splash of orange juice, but not so much that it begins to look - and taste - like fruit punch, and a very stingy splash of the orange liquor. The idea is to taste the wine above all other ingredients. Serve immediately.

Prosecco Kir Royals

To every wine glass full of Prosecco, add a light splash of Creme de Cassis. Too much, and it tastes more like grape juice than a cocktail. Garnish with lemon rinds you have carved out of a lemon by using a carrot peeler.

Lime juice spritzers with mint

10 Key limes
4 tbls brown sugar
a sprig of mint
San Pellegrino water
Ice
Additional mint for garnish

Squeeze the limes. Heat the sugar with three tablespoons of water, for 30 seconds in the microwave. Add the mint, first crushing it between your fingers, and refrigerate in a sealed container. When ready to serve, place ice cubes in a glass, add about three tablespoons of the mixture, fill with sparkling water to the top of the glass and garnish with some mint leaves.

Hummus

1 15 oz can of organic Garbanzo beans (chick peas)
2 tbls. of Tahini paste
2 fresh garlic cloves, roughly chopped
the juice of 1/2 a large lemon
2 tbls. of extra virgin olive oil
salt to taste
a drizzle of olive oil and a dash of paprika for presentation
your favorite flat bread - corn tortillas, pita, or flour tortillas all work!

Drain and rinse the chick peas and throw all the ingredients - except the paprika - into my dear, favorite kitchen gadget, the Magic Bullet (order it at www.buythebullet.com). Pulse and puree, adding a couple of tablespoons of water if the mixture is too thick. It should be just light enough to turn without straining the blender. But not too liquid, as it must retain a dip consistency.
Pour into a bowl and sprinkle with the olive oil and the paprika, to add a bit of color. Serve with bread. It can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Ahhhh, a true summer treat!

Caprese Salad

1 buffalo mozzarella
1 large red or yellow tomato
a large sprig of basil
2 tbls extra virgin olive oil
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Slice both the tomato and the mozzarella and arrange on a plate, in a circle. One slice tomato, one slice of mozzarella, repeat, you get the gist… In between each slice, place a basil leaf and then sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with the olive oil. Serves one as a main dish or two as an appetizer. The better quality the tomatoes and the olive oil are, the better the whole dish will turn out. If you have a local favorite store for buffalo mozzarella in your town’s Italian neighborhood, by all means, get it there.

Pesto with Fusilli - Cold Pasta Salad

2 cups of basil leaves, firmly packed, washed and dried in a salad spinner
1/4 cup of pignoli nuts
4 large cloves of garlic
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil, added a little at a time, to the right consistency
salt and pepper to taste
1 1lb package of fusilli pasta
additional parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top at the end

In your beloved Magic Bullet (it should be the only appliance left in your kitchen by now!) pack half of the basil leaves, and half of all the other ingredients. Pulse and when it has finally become nearly creamy, add the rest of the ingredients, except for the pasta, obviously, and the parmesan cheese you will put on top at the very end. Fill a large pot with water, salt it a bit, and place on the stove at high heat, covered, until the water boils. Add the pasta, stirring constantly in the first minute or so, uncovered and cook to one or two minutes less than package directions. Drain the pasta, rinse it once in cold water and add the pesto sauce straight into the pot. Mix well, let it cool and then place in the serving bowl you will use, taking care to keep the sides clean. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese and refrigerate until 1/2 hour before you are ready to serve it. Serves 10 to 12 as part of a spread.

Garlicky Guacamole

The traditional guacamole has onions, but this is a version that is just so tasty it really does not need any. Try it and you’ll never want onions again! Well, at least not with your avocados?!

2 Hass avocados
1 large clove of garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, de-seeded and chopped fine
juice of two Key limes
a few sprigs of cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Cut the avocados in half and take out the pit. Slice them across and several times and then scoop out the pulp with a spoon. Once the garlic is minced, sprinkle it with a little salt and then run the blade of the knife over it, then chopping it again, and then running the blade over it again, until it becomes a paste. Mix this into the avocado, adding the pepper, the lime juice, cilantro, a little bit more salt and some pepper. Mush the avocado with the back of a fork until it is chunky and creamy at the same time.

Bresaola with Arugola salad

1 bunch of fresh arugola
25 slices of thinly cut Bresaola
Lemon juice
Extra Virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper

Roll up the individual slices of Bresaola and place them on a large serving plate, around the edges. Slice the arugola into thin strips, by taking a whole bunch in your left hand and running the knife across it, like to julienne it. Mix the salad with an abundant dash of lemon juice, then salt and pepper and finally add the olive oil, enough to coat the salad but not make it runny. When ready to serve, sprinkle lemon juice and olive oil over the Bresaola slices and add the salad mix to the center of the serving plate.

Hit Bloomingdales for their “Beauty and the Beach” event, which started this past Tuesday and runs through Monday, July 1st. The perfect excuse to stock up on beauty products and get freebies. Plus, you get to have free facials and make-up lessons to last you the rest of the summer.

Catch the phenomenal Manu Chao in concert this summer. He is touring the US and thanks to my great friends Yamuna, Olesya and Prem, I caught his gig at the Prospect Park Bandshell, here in NYC, on Tuesday evening. The man is fantastic, his music catchy and danceable even if you never heard it before. I seriously haven’t had such a good time in years! Below are dates, for more about Manu Chao go to Manu Chao’s Concert Dates.
7/28/06 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre
7/30/06 - San Diego, CA - Bayside
8/1/06 - Los Angeles, CA - Shrine Expo Center
8/3/06 - Denver, CO - The Fillmore Auditorium
8/5/06 - Chicago, IL - Lollapalooza
8/7/08 - Brooklyn, NY - Celebrate Brooklyn!

Write down what you love about your life! Hey, there are always plenty of reasons to be unhappy and dissatisfied, but we tend to forget what has made us really joyful throughout our life. If we write it down, we are less likely to forget it. And writing is such a wonderful way to get to the depth of what we are feeling. Go ahead, give it try and if you wish, send it to me. I make a promise, right here, right now, to post it on this site or on my Virb blog!

Find a gym with a pool and take advantage of the best possible exercise routine there is. If you live in a building with a pool, then why haven’t you invited me over already?! But if you, like me, do not, then join a gym like Equinox, which in most of their locations around the city, has fantastic heated, well maintained pools. Check your body back at the end of the summer, and you’ll look like a god/goddess, I promise.

Make sure to catch “A Mighty Heart” at the movies. Apart from the apparent appeals of a movie starring Angelina Jolie and featuring a great, true story, Irrfan Khan also stars in the film. If the name does not sound familiar to you, then you did not follow my advice about seeing Mira Nair’s “the Namesake” at the movies… Make sure to get it when it comes out on video. But anyway, Mr. Khan is one of the best and most handsome Indian actors out there. His charm and well thought out nuances make any movie he stars in worth seeing. I know you won’t be disappointed. If you then decide you wish to see more of this man, rent Maqbool, the Indian version of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”.

Entertaining a few friends over for dinner, drinks and some sparkling conversation DOES NOT mean spending a fortune to buy exotic groceries and spirits, slaving for days with the preparations and then having no time to sit and enjoy the company. The very word “entertain” is described as “to keep pleasantly interested; please or amuse; to have guests” which can be quite hard if the final objective is for the host/hostess to also enjoy him/herself at the party. My experience has been that if you, the person throwing the party, have a good time, the guest will also have a good time. Following are my suggestions, including the menu, recipes, time plan and a shopping list, for a get-together to be remembered.

GUEST LIST

The magic to having a great party lies in the combination of personalities you will be putting together. Include too many egocentric types, and you will have a shouting fest where no one comes away having learned anything new. Include too few, and too many shy friends and the conversation lulls for long, greatly uncomfortable pauses. Include too many men, the mood become a bit too “sports bar”, have too few or - GASP! - none, and it’s all really a glorified, grown-up slumber party without the pajamas and the sleeping bags. The types of events described above are OK if you meet at a hip new joint for drinks, or have dinner at the hot new neighborhood Thai restaurant, but when hosting your own party, you want nothing short of great success. Your guest list should be made up of at least two “bigger than life” personalities, of people who know at least one other person there (NOT including the host of course!) and a couple of good listeners. This past Sunday I hosted nine in my apartment. This was ideal as the conversation always happened in a circle and everyone had a chance to talk, and listen, to everyone else. Maybe it’s just me and my slight A.D.D., but I hate it when at cocktails parties I hear someone behind me talking about something a LOT more interesting than the conversation I am stuck into at the moment. So, pick 9 or 10 people based on the above formula, and your party is bound to be a success.

MENU

This is, dish by dish, the exact replica of my own party’s menu. You can vary it according to the items available or make a dish that is your personal forte, but try to avoid intricate dishes that require last minute preparations. Remember, the goal of this party is for everyone to have fun, including YOU! For detailed RECIPES, click on the “Pesto Pasta and Prosecco Cocktails” link to the left.

Prosecco cocktails
White wine
Spanish red wines
Homemade lime spritzers with mint - non alcoholic

Cold pesto pasta salad
Caprese salad - mozzarella and tomatoes with basil
Prosciutto di Parma with avocado slices
Italian herbed ham
Tuscan truffle infused sheep’s cheese
Bresaola with arugola salad
Hummus dip with pita chips
Garlicky guacamole
Pita wedges and sliced semolina bread
Assorted, store bought, small pastries

SHOPPING LIST

This list is based on a get-together for 10 to 12 people. If you live in NYC, lucky you, as I will list the specific shop names. Some do mail orders, so I am including websites when available. But most items aren’t so particular that they cannot be found in Anytown, USA, or Anywhere, the World. I will not include items that I assume you already have in your kitchen, like fresh garlic and olive oil, etc.

At TRADER JOE’S - grocery/wine store - www.traderjoes.com

2 bottles of Martellozzo Prosecco
1 bottle Beringer Founders’ Estate Chardonnay
2 bottles Marquis de Riscal Rioja
1 or 2 bottles of San Pellegrino sparkling water
1 carton of orange juice, with pulp
1 lb package of fusilli pasta
1 bag of Key limes
1 small bottle of pre-squeezed lemon juice
1 bag of whole grains pita chips
1 bag of white pita bread
1 15 oz can of garbanzo beans
1 jar of tahini paste
1 small bag of pignoli nuts
1 bag of avocados (4 count)

At ASTOR WINES - liquor shop - www.astorwines.com

1 bottle of Creme de Cassis

At DI PALO - Italian foods specialty store - 200 Grand St New York, NY 10013 (212) 226-1033

25 slices of Bresaola - cured beef
15 slices of Prosciutto Cotto with herbs - ham
15 slices of Prosciutto di Parma, very thinly sliced
1 1/3 lb chunk of Boschetto, Tuscan truffle cheese
1 loaf semolina bread, large
5 buffala mozzarella
1/3 lb grated Parmiggiano Reggiano

At UNION SQUARE FARMERS’ MARKET- open Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat - a local green market

1 large bunch of basil
1 bunch of arugola
1 small bunch of fresh mint
4 to 5 tomatoes
1 small bunch of cilantro

VENIERO’S, an Italian pastry shop - www.venierospastry.com

20 to 24 assorted small pastries, including some small fruit tarts, some mini cannoli and a few with chocolate, cream fillings and nuts.

At your neighborhood’s GROCERY STORE

1 jalapeno pepper
1 lemon, for garnish

At HALLMARK, a local paper/card store - www.hallmark.com

2 8-count packages of dinner size yellow plates
1 15-count package of small orange/red plates
2 6-count packages of plastic champagne glasses
1 25-count package of fancy, clear plastic glasses
1 51-count package mixed plastic cutlery (17 each spoons, forks and knives)

At PAPYRUS, a fancy paper and card store - www.papyrusonline.com

2 different packages of paper cocktail napkins in coordinating colors and designs, to complement the plates

PREPARING YOUR HOME - THE DAY BEFORE THE PARTY

The invention of products like Swiffer dusters have completely revolutionized what “cleaning house” means today. I wait to do any heavy cleaning until after my usually shoeless home has been inhabited by all my wonderful guests because I want everyone to enjoy by being themselves as much as possible. I know all about NYC Mayor Bloomberg’s “Stop Smoking” campaign, but I encourage all my guests to feel as if they are in their own home. If this is to include smoking, or dribbling a bit of food on the floor, and wearing their pretty shoes inside my apartment, power to them! The day before the party, I Swiffer the floor, clean all the mirrors with Windex Lavender (I like the smell!) and wash down the bathroom, including my tub and toilet, with Method Eucalyptus spray, which is a pleasure to use and doesn’t choke me up the way other bathroom cleaners do. I set up the chairs, the table I will serve the food on, and I wash any serving dishes that have not been used in a while, so as to avoid spots and dirt that has accumulated on them.

PREPARING FOR THE PARTY - THE MORNING OF

On the morning of the party, I cook the pasta, make the pesto and once mixed, refrigerate it. I also prepare the hummus and set up all my serving dishes. Then I mix the lime/mint concoction for the non-alcoholic drinks and set up the red wine and liquor on the serving table. I also refrigerate the whites and the Prosecco and make some fresh ice, using filtered water.

PREPARING FOR THE PARTY - AFTERNOON

Based on the first guests arriving around 6, I begin to prepare all my remaining dishes around 3.30/4. This gives me enough time to take a shower and make myself pretty first, and then get down to business. Too early and the avocado will darken, the prosciutto will dry up and the various salads will take on that weird, been-sitting-around-too-long, look. So, wash and slice the tomatoes, then slice the mozzarella, wash then spin dry the arugola and then slice it in 1/4 inch strips, cut the avocados in half, then peel them and remove the pit, take the cold cuts out of the fridge, so they will be easier to handle.
Next, prepare the Caprese salad, then roll up the Bresaola in small rolls and place them around an oval, large serving plate, roll the prosciutto slices around the avocado slices, which are cut in small wedges, about 8 from each half of the fruit. Arrange these in another, smaller serving plate, alternating with little roll-ups of the Prosciutto Cotto, cover all tightly in plastic wrap and place back in the fridge. Next, prepare the guacamole. Place back in the fridge tightly wrapped. Around 5 p.m., cut the breads, the pita in triangular wedges, the semolina bread in thin slices. At 5.30, mix the arugola with its dressing and place in the middle of the serving dish with the rolled Bresaola, take the hummus out of the fridge and arrange on a shallow plate, with some olive oil drizzled on top. Plate the truffle cheese and cover. Place everything back in the fridge and the next time you should be taking everything out is when the guests are ready to eat.

PARTY TIME! YOUR GUESTS HAVE ARRIVED

Upon entry, allow your guests to decompress from the noise, chaos and stress of the world outside. Give each and everyone the time to look around, take off their jackets and put down their bags. If they brought you flowers, take these swiftly into the kitchen and place promptly in water, to then display in the room where you will be eating. Always celebrate your guests. When you think they are ready, offer them a nice, cold glass of Prosecco, with either some Creme de Cassis (for an Italian twist on Kir Royal) or with a splash of O.J. for a sweet Mimosa. Straight up Prosecco is also a great aperitif. When the last of the guests have arrived, excuse yourself, go to the kitchen and begin bringing out all your goodies, a couple of dishes at a time. If you are lucky enough to have a great friend among your guests and she/he offers to help, by all means allow them to! Be gracious and kind and realize what a generous gesture this really is. The only thing left in your fridge then should be the sweets, which will come out after all are finished helping themselves to two, three, maybe even four portions of the food. When all the food is out, first explain what everything is - or could have little cards there listing the various dishes - have a seat, offer another round of drinks and then sit with your guests and allow them to serve themselves and others. It should feel like it is everyone’s party, not just yours.

Last but not least, eat up and enjoy! Ultimately, this party will be a success because of your great planning, care and love.

Though this lovely story was not literally written by a friend, it is because of my “rose of a friend” Laura that it is here. She took me to the ballet this past Sunday, in wonderful orchestra seats, and one of the pieces performed by NYC Ballet was one choreographed recently by Christopher Wheeldon, based on the short story by Oscar Wilde. It is a moving, loving, romantic piece that I advise everyone who reads this to try and catch, even if it involves a trip up to Saratoga, NY for the company’s summer season there. Following is a synopsis inspired by the flyer included in the Playbill.

“A Nightingale sings of love, nestled in an holm-oak tree. A young woman, the Professor’s Daughter, arrives near the tree, followed by a young and passionate Student. He has been pestering her for a dance, but she refuses unless he presents her with a red rose. He looks around but there aren’t any in the garden. The Nightingales offers to help the Student and begins looking for a red rose. She flies around the garden and finds two rose bushes, but those two plants only offer white and yellow roses. Then, on the opposite side of the garden, she finds a withered and dried up Rose-tree.
“I have red roses but am too tired from a long winter which has frozen my veins and therefore I will have no roses this year.” Says the Rose-tree.
“All I need is one! Isn’t there any way you can give me one red rose?” Cries out the Nightingale.
“I will give you a red rose, but you must build it out of your own music by moonlight and stain it with blood from your heart. You must sing while one of my thorns pierces your breast, so that your blood will become mine.” States the Rose-tree.
The Nightingale finds death a high price to pay for a rose, but then remembers that she believes in Love so much that despite her fears, she pushes her breast against a thorn and begins to sing. She sings all night, while her blood slowly drains from her little body.
Because of her beautiful yet tragic song, even the Moon forgets the dawn and lingers on in the sky.
When the Nightingale has sung her last song, the Student plucks the red rose and gives it to the Professor’s Daughter. She gives it one smell and finds its aroma not pleasing, hence throwing it to the ground. In his hurry to run after her, the Student steps over the rose and crushes it.
He picks up the rose and thinks “It is a shame, but it is only a rose and love is foolish after all”, stepping over the lifeless body of the little Nightingale.”

Adapted from a short story by Oscar Wilde

Spicy Tuna Salad served on Greens

This is my all-time favorite way to eat canned tuna fish. Make sure to start out with good quality - Italian if possible - canned tuna, as it is not as fishy as the rest. I always use one that is packed in olive oil, but if you are watching calories, feel free to substitute the water-packed kind. It is a recipe inspired by one in a Madhur Jaffrey book of Indian food, but I have added cumin seeds which are always a delight. It is best served on a bed of baby greens, but makes a really great sandwich too.

1 can of olive oil-packed tuna
1 tbls of olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, diced
1/2 inch slice of ginger, julienned
2 serrano chilies, cored and de-seeded and julienned
1/4 packed cup of cilantro, roughly chopped
juice of one medium lime
1 tsp curry powder - my favorite is Madras, which is available from Whole Foods
1/2 tsp cumin seeds, whole
Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat the oil on medium heat, in a skillet. Add the onions and let them soften, then add the garlic, ginger and chilies. When all ingredients have softened, add the cumin seeds and curry powder and heat thoroughly for 2 minutes. Then add the tuna, drained, and heat for another 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. Serves 2, warm or cold.

Valley of the Moon Pinot Blanc

A couple of year ago I went on a romantic trip through Sonoma and Napa Valley. The one winery that really stood out for me, in quality, refinement and with their boutique collection of excellent wines, is Valley of the Moon. It used to be easy to find something of theirs in every local wine shop, but it has become increasingly difficult. Try them online at www.valleyofthemoonwinery.com and make sure to try their Pinot Blanc, the perfect summer wine for any fish or light recipe.

Subscribe to the Warrior of the Light Online newsletter, by author Paulo Coelho. His pearls of spiritual wisdom are what I try to live by, and the newsletter is the first email I read when I find it in my inbox. It comes approximately every couple of weeks, and it fills my days with insight and knowledge, more than just what I am able to see, hear or smell around me. Go to Paulo Coelho.com and find the English edition, then click on the link to subscribe.

I recently read something really funny in a book of short stories by Nora Ephron. She mentions that she did not realize how much her body would change when she was in her thirties and forties, and how she wishes she had walked constantly wearing a bathing suit, knowing then what she knows now (Ms. Ephron is now in her 60s, I believe.) Although I won’t be wearing a bathing suit for all my daily activities, I have decided that it is time to take out the “gams” and show off the part of my body that is sexy in almost every single one of us women. The best way to do this, is to buy a short little dress, in either black or white, which seem to be the best colors for summer. If you are really gutsy, there are some out there in yellow and red. The best ones are by Theory and they all range in price around the $200s, which isn’t too extreme, but expensive enough that it makes us feel proud to wear it. Available at Bloomingdales, Saks and most major department stores.

“Mozzarella Thighs” are NEVER a pretty accessory. A sexy, short dress needs to be worn with tanned legs. I read about Ajune Spa in NYC and decided their Airbrush Tanning is the way to go. Made out entirely of natural ingredients, don’t be surprised if you see me there since I will probably end up getting it done once a week, all the way through Labor Day. For more info go to Ajune.com. The service is around $70 per visit.

If you haven’t seen them all, stock up on the DVDs of the TV series “24″from Netflix. Although it can’t be healthy for the heat index to be so high during the summer (due to Kiefer Sutherland’s heat and sexiness on screen!) it is the only entertainment that keeps me awake during the long summer nights. It’s loud enough to hear through the buzz of the air conditioner, it makes great sense to watch back to back, thus avoiding having to hold your breath for a week as during the real time season, and watching it will make you want to fly off to LA and spend some time getting kidnapped by terrorist, just so Jack Bauer can come save you! Available at Netflix.com.

I got a haircut, really short, for the summer. I could not be happier! I love not having to fuss with it every day and now I notice all the hot celebrities that have cropped their hair recently. I am truly in good company and I can only advise you to do the same. Even if you don’t feel like having a drastic change, a chop to get whispy bangs around the face, or getting a few simple highlights, can really change your whole outlook. Where did I get it done, you ask? Why, at the chic salon chez Jean Louis David, of course! At around $35 for a shampoo, cut and blow dry, you really can’t go wrong there! And make sure to ask for the very best stylist there, Ms. Leila! Go to Jean Louis David Online for a location near you. I took along a photo of the hair-do I wanted - Reese Witherspoon in “Sweet Home Alabama”, in brunette - and came out looking exactly as I wishes.

Summer is the perfect time to catch up on dance. It is usually so hot outside, that the only respite is found inside the halls of the great theaters where the ballet is held. In the case of smaller venues, the heat of the performers makes one forget the unbearable humidity outside. The added bonus of seeing dancers perform is that one is invariably motivated to get in better shape after the performance. So, here’s a limited list of what dance events are happening in some of the larger cities around the US.

NYC

You have a few more days only to enjoy the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center.  Their city season ends this coming Sunday, June 24th, but they do then move to their summer “home” in Syracuse, NY where the season then continues through the end of July.  If you can, you must catch the new work titled “The Nightingale and the Rose” choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon from a story by Oscar Wilde. Not only is the story so moving that I had to include the synopsis from the program in this week’s “Friend’s Corner”, but the music is brilliant and the costumes are divine. Add to the mix the heroic performances by the dancers and you may begin to get the whole picture. Seriously, run - don’t walk - to get tickets. For all info on NYC Ballet, go to www.nycballet.com.

American Ballet Theater is also holding its summer season at the MET and this week’s full length ballet is Romeo and Juliet, while next week’s, starting June 25th, is Swan Lake. For more info on them, go to www.abt.org. They are always an excellent company to see perform.

Last, but not least, one of my favorite Flamenco dancers is performing, with her company, at Theater 80 in the East Village. The name of the company is Noche Flamenca and the dancer is Soledad Barrio, a spectacular woman with energy and passion to spare. Performances are from now through July, and for more info on them, as well as a discount for early ticket purchases, go to www.nocheflamenca.com.

BOSTON

The Boston Ballet will be touring Spain for the month of July. This would be a great opportunity to actually schedule a trip to see the ballet! What is more fun and excitement than that! For more info on cities and dates, go to www.bostonballet.org.

PHILADELPHIA

The Royal Ballet, from London, is currently on tour and will be stopping in Philly - at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts - for performances from July 10th through the 13th. This will be a particularly wonderful experience, as the tour is accompanied with workshops, classes with their Master Teachers, as well as pre-performance talks and seminars. For complete info and to purchase tickets, go to www.danceaffiliates.org/SpecialEvents.html#Royal.

LOS ANGELES

At the Ford Amphitheater, there seems to be quite a lot going on this summer. I have included their link to find out more www.fordtheatres.org.

SAN FRANCISCO

Unfortunately, the San Francisco Ballet has just finished its season, but will resume again in the fall. They are worth seeing, so click onto www.sfballet.org for more info on upcoming performances.

I have a special reason for wanting to check out the newly released “Ocean’s 13″this weekend, as an ex of mine has a part in the film. I hate to kiss and tell, so I’ll leave it to your imagination to guess who the man actually is. He’s very handsome and, I’ll give you a hint, blond. Hum…. that rules out a couple of them, but does not totally give it away. An added bonus to going to see the film is that it is hailed as the best one yet in the trilogy. Happy findings!

Discover Yogi Tea as they use herbs that are mostly organic and they are wonderful and diverse teas, with little wise fortunes attached to each and every bag. When in need of a pick-me-up, simply unwrap, place the tea bag in a cup/mug and add boiling water. And while waiting for the tea to steep, ponder the wisdom that you have just unwrapped along with the tea bag. I find them at Commodities, a health food store in the East Village and Tribeca for about $2.99 to $3.99 a box, depending on the type of tea. But they are also available online at Yogi Tea.com and they come in flavors like Black Chai, Green Chai, Calming and Green Tea Pomegranate. Added bonus - the website has a link for free samples. YUM!

As you will see - or have already discovered - in the Recipes for this week, your lentil dish calls for Indian pickle to make it complete. If you have never tasted mango, lime or mixed pickle, think of it as a Bollywood party in your mouth. The spices, the sweet and sour, as well as the differing textures of the fruits and veggies and the mustard oil all come together to make up one of the most exquisite food experiences I can think of. The best one is made by Ahmed Foods, which is widely available at Indian groceries. Do not be put off by the large plastic tub, and the sealed plastic bag inside, it is worth the unsightly packaging. For a shop in the East Village, check out my “East Village” article in the archives of this blog. Kalustyan’s also has it and they can mail it out, and their website is listed in “The List” from May 24th. But if you’ll be venturing out on the Iselin/Edison adventure, go to Patel Brothers - a supermarket - where it will cost you half the price.

I always feel joyous when I shop for something fabulous which also ends up helping a cause. There is a women’s cooperative called Bead For Life, which helps poor women in Uganda to create beads out of recycled paper, which they then make into beautiful necklaces and bracelets, and sell to the West for a personal profit. My friend picked up one of their choker necklaces from ABC Carpet in NYC, and started me on the trend. Their bracelets run from $5 to $15, and their necklaces are $10 to about $30. For more info and an online store, go to Bead for Life.orgwww.beadforlife.org. The pieces are truly unique and indescribable.

Finally, the film I have been waiting for all year has finally opened, even if only in NJ. Titled “Shootout at Lokhandwala” and directed by Apoorva Lakhia, it deals with an infamous 6 hours when Bombay police confronted the members and leader of a feared gang, exchanged 1755 rounds of ammunition between the two factions and no one came out the winner. It a violent film, a cross between a “Spaghetti Western” and something Quentin Tarantino could have made, in look and style. The tag for the film is quite smart “What everyone saw was real - What no one saw was the truth” and it doesn’t hurt that it features some of the most handsome men in Hindi films today, younger and older. This past weekend I bought the CD of the soundtrack and haven’t stopped playing it since. This morning I went for a jog to the song “Ganpat”, the gangster’s rap. I promise that you won’t be disappointed. Check out the trailer on YouTube by clicking here “Shootout Trailer”.

Salma‘s Moong Dal Lentils

I found this recipe a while ago in Little India magazine. The fact that it is made by the mother of one of my favorite Bollywood star - Salman Khan - makes it only that much more special. When I eat this dish, I dream of sharing the meal with this muscular, shirtless hunk. I usually end up sharing it with a bottle of cold Corona - slice of lime thrown in - instead…

1/2 cup Moong lentils - split
1 tbl vegetable oil - olive oil is fine
1 small onion, peeled, cut in half and sliced
1 small green chilli, sliced in half, seeds removed and chopped
1/2 tsp whole cumin seeds
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 cayenne pepper
salt to taste
juice of 1/2 lemon

In a large pot, boil the lentils in 2 cups of water, on medium/high heat, covered. Skim the foam that develops on top, from time to time. Cook until soft, about 20 minutes. In a large skillet, heat the oil on medium and add the onions, cooking until transparent, about 5 minutes. Add the cumin seeds, the chilli, the turmeric and cayenne, lower the heat, and cook for about 2 minutes, until the mixture is quite fragrant. Add the cooked lentils into the skillet and cook some more, adding a bit of water if necessary, until they get to a pancake batter consistency. Lentils should still retain their shape. Add salt to your liking and the lemon juice. Serve hot, with boiled Basmati rice or some flat bread, and pickle (see this week’s The List). Serves two.

Masala Tea

No Indian meal is complete without a fragrant chai tea to end. I find that adding my own fresh spices makes a big difference in taste as no ready-prepared chai mix really does it for me.

1 Yogi Black Chai tea bag
2 tsp sugar
3 tbl whole milk
a slice of fresh ginger
4 crushed cardamon pods
1/2 stick of cinnamon
3 cloves

Place all the ingredients, and 3/4 cup of water, in a small pot. Cover and let it stand for 15 minutes. Then, place the pot of the stove and heat to boiling, on medium, stirring constantly. Let stand for about 3 minutes, covered, and then pass through a small sieve, to drain out the spices, into your favorite cup. Serves one, and quantity can be multiplied easily. For Yogi teas, see “The List”.

AKA Discovering India in Edison NJ

Getting There, From NYC:

NJ Transit has trains out of Penn Station - to Metropark which is the nearest stop - every half hour, on average. The trip ranges from 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the type of train. A round trip is $13.75 off peak. For more info go to www.njtransit.com. Once you get off at Metropark, simply go down the stairs to the entrance of the station, where there are taxis lined up. A trip to Oak Tree Road will cost about $6. Apparently there is also a bus, number 801, but when I checked it out on the schedule outside the station, it seems to only be running on weekdays. The taxi is convenient, and you can get the driver’s number for the return trip. We ended up walking back to the station, about a mile’s distance and pleasant, but if you have bought a lot, a taxi is the better alternative.

Where to Eat:

After the train ride, there is nothing better than having the taxi drop you off at the corner of Oak Tree Road and Middlesex. There is a fantastic food court there, Galaxy, where you will find tried and true South Asian specialties. Among my newfound favorites is the stand Chaska, for a traditional Punjabi/Pakistani breakfast favorite of Channa Puri Halwa - a chickpea stew, channa, served with two giant fried breads, puri, and a sweet semolina mash, halwa. I suggest then getting some Tandoori Chicken Tikka from Punjabi Junction - another favorite - and eating the whole thing together. The way I do it, which I learned from my Pakistani friend Feroza, is to take a piece of puri, the bread, wrap it around some halwa, the semolina, and then dip the whole thing into the channa, the chickpeas. Top it off with some of the pickle that comes along with the dish (it is the green/red spicy dollop in the middle of the chickpeas) then place it in your mouth, followed by a piece of chicken. Repeat, until it is all gone. The Tandoori Chicken is $6 for six pieces and the Channa Puri Halwa is $5 for a gigantic plate. Then, wash it all down with fresh Watermelon Juice from Rim Zim, at about $2.50 a glass. The Rim Zim stand is also famous for its artisanal ice cream and Kulfi - a thicker, more solid version of the former - but I suggest holding off on frozen treats until you get to the other side of town. In Galaxy, there is something for everyone, including a South Indian vegetarian stand where one can get Masala Dosa - a large thin rice pancake filled with curried potatoes - and a couple of Bombay snack stalls, which serve Pav Baji - literally a ‘quarter bread’ filled with potato stew - and Bhel - a local Chowpatty Beach favorite cold snack, with tomatoes, onions, chillis, cucumbers, crackers, yogurt and a tamarind sauce drizzled over them. No dish is over $6 at Galaxy, but because of the incredible prices, there is always a line and very few places to sit down. We ended up sharing a table, but even that took some stalking and finesse to achieve.

At the other end of Oak Tree Road, just a short walk down the shopping area, is Kwality Ice Cream, which is inside another mini food court, not as varied as Galaxy or as happenin’. The ice cream and Kulfi at Kwality are supreme though and I highly recommend stopping there to take a break from shopping. I had the Kesar Pista ice cream - with saffron and pistachios - which was simply divine. Other favorites are Gulab - rose, and Sitaphal - custard apple. Try their Kulfi also, which comes served in the traditional Indian way, cut in slices. A small cup will run you about $3 and will keep your mouth busy and satisfied for a while. The Laxmi Pan Shop is fun if you wish to have your taste buds invaded by some really powerful and exploding flavors. Pan is a leaf containing various and different herbs and ingredients, which is usually made according to a person’s preference on the spot and ingested after a meal. I have never really gotten into it, but those who have, swear by it. This would be a great place to try it, as it is usually something to steer clear of in India, due to the unsanitary factor of all those raw ingredients. For a great beverage experience, try the lychee soda Pakola, sold for $1 at the juice stand.

Where to Shop:

Just because I have you salivating by now, doesn’t mean you should only shop for food in Iselin. Although not as large and varied as Jackson Heights in Queens - a guide to that neighborhood will be featured on Adventures in July - or as inexpensive as Delhi - you can check out the Archives for a shopping guide to the great Indian city - there are some high quality shops here. My favorite is Khajana, which sells exquisite fashions by Delhi designers Pankaj Ahuja and Ritu Kumar. The shop is well known in the community for their formal wear, meaning embroidered three pieces wedding outfits that are simply divine, but there are many hip and trendy outfits mixed in, ethnic in flavor and very unique. Pankaj Ahuja designs range from $400 to $600 and Ritu Kumar is around that same ballpark too. The basement at Khajana has some bargains and great cotton pieces.

Across the street is Mahatma Gandhi Plaza, which seems to be the place to go for costume jewelry. Treasures Unlimited sells raw materials, such as coral and semi-precious stones to be strung and made into unique pieces, and Anjam has great dangly earrings and hundreds of bangles, which will turn any outfit into a Bollywood look. Nothing is too pricey, as earrings range from $15 to $18, depending on size, and even a string of coral can be as low as $12 at the gem shop. At the very end, is Rani Sahiba/Princess Collection, which has a nice selection of cotton Salwar Kameez - a traditional set of long shirt - kameez - some pants - salwar - which can be either tight around the calf or loose and a scarf - dupattha - which is worn around the neck or over one shoulder.

Closer to Kwality Ice Cream, is Maharani Fashion Plaza, a shop with a nice selection of Ritu Kumar, the Delhi designer, and fun outfit at all different price points. I walked out with a $20 sequined, sleeveless cotton top and my friend Virginia bought a lovely, embroidered salwar kameez in a muted orange cotton, with matching churidar - the tight pants that look almost like stockings - for $125. They also sell traditional saris, as well as Lehnga Cholies - the three piece skirt outfit traditionally worn at weddings - and men’s Sherwanis, a suit worn for special occasions.

For videos and CDs, which is always a must-stop for me, Movie Time Video has a large selection and even a special ‘3 for $25′ on older DVDs. There is Patel Video which also seems to be very well stocked, and the prices are pretty much the same throughout. A CD will run you $6, a new release DVD $25.

And now, my final words of wisdom. Although the service at restaurants and food shops is excellent, the sales staff at some of the shops can be a bit persistent and even, in the more upscale places, unfriendly and self-righteous. Try to avoid alterations, which will take way longer than the agreed time and will almost always look rushed. And, by all means, DO NOT let anyone talk you into having them reproduce the outfit you like but just cannot fit into, from scratch. The Indian idea of “same” is very, very different from mine, and I do speak from experience. That beautiful red embroidered shirt I liked in Jaipur and had the shop tailor reproduce in my size, ended up being a pink number with weird holes in the place of the sophisticated needle work the original displayed. Bottom line, they did not get the size right either. But aside from having to shop “pret-a-porter”, Iselin is a fantastic place, full of wonderful outfits that will make you wish you could have been born an Indian princess, or prince. Pack your appetite for life, your most convincing Mona Lisa smile and enjoy!